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.

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.

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."