Wed, January 9, 2008 (6:28pm EST)
Last month, it was reported that talento Chinatsu Wakatsuki was planning to go overseas to study, but the news was later denied. Now, it appears that she is indeed taking a trip abroad, but for a different purpose.
In a fax sent out on Wednesday, Wakatsuki explained that her website is undergoing a renewal in February, and that she plans to sell Western-style and secondhand clothes through the site. She had intended to reveal the details next month when the site re-opens. According to her comments, she will go overseas to buy the clothes herself.
Her trip has not been scheduled yet, but it is expected that she will be traveling to the U.S.
In a fax sent out on Wednesday, Wakatsuki explained that her website is undergoing a renewal in February, and that she plans to sell Western-style and secondhand clothes through the site. She had intended to reveal the details next month when the site re-opens. According to her comments, she will go overseas to buy the clothes herself.
Her trip has not been scheduled yet, but it is expected that she will be traveling to the U.S.
Wed, January 9, 2008 (6:11pm EST)
73-year-old free announcer Fumio Yamamoto is marrying for the second time, it was learned on Tuesday. He is thought to be the oldest celebrity to get married in Japan.
His fiancee is a 43-year-old divorcee with two children. The pair actually first met in the 1970s, when Yamamoto was the host of TBS's "Kodomo Ongaku Concours" and the woman's older brother appeared on the show. She was in kindergarten at the time. Yamamoto later served as the emcee at her wedding 14 years ago. They met again last year and a relationship developed.
Yamamoto was previously married for 34 years, but his wife died of a stroke in 1995.
According to Yamamoto's management, the couple plans to register their marriage in April. A private wedding reception is said to be scheduled for later this month.
His fiancee is a 43-year-old divorcee with two children. The pair actually first met in the 1970s, when Yamamoto was the host of TBS's "Kodomo Ongaku Concours" and the woman's older brother appeared on the show. She was in kindergarten at the time. Yamamoto later served as the emcee at her wedding 14 years ago. They met again last year and a relationship developed.
Yamamoto was previously married for 34 years, but his wife died of a stroke in 1995.
According to Yamamoto's management, the couple plans to register their marriage in April. A private wedding reception is said to be scheduled for later this month.
Wed, January 9, 2008 (4:45pm EST)
Singer-songwriter Ayaka may be dating guitarist Toshikazu Wakabayashi, according to the newest issue of FRIDAY. Wakabayashi is a member of the duo Luv Handles and served as a support musician for Ayaka during her nationwide tour and at her Kohaku Uta Gassen performance.
FRIDAY reports that Wakabayashi spent the night at Ayaka's apartment on Christmas Eve. He has reportedly been seen there late at night on other occasions as well.
Ayaka's management says there is no romantic relationship and that another musician, a female violinist, was present at the meeting on Christmas Eve.
FRIDAY reports that Wakabayashi spent the night at Ayaka's apartment on Christmas Eve. He has reportedly been seen there late at night on other occasions as well.
Ayaka's management says there is no romantic relationship and that another musician, a female violinist, was present at the meeting on Christmas Eve.
Wed, January 9, 2008 (4:11pm EST)
SXSW Asia has revealed details for its 2008 Japan Nite tour. Things will kick off at SXSW in Austin on March 14, featuring a lineup of detroit7, ketchup mania, Petty Booka, quartz-head 02, avengers in Sci-Fi, and Sodopp.
The tour travels to 7 other cities, with THE EMERALDS and SCANDAL joining detroit7, ketchup mania, and Petty Booka. It is not yet clear if all the bands are playing at each stop. The scheduled shows are:
In addition to their appearance at Japan Nite, ketchup mania will be performing at Sakura-Con in Seattle, which takes place on March 28-30.
The tour travels to 7 other cities, with THE EMERALDS and SCANDAL joining detroit7, ketchup mania, and Petty Booka. It is not yet clear if all the bands are playing at each stop. The scheduled shows are:
- 3/14 - Austin, TX
- 3/16 - New York, NY
- 3/17 - Boston, MA
- 3/18 - Chicago, IL
- 3/19 - Denver, CO
- 3/20 - Seattle, WA
- 3/21 - San Francisco, CA
- 3/23 - Los Angeles, CA
In addition to their appearance at Japan Nite, ketchup mania will be performing at Sakura-Con in Seattle, which takes place on March 28-30.
Wed, January 9, 2008 (3:58pm EST)
Actress Takako Matsu is joining the cast of NHK's drama project "Saka no Ue no Kumo," which began filming in November.
Matsu will play the wife of Akiyama Yoshifuru, played by Hiroshi Abe. Last month, Matsu wedded musician Yoshiyuki Sahashi, while Abe announced his own pending marriage in November.
The drama's main cast includes Masahiro Motoki, Teruyuki Kagawa, and Yukiyoshi Ozawa. Miho Kanno, Shiro Ito, and Keiko Takeshita also appear.
"Saka no Ue no Kumo" will air in three parts over three years, starting in the fall of 2009.
Matsu will play the wife of Akiyama Yoshifuru, played by Hiroshi Abe. Last month, Matsu wedded musician Yoshiyuki Sahashi, while Abe announced his own pending marriage in November.
The drama's main cast includes Masahiro Motoki, Teruyuki Kagawa, and Yukiyoshi Ozawa. Miho Kanno, Shiro Ito, and Keiko Takeshita also appear.
"Saka no Ue no Kumo" will air in three parts over three years, starting in the fall of 2009.
Wed, January 9, 2008 (3:44pm EST)
Hideaki Tokunaga's "VOCALIST 3," an album of covers of songs by female artists, has reached 1 million in sales as of Wednesday. The album got a boost from his appearance at NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen at the end of last year.
The two previous "VOCALIST" albums have sold about 900,000 and 800,000 copies, respectively. Tokunaga commented that he is ending the cover albums for now, and he hopes to release an original album this year.
The two previous "VOCALIST" albums have sold about 900,000 and 800,000 copies, respectively. Tokunaga commented that he is ending the cover albums for now, and he hopes to release an original album this year.
