Tue, December 30, 2008 (3:38am EST)
Engaged couple Erika Sawajiri and Tsuyoshi Takashiro returned to Japan on Monday. Sawajiri accompanied her mother to visit their family grave the same day, and there she filled her in on the marriage details.
Sawajiri and Takashiro flew into Narita in the morning, but they parted for the day. The young actress went directly to the grave from the airport, meeting up with her mother along the way. They were there to visit the remains of Sawajiri's father, who died of cancer while she was in middle school, and the younger of her two older brothers, who died in a car accident a few years ago.
Sawajiri and her mother returned to their home in the afternoon. While Sawajiri continued to offer no comments about the marriage, her mother answered questions over the intercom. She said the couple plans to hold their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo shrine in mid-January. The reception will be a small affair, including only family and friends. She also mentioned that Takashiro had asked for her daughter's hand in marriage several months ago.
Sawajiri herself denied the rumors of pregnancy. She also revealed that she will be in Japan for about a month, then will be studying abroad again, but not in London. New York is a possibility, given Takashiro's frequent work there.
One source says that Sawajiri's next return to Japan will probably be in the spring, so she won't be doing any work until then. However, it seems she won't be doing any acting until summer at the earliest. Sawajiri's agency is expected to make official announcements about the marriage on her website after getting more details from Sawajiri herself.
Sawajiri and Takashiro flew into Narita in the morning, but they parted for the day. The young actress went directly to the grave from the airport, meeting up with her mother along the way. They were there to visit the remains of Sawajiri's father, who died of cancer while she was in middle school, and the younger of her two older brothers, who died in a car accident a few years ago.
Sawajiri and her mother returned to their home in the afternoon. While Sawajiri continued to offer no comments about the marriage, her mother answered questions over the intercom. She said the couple plans to hold their wedding ceremony at a Tokyo shrine in mid-January. The reception will be a small affair, including only family and friends. She also mentioned that Takashiro had asked for her daughter's hand in marriage several months ago.
Sawajiri herself denied the rumors of pregnancy. She also revealed that she will be in Japan for about a month, then will be studying abroad again, but not in London. New York is a possibility, given Takashiro's frequent work there.
One source says that Sawajiri's next return to Japan will probably be in the spring, so she won't be doing any work until then. However, it seems she won't be doing any acting until summer at the earliest. Sawajiri's agency is expected to make official announcements about the marriage on her website after getting more details from Sawajiri herself.
Tue, December 30, 2008 (2:57am EST)
Fuji TV has established a new 6-member idol group through its late night variety show "Gold House." The unit is called Yen Girl, and its members were selected from roughly a thousand candidates.
Yen Girl consists of Lorena Kotou, Misato Konno, Miki Yokota, Natsuko Aso, Julianne Kan, and Elis Hirako. Kotou is the oldest at 24, while Hirako is only 12.
The group barely made their public debut at an event on Sunday, and they already managed an attendance of close to 700 fans.
Yen Girl consists of Lorena Kotou, Misato Konno, Miki Yokota, Natsuko Aso, Julianne Kan, and Elis Hirako. Kotou is the oldest at 24, while Hirako is only 12.
The group barely made their public debut at an event on Sunday, and they already managed an attendance of close to 700 fans.
Tue, December 30, 2008 (2:43am EST)
In March 2007, singer Noriyuki Makihara filed a lawsuit against mangaka Leiji Matsumoto after Matsumoto publicly accused him of plagiarism. Last Friday, the Tokyo District Court ruled in Makihara's favor, ordering Matsumoto to pay 2.2 million yen in damages. Makihara had originally sought 22 million yen.
The case started in 2006, when Matsumoto openly alleged that Makihara had lifted a line from "Galaxy Express 999" for use in the song "Yakusoku no Basho," which Makihara had written for CHEMISTRY. Matsumoto demanded an apology, but the singer consistently denied the claims. After months of repeated accusations, Makihara took the issue to court, arguing that Matsumoto had damaged his reputation.
A trial was never actually held to determine whether Makihara was guilty of plagiarism, but the judge commented that the two quotes were sufficiently different in meaning.
The case started in 2006, when Matsumoto openly alleged that Makihara had lifted a line from "Galaxy Express 999" for use in the song "Yakusoku no Basho," which Makihara had written for CHEMISTRY. Matsumoto demanded an apology, but the singer consistently denied the claims. After months of repeated accusations, Makihara took the issue to court, arguing that Matsumoto had damaged his reputation.
A trial was never actually held to determine whether Makihara was guilty of plagiarism, but the judge commented that the two quotes were sufficiently different in meaning.
Tue, December 30, 2008 (1:57am EST)
The rehearsal for NHK's 59th Kohaku Uta Gassen took place on Monday. Ayumi Hamasaki was absent due to her injured right hand, but her agency announced that the injury won't be stopping her from appearing at Kohaku on Wednesday. Avex also confirmed that Hamasaki will still be doing her two countdown concerts at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Hamasaki was reportedly determined to go through with her performances, and her doctor agreed to let her as long as she doesn't put too much strain on her hand.
Hamasaki was reportedly determined to go through with her performances, and her doctor agreed to let her as long as she doesn't put too much strain on her hand.
Tue, December 30, 2008 (1:03am EST)
For the 5th year in a row, Fuji TV has achieved the highest viewership ratings in three major categories. According to data from Video Research Ltd., Fuji TV was #1 this year in golden time (7pm-10pm), prime time (7pm-11pm), and the entire day (6am-midnight).
Fuji TV's golden time and prime time ratings were both down from 13.8% last year to 13.3% this year, while the entire day ratings also dropped from 8.7% to 8.5%.
In the golden time category, NHK was second at 13.0%, followed by NTV at 12.4%. During prime time and the entire day, NTV was second (12.4% and 8.3%), while TV Asahi ranked third (11.9% and 7.7%).
Fuji TV's golden time and prime time ratings were both down from 13.8% last year to 13.3% this year, while the entire day ratings also dropped from 8.7% to 8.5%.
In the golden time category, NHK was second at 13.0%, followed by NTV at 12.4%. During prime time and the entire day, NTV was second (12.4% and 8.3%), while TV Asahi ranked third (11.9% and 7.7%).
