Mon, July 16, 2007 (6:42pm EDT)
NTV will be running a summer television campaign titled "Gakkou tte, Nani?" ("What is School?"). The project encompasses several school-related topics, and will involve reports filmed on location in schools and opinions from viewers. The campaign is projected to last for one month, taking up air time on approximately ten different shows, including "NEWS ZERO" and "Sekaiichi Uketai Jugyo."
NTV has recruited 14-year-old actresses Riko Narumi and Mirai Shida to serve as the faces of the campaign. They will appear together on some of the programs and in a commercial. They will also talk about their own experiences as junior high students.
NTV has recruited 14-year-old actresses Riko Narumi and Mirai Shida to serve as the faces of the campaign. They will appear together on some of the programs and in a commercial. They will also talk about their own experiences as junior high students.
Mon, July 16, 2007 (6:19pm EDT)
On Monday, Avex officially announced that it has become the management agency for actress Koyuki. Although she is now signed to Avex, the company will be working together with her former agency, Flamme, and her private office, Snow, to manage her career.
Her first work under the new arrangement is a Chinese film that finished filming last month, scheduled to open in Japan next year. No further details have been revealed yet.
Her first work under the new arrangement is a Chinese film that finished filming last month, scheduled to open in Japan next year. No further details have been revealed yet.
Mon, July 16, 2007 (6:04pm EDT)
To celebrate the 30-year anniversary of "Doyo Wide Gekijo," TV Asahi is planning a special drama adaptation of Hideo Yokoyama's best-selling novel, "Hanochi." Kippei Shiina will play the lead role.
"Hanochi" revolves around former detective Soichiro Kaji, who turns himself into the police and confesses to the murder of his wife. According to him, she had developed Alzheimer's disease, and asked to be relieved of her suffering. However, his admission is still considered a "hanochi," or "half confession," because his story is incomplete - he won't say what happened during the 48 hours between the murder and his confession. And thus, a mystery begins.
The novel was previously turned into a film in 2004 by director Kiyoshi Sasabe, starring Akira Terao as Kaji. However, the drama special will differ from both the film and the novel. While Kaji is the protagonist in the previous incarnations, the drama will be told from the perspective of Shiki (played by Shiina), the detective interrogating Kaji (Tsunehiko Watase). In addition, plot elements will be altered and added. For example, Shiki's father (Keiju Kobayashi), also a retired cop, suffers from Alzheimer's as well.
Other cast members include Jun Fubuki, Masanobu Takashima, Isao Hashizume, and Ikkei Watanabe.
TV Asahi aims to broadcast the drama before the end of the year.
"Hanochi" revolves around former detective Soichiro Kaji, who turns himself into the police and confesses to the murder of his wife. According to him, she had developed Alzheimer's disease, and asked to be relieved of her suffering. However, his admission is still considered a "hanochi," or "half confession," because his story is incomplete - he won't say what happened during the 48 hours between the murder and his confession. And thus, a mystery begins.
The novel was previously turned into a film in 2004 by director Kiyoshi Sasabe, starring Akira Terao as Kaji. However, the drama special will differ from both the film and the novel. While Kaji is the protagonist in the previous incarnations, the drama will be told from the perspective of Shiki (played by Shiina), the detective interrogating Kaji (Tsunehiko Watase). In addition, plot elements will be altered and added. For example, Shiki's father (Keiju Kobayashi), also a retired cop, suffers from Alzheimer's as well.
Other cast members include Jun Fubuki, Masanobu Takashima, Isao Hashizume, and Ikkei Watanabe.
TV Asahi aims to broadcast the drama before the end of the year.
Mon, July 16, 2007 (4:25pm EDT)
Veteran actor Shinichi Chiba (also known as Sonny Chiba) held a press conference on Monday. Earlier this month, he hinted on TV that he was planning to quit acting. After the media picked up on his statements, he scheduled this press conference to explain his plans.
The actor said that he is reaching a physical limit, so he feels that he can no longer live up to the name of Shinichi Chiba. He will continue doing some acting, but under a different name.
Meanwhile, he will begin searching for the "second Shinichi Chiba." In October, he plans to open the "Thousand Leaves Hollywood" acting school in hopes of finding a successor to take on his name. Branches are expected to open in other cities, including Osaka and Fukuoka. Chiba mentioned that he is working on recruiting action star Jackie Chan as an additional coach.
Chiba has other plans as well. He is said to be currently writing a movie script, and he hopes to eventually try his hand at directing.
The actor said that he is reaching a physical limit, so he feels that he can no longer live up to the name of Shinichi Chiba. He will continue doing some acting, but under a different name.
Meanwhile, he will begin searching for the "second Shinichi Chiba." In October, he plans to open the "Thousand Leaves Hollywood" acting school in hopes of finding a successor to take on his name. Branches are expected to open in other cities, including Osaka and Fukuoka. Chiba mentioned that he is working on recruiting action star Jackie Chan as an additional coach.
Chiba has other plans as well. He is said to be currently writing a movie script, and he hopes to eventually try his hand at directing.
Mon, July 16, 2007 (3:57am EDT)
Actress Mami Nakamura and actor Mitsuki Koga have been divorced since late January, it was discovered on Sunday.
The two married in August 2004, and the following year Nakamura gave birth to a daughter. However, they both continued to work, and Koga especially was away from home frequently. The distance between them grew, and less than a year ago they began discussing divorce.
The split seems to be amicable, according to comments by Koga. Nakamura has custody of the child.
The two married in August 2004, and the following year Nakamura gave birth to a daughter. However, they both continued to work, and Koga especially was away from home frequently. The distance between them grew, and less than a year ago they began discussing divorce.
The split seems to be amicable, according to comments by Koga. Nakamura has custody of the child.
