Tue, January 15, 2008 (7:12pm EST)
It was reported on Wednesday that legendary rock band X JAPAN will perform at Tokyo Dome on two dates this spring. Yoshiki is expected to make an official announcement at a press conference on the 20th.
X JAPAN held their last concert at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997. They reunited last year, recording a song for the horror film "Saw IV." In October, Yoshiki announced that they would return to the stage in the spring.
X JAPAN held their last concert at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997. They reunited last year, recording a song for the horror film "Saw IV." In October, Yoshiki announced that they would return to the stage in the spring.
Tue, January 15, 2008 (6:58pm EST)
26-year-old talento Mika Yabe (known by her stage name of Mika Kawai) is getting married next month. Mika is the younger sister of talento Miho Yabe and the older sister of gravure idol Miki Yabe. She is the first of the three to get married.
Mika's fiance works for a real estate company. The couple will hold a private wedding and reception on February 3.
Mika's fiance works for a real estate company. The couple will hold a private wedding and reception on February 3.
Tue, January 15, 2008 (12:25pm EST)
The Oricon sales charts this week show AAA with their first #1 single, "MIRAGE." It sold 25,000 copies, barely edging out Masato Sugimoto's "Waremokou." Masafumi Akikawa remained at #3.
The duo Yugin entered the charts at #4 with their major-label debut, "Fate," and RAG FAIR's new release "Soshun Rhapsody" ranked 5th.
On the albums chart, Kobukuro's "5296" kept its #1 spot by selling 112,000 copies, putting it in range to reach the million mark this coming week. This is the first album to top the charts for four consecutive weeks since Kumi Koda's "Black Cherry" last year. Kobukuro also took the #8 spot with their "ALL SINGLES BEST."
MISIA was #3 with "EIGHTH WORLD," which sold 71,000 copies. This is her 8th consecutive Top 10 appearance (16th total). One other highlight of the albums chart was Hideaki Tokunaga, who charted with his three "VOCALIST" cover albums (#6, #9, #10).
In music DVDs, AAA scored another victory with their "2nd Anniversary Live -5th ATTACK 070922- at Nippon Budokan," selling 13,000 copies.
The duo Yugin entered the charts at #4 with their major-label debut, "Fate," and RAG FAIR's new release "Soshun Rhapsody" ranked 5th.
On the albums chart, Kobukuro's "5296" kept its #1 spot by selling 112,000 copies, putting it in range to reach the million mark this coming week. This is the first album to top the charts for four consecutive weeks since Kumi Koda's "Black Cherry" last year. Kobukuro also took the #8 spot with their "ALL SINGLES BEST."
MISIA was #3 with "EIGHTH WORLD," which sold 71,000 copies. This is her 8th consecutive Top 10 appearance (16th total). One other highlight of the albums chart was Hideaki Tokunaga, who charted with his three "VOCALIST" cover albums (#6, #9, #10).
In music DVDs, AAA scored another victory with their "2nd Anniversary Live -5th ATTACK 070922- at Nippon Budokan," selling 13,000 copies.
Tue, January 15, 2008 (4:17am EST)
Pop duo I WiSH is reuniting for a single performance next month. Formed by singer Ai Kawashima and keyboard player nao in 2002, the group dissolved in 2005 so that Kawashima could focus on a solo career.
The duo still has a strong fanbase, and their website still receives thousands of visits each week. In response to demand, their record label has arranged for a concert at C.C. Lemon Hall on Kawashima's birthday, February 21. That venue was also the location of their last concert.
One of the songs that I WiSH will sing at the show is a previously unpublished tune called "Eien to Iu Kono Shunkan ni." It will be released on February 14 as part of a single titled "LOVE SONGS 4 YOU," accompanied by new versions of their hits "Asu e no Tobira," "Futatsu Boshi," and "Yakusoku no Hi."
The duo will simultaneously release a 3-disc album, "THE COMPLETE COLLECTION OF I WiSH," which will contain all of their published songs.
The duo still has a strong fanbase, and their website still receives thousands of visits each week. In response to demand, their record label has arranged for a concert at C.C. Lemon Hall on Kawashima's birthday, February 21. That venue was also the location of their last concert.
One of the songs that I WiSH will sing at the show is a previously unpublished tune called "Eien to Iu Kono Shunkan ni." It will be released on February 14 as part of a single titled "LOVE SONGS 4 YOU," accompanied by new versions of their hits "Asu e no Tobira," "Futatsu Boshi," and "Yakusoku no Hi."
The duo will simultaneously release a 3-disc album, "THE COMPLETE COLLECTION OF I WiSH," which will contain all of their published songs.
Tue, January 15, 2008 (3:51am EST)
The band Tourbillon (consisting of LUNA SEA members Ryuichi Kawamura and INORAN, along with D-LOOP's Hiroaki Hayama) has been chosen to do the theme song for the newest "Kamen Rider" series. Titled "Break the Chain," it will be released on March 26.
"Kamen Rider Kiva" starts on January 27, starring D-BOYS actor Koji Seto.
"Kamen Rider Kiva" starts on January 27, starring D-BOYS actor Koji Seto.
Tue, January 15, 2008 (3:39am EST)
Fuji TV's "Getsu 9" drama time slot had another good start this season. The premiere episode of "Bara no nai Hanaya," which aired on Monday, took in ratings of 22.4%. Last season, "Galileo" started out at 24.7% in the same time slot.
Of the other dramas that have started so far this season, "Koshonin ~The Negotiator~" had the second strongest opener at 16.7%. The rest of the prime time dramas will begin their runs this week.
Of the other dramas that have started so far this season, "Koshonin ~The Negotiator~" had the second strongest opener at 16.7%. The rest of the prime time dramas will begin their runs this week.
Tue, January 15, 2008 (3:22am EST)
EXILE's MAKIDAI has been given a regular role in the upcoming NHK Asadora series "Hitomi." The drama, which begins on March 31, stars Nana Eikura as an aspiring young dancer. MAKIDAI will play a legendary dancer named Ken.
