Japan Entertainment News - October 2009
Sanyutei Enraku Dies at 76 | October 31, 2009 |
Sanyutei Enraku (photo center front), the man who for a generation was the face of rakugo, died at his son's Tokyo home on October 29 of lung cancer. He was 76. His death was announced the following day by his son, Hiroie, who is also president of the Wakatake Company management agency which represented his father. Real name Yoshikawa Hiroumi, he suffered from pneumonia and TB as a child and this had a long-term affect on his health. Ten years ago he suffered from kidney failure and required dialysis three times a week ever since. He was found to have stomach cancer in November 2007 and underwent surgery for lung cancer in April 2008. The lung cancer reappeared in May of this year. When he started out as a rakugo-ka, he decided he would quit if he didn't get promoted to the rank of "shinuchi" or star performer by the age of 30. With the stage name of Sanyutei Zensho, he managed to do it with just three months to spare. At that time he succeeded to the name of Sanyutei Enraku V. From the time it first went on air in 1966, he was part of the weekly rakugo show "Shoten." He was on and off the show over the next few decades before becoming the main presenter in 1983. Health problems forced him to retire from the show in 2006.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Wake Held for Minamida Yoko | October 30, 2009 |
A wake was held yesterday for the late actress Minamida Yoko, who died on October 21 at the age of 76 following a brain hemorrhage. About 500 people attended the wake at the Koshoden Hall at Zojoji temple in central Tokyo. They included her husband, actor Nagato Hiroyuki (75, photo bottom left) and her brother-in-law, actor Tsugawa Masahiko (69, bottom center). Nagato went to the wake straight after finishing the last show in a run at the nearby Meiji-za theater. The two were considered one of the closest married couples in Japanese showbiz, and in recent years Nagoto had taken care of his wife as she battled dementia. Sources said that some of Minamida's favorite photos, along with a kimono and obi were placed with her in her coffin. It was surrounded by thousands of freesias, her favorite flower, and the hall was filled with the song "Maui Waltz," a favorite of Minamida and her husband.
Earlier story:
Sayonara, Minamida Yoko (Oct. 22, 2009)
• The Tokyo apartment belonging to Sakai Noriko (38) is likely to be put up for auction or rent, according to the Sports Hochi news website. The disgraced former top idol singer is said to be planning to study welfare and nursing care and will give up her 140sq.m. Minami Aoyama apartment to pay for it. The luxury apartment would have sold for over ¥100 million when new and can still command a rent of around ¥400,000 per month. Renovation of the apartment was recently completed and it is said to be completely empty.
Though there has been no official announcement, Souzou Gakuen University in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture is considered the most likely place for Sakai to study. The university has a social work department and facilitates e-learning, which would help prevent the star's enrollment from disrupting campus life.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Nakamura, Maeda Have Big Heavy Wedding | October 29, 2009 |
Kabuki actor Nakamura Kantaro (27) and actress Maeda Ai (26) held their wedding ceremony and reception at the Hotel Okura in central Tokyo yesterday. The couple's relationship began in 2001 when they appeared together in the NHK drama "Hikari no Teikoku." Yesterday's event was attended by more than 640 guests, including all the major kabuki names and many stars of showbiz and sports. At the wedding ceremony, Maeda's father carried a portrait of her mother, who died in January of last year, while the groom's father, actor Nakamura Kanzaburo (56), talked sentimentally about how he and his wife also married in the Hotel Okura 30 years ago.
Maeda wore an elaborately designed kimono said to have been restored from one made more than 400 years ago in the Momoyama Era. "This kimono is really heavy," she said. "I guess I'm taking on a pretty 'heavy' responsibility today." Entering the world of traditional Japanese theater is always viewed as tough for those not born into it, even if they are moving across from the regular showbiz community. Over the next couple of years, she'll be expected to support her husband as he prepares to take the venerable stage name of Nakamura Kankuro VI in 2012. Yesterday's event was heavy with traditional features, including the breaking of a sake cask and wadaiko drummers. The newlyweds gave a press conference after the reception, showing off their rings and saying they plan to honeymoon next month at an onsen resort. Meanwhile, the father of the groom had a bit too much to drink and canceled his planned press conference.
Earlier story:
Nakamura Kantaro, Maeda Ai to Marry (Jan. 7, 2009)
• Also looking beautiful yesterday was actress Kuroki Meisa (21, photo right), who was among the guests at the Japan premiere of the Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It." Also attending the event at the Roppongi Hills Arena in central Tokyo was the legendary Lionel Richie (60) and many other local stars. Not among them was SMAP member Nakai Masahiro (37), but that was because he was the only celebrity invited from Japan to the U.S. premiere in Los Angeles (X Japan's Yoshiki was there too, but he lives in L.A.). He appeared live on the "SMAPxSMAP" variety show via satellite hookup.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Kurosawa's Art Director Dies at 85 | October 28, 2009 |
Muraki Yoshiro, art director on most of Kurosawa Akira's classic movies, died on Monday night of heart failure at his home in Setagaya, Tokyo. He was 85. Muraki first worked with the cinematic master on "Yoidore Tenshi" (Drunken Angel) in 1948 and was on occasion his production designer, art director and sometime costume designer. In total, the four-time Academy Award nominated Muraki worked on 19 of Kurosawa's 30 films. His Oscar nominations were: three for Best Art Direction for his work in the films "Tora Tora Tora" (1970), "Kagemusha" (The Shadow Warrior, 1980) and "Ran" (Revolt, 1985); and one for Costume Design for his work in "Yojimbo" (The Bodyguard, 1961). "Kagemusha" shared the Palme d'Or at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. Muraki was also involved in 1999's samurai drama "Ame Agaru" (After the Rain), a homage to the late Kurosawa which used his script and was directed by his closest collaborator, Koizumi Takashi.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Aftermath of the Sakai Noriko Trial | October 27, 2009 |
As someone who was molded into a starlet from her mid-teens and has lived her life in the media spotlight, Sakai Noriko (38, photo left) will always have to contend with preconceptions. Once considered one of the "purer" idols, the arrest of both her and her husband on drug charges has come as a major shock. The authorities no doubt see it both as a blow to their anti-drugs efforts and also as a chance to send a strong message.
So, Sakai is saying and doing the right things, unlike the evasion and mixed stories that followed the initial arrest of her husband, Takaso Yuichi, in early August. At his trial last week, Takaso said he hoped he can once again live with his wife and their son, just as a good family man should. But the media not to subtly portrayed him in a bad light, as he if is the only real villain in the case. Yesterday Sakai said that divorce might be best, showing that she's prepared to sacrifice her marriage if it helps keep her and her husband off the drugs. The orchestrated questions from prosecutors and Sakai's autocue answers about the dangers and addictiveness of drugs made yesterday seem less like a trial than an anti-drug campaign message.
Aizawa Masahisa (60), the man who has been like a father to Sakai during her entire career, stepped down as president of Sun Music in September to take his share of responsibility for the case. The company terminated Sakai's contract and Aizawa said that that he had agreed to be a character witness at the trial only because Sakai's step mother was unable to do so. She is currently in rehabilitation following cancer surgery, which ties in with Sakai's claim that she wants to study nursing.
And media comments about Sakai's court appearance yesterday have been predictably harsh. Producer Terry Ito (59) said about her testimony, "She gets full marks for delivering her speech like the actress she is. It was clear that she had rehearsed it well." He added, "This case will be remembered for years, and it will be really tough for her to bounce back from it. It's going to be hell for her." Manga-ka Yaku Mitsuru (50) said, "If she gets saddled with the financial costs of what she's done, she'll be deeply in debt. She can no longer afford to be choosy, and should be ready to pose nude if need be."
Earlier stories:
Sakai Noriko Out, Gives Brief Press Conference (Sep. 18, 2009)
Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Noripi (Aug. 7, 2009)
• Despite denials by her management, popular actress Ito Misaki is expected to announce soon that she's getting married next month. A story appeared in today's issue of women's weekly magazine "Josei Jishin" saying that Misaki (32, photo right) and pachinko company president Enomoto Yoshinori (40) were to tie the knot in Hawaii on November 24. The story said that Misaki planned to wear a dress designed by her friend, model turned fashion designer Kanda Uno (34). The two started dating after they met a year ago at the Hawaiian wedding of talento Uematsu Mami. Misaki's Ken-on management agency say that the two are just friends and that they have received no notification from Misaki of any wedding plans. But the couple have been spotted together several times over the last year, including on a trip to the Yufuin onsen resort in March.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Don't Be Cruel! | October 26, 2009 |
The latest focus of Japanese otaku types is a 14-year-old English girl who calls herself Beckii Cruel. The Isle of Man native has developed a growing fan base from the videos that she started posting on YouTube in March. Most of them feature her dancing in her bedroom to J-Pop and anime tunes. Media hype here has compared her to another recent import, Leah Dizon (though their looks and otaku appeal are about the only similarity), and her videos on the local NicoNico Douga site have been viewed over 3 million times. She recently performed at the Enta Matsuri in Tokyo's otaku mecca of Akihabara (photo), with some 600 fans turning up to show their support. Not one to miss out on a commercial opportunity, a DVD ("This is Beckii Cruel") is due for release on December 19th. Judge for yourself: Beckii Cruel's YouTube channel.
• There were no major new revelations today at the trial of former top idol singer Sakai Noriko (38). The huge media and public interest in the case was clear from the long lines of people waiting in the rain to get one of the 20 public gallery seats at the Tokyo District Court. The number was reported as 6,615, making it the second highest ever, after the almost 12,300 who tried to see the trial of Aum Shinrikyo cult leader Matsumoto Chizuo in 1996. Sakai admitted to all the charges against her - possession and use of amphetamines - and said she had been using the drugs once or twice a month for the last four years. She said she thought she and her husband, Takaso Yuichi (41), would probably have a better chance of rehabilitation if they divorce. Takaso was tried last week on the same charges, and they have a 10-year-old son. Asked about how she planned to return to society, Sakai said she hoped to study nursing. Prosecutors are seeking an 18-month prison sentence. The verdict will be handed down on November 9.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Bulgarian Movie Takes Top TIFF Prize | |
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) came to a close on Sunday with the big winner being "Eastern Plays." A Bulgarian film directed by Kamen Kalev (photo center), it tells the story of two brothers dealing with racial intolerance in Eastern Europe. The movie won the Sakura Grand Prix award as well as Best Actor for Christo Cristov. Jury president Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (director of "Babel") commented, "I was looking for films that generated emotions and reflections in me and 'Eastern Plays' did this," he said. "This film has a truth that stands out - it has clear intentions and the director achieved that until the end. I'm not looking for reality but truthfulness. The film has a solid and strong exposure of the truth." Other winners included Julie Gayet, who won Best Actress for the French drama "Eight Times Up"; Sebastián Cordero, who took the Special Jury Prize for the Spanish romance "Rabia." Jacob Tierney was given the Audience Award for the Canadian comedy "The Trotsky." The Japanese Eyes: Best Picture Award went to director Matsue Tetsuaki, who shot his film "Live Tape" in the western Tokyo suburb of Kichijoji.
• All media eyes will be on the Tokyo District Court today for the trial of former top idol singer Sakai Noriko (38). All the networks are planning to provide live coverage from outside the court. Charged with possession and use of amphetamines, the focus of the case is expected to be on just how heavy a user Sakai was. Her husband, Takaso Yuichi (41), had a one-day trial on the same charges last week and will receive his verdict next month.
Earlier stories:
Sakai Noriko Out, Gives Brief Press Conference (Sep. 18, 2009)
Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Noripi (Aug. 7, 2009)
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Oshio Manabu Appears in Court | October 24, 2009 |
Yesterday Oshio Manabu (31) was the latest celebrity to appear at the Tokyo District Court. The singer-actor was arrested in early August and charged with the use of MDMA (ecstasy), and prosecutors have sought an 18-month prison sentence. Reading from his testimony, they revealed that he had admitted taking ecstasy several times over the last couple of years, usually while on frequent visits to the U.S. Oshio was also implicated in the death of a woman with whom he took the drug on August 2 at the Roppongi Hills apartment of a friend. At the time, Oshio called not for an ambulance or the police but his manager, in an attempt to figure out a way to conceal his own drug use. He then moved to another apartment in the building before police and paramedics arrived. He has not been formally charged in relation to the death of former Ginza hostess Tanaka Kaori (30) and he has insisted that she was the one who provided the ecstasy. But the fact that the situation was not reported to the authorities until several hours after the estimated time of death has left open the possibility of criminal or civil charges being filed. More than 2,200 people waited outside the court today hoping for a chance to get one of the 20 public gallery seats. The court's verdict is due to be handed down on November 2.
Earlier stories:
Oshio Manabu Prosecution Begins (Aug. 25, 2009)
Oshio Manabu Faces Drug Arrest (Aug. 4, 2009)
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Glay Win the Day | October 23, 2009 |
Rock band Glay got the verdict they were looking for at the Tokyo District Court yesterday. The court instructed the band's former management company, Unlimited Group, to return the copyright on 147 songs and pay a total of ¥670 million in contract fees and royalties to the four band members. Glay first signed with Unlimited in 1998 and the contract stipulated that copyright on their songs belonged to the company, who would pay the band royalties. With Glay being one of Japan's most commercially successful bands, that meant a serious amount of money was involved.
The band have had more than their share of legal and contractual problems, though they have largely remained "taboo" for the media (it has been speculated that this is because of connections with organized crime). Unlimited had originally won the band's master license and joint control in a court case against Burning Productions (a company said to be owned by the yakuza). Financial problems with Unlimited came to a head in May 2005 and Glay terminated the contract. They were supported by Amuse, the office of Southern All Stars's Kuwata Keisuke, in 2006 until new management was established by band founder Takuro. At the head of the new company, Lover Soul, was Inoguchi Hirohiko, the band's former manager and executive producer at Unlimited, and right hand man to chairman Mashita Yukitaka. Mashita sued the band for the rights to their music (we can't find any record of the result of that case). We can only hope that the latest court ruling will finally bring the saga to an end and the band can get back to focusing on their music.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Takaso Yuichi on Trial | October 22, 2009 |
Yesterday saw the trial of Takaso Yuichi (41), husband of former top idol Sakai Noriko, at the Tokyo District Court. More than 1,500 people lined up in the morning (photo left) hoping for a chance to get one of the 20 seats in the public gallery, though even more are expected to turn out next Monday for Sakai's trial. Both are charged with possession and use of amphetamines. Takaso arrived in court looking a lot smarter - in a gray suit and with his hair no longer dyed brown - than when he was released on bail on September 16. But the media pointed out several things that indicated his attitude wasn't repentant enough. Though food and drink are prohibited in the courtroom, he walked in with a bottle of barley tea in his hand. He was described as alternatively dozing off and crying during his father's testimony. When questioned, he said that the inconsistencies and lies in his early questioning by police had been to cover for his wife, who was on the run at the time but not yet the subject of an arrest warrant. He also said his lawyer had told him to say that he used the drugs in a public toilet rather than at his Tokyo apartment. The trial was wrapped up yesterday, with prosecutors seeking a 2-year prison sentence for Takaso, and the verdict is due to be handed down on November 22.
• Talento Kato Natsuki (24, photo right) is suing her management agency and former boyfriend for ¥30 million she says was stolen from her. Between May 2006 and February of this year, she was dating her manager who she says claimed he was putting the money into a savings account for her. Kato took the matter to the Tokyo District Court in August, where both the man and the agency have denied the charges.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Actress Minamida Yoko died at a Tokyo hospital yesterday following a severe brain hemorrhage. She was 76. Her husband, actor Nagato Hiroyuki (75), spoke to reporters last night. "At 10:56am, my dearest wife, without saying goodbye..." was all he could say before becoming overcome with grief. It was just before he went on stage at the Meijiza theater in Tokyo that his wife of 48 years passed away. Minamida had just a couple of movie roles under her belt when she co-starred with the already veteran Nagato in "Taiyo no Kisetsu," a huge hit that is best remembered today for launching the career of Ishihara Yujiro. The movie established the pair as the Nikkatsu studio's star attractions, and Nagato was making as many as a dozen movies a year. The two made a couple more films together at Nikkatsu before marrying in 1961, quitting the studio and setting up on their own. Nagato's big screen career has stretched to over 230 movie credits, while Minamida's credits include "Portrait of Chieko," which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1967. Both worked extensively on TV dramas and variety shows until recent years. Minamida began to show signs of dementia in 2005 and quit showbiz in 2006. Nagato cared for her at home, but she was hospitalized twice earlier this year. Her final collapse came last weekend and though she underwent surgery, she never recovered consciousness.
Earlier story:
Minamida Yoko Back in Hospital (Oct. 20, 2009)
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Da Brothers Are Back | October 21, 2009 |
Pop-soul duo the Bubble Gum Brothers are to release their first new album in 16 years. Best known for hits like "Won't Be Long" that helped define the so-called "bubble" years in 1980s Japan, Brother Tom and Brother Korn made their comeback at the end of last year. To add a little spice to the release of "Da Bubble Gum Brothers Show" the album cover features a pair of shapely female legs. It turns out they belong to Michibata Angelica, the youngest of three half-Argentinian, half-Japanese model sisters. Her sister Jessica (25) is the girlfriend of newly crowned Formula 1 Racing champion Jenson Button (29). Due for release on November 25, the new album features collaborations with the likes of Suzuki Masayuki (53), Kubota Toshinobu (47) and Aoyama Thelma (21).
• The president of an entertainment management agency has been arrested for tax evasion. Nakagawa Masao (40), president of Muse Communications, was arrested by the special investigation department of the Tokyo Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of concealing about ¥300 million in earnings over a 3-year period. The company was established in 2002 and represents mainly porn actresses.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Astro Boy Premieres in U.S. | |
Actor Yakusho Koji and musician Yoshiki were among the attendees at Monday's U.S. premiere of "Astro Boy" (Released as "Atomu" in Japan). The computer-animated 3-D film adaptation of Tezuka Osamu's most famous work had its first showing outside Japan at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Tezuka's son Makoto (48, photo center) said, "It's miraculous that Atomu is being screened at this theater, which my father loved. He must be very happy." Yakusho (53, profile, photo left), who voiced the role of Atomu's creator Dr. Tenma, commented, "I look forward to seeing Japan's Atomu spread out from America across the world. X Japan drummer and leader Yoshiki (photo right) is based in Los Angeles and was set to supervise the music for the movie until neck surgery sidelined him for several months. He is still wearing a neck brace. "Tetsuwan Atomu" was the manga, first published in 1952, that made Tezuka (1928-89, profile) a household name. And in 1963 his adaptation for TV made it the pioneer of Japanese anime. "Atomu" opened in Japan on October 10, while "Astro Boy" will be in U.S. theaters from the 23rd.
• UPDATE: Actress Tokiwa Takako (37) and actor-producer Nagatsuka Keishi (34) announced on their respective blogs last night that they had just got married. A representative for the couple registered their marriage at a municipal office in Tokyo yesterday morning.
Actress Tokiwa Takako and actor-producer Nagatsuka Keishi are close to announcing their engagement, according to Sports Hochi. The newspaper based the story on reports from a friend of the couple. Tokiwa is one of the busiest actresses in Japan, whose resume includes the lead role in this year's NHK taiga drama "Tenchijin," dozens of TV drama roles, and the recent "20th Century Boys" movies. Nagatsuka, the son of popular actor Nagatsuka Kyozo, formed the Asagaya Spiders theatrical group in 1996 and has won several major awards over the last decade. He and Tokiwa appeared together in the 2003 movie "Geroppa!"
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Minamida Yoko Back in Hospital | October 20, 2009 |
Actress Minamida Yoko underwent emergency surgery at the weekend following a brain hemorrhage, it was reported yesterday. On Saturday night she was rushed to hospital, where she is in the intensive care unit and has yet to recover consciousness. Minamida (76) has been suffering from dementia since 2005 and quit showbiz in 2006. She has been cared for at home by her husband, actor Nagato Hiroyuki (75), but was hospitalized twice earlier this year. She had recovered sufficiently that the couple were featured on an episode of the variety show "Nakai Masahiro no Kinsma!" earlier this month. Nagato is currently appearing in a theatrical production at the Meijiza in Tokyo. He was off the day of his wife's latest collapse but returned to work the following day. He is scheduled to speak to reporters today about his wife's condition.
Earlier stories:
Minamida Yoko Hospitalized (Apr 2, 2009)
• The NTV drama series "Aishiteru - Kaiyou" has won the Grand Prix at the 2009 Tokyo Drama Awards. A manga adaptation, the drama starred Inamori Izumi as the mother of a 10-year-old only son who murders a 7-year-old boy and Itaya Yuka as the victim's mother. The two top individual awards went to the stars of Fuji TV shows. Nakai Kiichi was awarded the best actor prize for "Kaze no Garden." The series was the swansong of actor Ogata Ken, who won a posthumous special award. And the best actress award went to Amami Yuki for "Boss." The awards event was started last year to help promote Japanese-made TV dramas to the overseas market, and is timed to coincide with the Tokyo International Film Festival.
• Movie producer Sasaki Yoshino died at a Tokyo hospital on September 24 of ovarian cancer, it was revealed yesterday. She was 51. Among her recent projects were Isomura Itsumichi's "Gege" (2004), about a man slowly going blind, and Suo Masayuki's 2006 expose of the Japanese legal system, "Soredemo Boku wa Yatenai."
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Kato Kazuhiko Commits Suicide | October 19, 2009 |
The body of musician and producer Kato Kazuhiko was found in a hotel room in the mountain resort of Karuizawa on Saturday morning. He was 62. He was discovered hanging by the neck in a bathroom after a friend had called the hotel saying there was no answer to telephones calls to his room. Two notes written to friends were found in the room, and police are treating it as a suicide. Friends have said that Kato suffered from depression and had recently told them it was becoming increasingly difficult to write the kind of music he wanted, or even to find a reason to carry on living.
Kato found fame as a member of the popular group The Folk Crusaders in the late 1960s, and in the early 70s he rocked out with the Sadistic Mika Band. After that band broke up, he married lyricist Yasui Kazumi, but she died of lung cancer in 1994 at the age of 55. In the 1980s, Kato produced music for the big screen and later also for the theater and video games. He won an award for his soundtrack to the 2004 hit movie "Pacchigi!" and he had recently been working on music for a stage version later this year. His best known hit was "Ano Subarashii Ai wo Mouichido" which he co-wrote and released with fellow Crusaders member Kitayama Osamu in 1971.
Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio (62, photo center), his former actress wife Miyuki (66) and a galaxy of stars attended Saturday night's opening of the 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival. In keeping with the festival's ecological theme, the celebrities walked a green carpet, which really set off the red dresses worn by actress trio Kimura Tae, Hirosue Ryoko and Nakatani Miki (photo left). Suzuki Kyoka looked as elagant as always in a purple dress but someone really needs to talk to Oscar nominee Kikuchi Rinko (photo far right) about her dress sense!
• Singer Mori Shoji died of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital yesterday. He was 70. He was rushed to hospital on Friday afternoon after suffering a heart attack and underwent emergency surgery. But he never regained consciousness. Mori was best known as vocalist of the group Los Primos, among the most popular "mood ballad" groups of the late 1960s. In 1966, the group's first single "Love You Tokyo" was the very first No.1 on the Oricon charts. More than forty years on, the group are still active and went ahead with a scheduled dinner show last night using a hastily arranged guest vocalist.
• Good news at last for popular model and talento Rinka (36), who is engaged to marry a construction company employee. Although the couple are said to have been dating for about eight years, Rinka is regularly portrayed on variety shows as a "make-inu" (loser dog), or woman who is destined to remain single. A good example of how the public persona of many celebrities is fabricated for the media.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Flu Takes Down Teen Idols | October 17, 2009 |
The teen idols are dropping like flies! Female idol group Berryz Kobo have canceled a concert scheduled for today in the northern city of Sendai after five of the seven members were diagnosed with influenza. At the moment, no changes have been made to their upcoming performance plans, and the Sendai show has been rescheduled for December 30. Meanwhile, AKB48 member Sato Natsuki (19) will sit out several shows on doctor's orders after suffering a leg injury. With dozens of members, the Akihabara-based idol group has no shortage of replacements, though fellow member Fujie Reina (15) is currently out with, you guessed it, influenza. The group performs daily at a special theater in Tokyo's mecca for otaku.
• Enka singer Koda Shin (42) got divorced in mid-August, he revealed yesterday. The divorce was at the request of his wife of 11 years (35), who was simply tired of Koda's constant routine of regional concerts and TV appearances that kept him away from home. In an unusual arrangement he has custody of his two children and his mother-in-law has agreed to move in with them. As for the timing of the announcement, why yes he does have a new single out, the aptly titled "Kokoro no Kizu," (Wounds of the Heart).
• Mariah Carey has been joined in Tokyo by another American soul diva. It's unlikely that the pair hooked up, but Beyonce (28) was at a party sponsored by the Samantha Thavasa fashion brand last night. She has two shows this weekend at the nearby Saitama Super Arena, following last week's shows in Kobe, Osaka and Nagoya.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Shoji, Miki-T to Have a Big Reception | October 16, 2009 |
Comedian Shoji Tomoharu (33) and singer Fujimoto Miki (24) are to hold a lavish wedding reception next month, it was revealed yesterday. The event will be held in the Crystal Palace hall at the Grand Prince Hotel in Akasaka, Tokyo on November 27. The couple held a small garden wedding ceremony at the Hawaiian resort of Hokulia on July 3 and registered their marriage in Tokyo a week later. They are said to have invited over 400 fellow celebrities, friends and family to the reception. With "Miki-T" a former member of J-pop powerhouse Morning Musume, and Shoji one half of the popular Yoshimoto comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji, the reception will no doubt become a major entertainment event and will be attended by some of the biggest names in showbiz. It remains to be seen who will be chosen to emcee the event.
Earlier story:
Happy Sumer Wedding for Idol, Comedian (July 13, 2009)
• Meanwhile, Yoshimoto (profile) has sued the publisher Shinchosha over an article that appeared in the "Shuukan Shincho" magazine in July. The article raised suspicions regarding financial dealings between Yoshimoto CEO Osaki Hiroshi (56) and a subsidiary of the the major comedy talent agency. The company and Osaki have sought ¥22 million in libel damages, while at the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday the publisher sought to have the case dismissed.
• A chirpy Mariah Carey (39) arrived at Tokyo's Narita Airport yesterday. The singer is in Japan for three days to promote her latest album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel." Dressed in a revealing red mini one-piece she posed for photographs but didn't sign any autographs. She greeted the 300 or so fans who were at Arrivals to see her with "Aishitemasu (I love you), Tokyo, Japan!" When she was last in Japan, in May of last year, she brought new husband Nick Cannon (29) but this time she arrived alone. She is scheduled to appear on the live TV Asahi show "Music Station" tonight and will fly back to the U.S. tomorrow.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Sanada Hiroyuki is Getting Lost | October 15, 2009 |
One of Japan's top actors is set to appear in one of the most popular American TV drama series. A multiple award winner in his own country, Sanada Hiroyuki (49, profile) is among the few Japanese actors to have established a reputation overseas. He has starred in such movies as "The Last Samurai" and the UK sci-fi drama "Sunshine." But his appearance in season six of "Lost" will be his first in an overseas TV drama. He will play the key role of Dogen in the upcoming series. A producer of the show said, "We have long respected Hiro's work, and we wrote the part of Dogen especially for him." Season six is set to finally wrap up all the mysteries of the series and will air in the U.S. from the beginning of 2010. It is scheduled to arrive in Japan at the beginning of next summer and will air on pay channel AXN.
• Nagano Hiroshi (37), a member of the popular Johnny's Jimusho group V6, was in a minor traffic accident in Saitama Prefecture recently. He was getting onto the expressway through Yashio city on the evening of October 12 when he ran into the back of another car stuck in a traffic jam. Neither Nagano nor the woman driver (62) of the other car suffered any injuries.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Ozawa Maria Causes New Storm in Indonesia | October 14, 2009 |
A planned trip to Indonesia by porn actress Ozawa Maria (23, photo left) is causing quite a storm. With the world's largest Muslim population, the choice of country as a filming location means that public protests are inevitable. Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Mohammad Nuh said the actress's visit is not prohibited under the law, but that many people oppose her arrival. Popularly known in Indonesia as Miyabi, Ozawa is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta today to film a non-pornographic comedy titled "Miyabi Yukai" (Miyabi Abduction). The minister asked that the production company take pains to avoid any public activity that might invite further protests, and suggested that Ozawa be replaced by another actress without the same controversial background. Half-Japanese and half-French-Canadian, Ozawa has been appearing in videos since 2005, mostly porn for the first couple of years until she switched to a new, more hardcore company in 2007. She is one of the industry's more high-profile actresses.
• J-pop star Otsuka Ai (27, photo right) is doing her first collaborative project with Su (35), MC of the hip hop group Rip Slyme. Titled "Aisu x Time" the song will appear on Otsuka's hits album "Love is Best," due for release on November 11. The song is a reworking of her song "One x Time," and as a big fan of Rip Slyme, she approached Su about adding some rap to it. The promotion video features a more "adult" style than usual for Otsuka.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Dante is Tower Manager For a Day | October 13, 2009 |
Actor Dante Carver (32, photo left) was made "manager for a day" at Tower Records in Shinjuku yesterday. Carver is best known for his role as the "Nii-chan" (elder brother) of the Softbank family in TV commercials alongside actress Ueto Aya. But yesterday's PR stunt was part of the promotion for the "What's Up x The Finest - The Greatest Hits" album. Carver has been appearing in TV commercials for the album of recent urban music hits, dressing up as Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am, Flo Rider and even Lady Gaga.
• Singer Yui (22, photo right) is back on top of the singles chart. "It's All Too Much/Never Say Die" has sold more than 75,000 copies in its first week of release to reach No.1 on the latest Oricon chart. Following the July 2008 chart topper "Summer Song" she took the best part of a year off, canceling a scheduled tour and fan club events. She bounced back in June and topped the singles chart with "Again." She now has three No.1's in a row, making her just the third female singer-songwriter to achieve the feat, after Matsutoya Yumi (55) and Utada Hikaru (26).
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
MiChi Sings to an Audience of One | October 09, 2009 |
Up and coming J-pop singer MiChi (24) said she was "hugely embarrassed" yesterday as she performed a mini concert for just one lucky fan. The PR stunt was for the single "You," 10,000 copies of which came with a message card but just one with an invitation to a studio for the special live event. MiChi performed four songs for her minimal audience, a 24-year-old woman from Hyogo Prefecture.
Born in the UK city of Birmingham to a British father and Japanese mother, she moved to Kobe when she was 2 years old. However, the family moved back to the UK after the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. At the age of 18 she was on the verge of entering art college in Manchester, but decided instead to return to Japan to try her hand at a singing career. Within a year she was working with producer Matsuzawa Tomokazu and in June 2008 she released her first indie album. The album topped the iTunes chart and three tracks (including "Fxxk You and Your Money") took the top three slots on the iTunes dance chart. Before the end of the year she had made her major label debut with the album "PROMiSE" on Sony Music. This year has seen her touring, taking part in summer festivals and making several TV commercial appearances.
• Comedian Matsumoto Hitoshi (46) is a father, it was revealed yesterday. His wife, former TV weather girl Ihara Rin (26), gave birth to a baby girl on October 6. Ihara had a solid career, working on three regular weekly shows, when she announced her retirement in September of last year. Matsumoto, one half of the comedy duo Downtown and more recently a movie director, announced their marriage plans and the pregnancy in May. He is currently in South Korea, where his second movie "Shimboru" is being shown at the Pusan International Film Festival.
Earlier story:
Downtown's Machan Married (May 18, 2009)
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Loves Comes and Goes | October 08, 2009 |
Popular actress Fukada Kyoko (26, photo left) is getting serious with actor Shimizu Ryotaro (21), according to today's issue of women's weekly magazine "Josei Seven." The third son of talento Shimizu Akira (55), Ryotaro has been seen frequently at Fukada's Tokyo apartment. In a statement, her management agency said only that Shimizu is "a close friend."
Meanwhile the same magazine reports that romance seems to be over between SMAP's Nakai Masahiro (37) and J-pop diva Koda Kumi (26). A friend of Koda's told the magazine that she had felt the relationship was over at the beginning of the summer. Koda said she hardly ever heard from Nakai and decided to change her mobile phone. The pair's relationship, though never officially acknowledged, was first reported back in August 2007. The couple were spotted together at Nakai's apartment the following December, and were seen vacationing overseas together in May of last year.
• Actress Kikuchi Rinko (28, photo right) is to make her first TV drama appearance in eight years. The 2007 Oscar nominee will appear in the second season of Fuji TV's "Liar Game," which airs on Tuesday nights from November 10. Her last regular TV role was in the NHK morning drama "Churasan" in 2001. Kikuchi made her acting debut in Shindo Kaento's "Ikitai" in 1999 and has worked mainly in movies ever since. She recently worked on the eagerly awaited Murakami Haruki adaptation "Noruwei no Mori" (Norwegian Wood), which will be in theaters next year. "Liar Game" is adapted from a manga that appeared in the "Shuukan Young Jump" magazine. It was adapted for TV - with Toda Erika (21) and Matsuda Shota (24) in the lead roles - in April 2007 and gained a big audience despite its 11pm time slot. A movie version is slated for release in February 2010.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
AKB48 Promote J-Pop in Cannes | October 07, 2009 |
Members of the all-girl pop idol group AKB48 performed yesterday at the opening party of the International Film and Programme Market for Television, Video, Cable and Satellite (MIPCOM) in Cannes, France. It was the third overseas performance by the group, following shows in Paris in August and New York last month. Wearing costumes in the style of Japanese high school girl uniforms, the 12 members sang in English. Doing their bit to promote Japanese tourism, they encouraged fans of pop culture to visit Tokyo and their "home base" in the capital's Akihabara district. MIPCOM is held in Cannes every autumn and is an event for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment content. It provides a networking forum to discover future global trends and in the area of pop culture, there is always a keen interest in what's coming out of Japan. AKB48, the brainchild of producer Akimoto, was formed in 2005 and has dozens of members divided into three teams and a group of trainees. They perform daily - twice a day on weekends - at their own theater in Akihabara, the mecca of otaku culture. Every single they release is tied into a TV commercial, anime or drama series.
• Singer Kato Miliya (21) is to provide a song for a Hollywood movie for the first time. She wrote "Destiny" as the image song for "New Moon," the second movie in the hugely successful teen vampire "Twilight" series. Directed by Chris Weitz, the movie is scheduled to open here on November 28. Heart throb star Robert Pattinson is due to visit Japan next month to promote the movie. Kato previously provided the theme song for the 2007 domestic movie "Bubble e Go! Time Machine wa Drum-shiki."
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Fukuyama Masaharu is Sakamoto Ryoma | October 06, 2009 |
Though a veteran of many hugely popular TV dramas, Fukuyama Masaharu is making his period drama debut in next year's taiga series. In NHK's yearlong historical drama for 2010, he will lead an all-star cast in an original biography of Sakamoto Ryoma (1836-67). "Ryomaden" is the first original taiga series since Mitani Koki's version of "Shinsengumi" in 2004. One of the most important and best known figures that helped shape the future of Japan as it ended centuries of isolation, Ryoma was a native of Tosa, a region in the island of Shikoku. Fukuyama (40, profile) and other cast members, including Hirosue Ryoko, Sato Ken and Oizumi Yo, gave a press conference yesterday on a set (actually in Hiroshima) that recreated a Tosa village. The series is Fukuyama's first on NHK and his first historical role. It comes on the heels of a 20th anniversary nationwide concert tour that finished at the end of September and included his first ever show at the Nippon Budokan. "Ryomaden" will air on Sunday nights from January 3, 2010.
 Yesterday saw the world premiere of "Atomu" (Astro Boy) the CG update of Tezuka Osamu's classic manga and anime. Actress Ueto Aya (24), who voiced the lead role, and Yakusho Koji (53) as Dr. Tenma were at the Shinjuku Piccadilly theater in Tokyo for the event. The movie, which has distribution agreements in 60 countries and will be shown on 3,000 screens in the U.S., is scheduled to open in theaters here on October 10. "Tetsuwan Atomu" was the first ever home-produced anime series and aired from 1963.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Super Sentai Team | October 05, 2009 |
Every year sees a new team of masked action heroes on the TV Asahi network. Well now two of them are forming a team of their own. It was announced yesterday that actress Kikuchi Mika (25) and actor Kishi Yuji (39) are engaged to be married. Kishi was the Red Racer in the 1996-97 series Gekisou Sentai CarRanger, while the diminutive Kikuchi played the role of Deka Pink in the 2004-05 Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger series. They plan to hold their wedding and reception in December at the Tokyo Dome Hotel, next to the venue where both often appeared in action events. The couple met in 2007 when they were both appearing in the stage production "Les Miserables." Kishi proposed in October of last year, after he finished a run of the musical "Miss Saigon."
• Some happy news also for actress Sakai Miki, who it was revealed yesterday is expecting her first child next spring. Sakai (31) married a university hospital doctor (35) last October and her pregnancy was confirmed at the same hospital at the end of June. The baby is expected at the end of March. Sakai will appear as planned in the Osaka stage production "Hangyakuji" with kabuki star Nakamura Shido in November. She plans to take maternity leave from December and her management agency say she will combine her acting career with motherhood. Sakai and her husband met in New York in 2004 while she was volunteering in a campaign to support organ transplant patients.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Entertainment News Update | October 04, 2009 |
I've been away for the last 10 days, and planned to do news updates on the road. As it turned out, it wasn't possible. I apologize to all those readers who missed out on the most recent news. Here's a brief summary of what's been happening in Japan recently.
Narita Shoji (41, photo left), the former guitarist of the Johnny's Jimusho rock group Otokogumi, is the latest celebrity arrested for drugs. He was arrested at his Shibuya home on September 27 for possession of several grams of marijuana. Otokogumi debuted in 1988 and won several music awards before "Time Zone" propelled to the top of the idol heap in 1989. They released 10 singles and 8 original albums before they split up in 1993. Narita left Johnny's at that time but continued to perform solo mainly at live houses around the capital.
• There has been no mention of drugs being directly involved, but actress Sawajiri Erika (23, photo right) was fired by Stardust Promotion shortly before the top management agency became the first to announce that it would ask all its talent to undergo drug testing. The agency has said only that Sawajiri, who has spent most of the last six months overseas with her husband, was in "serious breach" of her contract. The news came shortly before she was to be announced to the cast of the major movie adaptation of "Uchusenkan Yamato" (Space Battleship Yamato). Stardust has over 350 celebrities on its books, including top actresses Tokiwa Takako, Matsuyuki Yasuko, Nakatani Miki and Shibasaki Ko, and actors Shiina Kippei and Ichihara Hayato.
• Singer Tsukui Katsuyuki died on October 2 of pancreatic cancer at a Tokyo hospital. He was 49. He was one half of the duo Class, whose debut single "Natsu no Hi no 1993" sold over 1.6 million copies and became a J-pop standard. The duo split in 1996 and had a brief revival in 2003. Tsukui's cancer was discovered in February of this year and he underwent chemotherapy.
• Comedian Tanaka Yuji (44) revealed on October 2 that he got divorced the same day, announcing the news via his management agency's website. He addressed the issue during this morning's live "Sunday Japon" show, which he hosts with his Bakusho Mondai partner Ota Hikari (44). Tanaka said the divorce had been at the request of his wife, Natsumi (35). The couple were married for nine years but had no children. Tanaka had one testicle surgically removed six months after his wedding, a development he got good comedy mileage from. But rather than any physical problem, the cause of the marital split is more likely to be Bakusho Mondai's increased popularity. The duo currently have a hectic work schedule that includes 11 regular TV and radio slots.
• Also divorced is actress Matsubara Chiaki (51), though the news was broken by her previous ex-husband as he announced his third marriage. Actor Ishida Junichi (55) gave a press conference on September 29 to formally announce his engagement to pro golfer Higashio Riko (33). Ishida and Matsubara had a daughter, model Sumire (19), in 1998 but split the following year. Six months later, Matsubara married an American divorcee (43) who happened to be her daughter's English teacher. They lived in Hawaii and had a son (9) but that marriage ended at the beginning of this year. Matsubara is said to be planning to return to work in Japanese showbiz.
• A car salesman was recently arrested for swindling singer Nishikawa Takanori (39) out of ¥50 million. Better known as T.M. Revolution, Nishikawa loaned the money to Saito Yasuo (34) in April 2003. Nishikawa took the matter to police in November 2004 when Saito refused to make any repayments on the loan. The singer was originally a customer of Saito, who at the time had his own car sales business.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Top
|
