Thu, May 3, 2007 (10:42pm EDT)
Former Osaka governor Knock Yokoyama died on Thursday morning from cancer of the pharynx. He was 75.
Yokoyama, whose real name was Isamu Yamada, entered show business in 1955 and formed the comedy troupe Manga Trio in 1959. He entered politics in 1968, when he was elected into the House of Councillors. He first became governor of Osaka in 1995.
Yokoyama's popularity won him a second term in 1999, but it was short-lived. That same year, he was forced to resign after a female university student who was working on Yokoyama's re-election campaign accused him of molesting her. He denied the charges, but was eventually convicted and given an 18-month prison sentence.
Yokoyama, whose real name was Isamu Yamada, entered show business in 1955 and formed the comedy troupe Manga Trio in 1959. He entered politics in 1968, when he was elected into the House of Councillors. He first became governor of Osaka in 1995.
Yokoyama's popularity won him a second term in 1999, but it was short-lived. That same year, he was forced to resign after a female university student who was working on Yokoyama's re-election campaign accused him of molesting her. He denied the charges, but was eventually convicted and given an 18-month prison sentence.
Thu, May 3, 2007 (10:09pm EDT)
Singer-songwriter Cocco has openly stated that she has an 8-year-old son. In fact, his voice accompanies hers during the chorus of "Harehireho," one of the songs on Cocco's upcoming album, "Kirakira" (on sale July 25).
In 2001, Cocco temporarily put her singing career on hold, but no public explanation was ever given. A few theories arose, including one report by a magazine in 2002 claiming that she was busy raising her child, who was three years old at the time. However, the report was never substantiated until now.
In 2001, Cocco temporarily put her singing career on hold, but no public explanation was ever given. A few theories arose, including one report by a magazine in 2002 claiming that she was busy raising her child, who was three years old at the time. However, the report was never substantiated until now.
Thu, May 3, 2007 (4:56pm EDT)
It was announced last month that the popular digital novel "Koizora" is being turned into a movie, starring Yui Aragaki as the protagonist Mika.
Two more main cast members have been revealed, playing Mika's contrasting love interests. Haruma Miura will take on the role of her boyfriend Hiroki, while Keisuke Koide will appear as Yuu, a young man who watches over her.
Filming began on April 23 and is expected to last until mid-June. The movie opens this fall.
Two more main cast members have been revealed, playing Mika's contrasting love interests. Haruma Miura will take on the role of her boyfriend Hiroki, while Keisuke Koide will appear as Yuu, a young man who watches over her.
Filming began on April 23 and is expected to last until mid-June. The movie opens this fall.
Thu, May 3, 2007 (4:39pm EDT)
Singer Kumi Koda announced that she has produced a line of yukatas, in collaboration with established kimono maker Nishizen Shoji. The project is a follow-up to the series of kimonos produced by Koda that began selling at the start of this year.
Koda began working on the yukatas last November. 30 patterns in ten different varieties have been made, all with a general theme of "womanliness." They will retail for 31,500 yen, with matching sashes sold at 1,500 yen. The scheduled release date is June 5.
Koda began working on the yukatas last November. 30 patterns in ten different varieties have been made, all with a general theme of "womanliness." They will retail for 31,500 yen, with matching sashes sold at 1,500 yen. The scheduled release date is June 5.
