Japan Entertainment News - February 2010
Joji and Takeshi Ham it Up | February 26, 2010 |
When the likes of Tokoro Joji (55) and Kitano "Beat" Takeshi (63) get together, you can expect some mayhem. For his first album in three years, Tokoro enlisted the services of his old friend. Though Takeshi is not credited on any of the songs - which range from rock to pop, enka to folk - the less than tuneful vocals on some tracks can be assumed to be his. The two often appear together on variety shows and are credited as chief editor and assistant editor of "Famoso," described as a "fiction spoof magazine." The cover photo for Tokoro's new album, "Kokekokko," is in keeping with that magazine's zany style. It's the first time for Takeshi to appear on another artist's album cover.
The pair have both had multi-faceted careers, including serious acting and directing, but they share the same comedy roots. Takeshi is said to visit his friend on a weekly basis and has sought his expert advice on buying and modifying cars.
The Other Mao
Japanese media attention is almost totally fixed today on the Olympic exploits of figure skater Asada Mao (19). But yesterday, another Mao had her moment in the limelight. Actress Inoue Mao (23) attended a post-production event for the upcoming movie "Darling wa Gaikokujin," adapted from the popular manga by Oguri Saori (43). It is based on her day-to-day life with her American journalist husband Tony Lazlo, famously depicted as something of a Japanese language otaku. The big screen adaptation, directed by Ue Kazuaki, stars Inoue and Jonathan Sherr as the couple and also features other Japan-based gaijin talent such as comedian Patrick Harlan and Dante Carver of Softbank CM fame. The movie is scheduled to open on March 3.
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X Japan's Toshi Breaks Away | February 25, 2010 |
X Japan vocalist Toshi (44) held a "breakaway" concert at Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo last night. The show was largely to promote his newly released solo album "Bushi Japan," but he was joined on stage by the other four members of X Japan and the emotional show also represented a symbolic break from Toshi's troubled past. He recently divorced Wanku, the former idol singer Moriya Kaori and his wife of 12 years, though for much of that time she lived with the leader of a "self improvement" group that siphoned off all of Toshi's earnings. The stress of that relationship caused him to lose his voice on occasion and even consider giving up music altogether. He will no longer perform solo or with Wanku and will concentrate on X Japan's expansion into the U.S. market.
Last night's show was a simple acoustic affair in front of about 1300 fans. In addition to songs from the new album, they performed X Japan standards such as "Endless Rain" and "Forever Love." X Japan are due to perform at the Lollapolooza festival in August, but drummer and band leader Yoshiki dropped a hint that there may be a "warm up" show in Los Angeles. No further details were given.
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Arashi Rule the J-Music World | |
Arashi took just about every prize going at the 24th Gold Disk Taisho awards yesterday. Including the top honor of being named as Artist of the Year, the Johnny's Jimusho idol group won a total of 10 categories, the most ever. Other awards included Album of the Year ("All the Best! 1999-2009"), Single of the Year ("Believe/Kumori Nochi Kaisei") and Best Music Video ("Arashi Around Asia 2008"). Members Ohno Satoshi, Aiba Masaki and Matsumoto Jun were on hand to pick up the 10 trophies. Aiba joked that there were so many that they should give them away to fans in a lottery. The awards are given out annually by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, and are based on sales figures. In 2009, Arashi sold 2.45 million singles, 1.77 million albums, 1.14 million videos/DVDs, and 3.07 million downloads for an accumulative total of 8.42 million. The New Artist of the Year, for the top-selling artist who debuted in 2009, went to the band Hilcrhyme.
The main award in the overseas music category went to The Beatles, based mainly on last year's sales of their remastered albums, while Michael Jackson's "This Is It" was Album of the Year. Guitarist Slash took Single of the Year for the song "Sahara," which featured B'z vocalist Inaba Koshi.
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Odoru Daisosasen 3 - Set Them Free! | February 24, 2010 |
The hype buildup continues for the blockbuster movie of the summer. At a PR event at the Fuji TV headquarters in Tokyo yesterday, director Motohiro Katsuyuki and the cast of "Odoru Daisosasen The Movie 3" were on hand to talk up the project. Almost all the regular cast members are back, with Oda Yuji again in the staring role, supported by Yanagiba Toshiro, Fukatsu Eri, Yusuke Santamaria, and Mizuno Miki. Ikariya Chosuke passed away in 2004 but Itoh Atsushi has been added to the cast to play his character's nephew. The other major additions are Oguri Shun, as an elite bureaucrat, and Uchida Yuki, in a revival of the role she played in the original TV series.
Oda said yesterday that the movie's themes are "nakama" (friends, colleagues) and "ikiru" (to live) and that audiences would leave theaters feeling good. Asked to reveal details of the plot, he simply said "blood will flow." The only other veil lifted from the project was its subtitle, "Yatsura wo Kaihoseyo!" (Set Them Free!). Filming started at the beginning of the year and is currently about two-thirds complete. The movie will be in theaters from July 3.
Odoru3 is the second sequel in the most successful live-action film franchise in Japanese movie history. The first movie in 1998 took in ¥10.1 billion at the box office, while the 2003 follow-up made ¥17.3 billion, still the highest gross of any Japanese live-action movie. A couple of spinoff movies have filled in the gap and done reasonably well commercially over the last seven years. Odoru3 will acknowledge the time elapsed since the last movie, with Oda's renegade detective character Aoshima Shunsaku newly promoted to section chief.
Abe Koji is Top of the Heap
Abe Koji (35) has made it at last to the top of the comedy world. Last night he was named the winner of the "R-1 Grand Prix," an annual contest to pick the country's best solo comedian. It was Abe's seventh time to enter the contest and sixth time to make the last knockout round, and he was in tears when he finally came out on top of a record 3,539 contestants. He took home the prize money of ¥5 million, but perhaps more importantly the win will give his career a big boost. In a final where everyone else performed skits, Abe stuck with his plan to perform a monologue. After the win he said, "At long last I've graduated R-1. I don't want to fight any more!" He added that he'd like to try his hand at music or acting in an afternoon soap opera.
Violin Beauty to Join News Zero
With presenter Kobayashi Mao (27) leaving to marry kabuki star Ichikawa Ebizo (32), NTV yesterday announced a new addition to its "News Zero" lineup. Taking Mao-chan's place as presenter of a weekly culture corner is violinist Miyamoto Emilee (26). Though born in Tokyo, she grew up moving back and forth between Japan and Germany. She picked up the violin while in Japan at the age of seven and went on to study music in high school and university. She joined a classical quartet Vanilla Mood in 2003 and released her debut album in 2007. Her music has been featured in commercials, TV shows and movies, and she made an appearance on last year's "Kohaku Uta Gassen" on NHK. Though she has a show on the J-Wave radio station, News Zero will be her first gig as a TV presenter.
Ishida, Higashio Already Hitched
The upcoming California wedding of actor Ishida Junichi (56) and pro golfer Higashio Riko (34) has received plenty of media attention. But it was revealed yesterday that the couple have already married. They registered their marriage on December 12, an auspicious "taian" day on the traditional Japanese calendar, and are living together in Tokyo. They will hold their wedding ceremony at a Napa Valley winery on June 8 and a reception at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on July 12. Higashio used her maiden name when registering for next week's Daikin Orchid Ladies tournament in Okinawa.
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Golden Couple Team Up for Twitter Drama | February 23, 2010 |
Actor Eita (27) and actress Ueno Juri (23) are to co-star in the first major-network "Twitter drama," it was revealed yesterday. Fuji TV's "Sunao ni Narenakute," which will air on Wednesday nights from April, is the story of five men and women who meet through the social networking and microblogging service. Between movies and TV dramas, it is the eighth time for Eita and Ueno to work together. They are being referred to as the "Heisei no ougon kappuru," the golden couple of the Heisei era. Their last collaboration was 2008's spring-season drama "Last Friends," also on Fuji, which covered serious topics like domestic violence and transgender issues. The new series is based in the Tokyo youth mecca of Shibuya and has a somewhat softer edge. It was written by Kitagawa Eriko (48) and is her first series for Fuji since 2002's "Sora Kara Oriru Ichioku no Hoshi."
Eita's character finds himself questioning his dream of following in the footsteps of his war photographer father as he understands the trauma caused by the job. And Ueno plays the role of a part-time teacher at a private high school who is frustrated by her own immaturity. Though not a direct translation, the title of the drama is the also the Japanese title of Chicago's 1982 hit "Hard to Say I'm Sorry."
Record Breaking Toho Shinki
Korean dance vocal group Toho Shinki finally have a No.1 album in Japan. Not only that but the 413,000 initial sales figure announced for "Best Selection 2010" is a new record for an overseas artist, beating the 379,000 of Bon Jovi's 1995 release "These Days." The Korean quintet put out their first hits collection five years after they debuted in Japan. During that time they have had a series of major hit singles and sold out concerts, so it's a bit of a surprise that it's taken this long to become the first Asian male artists to top the Oricon album chart. The group will appear on Fuji TV's "Music Fair" on Saturday and have a DVD and a new single ("Toki wo Tomete") coming out in March.
Meanwhile, on top of the Oricon singles chart are J-pop idol group AKB48. The initial sales of 318,000 copies of "Sakura no Shiori" marks the first time a female group has broken the 300,000 barrier since Morning Musume's "Mr. Moonlight - Ai no Big Band" in 2001.
Itoh Sakiko Remarried
Singer Itoh Sakiko (51) recently remarried, it was revealed yesterday. She and a company employee in his late 40s tied the knot earlier this month. Itoh retired from showbiz after she married an businessman in 1989. But she returned to work in 2004 and the marriage ended in 2007.
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Yamada Yoji Honored in Berlin | February 22, 2010 |
Following up yesterday's story on Terajima Shinobu's success at the Berlin International Film Festival - director Yamada Yoji (76) received the Berlinale Camera, a special award given to a film personality or an institution to whom the film festival feels especially attached. Yamada was at the festival with "Otouto (Little Brother), his seventh entry since "Downtown Heroes" in 1989, and the first Japanese movie to close the event. On receiving the award, the normally cool Yamada was clearly overwhelmed by what he called "a great honor." He said he'd like to share it with Yoshinaga Sayuri (64), the actress who has starred in his last two movies and who joined him in Berlin. Yamada is the third Japanese recipient of the award, joining fellow iconic directors Ichikawa Kon (1915-2008) and Kumai Kei (1930-2007). It was while attending Berlin with Yoshinaga to promote "Kabei" (Our Mother) in 2008 that he heard the news of Ichikawa's death. That prompted them to come up with the plan to do a remake of the master's 1950 original of Otouto.
Earlier stories:
Terajima Shinobu Wins Silver Bear in Berlin (Feb. 21, 2010)
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Terajima Shinobu Wins Silver Bear in Berlin | February 21, 2010 |
Japanese women made a strong showing at the Berlin International Film Festival, which closed on Saturday. Actress Terajima Shinobu (37, photo left) won the Silver Bear for Best Actress for her role as Shigeko in "Caterpillar." Directed by Wakamatsu Koji, the film is based on the 1929 short story of the same title by mystery writer Edogawa Rampo. Terajima is the first Japanese to win the best actress award in 35 years, and follows in the footsteps of Hidari Sachiko (1964) and Tanaka Kinuyo (1975).
The festival came to a close with a screening of Yamada Yoji's "Otouto" (Little Brother). Yamada (78, photo right) and star Yoshinaga Sayuri (64, photo center) were in attendance and said it had been a "great honor." Reporters questioned the choices made by Yoshinaga's character, a woman who gives everything to support her family, sacrificing any kind of a life for herself. But the quintessential Japanese actress replied, "The heroine makes a choice to support her children and younger brother. I think it's admirable." Also shown at the festival was Nakamura Yoshihiro's "Golden Slumber," which starred Sakai Masato, Takeuchi Yuko, and Yoshioka Hidetaka.
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Dr. Watson Braves Tokyo Cold | February 19, 2010 |
British Hollywood star Jude Law (37) braved the wintry cold of Tokyo yesterday. He was at the Toho Cinema in the Roppongi Hills complex for the Japan premiere of "Sherlock Holmes." As he walked the red carpet, he greeted 100 invited fans, though he had made them wait half an hour in the 4°C cold snap that hit Tokyo in the last couple of days. While director Guy Ritchie was well wrapped up, Law wore just a gray suit over a white t-shirt. Later, from the stage, he told the audience that he had brought his family with him this time, his sixth visit to Japan.
Law plays Dr. John Watson, faithful companion to the 19th century sleuth, who is portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. (44). Law described his co-star as "the most interesting man I've ever met." He also talked enthusiastically about the possibility of a sequel: "I don't know if it's been 100 percent confirmed but it looks pretty good. We always said, if enough people enjoy this...then we would happily make another. And it looks like that's going to be the case." The latest take on Arthur Conan Doyle's classic story is set to open in theaters here on March 12. Since it opened in the U.S. on Christmas Day it has made over $300 million worldwide.
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Fujita Makoto Dead at 76 | February 18, 2010 |
Japan Zone was greatly saddened today to hear of the death of actor Fujita Makoto, one of Japan's best-loved actors. He died yesterday of a ruptured aortic aneurysm at a hospital in Suita City near Osaka. He was 76. Though perhaps best known as screen assassin Nakamura Mondo, Fujita started out in 1952 as a singer and comedian. But acting was in his blood - he was the son of silent movie actor Fujima Rintaro - and he made his TV debut in 1957. His talent for humor made him a household name by the early 1960s. So when Nakamura starred as assassin-for-hire Mondo in the TV Asahi series "Hissatsu Shiokinin" in 1973, it was a total change of image. He went on to play the role for many years on both the small and big screen. In the late 1980s, he started another signature role as a detective in the "Hagure Keiji Junjoha" series, again on Asahi. In his career, he made over 50 movies - most recently in 2008 - and was an accomplished singer with nine albums to his credit.
Fujita suffered health problems in the last couple of years, and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2008. He recovered from surgery and returned to the Mondo role for a Hisatsu revival later that year. He had more health problems last year but had made enough of a recovery to return to narration work in January, and was expected to make a full return to work in March.
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Oguri Shun Joins Odoru Cast | |
Another young star has been named to the cast of the summer's big blockbuster movie. Oguri Shun (27, photo right) will play an elite bureaucrat in the second sequel to "Odoru Daisosasen" (Bayside Shakedown). The most commercially successful franchise in Japanese movie history has produced only spinoffs since 2003, so Odoru3 will be getting massive hype over the next few months. Oguri's character is described as something "completely new" to the series, though it's not clear if he will be an ally or an enemy of Detective Aoshima Shunsaku (Oda Yuji, 41, photo left). Odoru started out 12 years ago as a Fuji TV drama series and producer Kameyama Chihiro (53) said, "We wanted to have a bureaucrat character that was younger than Aoshima. And we thought Oguri could bring real style to the role." Oguri himself said, "I've been watching this series since I was a kid, so I just didn't want to mess it up!" His popularity will certainly add more fuel to the Odoru fire when the movie is released on July 3.
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Ueno Juri is Ready to Gou | |
We're only halfway into February but NHK have already announced the first details of next year's taiga series. The public network's annual drama airs on Sunday nights for almost the whole year and is based around a single historical figure. In this year's "Ryomaden," that figure is Sakamoto Ryoma (1836-67), the samurai who helped lead Japan out of centuries of isolation. The 2011 taiga returns to a more feminine theme that has been the focus in several recent series - the ladies of the royal court. Popular actress Ueno Juri (23) will play the princess Gou (1573-1626), third daughter of warlord Azai Nagamasa (1545-73). Gou was married three times to various offspring of the legendary Toyotomi and Tokugawa warlord clans. As the wife of shogun Tokugawa Hidetada (1579-1632), she created the "Ohku" or inner palace at the Edo Castle, with its intricate web of female intrigue.
Ueno has established herself as a talented actress, particularly in the Fuji TV dramatization of the "Nodame Cantabile" manga and a subsequent big screen adaptation. Like Gou, she is a third daughter and found that she identifies with the role. "In the script, she is strong willed and really speaks her mind. I might be like that!" But she has a lot of preparation to do for the role before filming starts in August. "I'd never watched a taiga series or performed in a period drama. So I recently started watching Ryomaden." Though she shares the same management agency with its star, Fukuyama Masaharu (41), she has never met or even seen him. So she was delighted when he sent her a message of encouragement for her upcoming challenge.
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Let's Get Ready to Tumble | February 17, 2010 |
Men's rhythmic gymnastics may just be the next big thing in Japan. At least, TBS will be hoping their upcoming drama series about the minority sport will get people talking. Starring actor Yamamoto Yusuke (22, photo below) in his first lead role in a series, "Tumbling" will air during the spring season from April. He plays a high school student who joins the gymnastics club to get close to a new girl in the school. Yamamoto made his acting debut in 2006 as the masked bike-riding hero Kamen Rider Sasword. He landed some choice roles in 2007 and the following year saw him ranked No.1 in an Oricon poll of up-and-coming actors. He has been in training for his latest role since last autumn and, though producers had originally planned to use a stunt double, he does all the back flips and other tumbling routines himself.
Men's rhythmic gymnastics originated in Japan, but there are thought to be only about 1,000 athletes active in the sport in the whole country. Several of them appeared in a TV commercial for Calpis Soda last year, which drew attention to the sport and sowed the seeds for the drama series. Organizers will be hoping for the kind of exposure enjoyed by men's synchronized swimming on the back of the hugely popular 2001 movie "Waterboys." The movie a follow-up Fuji TV drama series helped establish the careers of Tsumabuki Sataoshi (29) and Tamaki Hiroshi (30).
Showbiz Babies
There were a couple of stories this week of celebrities and babies. Comedian Horiuchi Ken of the trio Neptune became a father for the first time this week when his wife gave birth to a baby girl. He appeared on the live variety show "Waratte Iitomo" on Monday afternoon but managed to get to the hospital in time for the delivery.
And talento Yinling of Joytoy announced on her blog this week that she's expecting a baby in the autumn. She married a former member of the Hustle pro wrestling troupe in 2008.
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Movie Director Inoue Umetsugu Dead | February 16, 2010 |
Movie director Inoue Umetsugu died on February 11 of a brain hemorrhage at a Tokyo hospital, it was revealed yesterday. He was 86. A graduate of Keio University, he joined the Shin Toei movie studio in 1947 and made his directorial debut in 1952. He later defected to Nikkatsu and made a series of movies with top star Ishihara Yujiro (1934-87), such as "Arashi wo Yobu Otoko" (poster above) and "Washi to Taka." In 1958, he married actress Tsukioka Yumeji (87). Two years later he left the studio system but went to take his movie total to more than 100. In 1983, he made several movies featuring Johnny's Jimusho heartthrobs, including remake of "Arashi..." starring Kondo Masahiko (45). After that he made only a couple of minor features in the late 1980s.
Kitano Makoto is Back
As reported on Japan Zone recently, talento Kitano Makoto (51) is going back on the air. His management agency announced on their website yesterday that he is scheduled to appear on a couple of shows in the Kansai region later this month. On February 20, he'll make his first theater appearance since a charity show in 2004. And a week later, he'll be a guest on the "Takajin Mune Ippai" show hosted by his friend Yashiki Takajin (60). Kitano's mouth has got him into trouble many times over the years but a scandal last year nearly ended his career.
Earlier stories:
Celebs Bemoan a Broken Back and a Poison Tongue (Apr. 29, 2009)
It Isn't Easy Being a Star (Feb. 8, 2010)
Two Showbiz Families United
Actor Wakayama Kiichiro (45) and actress Hitomi Ryo (29) are romantically involved, according to today's issue of the "Shuukan Josei" magazine. They have been dating since joining the same management agency several years ago, and now live together in Tokyo. Both are minor celebrities best known as the children of famous actor parents. Their 16-year age difference comes as less of a surprise when you consider that Hitomi's father, actor Uehara Ken (1909-91), was 66 when he married her mother at the age of 28. Wakayama comes from an even stronger showbiz pedigree - he is the son of movie stars Wakayama Tomisaburo (1929-92) and former Takarazuka actress Fujiwara Reiko (1932-2002), and the nephew of Katsu Shintaro (1931-97).
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A Trip Down Memory Lane for Momoi Kaori | February 15, 2010 |
Actress Momoi Kaori (57) makes a special guest appearance in the U.S. indie remake of the classic movie that made her a star, it was revealed yesterday. On the one hand it's just the latest take on a centuries-old theme, but "The Yellow Handerchief" is really an homage to the 1977 Yamada Yoji classic "Kofuku no Kiiroi Hankachi." That movie featured established stars Takakura Ken (79) and Baisho Chieko (69) and won just about every movie award going that year, including a best supporting actress prize for Momoi. In the new version, William Hurt (59) plays the lead role of a man released from prison. After he filmed a scene with Momoi, who plays the owner of a hotel he stops at on his journey home, he was impressed enough with the Japanese star's acting skills to comment, "That was awesome!"
Filming took place in Louisiana in 2007 and the movie debuted in early 2008 at the Sundance festival to lukewarm reviews. Directed by Udayan Prasad, it failed to find a distributor despite the presence of Oscar winner Hurt. But it also stars Kristen Stewart, who has has much more success in the "Twilight" movies, and was eventually picked up by Samuel Goldwyn Films in the spring of 2009. It hits U.S. theaters this month and is scheduled for release in Japan in the summer.
Happy Valentine's Day for Nishikawa Ayako
Talento and doctor Nishikawa Ayako (38, photo left) got married at the Hotel Okura in central Tokyo yesterday. She and social welfare company president Fukumoto Ajia (36) held a reception for about 400 invited guests. Former Yomiuri Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kuwata Masumi (41) was the master of ceremonies.
NEWS23 Announcer Married
Freelance announcer Okayama Yuko (30) wrote on her blog yesterday that she got married at the beginning of the year. A presenter on the TBS show "NEWS23," she said she had been a bit embarrassed to make the announcement, but chose Valentine's Day to do so. She said that because of her husband's work, they will be leaving Japan before the summer to live for several years in Brazil. But she hopes to continue her broadcasting career.
Beckii Cruel Back in Japan
Teen YouTube sensation Beckii Cruel (14, aka Rebecca Flint, photo right) is back in Japan to promote her debut single and shoot a photo collection. An internet hit among Japan's otaku and anime fans, Beckii is sure to enjoy commercial success with the single "Tsubasa wo Kudasai." She released the song February 10 as Beckii Cruel and the Cruel Angels - the trio is made up of Beckii, 18-year-old French college student "Sara Cruel," and 16-year-old British schoolgirl known as "Gemma Cruel." Beckii performed to three songs and met with fans at at the Lazona Kawasaki shopping mall yesterday.
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Sister of Funakoshi Eiichiro in Suicide | February 12, 2010 |
Actor Funakoshi Eiichiro (49, photo right) is continuing his work despite the suicide of his younger sister. It was revealed yesterday that Hirano Yoko (47) hung herself on February 7 at the ryokan inn that she formerly ran in the onsen (hot spring) resort of Yugawara in Kanagawa Prefecture. She closed the Ryoso Funakoshi inn (photo left) last October, citing health problems. It's now known that she suffered from clinical depression for the last nine years or more. She and her brother were born into a showbiz family in Tokyo, but they moved to Yugawara for the clean air as Eiichiro suffered from asthma as a child. Though small, with only six guest rooms, the inn they opened was popular and enjoyed a good reputation. Hirano took over the family business so that her elder brother could follow in his parents' footsteps. She was head of the local innkeepers association, but is said to have suffered a lot of stress from the responsibility of her work.
Funakoshi was in Kyoto filming the latest TV drama adaptation of the works of novelist Matsumoto Seichou when he heard the news. He joined his wife, actress Matsui Kazuyo (52), in Atami City for Wednesday's funeral before heading back to work in Kyoto. Between them, the couple have had their share of ups and downs, but Funakoshi is considered the consummate professional and is referred to as the "emperor" of the 2-hour TV drama format.
You The Rock Busted
Rap/hip hop musician You The Rock (38, photo left) was arrested by Kawasaki police at his home on Wednesday for possession of marijuana. In what was probably a related incident, he was questioned by police last September. With his Ali G-like persona, You-chan became popular on late-night TV in the late 1990s. He is married to former pin-up girl Midorikawa Noriko (28).
Hotei Cancels Shows Due to Hand Injury
Musician Hotei Tomoyasu (48, photo right, profile) has postponed the first two shows of his upcoming national concert tour due to a serious hand injury. One of Japan's best known guitarists, the 6'4" former Boowy axeman is said to require a month's rest and several weeks of rehabilitation for the injury to his left hand and elbow. In the meantime, shows at Zepp Fukuoka (Feb. 14) and Zepp Tokyo (Feb. 18) have been put on hold.
Solo Comedy Gets Live Airtime
The "R-1 Grand Prix 2010" contest for solo comedians is to be broadcast live on Fuji TV on February 23. The eight finalists were announced yesterday, with one more to be selected from among the losing semi-finalists on February 21. As an indication of the ongoing popularity of TV comedy, even that playoff will be shown live. The event is in its eighth year, with the number of contestants growing annually to this year's 3,539. Among the eight finalists is two-time (2007-08) winner Nadagi Takeshi.
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Uchida Yuki, Ito Atsushi Join Odoru3 Cast | February 10, 2010 |
There were some cast announcements yesterday for this summer's highly anticipated movie sequel "Odoru Daisosasen 3" (Bayside Shakedown 3). Actress Uchida Yuki (34) will reprise the police officer role she last played in the original TV series in 1998 (photo). Uchida is recently enjoying a resurgence in her career, which was put on hold following her marriage to actor and "Kita no Kuni Kara" co-star Yoshioka Hidetaka in 2002. The couple split in 2005. She returned to the big screen in 2007, appearing in Kitano Takeshi's "Kantoku Banzai!" (Glory to the Filmmaker!).
Actor Ito Atsushi (26) will be introduced to the cast as the nephew of the late veteran detective Waku Heihachiro. Waku was played in the first two movies by comedian Ikariya Chosuke, who died in 2004. Main character Aoshima Shunsaku, played by Oda Yuji (42), has been promoted to section chief and will have three new subordinates: regular cast member Komoto Masahiro (44), newly transferred to the armed robbery section, and newcomers Kawano Naoki (27) and Takito Kenichi (33).
The latest in the most commercially successful movie series of all time, Odoru3 is scheduled for release on July 3.
Ishida, Higashio Announce Wedding Date
Actor Ishida Junichi (56) has finally put a time and place on his wedding to pro golfer Higashio Riko (34). Appearing at a PR event in Tokyo yesterday, he said the couple will hold their wedding reception at the Imperial Hotel in the center of the capital on July 12. The date - a Monday with no pro baseball games - was chosen to accommodate the bride's father Higashio Osamu (59), the former Seibu Lions manager who is now a commentator. The reception is expected to cost about ¥10 million and be attended by around 300 people.
Earlier stories:
Junichi, Riko Take "Pre-Honeymoon" (Jan. 5, 2010)
Another Marriage for Japan's Premier Playboy? (Jul. 15, 2009)
Dempa Shonen Lives On
A classic 90s NTV show may soon be enjoying something of a revival. "Susume Dempa Shonen" is to be released on DVD for the first time, and a TV special is scheduled for March. The show was a reality TV pioneer in many ways during its 1992-98 run. It featured "guerrilla" stunts like interviews with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, taking a dump in the toilets of various showbiz stars, and the trans-Asia hitch-hiking trip that made overnight stars of young comedy duo Saruganseki.
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Oshio Refused Bail | February 09, 2010 |
The Tokyo District Court yesterday rejected a bail application by former actor Oshio Manabu (31, photo left). he has been charged in relation to the drug death of Ginza bar hostess Tanaka Kaori (30) on August 2. Prosecutors say Oshio gave her the synthetic drug MDMA (ecstasy) in a friend's apartment in Tokyo's upmarket Roppongi Hills complex, but then left her to die after she went into a coma. Already handed a suspended prison sentence in November for the drug use, and indicted in December for supplying the drug to Tanaka, Oshio was charged on January 25 with failing to act to save her life.
Oshio's upcoming trial will be the most high-profile case since the lay-judge system came into effect last August. His lawyers are said to be planning to enter a plea of not guilty. Oshio was released on ¥4 million bail after his first arrest in August.
Earlier stories:
Oshio Manabu Arrested Again (Jan. 4, 2010)
Oshio Manabu Gets Suspended Sentence (Nov. 2, 2009)
Yada Akiko Divorces Oshio Manabu (Aug. 8, 2009)
Oshio Manabu Faces Drug Arrest (Aug. 4, 2009)
A Comic Tale of Riches to Rags
Comedian Katsumi (46, photo right) has published a book about his financial struggles, he announced yesterday. The book "Shakkinboshi" includes details such as: how he turned ¥300 million in stock investments into debts of ¥170 million; the all-pink ramen restaurant that he and his wife and comedy partner Sayuri (40, photo right) drove to bankruptcy; the highly prized giant stag beetles that he was breeding but which a freaked-out Sayuri killed with bug spray; right up to his recent investment in 100,000 now almost worthless shares in Japan Airlines. Katsumi was advised to write the book by his comedy sempai (senior) Shimada Shinsuke (53). The book's title is a pun of the Japanese words shakkin (debt) and kinboshi (dazzling victory).
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It Isn't Easy Being a Star | February 08, 2010 |
So what led talento Manabe Kaori (28, photo left) to pull out of a fashion show on Saturday at the last minute? Organizers of the bridal fashion show at the Tokyo International Forum said that Manabe's management agency called them at about 2am the night before claiming that she was in poor health and would not be able to appear. In her place, the agency supplied the services of talento Fujisaki Nanako (32). Manabe was to be the star of the show and she graced the cover of a magazine printed for the event.
The cancellation is the latest hiccup in a career that has been plagued by management problems. Her president of her former agency was arrested last year for tax evasion. Last summer she dropped out of a regular TV slot after her image was used without permission in a politician's national election poster. And she is said to have filed to cancel the contract she signed with her current management agency.
Earlier story:
Avant Garde CEO Arrested (Aug. 26, 2009)
Kitano Makoto Ready to Bite His Tongue?
Talento Kitano Makoto (51, photo right) may be close to making a showbiz comeback. On extended leave of absence since last April, he has been the subject of several media reports suggesting a possible return to work in the near future. Long known for his sharp tongue, Kitano was on the brink of forced retirement last year following the latest in a series of inflammatory on-air remarks. The scandal brought an end to his "Makoto no Psychic Seinendan" radio show, which he had presented for 21 years. The Shochiku Geino management agency acknowledged at the weekend that his probation period has come to an end but said that there were no media jobs lined up for him for the foreseeable future.
Earlier story:
Kansai Comics In Trouble Again (Apr. 13, 2009)
It Wasn't to Be for Anna
Barely a week ago Japan Zone recently reported the romance between single mother talento Umemiya Anna (37) and american football player Nakajima Yu (28). Well, it seems that the romance was all too brief. Umemiya wrote in an generally upbeat entry on her blog that she and Nakajima have broken up after just two months. "I still feel that it was a lovely encounter, and it was another lesson learned," she wrote.
Earlier story:
Divorcee Celebs Go for Younger Men (Jan. 29, 2010)
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A New Dawn, Sad Day for Sumo | February 05, 2010 |
Yesterday was a momentous and sad day for fans of sumo. As former yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana (37, photo right) was formally announced as the youngest ever board member of the Japan Sumo Association, Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu (29) shocked the country by announcing his retirement.
Though one of the great sumo wrestlers of the modern age, Takanohana (real name Hanada Koji) is something of a renegade within the Sumo Association and caused a big commotion when he put himself forward for election to the board last month. Members are usually pre-selected behind closed doors and posts are given depending on seniority and connections. Takanohana's candidacy meant there had to be an election, and he ended up ousting a 62-year-old incumbent. He has promised to bring a message of reform to the rigid and traditional sport. Unfortunately one of his first tasks as a board member was ending the career of a fellow yokozuna.
Asashoryu (photo left) has always been something of a renegade himself. One of many wrestlers brought in from overseas to inject new life into a sport in decline, his rise to the very top along with countryman Hakuho has irked some sumo purists - there hasn't been a Japanese yokozuna since the 2003 retirement of none other than Takanohana. But worse than that, Asashoryu has repeatedly shown his all-too-human face and behaved in ways not considered fitting for a yokozuna. Most recently he was investigated for allegedly assaulting a man after a bout of heavy drinking. He was reportedly given an ultimatum by his sumo elders - retire voluntarily or be the first ever yokozuna to be dismissed and lose his considerable retirement money. A tearful Asashoryu and his stablemaster then gave a press conference to announce his retirement. He recently won his 25th tournament at the top level, the third highest total in sumo history.
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Matsuda Seiko Joins Bones Cast | February 04, 2010 |
Singer-actress Matsuda Seiko (47, profile) has landed a role on the popular U.S. drama series "Bones," it was revealed yesterday. She plays the part of a Japanese journalist in series 5 of the Fox show, set to air from April. The series 4 box set is to go on sale in Japan next month and the Seiko connection is sure to help boost the show's popularity here. Producers say they were looking for a Japanese actor who would bring acting ability, English ability and name recognition to the role. In the U.S. Matsuda is seemingly referred to as the "Japanese Madonna," presumably based on her huge popularity in the 1980s. She made her U.S. recording debut in 1990 and had some modest chart success. She has since landed some small roles in Hollywood features, including the 1998 blockbuster "Armageddon."
Matsuda is said to have prepared for the Bones role while on a Japan tour at the end of last year, and went to the U.S. for two weeks' filming in early January. She follows in the footsteps of other domestic stars who have recently appeared in top U.S. dramas, such as Sanada Hiroyuki ("Lost") and Takeuchi Yuko ("Flash Forward").
John Lennon Museum to Close
The John Lennon Museum in Saitama is to close at the end of September, it was announced today. The museum, located in central Saitama City, is run by a subsidiary of Taisei Corp., a major construction company. A Taisei spokesperson said that a licensing agreement signed with Lennon's widow Yoko Ono is set to expire and will not be renewed. The museum houses many of Lennon's personal effects. He and Ono spent quite a bit of time in Japan before his death in 1980. A 3-day event is to be held at the museum in the spring to mark the couple's March 20 wedding anniversary.
Imaigawa Duo Fess Up
Comedy duo Imaigawa revealed yesterday that they have been pulling the wool over our eyes. During a PR event to mark the release of the live DVD "Oil Shock," named after their best-known gag, the pair made a couple of confessions. Igawa Shuji (photo left) admitted that he is 36, three years older than he has always claimed. Meanwhile his partner Iwai Jonio (age unknown, photo right) revealed that he has been married since 1999 and has a school-age daughter.
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Get Your Dose of Kawaii | February 03, 2010 |
(A reader sent this in so we're posting it) If you're in Los Angeles this spring and want to get a serious dose of Japanese kawaii, then you should check out Moon Kana. She'll be making three night-time appearances in L.A. on April 1-2 along with special guest DJ SiSeN. She doesn't seem to have released any new material since the album "Tsuki no Usagi" in July 2007.
She started out as a teen model for the "Gothic & Lolita Bible" magazine using the name Kana, and began her music career as singer for the electronica band Starblues in 1996. She later went on to release four solo albums. Though now 28, in her style and music she simply oozes cute - whether that's a good or bad thing is in the eye of the beholder. Her style is a mix of Goth Lolita and straightahead kawaii, rounded out with blonde/green hair and stuffed bunnies.
For more details of her Moon Kana's music and live appearances, check out her blog.
Nishikido Ryo is the Pudding Samurai
Johnny's Jimusho idol Nishikido Ryo (25) has landed his first movie starring role in a project clearly aimed at the female segment of the market. Filming will start this weekend for "Chonmage Purin," a comedy drama about a samurai who finds himself in modern Japan and, naturally, ends up becoming a hugely popular pastry chef. Chonmage is the name for the samurai's distinctive hairstyle, while purin is the Japanese pronunciation of pudding. Directed by the highly regarded Nakamura Yoshihiro (39), the movie co-stars Tomosaka Rie (30). Nishikido, a member of the Johnny's group NEWS, made the news for a different reason in March 2009 when he caused a minor traffic accident.
Earlier story:
Nishikido Ryo Makes an Impact (Mar 3, 2009)
Matsumoto Jun on the Skids
And funnily enough, another Johnny's star has just caused a similar accident. Matsumoto Jun (26) of the group Arashi ran into the back of another car while stopping for a red light in Tokyo shortly after 11pm on Monday night. There were no injuries and minor damage to both cars. MatsuJun may escape serous reprimand as some of the blame can be put on the snow that suddenly enveloped the capital late that night.
And about half an hour later Barcelona Olympic medal-winning gymnast Iketani Yukio (39) was the victim of a hit and run, also in Tokyo. He was hit from behind while stopped at a light shortly before midnight and, while he was calling the police, the driver of the other car sped away. Iketani suffered some minor bruises to his neck.
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Untouchable Shibata on "Sick Leave" | February 02, 2010 |
Management for comedian Shibata Hidetsugu (34, photo right) says his recently announced leave of absence is due to health problems and not woman trouble. One half of the popular manzai duo Untouchable, Shibata is taking an indefinite break from entertainment as of this month and is being treated at home. His agency said that he is still undergoing medical tests and they may make further announcements when the results are known. In the meantime, his comedy partner Yamazaki Hironari (34, photo left) will be going it alone on several shows on TV Asahi and TBS radio for the foreseeable future.
Untouchable made their breakthrough in 2004 when they won the M-1 Grand Prix comedy contest and have been TV regulars ever since. In February 2007, there were rumors of a split between Shibata and his former dancer wife (27). He was hospitalized with acute hepatitis in December of that year, but in 2008 his wife gave birth to their second child.
Goto Maki Still in Mourning
Singer Goto Maki (24) has canceled a concert appearance scheduled for February 8. Her management agency says she is still recovering from the suicide of her mother on January 24. Goto updated her official website yesterday and thanked fans for their messages of sympathy and support. "I want to move on and be positive in my music career," the former Morning Musume member said. "My mother was looking forward to my next project, and I will do my best to bring it to you as soon as possible."
Earlier stories:
Mother of Gomaki in Apparent Suicide (Jan. 25, 2009)
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Yoshiki Says X Japan Will Play Lollapolooza | |
X Japan drummer and band leader Yoshiki confirmed yesterday that they will play the main stage at the Lollapalooza rock festival in August. The event, at Grant Park in Chicago from August 6-8, will be the band's first concert performance in the U.S. They recently spent over ¥500 million ($5.5 million) shooting some promotional videos in Hollywood, which in itself was something of a dream come true for Yoshiki. A voting member of the Recording Academy and based in Los Angeles, he was at the Grammys at the weekend and broke the news to the press. If true, X Japan will be the first Japanese artists to perform on the main stage at Lollapalooza, though sources say the details are "almost" complete and, contrary to some Internet rumors, they won't be headlining.
X Japan are of course a band with legendary status at home, with perhaps the most fanatical fan support in the country. Many of those fans will no doubt be planning to cross the Pacific to see their idols perform alongside some of the biggest and best rock acts in the world. But even with close to a quarter of a million people attending, tickets for the 3-day event will likely be hard to come by. Partly thanks to the general boom in all aspects of Japanese pop culture, X Japan have a growing overseas fan base, but tragedy and personal problems have so far conspired to stop them from achieving their ambition of becoming global artists. Since their long-awaited comeback almost two years ago, they have announced several shows in the US and Europe, but they've yet to actually play outside Asia. So if they do finally make the stage at Lollapalooza, they will no doubt be looking to steal the show.
Earlier story:
X Japan Finally Realize American Dream (Jan. 12, 2010)
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MJ's Guitarist Plays With Koda Kumi | February 01, 2010 |
The late Michael Jackson's female lead guitarist has filmed her first appearance on a Japanese music show. The February 6 edition of Fuji TV's "Music Fair" will feature Australian guitarist Orianthi Panagaris (25), who has been in the spotlight since her rehearsals with Jackson for his "This Is It" comeback show. She teamed up with J-pop diva Koda Kumi (27) for a performance of her hit "Ningyohime." It was the first time for Orianthi to perform with a Japanese female artist. She visited Japan last week to promote her debut album "Believe" as well as the release of Jackson's posthumous movie.
Exile Add to Awards Haul
14-member dance-vocal unit Exile were awarded the Best Artist prize at the inaugural Billboard Japan Music Awards in Tokyo yesterday. The winners were selected by the public from all the artists who had No.1s on the Billboard Japan weekly charts between December 2008 and November 2009. Exile leader Hiro (40, photo left) was at the ceremony to pick up the group's sixth award of the year (they won 16 during 2009). Other artists taking home awards included singer Ai (28, photo center), male duo Kobukuro, and the band Remioromen.
The Next KimuTaku?
Rikkyo University sophomore Ohno Takuro (21, photo right) took a big step toward stardom yesterday. He was chosen as the winner of the "CampuStar" in a talent scouting event organized by the major Hori Pro management agency and Men's Non-No magazine. Hori Pro are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year so they will be putting all their firepower behind Ohno. The runaway winner of the pageant, taking 5 of the 7 categories, when he was asked who is said to look like, he answered "a young Kimura Takuya." Those looks helped him win similar contests in each year of high school, and he now looks set to follow in the footsteps of other Hori Pro actors like Tsumabuki Satoshi (29), Fujiwara Tatsuya (27) and Matsuyama Kenichi (24). He will land a part in the agency's special movie project, "Inshitemiru," and grace the cover of Men's Non-No. There was no mention of whether he would continue his studies and pursue his original aim of becoming a physiotherapist.
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