Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

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Cast announced for "Yasuko to Kenji"
Tue, June 10, 2008 (1:21am EDT)



The cast has now been revealed for NTV's drama series "Yasuko to Kenji," which was first announced last month with TOKIO's Masahiro Matsuoka as the lead. The show is based on a comedy manga about a former gang leader named Kenji, who becomes a shojo manga artist to support him and his sister after their parents pass away.



Mikako Tabe is playing the role of Kenji's sister Yasuko. Kanjani8's Tadayoshi Okura has been cast as Yasuko's love interest Jun, while Ryoko Hirosue has been given the heroine role as Jun's older sister Erika, the former head of a ladies' gang that took over her family's flower shop. Erika had fallen in love with Kenji many years ago, while they were both still gang members. Sayaka Yamaguchi has also been announced as a cast member, playing a former underling of Erika.



"Yasuko to Kenji" premieres on July 12.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Keiko Kitagawa and Ryo Kimura an item?
Tue, June 10, 2008 (12:36am EDT)



21-year-old actress Keiko Kitagawa and 19-year-old actor Ryo Kimura are apparently dating, according to the newest issue of FLASH magazine. Last month, the two were seen together at a karaoke box. Afterwards, they stopped at a video rental store before heading back to Kitagawa's apartment, where they spent the night.

Shukan Bunshun had also published a rumor about their relationship back in March. So far, both of their agencies have only said that the two are good friends.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Atsushi Ito to star in Kotaro Isaka's "Fish Story"
Tue, June 10, 2008 (1:41am EDT)

"Fish Story," a novel by author Kotaro Isaka, is being adapted to the big screen by director Yoshihiro Nakamura. Nakamura previously adapted Isaka's "Ahiru to Kamo no Coin Locker" in 2006.



Atsushi Ito ("Densha Otoko") stars as a member of an unsuccessful rock band during the '70s. They record one last song, which ends up becoming a critical part of various people's lives in later decades, and ultimately the song saves the world.

Kengo Kora, Mikako Tabe, Gaku Hamada, Mirai Moriyama, and Nao Omori also appear. Filming is already set to finish on the 23rd of this month, but the final cut won't be seen in cinemas until 2009.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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J-pop princess Amuro Namie (30) is to perform at the upcoming concert for shareholders of major record label Avex. The June 22 show at the Saitama Super Arena is described as the biggest ever by the company, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. In fact, with Sony's event being attended by about 7,300 people, the 20,000-seat arena show is probably the biggest by any music company. Held each year after the annual shareholder's meeting, the event was held at the Tokyo International Forum for the last seven years. It usually features the label's top stars, such as Hamasaki Ayumi (29), Koda Kumi (25), and Otsuka Ai (25). But Koda has had a bit of a difficult year and Hamasaki has the Osaka show of her national tour on the same night. So Amuro has stepped in to headline the show. It's her first appearance in eight years and she is long past the heyday of her popularity when she was the first singer to be dubbed a "pop princess" in her teens. But she had some success with a recent single, has a greatest hits album coming out on July 30, and a 15-arena tour starting on October 25.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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X Japan vocalist Toshi spoke on a radio show yesterday about the recent postponement of the band's world tour. As we reported here yesterday, the cause is said to be the worsening medical condition of drummer and leader Yoshiki. But Toshi said that the problems were really not something to worry about and had been maybe a bit exaggerated. He said he plans to give a more formal announcement today, including details of a personal project.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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Doctor/talento Nishikawa Ayako (37) was all over visiting Hollywood actor Casper Van Dien yesterday. The star of "Starship Troopers 3" rejected her come-ons, insisting he was very happily married to actress and former Yugoslavian princess Catherine Oxenberg. A former Miss Japan, Nishikawa's image as a TV quack was further enhanced when it was revealed that she failed to submit her details on time for a Health Ministry national registry of doctors.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

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[J-ENT] Pinup model Minami Akina sports Pokemon outfit and throws out first pitch



Mainichi Daily News reported, 揚inup model Akina Minami tossed the ceremonial first pitch to open a Japanese interleague baseball game at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday while dressed as 揚ikachu,

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[DORAMA] TBS cancels drama after Akihabara slayings

Japantoday.com reported, 揟okyo Broadcasting System (TBS) on Monday said it decided not to broadcast a suspense drama originally scheduled for Monday night because the story resembles what happened in Akihabara on Sunday. The drama, 揟oki,擺/b] features a street stabbing scene.

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[J-ENT] Former Morning Musume member Kago Ai asked by media if the wrist-cutting apology was a publicity stunt?



Japantoday.com reported, 揂t Narita airport, Kago said, 揝ince I have never worked on a serious film production, it was a good lesson for me in Hong Kong.

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Charts: KAT-TUN, GReeeeN still hot
Wed, June 11, 2008 (2:04am EDT)



KAT-TUN's third album, "KAT-TUN III -QUEEN OF PIRATES-," came out last week and sold 240,000 copies, firmly landing the group at the top of the charts. They now have reached 10 consecutive number-ones (counting singles and albums), making them the 4th group to do so after Hikaru Genji, KinKi Kids, and NEWS.

Another big release this past week was the first soundtrack for the "Macross Frontier" anime series, with music done by top composer Yoko Kanno. It sold nearly 72,000 copies to rank #3, becoming the first anime soundtrack album to enter the top three since "The End of Evangelion" in 1997.

The Top 10 also included new albums by MINMI (#2), BEAT CRUSADERS (#4), Ryu Si-won (#7), Weezer (#9), and ET-KING (#10).



In the singles chart, GReeeeN's "Kiseki" could not be budged from its #1 spot, selling another 73,000 copies to narrowly hold Tackey & Tsubasa's "Koiuta / PROGRESS" at #2 (69,000 copies).

LM.C came in at #3, followed in order by Shota Shimizu, BoA, Kou Shibasaki, and Kome Kome Club. Tortoise Matsumoto was also able to barely make the Top 10 with a new solo release.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Miyu Nagase to appear in drama
Wed, June 11, 2008 (12:42am EDT)



Miyu Nagase, formerly of the band ZONE, is taking up her first acting role in a television drama. She will appear in the final episode of TBS's afternoon series "Mama no Kamisama" on June 27. The show has been using Nagase's latest release, "Akane," as its theme song.

The show stars Noriko Aota as a mother of three. Nagase will play a nurse who deals with Aota's character, who is hospitalized due to anxiety.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Keiko Kitagawa to co-star with Yuji Oda
Wed, June 11, 2008 (12:56am EDT)



Young actress Keiko Kitagawa has been officially confirmed as the female lead in Fuji TV's "Taiyou to Umi no Kyou$hitsu." The series stars popular actor Yuji Oda as a teacher at a college prep high school.

Kitagawa got her first starring role in TV Asahi's "Mop Girl" last year, and now she will be in the spotlight of Fuji TV's high-profile Monday night time slot. In "Taiyou to Umi no Kyou$hitsu," she plays a former Miss Todai winner who has just started her career as a teacher.

The drama series starts next month.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Model Nozomi Sasaki to make acting debut
Wed, June 11, 2008 (1:15am EDT)



Popular 20-year-old model Nozomi Sasaki is now trying her hand at acting. She has been cast in Tsutomu Hanabusa's movie "Handsome Suit," a romantic comedy starring Shosuke Tanihara, Muga Tsukaji, and Keiko Kitagawa.

Sasaki will be playing the part of a model, though she commented that it was still difficult for her because of her lack of acting experience. Currently, she is an up-and-coming model for the magazine PINKY.

"Handsome Suit" is scheduled for release this fall.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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GLAY coming to the U.S.?
Wed, June 11, 2008 (1:43am EDT)



Rock band GLAY may be coming to The Fillmore in San Francisco this summer. News website J-Revolution notes that LiveNation posted a concert listing for August 12, but the page has since been removed. Tickets apparently are set to go on sale June 15, so an official announcement should be made soon if LiveNation's information is accurate.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Idoling!!! helps push Vista
Wed, June 11, 2008 (11:03am EDT)

Microsoft is now using idol group Idoling!!! to promote its Windows Vista platform, using the girls as official characters in a summer promotional campaign.

The group, which is releasing its first two DVDs later this month, will be promoting Vista in major electronics stores nationwide, starting on the 12th.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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Movie critic Haruo Mizuno dies at 76
Wed, June 11, 2008 (10:35am EDT)



Film critic, movie director, and talento Haruo Mizuno died of liver failure on Tuesday at a Tokyo hospital. He was 76.

Mizuno was born in Okayama but spent much of his childhood living in Manchuria. He moved back to Japan and graduated from Keio University, then became part of 20th Century Fox. He later transferred to Nihon Unite Eiga, where he served as a manager of publicity. After going independent in 1972, he continued to deal with the importation and distribution of foreign films.

Mizuno also served as a movie critic on television, appearing on NTV's "Kinyo Road Show" (formerly "Suiyo Road Show") from 1972 to 1997. As a director, writer, and actor, he was well-known for the "Siberian Express" film series, which has an anime adaptation in the works.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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With X Japan once again forced to take a hiatus, vocalist Toshi (42) announced a new band project yesterday. The full lineup has yet to be named, but "Toshi with T-Earth" will include guitarists Toya and Jun and will be produced by Masaya, the man often described as a cult leader and responsible for Toshi leaving X Japan in 1997. The two collaborated extensively on a mix of new age and rock music during the decade up to X Japan's recent reunion. With the group's world tour plans on hold, the new "eco hard rock" band will perform shows in Japan. They will play eight shows in six cities, starting at Zepp Nagoya on August 12 and ending at Zepp Tokyo on September 3 & 4.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

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[J-ENT] Mr. Children to sing theme song for NHK Olympics programs



Japantoday.com reported, 揜ock band Mr Children will perform the theme song for NHK抯 Olympic programs. The new song, titled 揋IFT,擺/b] will be released on July 30.

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Matsuken swaps samurai act for Hawaiian music
Thursday 12th June, 06:22 AM JST



TOKYO

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Director Kan Mukai passes away
Thu, June 12, 2008 (1:36am EDT)

After news of Haruo Mizuno's death made headlines on Tuesday, it was learned on Wednesday that another movie director passed away this week due to liver failure. Kan Mukai, whose real name was Hiroki Mukai, died on the night of June 9 after battling liver cancer for the past two years. He was 70 years old.

Mukai debuted in 1962 with "Futari no Shonen." One of his better known works is the 1997 film "Going West: Nishi e," which got a follow-up in 1999 titled "Furusato."

Source: www.tokyograph.com