Fri, January 9, 2009 (3:28am EST)
Hello! Project has announced that singer Aya Matsuura fractured a toe on her left foot at her home this past Monday. The injury is expected to take 6 weeks to fully heal.
Starting this Saturday, Matsuura is scheduled to perform in several Elder Club concerts this month, including the graduation concerts on January 31 and February 1. As these are her final performances with Hello! Project, she will of course appear in the shows as planned, though her movement will be hindered with her broken toe taped in place.
Starting this Saturday, Matsuura is scheduled to perform in several Elder Club concerts this month, including the graduation concerts on January 31 and February 1. As these are her final performances with Hello! Project, she will of course appear in the shows as planned, though her movement will be hindered with her broken toe taped in place.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (3:08am EST)
NHK has announced that its major drama project "Saka no Ue no Kumo" will be starting this November. As a result, the currently-airing taiga drama "Tenchijin" will be shorter than previous taiga dramas, ending almost a month early and lasting only 47 episodes, despite getting off to a good start.
"Saka no Ue no Kumo," which began filming in 2007, is based on a historical novel set in the Meiji Era written by author Ryotaro Shiba. Its star-studded cast includes Masahiro Motoki, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Hiroshi Abe, Miho Kanno, and Takako Matsu. Filming is still in progress, with locations overseas and all across Japan.
A total of 13 90-minute episodes are planned, divided into three parts. The first chapter, which is almost done filming, lasts five episodes and will have the First Sino-Japanese War as its climax. It will air on Sundays at 8:00pm, from November 29 to December 27. The drama will then continue with a 4-episode chapter in fall 2010, and another 4-episode chapter in fall 2011.
"Saka no Ue no Kumo," which began filming in 2007, is based on a historical novel set in the Meiji Era written by author Ryotaro Shiba. Its star-studded cast includes Masahiro Motoki, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Hiroshi Abe, Miho Kanno, and Takako Matsu. Filming is still in progress, with locations overseas and all across Japan.
A total of 13 90-minute episodes are planned, divided into three parts. The first chapter, which is almost done filming, lasts five episodes and will have the First Sino-Japanese War as its climax. It will air on Sundays at 8:00pm, from November 29 to December 27. The drama will then continue with a 4-episode chapter in fall 2010, and another 4-episode chapter in fall 2011.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (2:20am EST)
Kinema Junpo has just announced its Best Ten lists and awards for 2008. At the top of the rankings was Yojiro Takita's "Okuribito," which has already picked up numerous awards for the year. It also won for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor.
Domestic films:
Best Director: Yojiro Takita
Best Screenplay: Kundo Koyama
Best Actor: Masahiro Motoki
Best Actress: Kyoko Koizumi
Best Supporting Actor: Masato Sakai
Best Supporting Actress: Kirin Kiki
Best New Actor: Kai Inowaki
Best New Actress: Haruna Amari
Best Foreign Film Director: Sidney Lumet, Sean Penn
Best Cultural Film: Aa Manmo Kaitakudan
Kinema Junpo will hold its awards ceremony on February 18 at the Ginza Blossom.
Domestic films:
- Okuribito
- Gururi no Koto
- United Red Army
- Tokyo Sonata
- Aruitemo Aruitemo
- Yami no Kodomotachi
- Kaabee
- Climber's High
- Seppun
- After School
- No Country for Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
- The Dark Knight
- Into the Wild
- Lust, Caution (tie with Into the Wild)
- Eastern Promises
- Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
- Exiled
- Atonement
- Aleksandra
Best Director: Yojiro Takita
Best Screenplay: Kundo Koyama
Best Actor: Masahiro Motoki
Best Actress: Kyoko Koizumi
Best Supporting Actor: Masato Sakai
Best Supporting Actress: Kirin Kiki
Best New Actor: Kai Inowaki
Best New Actress: Haruna Amari
Best Foreign Film Director: Sidney Lumet, Sean Penn
Best Cultural Film: Aa Manmo Kaitakudan
Kinema Junpo will hold its awards ceremony on February 18 at the Ginza Blossom.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (1:47am EST)
On Thursday, NHK revealed that its 81st Asadora will be called "Werukame" (romanized as "Welcame" in NHK's announcement). The story will take place in Tokushima, last used as an Asadora setting in 1980. Atsuko Sagara ("Battery") is in charge of the script.
The story is a comical youth drama about a woman who was born and raised in a minshuku (a type of inn). She leaves for Tokyo to work for a magazine publisher, but is soon laid off. She winds up returning to her hometown, where she has to once again deal with her family and former acquaintances.
The show's title is derived from the words "welcome" and "kame" (turtle), as the turtle is a special symbol at the inn.
"Werukame" is scheduled to start on September 28. The female lead will be decided via audition in March and April.
The story is a comical youth drama about a woman who was born and raised in a minshuku (a type of inn). She leaves for Tokyo to work for a magazine publisher, but is soon laid off. She winds up returning to her hometown, where she has to once again deal with her family and former acquaintances.
The show's title is derived from the words "welcome" and "kame" (turtle), as the turtle is a special symbol at the inn.
"Werukame" is scheduled to start on September 28. The female lead will be decided via audition in March and April.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (1:21am EST)
On Thursday, newspapers reported that popular duo CHAGE and ASKA, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, are planning to break up in order to pursue solo careers. However, it appears that the news may be misinformed, as the announcement was officially denied by their agency the following day.
According to the initial reports, the duo were planning to make an official statement to their fan club at the start of next week. Several facts reinforced the plausibility of the news - in addition to this being their 30th anniversary (a perfect time for a breakup), the duo has not performed together since December 2007, and last year both of them were very active with their solo projects. They also have a best album scheduled for release on February 4.
On Friday, their agency addressed the reports with a statement on the group's official website. The agency said that there is no truth to the breakup, and that further details about CHAGE and ASKA's future activities will be revealed in a fan club newsletter at the end of this month.
According to the initial reports, the duo were planning to make an official statement to their fan club at the start of next week. Several facts reinforced the plausibility of the news - in addition to this being their 30th anniversary (a perfect time for a breakup), the duo has not performed together since December 2007, and last year both of them were very active with their solo projects. They also have a best album scheduled for release on February 4.
On Friday, their agency addressed the reports with a statement on the group's official website. The agency said that there is no truth to the breakup, and that further details about CHAGE and ASKA's future activities will be revealed in a fan club newsletter at the end of this month.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (12:55am EST)
It was rumored that the high-profile couple of Erika Sawajiri and Tsuyoshi Takashiro would formally register their marriage on New Year's Day, but it is now reported that the couple submitted their marriage registration on January 7. The pair will be holding their wedding at the Meiji Shrine on the 19th as planned.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (12:48am EST)
Actress Yumi Adachi (27) and comedian Jun Itoda (36) of the duo Speed Wagon are no longer married. Their agencies announced the separation to the media on Friday, saying that the divorce papers were submitted by the couple's lawyers on Thursday.
Adachi and Itoda married in September 2005 and gave birth to a daughter seven months later. It was frequently reported that the couple were having problems, and it appears that divorce talks started around last June.
No consolation money will be involved. Adachi has been given custody of their daughter.
Adachi and Itoda married in September 2005 and gave birth to a daughter seven months later. It was frequently reported that the couple were having problems, and it appears that divorce talks started around last June.
No consolation money will be involved. Adachi has been given custody of their daughter.
Fri, January 9, 2009 (12:25am EST)
Veteran actor Teizo Muta, known for playing the father in the 1970s "Ken-chan" drama series, passed away on Thursday night at a Tokyo hospital. He was 80.
Muta collapsed in the bathroom of his home on Thursday evening and was found by his family. He was taken to the hospital, but he died shortly after.
Born in 1928, Muta graduated from Hokkaido University and joined the Theatre Echo troupe. He made his television and film debut during the mid-1960s. Aside from "Ken-chan," he appeared in dozens of supporting roles, including parts in "3 Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei" and the taiga drama "Genroku Ryoran."
Muta was also very active as a volunteer worker in the Setagaya area of Tokyo, and in particular, he worked with ChildLine, a counseling hotline dedicated to children.
Muta collapsed in the bathroom of his home on Thursday evening and was found by his family. He was taken to the hospital, but he died shortly after.
Born in 1928, Muta graduated from Hokkaido University and joined the Theatre Echo troupe. He made his television and film debut during the mid-1960s. Aside from "Ken-chan," he appeared in dozens of supporting roles, including parts in "3 Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei" and the taiga drama "Genroku Ryoran."
Muta was also very active as a volunteer worker in the Setagaya area of Tokyo, and in particular, he worked with ChildLine, a counseling hotline dedicated to children.
