Thu, September 6, 2007 (7:29pm EDT)
According to the latest issue of FRIDAY, announcer Mona Yamamoto is back together with her ex-boyfriend.
Last September, Yamamoto made headlines when she was caught having an affair with married politician Goshi Hosono, leading to his resignation as the chairman of the DPJ's Policy Research Committee. Meanwhile, Yamamoto was removed from her post on TBS's "News 23," but was able to return to television with the help of Takeshi Kitano's agency, Office Kitano.
Before her affair with Hosono, Yamamoto was reportedly dating a former video game creator, who is said to be well-known in the industry. Last month, they were spotted together again spending three nights on Pamalikan Island in the Philippines.
The agency has confirmed the relationship, but said there are currently no plans for marriage.
Last September, Yamamoto made headlines when she was caught having an affair with married politician Goshi Hosono, leading to his resignation as the chairman of the DPJ's Policy Research Committee. Meanwhile, Yamamoto was removed from her post on TBS's "News 23," but was able to return to television with the help of Takeshi Kitano's agency, Office Kitano.
Before her affair with Hosono, Yamamoto was reportedly dating a former video game creator, who is said to be well-known in the industry. Last month, they were spotted together again spending three nights on Pamalikan Island in the Philippines.
The agency has confirmed the relationship, but said there are currently no plans for marriage.
Thu, September 6, 2007 (5:29pm EDT)
Music duo Def Tech announced on their official website that they have decided to disband. The two members apologized to their fans, and mentioned that they will each be active as solo artists.
Thu, September 6, 2007 (3:48pm EDT)
Polysics has announced three shows in southern California, taking place in San Diego, Pomona, and West Hollywood. The dates for the shows are October 11, 12, and 13, respectively. There is also the possibility of a fourth date to be added.
After the three shows, Polysics will be traveling with the MySpace Music Tour, but will end their tour early in Dallas on November 10.
After the three shows, Polysics will be traveling with the MySpace Music Tour, but will end their tour early in Dallas on November 10.
Thu, September 6, 2007 (3:30am EDT)
The San Diego Asian Film Foundation is holding its 8th annual film festival on October 11-18.
The official film selections, which were announced over a month ago, include three films from Japan: Sang-il Lee's award-winning "Hula Girls," Makoto Shinkai's animated "5 Centimeters Per Second," and Kichitaro Negishi's "Yuki ni Negau Koto" ("What the Snow Brings"). Also being screened is "The Great Happiness Space: Tale of An Osaka Love Thief," an acclaimed documentary by British director Jake Clennell about the world of Japanese host clubs.
The official film selections, which were announced over a month ago, include three films from Japan: Sang-il Lee's award-winning "Hula Girls," Makoto Shinkai's animated "5 Centimeters Per Second," and Kichitaro Negishi's "Yuki ni Negau Koto" ("What the Snow Brings"). Also being screened is "The Great Happiness Space: Tale of An Osaka Love Thief," an acclaimed documentary by British director Jake Clennell about the world of Japanese host clubs.
Thu, September 6, 2007 (3:05am EDT)
Oricon recently surveyed 2,000 people, asking them which celebrity Japan can be internationally proud of. Not too surprisingly, the #1 answer by a landslide was Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. He received more than 700 votes, with the closest competition coming from actor Ken Watanabe (146 votes) and director Takeshi Kitano (145 votes). Fellow Major League player Hideki Matsui received only 39 votes to rank 5th among males, right behind Takuya Kimura.
Competition among the women was tighter. Actresses Sayuri Yoshinaga and Rinko Kikuchi tied for first, both one vote ahead of pop star Hikaru Utada. Ayumi Hamasaki tied for fourth with judo superstar Ryoko Tani, five votes behind Utada.
Rounding out the top ten in the male category were soccer player Shunsuke Nakamura, former soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata, director Hayao Miyazaki, Arashi member Kazunari Ninomiya, and the late Akira Kurosawa. Meanwhile, the women's list included 74-year-old talento Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, current Miss Universe Riyo Mori, figure skater Shizuka Arakawa, Yoko Ono, Sadako Ogata (president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency), and teen figure skater Mao Asada.
Competition among the women was tighter. Actresses Sayuri Yoshinaga and Rinko Kikuchi tied for first, both one vote ahead of pop star Hikaru Utada. Ayumi Hamasaki tied for fourth with judo superstar Ryoko Tani, five votes behind Utada.
Rounding out the top ten in the male category were soccer player Shunsuke Nakamura, former soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata, director Hayao Miyazaki, Arashi member Kazunari Ninomiya, and the late Akira Kurosawa. Meanwhile, the women's list included 74-year-old talento Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, current Miss Universe Riyo Mori, figure skater Shizuka Arakawa, Yoko Ono, Sadako Ogata (president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency), and teen figure skater Mao Asada.
Thu, September 6, 2007 (2:01am EDT)
Actor Issei Ishida will be in his first television drama in almost seven years. He will make a guest appearance in the first episode of the TBS detective series "Joshi Deka!," which stars Yukie Nakama and Pinko Izumi.
Ishida's last drama role was in a Fuji TV New Year's special in 2001. In August of that year, he was arrested for possession of marijuana and received a suspended sentence. He finally returned to acting in 2003.
"Joshi Deka!" begins airing on October 18.
Ishida's last drama role was in a Fuji TV New Year's special in 2001. In August of that year, he was arrested for possession of marijuana and received a suspended sentence. He finally returned to acting in 2003.
"Joshi Deka!" begins airing on October 18.
Thu, September 6, 2007 (1:46am EDT)
It was discovered on Wednesday that actress Miyoshi Umeki died of cancer on August 28 in Licking, Missouri. She was 78.
Umeki was born in Otaru, Hokkaido, in 1929. She appeared on television and radio in the 1950s before moving to the United States.
Her most famous role was in the 1957 film "Sayonara," which was adapted from a James Michener novel and starred Marlon Brando. She and Red Buttons, who played her husband in the film, both won Oscars for their supporting roles. In doing so, she became the first Asian and the only Japanese person to win an Oscar.
Umeki also earned a Tony nomination for her starring role in the Broadway musical "Flower Drum Song." She later appeared in a few more movies before retiring from show business in the 1970s.
Umeki was born in Otaru, Hokkaido, in 1929. She appeared on television and radio in the 1950s before moving to the United States.
Her most famous role was in the 1957 film "Sayonara," which was adapted from a James Michener novel and starred Marlon Brando. She and Red Buttons, who played her husband in the film, both won Oscars for their supporting roles. In doing so, she became the first Asian and the only Japanese person to win an Oscar.
Umeki also earned a Tony nomination for her starring role in the Broadway musical "Flower Drum Song." She later appeared in a few more movies before retiring from show business in the 1970s.
