Thu, February 26, 2009 (11:25am EST)
Kaoru Hayano, a member of AKB48's Team K, is leaving the group at the end of its 4th Stage, "Saishuu Bell ga Naru." On AKB48's official blog, Hayano revealed that she is planning to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
Earlier this month, Hayano transferred to management agency Toyota Office, whose roster includes actor Shinsuke Aoki and actress Akiko Yada.
Earlier this month, Hayano transferred to management agency Toyota Office, whose roster includes actor Shinsuke Aoki and actress Akiko Yada.
Thu, February 26, 2009 (3:22am EST)
Singer Koji Tamaki (50) and actress Mariko Ishihara (45) have finally ended up together again. On Wednesday, they registered their marriage in the Ota ward of Tokyo, almost 24 years after their turbulent relationship became public.
Back in 1985, while Tamaki was married, it was discovered that the two were having an affair, which led to his divorce the following year. However, they broke up not long after that, and in Ishihara's autobiography that she published in 2006, she revealed that Tamaki had been guilty of domestic violence.
After their breakup, Tamaki went on through two more marriages, while Ishihara had several relationships with other big celebrities, including one marriage and divorce. But their romance was rekindled earlier this month when Ishihara visited Tamaki, worried about his chronic pancreatitis that has forced him to take a break from work.
Soon after their reunion, Tamaki proposed on Valentine's Day. Their marriage registration was filed only 11 days later, and they are already living together. There are currently no plans for a wedding reception.
Back in 1985, while Tamaki was married, it was discovered that the two were having an affair, which led to his divorce the following year. However, they broke up not long after that, and in Ishihara's autobiography that she published in 2006, she revealed that Tamaki had been guilty of domestic violence.
After their breakup, Tamaki went on through two more marriages, while Ishihara had several relationships with other big celebrities, including one marriage and divorce. But their romance was rekindled earlier this month when Ishihara visited Tamaki, worried about his chronic pancreatitis that has forced him to take a break from work.
Soon after their reunion, Tamaki proposed on Valentine's Day. Their marriage registration was filed only 11 days later, and they are already living together. There are currently no plans for a wedding reception.
Thu, February 26, 2009 (1:42am EST)
Distributor Shochiku announced on Wednesday that Yojiro Takita's "Okuribito" earned close to 100 million yen in the two-day period after it won Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.
"Okuribito" was named as the Academy Award winner on the 22nd (the 23rd in Japan). On February 23-24, the film made more than 95 million yen in box office revenue. It earned about 34 million yen on the 23rd and about 61 million yen on the 24th. Approximately 84,000 people watched the film in the two-day span.
Since September of last year, the film has grossed over 3.3 billion yen.
"Okuribito" was named as the Academy Award winner on the 22nd (the 23rd in Japan). On February 23-24, the film made more than 95 million yen in box office revenue. It earned about 34 million yen on the 23rd and about 61 million yen on the 24th. Approximately 84,000 people watched the film in the two-day span.
Since September of last year, the film has grossed over 3.3 billion yen.
Thu, February 26, 2009 (1:25am EST)
Singer Hanako Oshima (35) announced in her blog that she gave birth to her first son on February 17. Oshima, who is the daughter of actress Yukiko Kashiwagi and the late singer Kyu Sakamoto, has been married since 2006 to a Japanese man running a Brazilian jiu-jitsu dojo.
Oshima is scheduled to return to work with a concert on September 9.
Oshima is scheduled to return to work with a concert on September 9.
