Sun, January 25, 2009 (5:52pm EST)
Idol group AKB48 has announced on its official blog that Miki Saotome, a member of Team B, has been demoted to trainee status.
Saotome is said to have been "lacking in self-awareness" as a member of her team and of AKB48. That phrase is generally used to indicate some form of misconduct for an idol, such as having a boyfriend. However, the specific reasons in Saotome's case were not revealed.
The staff message on the blog also stated that there had been certain expectations for her with regard to improving her "self-awareness," but she had failed to meet those expectations. After some discussions regarding the issue, Saotome said that she wanted to try returning to the attitude she had when she first joined AKB48, and as a result, she has been kept on as a trainee member, with the hope of returning to the main group soon.
Saotome is said to have been "lacking in self-awareness" as a member of her team and of AKB48. That phrase is generally used to indicate some form of misconduct for an idol, such as having a boyfriend. However, the specific reasons in Saotome's case were not revealed.
The staff message on the blog also stated that there had been certain expectations for her with regard to improving her "self-awareness," but she had failed to meet those expectations. After some discussions regarding the issue, Saotome said that she wanted to try returning to the attitude she had when she first joined AKB48, and as a result, she has been kept on as a trainee member, with the hope of returning to the main group soon.
Sun, January 25, 2009 (12:12pm EST)
Eiji Wentz of WaT will be taking on an acting role in Yukio Ninagawa's stage production "Ame no Natsu, Sanjunin no Juliet ga Kaette Kita." Written by playwright Kunio Shimizu, the piece was originally performed in 1982.
The story focuses on a group of middle-aged people who dream of reviving a girls' opera troupe. A veteran cast has been assembled for the play, including Ran Ohtori, Kazuyo Mita, Ikko Furuya, and Tsubasa Makoto.
Amidst them is Wentz, the only one in his twenties and a relative rookie to theater. He is taking on a key role as a handsome youth fascinated by the troupe. His part includes some scenes with him dressing up as a woman.
Wentz was supposed to perform in Ninagawa's "Glass Mask" last summer, but he had to step down due to a scheduling conflict. If all goes well this time, he will perform in "Ame no Natsu" at the Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon from May 6 to May 30.
The story focuses on a group of middle-aged people who dream of reviving a girls' opera troupe. A veteran cast has been assembled for the play, including Ran Ohtori, Kazuyo Mita, Ikko Furuya, and Tsubasa Makoto.
Amidst them is Wentz, the only one in his twenties and a relative rookie to theater. He is taking on a key role as a handsome youth fascinated by the troupe. His part includes some scenes with him dressing up as a woman.
Wentz was supposed to perform in Ninagawa's "Glass Mask" last summer, but he had to step down due to a scheduling conflict. If all goes well this time, he will perform in "Ame no Natsu" at the Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon from May 6 to May 30.
Sun, January 25, 2009 (12:10pm EST)
With Japan's exam season approaching, Oricon conducted a survey last month asking high school girls which male celebrity they would want as a tutor. The #1 choice by a large margin was Arashi member and Keio graduate Sho Sakurai, whose intellectual side has earned him regular spots on news and variety shows.
#2 was comedian Fuminori Ujihara (of the duo Rozan), who has become a familiar face on quiz shows. The ever-popular Masaharu Fukuyama made #3 on the list, largely due to his good looks. Hiro Mizushima and Satoshi Tsumabuki rounded out the top five.
#2 was comedian Fuminori Ujihara (of the duo Rozan), who has become a familiar face on quiz shows. The ever-popular Masaharu Fukuyama made #3 on the list, largely due to his good looks. Hiro Mizushima and Satoshi Tsumabuki rounded out the top five.
Sun, January 25, 2009 (12:09pm EST)
On Wednesday, the Japan Jewellery Association held the presentation ceremony of its 20th annual Jewellery Best Dresser awards, as part of the festivities of the International Jewellery Tokyo exhibition.
As always, the recipients were chosen by age categories:
As always, the recipients were chosen by age categories:
- Riko Narumi (teens)
- Ryoko Hirosue (20s)
- Christel Takigawa (30s)
- Miki Maya (40s)
- Mari Natsuki (50s)
- Ryoko Moriyama (60s)
Sun, January 25, 2009 (3:15am EST)
Pop duo Puffy will be releasing an album on March 25 titled "PUFFY AMIYUMI x PUFFY." It will be a collection of covers, chosen from songs they have done for tribute albums and their own albums. The tracklist includes "Basket Case" by Green Day, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper, "Tenshi no Wink" by Seiko Matsuda, and "Nichiyoubi Yori no Shisha" by The High-Lows, as well as new material.
Puffy's official website also has a special page for viewing the PV of their upcoming single, "Hiyori Hime." Written and composed by Ringo Shiina, the song is set for release on February 25.
Puffy's official website also has a special page for viewing the PV of their upcoming single, "Hiyori Hime." Written and composed by Ringo Shiina, the song is set for release on February 25.
