Ringo Shiina has announced the release of a new original album, the first under her name since "Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana" in 2003. Titled "Sanmon Gossip," the album is scheduled to go on sale June 24.

Shiina has mainly been active as part of the band Tokyo Jihen since 2004, though she has also done a couple collaborations under her name. And last year, she released multiple compilations in honor of the 10th anniversary of her music career.

"Sanmon Gossip" will reportedly include the songs "Ariamaru Tomi" (her new single coming out on May 27) and "Futaribocchi Jikan" (being used on NHK's "Minna no Uta" in June and July).

Gackt was scheduled to perform a concert in Korea on May 18, but he has now announced on his website that the show has been canceled for financial reasons. He had planned to play at Seoul's Olympic Hall with a setup similar to his Japanese tour that started in December.

According to Gackt's explanation, the sponsors of the concert have suddenly withdrawn their support due to the effects of the global recession.

Anime Expo 2009 announced on Thursday that famed musician and producer Tsunku will be attending this year's convention. Morning Musume was earlier announced as a musical guest, so Tsunku's attendance is not surprising, but Anime Expo has revealed that he will be participating in the AX Idol contest as a special judge.

The AX Idol event is a singing and voice acting competition held during the convention. Participant registration for the contest opened on the convention website today.

Anime Expo's press release can be found in the forums. The convention takes place on July 2-5 in Los Angeles.

Former Morning Musume members Hitomi Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa have been cast as co-stars in the upcoming stage production "Tokyo Alice."

The play is based on the popular josei manga of the same name by Toriko Chiya, currently being serialized in Kodansha's magazine Kiss. The story portrays the everyday lives of two OLs with different personalities. Ishikawa's character is an impulsive shopper, while Yoshikawa's character is the daughter of a well-to-do family. The cast also includes actress Sayaka Yoshino playing the part of a fortune teller, a character not found in the manga.

Rehearsals started on Thursday. Performances will be held at Tokyo's Space Zero from May 8 to May 17.

Singer Junichi Inagaki (55) has been married since last year, it was learned on Thursday. According to his agency, Inagaki registered the marriage last October and held a private wedding ceremony around the same time.

Inagaki's wife (45) is not in show business. This is his second marriage, as his first wife passed away in 2006.