Japan Entertainment News - December 2007
Cocorico Endo, Chiaki Divorce | December 31, 2007 |
 Another showbiz divorce was announced this weekend, with comedian Endo Shouzou (36) and talento Chiaki (36) ending their less than six-year marriage. The main reason is thought to be Chiaki's running out of patience with her husband's philandering. One half of the popular duo Cocorico, Endo took part in a trip to Hawaii in January of last year with a group of fellow comedians and young beauties. And in March this year, he was photographed at a party with a group of race queens. The couple, both die-hard fans of the Hanshin Tigers baseball team, married in July 2002 and had a baby daughter in May 2003. All three were photographed together at a Tigers game at Koshien and were often referred to as an ideal showbiz family.
• Once upon a time, it was as if the whole nation would tune in to NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" every New Year's Eve. Ratings have dropped dramatically over the last few years but the show has had the right kind of publicity to draw an audience this year. The biggest suspense is whether SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro (35) and current J-Pop queen Koda Kumi (25) will finally make their romance official. Then there is U.S. import Leah Dizon (21) who was in tears at rehearsals when she couldn't remember the lyrics to the closing song, where all participants are led by enka veteran Kitajima Saburo. She originally had the highly visible spot right behind "Sabu-chan" but has since been moved to the back row. Then there is the sad story of Dreams Come True vocalist Yoshida Miwa (42), whose common-law husband passed away a few months ago. She and veteran Wada Akiko (57) were both in tears as they embraced during rehearsals. All in all, it's sure to be an emotional show.
• At the Record Taisho awards, the main award went to folk duo Kobukuro. The newcomer award went to 7-member idol group C-ute, part of the same Hello! Project that brought you Morning Musume. As the members are under 18, they were not allowed to appear on stage after 9pm and had to accept their award via video hookup to the dressing room. Exile took the award for best vocal group.
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Matsu Takako Married | December 29, 2007 |
 The year-end wedding rush continues, with the latest announcement coming from actress Matsu Takako (30). She and musician Sahashi Yoshiyuki (46) chose yesterday, an auspicious "taian" day on the traditional calendar, to tie the knot on a relationship of six years. Messages of congratulation came from Matsu's father, actor Matsumoto Koshiro (65), and brother, kabuki actor Ichikawa Somegoro (36) as well as a host of other celebrities. The couple first started going out when Sahashi took part in Matsu's nationwide concert tour in 2001. He also participated in the recording of her latest album, "Cherish You", which was released in April. Matsu told the president of her management agency of their wedding plans at the end of September. Yesterday's announcement was sent to the media by fax and the couple have no plans to hold a press conference, wedding ceremony or reception. It is the second marriage for Sahashi, who divorced in 1998.
• Less happy news for retired baseball star Shinjo Tsuyoshi (35). He announced on his official website yesterday that he and his wife, talento Ohkouchi Shiho (36), divorced on December 16.
• Nakamura Kouichi (56), vocalist of the rock band Jaywalk is to be prosecuted for having an army knife in his car. The knife was spotted by police on the back seat of his car when he was stopped for a routine check in June. He said he had used it on a camping trip about a year earlier and had left it in the car.
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Odagiri Jo, Kashii Yuu to Wed | December 28, 2007 |
 The media was caught off guard by yesterday evening's press conference by top actor Odagiri Jo (31) and young actress Kashii Yuu (20). The two announced that after a relationship of two years they are planning to get married in the New Year. As well known for his radical fashion sense as for his various critically acclaimed movie appearances, a clearly nervous Odagiri sported his recent "late-period John Lennon" look. By giving a formal press conference rather than announcing the news by fax, and such revelations as Kashii's strictly enforced 10pm curfew, the image of a young couple in love seemed to override the 11-year age difference between them. The media are referring to them using such terms as "seijitsu" (sincere, honest) and "junai" (pure and innocent love), a reaction perhaps to the many shotgun weddings and short-lived marriages that are common in the showbiz world. When asked about her ideal husband, Kashii said she'd like to marry someone like her own father, who she described as "very strict and stubborn". Odagiri, who was raised by his mother, echoed his fiancee by saying he hoped to live up to that image. He added that he has seen Kashii as a future marriage partner since they started dating. Asked about the timing of the announcement, he said that he will be filming overseas at the beginning of next year and wanted Kashii to feel at ease while he is away. The two, who met on the set of the 2005 movie "The Pavillion Salamandre", share the same birthday, February 16. That seems as likely a date for their wedding as any.
Odagiri got his break on TV in the title role of "Kamen Rider Uga" in 2000. He won a Japan Academy Award as best newcomer for the 2003 movie "Azumi". He was romantically linked with actress Mizuno Miki (33), but they split in 2005. Kashii, whose grandfather is American, spent her elementary school years in Singapore. She started out as a fashion model before making her TV debut in Fuji TV's hugely popular series "Waterboys" in 2003. She appeared in the first "Death Note" movie in 2006.
• Another wedding announcement came today from actress Aso Kumiko (29). Her management agency sent a fax to the media saying that she and stylist Iga Daisuke (30) tied the knot in Tokyo this morning.
• Finally getting a chance to take a honeymoon are actress Fujiwara Norika (36) and comedian Jinnai Tomonori (33), who tied the knot in February. The couple recently announced that they will both appear as judges on NHK's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" on New Year's Eve, and will head off for Mauritius shortly after.
• The latest trouble to hit the Gorgeous Kano Sisters is the arrest of the father of Kano Kyoko (45). Oyama Teruo (72) was arrested on the night of December 25 for threatening the two "sisters" with an umbrella in the basement of their central Tokyo apartment building. Oyama is said to have been looking for money, and no injuries were reported. The Kano Sisters are famous for their flamboyant displays of extravagant wealth.
• Glay vocalist Teru (36) and his wife, Puffy member Ohnuki Ami (34), were involved in a minor traffic accident earlier this month, it was revealed yesterday. Teru was making a right turn in Tokyo's Aobadai area when he collided with a young woman on a bicycle. Police are planning to prosecute him for accidental infliction of injury.
• It looks like actor and renowned playboy Ishida Junichi (53) has patched things up with ex-girlfriend, talento Hasegawa Rie (34). They were first reported to be a couple in 1996 and they started living together in Tokyo in 2004. But a split at the end of that year brought them a lot of publicity, which both have used to good effect on the variety show circuit. Sources say that Ishida has acknowledged the rekindled relationship.
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Fujiwara Tatsuya to Take On Matsuda Yusaku Role | December 27, 2007 |
 Popular young actor Fujiwara Tatsuya (25) is to take on the persona of a Japanese movie legend. In the 'hard boiled' thriller "Chameleon" the star of the "Battle Royale" and "Death Note" movies will play a role originally written for the late Matsuda Yusaku (1950-89) in 1978. The project has finally been realized by the original scriptwriter Maruyama Shouichi (59), who worked with Matsuda on several projects, and producer Kurosawa Mitsuru, the man who shaped Matsuda's career and is executive producer for the movie. Directed by Sakamoto Junji (50), the movie started filming at the end of November. Fujiwara impressed the director with his forthright acting style and willingness to take physical risks. In one scene, he barreled down a flight of steps on a motorbike and completed filming covered in bruises. The movie is scheduled to open in theaters next summer, and distributor Toei is planning on turning the movie into a series.
• Kyogen actor Shigeyama Motohiko (32) got married on Christmas Eve, it was revealed yesterday. He and his 31-year-old wife are already living together. Shigeyama comes from a kyogen family and made his stage debut at the age of four. He is currently appearing in NHK's morning drama series "Chiritotechin", whose plot centers around the traditional comic storytelling of rakugo in Osaka.
• Talento Nitta Junichi (44) announced on his blog yesterday that he is married for the second time. He gave no mention of when he got remarried, but said that his new wife is the hair stylist for popular enka singer Yashiro Aki (57). He was previously married to former singer Hiroe Jun (40), with whom he had two children.
• Talento Suzanne (21) has been romantically linked with actor Yamamoto Koji (31). Today's issue of weekly gossip magazine "Friday" includes photos of Suzanne leaving Yamamoto's Tokyo apartment very early one morning in late November. True to her "o-baka" (stupid) image, she insists that Yamamoto was simply helping her study geography and history, while her management agency insists the two are just friends.
• Comedian Masuda Hidehiko (37) of the duo Masuda Okada revealed yesterday that became a father for the second time last week. At the time the baby was born, he was filming a special program to mark the 25th anniversary of the debut by former idol singer Hori Chiemi.
• International fashion model Anne (21) is to appear in the latest promo video from hip hop unit Home Made Kazoku. The video for "Oboeteru" was shot last week in popular date spots around Tokyo, including Omotesando and O-daiba. The daughter of Hollywood-based actor Watanabe Ken (48), Anne is one of the few Japanese fashion models to have established themselves on the world catwalk scene.
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Takahashi Yuya Out on Bail | December 26, 2007 |
 Singer Takahashi Yuya (28) was released on bail yesterday after 40 days in police detention. The second son of actress Mita Yoshiko (66), he was arrested in mid-November for possession and use of amphetamines. He was released by the Tokyo District Court on ¥5 million bail and on the condition that he immediately check into a rehabilitation center for treatment of his drug addiction and depression. He will remain there until his first court hearing scheduled for January 28. He had nothing to say to the media as he was driven away from the courthouse yesterday afternoon. This is his third arrest on drug charges: he first fell foul of the law in 1998, and again in 2000, when he received a two-year prison sentence suspended for five years.
• Oh Rie (37) held a press conference yesterday to talk about her postponed wedding plans. The daughter of baseball legend Oh Sadaharu (67) and psychiatrist Honda Masaki (37) had been scheduled to register their marriage - Oh's third and Honda's second - on January 1. Both that and a wedding ceremony planned for later in January have been postponed indefinitely. Some have speculated that Oh may want to focus on next year's baseball season, said to be her father's last as manager of the Softbank Hawks. Another factor is no doubt a recent magazine report that Honda had been sued for sexual harassment. Oh said yesterday that wasn't the specific reason for the change of heart but admitted that she told Honda she wanted to postpone the marriage immediately after reading the article on the airplane as they returned from a recent holiday. She added that, in spite of some "small things" that needed to be fixed, she and Honda still have an ongoing relationship.
• Someone else not having a happy Christmas was comedian Taka (31) of the duo Taka and Toshi. He called in to a live late-night Fuji TV variety show hosted by Akashiya Sanma (52) on Christmas Eve to say that he had been dumped by his girlfriend of eight years. He ironically won a trip for two to Paris and said that he wanted to get back together and use the prize as a honeymoon. A big reason for the split is no doubt the photos that were published in a weekly magazine back in August of Taka and reporter Suzuki Natsuko (30) at a hotel.
• Fukuchi Shigeo (73), a consultant and former CEO at Asahi Beer, has been chosen as the next chairman of NHK. It's the first time since 1989 that someone has been chosen from outside the national public broadcast network. Ten of the twelve members of the management committee chose Fukuchi, while two echoed the opposition voiced by some NHK employees and other business executives. Fukuchi will start his 3-year term from January 25.
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It's True: Nakai-kun and Koda Kumi Are a Couple | December 25, 2007 |
 Romance rumors that circulated during the summer about SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro (35) and "ero-kakkoii" pop singer Koda Kumi (25) are true after all. Today's issue of the weekly women's magazine "Josei Seven" includes photos of the couple at Nakai's plush Tokyo apartment, which he moved into just in October. The photos were taken on December 5, after the couple had both appeared on a Fuji TV music show. Koda was a guest on the Fuji show "Utaban", co-hosted by Nakai and comedian Ishibashi Takaaki, in late September and they both tried to laugh off the rumors. But with SMAP being the kings of the J-pop world and Koda being the top-selling artist of the last few years, the media are now referring to them as a "chou biggu kappuru" (super big couple). And with Nakai in the role as emcee for the female Red Team at this year's Kohaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve, he will have to introduce his own girlfriend on stage for the most widely viewed show of the year. And she's scheduled to perform the song "Ai no Uta" (Song of Love). That's just the kind of publicity that NHK have been praying for as the show has seen a slump in ratings over the recent years.
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Goto Maki Not on Leave of Absence | December 21, 2007 |
 Management for idol singer Goto Maki (22) have denied that she is taking a sabbatical during her brother's ongoing trial. The former Morning Musume member was reported to be refusing leave her home or take on work until a verdict is reached in the trial of Goto Yuuki (21) on robbery and assault charges. With the next hearing scheduled for late January, the trial is likely to continue for several months. "Gomaki", as she is known to fans, quit the Hello! Project ensemble at the end of October when the case came to light and has insisted that the decision was because she wants to pursue her own musical goals. Two of Yuuki's accomplices, both junior high school friends, were arrested yesterday for the September robbery. Yuuki, who himself had a brief pop career and is married with a child, has said he got into crime because of financial problems.
• Internationally renowned jazz pianist Ozone Makoto (46) is to provide the background music for a Fuji TV drama series. "Ashita no Kita Yoshio", which airs from January 8, will be Ozone's first attempt at TV music, and it is very rare for such a project to be undertaken by a jazz musician. He will also make a cameo appearance in the series, which stars Kohinata Fumiyo (53), Matsuda Ryuhei (24) and Konishi Manami (29). Ozone was the first Japanese artist to sign with the Columbia Records label, and he has since been nominated for two Grammy Awards.
• At the Tokyo District Court yesterday, singer Kye Eun Sook (46) was given an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years, for drug possession. The Japan-based Korean singer was arrested by Tokyo police at the end of November for possession of amphetamines.
• TV Asahi announcer Dou Mariko (26) is getting married. She and her company employee fiance, said to be in his 30s, plan to tie the knot next April. Dou says she will continue her career. After joining the network in 2004, she immediately became a hit and landed the post of assistant to host Tamori on the popular "Music Station" show.
• Australian pop queen Kylie Minogue (40) is in Japan for the first time in ten years. She attended a PR event for her album "X" and the documentary DVD "White Diamond". She promised local fans that she will come back to perform in Japan as soon as she can.
• Just two days after turning 20, singer/songwriter Ayaka performed her first solo concert at the Nippon Budokan in central Tokyo. She started off the show with an acappella version of her hit "I Believe" and also gave the 12,000 fans a preview of her next single "Te wo Tsunagou", due for release next spring.
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Manga Poster for Kurosawa Remake | December 20, 2007 |
Popular manga-ka Inoue Takehiko (40) has created his first ever movie poster. Known for such hit manga series as "Slam Dunk" and "Vagabond", he got the job of designing the poster for the upcoming movie "Kakushi Toride no Sanakunin". Starring Arashi member Matsumoto Jun (24), the movie is a remake of the 1958 Kurosawa Akira classic. That film, known internationally as "The Hidden Fortress", was a major influence on George Lucas when making the first "Star Wars" movie. Matsumoto said, "Inoue-sensei is a hero to my generation. I'm delighted to be connected with him through this movie." The poster features Matsumoto's character, Miyamoto Takezou (who did not feature in the original), staring out of his prison cell. The cast also includes Nagasawa Masami as Princess Yuki, Abe Hiroshi in the original hero role of General Makabe Rokurota (played by the legendary Mifune Toshiro), and Shiina Kippei as Takayama Gyoubu, the incarnation of evil. Directed by Higuchi Shinji, the movie is due for theatrical release on May 10.
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"Sen no Kaze..." Best Seller in 2007 | December 19, 2007 |
 The song "Sen no Kaze ni Natte", which made opera tenor Akikawa Masafumi (39) a household name, was named yesterday as the best-selling single of the year. It was the first classical recording to reach No.1 on Oricon's singles chart and Akikawa became Japan's first classical artist to have a million-selling release. With over 1.1 million copies sold, it brought in ¥1.12 billion for Teichiku Entertainment. The song is based on an English poem by an unknown author called "Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep" and Akikawa's version was released in May 2006. After he sang it on NHK's "Kohaku Utagassen" last New Year's Eve, sales started to really pick up and Akikawa started popping up all over the place on TV. He has performed more than 120 concerts this year and estimates that he has sung the song about 160 times.
Meanwhile, the best-selling artist of the year was Koda Kumi (25), who had combined sales of ¥7.35 billion. Her album "Black Cherry" alone brought in ¥4.3 billion, though in terms of copies sold the year's best-selling album was Mr. Children's "Home" at 1.18 million.
• Talento Oh Rie (37) and psychiatrist Honda Masaki (37) have postponed their wedding plans, it was revealed yesterday. Oh is to give an official explanation at a press conference on December 25. Sources say that the couple had originally planned to marry at the end of next year's baseball season, when Oh's father and Softbank Hawks manager Oh Sadaharu (67) plans to retire. The schedule was moved forward after the media got hold of the story, with the marriage registry planned for New Year's Day and a wedding and reception later in January.
• Actress/singer Sawajiri Erika (21) is in trouble again. The moody star, who drew media fire for her grumpy behavior at a movie behavior in November, caused a minor traffic accident on Monday night. She was turning right at a signal in the Aobadai area of Tokyo when she collided with a motorcycle. Nobody was injured but the young male motorcyclist reported the accident to police. Sawajiri recently returned from London, where she and her rumored boyfriend, media creator Takashiro Tsuyoshi (43), attended the Led Zeppelin concert.
• The contenders for the major Japan Academy Awards were announced yesterday: "Tokyo Tower, Okan to Boku to, Tokidoki, Oton" has 13 nominations; "Always, Zoku: Sanchome no Yuhi" (12); and "Soredemo Boku wa Yattenai" (11). The awards ceremony will be held at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo on February 15.
 "CSI: Miami" star David Caruso (51) was in Tokyo yesterday to promote the upcoming release on DVD of season 3 of the popular crime show. At the PR event he was flanked by the always publicity-hungry Gorgeous Kano Sisters.
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Fuurinkazan Fails to Excite | December 18, 2007 |
 NHK's taiga (historical drama) series "Fuurinkazan" finished its year-long run on Sunday with a disappointing audience rating. According to the firm Video Research, the series had an average rating for the year of 18.7%, peaking at 22.9% for the fifth episode back in early February. Sunday's climactic episode only managed 18%. The numbers are in line with NHK's audience trend of the last few years - 2005's "Koumyo ga Tsuji" managed 20.9%, while last year's "Yoshitsune" dropped to 19.5%. The decline is ascribed to factors such as a lack of interest among young viewers, despite the leading roles in both series being played by top young stars (Nakama Yukie in 2005 and Takizawa Hideaki in 2006). Fuurinkazan starred relatively minor stage actor Uchino Masaaki (39) as medieval warrior Yamamoto Kansuke, but also featured popular rock star Gackt in the major role of warlord Uesugi Kenshin (1530-78). The title of the series is an expression that translates as "as fast as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as daring as fire, and immovable as the mountain".
• A classic late-night music show of the late 1980s is to make a one-night comeback. Talento Aihara Yuu (40), one of the original presenters of TBS's late-night show "IkaTen", returned from her home in New York, to record the special with Miyake Yuuji (56). The special will air on December 30. With the full title of "Miyake Yuuji no Ikasu Bando Tengoku", the show featured a contest between 10 amateur bands every week, with the winner being named "IkaTen King". Any band that won for five weeks running was promised a major-label contract. The show launched the careers of such bands as Flying Kids, Begin, Tama, and Blankey Jet City. IkaTen aired from early 1989 but despite its popularity it ran only until the end of 1990. During that time, two program staff were arrested for marijuana possession and there were claims of major labels trying to sign up bands behind the scenes.
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Yazawa Eikichi Plays #100 at Budokan | December 17, 2007 |
 Rock legend Yazawa Eikichi (58) reached a new milestone in his long career on Sunday when he became the first musician to perform at the hallowed Nippon Bukodan for the 100th time. He was joined on stage by members of the Doobie Brothers, long-time friends who came to Japan just for the occasion. He first played the central Tokyo venue in August, 1977 and in recent years it has become an established practice to perform there in December. Yesterday he wore the same black shirt and white suit fashion that he had in the 70s and he kicked of the show with the same song, "C'mon Baby". He thanked fans, musicians, crew and his own muscles for supporting him over four decades and gave the 10,000-strong audience a performance of two and half hours. In 1966, the Beatles were the first ever band to play the Budokan and it was their influence that led Yazawa to become a musician. He will extend his record run at the Budokan with two more shows this week.
• Veteran actor Tsugawa Masahiko (67) revealed on a documentary aired last night that he had recently been close to bankruptcy. The majority of his ¥600 million in debts were related to his struggling toy brand "Gran Papa". Tsugawa was forced to sell his most valuable asset, the original Norman Rockwell painting "Extra Good Boys and Girls". The famous illustration of Santa Claus planning his Christmas Eve route round the world, created for a December 1939 cover of The Saturday Evening Post, was auctioned for $2.17 million in New York at the end of November.
• Singer Hamasaki Ayumi (29) had to overcome mechanical problems at a "secret live" performance yesterday. She was at the Ikspiari shopping mall in the Tokyo Disney Resort filming a performance for her now annual NTV Christmas special. Just one song into the set, there were technical problems but rather than leave the gathered audience of 2,500 people waiting in the cold, Ayu went back on stage and did an acappella version of her hit "Seasons".
• The sequel movie "Always Zoku San-chôme no Yuhi" (Always - Sunset on 3rd St.) has done even better at the box-office than the 2005 original. In the 42 days since it opened, it has made ¥3.7 billion and been seen by 3.1 million people. Directed by Yamazaki Takashi, the heart-warming tales set in 1950s Tokyo star Yoshioka Hidetaka (37) and Horikita Maki (19).
• Johnny's Jimusho have teamed veteran singer Kondo Masahiko (42) with young Johnny's Jr. unit Question? Described as a rock band, Matchy With Question? have recorded "Mezasero! Yasei" as the ending theme for January's new series of the popular anime "Naruto Shippuuden". It's the first anime song for Kondo, who marks 28 years as a singer on Wednesday. The new band are set to appear in his scheduled Budokan show next February 14.
• Popular vocal and dance unit Exile have shipped a million copies of their latest album "Exile Love" since its release last Wednesday. Sales have been helped by their recently completed nationwide tour and the inclusion of a bonus DVD that features comedian Okamura Takashi of the duo Ninety-Nine.
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The Tearful Prince of Enka | December 14, 2007 |
 Enka singer Hikawa Kiyoshi (30) won a record 4th Grand Prix at this week's annual Nihon Yusen Taisho music awards. The awards show, being held for the 40th time, took place at the TBS studios in Akasaka, Tokyo. Known as the "Prince of Enka", Kiyoshi also won the award for most requested artist and thanked his (mostly middle-aged female) fans for his decade of success. He then sang a tearful version of his most famous hit, "Kiyoshi no Souran Bushi", which won the award for most requested song. The award for best newcomer went to the female unit RSP.
The following day, Hikawa performed two shows for a combined 10,000 fans at the Tokyo International Forum. He went through six costume changes and 21 songs during the show. Referring to the previous night, he said that despite the fact that he recently turned 30, he'll probably be known as the "Emotional Prince".
• Lawyer and TV celebrity Hashimoto Touru (38) has finally announced that he is running in next month's Osaka gubernatorial election. A regular on variety shows and the father of seven children, the Osaka native became famous on more "serious" variety shows such as "Sunday Japon" (TBS) and "Gyouretsu no Dekiru Houritsu Soudansho" (NTV). He is campaigning with the support of the ruling LDP party, and possibly quite a few celebrities. He is represented by the showbiz management agency run by Ohta Mitsuyo, wife of Bakusho Mondai comedian Ohta Hikari.
• Veteran comedienne Utsumi Keiko (85) underwent surgery last week for breast cancer. She has already left hospital and is recuperating at home. She plans to return to work on December 21, shooting an episode of NHK's detective drama series "Keiji no Genba".
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Fallen Idol Goto Yuuki Arrested Again | December 12, 2007 |
 Former pop singer Goto Yuuki (21) has been re-arrested for robbery and assault. As the leader of a group of teenage thieves, he was arrested in October for stealing 48 coils of copper electrical wiring (worth about ¥470,000) from a Tokyo construction site in July. The latest arrest is for a similar robbery in September, in which a 57-year-old security guard was severely beaten. Goto is accused of threatening the guard with a steel pipe and saying "If you try to stop us, we'll kill you!" He has confessed to the crimes, saying he and his gang committed about 10 such robberies. Goto had a brief fling with a pop career in 2000 as one half of the duo EE Jump, but his underage drinking and clubbing brought it to an early end. He is the younger brother of former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (22), who quit the Hello! Project after the first arrest and is now trying to build a solo career.
• Young actress Fukuda Saki (17) has been named to the cast of the planned live-action "Yatterman" movie. Due for release in the spring of 2009, the movie is an adaptation of the hugely popular 1977-79 Fuji TV anime series. Filming is scheduled to start next March with Miike Takashi directing the project. Fukuda will play the role of heroine Ai-chan, also known as Yatterman No.2 and the girlfriend of Yatterman, to be portrayed by Sakurai Sho (25) of the Johnny's Jimusho pop group Arashi.
• NTV announcer Miyazaki Nobuko (28) was late for work again yesterday. She arrived on the set of the morning show "Rajikaru" about an hour late, apologizing for having overslept. It's the second time she's been late for the show. Fellow announcer Furuichi Sachiko (34), a presenter on the "Zoom In Super" show, had to cover for her.
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All Your Record Are Belong to B'z | December 11, 2007 |
 Rock duo B'z have truly established themselves as kings of the Japanese music world. Their latest album "Action" naturally went straight to No.1 on the Oricon charts. Their 13th consecutive chart topper and 21st overall means they share the record for most No.1's ever with 70s folk singer Matsutoya Yumi. So B'z now hold or share the record in all of Oricon's six major sales categories: most No.1 singles/albums; most million-selling singles/albums; most total single/album sales. Oricon say this is the first time in the company's 40-year history that one artist has held all six records. The duo recently became the first Asian artists to be inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk.
Meanwhile, Southern All Stars vocalist Kuwata Keisuke (51), who's broken a few records of his own, is on top of the singles chart again. "Darling" is his third No.1 solo single of the year and seventh overall, giving him a share of the record with Boowy's Himuro Kyosuke for most by a male group member as a solo artist.
• Comedian Nagura Jun (39) and talento Watanabe Marina (37) are parents for the first time, it was announced yesterday. Watanabe, a former member of the 80s teen idol group Onyanko Club, gave birth to a baby boy at a Tokyo hospital on Sunday and wrote about it on her blog yesterday. She and Nagura, a member of the trio Neptune, married in May 2005.
• A somewhat more belated birth announcement came yesterday from actress Matsushima Nanko (34), who revealed that she had her second daughter on November 10. The baby had been due at the end of December. This year, Matsushima had her first movie starring role in almost a decade in "Bizan". She's been working far less since she married actor Sorimachii Takashi (33) in February 2001 and says she is currently undecided about her future career.
• The long court battle over the estate of the late actress Miyako Chocho (1920-2000) seems to be at an end. The actress left about ¥260 million and a home in Osaka worth about ¥170 million, which her adoptive brother said would be turned into a museum. Her three step-siblings had been trying since 2002 to have the home sold.
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Third Time Lucky for Oh Rie | December 10, 2007 |
 Talento Oh Rie (37, photo right) is getting married again. The daughter of baseball legend and current Softbank Hawks manager Oh Sadaharu (67) is engaged to marry Honda Masaki (37, photo left), the doctor who recently treated sumo yokozuna Asashoryu (27, photo center). The couple are planning to register their marriage on New Year's Day and hold a ceremony in Tokyo sometime in January. They first met on Oh's 37th birthday in March when they happened to be seated next to each other at a restaurant. Oh, a graduate of Aoyama University, worked for the Hakuhodo ad agency before moving to TV in 1996. Qualified as a "vegetable sommelier", she is marrying for the third time. Honda, also a divorcee, is a psychiatrist and plastic surgeon, with a clinic in the tony neighborhood of Roppongi in central Tokyo. He got a lot of media attention during the summer's sumo scandal when he treated grand champion Asashoryu for his depression.
• Yukinari (29), a member of J-Pop trio Da Pump, and former talento Tamaki Miho (24) are heading for divorce. They are already separated and are expected to go to the Tokyo Family Court for mediation next week. They have a young daughter. In 2000, Tamaki won an audition to join the major Hori Pro agency and become an idol singer using the stage name Nishida Natsu. In 2002, she tried her hand for a few months in the pro wrestling scene before returning briefly to singing and retiring from show business in 2003. By that time, she was dating Yukinari and was several months pregnant when the couple married in February 2004.
• Talento Moriguchi Hiroko (39) gave a mini concert in Tokyo yesterday to promote her new CD, "Mo Hitotsu no Mirai - Starry Spirits". It includes the main theme and ending song for the latest "SD Gundam G Generation Spirits" game for the Sony PlayStation 2. Moriguchi made her smash hit debut as an idol singer in 1985 with the ending theme for the "Gundam Z" anime, but never made much of an impression after that as a singer. Instead she established herself as a general chatterbox talento on the variety show circuit. Indeed, it was her success that led to the coining of the term "baradol", a combination of "baraeti" (variety) and "idol". Yesterday she denied that a nude shower movie that has been circulating on the Net is really her, joking that she looks a lot worse in the flesh.
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A Hound Dog Has His Day in Court | December 06, 2007 |
 Rock singer Otomo Kouhei (51) gave evidence at the Tokyo District Court yesterday on the first day of the complicated case against his former management agency. The dispute between the "Mother Enterprise" agency and the Hound Dog vocalist began in 2005, the band's 25th anniversary. Otomo was accused of doing deals and "going solo" behind the backs of management and the other band members, while he claimed he was unhappy with their small-scale approach to business. The band had been one of Japan's most popular in the late 1980s but went into decline in the early 90s. Otomo set up his own agency Iehok, in April 2005. Mother announced that the "Omega" album, released that June, would be the band's last original recording and that they would split after a Nippon Budokan concert in July. On stage, Otomo insisted the band would continue and he managed to persuade three other members to join him at Iehok. But the following months saw further disputes break out between the members and a series of legal suits and counter-suits.
• Talento Hayasaka Yoshie (32) gave birth to her first child yesterday. She and Super Delphin (40), a former wrestler and now the president of an Osaka wrestling troupe, married in December 2003.
• Actor Kurobe Susumu (68) and actress Hishimi Yuriko (60) attended an event in Tokyo yesterday to celebrate the 41-year history of "Ultraman". Kurobe played the lead role of Hayata Shin in the original 1966 series, while Hishimi played the heroine Yuri Ann in "Ultraman Seven" the following year. Real name Yoshimoto Takashi, Kurobe is the father of actress Yoshimoto Takami (36), who played the heroine Yanase Lena in the 1996 series "Ultraman Tiga", though he was originally totally opposed to her entering show business.
• Comedian Himura Yuuki (35) of the duo Bananaman is to undergo throat surgery in the New Year. Last month, he lost his voice on the first day of a stage show starring top comedian Uchimura Teruyoshi.
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He's a She on Kohaku | December 05, 2007 |
 The lineup for this year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" (Red-White Song Battle) was announced at the NHK studio in Shibuya yesterday. Among the 58 pairings are some names that haven't in the lineup in many years, while eight - comprising 67 people - will be making their debut on the year's most popular TV show. The Red Team includes a transsexual for the first time, singer-songwriter Nakamura Ataru (22, photo). Japanese family registers include the gender of all family members, so Nakamura is still officially male. But NHK said they are not making a statement or seeking publicity by including Nakamura in the female team, which included a male (comedian Gori in his Gorie-chan character) for the first time in 2005. Nakamura made his indie label debut in 2004 with the song "Tomodachi no Uta", a song he wrote at the age of 15. He switched to the major Avex label in June 2006. (Watch the video for "Tomodachi no Uta" on our Forum)
Keeping the otaku crowd happy will be idol Nakagawa Shouko (22), the 48-member idol group AKB48, and American Leah Dizon (21), who are being touted as an "Akiba Trio". Dizon has had a breakthrough year in Japan. She released her CD debut in January and has been in the media spotlight since arriving in Japan in April 2006.
Morning Musume, appearing for the tenth time in a row since their 1997 debut, are among 23 Hello! Project members in the lineup. Among the veteran names making long-awaited returns are: singer/actor Terao Akira (60), who last sang on the show in 1981; female duo Amin, who appeared once in their debut year 1982; and Kome Kome Club, one of the biggest pop acts of the 1980s and early 90s, after an 11-year absence.
• Actress Yoshimura Ryou (29) married her childhood sweetheart in mid-November, it was revealed yesterday. She is best known for her role as Kojima Ai in the long-running family drama "Wataru Sekken wa Oni Bakari", on which she debuted in 1990.
• Stars in town promoting upcoming movies: Will Smith (39) flew from the Yokota U.S. military base to central Tokyo in a Blackhawk helicopter as part of the PR for "I Am Legend", which premieres tonight and opens on December 14; Nicholas Cage (43) is here to plug "National Treasure 2", which opens worldwide on December 21 and has its world premiere in Tokyo on December 6; Rowan Atkinson (52) appeared at an event yesterday to promote "Mr. Bean's Holiday", which is in theaters from January 19.
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What's the Word in Japan? | December 04, 2007 |
 Yesterday saw the annual awards ceremony for the new and popular words and expressions that have defined the last year. Sponsored by U-Can (Japan Correspondence Education Association), the awards get a lot of media attention but can also signal overexposure for an up-and-coming comedian. Kojima Yoshio (27, photo right) will be hoping his shelf life extends beyond that of his "Sonna no Kankei-nee!" and "Oppapii" catchphrases. A total unknown until last May, he's now a household name, but such sudden success is often short-lived. He and makeup artist Ikko (45), who popularized the word "Dondake!" (No way!) beyond the gay community, were the brightest spots in a lineup of nominees that generally reflected the problems Japan went through this year. They included "kieta nenkin" (disappearing pension funds), "shokuhin gisou" (falsely-labeled food products), "netto cafe nanmin" (Internet cafe refugees), and "moushobi" (extremely hot day). But the awards are primarily meant to give the Japanese people a bit of a lift at the end of the year, so the top award was given to two upbeat stories. "Hanakami Oji" (The Shy Prince) was the nickname given to young golf sensation Ishikawa Ryo, who at the age of 15 became the youngest ever player to win a pro event (see our story. And "(Miyazaki wo) dogenkasen to ikan" was chosen to represent the vitality that former comedian Higashikokubaru Hideo (50, photo left) has shown in his job as governor of Miyazaki Prefecture. Over the last year, he has overcome several crises and used his fame with great effect as a hugely successful salesman for the region. Among his constituents, he has retained a popularity level of over 85%, almost unheard of in political circles.
• At the age of 60 years and 3 months, pop legend Oda Kazumasa is the oldest artist ever to top the Oricon album chart with his hits collection "Jiko Besuto - 2". He's also the first artist to have a No.1 hit in his 30's (with the band Of Course), 40's, 50's and 60's. Meanwhile rock legend Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi (51), who has written a string of No.1 hits over the years, now for the first time has a chart topper performed by someone else. He penned the music and lyrics for Tokio's latest single "SEI SYuN", which is atop the Oricon chart released yesterday.
• Hollywood star Will Smith (39) touched down in Japan for the eighth time yesterday. He's here this time to promote his new movie "I Am Legend", which opens in theaters both here and in the U.S. on December 14. He will attend a press conference today and the movie's Japan premiere tomorrow.
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3rd Time Not Lucky for Tamaki Koji | December 03, 2007 |
 Singer Tamaki Koji (49) just can't seem to stay married. His third marriage lasted eight years, but he announced on December 1 that he had filed for divorce the same day. He made his name in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of rock band Anzen Chitai. Having become established as the backing band for singer Inoue Yousui, the group had a series of hits following the major label debut in 1982. Tamaki's first marriage, to a woman not in show business, ended in 1986. Five years later he married top actress Yakushimaru Hiroko in Hawaii. They split in 1998 and the following year Tamaki got married to Ando Satoko (50), a pianist in his touring band.
• Comedian Yoshioka Hironori (36), the "Daikichi" half of the Yoshimoto duo Hakata Hanamaru-Daikichi revealed last Friday hat he got married in mid-November. After a 12-year relationship, he and a 34-year-old Miyazaki Prefecture native tied the knot on November 18. They have been living together in Tokyo since career success led the comedy duo to move from their native Hakata to the capital in 2005.
• Pin-up girl and variety show reporter Ozaki Nana (25) has been fired by her management agency after some nude photos turned up from her past. Weekly gossip magazine "Flash" published the photos in last week's issue. On her blog, Ozaki said the pictures were taken about three years ago during her first ever photo shoot. She said she had been naive at the time and had been shocked to see the results. She followed up her online apology by asking for fans' forgiveness, implying she plans to continue her career.
• Semi-retired newscaster Kume Hiroshi (63) is to make his first TV drama appearance in 29 years. The former comedian and variety show host, main anchor for a decade on TV Asahi's popular News Station, will appear on the final, two-part special episode of "Galileo", the Fuji TV drama series starring Fukuyama Masaharu and Shibasaki Kou. The episodes will air on December 10 and 17.
• Pop stars SMAP have got their own store in Tokyo, for the season anyway. The SMAP Shop opened in the Omotesando Hills shopping complex in central Tokyo, with the first day's 2,000 entry tickets being snapped up in an hour. At the front of the line were a family who had lined up from 4am. Other fans came from as far away as Pusan, Korea. The store idea started last year and drew 50,000 fans over the Christmas/New Year season. On display in addition to the licensed goods on sale are stage costumes, illustrations by the five group members and videos of all their various TV commercial appearances. The store will be open until January 7.
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Lennie Kravitz Lays Down Track for Death Note Spinoff | December 01, 2007 |
 The theme tune for the upcoming "Death Note" spinoff movie is to be provided by none other than U.S. rock legend Lenny Kravitz (43). The new song "I'll Be Waiting" is from Kravitz's 8th album "Love Revolution", due for release in Japan on January 30. It will appear on "L Change the World", in which Matsuyama Kenichi (22) reprises his role as L from last year's movie adaptations of the hugely popular manga. Those two films made a combined ¥8 billion at the box office and were a hit across East Asia. They featured songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Producer Sato Takahiro said, "When I heard this song I knew this was the one! And the fact the Lenny's name starts with L just seemed like fate." Directed by horror master Nakata Hideo, "L..." is scheduled for theatrical release on February 9.
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