Wrestler Minoru Suzuki makes drama debut
Wed, September 19, 2007 (3:29pm EDT)
Pro wrestler Minoru Suzuki will make his acting debut in an internet drama series. The show is being produced by TBS as a spinoff to the detective drama "Joshi Deka!" which stars Yukie Nakama and Pinko Izumi.
Suzuki plays one of Nakama's neighbors, a door-to-door salesman peddling odd inventions. The story focuses on him and his family.
The drama will be available on the TBS website starting on October 1, but the network is charging 105 yen for each 10-minute episode.
Sawajiri in love?
Wed, September 19, 2007 (4:28pm EDT)
The new issue of weekly magazine Josei Seven has reported another rumored celebrity match: 21-year-old actress Erika Sawajiri and 43-year-old filmmaker and media creator Tsuyoshi Takashiro.
Earlier this month, the magazine spotted the two eating at a bar with friends, before riding in Takashiro's car back to his place, where they spent more than 20 hours together. During the drive, they reportedly shared kisses while stopped at intersections.
The two apparently met through a friend last October. It is said that they have traveled overseas together multiple times since then.
12012 vocalist arrested
Wed, September 19, 2007 (5:45pm EDT)
Wataru Miyawaki, the vocalist of rock band 12012, was recently arrested for assaulting a woman.
On the morning of August 12, Miyawaki and four friends were drinking together at one of their homes, after drinking the night before at an izakaya. Miyawaki reportedly strangled a female acquaintance there, leaving her with an injury that took one week to heal.
Miyawaki is said to have admitted to the allegation.
The full lineup has been announced for next month's 20th Tokyo International Film Festival. Among the contenders competiing for the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix are: Nakai Yuu's "Habu to Genkotsu" (Bloody Snake Under the Sun), starring Miyazaki Aoi; the Chinese-Japanese "Ho-oh, Waga Ai" (Crossing Over), directed by Jin Chen and starring and produced by Nakai Kiichi; and the Iranian adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, "Hafez", directed by Abolfazl Jalili and featuring Aso Kumiko. The festival runs from October 20 to 28. For more info, see the festival's official website.
[JAPAN] TV抯 top actresses join together to promote Shiseido抯 揟subaki擺/b]
TV抯 top actresses Aoi Yu, Nakama Yukie, Hirosue Ryoko, Takeuchi Yuko, Mizuki Arisa and Suzuki Kyoka are taking part in a commercial together for Shiseido抯 揟subaki
Tokyo International Film Festival lineup revealed
Wed, September 19, 2007 (10:46pm EDT)
The Tokyo International Film Festival has unveiled its complete lineup for this year. The festival, which takes place on October 20-28, will open with Izuru Narushima's "Midnight Eagle" and close with Francois Gerard's "Silk."
The competition section contains 16 films, including the world premiere of Yu Nakai's "Habu to Genkotsu" (going by the title "Bloody Snake Under The Sun"), Abolfazl Jalili's "Hafez" (Kumiko Aso's first international role), and Jin Chen's China-Japan collaboration "Crossing Over," which is also making its world premiere.
Among the many films being screened, some highlights are:
Kim Rae Won stars in first Japanese film
Thu, September 20, 2007 (3:57pm EDT)
Korean actor Kim Rae Won will star in his first Japanese movie, "Hanakage," directed by Yuto Kawai. The film is a love story set in both Korea and Japan. Actress Mirai Yamamoto plays the female lead.
Filming took place this past spring, when news of the project was apparently first leaked by Korean fans on the internet.
The supporting cast includes Ken Ishiguro, Keiko Toda, and Koichi Sato. The film is scheduled to open next spring.
Teppei Koike plays blind singer in first starring drama role
Thu, September 20, 2007 (4:31pm EDT)
Teppei Koike (of WaT) has been given his first lead role in a television drama. In December, Fuji TV will broadcast a special called "Mada Minu Chichi e, Haha e: Tamashii de Utau Aoi Umi," which tells the story of Okinawan tenor Tsutomu Aragaki.
Aragaki, who is 54, was born to a Mexican-American soldier and a Japanese woman. Shortly after his birth, an accident turned him completely blind. His parents left him with his grandmother, who passed away when he was 14. Fortunately, he found his way into church music, eventually becoming a pastor and a singer.
In the drama, Koike will portray Aragaki's life between the ages of 14 and 42. Other cast members include Ayumi Ishida, Yumi Aso, and Akiyoshi Nakao.
Kokubun to star in "Inochi no Iro Enpitsu"
Thu, September 20, 2007 (4:47pm EDT)
Next spring, TV Asahi plans to air a special drama titled "Inochi no Iro Enpitsu," starring TOKIO's Taichi Kokubun. The drama is based on the true story of Kasumi Toyoshima, a young girl from Akkeshi, Hokkaido. In 2003, she died of a brain tumor at the age of 11.
Kasumi is being played by 12-year-old Nanami Fujimoto, who won the part in an audition of approximately 300 people. Kokubun plays her homeroom teacher. Nana Katase and Mieko Harada will also appear.
B'z to enter Hollywood's Rock Walk
Thu, September 20, 2007 (5:12pm EDT)
Sankei Sports reports that rock band B'z is being inducted into Hollywood's Rock Walk. Although two Japanese people have been inducted before (Roland Corporation founder Ikutaro Kakehashi and Korg founder Tsutomu Kato), B'z will be the first musicians from Asia to receive the honor.
The band was recommended for induction by rocker Steve Vai, with whom they collaborated for the song "Asian Sky" on Vai's 1999 album "The Ultra Zone."
B'z will attend the induction ceremony in Hollywood on November 19, where they will sign and place their handprints in the cement plate for the Rock Walk.
Ryuta Sato dating OL
Thu, September 20, 2007 (5:27pm EDT)
The newest issue of FRIDAY reports that 27-year-old actor Ryuta Sato is dating a 21-year-old office lady. The magazine managed to take pictures of them at Sato's apartment.
FRIDAY describes the woman as a slender beauty, resembling talento Mari Sekine. It is also said that the woman has previous experience in show business and has appeared on television.
Sato's agency confirmed the relationship, saying that they met through a friend and began dating at the end of 2005. However, there are currently no plans for marriage.
15-year-old lands female lead in "Nightmare Detective 2"
Thu, September 20, 2007 (5:58pm EDT)
15-year-old Yui Miura has been chosen to play the heroine in Shinya Tsukamoto's "Nightmare Detective 2," the sequel to his hit horror/mystery film that came out earlier this year.
Miura was selected from an audition of approximately 300 actresses. She has only been in minor roles before, so her part in this film may be the turning point of her career, especially since "Nightmare Detective 2" is expected to screen at international film festivals next year.
The movie stars Ryuhei Matsuda reprising his role as Kyoichi, a man with the power to enter other people's dreams. Miura plays the high-schooler Yukie, who turns to Kyoichi for help after one of her classmates appears in her nightmares.
Pregnant Yoshimi Asada stars in semi-documentary
Thu, September 20, 2007 (8:08pm EDT)
Yoshimi Asada (of owarai/idol duo Pirates) is starring in a semi-documentary film titled "Baby's Breath," directed by Yuichi Kanemaru. The movie depicts the story of a pregnant woman who loses her husband (played by Ken Kaneko).
Asada got married this summer and is currently eight months pregnant. Filming began during her fifth month and will continue until her delivery, which is expected on November 11. The director is also hoping to get permission from the hospital to film the actual childbirth.
EXILE in first CM
Thu, September 20, 2007 (8:33pm EDT)
The members of music group EXILE have been appointed as the image characters for Schick's new Quattro 4 Titanium razor. This is the group's first time appearing in a commercial, which will go on the air next month. They are also providing the ad's song, titled "Touch the Sky."
Nishida, Iijima cast in NHK Asadora "Hitomi"
Thu, September 20, 2007 (8:48pm EDT)
NHK held a press conference on Thursday for the upcoming Asadora series "Hitomi," which begins its run on March 31, 2008. Starring actress Nana Eikura was present at the event, and was joined by two main cast additions: Toshiyuki Nishida and Naoko Iijima.
Eikura plays Hitomi, an aspiring dancer from Sapporo who moves to Tokyo, where she lives with her grandfather (Nishida) and his three foster children. Iijima plays Hitomi's mother.
Nishida's last role in an Asadora was in the 1973 series "Kita no Kazoku." Iijima has never appeared in one before.
Denki Groove does theme for "Gummi Chocolate Pine"
Fri, September 21, 2007 (6:57pm EDT)
Techno unit Denki Groove has signed on to provide the theme song for the movie "Gummi Chocolate Pine," directed by Keralino Sandorovich. The currently untitled song will go on sale on December 5. This is their first single in eight years (not counting their collaborations with Schadaraparr), as well as their first theme song for a movie.
"Gummi Chocolate Pine" is based on the autobiographical novel by Kenji Otsuki, vocalist of rock band Kinniku Shojotai. The film, which stars Takuya Ishida as Otsuki during his high school days, opens this December.
Oricon: best salesperson
Fri, September 21, 2007 (7:19pm EDT)
Research firm Oricon conducted an online survey of 900 people to find out which celebrities they felt would be most effective as a salesperson.
As expected, the #1 salesman was Takuya Kimura of idol group SMAP, who was even ranked third by male respondents. Rather surprising was the appearance of Sanma Akashiya at #2. Yuji Oda and Shinsuke Shimada tied for third, followed by Masaharu Fukuyama and Kotaro Koizumi. Tomomitsu Yamaguchi and Masahiro Nakai tied for #7, with Satoshi Tsumabuki and Shosuke Tanihara rounding out the top ten.
Among female celebrities, actress Ryoko Shinohara stood out on top, getting the most votes from both men and women. The rest of the rankings were: Masami Hisamoto, Makiko Esumi, Yukie Nakama, Norika Fujiwara, Hitomi Kuroki, Yuki Amami, Misako Ito and Nanako Matsushima (tied for 9th), and Kaori Manabe.
Charts: women on top, Hamasaki extends streak to 17
Wed, September 26, 2007 (3:35pm EDT)
On the singles chart this week, Ayumi Hamasaki took the #1 spot with her latest, "talkin' 2 myself," which sold roughly 70,000 copies. This is her 17th consecutive (29th total) chart-topper, as well as her 40th top ten debut. However, this still puts her in second place to B'z (39 number ones) and Southern All Stars (42 top tens).
Korean band TVXQ (Tohoshinki) came in second with "SHINE / Ride on," their 7th consecutive top ten appearance. Another Korean group, SS501, ranked 9th with "Distance ~ Kimi to no Kyori."
Meanwhile, the "Oshiri Kajiri Mushi" fad continues, with the song actually moving up the charts, from #8 last week to #6 this week.
In album sales, Angela Aki's second release, "TODAY," moved 89,000 copies to take the #1 spot. Kiyoshi Hikawa's "Enka Meikyoku Collection 7" sold slightly less than half of that to chart at #2.
Music group AAA ranked 8th with "AROUND," their first album to enter the top ten. Idol Shoko Nakagawa also set a record high for herself, managing #11 with her "Shokotan Cover 2."
Finally, on the DVD charts, the Ryoko Shinohara-starring "Unfair the movie" sold 28,000 to capture the overall #1, while Kaela Kimura's "LIVE Scratch" recording of her Nippon Budokan concert ranked first among music DVDs.
Post time 25-9-2007 04:45 PM
