GAKU-MC recently underwent throat surgery, it was learned on Friday. The rapper wrote on his blog that he was hospitalized for two nights due to the operation, which removed a benign pustule around his vocal chords. The operation was completed with no problems, though he is unable to speak for a week while he recovers.

Electro vocalist Kaya has been announced as a musical guest of honor at this year's Pacific Media Expo in Los Angeles, taking place November 7-9. Once a member of the group Schwarz Stein, Kaya has been active as a soloist since 2006.

It was also announced in June that Suicide Ali will be a guest at Pacific Media Expo.

More information about the event is available at the official website.

Actor Manabu Hamada, 32, is getting married, it was learned on Thursday. He has been dating a nurse for about five years, and they are already living together. The woman is said to be in her late 20s.

The couple began dating after meeting at a restaurant run by one of their friends. Hamada proposed this past June. They plan to register their marriage and hold their wedding ceremony this Sunday.