Sun, June 3, 2007 (10:46pm EDT)
38-year-old actress Michiko Kawai is getting married to a 26-year-old director from the television production firm Telepack.
Based on information from various sources, it seems that they first met through work about three years ago, and they have been partly living together for the past three or four months. They have not yet registered their marriage, but are planning to hold a reception party on July 1.
Kawai's agency said that they were unable to confirm or deny the report.
Based on information from various sources, it seems that they first met through work about three years ago, and they have been partly living together for the past three or four months. They have not yet registered their marriage, but are planning to hold a reception party on July 1.
Kawai's agency said that they were unable to confirm or deny the report.
Sun, June 3, 2007 (10:23pm EDT)
According to Yoshiki, rock band X JAPAN is planning to resume activity some time this year, with a concert planned before the year is up.
X JAPAN broke up in 1997. Last November, Yoshiki and vocalist TOSHI met again, and in February, the two announced that a reunion of the band was a possibility.
The plan is to re-form the group with guitarist PATA and bassist HEATH, the other two living members at the time the group disbanded. To fill in the role of hide, who unexpectedly died in 1998, Yoshiki suggested the inclusion of guest musicians.
Yoshiki hopes to begin the reunion concerts with a show in Los Angeles before the end of the year. There are also plans to release the vocal version of "WITHOUT YOU" as the band's first new single. (The song, which is dedicated to hide, originally appeared as an instrumental on Yoshiki's solo album in 1998. This past March, Yoshiki performed a version of the song with Toshi providing vocals.)
Yoshiki commented on the difficulty of the decision, mentioning that since hide's death, there have been many fans both requesting and opposing a reunion.
X JAPAN broke up in 1997. Last November, Yoshiki and vocalist TOSHI met again, and in February, the two announced that a reunion of the band was a possibility.
The plan is to re-form the group with guitarist PATA and bassist HEATH, the other two living members at the time the group disbanded. To fill in the role of hide, who unexpectedly died in 1998, Yoshiki suggested the inclusion of guest musicians.
Yoshiki hopes to begin the reunion concerts with a show in Los Angeles before the end of the year. There are also plans to release the vocal version of "WITHOUT YOU" as the band's first new single. (The song, which is dedicated to hide, originally appeared as an instrumental on Yoshiki's solo album in 1998. This past March, Yoshiki performed a version of the song with Toshi providing vocals.)
Yoshiki commented on the difficulty of the decision, mentioning that since hide's death, there have been many fans both requesting and opposing a reunion.
Sun, June 3, 2007 (4:53pm EDT)
SMAP's Tsuyoshi Kusanagi is starring in "Yama no Anata ~Tokuichi no Koi~," a new film by director Katsuhito Ishii. The movie is being labeled as a "cover" of Hiroshi Shimizu's 1938 opus, "Anma to Onna," which told the story of a romance between a blind masseur and a beautiful woman. In Ishii's version, Kusanagi will be paired up with model Maiko.
Filming began in early May, and the theatrical release is scheduled for next year. The supporting cast includes Ryo Kase and Shinichi Tsutsumi.
Filming began in early May, and the theatrical release is scheduled for next year. The supporting cast includes Ryo Kase and Shinichi Tsutsumi.
Sun, June 3, 2007 (4:34pm EDT)
Actress and singer Rina Chinen and model Kentaro Nakamura got divorced on March 15, it was revealed on Sunday.
According to the faxed announcement, the couple mutually decided that their married life was not what they had hoped for, and they decided to go their separate ways.
The two got married in 2005 when Chinen was found to be pregnant. Their 1-year-old son will remain in Chinen's custody.
According to the faxed announcement, the couple mutually decided that their married life was not what they had hoped for, and they decided to go their separate ways.
The two got married in 2005 when Chinen was found to be pregnant. Their 1-year-old son will remain in Chinen's custody.
Sun, June 3, 2007 (4:21pm EDT)
Actress Rosa Kato has been given her first starring role in a drama series. The drama is based on Ryo Kurashina's manga "Jotei" (meaning "empress") about a hostess named Ayaka who toys with the wealthy and influential. The role marks a sharp contrast from her usual image of a pure and innocent girl.
The series begins on July 13, and will air on TV Asahi every Friday at 9:00pm. Shota Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Rino Katase, and Shota Saito will also appear in the cast.
The series begins on July 13, and will air on TV Asahi every Friday at 9:00pm. Shota Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Rino Katase, and Shota Saito will also appear in the cast.
