Japan Entertainment News - October 2007
Former Idol Singer in Drug Bust | October 31, 2007 |
 Actor and former Johnny's Jimusho idol singer Akasaka Akira (34) has been arrested for drug possession. He was found with a gram of methamphetamine stimulant drugs in the early hours of Sunday morning when stopped by police on the street in Tokyo's Toshima Ward. Akasaka was a member of the hugely popular 1980s roller-skating idol group Hikaru Genji, for whom current superstars SMAP were backing dancers. After the group broke up in 1995, Akasaka became an actor, working mostly in theatrical drama and musicals. Johnny's announced to the media by fax that they had fired him from the agency as of Monday.
• Rakugo-ka Sanyuutei Enkou was discovered dead at his Tokyo home on October 26, police revealed this week. He was 58. Neighbors reported to his apartment caretaker that they hadn't seen him in some time, and he was found on the floor of his bedroom. He's believed to have died of heart failure around October 11. The traditional comic storyteller was single and lived alone, and had been experiencing health problems for some time.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Goto Maki Leaves Hello! Project | October 30, 2007 |
 Former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (22) has left the Hello! Project. She announced the decision as she finished her nationwide tour on Sunday, saying the recent arrest of her younger brother is causing "meiwaku", or hassle, for other members of the musical collective.
Hello! Project is a loose and often interconnected collection of girl groups which grew out of the massive success that the Svengali-like producer Tsunku had with "MoMusu" in the late 1990s. Goto joined MoMusu in 1999 and of the several "graduates" who have continued with solo careers, she is the most successful. Largely thanks to her fame, her brother Yuuki (21) had a brief career as one half of the duo EE Jump but his wayward behavior quickly got him into trouble. He was arrested earlier this month on charges of leading a gang of young thieves whose modus operandi (a member rented a getaway truck in his own name) made them seem like teenage delinquents rather than hardened criminals. But Maki could hardly avoid being tainted by the scandal and her move is seen as the only way to atone for it. When the time came for her first "talk break" at yesterday's show at Omiya Sonic City, she simply bowed deeply to the audience as a sign of apology. She held the bow for so long that fans fell into an eerie silence before breaking into warm applause. Also said to be a factor in her decision is that she is aiming to build a solo career along the lines of Beyonce or Janet Jackson and so felt somewhat hampered by being one of a large group of idol singers. As she entered her 20s, she has been creating more of a sexy image.
• Another former MoMusu member, Abe Natsumi (26), was apologizing to fans yesterday, too. At a show in Osaka that kicked off her latest tour, she said she was sorry for "worrying" fans with the trafic accident she caused earlier in the month. Meanwhile, the news is brighter for the current MoMusu lineup. A 10th anniversary collection of the group's hits has made No.1 in the latest Oricon album chart. With 11 albums now having made the Top 10, they share top spot for a female group with top 1980s band Princess Princess.
• Taking the No.1 and No.2 spots on the Oricon singles chart are Bump of Chicken with "Hana no Na" and "May Day". It's the first time an artist has held both the top two spots since Rag Fair did it more than five years ago.
• Talento Rinka (34) is reaching out to all those Japanese women with a broken heart. She was chosen to record a cover of Blondie's 1999 song "Maria" as the theme tune for the Japan release of Korean movie "200 Pounds Beauty". The movie is based on a Japanese manga by Suzuki Yumiko, "Kanna-san Daiseikou Desu!" Producers say they chose Rinka because of her popularity among young Japanese women and her "dramatic life". The recently revealed breakup with her boyfriend of six years no doubt influenced Rinka as she wrote her own Japanese lyrics for the song. Blondie keyboard player Jimmy Destry also took part in the project. "Maria" goes on sale December 12 and the movie opens in Japanese theaters on December 15.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Terry Collins Smooth as...Silk? | October 29, 2007 |
 Orix Buffaloes manager Terry Collins (58) didn't have a good first season in Japanese baseball but he did find love. In a recent meeting with pitcher Miyamoto Daisuke (26) at fall training, the divorcee acknowledged his relationship with Yoshimoto Kogyo talento Silk (44, real name Kasatani Ayako). It was the first time he had spoken about the relationship since it was first rumored back in June. A former manager of the Houston Astros and the Anaheim Angels, Collins arrived in Japan in January on a 3-year contract to manage the Buffaloes. They ended the season in the Pacific League cellar. Miyamoto married another Yoshimoto comedienne, Unabara Yasuyo (31), in 2005 and is currently making a return from the Orix farm system. He continues to recover from a condition known as ossification of the yellow ligament, a problem that has ended the career of many players.
• The 20th Tokyo International Film Festival wound up Sunday with "The Band's Visit," a joint French-Israeli production directed by Eran Kolirin, taking the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix and $50,000 prize money. It tells the tale of an Egyptian police band that gets lost while visiting a small town in the desert in Israel and of the members' exchanges with the local people. Other winners: the Special Jury Prize - "The Western Trunk Line", directed by Li Jixian; Best Director - Peter Howitt for "Dangerous Parking"; Best Actress - Shefali Shah in "Gandhi My Father"; Best Actor - Damian Ul in "Tricks." The Audience Award went to "Leroy" by director Armin Voelckers.
• Johnny's Jimusho veteran Masahiko Kondo (43) became a father for the first time earlier in the month, he revealed last Friday. He and his wife Atsuko (41) married in 1994, and had been through years of miscarriages and infertility treatment. They finally had an addition to the family at a Tokyo hospital on the afternoon of October 8. Kondo, who has largely swapped singing for a career as a racing driver and team owner, rushed to the hospital from a pre-scheduled traffic safety event on the day, but missed his son's arrival by less than five minutes. They named him Gousuke, using a kanji that is made up of three "cars". The boy was born two months premature and is in an incubator - his father has yet to have a chance to hold him - but is said to be developing well.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Uchino Masaaki, Ichiro Maki Hold Wedding Ceremony | October 26, 2007 |
Actor Uchino Masaaki (39) and former top Takarazuka star Ichiro Maki (42) held their wedding reception at a historical Tokyo restaurant yesterday. Helping them celebrate was their 1-year-old daughter Rio, and the guest list included a host of theatrical and TV celebrities. The couple first started dating when working together on the stage musical "Elizabeth" in 2000. They announced their engagement in May 2006 and registered their marriage the following July. Ichiro left the all-female theatrical troupe in 1996 and has performed on stages around the world. She and Uchino met when they played together in the musical "Elizabeth" in 2000. Ichiro appeared in the 1997 NHK taiga historical drama, while Uchino is playing the lead role of medieval warrior Yamamoto Kansuke in this year's production, "Fuurinkazan". His busy schedule working on the series was the main reason for the delay in holding their reception. The event was held at the Ogasawara Hakushaku-tei, a 75-year-old Spanish villa-style addition to what was the home of the Count Ogasawara in the Edo Period.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Umezu Kazuo's Striped House Hits Another Hurdle | October 25, 2007 |
 Eccentric manga artist (aren't they all?!) Umezu Kazuo (71) is having a hard time realizing his dream house project. Famous for always wearing red and white stripes, he wants to build his new house in the Tokyo suburb of Kichijoji in the same style. Not only that, but with a design that incorporates a likeness of Makoto-chan, one of his most famous characters. His new neighbors in the residential area have been up in arms, though they failed in an earlier legal attempt to have the project cancelled. Construction went ahead as planned but now two neighbors have appealed to the Tokyo District Court to stop the house being painted in red and white.
• Actress Kikuchi Maiko (33) revealed on her blog this week that she is expecting her first child next spring. She married a 39-year-old businessman in July. She made her name as the heroine of the NHK morning drama series "Futarikko" in 1996. Her co-star, Iwasaki Hiromi (30), married last April and is expecting her first child in December.
• Globe vocalist Keiko (35), the wife of producer/musician Komuro Tetsuya (48), announced her new solo project set to begin early next year. She will use the stage name KCO, both as a singer and a TV personality. Part of the new image is to chnage her dyed blonde hair her to brown. Her first single as KCO, "Snow Story" goes on sale on January 23. Not surprisingly it's produced by hubby Komuro.
• Shogo(27), vocalist of rock band 175R, already has a new woman in his life, according to this week's issue of women's weekly "Josei Seven". Shogo and former Speed member Imai Eriko (24) divorced only a month ago but had been separated since the spring. And it seems that Shogo lost no time dating pin-up idol Kosaka Yuka and they have shared apartment keys for several months.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Chikushi Testsuya Steps Down | October 24, 2007 |
 Chikushi Testsuya has formally announced his retirement as main anchor on the TBS "News 23" show, and a replacement has been named. Current Kyodo News managing editor Goto Kenji (58) is expected to take over the role within the year. The program's official name will remain as "Chikushi Tetsuya News 23" for the time being and Chikushi (72), who is still undergoing treatment for lung cancer, will make occasional appearances as a "special anchor". After 18 years hosting the late-night news show, he announced that he had cancer in mid-May and it was almost five months before he appeared on the screen again on October 8. He looked leaner and admitted to wearing a hairpiece. Goto, who joined Kyodo in 1973, spent about a year as a guest commentator on TBS news shows from the spring of 2005 before being promoted to managing editor at the major news agency. He will quit on October 31 and plans to take on his new TV role in December.
• Iwabori Seri (30), a model and the wife of Glay leader Takuro (36), gave birth to their second child, at the beginning of the month. She announced the arrival the baby girl on her blog yesterday. The couple married in 2004 and had a boy in 2005.
• Veteran comedian Haruno Piichiku died of lung cancer at a Tokyo hospital yesterday. He was 82. Real name Naoi Toshihiro, he made his debut as a manzai comedian with the late Ohsawa Mitsuru in 1953 and they renamed themselves Haruno Piichiku-Paachiku in 1959. After they split in 1973, Piichiku started a caricature-based solo act. He was performing on stage as recently as October 6, though his cancer was discovered in early September.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
The Return of X Japan | October 23, 2007 |
 Legendary rock band X Japan took a major step towards their long-awaited comeback yesterday, recording the promo video for their new single. Ten years after they split, the four surviving members of the band were on the Tokyo waterfront to record a live performance on the rooftop of the Aqua City Odaiba mall. The ¥42 million production used helicopters and fire trucks to create artificial rain. Some 10,000 fans gathered to watch the performance on a large screen monitor set up in a nearby car park as leader Yoshiki on drums, Toshi on vocals, Pata on guitar and bassist Heath performed "I.V.", the all-English theme tune for the Hollywood horror movie "Saw IV" which opens in the U.S. this weekend. The track includes previously un-released guitar tracks made by former lead guitarist Hideto "hide" Matsumoto, who died in a suspected suicide in 1998. Yoshiki was characteristically topless as he showed that he hasn't lost his frantic drumming style. There had been plans to meet with fans in a nearby hall after the recording, but the crowd was just too big. Speaking to fans via the monitor, Yoshiki remembered hide, "What I really wanted was for us to make our world debut with hide. But seeing as you've all taken the trouble to come here tonight, we're going to play a concert in Tokyo next spring!"
• Health problem have once again forced singer songwriter Yoshida Takuro (61) to cancel a string of concerts in his nationwide tour. He postponed 8 shows from the end of August after coming down with asthmatic bronchitis, but was thought to have made a full recovery and played six shows up to October 17. But he was told by his doctor that he has acute bronchitis and a lung infection and needs to rest for three months. This means calling off the remaining 19 shows, which had been scheduled between today and January 23.
• Police have sent the recent traffic accident case against former Morning Musume member Abe Natsumi (26) to prosecutors. She hit a motorcyclist while pulling out of a car park on the evening of October 7, causing minor injuries to the 33-year-old rider.
• Yamada Shinji, a singer and movie star during the 1950s and 60s, died yesterday of pneumonitis at a Tokyo hospital. He was 70. He had his biggest hit with "Aishuu no Machi ni Kiri ga Furu" in 1959.
• Talento Aoki Sayaka (34) is engaged to be married to a 31-year-old dancer. She made the revelation in an interview in today's issue of women's weekly "Josei Jishin" and has written about the romance in her autobiography "34", which goes on sale this week. Aoki made her name in the last few years as a solo comedienne with a short fuse and is now one of the most familiar faces on the variety show circuit.
• Actor Tamaki Hiroshi (27) and singer Shimatani Hitomi (27) are the latest young showbiz couple. Their romance was also revealed in today's "Josei Jishin". They have both worked with the same record label and are said to have started dating at the beginning of September. Tamaki's agency made no comment on the story, but Shimatani's management acknowledged the relationship.
• Mihimaru GT vocalist Hiroko (23) has teamed up with breakthrough reggae singer Kusuo (28) on the new single "Tegami". The two friends co-wrote the song, which will be released on iTunes tomorrow. Kusuo raised his profile this summer when his mini album "Koi ga Ore Desubai", released in June, held the No.1 spot on the Oricon indie chart for five weeks.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Goto Maki's Brother Arrested | October 22, 2007 |
 Goto Yuuki (21, photo right), the troubled younger brother of former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (22), has been arrested. Said to be the leader of a group of young thieves, he was arrested by police in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward on charges of stealing ¥1 million worth of electrical wiring from a construction site in mid-July. The group were spotted leaving the site with the stolen materials in a 2-ton truck. When confronted by a police officer, they abandoned the truck and got away on foot. But the truck had been rented by one of the members and was quickly traced to him. Goto reported to the Komatsugawa police station with his lawyer on Saturday and admitted to all the charges. Goto made his showbiz debut at the age of 13 after he was scouted while attending a Momusu concert. He was teamed with female singer Sonin (24, photo left) in a duo called EE Jump. But within a year, his tendency to stay out all night got him into trouble with his management and he started missing work. After a 5-month forced break, he returned to work but was back in trouble again within three months: photos of him at a hostess club (he was still only 15) were published in a weekly magazine and EE Jump was disbanded. He married in December 2005, at which point his bride was already seven months pregnant.
• As if the recent divorce of former sumo champion Hanada Masaru (36) and former flight attendant Mieko (38) hadn't already grabbed enough headlines, it now turns out she had an affair with a young actor. Today's issue of weekly magazine "Shuukan Gendai" includes a story about the 6-month affair in 2004 with handsome actor Aoki Kenji (27). Hanada visited his ex-wife yesterday afternoon and they drove somewhere with their three children, returning in the evening. A couple of hours later, he sped off on his motorcycle, and neither made any comment to the waiting reporters. Aoki, a member of the quartet Jack Jack, spoke to the media after an event yesterday, saying there had indeed been an affair. Last night he updated his blog and apologized to his fans for all the fuss. The media have since been taking the stance that the whole thing was probably timed as a publicity stunt by Aoki.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Natsuki Mari to Marry After All | October 19, 2007 |
 The epitome of the cool single woman, singer/actress Natsuki Mari (55) is engaged to be married. She announced yesterday that she and percussionist Saito Nobu (56) plan to tie the knot next spring. It is Natsuki's first marriage, while Saito is divorced. The couple met in spring of 2006 when Saito was a session musician for Natsuki's new band Gibier du Mari and they started dating this summer. She is scheduled to attend a press event today for the launch of her new book. She is famous for shunning Japan's more conservative values and was widely believed to have no interest in marriage. Real name Nakajima Junko, she started out as a sensual jazz singer, and has often shocked Japan with her sexuality, appearing nude in the 1983 Kinji Fukasaku move "Satomi Hakkenden" (Legend of the Eight Samurai). Twice nominated for a Japanese Academy Award, she voiced the character of Yubaba in Miyazaki Hayao's Oscar-winning anime "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" (Spirited Away, 2001). Saito is one of Japan's top session musicians and has recorded with artists as diverse as Matsutoya Yumi, B'z, Gackt, and Morning Musume.
• Talento and former Olympic swimmer Michiko Kihara died yesterday of a brain hemorrhage at a hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture. She was 59. Kihara achieved fame when she swam for Japan at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964 and went on to become a popular television personality. She was popularly known by her nickname "Mimi".
• Eight Japanese films will be showcased over the course of the British Film Institute's annual London Film Festival which opened Wednesday. With a selection of seven Japanese features and one short making it through the shortlist for a place in the prestigious 16 day program, directors including Yamashita Nobuhiro, Kitano Takeshi and Sori Fumihiko will be given the opportunity to air their works. "There are some highly creative people in Japan and the films are obviously testament to their ideas and their skills and I think that they enrich the festival by providing aesthetic pleasures which you don't perhaps get from other films," said program adviser Tony Rayns. The titles include Kitano's "Kantoku Banzai!" (Glory to the Filmmaker!), Suo Masayuki's courtroom drama "Soredemo Boku wa Yattenai" (I Just Didn't Do It), "Mogari no Mori" (The Mourning Forest) which won the Grand Prix at Cannes this year, and the anime fantasy feature "Vexille".
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Jodie Foster, Matt Damon in Tokyo | October 18, 2007 |
 A couple of Hollywood stars have been in town this week. Jodie Foster (44) attended the Japan premiere of "The Brave One" at the Roppongi Hills complex in central Tokyo last night. She took her time with TV interviews and signing autographs for fans, taking 20 minutes to walk the 100m carpet, which was yellow rather than red. She told the 700 fans, "I've been to Tokyo many, many, many times. Since I was 13. The first time I came, I fell in love with Tokyo." (By the way, the photo shows Foster at a press conference, flanked by Toda Natsuko. Toda interprets for most visiting Hollywood stars and does the subtitles for many of the big movies). The movie opens on October 27. Meanwhile, Matt Damon (37) flew into Narita Airport on American Airlines yesterday, and was met by about 150 fans who sang him a belated Happy Birthday (his birthday was October 8). He's here to promote "The Bourne Ultimatum", which has it's premiere tonight and opens in theaters on November 10. It's his first visit in almost three years, the last time being to plug "Ocean's 12".
• Tickets will be like gold dust for two shows by British rock band The Police, who announced their Japan concert schedule yesterday. We reported here on Japan Zone back in March that the band are coming to Japan for the first time in 27 years (they canceled a 1983 show at Nippon Budokan), and they will play Kyocera Dome in Osaka on February 10 and Tokyo Dome on the 13th. Recently reformed 30 years after their debut and 23 years after they split, their world tour started in Canada in May. Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland are performing without any backing musicians, but will be supported in Japan by Fiction Plane, with Sting's son Joe Sumner (30) on bass and vocals.
• Talento Sakakibara Ikue (48) recently had her bag stolen from her car, according to police. She had parked her car outside a friends house in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on Tuesday evening, and was dumb enough to leave the window open. Her bag, containing ¥60,000 in cash, was gone when she returned half an hour later. One of the top idol singers of the early 1980s, she is married to actor Watanabe Toru (46).
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Fuji Discovers Success with Galileo | October 17, 2007 |
 "Galileo", the new Fuji TV Monday night drama series, is off to a good start. With a couple of top names - Fukuyama Masaharu (38), in his first starring role in four years, and Shibasaki Kou (26) - the audience ranking for the opening episode was a very respectable 24.7% in the Kanto region, according to Video Research. The series is based on a popular novel by Higashino Keigo, and Fukuyama plays the physics genius Yukawa Manabu, while Shibasaki plays rookie detective Utsumi Kaoru. Each week features a guest villain, with Karasawa Toshiaki (44) taking on the role in the first episode. SMAP member Katori Shingo (30) will make a guest appearance in the fourth episode. In a radical change from his recent TV and movie role as the Monkey god Songoku in "Saiyuki", he will play a cunning serial killer.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Miyazawa Rie and Ebizo an Item Again? | October 16, 2007 |
 Actress Miyazawa Rie (34) may be back together with kabuki playboy Ichikawa Ebizo (29), according to the latest issue of women's weekly "Shuukan Josei". The owner of an izakaya restaurant that Ichikawa frequents says the actor introduced her on a recent visit, saying, "We're dating now." The two were first rumored to be dating back in 1997 by the same magazine, and romance was rekindled when they starred together in a theatrical production last month. Both have had eventful love lives, to say the least. Miyazawa's most famous romance was with sumo wrestler Takanohana back in the early 1990s. They were both huge stars at the time and their engagement and Miyazawa's reported change of heart received massive media attention. More recently, she had been dating accessory designer Mikita Takashi (37) since 2002, but the pair split up in the spring. Ichikawa's past romances include actresses Yonekura Ryoko (32), Sato Eriko (25) and Takaoka Saki (34). Asked about the latest rumors after a performance yesterday in Nagoya, he had no comment.
• In Tokyo yesterday Miss Mexico, 24-year-old newscaster Priscila Pelares, was chosen as Miss International 2007. Japan's representative, Shirata Hisako (25), didn't get any further than the last 12.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Huge Turnout for Midousuji Parade | October 15, 2007 |
 An estimated one and a quarter million people turned out in Osaka yesterday for the annual parade to commemorate the 1937 opening of the city's main Midousuji street. The highlight of the parade was a float carrying veteran actors Fukita Makoto (74) and Shiraki Minoru (73). The pair starred in the hugely popular 1960's comedy series "Tenamonya Sandogasa", which was made by Osaka's ABC TV and sponsored by local confectioner Maeda Seika. To the delight of residents, they held up packets of Maeda's famous crackers and shouted out the famous catchphrase, "Ore ga konna ni tsuyoi nomo, atari Maeda no kurakkaa". The show was also closely tied to the local Yoshimoto Kogyo comedy talent agency, to which the diminutive Shiraki belonged. In the 25 years since it started in 1983, the event has occasionally been used as the victory parade when a local baseball team has won the Japan Series, though it's only happened three times: the Nakai Hawks in 1959 and the Hanshin Tigers in 2003 and 2005.
• Some 300 fans turned out at Haneda Airport to greet popular Korean actress Choi Ji Woo (32). She's in Tokyo to promote the drama series "Air City", which airs on Wowow from October 26. The suspense drama is set in Seoul Airport and is Choi's first starring role in four years.
• Also in Tokyo over the weekend was Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (39), here to promote his latest movie "Kingdom", which opened at Roppongi Hills on Saturday. It was his second visit to Japan as an actor, the first being to promote "Any Given Sunday" in 2000. But he revealed that he had been in Japan before that, performing stand up comedy on U.S. military bases in Okinawa about nine years ago.
• KAT-TUN member Akanishi Jin (22) has his first drama starring role in the upcoming "Yuukan Kurabbu" (The Leisure Club). Based on the long-running girl's manga, it tells of six high schoolers who get caught up in various adventures. The show's theme tune, "Keep the Faith", was written by former Boowy vocalist Himuro Kyosuke and is performed by KAT-TUN. Akanishi, one of the more popular young Johnny's Jimusho stars, is making his first drama appearance in almost two and a half years, a period during which he took off to the U.S. to study for six months.
• Rakugo performer Motoya Izumi (33) continues to deny rumors of a split with his wife, former actress Hano Aki (39). She and their two children are said to have moved in with her mother since last month. Motoya, his two sisters, and his overbearing mother have been through a series of scandals over the last few years.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Sanyutei Enraku Hospitalized with Cancer | October 13, 2007 |
 Former rakugoka Sanyutei Enraku (74) is to undergo treatment for cancer, it was revealed yesterday. During a medical checkup at the beginning of the month, an endoscopy discovered a cancer tumor in his stomach. He is currently undergoing further tests at the Keio Hospital to decide if surgery is required. After a career of more than 50 years, Enraku announced his retirement from the stage due to poor health back in February. Best known as the host of popular and long-running NHK show "Shoten", he was hospitalized with a brain hemorrhage in October 2005 and made his comeback to the stage a year later. He has also been undergoing dialysis treatment for nine years and his combined health problems forced him to pass on the baton at "Shoten" last year after 40 years as a performer and host on the traditional comedy show.
• Thursday's broadcast of the WBC Flyweight title bout between Kameda Daiki (18) and champion Naito Daisuke (33) drew an impressive audience rating of 28% in the Kanto region. In Kansai, home of the Kameda boxing brothers, the rating was higher still at 32.3%, reaching a peak of over 40% as the judges' announced their decision: 3-0 for Naito, who won the title in July. The first-ever loss leaves Kameda, middle of three brothers, with a record of 10-1-0 (7 KOs). TBS said that they had over 1,000 complaints after the bout, mostly complaining that the buildup to the fight was too long and that the commentators were too focused on Kameda. But such is the huge hype surrounding the brothers, none of whom have yet to win outside Japan. Eldest brother Koki (20) has a 16-0 record and is scheduled to fight on October 25, though no opponent has yet been named. Youngest brother Tomoki (16) aims to turn pro next summer.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Giants Pitcher to Wed Announcer | October 12, 2007 |
 The latest big sports-showbiz couple are Yomiuri Giants pitcher Hayashi Masanori (24) and TV Tokyo announcer Kamei Kyoko (25), who announced yesterday that they plan to marry before the end of the year. The couple have been dating for about 15 months. The Giants recently clinched their first Central League pennant in five years. Hayashi said he wanted to make the announcement before the Giants get into final preparations to face the winner of the 2nd-3rd place playoff in the Climax Series from October 18. Hayashi was a starter in his second season in 2002, but was switched to middle relief the following year. Kamei joined TV Tokyo in 2005.
• Actress Mihara Junko (43) revealed yesterday that she and talento Happy Happy (38) have finally divorced. Though the couple appeared regularly on TV as an ideal couple after their 1999 marriage, rumors of a split had been circulating for several years. Mihara says her husband's affairs had been their undoing and that despite their efforts to patch things up, they finally filed for divorce on October 6. The revelation was made on the TBS variety show "Kin-Sma", hosted by SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro, and will be broadcast tonight.
• Another revelation to be broadcast tonight is that actress Hamada Noriko (42) has been married for the last six years. She is scheduled to make a live appearance on the NTV show "Rajikaru". She made her debut in 1984 as one of four girls selected to star in the hugely hyped movie "The Audition" and spin-off group Saint Four. The group split in 1988 and Hamada became an obscure stage and B-movie actress. She released a book of nude photos in 2000.
• Dance unit TRF have postponed two dates in the 15th anniversary tour as member Etsu (43) has been hospitalized with bronchitis. The shows in Fukuoka and Osaka have been rescheduled for December.
• Comedy duo Cream Stew revealed yesterday that they recently made their U.S. TV debut. The pair appeared for all of 4.4 seconds in an August episode of the popular drama series "4400". In episode 43 of season four, titled "Ghost in the Machine", they played a pair of National Security Agency staff members, but had no lines. The series won't be available for rental in Japan until next year. The duo claim they are aiming to have speaking parts in season five.
• Japan-based American pin-up girl/singer Leah Dizon (21) has her first "scandal". Today's issue of weekly gossip magazine "Friday" says she is seeing the handsome 26-year-old son of her management agency's president. Still a university student, he is also a director of the company and has worked on Dizon's promo video production. He has been seen several times picking up Dizon in his car and taking her to his apartment. The agency denies that there's any romance, with the limp explanation that she "is visiting her cat at his apartment, as she's not allowed to keep pets at her own home." A likely story!
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Yazawa Eikichi to Perform on Kohaku? | October 11, 2007 |
 Though he's one of Japan's most established rock stars, Yazawa Eikichi (58) has never performed on the country's most established music show. NHK's annual Kohaku Uta Gassen song contest has been a New Year's Eve institution for almost six decades. But recent years have seen NHK trying different approaches to reverse steadily declining audience figures. This year, the man with the plan is producer Samizo Takashi, who is behind the network's successful Wednesday night show "Songs". It was through that show and his respect for true musicianship that Samizo established a strong working relationship with "Ei-chan" and Sano Motoharu (51), another major star who has never appeared on Kohaku. With NHK planning to have a segment of the show centered around singers who have been featured on "Songs", it should bode well for audience ratings - among the middle-aged bracket at least. NHK has a 3-year plan leading up to the 60th edition of Kohaku in 2009, with the theme of "utajikara", the "power of music".
• Talento Toyooka Masumi (24) announced yesterday that she is engaged to be married. She and her businessman fiance plan to register their marriage and hold a ceremony on November 3. He is 10 years older and 31cm taller than the tiny 147cm (4'10") Toyooka. She debuted in 1999 as a member of the idol trio P-Chicks, all of whom were under 150cm. Her fanatical interest in railways has earned her the nickname "Tetsuko" and ensures her a steady otaku fan base.
• Talento Enari Kazuki (22) settled his lawsuit against a magazine publisher at the Tokyo District Court yesterday. "Nikkan Gendai" published a story that suggested Enari was a regular customer of the sex industry, a claim in total contrast to his clean image, and he sued for ¥11 million in damages. The magazine published an apology in last Saturday's issue.
• Management for former Morning Musume member Ishiguro Aya (29) and Luna Sea drummer Shinya (37) have denied reports that the two are discussing a divorce. The story, printed in several newspapers today, claimed they are already separated and have only to decide custody and maintenance of their three children. But their agencies say that the separate apartments are simply to allow Shinya to work on his music, a claim he made several weeks ago on TV.
• Comedian Kajiwara Yuuta (27) became a father on Tuesday. A member of the comedy duo King Kong, he and former model Mikiko married in June.
• The latest in this year's silly awards is the Megane Best Dresser, given to celebrities who look best in glasses. Among yesterday's recipients of the award, now in its 20th year, were talento Manabe Kaori (26), actor Takenaka Naoto (51), model Mori Izumi (24) and Miyazaki governor Higashikokubaru Hideo (50).
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Goal for Penalty's Wakki | October 10, 2007 |
 Yesterday, comedian Wakki (photo right) was put on the spot during a live variety show and admitted that he is engaged to be married. The news came during the live 3-hour "London Hearts" special on TV Asahi last night, when the show's hosts, duo London Boots, and Wakki's comic partner Nakagawa "Hide" Hideki (36, photo left), who got hitched in July, made an unannounced visit to his home. His fiancee Ayumi, a 33-year-old Tokyo resident, was interviewed but only through a frosted glass window. The couple met eight years ago when Ayumi was working as the emcee for an event in Yokohama. They plan to register their marriage on October 13 but have no immediate plans for a wedding ceremony or reception. One half of the popular Yoshimoto comedy duo Penalty, Wakki (35, real name Wakita Yasuhito) met his partner Hide when they played soccer together for the powerhouse Funabashi High School, with whom they won a national championship. Predictably the entertainment headlines are full of references to his having scored a "goal".
• The new TBS drama series "Utahime" is to use Eric Clapton's 1996 hit "Change the World" as background music. It's the first time that Clapton has allowed his music to be used in a Japanese show, and he is said to given his approval after having enjoyed the script. Naturally there is an angle to the story: Clapton is due to release an album of hits, "Lifetime Best", in December.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Kanda Uno's Japanese Wedding | October 09, 2007 |
Talento Kanda Uno (32) had her long-awaited wedding in Tokyo yesterday. She married pachinko mogul Nishimura Takuro (37) in a traditional shinto ceremony at Meiji Jingu shrine. The ceremony was followed by a hugely extravagant reception downtown at the Hotel New Otani. A lucky 777 friends and fellow celebrity guests were invited to the reception and bridal fashion show that is said to have cost ¥600 million (771 actually turned up). Kanda wore a 105-carat diamond and platinum tiara, necklace and earring set that arrived just days before from Antwerp and cost some ¥300 million. Kanda's friend Ohguro Maki (37) performed a ballad she had composed specially for the occasion, leaving both the bride and groom in tears. The couple have not yet registered their marriage and plan to do so on October 13, an auspicious taian day on the traditional calendar. The daughter of a bureaucrat, Kanda entered the world of showbiz in 1992. After many years as a regular on the variety show circuit, recently she has been working more as a fashion designer. Yesterday's reception featured dozens of her bridal designs. She has never made a secret of her taste for the high life and there was never any doubt that she would marry into money. Nishimura is the founder of the major Nittaku chain of pachinko parlors, with annual sales of ¥200 billion.
• Newscaster Chikushi Tetsuya (72) returned to the studio 147 days after taking a leave of absence to undergo cancer treatment. He revealed on the "News 23" show back in mid-May that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He made occasional telephone appearances on the show during the summer, such as for the July national election, as he underwent chemotherapy. He admitted that he had actually put on some weight, and even managed to talk cheerfully about having lost some 20% of his hair. But he acknowledged that his battle with cancer was ongoing and that he would not be able to return to the studio full-time.
• Former Morning Musume member Abe Natsumi (26) is to be prosecuted after causing a traffic accident on Sunday. According to police, she was making a right turn out of a car park on Sunday evening when she hit a motorbike. Abe was unhurt but the rider suffered minor injuries to his elbow and back. Abe has had her driving license for less than a year and still has a learner's sticker on her car.
• Rock duo B'z have extended their amazing sales records once again. With "Super Love Song" on top of the latest Oricon singles chart, they have now had 40 No.1's in a row. Their 41 consecutive Top 10 entries lifts them above SMAP and The Alfee.
• Veteran idol duo Pink Lady have sued a magazine publisher for use of their image without permission. A February issue of women's magazine "Josei Jishin" featured photos of Mii (49) and Masuda Keiko (50) performing their famous dance moves as part of a feature on dieting through dance. The duo have sued publisher Kobunsha for ¥3.12 million in compensation.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
News One Day Late | October 08, 2007 |
Popular young Johnny's Jimusho group News gave their first ever overseas "solo" performances in Taipei yesterday. The afternoon and evening shows at the Taipei Arena had been postponed by a day due to the largest typhoon seen in the Taiwanese capital in many years. 26,000 fans forgot any disappointment as the 6-member group descended in a gondola from the 43m high ceiling of the arena. The show also included high-flying wire stunts that got the performers close to the stands, despite the fact that power blackouts had prevented all but the briefest of rehearsals the previous day. Tegoshi Yuya (19) jumped too soon for one stunt and ended up in the seats. He was surprised to be greeted with a chorus of "Daijobu?" (Are you okay?), an indication that many young Taiwanese fans are learning Japanese. During the 2-hour 20-minute show they sang 23 songs including the first performance of their upcoming single "Weeeek", due for release on November 7. The trip has clearly been a financial success, with the group's album "Touch" and singles all reaching the top of the local sales charts.
• American pop diva Fergie (32) and acclaimed British newcomers the Pipettes have provided two songs for the TBS romantic comedy series "Hatachi no Koibito. The series stars comedian Akashiya Sanma (52) and Nagasawa Masami (20). The Pipettes' "Because It's Not Love", from their debut album, is the show's theme tune, and Fergie says she wrote "Pick It Up" especially for her Japanese fans. "Hatachi..." airs on Sunday nights from October 14.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Hollywood Premiere for Midnight Eagle | October 05, 2007 |
 "Heroes" star Masi Oka (32) joined the Japanese director and cast of "Midnight Eagle" for yesterday's world premiere in Hollywood. Stars Osawa Takao (39) and Takeuchi Yuko (27) said the event was all the more thrilling because it was held at the famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, the site of Hollywood's first-ever premiere in 1922. Also on stage were director Narushima Izuru (46) and actors Tamaki Hiroshi (27) and Fuji Tatsuya (66). Scheduled for release in Japan on November 23 and in the U.S. in early December, "Midnight Eagle" will be the first Japanese movie to open (almost) simultaneously in Japan and the U.S. following a tie up between Shochiku and Universal Pictures. It will also be the opening movie at the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival. The plot revolves around a US stealth bomber that has gone down in Japan's Northern Alps.
• Mickie Yoshino (55), leader of the legendary band Godiego, has married a 36-year-old artist. Yoshino and long-time Godiego fan Ouchi Sachie were married by the band's bassist Steve Fox (54), who is also a Christian minister. The couple had been dating since the start of the year. Godiego had limited success overseas but achieved legendary status in Japan following their 1978 single "Monkey Magic", the theme tune for the hugely popular TV drama "Saiyuki".
• Distribution of this week's issue of the weekly gossip magazine "Friday" was canceled at the last minute, the first time this has happened in the magazine's 23-year history. The official explanation was simply that a serious error had been found in a major news story. Sources say that an editor found errors related to the photographs used in the article and that the story in question was about the death of a 17-year-old sumo trainee at the Tokitsukaze stable in June. The incident has led to a police investigation and possible criminal charges against stablemaster Tokitsukaze and several older wrestlers. There has also been strong criticism of the Japan Sumo Association's handling of the matter. Friday, published by Kodansha, has a circulation of about 415,000.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Health Issues Beset Middle-Aged Women | October 04, 2007 |
 Singer Agnes Chan (52) underwent surgery on Monday for breast cancer. According to a statement released by her management agency yesterday, the surgery was a success. Though she has canceled a series of concerts and lectures scheduled for the next few days, they say she plans to be back at work on October 9. The tumor was discovered in mid-September and was found to be in its early stages. Full name, Agnes Miling Kaneko Chan, the Chinese singer started her singing and acting career in Hong Kong in the early 1970s but soon found even greater success in Japan, where she debuted in 1972. She married her former manager, Tsutomu Kaneko, in 1986 but continued working after giving birth to her first child. Her decision to bring her infant son with her to work was seen at the time as highly controversial and led to the first widespread debate on the issue of working mothers. A Christian, Chan is an essayist, novelist, university lecturer and UNICEF ambassador.
• And on the same theme, talento Takagi Miho (45) is to make her return to acting for the first time in 12 years in a drama about three women in their 40s and one's struggle with breast cancer. "Hitogata Nagashi" is based on the novel of the same name and stars Sawaguchi Yasuko (42) as a TV announcer, while Takagi and Matsuda Miyuki (45) complete a trio of friends. All three actresses had their heyday in the 1980s, with Matsuda getting married young to legendary actor Matsuda Yusaku (1949-89). Their two sons are now up and coming actors in their 20s. Takagi says she is leaving the running of her family's farm in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture to her father while she is filming the drama. Apart from her rural work, she has been a regular on afternoon and variety shows for several years. The new 3-part series airs on NHK from December 1.
• Singer Mori Masako (48) has canceled all planned concert in October and November due to her health problems. As we reported here about a week ago, she was hospitalized with acute pneumonia but was expected to be back on stage within a month. But with a mostly empty schedule in December, it's clear that she will be taking off the next several months to fully recover.
• Former sumo Yokozuna (Grand Champion) Hanada Masaru (36) and his wife Mieko (38) got divorced on Tuesday, the pair revealed to the media yesterday. They had been separated for the last five years. They got married in 1994 when Hanada, fighting under the ring name Wakanohana, and his younger brother were at the peak of the Waka-Taka boom. The brothers were national heroes and Mieko, a model and JAL flight attendant, was seen as the right kind of match. They had four children in six years, but cracks started to appear after Hanada retired from sumo in 2000, tried his hand at American football and showbiz and was caught up in rumors of womanizing. He has recently become successful in the food industry and currently runs almost 30 restaurants. According to a magazine interview published today, Mieko says her ex wants to live like comedian Akashiya Sanma (52): one of Japan's most popular stars, the divorcee often jokes about his ex-wife, actress Ohtake Shinobu (50), and makes no secret of his constant philandering.
• In the first event of the 47th Miss International pageant, which takes place in Tokyo up to October 15, local actress Shirata Hisako (25) was chosen by reporters yesterday as Miss Photogenic. Beauties from 60 countries are aiming to win the coveted title currently held by Daniela Di Giacomo of Venezuela.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Just Like Old Times | October 03, 2007 |
 For fans of the Yomiuri Giants, even a 5-year wait for a league championship is a long, long time. Japan's most popular baseball team (at least when they're winning) clinched the Central League title yesterday but for the first time ever NTV didn't cover the event with a full live broadcast. The network has been cutting back on the number of live Giants games as both baseball and the country's most storied team have gone through a slump. Last night's 5-4 sayonara win against cross-town rivals the Yakult Swallows was shown on satellite channels but only when the Giants players hoisted manager Hara Tatsunori in the traditional "doage" did NTV show the event live using an on-screen insert. About 15 minutes later, they broke with scheduled programming and showed a brief 10 minutes of highlights. Several celebrities known to be die-hard Giants fans were in celebratory mood, including SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro (35), kabuki actor Ichikawa Somegoro (34) and freelance announcer Tokumitsu Kazuo (66). The Giants still have to navigate the newly named Climax Series, playoffs between the league's top 3 finishers to decide who will compete against the top Pacific League team in the Japan Series. The PL playoffs start on October 8, the CL series on October 13, and the Japan Series on October 27.
• The media fuss about actress Sawajiri Erika (21) has died down a bit since she apologized for her recent grumpy behavior. If you haven't seen the video of last Friday's premiere of her new movie, it's definitely worth a look. Watch it in our Japanese Movie Forum.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Celebrities in Damage Control Mode | October 02, 2007 |
 Actress Sawajiri Erika(21) is one of several major celebrities doing damage control in the last couple of days. In Sawajiri's case it follows harsh criticism of her recent grumpy behavior. On her official website today, she issued a statement formally apologizing to fans and organizers of last Friday's PR even for her new movie. While on stage before the screening she appeared sorely pissed off about something, kept her arms folded, and gave only brief and testy replies to questions. In her statement, she acknowledged her bad behavior and that she had "betrayed" her fans, and vowed to learn from the experience. Over the weekend, her attitude was criticized as unprofessional and she was slammed by self-appointed showbiz watchdog Wada Akiko (57). She said it had reinforced her image as a self-centered "jo-sama" or movie queen.
• Meanwhile, legendary guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu (45) has been fined ¥300,000 for his assault on friend and fellow musician Maeda Kou (45). The pair got into an argument over musical differences while driving from Chiba Prefecture back to Tokyo in June. The 6-foot-3 Hotei initially refused to apologize for the incident but published an apology on his website yesterday.
• And comedian Nagai Hidekazu (37) has sued two Shizuoka Prefecture credit unions to get back more than ¥11 million that he paid to get himself out of a scrape in the Philippines in May. The married Nagai got caught up in a badger game scam in Manila after he and a friend picked up a couple of local girls.
• Talento Yamada Kuniko (47) attended a PR event yesterday to promote the Pink Ribbon Campaign for the early detection of breast cancer. Yamada is currently undergoing treatment for the disease herself.
• Florent Dabadie (32), who made his name as the interpreter for the Japanese team's French manager at the 2002 World Cup, has denied rumors of a romance with Fuji TV announcer Takigawa Christel (30). Attending an event in Tokyo yesterday, he said rumors of the romance and split were untrue and that he is currently dating a different Japanese lady. The popular Takigawa is half French and was born in Paris.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
DCT's Yoshida Miwa Loses Husband | October 01, 2007 |
 Visual director Sueda Ken died last Wednesday of germinoma, a tumor of the brain, it was revealed yesterday. He was just 33. His death was announced by the management agency of pop group Dreams Come True, as Sueda was the common-law husband of vocalist Yoshida Miwa (42) and he directed many of the group's videos. The couple married in May 2004 but never registered their marriage. Though Sueda had been undergoing treatment for some time, his condition took a turn for the worse just as DCT started a concert tour in early August. Despite the busy concert schedule, Yoshida spent every free moment at her husband's side until the tour ended on September 23. Her musical partner Nakamura Masato (49) described on his blog how Sueda has made her promise to give her all on stage no matter what happened offstage. DCT's new single "A-i-shi-te-ru no Sain" goes on sale this week and the group are currently recording an album due for release in December. But Nakamura says he will wait until Yoshida is ready to sing again before taking on any kind of PR engagements.
• Veteran folk singer Yoshida Takuro (61) is back on the road again. After a series of canceled shows due to health problems, his nationwide "Life is a Voyage" concert tour got started again in Kumamoto yesterday. Showing no after effects of the tonsillitis or bronchitis that kept him off stage for a month, he was in good voice as he performed 21 songs over two and a half hours.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Top
|
