Sat, December 15, 2007 (10:52pm EST)
EXILE and several other Rhythm Zone artists performed at a live event in Tokyo on Saturday. During the show, EXILE announced that their latest album has shipped one million copies.
"EXILE LOVE" went on sale on the 12th and has already sold hundreds of thousands of copies.
The group has two previous albums that became million-sellers: "EXILE ENTERTAINMENT" in 2003 and a best album in 2005.
"EXILE LOVE" went on sale on the 12th and has already sold hundreds of thousands of copies.
The group has two previous albums that became million-sellers: "EXILE ENTERTAINMENT" in 2003 and a best album in 2005.
Sat, December 15, 2007 (6:04am EST)
Oricon has released the results of its end-of-the-year survey asking men and women who they thought was the most successful young star of 2007. With two thousand people participating in the survey, the answers were actress Yui Aragaki and comedian Yoshio Kojima.
Aragaki has had a phenomenal year, which included her first starring roles in film and television, the start of a music career, and an increase in commercials. Erika Sawajiri, who ranked 2nd among female celebrities, also saw similar success this year, though it was marred by the "Closed Note" PR incident.
The rest of the women's top five were Kanako Yanagihara, Sumiko Nishioka (the oldest of the list at 33), and Maki Horikita.
Kojima easily topped the men's list, as he was ranked first by all age groups. His silly routine has become amazingly popular, and his catchphrase "Sonna no kankei nee" was named one of the top ten "buzzwords of the year."
Shun Oguri was second in the rankings, followed by Yu Darvish, Ryo Ishikawa, and Toma Ikuta.
Aragaki has had a phenomenal year, which included her first starring roles in film and television, the start of a music career, and an increase in commercials. Erika Sawajiri, who ranked 2nd among female celebrities, also saw similar success this year, though it was marred by the "Closed Note" PR incident.
The rest of the women's top five were Kanako Yanagihara, Sumiko Nishioka (the oldest of the list at 33), and Maki Horikita.
Kojima easily topped the men's list, as he was ranked first by all age groups. His silly routine has become amazingly popular, and his catchphrase "Sonna no kankei nee" was named one of the top ten "buzzwords of the year."
Shun Oguri was second in the rankings, followed by Yu Darvish, Ryo Ishikawa, and Toma Ikuta.
Sat, December 15, 2007 (4:55am EST)
Takuya Ohashi of pop duo Sukima Switch will release his first single as a solo artist next year. He will continue working with his partner Shintaro Tokita, but he has plans for future releases and solo performances.
His first song, "Hajimari no Uta," goes on sale February 6. It will be coupled with a song titled "Shonen to Sora." Both were written and composed by Ohashi. "Hajimari no Uta" has already been selected for use in a U-CAN commercial, which begins airing on New Year's Day.
Tokita also has a solo project and has established his own private label named doppietta. In addition, he is currently active as a producer. However, he and Ohashi will continue working both on their own and as a group.
His first song, "Hajimari no Uta," goes on sale February 6. It will be coupled with a song titled "Shonen to Sora." Both were written and composed by Ohashi. "Hajimari no Uta" has already been selected for use in a U-CAN commercial, which begins airing on New Year's Day.
Tokita also has a solo project and has established his own private label named doppietta. In addition, he is currently active as a producer. However, he and Ohashi will continue working both on their own and as a group.
Sat, December 15, 2007 (4:27am EST)
TBS announced on Friday that the 49th Japan Record Awards will once again be hosted by Masaaki Sakai, Yuri Ebihara, and Moe Oshikiri. This is Sakai's 12th consecutive year as the show's host, and the 2nd consecutive year for the two models.
The show will be aired on December 30 at 6:30pm.
The show will be aired on December 30 at 6:30pm.
Sat, December 15, 2007 (3:06am EST)
Last week, singer-songwriter Akemi Kakihara (also known as "ak") announced on her official website that she is engaged.
Her fiance is American disc jockey Danny Krivit, whom she has been dating since 2001 when she moved to New York. Krivit proposed to her on November 1, the 6th anniversary of their relationship.
Her fiance is American disc jockey Danny Krivit, whom she has been dating since 2001 when she moved to New York. Krivit proposed to her on November 1, the 6th anniversary of their relationship.
