Tue, January 8, 2008 (3:29pm EST)
Singer Masako Mori is leaving her agency, Horipro, at the end of March. According to several sources, she chose not to extend her contract with the company, intending to go independent.
Mori debuted with Horipro in 1972 at the age of 13 and became a popular idol throughout the '70s. In 1986, she married enka singer Shinichi Mori and retired, but she returned to show business in 2006.
Mori debuted with Horipro in 1972 at the age of 13 and became a popular idol throughout the '70s. In 1986, she married enka singer Shinichi Mori and retired, but she returned to show business in 2006.
Tue, January 8, 2008 (3:14pm EST)
31-year-old talento Chiriko Sakashita announced on Tuesday that she is getting married. Her fax to the media gave no details about her fiance, but one source close to Sakashita said that the man is a cameraman for a television production company. The couple reportedly plans to register the marriage on the 9th, which will be the man's 29th birthday.
The two are said to have met four years ago through the Fuji TV program "Moshimo Tours," on which Sakashita regularly appears. One weekly magazine took pictures of them on a date in October 2004.
No plans have been announced for a ceremony or reception.
The two are said to have met four years ago through the Fuji TV program "Moshimo Tours," on which Sakashita regularly appears. One weekly magazine took pictures of them on a date in October 2004.
No plans have been announced for a ceremony or reception.
Tue, January 8, 2008 (6:10am EST)
A recent popularity survey by Oricon asked 1,200 people, "Which celebrity would lift your spirits if she were a receptionist at your company?"
Rising star Yui Aragaki was the #1 choice across all surveyed age groups and was particularly popular among men. Another young actress, Masami Nagasawa, ranked 2nd, followed by Yuri Ebihara and Misaki Ito.
Comedienne Masami Hisamoto tied for 5th with Aya Ueto. Becky, who was voted #1 by women, ranked only 7th overall. Kanako Yanagihara was #8, while Nanako Matsushima and Erika Sawajiri tied for #9.
Rising star Yui Aragaki was the #1 choice across all surveyed age groups and was particularly popular among men. Another young actress, Masami Nagasawa, ranked 2nd, followed by Yuri Ebihara and Misaki Ito.
Comedienne Masami Hisamoto tied for 5th with Aya Ueto. Becky, who was voted #1 by women, ranked only 7th overall. Kanako Yanagihara was #8, while Nanako Matsushima and Erika Sawajiri tied for #9.
Tue, January 8, 2008 (4:25am EST)
Actress Manami Konishi will release her first single on March 19. The song, a ballad titled "Sunny Day," is being used as the theme for the movie "Sweet Rain: Shinigami no Seido," directed by Masaya Kakehi.
Based on a novel by Kotaro Isaka, the film stars Takeshi Kaneshiro as a death god. Konishi co-stars as an OL chosen as a candidate for death, whose singing talent is recognized by a music producer. "Sunny Day" is used in the story as a song sung by Konishi's character, though there are no performance scenes in the movie. It will be released under the name of her character, Kazue Fujiki.
When Konishi was cast for the role, it was decided that she would sing for the film, but there were originally no plans for a CD release. When the staff finally heard her sing "Sunny Day," however, it was decided as the ending theme and approved for release.
Audiences first heard the song at the end of last year during the movie's trailer. Konishi was not revealed as the singer at the time, but her voice attracted attention from many movie-goers, leading to a flood of inquiries about her identity.
"Shinigami no Seido" opens in theaters on March 22.
Based on a novel by Kotaro Isaka, the film stars Takeshi Kaneshiro as a death god. Konishi co-stars as an OL chosen as a candidate for death, whose singing talent is recognized by a music producer. "Sunny Day" is used in the story as a song sung by Konishi's character, though there are no performance scenes in the movie. It will be released under the name of her character, Kazue Fujiki.
When Konishi was cast for the role, it was decided that she would sing for the film, but there were originally no plans for a CD release. When the staff finally heard her sing "Sunny Day," however, it was decided as the ending theme and approved for release.
Audiences first heard the song at the end of last year during the movie's trailer. Konishi was not revealed as the singer at the time, but her voice attracted attention from many movie-goers, leading to a flood of inquiries about her identity.
"Shinigami no Seido" opens in theaters on March 22.
