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MAKIDAI, Jun Hasegawa end relationship
Sun, January 13, 2008 (5:57pm EST)



EXILE member MAKIDAI and fashion model Jun Hasegawa are no longer dating, it was discovered on Sunday. Their busy work schedules are reportedly the cause of their split. They stopped living together this past fall and finally decided to break up.

Their relationship was first reported in January 2005 when they took a trip together to Hasegawa's hometown in Hawaii. They had been introduced to each other the year before by fellow EXILE member HIRO and model/actress Mayumi Sada, who are currently in a relationship. At the time, Sada was a model for fashion magazine ViVi, along with Hasegawa.

Management for both celebrities could not comment on the matter.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Amuro Namie Goes Back in Time for New Look
[January 18, 2008]



90s pop darling Amuro Namie(30) is trawling through hits of the past for her new CD. She is covering or sampling one song each from the 1960s, 70s and 80s for the as yet untitled release. She performed two of the songs yesterday at a PR event for a top hair care brand: "New Look" is a cover of the Supremes hit "Baby Love" from 1964; and "Rock Steady" is a dance number that samples Aretha Franklin's1971 hit. The third song, "What a Feeling", is still in production and is based on Irene Cara's hit from the 1983 hit movie "Flash dance". Amuro worked with top stylists Patricia Field (The Devil Wears Prada, Sex & the City) and Orlando Pita (Madonna, Julia Roberts) in making the promo video for the "Premium Vidal Sassoon" brand. Though past her heyday as an industry trend-setter, Amuro has kept her career on an even keel through a decade of marriage, motherhood and divorce. She is on a 64-show national concert tour until February 27 and the new CD is due for release on March 12.

source: www.japan-zone.com

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An Cafe headed to Fanime
Mon, January 14, 2008 (1:32am EST)



A staff member at Jrock Revolution has pointed out that the official website of rock band An Cafe has announced Fanime 2008 as an upcoming concert.

The Fanime convention is being held in San Jose, California, on May 23-26. Organizers have not yet made an official announcement.

An Cafe is also doing a 10-city tour in Europe this March.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Cast of "Yatterman" villains revealed
Mon, January 14, 2008 (3:34pm EST)

Last week, it was revealed that Kyoko Fukada would play the part of Doronjo in Takashi Miike's "Yatterman," leading the group of villains known as the Dorombo Gang. On Monday, the other two members of that trio were revealed - Katsuhisa Namase will play the role of Boyacky, while Kendo Kobayashi will fill the shoes of Tonzler.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Eikichi Yazawa autobiography gets manga treatment
Mon, January 14, 2008 (3:57pm EST)



"Nariagari," the best-selling autobiography of singer Eikichi Yazawa, is being turned into a manga titled "Nariagari: Yazawa Eikichi Monogatari." Mangaka Sho Kitagawa ("NINETEEN," "B.B. Fish") is handling the adaptation.

The comic will be serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's magazine Comic Charge, starting with the newest issue (on sale Tuesday).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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KREVA no longer single
Mon, January 14, 2008 (3:45pm EST)



Hip-hop artist KREVA got married earlier this month, it was learned on Monday. His partner is an OL who, at 32, is one year older than him. The pair had been dating for about four and a half years.

They reportedly met about five years ago, while KREVA was part of Kick the Can Crew. At the time, the woman was a secretary at an events company. As a fan of Kick the Can Crew, she went to one of their concerts, and a friend introduced her to the group.

KREVA and his wife filed their marriage on January 3, and a few days later they held a private ceremony.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Bara no nai Hanaya" starts strong
Tue, January 15, 2008 (3:39am EST)

Fuji TV's "Getsu 9" drama time slot had another good start this season. The premiere episode of "Bara no nai Hanaya," which aired on Monday, took in ratings of 22.4%. Last season, "Galileo" started out at 24.7% in the same time slot.

Of the other dramas that have started so far this season, "Koshonin ~The Negotiator~" had the second strongest opener at 16.7%. The rest of the prime time dramas will begin their runs this week.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Tourbillon does new Kamen Rider theme
Tue, January 15, 2008 (3:51am EST)

The band Tourbillon (consisting of LUNA SEA members Ryuichi Kawamura and INORAN, along with D-LOOP's Hiroaki Hayama) has been chosen to do the theme song for the newest "Kamen Rider" series. Titled "Break the Chain," it will be released on March 26.

"Kamen Rider Kiva" starts on January 27, starring D-BOYS actor Koji Seto.



Source: www.tokyograph.com

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I WiSH to reunite for a night
Tue, January 15, 2008 (4:17am EST)

Pop duo I WiSH is reuniting for a single performance next month. Formed by singer Ai Kawashima and keyboard player nao in 2002, the group dissolved in 2005 so that Kawashima could focus on a solo career.

The duo still has a strong fanbase, and their website still receives thousands of visits each week. In response to demand, their record label has arranged for a concert at C.C. Lemon Hall on Kawashima's birthday, February 21. That venue was also the location of their last concert.

One of the songs that I WiSH will sing at the show is a previously unpublished tune called "Eien to Iu Kono Shunkan ni." It will be released on February 14 as part of a single titled "LOVE SONGS 4 YOU," accompanied by new versions of their hits "Asu e no Tobira," "Futatsu Boshi," and "Yakusoku no Hi."

The duo will simultaneously release a 3-disc album, "THE COMPLETE COLLECTION OF I WiSH," which will contain all of their published songs.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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X Japan returning to Tokyo Dome
Tue, January 15, 2008 (7:12pm EST)



It was reported on Wednesday that legendary rock band X JAPAN will perform at Tokyo Dome on two dates this spring. Yoshiki is expected to make an official announcement at a press conference on the 20th.

X JAPAN held their last concert at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997. They reunited last year, recording a song for the horror film "Saw IV." In October, Yoshiki announced that they would return to the stage in the spring.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Actor and singer Oshio Manabu (29) made his first public appearance in almost two years in Tokyo yesterday. He was in the capital to promote the brand Bodymaker, a line of training goods for combat sports. He did about a month of intensive physical training to get in shape for the photo shoot for posters that show him topless, though for yesterday's event he wore a somber gray suit. In his first appearance since a movie PR event in March 2006, he spoke about his new baby. His wife, actress Yada Akiko (29) gave birth to their son Liam on November 19. Oshio said he chose the name, but that it has no special meaning. He seemed somewhat more relaxed in front of the media than he has been in recent years. He has yet to speak publicly about why he abandoned a promising acting career to pursue music. He and his family now live in the U.S.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Chico Honma, a member of the band Los Indios, died last Christmas, it was reported yesterday. Real name Honma Yasuyoshi, he was 67. He is said to have died after falling from the balcony of his apartment in Tokyo's Nakano Ward. With their Latin American sound, Los Indios had a string of hits in the 1960s but have remained active. Their last big hit was 1980's "Wakaretemo Sukina Hito" with the singer Sylvia. Honma was the guitarist in the band, and also pioneered the use of such Latin instruments as the arpa in Japan.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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More young Johnny's members in "Battery"
Wed, January 16, 2008 (4:25am EST)

NHK announced on Wednesday that its spring drama series "Battery" will start on April 3, airing on Thursdays at 8:00pm.

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The drama is based on Atsuko Asano's "Battery" novel series, which tells the story of a talented young pitcher and catcher. Yuma Nakayama is starring as the pitcher, while Sho Takada plays the catcher and Shintaro Morimoto plays Nakayama's younger brother. The three of them are all members of Kansai Johnny's Jrs.



Source: www.tokyograph.com

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EXILE does first movie theme song
Wed, January 16, 2008 (4:46am EST)



EXILE has been tapped to provide the theme song for the movie "Team Batista no Eikou," starring Yuko Takeuchi and Hiroshi Abe. The song is titled "You're my sunshine." The popular group has done music for television dramas and commercials before, but this is their first theme for a feature-length film.

The movie is based on an award-winning novel by Takeru Kaido. EXILE vocalist TAKAHIRO, who wrote the song's lyrics, is said to be a big fan of the original book.

The film is directed by Yoshihiro Nakamura and opens on February 9. The song's release date has not yet been announced.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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"Mikon Roku Shimai" sequel announced
Wed, January 16, 2008 (4:57am EST)



The 2006 TBS daytime drama "Mikon Roku Shimai" will see a sequel starting on March 3. Emi Hashino once again stars as the second eldest of six unmarried sisters.

Shinya Owada has been confirmed as another returning cast member, now joined by his son, Yuta. This is their first time appearing in a drama together.

Like the first series, "Mikon Roku Shimai 2" will be broadcast on weekdays at 1:30pm. The theme song will again be sung by THE ALFEE.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Oricon: promising actors for '08
Wed, January 16, 2008 (5:07am EST)



An Oricon survey asked 800 young people, "which actor do you have high expectations for in 2008?" At the top of the list was 19-year-old Yusuke Yamamoto, who gained popularity last year for his role as Kashiyama in the drama series "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e."

That drama series also helped boost Masaki Okada (#2 in the survey) and Hiro Mizushima (#5). Meanwhile, Haruma Miura and Takeru Sato ranked 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Which actor do you have high expectations for in 2008?

1) Yusuke Yamamoto
2) Masaki Okada
3) Haruma Miura
4) Takeru Sato
5) Hiro Mizushima

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Koichi Domoto sings for "Sushi Ouji!"
Wed, January 16, 2008 (2:15pm EST)



KinKi Kids member Koichi Domoto will sing the theme song for his upcoming movie, "Ginmaku Ban Sushi Ouji! ~New York e Iku~." This is his first time providing music for a film as a solo artist.

The song is titled "No more," and it is said to have an R&B flavor to fit the movie's setting of New York. The single has not yet been given a release date.

Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the film is related to the "Sushi Ouji!" drama series that aired on TV Asahi last summer. It opens on April 19.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Saki Takaoka's first film with Avex
Wed, January 16, 2008 (2:39pm EST)



Actress Saki Takaoka has officially completed her transition to Avex's management agency, and her first work is a starring role in "Yesterday Once More," a short film directed by Kazuki Omori.

The movie is Omori's first period film. However, the story is a fantasy, revolving around a mother (Takaoka) whose son magically transforms into an adult (Ryuta Sato) in order to rescue her.



Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Boxer Naito to debut as actor in "Tomica Hero"
Wed, January 16, 2008 (5:08pm EST)



Reigning WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito will make his acting debut in the tokusatsu series "Tomica Hero Rescue Force," which is scheduled to premiere in April. The show, produced by toy maker TakaraTomy, stars Haruno, Seigo Noguchi, Kenta Izuka, Emi Hasegawa, and Hiroaki Iwanaga.

Naito's role has not yet been decided, but producers intend to make use of his boxing ability.

The show's broadcast details will be announced in March.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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More plans for X Japan
Wed, January 16, 2008 (3:43am EST)



According to Nikkan Sports, X JAPAN's Tokyo Dome concerts will take place on March 28 and 30. The band will also launch an Asia tour this summer.

In addition, a memorial concert for guitarist hide will be held on May 2, his death anniversary. X JAPAN will reportedly be joined by LUNA SEA for the event.

Source: www.tokyograph.com