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news: celebrities
Mizuno, Kitamura broken up for months
Mon, April 23, 2007 (6:03pm EDT)
 
According to the latest issue of Shukan Asahi, the relationship between actress Miki Mizuno and actor Yukiya Kitamura has been over for several months.
The two started dating last summer, and their relationship was discovered in October when pictures from Kitamura's lost cell phone were published. They both confirmed the relationship, and many people believed it wouldn't be long before they tied the knot.
On the contrary, the magazine reports that they quietly broke up not long after the pictures went public. The cause of their separation is unknown, however. Both of their agencies had no comment.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: dorama SP
Tokiwa gets first lead drama role in 4 years
Mon, April 23, 2007 (6:41pm EDT)
Actress Takako Tokiwa has been given her first starring role in a television drama in four years. The show is a drama special scheduled for June on TV Asahi. It is titled "Gyokuran," based on the novel of the same name by Naoki Prize-winning author Natsuo Kirino.
Tokiwa stars as a woman frustrated with her life after breaking up with her boyfriend (Michitaka Tsutsui). Looking for a new start, she leaves for China. While there, she encounters the ghost of her uncle (Kazushige Nagashima), who disappeared 80 years earlier. The drama blends the past and the present as it depicts two separate stories of love.
The cast includes Atsuko Asano, Miyako Yamaguchi, Ikkei Watanabe, Tomoharu Hasegawa, and Mayu Gamo.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: movie
Over 1,000 fans turned out at Pusan airport in South Korea yesterday to
welcome SMAP heart throb Kimura Takuya (34). Though it's this third
visit to Korea, he is in Pusan for the first time to film scenes for the
movie adaptation of his mega-hit TV drama series "Hero". He held a
press conference alongside co-star Lee Byung Hun (36), who is also hugely
popular in Japan. "Hero" was the most successful drama series ever for Fuji
TV. It achieved an phenomenal audience rating of over 30% for each of its 11
episodes in 2001, a feat probably only Kimutaku has enough appeal to pull
off. A special episode was shown last summer and was again a big hit.
Directed by Suzuki Masayuki, the movie is scheduled to open on September 8.
The cast also includes the father and daughter combination of kabuki actor
Matsumoto Koshiro (64) and actress Matsu Takako (29), as well as comedian
Morita "Tamori" Kazuki (61).
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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news: actress/singer
Chihiro Otsuka to make singing debut
Mon, April 23, 2007 (6:55pm EDT)
Actress Chihiro Otsuka will make her singing debut this summer. Her first single, called "Koi Hanabi," is scheduled for release on July 18. It will be coupled with a song called "Milk Tea."Otsuka broke into the entertainment industry when she won the judges' prize at the 2000 Toho Cinderella Audition, the same audition that launched Masami Nagasawa's career.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: idols
Nozomi Tsuji joins new unit with Ami Tokito, Galsone
Tue, April 24, 2007 (4:37pm EDT)
  
Hello! Project member Nozomi Tsuji has joined a new unit with idol
Ami Tokito and competitive eater Galsone, produced by Tsunku.
The group is called "Gyaruru", derived from the phenomenon known as
"gyaru" (gal) culture. The concept behind "Gyaruru" is a typical
representation of the culture: flashy fashion, ganguro makeup, eurobeat
music, and para para dancing.
The trio made their public debut on Tuesday in Ibaraki, performing their
first single, "Boom Boom Meccha Maccho!" The CD will be released on
June 20.
"Gyaruru" has been in planning since even before Ai Kago (Tsuji's partner in
the group W) was dismissed from work in March for her second underage
smoking violation. At a press conference before the performance, Tsuji
mentioned that she still wishes W could have continued, but she plans to do
her best as part of the new unit.
Tsuji was appointed leader of the group, and will be known as "Tsujiji."
Similarly, Tokito will be called "Amimi" and Sone will be called "Sonene."
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: movie
Nagase debuts as voice actor
Tue, April 24, 2007 (5:27pm EDT)
TOKIO's Tomoya Nagase will make his debut as a voice actor in "Sword of the Stranger," an animated action film set during the Sengoku period of Japan. The movie is being produced by animation studio BONES and directed by Masahiro Ando. It is scheduled for release this fall.
Nagase provides the voice for the main character, a nameless ronin. Yuri Chinen of Johnny's Jr. is also making his voice acting debut in the movie, appearing as a secretive youth with no family. Veteran actor Naoto Takenaka will be the voice of a monk who aids the young boy.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: actress
Yu Aoi wins DVD Data Award
Tue, April 24, 2007 (9:56pm EDT)
The 20th DVD Data Awards, established by the magazine DVD Data, were presented on Tuesday. The awards primarily honor films and TV shows, but there is one Best Talent Prize given to a highly active celebrity. This time, the award was given to actress Yu Aoi, who appeared in several films last year and received multiple awards for her performance in "Hula Girl."
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: dorama SP
Mao Inoue stars as geisha in drama special
Wed, April 25, 2007 (4:58pm EDT)
Actress Mao Inoue will star in a Fuji TV drama special titled "Hanaikusa," taking on the role of a geisha for the first time.
Inoue plays the role of Mineko, a young maiko (apprentice geisha) in the Gion district of Kyoto. The story is loosely based on the autobiography of the famous retired geisha Mineko Iwasaki (who was one of the sources for Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha"). Iwasaki is also involved in the drama by personally coaching Inoue in the ways of the geisha, and training the cast to speak the unique Gion dialect.
Other cast members include Toru Nakamura, Riona Hazuki, Naho Toda, and Yuko Natori. Filming has already completed. The drama is scheduled to air this fall.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: dorama
'Chiritotechin' cast announced
Wed, April 25, 2007 (5:46pm EDT)
NHK revealed the main cast for its 77th Asadora, "Chiritotechin," which begins airing on October 1.
Shihori Kanjiya plays the heroine Kiyomi Wada, a young woman who enters the world of rakugo. Her parents are played by Emi Wakui and Yutaka Matsushige, while her grandparents are Kyoko Enami and Masakane Yonekura. She also has an uncle (Masaki Kyomoto) and a younger brother (Atsushi Hashimoto). Her rakugo master is played by Tsunehiko Watase.
Other cast members include Jay Kabira, Megumi Sato, Munetaka Aoki, Sachie Hara, Takashi Matsuo, and Kichiya Katsura.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: celebrities
Fukakyon, DekaRed dating?
Wed, April 25, 2007 (6:02pm EDT)
 
According to the latest issue of FRIDAY magazine, actress Kyoko Fukada and actor Ryuji Sainei are dating. Sainei is perhaps best known as DekaRed in "Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger." The relationship between the two apparently developed while they worked together on the drama series "Fugoh Keiji" in 2005 and 2006.
FRIDAY reports seeing the couple leaving Sainei's apartment and eating together the day after Valentine's Day. They also reportedly went on a date on White Day, and earlier this month they were seen holding hands.
Talent agency Horipro, which manages both celebrities, denied that the two are dating.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: movie
Satoeri goes to Cannes
Wed, April 25, 2007 (5:20pm EDT)
On Wednesday, Phantom Film announced that the movie "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero" will be one of the seven films participating in the Critics Week portion of this year's Cannes Film Festival (May 16-27). The film stars popular talento Eriko Sato.
Critics Week focuses on new directors and allows only first or second films. "Funuke Domo" is Daihachi Yoshida's first feature-length movie.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: CM
Tamura, Yama$hita in new Toshiba CM
Wed, April 25, 2007 (4:24am EDT)
[img] [/img]
Actor Masakazu Tamura and NEWS member Tomohisa Yama$hita will appear together in a new commercial for Toshiba notebook computers. Broadcast begins on the 27th.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: dorama
NHK announces 2009 taiga drama
Thu, April 26, 2007 (2:47pm EDT)
NHK announced that its 2009 taiga drama will be "Tenchijin," based on Masashi Hisaka's novel of the same name. The story centers on Naoe Kanetsugu, who lived from 1560 to 1620. He served as retainer for Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Kagekatsu, and became known as an excellent military leader.
The drama's screenplay is being handled by Eriko Komatsu, who has written for many shows, including "Summer Snow" and the currently airing "Dondo Bare."
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: idols/stage play
Tsuji sick, Yoshizawa stands in for theater performance
Thu, April 26, 2007 (3:05pm EDT)
Former Morning Musume member Nozomi Tsuji has become sick with acute gastroenteritis, requiring her to rest for about ten days.
Tsuji was scheduled to perform in the play "Itsunohika Kimi Kaeru" on May 4-28, but will now be replaced by current Morning Musume leader Hitomi Yoshizawa.
Two fan club events on the 28th and 30th have also been cancelled.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: movie
Saki Fukuda to star in 'Cherry Orchard' remake
Thu, April 26, 2007 (6:21pm EDT)
Actress Saki Fukuda has been chosen to star in a remake of the award-winning 1990 film, "Sakura no Sono." The story is originally based on Akimi Yoshida's manga about a group of female high schoolers who perform Anton Chekhov's classic play, "The Cherry Orchard" (known as "Sakura no Sono" in Japan).
The remake will have the same director (Shun Nakahara) and screenwriter (Hiroaki Jinno) as the first movie. Filming is expected to begin next February, with the theatrical release scheduled for August 2008.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: music
MoMusu, KinKi Kids set records with new singles
Mon, April 30, 2007 (4:48pm EDT)
Morning Musume's new single, "Kanashimi Twilight," came in second
this week on the Oricon singles chart, selling approximately 54,000 copies.
This brings their total single sales to 11,085,000 copies, setting the
record for a female group. The previous record was 48,000 copies fewer, set
by the '70s and '80s duo Pink Lady.
Morning Musume holds four other records among female groups: most #1 singles
(10), most Top 10 singles (33), most consecutive years with a #1 single (6),
and most consecutive years with a Top 10 single (10).
The #1 single this week was KinKi Kids' "BRAND NEW SONG." This
extends their current Guinness World Record for most consecutive #1 singles
to a total of 25.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Top 10 movies weekly ranking (as of 22/4/2007)
1) Meitantei Conan
2) Crayon Shin-chan Arashi wo Yobu Utau Ketsu dake Bakudan!
3) Tokyo Tower ~Okan to Boku to Tokidoki Oton~ - Joe Odagiri, Yuko Tanaka, Kirin Kiki, Yo Oizumi, Ryoko Hirosue, Nene Otsuka
4) Rocky the Finale
5) Hannibal Rising
6) Night Museum
7) Blood Diamond
8) Love Song ga Dekirumade
9) Unfair the movie - - Ryoko Shinohara, Yousuke Eguchi, Susumu Terajima, Hiroki Narimiya
10) Holiday |
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news: idol
Akanishi returns to TV
Mon, April 30, 2007 (4:21pm EDT)
Jin Akanishi, who recently rejoined idol group KAT-TUN, will also make his return to television on the group's variety show, "Cartoon KAT-TUN." His last TV appearance was on the October 29 broadcast of "Utawara."
Akanishi will first appear on "Cartoon KAT-TUN" on May 9, with mihimaru GT as a talk guest and George Tokoro as the darts guest. The episode was taped on April 27, only a week after Akanishi's return was publicly announced.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: singer
MISIA returns to BMG
Mon, April 30, 2007 (7:12pm EDT)
Popular singer []MISIA is leaving avex and returning to her previous label, BMG Japan. She debuted under that label in 1998 and switched to avex's sublabel Rhythmedia Tribe in 2002.
MISIA's first new single with BMG is scheduled to go on sale on July 4. She will once again be working with producer Satoshi Shimano, who was in charge of several of her songs, including her debut single "Tsutsumikomu You ni."
MISIA will also embark on her first hall tour in eight years, starting on July 2. After the tour, MISIA is hoping to take a step into the overseas market, and it is very likely that she will hold performances abroad.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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news: music
Fuji Rock Festival lineup announcement #5
Mon, April 30, 2007 (7:36pm EDT)
Several more artists have been announced for the 2007 Fuji Rock Festival: A-Trak, akiko / Moreno Domenico Kassin +2, The Bird and the Bee, THA BLUE HERB, DACHAMBO, Deerhoof, Fishbone, FRICTION, Groove Armada, Kings of Leon, Motion City Soundtrack, The Pigeon Detectives, RRIICCEE, Sambomaster, SCAFULL KING, Tim Deluxe, toe, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Hiromi's Sonicbloom (Hiromi Uehara), and The Whip.
The lineup for each day is now listed on the official website.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Post time 27-4-2007 02:19 PM
