Sat, October 13, 2007 (7:45pm EDT)
Hideo Yokoyama's best-selling novel "Climber's High" is being turned into a film, directed by Masato Harada and starring Shinichi Tsutsumi.
"Climber's High" first appeared in print in 2002 and was published as a book in 2003. In 2005, it was made into a two-part drama on NHK, starring Koichi Sato.
The story revolves around the 1985 crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, which resulted in 520 deaths. The protagonist (played by Tsutsumi in the film) is a local newspaper reporter sent to cover the incident, who had been planning to climb a nearby mountain the same day as the crash.
Filming began during the summer and ended in September, with some scenes shot in New Zealand. The movie opens sometime next year.
"Climber's High" first appeared in print in 2002 and was published as a book in 2003. In 2005, it was made into a two-part drama on NHK, starring Koichi Sato.
The story revolves around the 1985 crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, which resulted in 520 deaths. The protagonist (played by Tsutsumi in the film) is a local newspaper reporter sent to cover the incident, who had been planning to climb a nearby mountain the same day as the crash.
Filming began during the summer and ended in September, with some scenes shot in New Zealand. The movie opens sometime next year.
Sat, October 13, 2007 (6:55pm EDT)
Despite the continuing downward trend of CD sales, popular duo Kobukuro has managed to sell very well with their "ALL SINGLES BEST" album. As of October 13, three million copies of the collection have been shipped to stores, an impressive feat last achieved three years ago by Hikaru Utada.
"ALL SINGLES BEST" was released on September 27, 2006. It immediately reached the one million mark, and by November two million units had been shipped. Sales have remained strong, with the album charting in the top 30 almost every week since its release.
Only two other artists have reached the three-million milestone since the turn of the century: Hikaru Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki. Kobukuro is just the fourth male artist to do it, being preceded by B'z, Southern All Stars, and GLAY.
"ALL SINGLES BEST" was released on September 27, 2006. It immediately reached the one million mark, and by November two million units had been shipped. Sales have remained strong, with the album charting in the top 30 almost every week since its release.
Only two other artists have reached the three-million milestone since the turn of the century: Hikaru Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki. Kobukuro is just the fourth male artist to do it, being preceded by B'z, Southern All Stars, and GLAY.
Sat, October 13, 2007 (5:30pm EDT)
Singer-songwriter Iruka is releasing her first original album in more than five years. The album is named "Harujoon Himejoon," and the title track is about her husband and producer, Kazuo Kanbe, who died of renal failure this past March.
Iruka and Kanbe met when they were both members of the folk group Shrieks. They married in 1972. Around 1987, Kanbe began exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which he fought until his death.
"Harujoon Himejoon" goes on sale November 7.
Iruka and Kanbe met when they were both members of the folk group Shrieks. They married in 1972. Around 1987, Kanbe began exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson's disease, which he fought until his death.
"Harujoon Himejoon" goes on sale November 7.
Sat, October 13, 2007 (5:01pm EDT)
On Saturday, actor and singer Kazuki Kato performed his first outdoor concert at the Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo. During the show, he announced that he has scheduled his first Nippon Budokan concert for April 28.
Kato also has a new album, titled "in LOVE," coming out on January 23. On February 17, he will launch a live house tour that covers nine cities.
Kato also has a new album, titled "in LOVE," coming out on January 23. On February 17, he will launch a live house tour that covers nine cities.
