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whitedove · Post time 22-8-2007 05:48 PM

Even the rain couldn't cool down the fans at "Matsuriina 2007", one of the summer's many outdoor music festivals. With blistering temperatures across the country, a lineup of eleven Sony Music acts led by Orange Range headed for the coast and the Riviera Zushi Marina in Kanagawa Prefecture. The event had started off under sunny mid-morning skies but turned cloudy and then rainy as a succession of young artists including Nakagawa Shoko (23), Kato Miriya (19) and Yui (20) took the stage. But the majority of the 5,000-strong crowd were there to see the chart-topping rock band from Okinawa, who are giving sales of their two recently released hits albums a bit of a boost. Five years after their debut, sales have cooled for Orange Range this year, and their last two singles "Ika Summer" and "Ikenai Taiyou", failed to reach the top of the Oricon chart. The hits albums made No.1 and No.2, but combined sales are still short of half a million. Nakagawa is particularly popular among otaku, who call her "Shokotan", and is referred to as the idol "Blog Queen". She's the daughter of the late singer Nakagawa Katsuhiko (1962-94), who as one of the few visual kei artists of the early 1980s was (generously, in my opinion) called the "Japanese David Bowie".

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 04:50 PM

Oricon charts: Kazumasa Oda is oldest with #1 single
Tue, August 21, 2007 (4:35am EDT)

In a slow week in CD sales, Kazumasa Oda's "Kokoro" was able to top the singles chart with only 48,000 copies sold. At the age of 59 years and 11 months, Oda is the oldest artist to top the chart, surpassing Yujiro Ishihara's record of 52 years and 7 months. Oda also holds the record on the albums chart, which he achieved a little more than two years ago.

In albums this week, Hideaki Tokunaga ranked #1 with "VOCALIST 3," the third in the series of cover albums. With 116,000 in sales, it beat out the two ZARD compilation albums that debuted at #2 and #3.

Meanwhile, Kanjani8's drama special box sold 27,000 units, taking first in the overall DVD rankings. The last time a television drama took the #1 spot was when an "Odoru Daisousasen" special collection was released in 2001.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 04:55 PM

Sato, Matsuyama promote Uniqlo jeans
Fri, August 17, 2007 (6:26am EDT)

Eriko Sato and Kenichi Matsuyama appear together as a couple in a new commercial campaign for Uniqlo Wide Leg Jeans. There are four separate TV ads, all cut from a longer version. The background song is titled "Asahi no Chikai," by Anri Kumaki.

The long version and the four TV versions can be seen on the Uniqlo website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 04:57 PM

New York-Tokyo Music Festival reveals lineup
Fri, August 17, 2007 (3:11pm EDT)

The 2007 New York-Tokyo Music Festival has revealed its list of performers. In addition to the previously announced TERIYAKI BOYZ, Japan will be represented by DJ Uppercut, who will perform with American rapper Rosco P. Coldchain.

The U.S. artists appearing at the festival are MF Doom, Pharoahe Monch, Collie Buddz, beatboxer Kenny Muhammad (also known as The Human Orchestra), and Kool DJ Red Alert.

The event takes place on September 22 at the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 05:01 PM

Oricon: got 'hinkaku'?
Fri, August 17, 2007 (3:45pm EDT)

Oricon reports that the term "hinkaku" (referring to one's dignity and character) has become a fashionable word within the past year. Naturally, this led Oricon to ask the question: which celebrity possesses "hinkaku?"

Among male celebrities, Seattle Mariners pro Ichiro Suzuki ranked first. The rest of the top ten, which consisted mostly of actors, were: Tetsuya Watari, Shosuke Tanihara, Masakazu Tamura, Ken Takakura, Akira Nakao, Kinya Kitaoji, newscaster Tetsuya Chikushi, Ken Watanabe, and comedian Tamori.

Respondents agreed more strongly on the list of female celebrities. Actress Sayuri Yoshinaga received more than twice as many votes as Ichiro did. Nanako Matsushima ranked second, followed by Hitomi Kuroki. Ryoko Shinohara, who happened to star in the recent drama series "Haken no Hinkaku," ranked fourth. Others on the list were Norika Fujiwara, Kaoru Yachigusa, Misaki Ito, Yukie Nakama, Mitsuko Mori, and caster Yuko Ando.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 05:06 PM

"Hana Yori Dango" movie to open next summer
Fri, August 17, 2007 (4:22pm EDT)

Fans of the "Hana Yori Dango" drama series will get one more chance to see the cast in action, as a movie has been announced for the summer of 2008. Titled "Hana Yori Dango Final," the film is being described as the last chapter of the live-action adaptation.

This will be Mao Inoue's first starring role in a movie. Jun Matsumoto, Shun Oguri, Shota Matsuda, and Tsuyoshi Abe will reprise their roles as the group known as "F4."

The film is set one year after Tsukushi Makino's graduation. The story focuses on a major incident that the five main characters become involved in, while also depicting the ups and downs of Tsukushi and Tsukasa's relationship.

Filming is scheduled to take place overseas for about two months, starting in January. The series' director Yasuharu Ishii will helm the picture. The story is currently being developed by the original mangaka Yoko Kamio and the series' screenwriter Mikio Satake (actor Takayuki Takuma).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 05:09 PM

Kadokawa, Miike adapt sci-fi novel
Fri, August 17, 2007 (5:04pm EDT)

Producer Haruki Kadokawa has announced that his next project will be a film titled "Kamisama no Puzzle," directed by Takashi Miike. The story is based on Shinji Kimoto's sci-fi novel of the same name, which won the grand prize of the Sakyo Komatsu Awards in 2002.

Hayato Ichihara will star in a double role as a pair of contrasting twins - one is an excellent student, while the other is half-hearted about his studies and life in general. Together with a genius student (Mitsuki Tanimura), they start an experiment involving the origins of the universe.

The film is expected to open next summer.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 23-8-2007 05:09 PM

Narumi Yasuda returns to the big screen
Fri, August 17, 2007 (6:03pm EDT)

Actress Narumi Yasuda has been cast in her first film in six years. She will play the heroine in Joji Matsuoka's "Kanki no Uta," which stars Kaoru Kobayashi. Her last big screen appearance was in the 2001 "Taiga no Itteki."

The story is based on a rakugo tale by Shinosuke Tatekawa. It takes place in a small town, where the cultural center accidentally double-books the venue for two chorus groups on New Year's Eve. Yasuda will play the leader of one of the groups, while Saori Yuki plays the head of the other.

"Kanki no Uta" opens in 2008.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

ct_subang · Post time 24-8-2007 08:55 AM

uishhh...HYD the movie...sugei

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:02 PM

"Vexille" to open in 129 countries
Sat, August 18, 2007 (5:09am EDT)

Fumihiko Sori's computer-animated film "Vexille 2077 Nihon Sakoku" is truly going international. The movie had already been sold to 75 countries before its world premiere at this year's Locarno International Film Festival, but that number has so far increased to 129.

"Vexille" opened in Japan on the 18th.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:03 PM

Katsunori Takahashi leads new drama by "Tokumei Kakarichou" makers
Sun, August 19, 2007 (6:55pm EDT)

Katsunori Takahashi will star in a TV Asahi drama series this fall, titled "Otoko no Kosodate." The show is described as a home comedy depicting the problems faced by a modern family.

Takahashi once again plays a working man, but no longer possesses the admirable qualities of his characters in "Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi" and "Salaryman Kintaro." Here, he is a third-rate magazine writer. As an irresponsible father, his reliable wife has always been in charge of the household and their three children. Unfortunately, she suddenly passes away, forcing him to deal with raising the kids for the first time in his life.

The series is being handled by chief producer Tetsuya Kuroda and screenwriter Masaya Ozaki, who both worked on "Tokumei Kakarichou." Broadcast begins in October, scheduled for Fridays at 9:00pm.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:03 PM

[JAPAN] Koda Kumi performs at J-WAVE LIVE 2000+7

Pop diva Koda Kumi (24) performed at Yokohama Arena on the 18th for J-WAVE LIVE 2000+7. She performed a total of eight songs.

The performance comes after tabloids reported that the singer is dating SMAP leader Nakai Masahiro (35).

On the 19th, EXILE will take to the stage for J-WAVE LIVE 2000+7.

Source: www.ntt2099.com/J-ENT

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:04 PM

Aya Ueto becomes "Wild Mama"
Mon, August 20, 2007 (4:31pm EDT)

Actress and singer Aya Ueto is taking on her first role as a mother in a Fuji TV drama series this fall, tentatively titled "Wild Mama."

The comical home drama stars Ueto as the strong-minded Ayu, who has just married a divorced man (Yo Oizumi), despite a 12-year age difference and contrasting backgrounds (she grew up by the sea while he was raised in the city), as well as a 5-year-old son from his first marriage. While Ayu and her husband have their disagreements at home, she also gets in arguments with people outside the house, such as the other mothers at her son's kindergarten.

The series is being written by Shizuka Oishi and directed by Yuichi Sato (who also directed "Attention Please"). Fuji TV will broadcast the show on Tuesdays at 9:00pm, starting on October 16.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:05 PM

Ogura, Dizon promote Yukimi Daifuku
Mon, August 20, 2007 (4:47pm EDT)

Idols Yuko Ogura and Leah Dizon appear together in a new commercial for Lotte's Yukimi Daifuku ice cream product. The commercial can be viewed on the Lotte website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:07 PM

Comedian Kin-chan runs marathon, gets record ratings
Mon, August 20, 2007 (5:22pm EDT)

66-year-old comedian Kinichi Hagimoto was this year's celebrity runner in the marathon of NTV's charity telethon, "24 Hour Television." He completed the 70km course shortly after 9:00pm on Sunday, minutes after the telethon officially ended.

This year's "24 Hour Television," which featured celebrity hosts Tackey & Tsubasa, achieved the second-highest ratings in the program's 30-year history. It averaged 18.6% in the Kanto region, slightly below the 19.0% rating in 2005.

However, the show reached a peak rating of 43.9%, two minutes before the broadcast's end while viewers watched in anticipation of Hagimoto reaching the finish line. The network decided to continue the marathon coverage during the following program, "Gyouretsu no Dekiru Houritsu Soudanjo." When Hagimoto finally completed his run minutes later, viewership peaked at 42.9%.

The 43.9% rating was a record high for "24 Hour Television." Meanwhile, "Gyouretsu no Dekiru Houritsu Soudanjo" ended with a 35.3% average, a record for the show.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:08 PM

Keiko Kitagawa gets first starring drama role
Mon, August 20, 2007 (6:22pm EDT)

Starting in October, TV Asahi will air a drama series titled "Mop Girl," with actress Keiko Kitagawa in her first starring TV role.

The story is adapted from a serialized novel by Miaki Kato, published in Kirara magazine. Kitagawa plays the part of the slow but hardworking Momoko, a low-ranking employee at a funeral services company who carries a mop as part of her job.

However, Momoko happens to possess a strange ability. Whenever she comes across the corpse of someone who has left strong feelings behind, she travels back in time to save that person from his or her fate.

Other cast members include Shosuke Tanihara, Sousuke Takaoka, and Reina Asami. The drama will air in TV Asahi's Friday 11:15pm time slot.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 24-8-2007 05:14 PM

[JAPAN] sowelu performs with EXILE at J-WAVE 2000+7

J-WAVE 2000+7 continued on the 19th with performances by sowelu who had a chance to perform with EXILE抯 ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO and DOBERMAN INC.

Performing at J-WAVE 2000+7 this past Sunday were Sowelu, EXILE, DOBERMAN INC, CRYSTAL KAY, Kimura Kaera, Suga Shikao and CHEMISTRY.

Source: www.ntt2099.com/J-ENT

Kittie · Post time 24-8-2007 10:54 PM

haha... KK (yamapi? kame? jun? hahaha... memane la... sumepun tertarik kt bdk nih... "beauty with brain" attraction?) akhirnyer ader gak tv role die nih... sib baik antara 3 org tuh xbelakon same... tp citer nih ala2 tru calling la plak... hehe...