Wed, April 22, 2009 (3:13am EDT)
EXILE once again proved their popularity this past week, even after doubling in size due to their recent merger with J Soul Brothers. Their new single, "THE MONSTER ~Someday~," picked up the #1 ranking with 172,000 copies sold. This far surpassed Kobukuro's "Niji," which came in at #2 with under 68,000 in sales.
GIRL NEXT DOOR was #3, barely beating °C-ute. Base Ball Bear also managed to make the cut into the top ten, landing at the bottom of the list with their new single.
On the albums chart, Kanjani8 led the way with "PUZZLE," selling 212,000 copies. This is their second consecutive #1 album, following up on 2007's "KJ2 Zukkoke Daidassou."
Yuko Ando's best album charted at #5, while Takuro Yoshida came in at #6 with "Gozenchu ni." For Yoshida, this is his first original album in close to 6 years, and it is his first release since moving to Avex. At just over 63 years old, Yoshida has now captured the record of oldest artist to release a top ten album, overtaking Kazumasa Oda.
Hikaru Utada is still #1 on the foreign albums chart, making this her fifth consecutive week. "This Is The One" has so far sold about 187,000 copies.
GIRL NEXT DOOR was #3, barely beating °C-ute. Base Ball Bear also managed to make the cut into the top ten, landing at the bottom of the list with their new single.
On the albums chart, Kanjani8 led the way with "PUZZLE," selling 212,000 copies. This is their second consecutive #1 album, following up on 2007's "KJ2 Zukkoke Daidassou."
Yuko Ando's best album charted at #5, while Takuro Yoshida came in at #6 with "Gozenchu ni." For Yoshida, this is his first original album in close to 6 years, and it is his first release since moving to Avex. At just over 63 years old, Yoshida has now captured the record of oldest artist to release a top ten album, overtaking Kazumasa Oda.
Hikaru Utada is still #1 on the foreign albums chart, making this her fifth consecutive week. "This Is The One" has so far sold about 187,000 copies.
Wed, April 22, 2009 (2:51am EDT)
Former talento Yukiko Shimizu was found dead on Tuesday afternoon at a cemetery in Shizuoka after apparently committing suicide. She was 49.
Shimizu was discovered by a cemetery staff member at around 1:30pm. She had collapsed in front of the tombstone of her father, who had died when she was 8 years old. Shimizu appeared to have killed herself by placing her head inside a black plastic bag containing a mixture of chemicals, including detergent and hydrogen sulfide. Her belongings, which identified her as Yukiko Shimizu, included a pair of suicide notes.
Shimizu's mother (80) was also nearby in a wheelchair. She is said to have been vaguely conscious. By the time an ambulance arrived, Shimizu's body was already experiencing rigor mortis, suggesting that she had been dead since about 5:00pm on Monday. Her mother was taken to a hospital, though her condition is reportedly fine.
The suicide is presumed to have been brought about by Shimizu's fatigue from tending to her mother, who has been fighting diabetes and kidney disease for the past 30 years, combined with failing eyesight. In 2006, Shimizu quit from her agency to devote herself to taking care of her mother. She completely retired from show business in 2007 and had started making ends meet with a part-time job at a clothing company.
First discovered on the '70s audition program "Star Tanjou!," Shimizu was perhaps best known for her debut single "Ogenki Desu Ka" in 1977. She was also part of the "Kin-chan Family," a group of celebrities led by comedian Kenichi Hagimoto (67).
Shimizu was discovered by a cemetery staff member at around 1:30pm. She had collapsed in front of the tombstone of her father, who had died when she was 8 years old. Shimizu appeared to have killed herself by placing her head inside a black plastic bag containing a mixture of chemicals, including detergent and hydrogen sulfide. Her belongings, which identified her as Yukiko Shimizu, included a pair of suicide notes.
Shimizu's mother (80) was also nearby in a wheelchair. She is said to have been vaguely conscious. By the time an ambulance arrived, Shimizu's body was already experiencing rigor mortis, suggesting that she had been dead since about 5:00pm on Monday. Her mother was taken to a hospital, though her condition is reportedly fine.
The suicide is presumed to have been brought about by Shimizu's fatigue from tending to her mother, who has been fighting diabetes and kidney disease for the past 30 years, combined with failing eyesight. In 2006, Shimizu quit from her agency to devote herself to taking care of her mother. She completely retired from show business in 2007 and had started making ends meet with a part-time job at a clothing company.
First discovered on the '70s audition program "Star Tanjou!," Shimizu was perhaps best known for her debut single "Ogenki Desu Ka" in 1977. She was also part of the "Kin-chan Family," a group of celebrities led by comedian Kenichi Hagimoto (67).
Wed, April 22, 2009 (1:54am EDT)
Comedienne Rie Kuwabata (33) from the duo Kuwabata Ohara is officially engaged, after three years of dating an automobile factory employee from the Chiba prefecture (31).
Apparently, the pair have known each other since 12 years ago when Kuwabata was a part-timer at an izakaya. They previously dated and broke up, but after a coincidental reunion 3 years ago, they got back together.
Kuwabata is known for her unattractiveness, but this news may finally bring an end to that reputation. Since last year, she has been popularizing the "core rhythms" diet, slimming her waist by roughly 20cm in the process, in an apparent effort to please her fiance.
She had been asking him to surprise her if he proposed, and that wish came true on Tuesday's broadcast of the new NTV variety show "Majotachi no 22ji," which was recorded a day earlier. Kuwabata's fiance made an unexpected appearance and proposed in front of the camera and audience. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday.
Apparently, the pair have known each other since 12 years ago when Kuwabata was a part-timer at an izakaya. They previously dated and broke up, but after a coincidental reunion 3 years ago, they got back together.
Kuwabata is known for her unattractiveness, but this news may finally bring an end to that reputation. Since last year, she has been popularizing the "core rhythms" diet, slimming her waist by roughly 20cm in the process, in an apparent effort to please her fiance.
She had been asking him to surprise her if he proposed, and that wish came true on Tuesday's broadcast of the new NTV variety show "Majotachi no 22ji," which was recorded a day earlier. Kuwabata's fiance made an unexpected appearance and proposed in front of the camera and audience. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday.
Wed, April 22, 2009 (1:10am EDT)
Multiple sources have confirmed that the Stockholm Japan Expo 2009 has been canceled. The event was scheduled to take place on May 22-24 in Stockholm, Sweden.
An official email was sent to ticket holders announcing the cancellation, explaining that it was the result of poor economic conditions and low ticket sales. Tickets are being refunded, and further information will reportedly be available on the official website next week. At the moment, the website has been taken offline.
Disappointed fans had been hoping to attend scheduled performances by Miyavi, Buono!, Demon Kogure, and BLOOD STAIN CHILD.
An official email was sent to ticket holders announcing the cancellation, explaining that it was the result of poor economic conditions and low ticket sales. Tickets are being refunded, and further information will reportedly be available on the official website next week. At the moment, the website has been taken offline.
Disappointed fans had been hoping to attend scheduled performances by Miyavi, Buono!, Demon Kogure, and BLOOD STAIN CHILD.
Wed, April 22, 2009 (12:49am EDT)
Maiko Yamamoto (30), an announcer on NTV's "Zoom In!! Saturday" and other shows, announced on Tuesday that she got married that day. Her husband is a 31-year-old director of rival network Fuji TV's drama production center.
NTV's public relations department sent a fax to the media regarding the news, and it was explained that Yamamoto plans to continue with her work. She has been employed by NTV since 2002. It was also clarified that Yamamoto is not pregnant.
Her husband is said to have previously worked in Fuji TV's news division, where he was among the top of his peers. As part of the drama production center, he has been involved in projects such as this season's "Majo Saiban" drama series.
NTV's public relations department sent a fax to the media regarding the news, and it was explained that Yamamoto plans to continue with her work. She has been employed by NTV since 2002. It was also clarified that Yamamoto is not pregnant.
Her husband is said to have previously worked in Fuji TV's news division, where he was among the top of his peers. As part of the drama production center, he has been involved in projects such as this season's "Majo Saiban" drama series.
Wed, April 22, 2009 (12:30am EDT)
Internationally known Japanese supermodel
Ai Tominaga (26) officially announced on her blog on Monday that she is now divorced after five years of marriage.
In 2004, Tominaga married a Japanese patissier living in Paris, and she gave birth to a baby boy in March 2005. According to Tominaga, friction between her and her husband had grown, and they eventually decided it was best for each of them to lead their lives separately.
Tominaga is taking custody of their son. Her agency commented that they have not heard anything about alimony payments.
In 2004, Tominaga married a Japanese patissier living in Paris, and she gave birth to a baby boy in March 2005. According to Tominaga, friction between her and her husband had grown, and they eventually decided it was best for each of them to lead their lives separately.
Tominaga is taking custody of their son. Her agency commented that they have not heard anything about alimony payments.
