Thu, April 23, 2009 (3:29am EDT)
American magazine People will soon be releasing its "100 Most Beautiful People" list, so Oricon has put together a small survey about "beautiful" Japanese celebrities. 1,000 men and women participated in the survey, which asked about both male and female celebrities.
The #1 answer for male celebrities was young actor Hiro Mizushima (25), though the survey was conducted just before he announced his marriage to singer Ayaka (21). Among female celebrities, the recently divorced Norika Fujiwara (37) was the #1 choice.
Men: Women:
The #1 answer for male celebrities was young actor Hiro Mizushima (25), though the survey was conducted just before he announced his marriage to singer Ayaka (21). Among female celebrities, the recently divorced Norika Fujiwara (37) was the #1 choice.
Men: Women:
Thu, April 23, 2009 (3:10am EDT)
The newest and supposedly final Zatoichi film, appropriately titled "Zatoichi The Last," had its main cast revealed earlier this week. When the film was first announced in March, it was known that SMAP's Shingo Katori would star as Zatoichi, but it was not yet public that Takashi Sorimachi and Satomi Ishihara are part of the supporting cast.
Sorimachi will be playing a key role as a close friend of the blind swordsman, while Ishihara takes on the part of Zatoichi's wife. Other cast members include Chieko Baisho, Youki Kudoh, Koichi Iwaki, Yoshio Harada, Kanzaburo Nakamura, and child actor Seishiro Kato.
Directed by Junji Sakamoto, "Zatoichi The Last" is planned for a 2010 release.
Sorimachi will be playing a key role as a close friend of the blind swordsman, while Ishihara takes on the part of Zatoichi's wife. Other cast members include Chieko Baisho, Youki Kudoh, Koichi Iwaki, Yoshio Harada, Kanzaburo Nakamura, and child actor Seishiro Kato.
Directed by Junji Sakamoto, "Zatoichi The Last" is planned for a 2010 release.
Thu, April 23, 2009 (2:41am EDT)
This week's issue of Josei Seven reports a possible romance between actor Kenichi Matsuyama (24) and actress Koyuki (32). The two are co-stars in the upcoming "The Legend of Kamui" movie adaptation, which hits theaters on September 19.
Earlier this month, Matsuyama and Koyuki had dinner at a sukiyaki restaurant with two of Matsuyama's friends. Afterward, they all went to the house of one friend, but Matsuyama later left with Koyuki to drive her back to her place. The Josei Seven article featured pictures of the pair in the car and walking together, and it is reported that they were seen eating together at a different restaurant back in January. According to one person involved in the filming of "The Legend of Kamui," Koyuki even made a bento for Matsuyama while on location.
Management on both sides have denied that the relationship is romantic, saying that the two are just good friends.
Earlier this month, Matsuyama and Koyuki had dinner at a sukiyaki restaurant with two of Matsuyama's friends. Afterward, they all went to the house of one friend, but Matsuyama later left with Koyuki to drive her back to her place. The Josei Seven article featured pictures of the pair in the car and walking together, and it is reported that they were seen eating together at a different restaurant back in January. According to one person involved in the filming of "The Legend of Kamui," Koyuki even made a bento for Matsuyama while on location.
Management on both sides have denied that the relationship is romantic, saying that the two are just good friends.
Thu, April 23, 2009 (1:42am EDT)
Last December, former AV actress Risa Coda (23) was given a suspended sentence after being found guilty of drug possession. She was later arrested again for the same offense, and on April 15, she was put on trial again.
In November, Coda and tennis player Joji Miyao (27) were both arrested for the use and possession of marijuana and stimulants. Coda, whose real name is Arisa Kikuchi, was originally given an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years. However, prosecutors argued that she resumed using the drugs just a month later, indicating the need for actual punishment.
The prosecution requested a 2-year prison term, but on Wednesday the judge delivered a sentence of 16 months.
During the hearing last week, it was learned that Coda is apparently engaged when her fiance gave testimony in court that helped show Coda's remorse. According to the testimony, the two had dated for a year when they were teenagers, and they got back together last December after Coda's first arrest.
In November, Coda and tennis player Joji Miyao (27) were both arrested for the use and possession of marijuana and stimulants. Coda, whose real name is Arisa Kikuchi, was originally given an 18-month sentence, suspended for three years. However, prosecutors argued that she resumed using the drugs just a month later, indicating the need for actual punishment.
The prosecution requested a 2-year prison term, but on Wednesday the judge delivered a sentence of 16 months.
During the hearing last week, it was learned that Coda is apparently engaged when her fiance gave testimony in court that helped show Coda's remorse. According to the testimony, the two had dated for a year when they were teenagers, and they got back together last December after Coda's first arrest.
Thu, April 23, 2009 (1:04am EDT)
The popular Fuji TV drama series "LIAR GAME" is coming back with a second season and a theatrical film. Based on a manga by Shinobu Kaitani, the show originally aired in 2007 and drew very strong ratings for its late-night time slot.
The psychological thriller starred rising youngsters Erika Toda (20) and Shota Matsuda (23). They will of course reprise their roles in the new productions. So far, the expected dates for the second season and the movie have not yet been decided.
On Thursday, Fuji TV launched a mobile-only site called Liar Game Project (LGP) that deals with the manga, drama, and the movie. Those who register can receive more information, and they will also be able to participate in a new "game" related to the story.
The psychological thriller starred rising youngsters Erika Toda (20) and Shota Matsuda (23). They will of course reprise their roles in the new productions. So far, the expected dates for the second season and the movie have not yet been decided.
On Thursday, Fuji TV launched a mobile-only site called Liar Game Project (LGP) that deals with the manga, drama, and the movie. Those who register can receive more information, and they will also be able to participate in a new "game" related to the story.
Thu, April 23, 2009 (12:46am EDT)
Model and musician Alexander Onizawa (21), better known as ALEX of the band ONE OK ROCK, will not be prosecuted, it was learned on Wednesday. Earlier this month, Onizawa was arrested for groping a female prep school student on a train.
On Wednesday, Onizawa and the woman managed to settle the matter out of court. However, this does not yet mean that ONE OK ROCK will return to normal, as Onizawa's management stated that his future activities with the band are still undecided.
Immediately after ALEX's arrest, ONE OK ROCK had to cancel a nationwide tour, as well as the release of their new single "Around the World Shonen" that was supposed to be used as the theme song in the drama series "God Hand Teru."
On Wednesday, Onizawa and the woman managed to settle the matter out of court. However, this does not yet mean that ONE OK ROCK will return to normal, as Onizawa's management stated that his future activities with the band are still undecided.
Immediately after ALEX's arrest, ONE OK ROCK had to cancel a nationwide tour, as well as the release of their new single "Around the World Shonen" that was supposed to be used as the theme song in the drama series "God Hand Teru."
Thu, April 23, 2009 (12:00am EDT)
SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (34) has been arrested for public indecency after causing a disturbance and running around naked in Hinokicho Park near Tokyo Midtown late on Wednesday night.
At around 3:00am on April 23, residents in that area notified police that a naked man was making a lot of noise in the park. Officers arrived to find a drunken Kusanagi, and after he refused to heed their warnings, they arrested him on the spot for public indecency. Kusanagi is said to have openly defied the officers, answering them with "What's wrong with me being naked?" According to police, a breath analysis test taken 5 hours after Kusanagi's arrest detected a BrAC of 0.8 mg/L, well over the legal limit.
Kusanagi has been part of the super-popular group SMAP since 1988. As he is one of the industry's biggest stars, the incident is likely to have a big impact. He is already being pulled from several advertisements, including commercials promoting Japan's transition to all-digital broadcasts by 2011.
One of the most recent reports says that he has lost his somewhat regular role on NHK's "PythagoraSwitch." Fuji TV will likely have the toughest decision to make, as Kusanagi is a regular on four of the network's popular shows.
Kusanagi also has a starring role with Yui Aragaki in the movie "Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta" (directed by Takashi Yamazaki). Filming has already wrapped up and the picture was scheduled for a September 5 release, putting distributor Toho in a difficult spot. TV Asahi is also considering their options, as it had planned to run some TV specials about the film on weekends from April 25 to May 18.
At around 3:00am on April 23, residents in that area notified police that a naked man was making a lot of noise in the park. Officers arrived to find a drunken Kusanagi, and after he refused to heed their warnings, they arrested him on the spot for public indecency. Kusanagi is said to have openly defied the officers, answering them with "What's wrong with me being naked?" According to police, a breath analysis test taken 5 hours after Kusanagi's arrest detected a BrAC of 0.8 mg/L, well over the legal limit.
Kusanagi has been part of the super-popular group SMAP since 1988. As he is one of the industry's biggest stars, the incident is likely to have a big impact. He is already being pulled from several advertisements, including commercials promoting Japan's transition to all-digital broadcasts by 2011.
One of the most recent reports says that he has lost his somewhat regular role on NHK's "PythagoraSwitch." Fuji TV will likely have the toughest decision to make, as Kusanagi is a regular on four of the network's popular shows.
Kusanagi also has a starring role with Yui Aragaki in the movie "Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta" (directed by Takashi Yamazaki). Filming has already wrapped up and the picture was scheduled for a September 5 release, putting distributor Toho in a difficult spot. TV Asahi is also considering their options, as it had planned to run some TV specials about the film on weekends from April 25 to May 18.
