Japan Entertainment News - September 2009
Veteran Comedienne Collapses on Stage | September 23, 2009 |
Comedienne Ima Kuruyo (62, photo left) collapsed during a performance at a theater in Osaka yesterday afternoon. As it happened in the middle of her comedy routine, the curtain was dropped as medical assistance was administered. Yoshimoto Kogyo issued a statement saying that the cause of her collapse, during the second of four shows, was as yet unknown but that she had been admitted to hospital. All immediate work engagements have been canceled. One half of the veteran manzai duo Ima Ikuyo-Kuruyo, she had seemed in good health when she performed in Tokyo the day before.
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Ai Finally Makes No.1 | September 22, 2009 |
Ai has finally topped the album charts with her greatest hits collection. "Best Ai," which includes her hits from the last nine years, is the latest No.1 on the Oricon album chart. Real name Uemura Ai Carina (27), she was born in Los Angeles and is quarter Italian on her mother's side. Her family returned to Japan when she was three, but her mother encouraged her to attend Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She later became the first female artist signed to Def Jam Japan. She has performed only rarely on the world stage beyond Japan, but her vocal range and versatility have elicited comparisons to Alicia Keys and Beyonce Knowles.
• Actress Yamamoto Mirai (34) is to be a mother for real. The daughter of the famous fashion designer Yamamoto Kansai (65), she and actor Shiina Kippei (45) are expecting their first child. Yamamoto, who plays the role of a mother in the current Fuji TV series "Otomen," is five months pregnant. The couple have been married for six years but started dating back in 1995 when they appeared together in the TV Asahi drama "Black Out." Shiina is currently appearing as warlord Oda Nobunaga in the movie "Katen no Shiro."
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Arashi to Hijack NTV Network | September 21, 2009 |
Stars often appear all over a network for a day to promote a new movie or album, but Johnny's Jimusho idol group Arashi are to take over NTV for a whole week. The group are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut in November. To mark the occasion, various members of the group will appear on an estimated 50 hours of programming during a seven-day period. They'll make live appearances on the network's most popular variety and news shows and will perform their hits during a special live concert. The final dates have yet to be announced.
With the members of fellow Johnny's group SMAP now all into their 30's, Arashi have a strong hold on the teenage and young adult fan base. But although they have a string of No.1 hits, it was only with the recent release of a greatest hits album, "All the Best, 1999-2009" that they had their first million seller. The upcoming "hijacking" of the NTV network is to show that they are now established as major stars and, perhaps more than anything else, make it clear to corporate sponsors that they are the group of the moment. The five members of Arashi have also maintained a clean image, unlike that of SMAP, which has become a little tarnished by incidents over the years. Arashi are Ono Satoshi (28), Sakurai Sho (27), Aiba Masaki (26), Ninomiya Kazunari (26) and Matsumoto Jun (26).
• The Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture villa of Sakai Noriko and Takaso Yuichi was destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The home is believed to be one place where the couple used drugs and it had already been searched by police in their ongoing investigation. Neighbors said they saw people they believed to be members of Takaso's family removing items from the house in the days before the fire. Both Takaso and Sakai were released on bail last week.
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Anime World Loses Two Big Names | September 19, 2009 |
The world of anime has lost two veteran figures this week. The body of a a man, believed to be manga-ka Usui Yoshito (51), was found in the mountains bordering Gunma and Nagano Prefectures by a climber on Saturday morning. The body was found at the foot of a cliff on Arafuneyama mountain, where Usui said he was headed when he was last seen a week ago. Usui is the creator of the popular manga and anime "Crayon Shinchan" (image right). The manga first appeared in 1990 and the anime has been shown weekly on TV Asahi since 1992. There has also been a big-screen version every spring during that time, indicating the continuing commercial success of the franchise. But while popular with kids, the character has always been one that parents hope they won't emulate and the show has long ranked highly among those that parents won't let their kids watch.
Earlier story:
Crayon Shinchan Creator Missing (Sep. 16, 2009)
• Meanwhile, veteran voice actor Kamiya Akira (63, photo left) says he is stepping down from his signature role. In a post on his blog on Friday, his 63rd birthday, he said he will no longer be the voice of Mori Kogoro in the long-running NTV anime series "Meitantei Conan." He didn't go into detail but the blog post suggested that he had been fired due to a contract dispute. The September 26 edition of the show will be Kamiya's last. Over the years, Kamiya has provided the main voices in such major anime as "Kinnikuman", "City Hunter" and "Hokuto no Ken." he first ook on the Kogoro role in 1996.
• Happier news for singer/actress Tsuchiya Anna (25). She announced on her blog on Saturday that she is pregnant. The father is her 28-year-old stylist. Tsuchiya has a boy from a previous marriage.
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Sakai Noriko Out, Gives Brief Press Conference | September 18, 2009 |
The country got its first look at actress/singer Sakai Noriko in 40 days yesterday. Sakai (38) was released on ¥5-million bail from the detention center at Tokyo Wangan police station and was greeted by a wall of camera flashes and reporters. There were fans and supporters amongst the crowd, with one group holding a banner that said "Omedetou" (Congratulations). Dressed in a simple dark pants suit, Sakai addressed the cameras directly, bowing and apologizing for the trouble she caused with her drug arrest. She was then taken to a downtown hotel where she gave a press conference two hours later together with her lawyer and executives of her former management agency and record company (both of whom canceled her contracts after her arrest).
The conference lasted just ten minutes and no questions from the more than 500 reporters (photo) were answered. As expected there were tears and promises never to touch drugs again, and also skeptical media comments that the whole thing was no more than another performance from someone used to the spotlight since her mid-teens. One report questioned what happened to the star-shaped tattoo that was visible on the middle finger of her left hand at the time of her release but gone by the press conference (one photo showed clearly that it was concealed with foundation). Sakai's husband, released on related charges the day before, went so far as to wear gloves to hide his multiple tattoos. His trial begins at the Tokyo District Court on October 21, Sakai's on October 26.
In the meantime, after the press conference Sakai was admitted to the Tokyo Medical University Hospital in Shinjuku, which is said to have a state of the art drug rehabilitation facility. Sakai's stepmother is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer at the same hospital.
Earlier stories:
Takaso Yuichi Out on Bail (Sep. 17, 2009)
Noripi Turns Herself In (Aug. 8, 2009)
Noripi's Hubby in Latest Drug Arrest (Aug. 4, 2009)
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Takaso Yuichi Out on Bail | September 17, 2009 |
Takaso Yuichi, the husband of actress/singer Sakai Noriko, was released on Wednesday evening after posting ¥5 million for bail. Dressed in somber gray and black, Takaso (41) left the Shibuya police station wearing a baseball cap with the somewhat inappropriate "Punk" emblazoned on it. He removed the cap and made a brief apology to the gathered reporters for his and his wife's ongoing drug cases. "This whole matter is entirely my responsibility. I am at fault," he said. "I apologize to everyone for the trouble I've caused." Takaso has been charged with both possession and use of amphetamines. He is due to appear at Tokyo District Court on October 21.
Sakai's bail application was approved on Monday but she has yet to leave detention. In a rare case, only half of her ¥5-million bail was paid on Tuesday, the other half expected to be paid prior to her release on Wednesday. There was speculation that she hoped to time her first public appearance since her arrest to coincide with Wednesday's change in government, but she never showed.
A hot new young showbiz couple is born, according to Sports Hochi. The website says that Yamashita Tomohisa (24) of the Johnny's Jimusho idol group NEWS has been dating half-Canadian model Kagami Seira (22) for the last three months. NEWS are one of the hottest male acts today, and in typical Johnny's fashion, its members appear in a wide range of roles. "Yamapi," as he is known to fans, already has ten years of TV starring roles under his belt but also found time to attend Meiji University. Kagami, whose father is Canadaian and mother Japanese, made her modeling debut at the age of 12. She appeared in teen magazines such as CUTiE, Seventeen, and Zipper and did her first TV commercial in 2001. She took a break from the entertainment industry to enrol in the University of Toronto, returning to Japan and her career in 2006. She has released several singles which have had TV anime tie-ups.
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Crayon Shinchan Creator Missing | September 16, 2009 |
The creator of the popular "Crayon Shinchan" has gone missing, it was revealed yesterday. The family of manga-ka Usui Yoshito (51) asked police in his hometown of Kasukabe in Saitama Prefecture to start a search investigation on September 12, saying they had been unable to contact him since the previous day. Police have asked the surrounding prefectures to assist in the search.
Usui first published "Crayon Shinchan" in Futabasha's "Weekly Manga Action" in 1990, and it continues to appear in the company's "Manga Town." It was adapted into an anime in 1992 and has since run on TV Asahi on Friday evenings and has been broadcast in many countries worldwide. Based around the adventures of 4-year-old pre-schooler Nohara Shinnosuke, the character's lewd and foul-mouthed behavior has made him hugely popular with kids but widely despised by parents. A big screen version is released every year to coincide with the Golden Week spring break and consistently makes over ¥1 billion at the box office. Crayon Shinchan was officially made a citizen of Kasukabe (a right denied many real, but not Japan-born, residents) in 2004.
Comedian Yasuda Hiromi (35) gave a press conference in Tokyo yesterday to formally announce his engagement to talento Iwata Sachi (27). As Yasuda underwent emergency surgery in July to save a twisted testicle, reporters yesterday focused on whether he was able to have a normal sex life. In no uncertain terms, he reassured them that he is, "It was about a week after the surgery. It hurt a bit but felt pretty good!" The dancho (leader) of the comedy trio Yasuda Dai Circus, he and Iwata met two years ago at an event in Nagoya. Kansai TV planned a special show featuring Yasuda cycling 550km from Osaka to Tokyo to propose to Iwata at the end of August.
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Ichiro Breaks 108-year-old Record | September 15, 2009 |
Baseball superstar Suzuki Ichiro (36) set another milestone yesterday as he became the first Major League player ever to record 200 or more hits in nine consecutive seasons. In the second inning of the second game in a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers, the Seattle Mariners leadoff man hit one of his trademark infield singles to reach the 200 landmark. And this in a season where injury and a stomach ulcer forced him to sit out 16 games, as many as he missed in the last eight years combined. The hit allowed Ichiro to pass the record held by Wee Willie Keeler for more than a century. At home, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper published a special edition headlined, "Ichiro breaks Major League record." Baseball legend Oh Sadaharu was quoted as saying, "Sometimes we forget how difficult it is to accomplish these things amid a baseball schedule which is much tougher in the U.S. than in Japan. It's hard to find the words to describe what he has accomplished."
• But expect the Japanese media frenzy to be distracted elsewhere today if actress/singer Sakai Noriko (38) is released on ¥5-million bail in her ongoing drug possession case. Her bail was approved yesterday, while it was refused for her husband, Takao Yuichi (41). A legal expert said this was most likely to ensure that the couple cannot "compare notes" on their upcoming trials. Takaso is scheduled to appear at the Tokyo District Court on October 21, and Sakai five days later.
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Talk about an interesting choice of venue. J-rock supergroup Vamps finished off their world concert tour with a show on a ship - not just any ship but the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The battleship was where the official surrender agreement was signed between Japan and the Allies in Tokyo Bay in September 1945. It was decommissioned in the 1990s and is now a museum. Yesterday's concert was the first major music event to be held on board. Interestingly, the event doesn't seem to have drawn any attention from the mainstream U.S. media.
Flanked by the ship's 16-inch guns and with the stars and stripes flying behind them, the band performed 20 songs, including the upcoming release "Sweet Dreams." About 600 fans paid $150 each to see the unique show. Vamps was formed in 2008 around L'Arc en Ciel frontman Hyde and Oblivion Dust guitarist K.A.Z. The lineup also includes bassist Ju-ken, who has performed with Gackt and X Japan's Yoshiki. They have released one album and three singles. The tour took in 60 shows in Japan and the U.S. and finishing off in Hawaii, which is in more than one way the meeting point between the two countries, was heavily symbolic. Hyde said, "I think it's great that an instrument of war can be used to send out a message of peace like this."
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Kitano's Return to Violence | September 14, 2009 |
Kitano Takeshi (62, profile) is returning to the movie genre that established him as one of the world's top directors. It was revealed at the weekend that he started filming last month on his first violent action movie in seven years. During that time he has turned out several introspective and quirky works which have puzzled audiences and received mixed reviews from critics. "It's been a long time, but violence is interesting," he said. The title and plot have not been revealed but Kitano's 15th movie is said to center around a yakuza character, a device he last used in 2000's less than successful "Brother." The strong, and so far all-male, cast includes Miura Tomokazu (57), Shiina Kippei (45), Kase Ryo (34) and Kitamura (71) all in yakuza roles, and Kohinata Fumiyo (55) as the sole detective. All the actors are working with Kitano for the first time. Well established at the time as one of Japan's top comedians, Kitano made his directorial debut 20 years ago with the self-explanatory "Sono Otoko, Kyobo ni Tsuki" (Violent Cop). 1993's "Sonatine" gangster flick won multiple awards and made the BBC's Top 100 best movies of the 20th century. In 1997, "Hana-bi" earned Kitano the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival and a whole new level of respect at home. His last violent movie was his interpretation of the blind samurai tale "Zatoichi" in 2003.
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Matchy the Iron Man of Japanese Showbiz | September 11, 2009 |
Singer Kondo Masahiko (45, photo left) looked a bit battered at a press conference yesterday. With his right arm in a sling, "Matchy" said he had fractured his shoulder blade while participating in the Sado Island Long Distance International Triathlon last weekend. He has a long history of participation in sports and endurance events, and took part in the triathlon privately. After swimming 2km, and 10km into the cycling stage, he braked for a water stop and fell off his bicycle. "Though I noticed some pain," he said, "I never thought about giving up." He continued the race, finishing the 105km cycling and 20km run for a total time of 7 hours 13 minutes, well within the 8-hour target he had set for himself. Yesterday's press event was for the La Festa Mille Miglia 2009 classic car rally, scheduled for October 10-13. The 1,000-mile (1,600km) race starts and ends in central Tokyo. Kondo says he still plans to take part for the full four days.
• Actress/singer Sakai Noriko says she has no wish to apply for bail just yet. Currently at the Tokyo Wangan police detention center, she was formally charged with the use of amphetamines yesterday, in addition to the earlier charge of possession. She and her husband, Takaso Yuichi (41) have admitted using the drugs while on a visit with their young son to Amami Oshima island in July. Sakai says she doesn't want to cause a media frenzy and wouldn't be able to see her son even if a bail application was approved. Her trial is set to open at the Tokyo District Court on October 26.
• Getting his life back on track recently is actor/singer Hagiwara Kenichi (59, photo right). He was back in the recording studio yesterday for the first time in seven years. He recorded the famous "Jidai Okure," released by the late Kawashima Eigo (1952-2001) in 1986. The single will be available on online and mobile services from November 4. Popularly known by the nickname "Shoken," Hagiwara started out as vocalist for hugely popular band The Tempters back in the late 1960s. He later went on to an award-winning acting career, but he is almost as renowned for his legal problems as his performing. He was first arrested in 1983 for marijuana possession. He was given a suspended jail sentence in 2004 for attempted blackmail in connection with a canceled movie role. Earlier that year he was fined for causing a traffic accident, and he was later caught speeding. He got divorced in March 2006.
• Singer Nishino Kana (20) is to be the first Japanese to promote Maybelline New York's mascara. The company spotted her in a promo video and decided she was a good match with their young market. She appeared at a PR event in Tokyo yesterday and also performed her latest song, "Motto," for the first time. The single is due for release on October 21.
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Can Japan Repeat at the Oscars? | September 10, 2009 |
The Japanese movie industry has chosen its candidate to defend the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Looking to repeat this year's success of "Okuribito" (Departures), the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan yesterday named Kimizuka Ryoichi's "Dare Mo Mamotte Kurenai" (Nobody to Watch Over Me). The powerful 2-hour drama focuses on some of the more troubling aspects of modern Japanese society. The story revolves around a detective (Koichi Sato), who is assigned to protect a 15-year-old student (Mirai Shida) from public outrage and the media after her elder brother is arrested for the senseless murder of two young girls. As well as directing the feature, Kimizuka wrote the screenplay, for which he won an award at last year's Montreal World Film Festival. "Daremo..." is his 14th movie and he is best known as the director of "Odoru Daisosasen" (Bayside Shakedown), Japan's biggest ever box-office earner, and a series of sequels and spinoffs. As with those movies, the backing came from Fuji TV. The overseas Academy Award candidates will be whittled down to five in January and the awards show will be held in March.
Earlier story:
Japanese Win Big at Montreal Film Festival (Sep 3, 2008)
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Romance has blossomed between two of Japan's up and coming young stars, according to this week's issue of the weekly women's magazine "Josei Seven." Management for actor Eita (26) and singer Kimura Kaela (24) have acknowledged their relationship. The magazine captured the couple on film last Saturday, the night after Eita returned from the Montreal World Film Festival, where he had been promoting the movie "Dear Doctor." The couple both worked on the 2006 movie "Kiraware Matsuko no Issho" (Memories of Matsuko) but they never shared the screen. They finally met through a mutual friend in August and the flame was lit. Kimura had recently broken up with Su (35) of the hip hop group Rip Slyme. Considered one of the most talented young actors, Eita started out as a model in 1999. He made his TV drama debut in Fuji TV's "Sayonara Ozu-sensei" in 2001. His breakthrough came in the hugely popular Fuji series "Waterboys" in 2003. He made his theatrical debut this summer. Kimura, whose father is British, also got into the entertainment business as a model, for the teen fashion magazine "Seventeen" in 2001. She made her CD debut with "Level 42" in 2004. She had her first Oricon chart No.1 with her third album, "Scratch," in 2007 and she performed solo at the Nippon Budokan the same year.
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A Bad Week for Yoshimoto | September 09, 2009 |
Not such a good week so far for Yoshimoto Kogyo (profile). The major comic talent agency has canceled its biggest event of the year and has been threatened with a lawsuit by one of its veteran performers. The decision to cancel the "Live Stand 09 Osaka" event, scheduled for November 21-23, was made in an effort to avoid contributing to the anticipated spread of influenza this winter. A similar 3-day event held at the Makuhari Messe convention center in July drew 60,000 comedy fans.
Meanwhile veteran manzai-shi Maeda Goro (67) has threatened to sue Yoshimoto for slander. Maeda was suspected of involvement in threats and violence against fellow comedian Nakata Kausu (60), largely due to similarity between his handwriting and that in threatening letters sent earlier this year. He has not worked since May and was questioned by police in July, but he has not been charged with any crime. His lawyer says that Maeda's handwriting has been expertly analyzed and was not a match for that in the letters. He said that he had written to Yoshimoto president Osaki Hiroshi (56) twice asking for a meeting but received no reply, "They won't meet with us, so we decided to take the matter to court." If the case goes ahead it would be in civil court, and Maeda is said to be seeking in the order of ¥100 million in damages as his career is effectively over. Sakata Toshio (67), his comic sidekick in the duo Comedy No.1 for more than 40 years, announced last week that he would be going solo.
Earlier stories:
End of the Road for Comedy No.1 (Sep. 3, 2009)
Maeda Case No Laughing Matter (May 26, 2009)
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Negishi Wins Best Director Award at Montreal Fest | September 08, 2009 |
Negishi Kichitaro (59) has won the best director award at the 33rd Montreal World Film Festival for the film "Viyon no Tsuma" (Villon’s Wife), distributor Toho Co. announced today. The Film Festival focuses on various kinds of films from all over the world but features few if any produced in Hollywood. The directorial awards marks a second consecutive good showing by Japanese movies at the event - last year, the film "Okuribito" (Departures) won the grand prize. Based on several short stories by the famous Dazai Osamu (1909-1948), "Viyon no Tsuma" was made in commemoration of this year's 100th anniversary of his birth. With a strong cast led by Matsu Takako and Asano Tadanobu, the movie tells the story of the wife of a novelist who leads a catastrophic life. It is scheduled for release in theaters here on October 10.
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Sayonara Once Again for Ishihara, Tamaki | September 07, 2009 |
It seems it just wasn't to be after all for singer Tamaki Koji (50) and actress Ishihara Mari (45). Their long and strange relationship, which saw them finally married in February, is rumored to have ended. A spokesperson for Tamaki's management agency said on Saturday, "I've heard they split up, but we don't know any more than that." Ishihara said on her blog, "Only the two of us know the truth of the recent story and we are not prepared to talk to the media." The couple registered their marriage in February, some 24 years after their relationship began. Back in the early 1980s when he was a huge star, Tamaki was married but became besotted with the young Ishihara, sending her a set of red underwear as a sign of his love. Their affair was exposed in the media in 1985, and Tamaki divorced the following year but the couple broke up soon afterwards. Over the years, Ishihara had relationships with a host of celebrities, but largely disappeared from Japanese show business. She was back in the limelight in 2006, when in her autobiography she broke a showbiz taboo by naming many of those celebrities. About a fifth of the book was about her relationship with Tamaki, and she went into great detail about how she contemplated suicide when their affair was exposed. She also revealed that in February 1986 she was hospitalized for more than a month with a broken vertebra after he had beaten her. The book was later made into a movie. Ishihara changed her stage name from Mariko to Mari earlier this year. One of Japan's most recognizable music stars, Tamaki formed the rock band Anzen Chitai in 1973, though it wasn't until the early 80s that they had their major record label debut and achieved stardom.
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Fujiwara Norika Ready to Deliver | September 04, 2009 |
Actress Fujiwara Norika (38, profile) has been busy getting herself back in the game since her divorce from comedian Jinnai Takanori (36) in the spring. She was recently featured in some particularly revealing "Cabaret" style photos, but we can assume that she will be dressed a bit differently for an upcoming TV role announced yesterday. In her first TV drama series appearance in two years she'll have the starring role as a gynecologist in NTV's "Gyne - Sanfujinka no Onnatachi." The role is described as a serious, even cold-hearted one, and Fujiwara is said to be getting into it. As part of her preparation, she recently attended a birth by cesarean section. A producer of the series said, "This could well be the role that defines her career." The strong cast also includes Itaya Yuka (34, photo left), Matsushita Yuki (41, photo right), Nakamura Hashinosuke (44) and Yashima Norito (38). The series will air on Wednesday nights from next month.
Earlier story:
Jinnai, Fujiwara Marriage to End After 2 Years (Mar. 19, 2009)
• Well, we're into September and I saw my first Christmas tree of the year the other day, so it must be time for...Kohaku Uta Gassen announcements. NHK's annual New Year's Eve concert may not be the compulsory viewing it once was but it's still one of the TV highlights of the year. And, always in search of a new gimmick, this year NHK have decided to start five minutes earlier than last year. So starting at 7:15pm and ending at 11:45pm, with a five-minute news break, the 60th edition of the show will be the longest yet. The theme for this year's show is "the infinite power of song."
Hollywood star Hugh Jackman (40) was in Tokyo yesterday for the Japan premiere of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Local guests at the event included actress Kawashima Naomi (48) and actor Sato Ryuta (29). As Japan is said to have been decided as the location for the next X-Men movie, Sato made sure to put his bid in for a role.
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End of the Road for Comedy No.1 | September 03, 2009 |
Veteran Yoshimoto Kogyo (profile) duo Comedy No.1 have split up after performing together for 41 years. The decision was announced yesterday, several days after the duo had discussed their future. Sakata Toshio (67, photo left), the boke or funny man of the duo, is to go solo. Popularly known as "Aho no Sakata" (Sakata the Idiot) he vowed to be "I will work hard to be known as the No.1 idiot in Japan." But the split most likely brings an end to the career of Maeda Goro (67, photo right), the duo's tsukkomi or straight man. He's been on sabbatical since May, when the handwriting in threatening letters sent to fellow Yoshimoto comedian Nakata Kausu (60) was found to be very similar to Maeda's and he was questioned by police. Nakata, who in 2007 was rumored to be linked to a yakuza crime syndicate, was also the target of a violent attack back in January. Maeda has denied any involvement in either incident. A popular comedian, Nakata is known for his sharp tongue and the most common target of his verbal jabs in Sakata.
• Pro fighter Yamamoto "Kid" Norifumi (32) and model Malia (26) have divorced, they announced on their respective blogs yesterday. Yamamoto said that the blame lay entirely with him, that he had been too focused on hanging out with his friends while his wife was left to raise their three children. He added that he still only has eyes for his ex and hopes they will re-marry someday.
• Trial dates have been set for the two major ongoing celebrity drug cases. Takaso Yuichi (41), the husband of actress/singer Sakai Noriko, is set to appear at the Tokyo District Court on October 21. He is charged with both possession and use of amphetamines. A trial date has yet to be set for Sakai (38), who as yet has been charged only with possession. The couple are also thought likely to face each other in court in what would probably be an acrimonious divorce. Meanwhile, actor Oshio Manabu (31), released on bail on Monday, will be in court on October 23. At the moment he is charged only with the use of MDMA (ecstasy) and not in relation to the death of the woman he was with at the time.
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Sun Music Execs Step Down in Shame | September 02, 2009 |
The father and son who built Sun Music Production into a major talent management agency are stepping down from their posts as a sign of repentance. The decision, announced at a hastily arranged press conference yesterday by president Aizawa Masahisa (60), comes in the wake of the recent scandal caused by the drug arrest of top star Sakai Noriko. Aizawa will become company vice-president, while his father and company chairman Hideyoshi (79) will be an advisor. Both men and other company directors will also take salary cuts. Aizawa Snr. established the company in 1967 and his son took over in 2004. He became a substitute father figure for Sakai after her own father died shortly after she became a star. Sun Music moulded her first into a top idol singer and, after her marriage in 1998, into a squeaky clean Mama-san role model - an image shattered by her arrest. Aizawa Jnr. gave repeated pres conferences when Sakai was on the run and said he had no clue about her drug habit. Sun Music has launched the careers of other such stars as singer Matsuda Seiko, actress Adachi Yumi, comedian Kojima Yoshio, talento Becky, and actor turned Chiba Prefectural governor Morita Kensaku.
Related story:
Noripi Taken to Court (Aug. 10, 2009)
• Two Johnny's Jimusho stars are the latest celebrities to be laid low by influenza. Yamashita Tomohisa (24, top right) and Nishikido Ryo (24, bottom right), both members of the pop group NEWS, were both diagnosed with the flu and have been forced to take a break from filming TV drama series. Yamashita is the star of the TBS basketball series "Buzzer Beat - Gakeppuchi no Hero," while Nishikido is filming "Orutorosu no Inu" for Fuji TV. NEWS were among the main presenters of NTV's 24-hour telethon over the weekend, which no doubt both worsened their condition and helped the virus spread among the many people who appeared on the live broadcast.
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Oshio Manabu Out on Bail | September 01, 2009 |
 As actor Oshio Manabu (31) was released on bail yesterday, the media was critical of both his attitude and his dress sense. Though he has only been charged with drug use, his case involves the death of the woman with whom he took the drugs, so he is expected to show a degree of remorse in keeping with the gravity of the case. But when he left the Mita police station yesterday evening, he was casually dressed in a plaid shirt, khaki pants and - shock! - sandals. He bowed deeply and gave a brief statement of apology to the assembled reporters, but refused to answer any questions before being bundled into a waiting car. That car then led dozens of reporters and paparazzi on a 4-hour, 110km "chase" through the streets and expressways of the capital. It wasn't until the car arrived at the home of Oshio's lawyer that reporters confirmed that Oshio had been the person who hopped out at Kotake-mukaihara station and taken the subway.
Earlier stories:
Oshio Manabu Faces Drug Arrest (Aug. 4, 2009)
Yada Akiko Divorces Oshio Manabu (Aug. 8, 2009)
• It's hardly a surprise that the latest single from SMAP (profile) is yet another No.1. "Sotto, Kyutto/Superstar" has sold 105,000 copies in its first week of release, helped by its tie-in with the Kusanagi Tsuyoshi Fuji TV drama series "Jinkyo Helper." It's the group's 11th consecutive chart topper since "Freebird" in May 2002, and their 22nd in all. All 44 of their single releases have made the Top 10, tying for the record with J-pop queen Hamasaki Ayumi (30).
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