Daily Archives: February 2, 2012

Outspoken singer and talento Yashiki Takajin (62, photo left) is taking an extended leave of absence to undergo treatment for esophageal cancer. Yesterday in a message to broadcaster Miyane Seiji (48, photo right) – someone who might be expected to fill his shoes – Yashiki said the disease had been diagnosed at an early stage and denied media speculation that he was considering retirement. He said that, as he did for his 60th, he still planned to perform a concert to commemorate his 65th birthday and is writing songs for the occasion.

Yashiki has several regular weekly slots on TV and radio. Yomiuri TV said he has already recorded this Sunday’s edition of “Soko Made Itte Iinkai” and the show will continue with a yet to be named replacement. Kansai TV and TV Osaka made similar statements about this Saturday’s editions of “Takajin Mune Ippai” and “Takajin No Money” and shows for the next week or two, though the schedule beyond that is undecided.

Though they are well past their prime, J-pop aidoru aidoru pioneers Pink Lady still have an image to protect…and cash in on. And so when publisher Kobunsha ran a feature on dieting through dance and used photos of the middle-aged duo – Mii (53) and Masuda Keiko (54) – performing their famous moves, but did so without their permission, a lawsuit was the result. That lawsuit, filed way back in October 2007, claimed that the magazine had infringed on their publicity rights and requested ¥3.7 million in compensation. But it was rejected by the Tokyo District Court and so the duo made a final appeal to a higher court.

Well, this morning the No.1 petty bench of the Supreme Court, ruling on a case of its kind for the first time, rejected the appeal and bringing the case to a close. It’s unlikely that either of the singers are stuck for money as they have been cashing in on the nostalgia boom for decades.

Pink Lady were a music sensation in their heyday between 1971 and 1981, when they split for the first time. The following 30 years would see them reform five times, releasing the occasional single and half a dozen compilation albums. But they have never reached anywhere near the level of their original success. Read more about Pink Lady here.