Shochiku's "Tsukiji Uogashi Sandaime" doesn't open in theaters until June 7, but the company has already decided to turn the film into a series. Shochiku is reportedly aiming to build it into a franchise as recognizable in Japan as the long-running "Otoko wa Tsurai yo" and "Tsuribaka Nisshi."

The film is based on Shogakukan's manga series of the same name about a businessman who leaves his job to work at the Tsukiji fish market. Takao Osawa and Lena Tanaka play the lead roles.

From the start, Shochiku sought to establish the movie as a series, and a sequel was finally approved after the completed film was previewed in March. Shingo Matsubara will continue to direct, with the second installment scheduled to start shooting this fall. Shochiku plans to release about one film a year, during early summer.

Musician Mitsuru Igarashi has formed a new band called RUSHMORE. The group consists of vocalist Mitsuru Nishimura, guitarists Nozomu Wakai and Mitsuhisa Sakamoto, and Igarashi as the keyboardist. Their first song, "Omoi," is already available through online services such as iTunes and Recochoku.

Igarashi formed Every Little Thing with Ichiro Ito and Kaori Mochida in 1996, but left the group in 2000. After that, he was primarily active as the sound producer for the pop unit day after tomorrow.

Actor Ryo Kimura has his first starring role in a play this fall. He will lead in "Yoroboshi," originally written by Yukio Mishima as part of the collection "Kindai Nogakushu" (usually referred to as "Five Modern Noh Plays" in English).

Kimura's character in "Yoroboshi" is a blind young man. The role was previously played by Tatsuya Fujiwara in 2000.

The new production is being directed by Shigefumi Fukatsu. It will be performed in September and October at the New National Theatre, Tokyo.