Sun, April 22, 2007 (7:17pm EDT)
The three-member band DEEN will embark on its first tour through all 47 prefectures of Japan later this year.
The tour starts in Fukui on August 3 and ends in Okinawa on October 21. The band will be driving a minivan for most of the trip.
All of the shows will be held in small venues, such as churches and art galleries, for a total audience of only about 11,000 people over 48 shows. DEEN is hoping to create a very personal experience where they can interact directly with everyone in the audience, as a way of expressing gratitude to their fans.
The band is celebrating its 15th anniversary next March.
The tour starts in Fukui on August 3 and ends in Okinawa on October 21. The band will be driving a minivan for most of the trip.
All of the shows will be held in small venues, such as churches and art galleries, for a total audience of only about 11,000 people over 48 shows. DEEN is hoping to create a very personal experience where they can interact directly with everyone in the audience, as a way of expressing gratitude to their fans.
The band is celebrating its 15th anniversary next March.
Sun, April 22, 2007 (6:40pm EDT)
The short-lived female duo Amin, famous for their 1982 hit "Matsuwa," announced last December that they were planning to reunite. On Sunday, more details were revealed about the group's upcoming plans.
Their first release will be "Matsuwa '07," a new recording of their famous tune. The single is scheduled for June 20. It will be followed by a new album in July, and a five-city tour starting in August.
Amin originally formed in 1981 when members Takako Okamura and Haruko Kato were classmates at the same university. In 1982, they won YAMAHA's POPCON (Popular Song Contest) with "Matsuwa," which became their debut single later that year. It went on to sell over a million copies. They disbanded in 1983 when Kato decided to leave the music industry.
Their first release will be "Matsuwa '07," a new recording of their famous tune. The single is scheduled for June 20. It will be followed by a new album in July, and a five-city tour starting in August.
Amin originally formed in 1981 when members Takako Okamura and Haruko Kato were classmates at the same university. In 1982, they won YAMAHA's POPCON (Popular Song Contest) with "Matsuwa," which became their debut single later that year. It went on to sell over a million copies. They disbanded in 1983 when Kato decided to leave the music industry.
Sun, April 22, 2007 (5:57pm EDT)
Popular group Arashi will host the radio show "All Night Nippon" (Nippon Broadcasting System) on the 25th. The last time they appeared on the program was in 2001.
Arashi stars in the movie "Kiiroi Namida" as a group of young dreamers. For the radio show, they will be giving advice to listeners pursuing their dreams, and will also talk about their own aspirations.
Arashi stars in the movie "Kiiroi Namida" as a group of young dreamers. For the radio show, they will be giving advice to listeners pursuing their dreams, and will also talk about their own aspirations.
Sun, April 22, 2007 (5:17pm EDT)
On Saturday, it was discovered that music duo Le Couple got divorced in February. They are best known for their 1997 hit single, "Hidamari no Uta," which was featured in the drama series "Hitotsu Yane no Shita 2."
Vocalist Emi Fujita and guitarist Ryuji Fujita married in 1990, and they made their debut as Le Couple four years later. Despite their success, they both had different goals for their music. Ryuji wanted to continue making original music, while Emi wanted to sing covers of Western songs.
This difference in opinion led to their eventual separation. Emi started a solo career in 2001, and by 2005, Le Couple was put on hold. While Emi became active in other parts of Asia, Ryuji stayed in Japan to teach guitar. The distance between them continued to grow, and they found it too difficult to mend the relationship.
Vocalist Emi Fujita and guitarist Ryuji Fujita married in 1990, and they made their debut as Le Couple four years later. Despite their success, they both had different goals for their music. Ryuji wanted to continue making original music, while Emi wanted to sing covers of Western songs.
This difference in opinion led to their eventual separation. Emi started a solo career in 2001, and by 2005, Le Couple was put on hold. While Emi became active in other parts of Asia, Ryuji stayed in Japan to teach guitar. The distance between them continued to grow, and they found it too difficult to mend the relationship.
Sun, April 22, 2007 (4:11am EDT)
Comedian Atsushi Tsutsumishita (of Impulse) and model Reiko Tokita are planning to get married by the end of this year. They are reportedly aiming to hold their ceremony and reception this fall.
The two were first reported to be dating in January. They met last October when they both appeared on the variety show "Odoru! Sanma Goten!!"
The two were first reported to be dating in January. They met last October when they both appeared on the variety show "Odoru! Sanma Goten!!"
