Fri, June 29, 2007 (6:40pm EDT)
It appears that singer Tomomi Kahara is headed for retirement from show business. On Thursday, her agency reported that she had been dismissed from the company.
Kahara has long had a reputation as a "troublemaker" in the industry. She rose to fame in the mid-1990s after releasing multiple hit singles. However, her decline began after she and her producer Tetsuya Komuro began dating, and their relationship was constantly in the tabloids. They subsequently broke up and not long after, Kahara attempted suicide, leading her to take a break from the entertainment world.
At the end of last year, she appeared in a musical called "Girlfriends," but the run was cut short when Kahara fell ill. She returned to work in May, but not for long. On the 19th of this month, she skipped out on a rehearsal for the July 1 broadcast of "Shin Domoto Kyodai." Then on the 21st, she made a last-minute cancellation for a guest appearance on a radio program.
She also recently began frequenting the downtown district late at night for unknown reasons, and she stopped keeping contact with her manager. On Thursday, her agency finally announced they had canceled her contract.
Kahara has long had a reputation as a "troublemaker" in the industry. She rose to fame in the mid-1990s after releasing multiple hit singles. However, her decline began after she and her producer Tetsuya Komuro began dating, and their relationship was constantly in the tabloids. They subsequently broke up and not long after, Kahara attempted suicide, leading her to take a break from the entertainment world.
At the end of last year, she appeared in a musical called "Girlfriends," but the run was cut short when Kahara fell ill. She returned to work in May, but not for long. On the 19th of this month, she skipped out on a rehearsal for the July 1 broadcast of "Shin Domoto Kyodai." Then on the 21st, she made a last-minute cancellation for a guest appearance on a radio program.
She also recently began frequenting the downtown district late at night for unknown reasons, and she stopped keeping contact with her manager. On Thursday, her agency finally announced they had canceled her contract.
Fri, June 29, 2007 (5:24pm EDT)
Miyu, a former guitarist and vocalist of the pop band ZONE, is set to make her true solo debut under her real name, Miyu Nagase. She will be the first artist on a record label run by C.A. Mobile, a subsidiary of Cyber Agent.
When ZONE disbanded in April 2005, Miyu was still in her second year of high school. She soon decided that she wanted to return to singing, and last April she began talks with C.A. Mobile. She gradually began resuming activity in her hometown of Sapporo, and last month she finally signed an official contract.
Miyu did release a few singles while she was part of ZONE, but she was restricted by her involvement with the band. Now, she says she is looking forward to exploring more genres and opening new possibilities for her music.
She plans to open a blog on July 2. Her first single hits store shelves on October 10.
When ZONE disbanded in April 2005, Miyu was still in her second year of high school. She soon decided that she wanted to return to singing, and last April she began talks with C.A. Mobile. She gradually began resuming activity in her hometown of Sapporo, and last month she finally signed an official contract.
Miyu did release a few singles while she was part of ZONE, but she was restricted by her involvement with the band. Now, she says she is looking forward to exploring more genres and opening new possibilities for her music.
She plans to open a blog on July 2. Her first single hits store shelves on October 10.
Fri, June 29, 2007 (4:59pm EDT)
Takanori Nishikawa, also known by his artist name of T.M.Revolution, is reportedly dating actress Chihiro Otsuka, who is 15 years younger than him.
In April and May, Nishikawa starred in the musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Otsuka also appeared in the production as Nishikawa's lover. Through working together, the two began to develop a relationship offstage. They have been spotted together on several dates.
Nishikawa's agency said the matter was a private concern, and declined to confirm or deny the story. Otsuka's agency also did not say whether the news is true or not, instead suggesting that it is a professional relationship between a young artist and a senpai (senior).
In April and May, Nishikawa starred in the musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Otsuka also appeared in the production as Nishikawa's lover. Through working together, the two began to develop a relationship offstage. They have been spotted together on several dates.
Nishikawa's agency said the matter was a private concern, and declined to confirm or deny the story. Otsuka's agency also did not say whether the news is true or not, instead suggesting that it is a professional relationship between a young artist and a senpai (senior).
Fri, June 29, 2007 (5:40am EDT)
Masahiro Motoki and Ryoko Hirosue will star in Yojiro Takita's newest film, "Okuribito." The story is inspired by author Shinmon Aoki's "Coffinman," the tale of a man coming to grips with his new job of preparing bodies for coffins. Motoki plays the lead character in the movie, while Hirosue plays his wife. Tsutomu Yamazaki has been cast as Motoki's boss.
Television writer Kundo Koyama is in charge of the script, his first for a movie. Shochiku is handling distribution. Filming ended in the middle of this month, and a release date has been set for next year.
Television writer Kundo Koyama is in charge of the script, his first for a movie. Shochiku is handling distribution. Filming ended in the middle of this month, and a release date has been set for next year.
Fri, June 29, 2007 (4:42am EDT)
mihimaru GT member hiroko will appear in a new commercial for hair coloring brand Palty. The ad is reportedly hiroko's first time in cosplay, dressing up as a waitress of a parfait shop.
The commercial, which begins airing on July 20, will include a new song by mihimaru GT. The song's title has not yet been announced.
The commercial, which begins airing on July 20, will include a new song by mihimaru GT. The song's title has not yet been announced.
Fri, June 29, 2007 (4:23am EDT)
"Tenshi ga Kureta Mono," a popular mobile phone novel by author Chaco, is being turned into a film. Idol Yuki Shimizu (of Bishoujo Club 31) has been chosen to star in the high school love story, even though it will be her first time appearing in a movie.
Akira Kagimoto (of dance unit Lead) is co-starring with Shimizu, and Shinichiro Nakada is directing. The film opens in late August.
Akira Kagimoto (of dance unit Lead) is co-starring with Shimizu, and Shinichiro Nakada is directing. The film opens in late August.
