Wed, May 21, 2008 (3:00am EDT)
The criminal trial of Yuki Goto, the former EE JUMP member also known for being the brother of Maki Goto, came to an end on Wednesday. The judge handed him a prison sentence of 5 years and 6 months, though prosecutors had requested 8 years.
Goto was found guilty of theft (which he admitted to) in an incident that took place last September, as well as assault against a security guard (which he denied and claimed was carried out by an accomplice). The judge determined that Goto was the leader behind his group's repeated thefts, and he also remarked that Goto had not shown proper repentance for his actions.
Goto was found guilty of theft (which he admitted to) in an incident that took place last September, as well as assault against a security guard (which he denied and claimed was carried out by an accomplice). The judge determined that Goto was the leader behind his group's repeated thefts, and he also remarked that Goto had not shown proper repentance for his actions.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (2:41am EDT)
Last week, NEWS had the #1 single with "SUMMER TIME," extending their streak of chart-topping singles to 9. This week, they were ousted by fellow Johnny's group KAT-TUN, who had their 7th consecutive #1 with "DON'T U EVER STOP." It sold close to 382,000 copies, giving it the biggest opening week of 2008 (previously set by KAT-TUN's "LIPS" in February).
Other entrants into the top 10 were Buono! at #4, Suga Shikao at #5, Ayaka at #6, and Kiyoharu at #9.
On the album charts, the self-titled debut album of Superfly (now a solo project) took the top spot with 123,000 copies sold. At #2 was actor Yutaka Mizutani with a self-cover collection titled "TIME CAPSULE," his first studio album in 22 years.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi also made the charts (at #5), as did indie rock group The Band Apart (#7).
Other entrants into the top 10 were Buono! at #4, Suga Shikao at #5, Ayaka at #6, and Kiyoharu at #9.
On the album charts, the self-titled debut album of Superfly (now a solo project) took the top spot with 123,000 copies sold. At #2 was actor Yutaka Mizutani with a self-cover collection titled "TIME CAPSULE," his first studio album in 22 years.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi also made the charts (at #5), as did indie rock group The Band Apart (#7).
Wed, May 21, 2008 (2:19am EDT)
Talento Yoshichi Shimada has announced that he is making his debut as a director and screenwriter. His first project is a film version of his best-selling novel series "Saga no Gabai-baachan," which was inspired by his own childhood experiences growing up with his grandmother in the Saga Prefecture.
The stories were previously turned into a film in 2006 (directed by Hitoshi Kurauchi) and a drama special in 2007. Fans had asked for another movie, and Shimada decided to indulge them with his own version, appropriately titled "Shimada Yoshichi no Saga no Gabai-baachan."
Yoshiko Kayama will play the role of the grandmother, while Reiko Takashima plays the mother. 10-year-old Yuki Senoue has been cast as the young Akihiro (Shimada's real name). Shinsuke Shimada and Hideo Higashikokubaru have also been given roles. Filming starts in August, targeting a 2009 release.
The stories were previously turned into a film in 2006 (directed by Hitoshi Kurauchi) and a drama special in 2007. Fans had asked for another movie, and Shimada decided to indulge them with his own version, appropriately titled "Shimada Yoshichi no Saga no Gabai-baachan."
Yoshiko Kayama will play the role of the grandmother, while Reiko Takashima plays the mother. 10-year-old Yuki Senoue has been cast as the young Akihiro (Shimada's real name). Shinsuke Shimada and Hideo Higashikokubaru have also been given roles. Filming starts in August, targeting a 2009 release.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (1:59am EDT)
Last week, gravure idol Hatsune Matsushima wrote on her blog that she might be suffering from Moyamoya disease. She underwent an MRI scan on Thursday, which has revealed no major problems.
Matsushima updated her blog to announce the good news and to apologize for worrying her fans. She said that her symptoms had been caused by a blood vessel blockage that has apparently improved. She will continue undergoing tests as she regulates her diet.
Matsushima updated her blog to announce the good news and to apologize for worrying her fans. She said that her symptoms had been caused by a blood vessel blockage that has apparently improved. She will continue undergoing tests as she regulates her diet.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (1:46am EDT)
The 2003 box office hit "Yomigaeri" is headed for Hollywood. Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks studio has picked up remake rights to the film, and production is expected to start as early as this fall.
The award-winning movie was based on a novel by Shinji Kajio. The story revolves around the mysterious revivals of people who were once dead, reuniting with their loved ones and showing no signs of aging. Directed by Akihiko Shiota, the movie featured a stellar cast that included Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Yuko Takeuchi, and Kou Shibasaki.
William Nicholson ("Gladiator") is writing the script. No other staff or cast have been announced so far, but Spielberg himself is listed as a possible choice for director. The budget is reportedly as high as 10 billion yen.
The award-winning movie was based on a novel by Shinji Kajio. The story revolves around the mysterious revivals of people who were once dead, reuniting with their loved ones and showing no signs of aging. Directed by Akihiko Shiota, the movie featured a stellar cast that included Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Yuko Takeuchi, and Kou Shibasaki.
William Nicholson ("Gladiator") is writing the script. No other staff or cast have been announced so far, but Spielberg himself is listed as a possible choice for director. The budget is reportedly as high as 10 billion yen.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (1:21am EDT)
Nobuo Mizuta's disaster flick "252: Seizonsha Ari" (announced in February) let out its first preview during the film market at the currently running Cannes Film Festival.
Producers screened a 5-minute trailer of the movie, in which Tokyo faces a string of natural disasters that results in areas of the city being submerged. Buyers reportedly displayed high interest in the film, especially in the wake of recent disasters in Myanmar and China.
Hideaki Ito and Masaaki Uchino have already been announced as the movie's co-stars, but the trailer confirmed that Takayuki Yamada and Yu Kashii have also been cast.
"252" opens in Japan on December 6.
Producers screened a 5-minute trailer of the movie, in which Tokyo faces a string of natural disasters that results in areas of the city being submerged. Buyers reportedly displayed high interest in the film, especially in the wake of recent disasters in Myanmar and China.
Hideaki Ito and Masaaki Uchino have already been announced as the movie's co-stars, but the trailer confirmed that Takayuki Yamada and Yu Kashii have also been cast.
"252" opens in Japan on December 6.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (1:04am EDT)
Actress Ryoko Yonekura will play a lawyer for the first time in a Fuji TV drama series called "Monster Parent." The title comes from a term referring to parents who selfishly make unreasonable demands of their children's schools and teachers.
In the drama, Yonekura is a lawyer dispatched to the board of education to resolve problems between schools and the so-called "monster parents." Her character is intelligent and fashionable, but she struggles with the assignment as her expertise is originally in business law.
The supporting cast includes Yuta Hiraoka (as one of her allies) and Kuranosuke Sasaki (as her opposition). The show will air on Tuesdays at 10:00pm, starting on July 1.
In the drama, Yonekura is a lawyer dispatched to the board of education to resolve problems between schools and the so-called "monster parents." Her character is intelligent and fashionable, but she struggles with the assignment as her expertise is originally in business law.
The supporting cast includes Yuta Hiraoka (as one of her allies) and Kuranosuke Sasaki (as her opposition). The show will air on Tuesdays at 10:00pm, starting on July 1.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (12:47am EDT)
Rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel is still in the middle of an international tour that started in April and ends next month, but reports have emerged that they won't be performing again until 2011.
The speculation was born from a newspaper ad that mentioned the group's new single this summer and a concert titled "2011 NEXT LIVE 20th L'Anniversary Live." Since the show is scheduled for the band's big anniversary three years from now, the word "next" appears to suggest that fans may not hear from them for a long time. However, even if their next concert isn't until 2011, it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't be active as a band.
Some believe that the members of L'Arc plan to use the three years to work on their own solo projects, but nothing official has been stated by the band or their management so far.
The speculation was born from a newspaper ad that mentioned the group's new single this summer and a concert titled "2011 NEXT LIVE 20th L'Anniversary Live." Since the show is scheduled for the band's big anniversary three years from now, the word "next" appears to suggest that fans may not hear from them for a long time. However, even if their next concert isn't until 2011, it doesn't necessarily mean that they won't be active as a band.
Some believe that the members of L'Arc plan to use the three years to work on their own solo projects, but nothing official has been stated by the band or their management so far.
Wed, May 21, 2008 (12:24am EDT)
TBS has announced that it is producing a television drama based on "Koizora," the mobile phone novel that became a hit movie last year. The film starred Yui Aragaki and Haruma Miura, and both saw their popularity rise after the movie took in 3.9 billion yen from more than 3.1 million admissions.
The drama will feature an entirely new cast, with auditions being held for both Aragaki's and Miura's roles. Producers are said to be seeking unknown actors, particularly a girl who can be cultivated into becoming "the next Gakky (a nickname for Aragaki)." The cast is expected to be finalized by mid-June so that filming can begin for a summer broadcast. TBS will be airing the drama in its recently revamped Saturday 8:00pm time slot, which currently is the home of the baseball drama "ROOKIES."
Although the cast will be new, the production team is being carried over from the film, giving them another shot at the story. The team includes Natsuki Imai as director, Mutsuki Watanabe as screenwriter, and Shin Kono doing music.
The drama will feature an entirely new cast, with auditions being held for both Aragaki's and Miura's roles. Producers are said to be seeking unknown actors, particularly a girl who can be cultivated into becoming "the next Gakky (a nickname for Aragaki)." The cast is expected to be finalized by mid-June so that filming can begin for a summer broadcast. TBS will be airing the drama in its recently revamped Saturday 8:00pm time slot, which currently is the home of the baseball drama "ROOKIES."
Although the cast will be new, the production team is being carried over from the film, giving them another shot at the story. The team includes Natsuki Imai as director, Mutsuki Watanabe as screenwriter, and Shin Kono doing music.
