Tue, June 19, 2007 (5:09pm EDT)
Hiroyuki Yabe of popular comedy duo Ninety-nine announced that he has broken up with his long-time girlfriend, a former model known as "Hitomi-chan." The two began dating 13 years ago, and they were soon living together. In 2000, Yabe purchased a Tokyo home for approximately 200 million yen. Many believed it was just a matter of time before the two got married.
However, it seems that Yabe was spotted on dates many times by the tabloids, and this likely led to the end of the relationship. One early sign may have been in 2005, when Yabe sold the expensive Tokyo property.
Yabe will hold a press conference on Wednesday. His partner Takashi Okamura, along with several other celebrities and comedians, will attend the event.
However, it seems that Yabe was spotted on dates many times by the tabloids, and this likely led to the end of the relationship. One early sign may have been in 2005, when Yabe sold the expensive Tokyo property.
Yabe will hold a press conference on Wednesday. His partner Takashi Okamura, along with several other celebrities and comedians, will attend the event.
Tue, June 19, 2007 (4:42pm EDT)
Talento Moe Yamaguchi gave birth to her first child on Monday. According to her blog, it took 10 hours to deliver the baby girl.
Yamaguchi has been married to ZEEL president Shigeo Ozeki since November 2005.
Yamaguchi has been married to ZEEL president Shigeo Ozeki since November 2005.
Tue, June 19, 2007 (4:35pm EDT)
Singer-songwriter Kazumasa Oda has been selected to sing the theme song for Fuji TV's upcoming drama series "First Kiss," which stars young actress Mao Inoue.
The last time Oda sang a theme song for a "Getsu 9" series was in 1991, for the highly-rated drama "Tokyo Love Story." His song, "Love Story wa Totsuzen ni," was an amazing hit, selling over 2.8 million copies (it was a double A-side with "Oh! Yeah!"). This feat helped establish the popularity of using "trendy dramas" as a means of selling singles.
The "First Kiss" theme, whose title has not yet been announced, is scheduled to go on sale on August 15.
The last time Oda sang a theme song for a "Getsu 9" series was in 1991, for the highly-rated drama "Tokyo Love Story." His song, "Love Story wa Totsuzen ni," was an amazing hit, selling over 2.8 million copies (it was a double A-side with "Oh! Yeah!"). This feat helped establish the popularity of using "trendy dramas" as a means of selling singles.
The "First Kiss" theme, whose title has not yet been announced, is scheduled to go on sale on August 15.
Tue, June 19, 2007 (3:03am EDT)
Rock duo redballoon will release a new single titled "Manatsu no Chizu" on July 25. The tune has been appointed as the support song for NTV's 27th All Japan High School Quiz Championship, which airs on September 7. Tens of thousands of students have participated in the contest every year since 1983.
Tue, June 19, 2007 (2:25am EDT)
Korean pop star BoA has been chosen to sing the new ending theme for TV Asahi's long-running mystery drama program, "Doyo Wide Gekijo." The song, titled "Smile again," will be only the 7th theme song in the show's 30-year history.
The new theme will be introduced on July 14, which will be the 25th episode of "Kaseifu wa Mita!" in that time slot.
The new theme will be introduced on July 14, which will be the 25th episode of "Kaseifu wa Mita!" in that time slot.
