Sun, March 18, 2007 (6:59pm EDT)
SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi made a guest appearance at the graduation exercises of the Teikyo University Group on Sunday.
The event was held at the Nippon Budokan, with about 4,300 people in attendance, including the graduates and their families. To the audience's surprise, Kusanagi appeared on stage to deliver a speech.
Kusanagi's appearance was arranged as a commemoration of the publication of "Okiraku," a collection of Kusanagai's essays over the past 11 years. The book, which went on sale on the 14th, has sold over 100,000 copies.
The event was held at the Nippon Budokan, with about 4,300 people in attendance, including the graduates and their families. To the audience's surprise, Kusanagi appeared on stage to deliver a speech.
Kusanagi's appearance was arranged as a commemoration of the publication of "Okiraku," a collection of Kusanagai's essays over the past 11 years. The book, which went on sale on the 14th, has sold over 100,000 copies.
Sun, March 18, 2007 (6:37pm EDT)
Actress/singer Kyoko Koizumi will serve as a radio personality for one night on Nippon Broadcasting System's "All Night Nippon," which she previously hosted 19 years ago.
From April 1986 to September 1988, Koizumi was in charge of the Wednesday broadcast of "All Night Nippon." On March 26, she will once again appear on the program.
Koizumi has lately been increasing her activity in the music scene. She celebrates the 25th anniversary of her debut this coming Wednesday. On the same day, she will release her best album, "K25 ~KYOKO KOIZUMI ALL TIME BEST~."
Koizumi also recently had her first live performance in over three years. She sang on Friday at the "AP BANG! Tokyo Creators Meeting" event at Studio Coast in Shin-Kiba, Tokyo.
From April 1986 to September 1988, Koizumi was in charge of the Wednesday broadcast of "All Night Nippon." On March 26, she will once again appear on the program.
Koizumi has lately been increasing her activity in the music scene. She celebrates the 25th anniversary of her debut this coming Wednesday. On the same day, she will release her best album, "K25 ~KYOKO KOIZUMI ALL TIME BEST~."
Koizumi also recently had her first live performance in over three years. She sang on Friday at the "AP BANG! Tokyo Creators Meeting" event at Studio Coast in Shin-Kiba, Tokyo.
Sun, March 18, 2007 (6:07pm EDT)
Popular idol Leah Dizon has been appointed as the swimsuit campaign model for Parco's department stores. She will appear in campaign posters, and starting in mid-April, Parco will feature her on the cover of swimsuit books within its stores.
Sun, March 18, 2007 (5:10pm EDT)
Oscar-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi and young actor Yuya Yagira, who won Best Actor at Cannes in 2004, will be taking on their first voice acting roles in "Genius Party."
Produced by Studio 4°C, "Genius Party" is an anthology of several short animated films. Kikuchi and Yagira will provide voices for the segment "Baby Blue," which is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo). The piece is described as a high school love story.
"Genius Party" is slated for release in July. In February 2008, the movie is scheduled to participate in the Japan Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The film's producers said they have further international screenings planned after the festival.
Produced by Studio 4°C, "Genius Party" is an anthology of several short animated films. Kikuchi and Yagira will provide voices for the segment "Baby Blue," which is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo). The piece is described as a high school love story.
"Genius Party" is slated for release in July. In February 2008, the movie is scheduled to participate in the Japan Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The film's producers said they have further international screenings planned after the festival.
Sun, March 18, 2007 (4:45pm EDT)
8-year-old Ayaka Ito has been chosen to play the role of Maruko in the upcoming drama/variety series, "Marumaru Chibi Maruko-chan." She was selected in an audition of more than 800 applicants. Ei Morisako, who played Maruko in the two drama specials that have been made so far, served as a special judge for the audition.
Ito has experience in television commercials and in fashion magazines, but this is her first major acting role.
The remaining cast members for the show have also been announced. Only Fuyuki Moto and Shinsuke Kasai will continue in their roles from the drama specials. Contrary to previous reports, Yoshie Ichige will not be returning as Maruko's grandmother, and will be replaced by Yoshiko Miyazaki. Noriko Sakai and Masakazu Mimura will play Maruko's parents, and Maaya Murasaki will play her sister.
The show begins on April 19, and will air at 7:00pm on Thursdays on Fuji TV.
Ito has experience in television commercials and in fashion magazines, but this is her first major acting role.
The remaining cast members for the show have also been announced. Only Fuyuki Moto and Shinsuke Kasai will continue in their roles from the drama specials. Contrary to previous reports, Yoshie Ichige will not be returning as Maruko's grandmother, and will be replaced by Yoshiko Miyazaki. Noriko Sakai and Masakazu Mimura will play Maruko's parents, and Maaya Murasaki will play her sister.
The show begins on April 19, and will air at 7:00pm on Thursdays on Fuji TV.
