Japan Entertainment News - July 2010
Band Manager Killed in Crash | July 30, 2010 |
The manager of visual-kei rock band Vistlip was killed in the early hours of this morning in a car crash. According to Nagano Prefecture highway police, a van carrying members of the band and staff hit the wall inside a tunnel on the Joshinetsu Expressway. Band manager Sakakibara Asako (31) was thrown out of the vehicle and died on the spot. The vehicle belonged to vocalist Matsushita Tomo (24), who along with the other six passengers suffered minor injuries. The band were returning from a show in Kanazawa city. Vistlip had a minor hit last year with "Ozone," the ending theme for the anime series "Yugioh."
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Ebizo, Mao Hold Wedding and Huge Reception | |
Kabuki star Ichikawa Ebizo (32) and freelance announcer Kobayashi Mao (28) held their wedding ceremony and a massive reception in Tokyo yesterday. The couple, who registered their marriage back on March 3, held a Buddhist-style ceremony at the Prince Park Tower Tokyo hotel in Shiba Koen with about 20 family members. It included making their vows in front of a statue loaned - for the first time ever - by the Narita-san temple, to which the Ichikawa stage family have been attached since the 17th century.
More than 1,000 guests were invited to the hotel for a reception that cost about ¥500 million. The guest list included political figures, sports stars and just about every major name in showbiz. Of course all the big names of kabuki were there, including those of Ebizo's generation who have helped revive the popularity of the traditional theater. Ichikawa Somegoro (37), Nakamura Shido (37) and Nakamura Kantaro (28) each poured a glass of wine for the groom. Shido got a laugh when he said he'd been told not to make a speech as it was bad luck - he is divorced from actress Takeuchi Yuko (30).
Among the other celebrants were former prime ministers Mori Yoshiro (73) and Koizumi Junichiro (68), and singer Hirahara Ayaka (26), who performed her hit "Jupiter" in a live satellite hookup from Shimonoseki, where she was performing in concert. One surprise of the evening was a video of Ebizo's secret visit to Vietnam, where he dug up a ruby that was used to make a necklace for his bride, ruby being her birthstone. The reception also featured a 2m-high wedding cake.
Between the morning wedding ceremony and the drawn-out, elaborate reception, the happy couple were on the go for a full 11 and a half hours.
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Japan has a couple of strong contenders in the running for this year's Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, as the lineup for the competition was announced yesterday. "Noruwei no Mori" (Norwegian Wood), the first ever adaptation of Murakami Haruki's cult novel, is the high-profile choice. With Vietnamese-born French director Tran Anh Hung at the helm, it stars two of Japan's most highly rated young actors in Matsuyama Kenichi (24) and Oscar nominee Kikuchi Rinko (28).
It will be up against the latest movie from popular director Miike Takashi. "13-nin no Shikaku" (13 Assassins) stars the always solid Yakusho Koji (54) and is a remake of a 1963 samurai drama that is famous for its 30-minute climactic fight scene. The chambara style of movie (even with its weird choice of "Desperado" by The Eagles as its theme tune) might have an edge with a festival jury that is headed by American director Quentin Tarantino.
2010 marks the 67th year of the Venice event, the oldest film festival in the world. To date there have been three Japanese winners of the grand prix: Kurosawa Akira's "Rashomon" (1951), Inagaki Hiroshi's "Rickshaw Man" (1958), and Kitano Takeshi's "Hanabi" (1997).
Related stories:
Matsuken, Rinko Land Choice Roles (May 15, 2009)
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SAS Singer Diagnosed With Cancer | July 29, 2010 |
Management for Kuwata Keisuke (54) yesterday announced that the popular singer has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. They said that the condition had been discovered at an early stage and would most likely respond well to treatment. Kuwata will undergo surgery and further treatment, so the release of a new solo album that had been scheduled for October 20 has been canceled, as have all the dates of a concert tour that was to run up to New Year's Eve. However, his new single, "Honto wa Kowai Ai to Romance" will go on sale as planned on August 25.
On his official website, Kuwata apologized to fans in the typically humble Japanese fashion, "At this time, I'm very sorry for the worry I have caused. And I want to sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to this year's events. I will do my utmost to get back to good health and deliver the album that is in progress as soon as possible.""
Kuwata is the charismatic frontman for the hugely successful band Southern All Stars (profile). He has performed solo on and off over the course of his career, but SAS announced in 2008 that they were taking an indefinite break from performing together. Kuwata is married to SAS keyboard player Hara Yuko.
Other celebrities who have revealed their battles with esophageal cancer in recent years include actor Fujita Makoto and conductor Ozawa Seiji.
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East Meets West | July 28, 2010 |
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie (35) is in Tokyo this week on her latest PR trip. She and her four children flew into Narita Airport on Monday, but dad Brad Pitt (41) was left at home this time. At a press conference held in a central Tokyo hotel yesterday, Jolie said she took the kids to a toy store to pick up some of their favorite Ponyo and Totoro goods. She was joined on stage by local actress Kuroki Meisa (22), who presented her with a bouquet. She later said she had been too nervous to look the Hollywood star in the eyes.
Jolie was in town to promote "Salt," directed by Phillip Noyce, an all-out action thriller in which she plays a former CIA agent who just may be a Russian double-agent. The movie opens in theaters here on July 31.
In Blackjack the House Always Wins
To promote the DVD release of season 4 of the popular U.S. medical drama series "House," marketers have teamed up with none other than the Father of Japanese manga. TV commercials and posters for the DVD feature "House" star Hugh Laurie (51) and manga physician Black Jack, one of the most popular creations of Tezuka Osamu (1928-89). It is the first ever collaboration between a Tezuka character and an overseas drama. The commercials will air from August 4.
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NTV Announcer Jumps to Death | |
NTV announcer Yamamoto Masumi was found dead in front of her high-rise apartment building in Sendai early yesterday morning. She was just 34. A suicide note addressed to her family was found and Miyagi Prefecture police are treating the death as such. Yamamoto's death came as a shock to those who knew her, particularly as she married last year and had her first child in February. She took maternity leave last August and had done mainly narration work since her baby was born. It is not known whether motherhood or its effect on her career was connected to her suicide.
A graduate of the prestigious Gakushuin University, Yamamoto joined NTV in 1999 and worked as an announcer on a variety of sports and news shows. She was a reporter in Turin for the Winter Olympics in 2006 and was considered one of the few joshiana who could also handle the job of sports announcer. She also had a scuba diving license and it was through that hobby that she met her future husband.
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America Gets Ready for X Day | July 27, 2010 |
With X Japan gearing up for their long-awaited U.S. concert debut, the Los Angeles Times has put its spotlight on the rock band. The cover of its Arts & Books supplement on Sunday featured the headline, "America, Meet Yoshiki" and a photo of the band leader and drummer. The article - the kind of exposure the band needs if it is to have a chance of breaking into the U.S. market - gave a potted history of the band and compared their January rooftop video shoot in downtown Hollywood to similar stunts by The Beatles and U2. It included several quotes that confirmed Yoshiki's ambitions for overseas success ("People say, 'You cannot get to the moon.' I want to get to the moon! The moon being the American market."), but also others that revealed his band mates may not quite share that level of enthusiasm.
And the reason for the sudden attention to a band that formed in 1982? X Japan are scheduled to become the first ever Japanese artists to perform at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago on August 8, and then they kick off their North America tour on October 1 in support of their first original album in 14 years. For the J-rock and visual-kei pioneers, it really is a make or break opportunity in the U.S.
In related news that is hugely meaningful to die-hard fans of the band, it was revealed yesterday that the two shows at Yokohama Nissan Stadium on August 14/15 may well have a very special guest. Bassist and original member Taiji is said to be enthusiastic about the idea of performing on stage with his old friends for the first time in 18 years. He posted on his blog about meeting them for drinks recently and sharing stories about the old days, back when the band was known simply as X. The news of a possible reunion will make a quick sellout of the 150,000 tickets all the more likely. Tickets go on sale July 31.
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Hakamada Yoshihiko to Wed Pin-Up Girl | |
Hakamada Yoshihiko (37) is having a good year. The popular actor was recently announced to the cast of next year's NHK taiga drama, and yesterday it was revealed that he is engaged to young "guravia aidoru" (pin-up model) Kawanaka Ai (25). According to a source close to the couple, they met through mutual friends about two years ago but only started dating this spring. Hakamada is said to have proposed about a month ago.
The couple plan to get married on August 8. But with Hakamada now in preparation for his key role as Toyotomi Hidenaga (1540 - 1591) in "Gou - Himetachi no Sengoku," which starts filming in September, it's likely that they won't have a wedding ceremony or reception until next year.
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Button, Jessica an Item Again | July 26, 2010 |
It seems that romance is back on for British racing driver Jenson Button (30) and fashion model Michibata Jessica (25). The couple's relationship was first reported at the beginning of last year and there were rumors of marriage last summer. Michibata claimed that a proposal was in the works if Button won the Formula One championship, but that title came and went without any news of wedding bells. Then in May things were said to be on the rocks due to the pressures of separate careers and a long-distance relationship.
But recently there was media speculation of a reunion when they were spotted dining out in London after the British Grand Prix earlier this month. Confirmation came over the weekend after qualifications for the German Grand Prix as Button told reporters he would be joined by Michibata at next week's event in Hungary. She also posted to Twitter that she and friends had been cheering on her boyfriend at a sports bar in Tokyo.
Button has a new team this year but is currently in second place and in contention to defend his championship title. Michibata, whose father is half-Argentine, half-Italian, and whose mother is Japanese, has been modeling since she was a child, though the western media has gone a bit overboard in describing her as a "supermodel." She speaks fluent English and Japanese, as well as Spanish and some Italian.
Saotome Ai Dies at 51
Former actress Saotome Ai has died of multiple organ failure in Seattle, it was reported today. She was 51. Saotome made her acting debut in the 1974 movie "Ai to Makoto" and she went on to make over 60 movies and TV dramas. In the mid-1980s she broke with her popular image to appear in a soft porn movie and published a photo book that included several nude shots. From that period on, she tended to play more villain parts. Her last movie role was in "Shin Jinjinaki Tatakai" in 2000, after which she quit showbiz and went to live with her family in the U.S.
Nishioka, Tokuzawa to Tie the Knot
Chiba Lotte Marines leadoff batter Nishioka Tsuyoshi (25) and popular fashion model Tokuzawa Naoko (25) both updated their blogs at the weekend to formally announce their upcoming wedding. The couple plan to tie the knot on July 27, which sees the start of the second half of the baseball season and is also Nishioka's birthday.
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Cage Casts His Spell on Tokyo | July 22, 2010 |
With Leonardo Dicaprio and Watanabe Ken in town the day before, Tokyo is having a bumper week with Hollywood celebrities. Nicholas Cage (46) was the latest arrival, visiting the Cinema Mediage complex in Odaiba for the premiere of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." He was joined on stage by producer Jerry Bruckheimer (64) and Mickey Mouse, the star of the 1940 animation feature "Fantasia" from which the new movie is derived. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, the movie opens in theaters here on August 13. Both critically and, so far, commercially the movie has proved to be the fourth disappointment in a row for the Bruckheimer-Disney dream team.
It's Cage's 7th visit to Japan but his first in three years. So he took his time greeting the 350 or so fans who lined the 30-meter red carpet. Over the course of half an hour, he shook hands, signed autographs and even gave the occasional hug. During his two-day visit, Cage also took time to visit the Hie Jinja shrine in Akasaka.
Japan's Chanson Pioneer Dies
Ishii Yoshiko, Japan's leading singer in the French style of chanson, died of liver failure at a Tokyo hospital on July 17, it was announced yesterday. She was 87. She entered hospital about a month ago but until last week was hoping to recover enough to return to work. The daughter of a leading politician, she went against her parents' wishes to become a jazz singer after WWII. But after she encountered chanson while vacationing in France, she moved to Paris where she lived for six years. From 1963, she produced an annual "Paris Matsuri" in Tokyo. And in 1990, she became the first Japanese singer to take the stage at the Paris l'Olympia theater.
Former J-Pop Star in Mistress Fraud
Former J-pop singer Uehara Azumi (26) has become involved in organized fraud, according to today's issue of the weekly "Shuukan Bunshun" magazine. The story reports that a crime group swindled several men out of about 6yen;20 million through so-called "aijin keiyaku" (mistress contracts) using Uehara as the bait. In one case, she maintained a relationship, mostly through online contact, with a married man and received ¥2.5 million. The magazine says the relationship was consummated only once, following which Uehara cut off all contact with the man.
Uehara found overnight success as a 17-year-old when her debut single was used as the ending theme to the "Meitantei Conan" anime series. She went on to release 8 singles and 2 albums, but is said to have been emotionally unstable. She hadn't worked as a singer since the October 2006 release of her second album. Uehara's management agency said they had been unable to contact her, but they terminated her contract on Monday.
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Leo-Sama in Tokyo for Inception Premiere | July 21, 2010 |
Actor Watanabe Ken (50) was joined by his new BFF, Hollywood superstar Leonardo Dicaprio (35), in Tokyo yesterday at the local premiere of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi blockbuster "Inception." About 2,00 fans turned out for the event, held at the Roppongi Hills Arena in the center of the capital. It's only been a few months since "Leo-sama" was here promoting "Shutter Island," and the climax of Inception was filmed here last year.
As he has been doing at all events for the latest movie, Dicaprio referred to Watanabe as a Japanese "treasure." The local boy demured, saying, "It's not just me. This movie is like the World Cup, with treasures from many different countries." The movie, which has a diverse international cast, opens in theaters here on July 23.
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Akanishi AWOL as KAT-TUN Start Tour | |
Johnny's Jimusho (profile) aidoru group KAT-TUN were minus one member as they kicked off their Asia concert tour (boldly titled "World Tour 2010") last weekend. Kamenashi Kazuya (24, photo 3rd from right) apologized to fans before the show at Tokyo Dome for the absence of Akanishi Jin (26, photo 3rd from left), who has decided to leave the group and focus on his solo career in the U.S. He said he hadn't heard anything from his band mate and didn't even know if he was currently in Japan. The five remaining members performed 34 songs, including their new release, "Going." The group will perform their first ever overseas concerts in Seoul, South Korea and Taipei, Taiwan, next month.
Akanishi later posted a message on the Johnny's members website, saying that the main reason he left the group was a "strong difference in musical direction," rather than any personal problems with the other members.
Director Edagawa Dies at 93
Movie director Edagawa Hiromu died last week at a Tokyo hospital, it was announced on Tuesday. He was 93. He was best known for his comedy movies of the 1950s and 60s, such as "Koi to Kane" and "Salaryman Dontobushi."
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Tamaki, Aota Tie the Knot | July 19, 2010 |
Rock singer Tamaki Koji (51) and talento Aota Noriko (42) got married last Friday. The couple registered their marriage on Friday in Tamaki's hometown of Asahikawa in Hokkaido. The following day they flew back to Tokyo, where they are living in a plush high-rise apartment building in the Nishi-Shinjuku district.
It's just two months since their relationship first grabbed the headlines, though it was later revealed that they had dated as long ago as 1989. They broke up shortly before Aota had her showbiz breakthrough as a member of the pin-up group C.C. Girls. The marriage is Aota's second, while it's the fifth time around for Tamaki if you include his bizarre relationship and brief marriage with actress Ishihara Mari (46).
Tamaki is currently on tour of Japan and Asia with his band Anzen Chitai. Though Aota's management has been against the relationship, and especially Tamaki's frank talk to the media about their sex life, she has put her own career on hold and has been traveling with him on tour. They arrived here in Nagoya yesterday for two shows, and when asked about their plans for children (he has none), Tamaki said, "During the tour, we'll get right to it!" The tour ends at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on October 6.
Related stories:
Tamaki Koji, Ishihara Mariko Together At Last (Feb. 26, 2009)
Japan Fans Say Sayonara to Korean Star
In a rare case for an overseas celebrity, over 14,000 fans of the late South Korean star Park Yong Ha turned out for a memorial service in Tokyo yesterday. The actor and singer committed suicide at his Seoul home at the end of June. The event was held at the Tokyo International Forum in the center of the capital, the same day and venue where Park had been scheduled to perform in concert. Park's mother, sister and brother-in-law were in attendance as fans, many of them in tears, brought bouquets of flowers.
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Korean Star Park in Apparent Suicide (Jun. 30, 2010)
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Rock Musician Daisuke Dead at 31 | July 16, 2010 |
Visual-kei rock musician Daisuke was found dead yesterday at his Tokyo home, the Sankei Sports newspaper reported today. He was 31. Police from the Yoyogi station are investigating the cause of death. A source revealed that Daisuke attended a meeting the night before and complained that he was unable to sleep.
In 1999 Daisuke was a founding member and vocalist of the rock band Kagerou (photo left), who had a minor hit in 2005 with their catchily-titled 12th single, "Kusatta Umide Oborekaketeru Boku wo Sukutekureta Kimi." The single was used as the theme for the NTV show "Music Fighter" and topped the Oricon indies chart. The band broke up in 2007 and the singer was recently pursuing a solo project with the band Daisuke to Kurono Injatachi (Daisuke and the Black Hermits). Their second single is due for release next week.
99's Okamura Takes Extended Break
Popular comedian Okamura Takashi (40, photo right) is taking an indefinite leave of absence, according to his management at Yoshimoto Creative Agency. The extended break is said to be for as yet unspecified health reasons. His comedy partner Yabe Hiroyuki (38) will carry on working solo for the time being.
One half of the duo Ninety Nine, the diminutive Okamura is one of those celebrities who seems to always be on TV. His health problem is said to have started in mid-May and a one-man theatrical show scheduled for June and July was postponed. He continued doing some TV work but it was decided that he needed a complete break. He has been undergoing tests at a hospital since July 12. A Yoshimoto spokesperson said, "We are waiting to hear more about what exactly his condition is. He seems fine but is suffering from fatigue." Okamura's last appearance was on the "All Night Nippon" radio show on July 8.
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Watabane Ken is Japan's Hollywood Treasure | July 15, 2010 |
Leonardo Dicaprio reckons that his "Inception" co-star Watanabe Ken should be made a national treasure in his homeland. The words of praise were among many thrown around as the latest Christopher Nolan-directed blockbuster premiered yesterday in Los Angeles. Dicaprio (35, photo right) and Watanabe (50, photo center) do not play friends in the dreams-meet-reality world of the science fiction movie, but off-screen the camaraderie between them, Nolan and the other cast members was clear to see. Leo said of his Japanese co-star, "He's an unbelievably talented actor. He should be a national treasure in Japan." Also at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood was Watanabe's wife, actress Minami Kaho (46), and international cast members including Canadian actress Ellen Page (photo center), French actress Marion Cotillard, and Irishman Cillian Murphy. The movie's soundtrack was written by Hans Zimmer, who gave a dramatic 25-minute performance of music from the film with musicians including guitarist Johnny Marr. The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on July 23, though Watanabe will be back home to greet audiences at previews this weekend.
Related stories:
Inception Hijacks Japan (Jul. 8, 2010)
New Poster Featuring Leo, Ken (Jun. 21, 2010)
Apologies for a Public Kiss
Actress Kitano Kii (19) has apologized on her blog for the recently published magazine story about her hotel stay with actor Sano Kazuma (21). She wrote, "I apologize sincerely for doing such a frivolous thing." She added that she was sorry for "surprising and hurting" her fans and that she would focus seriously on her work from now on. The two were photographed kissing on the street and going to a hotel in Tokyo.
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Romance for Kitano Kii, Sano Kazuma (Jul. 9, 2010)
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Norwegian Wood to Use Beatles Original | July 14, 2010 |
In a marketing coup, producers of the movie adaptation of Murakami Haruki's "Noruwei no Mori" have obtained permission to use the Beatles song from which it takes its name as its closing theme. It is just the second Japanese production to have been granted the honor (the other was Shinoda Masahiro's "Akuryoto" in 1981), and only the fourth in all. The decision is said to have come after extended negotiations with Apple Records and Sony Music. It is the first time for Murakami's legendary 1987 novel to be filmed. It has sold over 10 million copies in Japan alone and has been translated into 36 languages.
The story follows businessman Watanabe Toru's nostalgic recollections of the late 60s, memories revived when he hears the Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood" while on a flight to Germany. It stars the highly regarded young actors Matsuyama Kenichi (24) and Oscar nominee Kikuchi Rinko (28). Jonny Greenwood of the British rock band Radiohead, who won a Grammy for his soundtrack to the Oscar-winning "There Will Be Blood," has written the music. With Vietnamese-born French director Tran Anh Hung at the helm, filming took place early last year and the movie is due to be released in Japan on December 11.
Murakami is famously protective of his work and has previously only allowed one to be put on celluloid, a 2004 movie version of the short story "Tony Takitani."
Related stories:
Matsuken, Rinko Land Choice Roles (May 15, 2009)
Producer Oshima Eiko Dies at 73
Movie producer Oshima Eiko, sister of influential director Oshima Nagisa (78, profile), died of lung cancer at a Tokyo hospital on July 8, it was reported today. She was 73. Eiko was a producer of several of her brother's movies, including "Natsu no Imoto" (Dear Summer Sister, 1972) and "Gohatto" (Taboo, 1999). She also worked with him as an actress, appearing in "Shiiku" (The Catch, 1961).
Tamaru Misuzu to Step Down at TBS
Newsreader Tamaru Misuzu (58, photo right) is to step down as presenter of the TBS show "Joho Tokushu." The network has decided to overhaul the show and reached an agreement with Tamaru, who has been caring for her sick mother for several years. She has been the face of the show for 16 years, but from the end of September she will be replaced by TBS America general bureau director Kanehira Shigenori (56).
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Voice Actor Arrested for Naked Tattoo Photos | July 13, 2010 |
Voice actor Imamura Norio (56) has been arrested for posting lewd photos of himself on his blog. Best known as the voice of transvestite "queen" Emporio Ivankov on the popular anime series "One Piece," Imamura posted photos of his full-body tattoos on his blog in early April. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police report, a complaint was filed by someone described as a male company employee (37) from Tokyo, and Imamura was arrested yesterday. Police also said that Imamura has spent several million yen over the last ten years getting his entire body covered in tattoos, and that he runs a bar in the Shinjuku 2-chome gay district of Tokyo, where tattooed bar staff wear only fundoshi (loin cloth).
Like many of the cartoon creations that populate the anime world of "One Piece," the Emporio character is over the top, and no doubt influenced by the Dr. Frank-N-Furter character from the 1975 cult movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
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Tsuka Kohei Dies at 62 | July 12, 2010 |
Tsuka Kohei, one of Japan's most important modern playwrights, died on Saturday of lung cancer at a Chiba Prefecture hospital. He was 62. As reported on Japan Zone, Tsuka entered hospital to undergo treatment in January. But from his hospital bed he used videotapes and the telephone to direct a production of one of his most famous plays, "Hiryuden 2010 - Last Princess," with up-and-coming actress Kuroki Meisa in the lead role. Tsuka had a reputation for turning popular female aidoru stars, such as Uchida Yuki (34, photo right, in a scene from Shin-Hiryuden in 2001), Ishihara Satomi (23) and Hirosue Ryoko (29), into real actresses.
Among Tsuka's other well-known works are "Atami Satsujin Jiken," which won top award in 1973, and "Kamata Koshinkyoku" in 1980. Tsuka became a household name when a Fukasaku Kinji-directed movie adaptation of "Kamata..." was a massive hit in 1982. A new stage version is currently scheduled to open on August 12.
An ethnic Korean whose given name was Kim Bon Un, Tsuka was born in Fukuoka Prefecture. He became involved in the theater while a student at Keio University. In 1980 he married actress Kumagai Mami (50) after she had appeared in his production, "Salome," but the marriage ended in 1982. The following year he married Ikoma Naoko (48), a former member of his theatrical troupe. Tsuka used all kana characters for his pen-name, an idea he said was inspired by manga-ka Chiba Tetsuya. A famously heavy smoker, his medical condition forced him to quit the habit.
Related story:
Tsuka Kohei Battles Cancer (Jan. 26, 2010)
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X Japan Announce First US Tour | July 09, 2010 |
X Japan leader Yoshiki (photo left) and vocalist Toshi held a press conference and mini concert in Tokyo yesterday. The occasion was the announcement of the band's first ever concert tour of North America, which will follow the previously announced appearance at the Lollapalooza Festival (August 8) in Chicago and two shows at Yokohama Stadium (August 14-15). Yoshiki will no doubt be hoping that it'll be third time lucky. The band held a press conference in New York in 1992 to announce plans for their U.S. debut, but those plans fell through and the band split in 1997. After their reunion two years ago, they announced shows at Madison Square Garden, but again those plans were shelved when Yoshiki suffered from a herniated disc.
The Yokohama shows will be the first outdoor solo concerts by the band and they will play to 150,000 fans over the two days. The show will then head across the Pacific for a tour that will take in ten cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, New York and Boston. The shows will be held at 2,000-6,000-seat venues. "It's going to be an intense show!" said Yoshiki. Toshi added, "It's a new start for us in many ways. We're going to give it everything and leave no regrets."
And fans have something perhaps even bigger to look forward to - the first original X Japan album in 14 years. Yoshiki said, "It's more than 90% complete. We expect to deliver the goods next week." The album includes the new song "Jade," which will be the first single for U.S. release, and English versions of "tears," "Rusty Nail" and "Kurenai."
Romance for Kitano Kii, Sano Kazuma
Actress and singer Kitano Kii (19, photo right) has a new love in her life, according to today's issue of weekly magazine "Friday." She was photographed smooching with ikemen (handsome) actor Sano Kazuma (21) earler this month, and they spent the night together at a Tokyo hotel. Management for Kitano said only that the two are "good friends."
Kitano was previously linked with actor Hayashi Kento (19), with whom she appeared in the movie "Love Fight" earlier this year. She made her breakthrough in 2007 with starring roles in the movie "Kofukuna Shokutaku" and the Fuji TV drama series "Life." She is also known as the commercial face of KitKat. Sano made a name for himself in last year's Fuji drama series "Otomen" and has a regular role in the upcoming series "Hammer Session" on TBS.
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Suo, Kusakari Team Up for One Last Dance | July 08, 2010 |
Movie director Suo Masayuki (53) has teamed up with his wife, actress and former top ballerina Kusakari Tamiyo (45, photo left), to make a dance film about Charlie Chaplin. It will be the first big screen collaboration between the two since "Shall We Dance?" the hit 1995 film that first brought them together. Adapted from a ballet created by French choreographer Roland Petit (86), "Dancing Chaplin" is expected to have a spring 2011 theatrical release. The film will be in two parts, one dealing with the production process, the other focusing on the ballet itself.
Kusakari, formally retired from ballet in April 2009 and her last public performance included an excerpt from the Chaplin ballet. She performed with Italian ballet dancer Luigi Bonino (60), who co-stars in the movie version. The dance sequences were filmed at a Tokyo studio in July of last year. Suo says that his wife's experience and advice was invaluable to him in understanding the physical limits of dancers and how best to film them.
Inception Hijacks Japan
The team behind Hollywood movie "Inception" pulled off a very clever PR stunt across Japan yesterday. On Jul 7, at 7:07pm, a promo video was played on 136 big screens on street corners across the country and about 20,000 monitors in trains on major commuter routes. The streets of Tokyo alone saw the video played in 48 different locations. It also played on about 2,000 TV screens on display in Yamada Denki electrical stores across the country.
The movie is directed by Christopher Nolan (39) and stars Leonardo Dicaprio (35) and Watanabe Ken (50). Following an announcement of a "special message from Hollywood" the three appeared on screen and addressed the Japanese public. The 75-second video brought commuter crowds to a standstill, such as about 2,000 office workers in the SL Square in front of Shimbashi station in central Tokyo (photo right). Inception is scheduled for release here on July 23.
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KyonKyon, Nagase Reunited for Mainichi Kaasan | July 07, 2010 |
Saibara Rieko's popular manga strip "Mainichi Kaasan" is to be adapted for the big screen, it was announced yesterday. Whoever did the casting pulled off a PR coup because the leading roles of a married couple will be played by actress Koizumi Kyoko (44, photo left) and actor Nagase Masatoshi (43), who divorced in 2004. The manga, which has run in the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper every Sunday since October 2002, is about the daily life of the Kamohara family, based on Saibara's own family. She married journalist and photographer Kamoshida Yutaka in 1996, with whom she had two children before the marriage ended in divorce in 2003. They got back together in 2006, but Kamoshida died of cancer in 2007.
Saibara (45) said of Koizumi, popularly known by her nickname KyonKyon, "We are women of the same generation who have been through a lot. I think she'll play me very well." The manga has been published in book form as five volumes, which have sold over 1.5 million copies. It has been running as an anime on TV Tokyo since April 2009.
Airbender Premieres in Tokyo
The 3D Hollywood flick "The Last Airbender" had its Japan premiere in Tokyo yesterday. Director M. Night Shyamalan, British star Dev Patel (20) and other cast members were at the Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu venue. They were joined for the event by local talento Yamamoto Mona (34) and soccer star Nagatomo Yuto (23), recently returned from the World Cup in South Africa. Patel was clearly excited to be on his first visit to Japan, shouting out to fans, "Tokyo! Saiko!" The movie, critically slammed but a hit at the U.S. box office, opens here on June 17.
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Public Want NHK to Cancel Sumo Coverage | July 06, 2010 |
The public have made clear their reaction to the latest sumo scandal that has already ended two careers and several reprimands and demotions. Ozeki (champion) Kotomitsuki (photo) and stablemaster Otake were banned from the sport for life on Sunday for their prominent roles in the scandal, which saw dozens of wrestlers gambling huge sums on baseball via yakuza middlemen. Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa has been suspended until the end of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which runs from July 11-25 at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Of the more than 11,000 calls to NHK since the scandal broke in mid-June, 68% have demanded that the network cancel its scheduled live broadcast of the tournament, while only 11% have been in support of it. NHK chairman Fukuchi Shigeo said at his regular press conference that a decision would be made today, based on yesterday's meeting of the JSA.
The two people banned by the JSA bring the total fired in the last couple of years to 11. Previous cases have involved the use of marijuana and the hazing death of a young wrestler. Popular but controversial Yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu was forced into early retirement earlier this year after he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo nightclub.
UPDATE: NHK announced this afternoon that it would not carry its live broadcast of the Nagoya tournament. This is the first such cancellation in the 57-year history of sumo broadcasts on NHK.
X Japan Duo Perform in Paris
In their first ever live performance in Europe, X Japan leader Yoshiki and vocalist Toshi were special guests on Sunday at the "Japan Expo" in Paris. The duo gave the 8,000 fans what they wanted, performing four songs: "Forever Love," "Endless Rain," "Rose of Pain" and "I.V." As the duo left the stage, the audience got to hear their new single "Born to be Free."
Hanya in Taxi Dinger
Popular young comedy duo Hanya were involved in a minor traffic accident last night, according to the Sankei Sports newspaper. The pair were in a taxi that collided with another taxi in the central Tokyo district of Yotsuya. Only the passenger in the other car suffered slight injuries.
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A Fresh Start for Takaoka Saki | July 05, 2010 |
Actress Takaoka Saki (37, photo left) is expecting a baby in the autumn, according to the Sankei Sports newspaper. Sources say she has been dating a 43-year-old Nagoya property company owner since the end of last year. The couple are said to be already living together but plan to wait until after the baby is born to officially tie the knot. Takaoka was previously married to actor Hosaka Naoki (42), with whom she had two children before they divorced in 2004. She has since been romantically linked to several other actors.
Takaoka changed her management to the major Avex label at the beginning of 2008. She appeared in a Ninogawa Yukio-directed stage production at the end of that year, and last year put her English language skills to good use in the U.S.-Japanese movie "The Hariyama Bridge."
A Homecoming for Beni
J-pop singer Beni (24, photo right) made her U.S. debut yesterday as she performed at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles. She was invited as an official guest of honor to the convention, held from July 1-4. On Saturday afternoon she performed for about 3,500 fans at the Nokia Theater and was the opening act for J-rock band, Sophia. Beni sang six songs, including her new single "Yurayura." It was a homecoming of sorts for the singer, whose father is Japanese-American and who spent several years of her youth in southern California.
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Manga-ka Sued for Affair With Doctor | July 02, 2010 |
Popular manga-ka Sakamoto Mimei (44) has been sued for an alleged affair with a married doctor. The lawsuit was filed at the Tokyo District Court by the wife of the doctor who heads a clinic where Sakamoto had been undergoing treatment for collagen disease, and where she organized a charity event in May. The doctor's wife is seeking ¥11 million in damages. Management for Sakamoto has denied that there was any affair, saying "There has been a series of misunderstandings and we hope to deal with this in good faith."
Real name Anzai Akemi, Sakamoto made her artistic debut in 1989 and married the same year. A year later she was divorced but gradually built up a following through her manga strips in women's comics. She later became the autor of erotic novels and has posed nude for a book in 2003. She is a regular commentator on the NTV morning show "Sukkiri!!"
SMAP Album, Tour and Sports Drink
News has come out of a concert tour to support the first album by super-aidoru group SMAP in two years. The double album "We are SMAP!" is due for release on July 21. It features collaborations with such artists as Daniel Powter, Rip Slyme and Love Psychedelico. The group have also collaborated with the Asahi Inryo beverage company to produce a new sports drink by the same name. The initial launch will see 10 millions bottles sold. A similar tie-up with Kirin Beverage in 2002 saw the sale of 8.4 million bottles of the "Drink! SMAP!" soft drink.
The "We are SMAP! Tour 2010" will kick off on July 31 with two nights at Sapporo Dome, followed by four nights each at the Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan, Nagoya, and Kyocera (Osaka) domes, and finishes with five nights at Tokyo Dome.
Nagoya Cinema Aims to Balance Dolphin Debate
A movie theater in Nagoya has decided to balance its upcoming screening of Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" with a Japanese movie about the country's whaling industry. Nagoya Cinema Take, one of the small number of theaters that have decided to screen the Hollywood feature about the dolphin slaughter in the town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, will also show "Kujiratori no Umi" (Whalers and the Sea, 1998). Though people will need to leave the theater between films and pay separately for each, cinema manger Hirano Yuji said, "There are viewpoints that can't be seen from watching just one movie. We hope people will watch both."
The Japanese movie, directed by Umekawa Toshiaki, features scenes shot on a Japanese research whaling ship, and former whalers from Taiji talking about the history and the state of affairs of their industry at the time. Nagoya Cinema Take, a small theater with a seating capacity of 40, is scheduled to show the movies from August 14.
FunMon Hits Album Best Seller So Far in 2010
It's an indication of the current state of CD album sales that the biggest release of the year has only broken the half-million mark. "Funky Monkey Babys Best," the greatest hits album by the hip hop trio, is the best-selling album of the last six months, according to Oricon. But the album, which was released in February, to date has sold about 548,000 copies.
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Yukorin to be Grilled in Court? | July 01, 2010 |
Talento Ogura Yuko (26, photo left) has been sued for breach of contract, according to today's issue of weekly magazine "Shuukan Shincho." The court case was initiated by the owner of a yakiniku (Korean barbecue) company with whom Ogura was contracted to lend her name and image to a restaurant in the Kabukicho entertainment district of Tokyo. When the premises were vacated, it was understood that they would be completely renovated before reopening for business. But the restaurant opened without any renovation work being carried out. The company owner and the building landlord have sought ¥25 million in damages from Ogura. Reporting on the case, the Sankei Sports newspaper said they got no response from Ogura's management agency.
NHK Unsure About Sumo Broadcast
Amid the ongoing scandal that has rocked the sumo world, NHK is still on the fence about whether they will broadcast the upcoming tournament live from Nagoya. The two-week event, one of six held annually, starts on June 11. NHK chairman Fukuchi Shigeo (76, photo right) said at his regular press conference yesterday that the network will make a decision after the Japan Sumo Association reports on its emergency board meeting on June 5. NHK has aired live coverage of every tournament since it began, with the only exception being in the case of natural disaster. The latest scandal to hit Japan's national sport involves illegal gambling on baseball and association with yakuza underworld figures.
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