Thu, December 13, 2007 (6:09pm EST)
84-year-old comedian Keiko Utsumi recently underwent a successful surgery for breast cancer, it was learned on Thursday.
The cancer was found on her right breast last month, and Utsumi admitted herself to the hospital on December 6 to have it surgically removed the next day. The operation was successful, and she was discharged from the hospital on the 10th.
She is currently resting at home and will continue to undergo observation. According to Sports Hochi, she will return to work on the 21st for the taping of "Keiji no Genba," a four-episode drama series that NHK will air in March.
The cancer was found on her right breast last month, and Utsumi admitted herself to the hospital on December 6 to have it surgically removed the next day. The operation was successful, and she was discharged from the hospital on the 10th.
She is currently resting at home and will continue to undergo observation. According to Sports Hochi, she will return to work on the 21st for the taping of "Keiji no Genba," a four-episode drama series that NHK will air in March.
Thu, December 13, 2007 (5:48pm EST)
Toho has announced that it is producing a movie titled "K-20: Kaijin Niju Menso Den," directed by Shimako Sato.
The story revolves around author Edogawa Rampo's infamous criminal, Kaijin Niju Menso (also known as the "Fiend with Twenty Faces"). However, the movie is not an adaptation of Rampo's works; rather, it is based on a related novel by playwright So Kitamura.
The action is set in a fictional town in 1949. Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as a magician who has been set up as Kaijin Niju Menso, while Takako Matsu plays the daughter of a zaibatsu family who is being targeted by the criminal. Toru Nakamura has been cast as the detective Kogoro Akechi.
"K-20" will be shot in Japan and China between January and April, and is set for release in December 2008.
The story revolves around author Edogawa Rampo's infamous criminal, Kaijin Niju Menso (also known as the "Fiend with Twenty Faces"). However, the movie is not an adaptation of Rampo's works; rather, it is based on a related novel by playwright So Kitamura.
The action is set in a fictional town in 1949. Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as a magician who has been set up as Kaijin Niju Menso, while Takako Matsu plays the daughter of a zaibatsu family who is being targeted by the criminal. Toru Nakamura has been cast as the detective Kogoro Akechi.
"K-20" will be shot in Japan and China between January and April, and is set for release in December 2008.
Thu, December 13, 2007 (3:32pm EST)
TBS has announced a drama adaptation of the hit 2001 Korean movie "My Sassy Girl," which is known as "Ryokiteki na Kanojo" in Japan. The series will star SMAP's Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and actress Lena Tanaka.
The romantic comedy, which originally starred Cha Tae-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun, was highly successful in Korea, and its popularity quickly spread throughout the rest of Asia. Immediately following its release in Japan in 2003, multiple television networks reportedly began fighting over drama adaptation rights. However, it wasn't until Kusanagi was attached to the project that a deal was made this past spring.
The character backgrounds and plot details will be changed for the drama. While the protagonists in the original film were college students, this time the pair will be a marine biology professor (Kusanagi) and an aspiring writer (Tanaka).
Nao Matsushita, Emi Suzuki, Yoshie Ichige, Nahomi Matsushima, Shosuke Tanihara, and Takaya Kamikawa have also been announced as cast members.
Hidenori Iyoda is producing, and Yuji Sakamoto is handling the script. Filming already started earlier this month, with the series scheduled to premiere in April.
The romantic comedy, which originally starred Cha Tae-hyun and Jun Ji-hyun, was highly successful in Korea, and its popularity quickly spread throughout the rest of Asia. Immediately following its release in Japan in 2003, multiple television networks reportedly began fighting over drama adaptation rights. However, it wasn't until Kusanagi was attached to the project that a deal was made this past spring.
The character backgrounds and plot details will be changed for the drama. While the protagonists in the original film were college students, this time the pair will be a marine biology professor (Kusanagi) and an aspiring writer (Tanaka).
Nao Matsushita, Emi Suzuki, Yoshie Ichige, Nahomi Matsushima, Shosuke Tanihara, and Takaya Kamikawa have also been announced as cast members.
Hidenori Iyoda is producing, and Yuji Sakamoto is handling the script. Filming already started earlier this month, with the series scheduled to premiere in April.
Thu, December 13, 2007 (6:27am EST)
Actor Hiro Mizushima is starring in a mobile phone romance drama titled "100 Scene no Koi." It consists of three separate 15-minute episodes, in which he takes on the roles of a surfer, a stylist, and a beautician.
The first episode became available for mobile phones on Wednesday. The second will be released in January, and the third will be released in February.
The first episode became available for mobile phones on Wednesday. The second will be released in January, and the third will be released in February.
Thu, December 13, 2007 (6:16am EST)
Singer Yo Hitoto has a Christmas present for her fans - from December 19 to 31, the ringtone for her new song "Ukeirete" will be available for free in Japan.
There have been many cases of popular artists giving away previously released songs, or new artists giving away music to gain exposure. However, it is unusual for such a big artist to make an unreleased song free. There are no plans yet for a CD release, but it may depend on how many people download the song.
"Ukeirete" was composed by Hitoto's friend, singer-songwriter Minako Kuwae, while Hitoto wrote the lyrics. The free ringtone is an acoustic version of the song, but a separate version has been recorded for radio airplay starting on the 17th.
There have been many cases of popular artists giving away previously released songs, or new artists giving away music to gain exposure. However, it is unusual for such a big artist to make an unreleased song free. There are no plans yet for a CD release, but it may depend on how many people download the song.
"Ukeirete" was composed by Hitoto's friend, singer-songwriter Minako Kuwae, while Hitoto wrote the lyrics. The free ringtone is an acoustic version of the song, but a separate version has been recorded for radio airplay starting on the 17th.
Thu, December 13, 2007 (5:53am EST)
Oricon recently asked a thousand men and women which artist of the opposite sex they would sing karaoke to.
The top choice by men was Ai Otsuka, known for many lively hits such as "Sakuranbo." YUI ranked second, followed by a tie for third between Miyuki Nakajima and Ayaka, while aiko ranked fifth.
Women, on the other hand, favored KinKi Kids. The next most popular choices were L'Arc~en~Ciel, Porno Graffiti, Mr.Children, and Kobukuro.
The top choice by men was Ai Otsuka, known for many lively hits such as "Sakuranbo." YUI ranked second, followed by a tie for third between Miyuki Nakajima and Ayaka, while aiko ranked fifth.
Women, on the other hand, favored KinKi Kids. The next most popular choices were L'Arc~en~Ciel, Porno Graffiti, Mr.Children, and Kobukuro.
Thu, December 13, 2007 (3:44am EST)
As was reported last month, Erika Sawajiri was invited to the Led Zeppelin reunion concert in London that took place on Monday. She flew to England at the end of last week with her manager, but her real companion while she was there was her boyfriend, media creator Tsuyoshi Takashiro, whom she was recently revealed to be dating.
The couple was seen enjoying Led Zeppelin's concert together, and photos of them after the show have been published in Josei Seven this week.
Daily Sports also took pictures of them arriving together at Narita Airport on Wednesday, dressed in similar outfits (black jacket, sunglasses, and jeans). A friend of Takashiro met them there and took their luggage while the couple walked calmly to the parking lot. They apparently were not disturbed by the people around them staring and taking pictures, though they silently ignored all questions.
Josei Seven reports that Sawajiri and Takashiro have plans to visit England again before the end of the year.
The couple was seen enjoying Led Zeppelin's concert together, and photos of them after the show have been published in Josei Seven this week.
Daily Sports also took pictures of them arriving together at Narita Airport on Wednesday, dressed in similar outfits (black jacket, sunglasses, and jeans). A friend of Takashiro met them there and took their luggage while the couple walked calmly to the parking lot. They apparently were not disturbed by the people around them staring and taking pictures, though they silently ignored all questions.
Josei Seven reports that Sawajiri and Takashiro have plans to visit England again before the end of the year.
