Sun, December 23, 2007 (7:18pm EST)
22-year-old singer-songwriter Rie fu is set to release her music in Europe next year.
Rie, whose real last name is Funakoshi, graduated this past summer from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. While studying art there, she made her Japanese music debut with "Rie who!?" in 2004.
The singer apparently received an offer from a local label, and she will release an album titled "Who is Rie fu?" in mid-February. Although the label is based in England, the album will be sold in other European countries as well.
Rie, whose real last name is Funakoshi, graduated this past summer from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. While studying art there, she made her Japanese music debut with "Rie who!?" in 2004.
The singer apparently received an offer from a local label, and she will release an album titled "Who is Rie fu?" in mid-February. Although the label is based in England, the album will be sold in other European countries as well.
Sun, December 23, 2007 (6:57pm EST)
Actress Saki Takaoka is joining Avex's new talent management agency, it was learned on Sunday. She had left From First in late November, which prompted rumors that she was retiring from show business. In reality, she is in the final stages of negotiating a contract with Avex.
The record label started its management division in June of this year and is currently in charge of celebrities such as Shido Nakamura and Koyuki.
Takaoka is expected to be officially tied to Avex at the start of next year, and may begin filming for a movie as early as the beginning of January.
The record label started its management division in June of this year and is currently in charge of celebrities such as Shido Nakamura and Koyuki.
Takaoka is expected to be officially tied to Avex at the start of next year, and may begin filming for a movie as early as the beginning of January.
Sun, December 23, 2007 (6:40pm EST)
Comedy duo Sandwichman pulled off a surprise win on Sunday at the final round of the M-1 Grand Prix, earning the trophy and a 10 million yen prize.
This year's competition saw a record participation of 4,239 teams. Sandwichman was eliminated in an earlier round, but they won the wild card tournament to gain a place in the finals. This is the first time that the wild card winner has won the championship.
The final three groups were Sandwichman, Total Tenbos, and King Kong. Sandwichman received 4 of the 7 judges' votes.
This year's competition saw a record participation of 4,239 teams. Sandwichman was eliminated in an earlier round, but they won the wild card tournament to gain a place in the finals. This is the first time that the wild card winner has won the championship.
The final three groups were Sandwichman, Total Tenbos, and King Kong. Sandwichman received 4 of the 7 judges' votes.
Sun, December 23, 2007 (6:04am EST)
21-year-old Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Yu Darvish received a substantial pay raise on Saturday, making him the youngest player in Japanese baseball history to attain an annual salary of 200 million yen.
The team raised his salary by 128 million yen to a total of 200 million plus performance incentives.
2008 will be Darvish's fourth season as a pro. This year, he led the league in strikeouts and had a record of 15-5 with only 1.820 ERA. He was named MVP of the Pacific League and received the Sawamura Award.
The team raised his salary by 128 million yen to a total of 200 million plus performance incentives.
2008 will be Darvish's fourth season as a pro. This year, he led the league in strikeouts and had a record of 15-5 with only 1.820 ERA. He was named MVP of the Pacific League and received the Sawamura Award.
Sun, December 23, 2007 (5:32am EST)
On Saturday, singer-songwriter Senri Oe announced on his blog that he plans to put his music career on hold in Japan. According to the notice, he will be moving to New York to study jazz.
Oe emphasized that he is not retiring, but he may be abroad for a long time, possibly several years. However, he mentioned that he plans to continue writing songs while he is there.
Oe emphasized that he is not retiring, but he may be abroad for a long time, possibly several years. However, he mentioned that he plans to continue writing songs while he is there.
