Fri, May 1, 2009 (7:33pm EDT)
Tokyo prosecutors have reached a decision to not indict SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. The conclusion came only eight days after Kusanagi was arrested for public indecency, when he was drunk and naked late at night in Hinokicho Park near Tokyo Midtown.
Prosecutors based the decision on the fact that Kusanagi exhibited remorse and had no prior offenses on record. The crime itself was one that normally does not result in arrest, but police had arrested Kusanagi after he resisted and refused to put his clothes back on.
Kusanagi has mostly remained at home since his release on April 24. He, his management, and other SMAP members have offered multiple public apologies. Although there have been lots of negative reactions among the press, politicians, and his corporate sponsors, his fans have largely been supportive, with one survey demonstrating that 92% of the public was sympathetic.
Following the incident, Kusanagi was quickly pulled from advertisements and his regular TV roles. According to his management at Johnny's Jimusho, Kusanagi will likely be coming back quickly based on the positive fan response. A decision will be made after discussions with all concerned parties, though no specific timeline has been set.
In particular, it has been stated that Takashi Yamazaki's movie "Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta," which stars Kusanagi and Yui Aragaki, will be released on September 5 as planned. PR for the film has currently been halted, but it appears that Kusanagi will soon be able to resume promotional activities.
Prosecutors based the decision on the fact that Kusanagi exhibited remorse and had no prior offenses on record. The crime itself was one that normally does not result in arrest, but police had arrested Kusanagi after he resisted and refused to put his clothes back on.
Kusanagi has mostly remained at home since his release on April 24. He, his management, and other SMAP members have offered multiple public apologies. Although there have been lots of negative reactions among the press, politicians, and his corporate sponsors, his fans have largely been supportive, with one survey demonstrating that 92% of the public was sympathetic.
Following the incident, Kusanagi was quickly pulled from advertisements and his regular TV roles. According to his management at Johnny's Jimusho, Kusanagi will likely be coming back quickly based on the positive fan response. A decision will be made after discussions with all concerned parties, though no specific timeline has been set.
In particular, it has been stated that Takashi Yamazaki's movie "Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta," which stars Kusanagi and Yui Aragaki, will be released on September 5 as planned. PR for the film has currently been halted, but it appears that Kusanagi will soon be able to resume promotional activities.
Fri, May 1, 2009 (6:03pm EDT)
The band LM.C was scheduled to attend this year's A-Kon convention in Dallas, Texas, on May 29-31, but that has now been canceled. Record label Pony Canyon announced on Thursday that all of its employees and artists have been prohibited from traveling overseas due to concerns about swine flu.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert level to phase 5, the second highest level. Until the WHO declares that things are safe, Pony Canyon plans to continue its suspension of traveling.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert level to phase 5, the second highest level. Until the WHO declares that things are safe, Pony Canyon plans to continue its suspension of traveling.
Fri, May 1, 2009 (5:30pm EDT)
It was officially announced on April 30 that singer Hiromi Iwasaki (50) and musical actor Takuya Kon (40) are now married. This is Iwasaki's second marriage.
Iwasaki and Kon first met when they performed together in a production of the musical "Les Miserables" in 1998. They have been living together for the past seven and a half years, and they registered their marriage on April 29. Because they share the same birthday, November 12, they submitted the papers at 11:12pm.
Iwasaki was previously married to a businessman from 1988 to 1995, and they had two sons, now aged 19 and 16. Both are being raised by their father.
Iwasaki and Kon first met when they performed together in a production of the musical "Les Miserables" in 1998. They have been living together for the past seven and a half years, and they registered their marriage on April 29. Because they share the same birthday, November 12, they submitted the papers at 11:12pm.
Iwasaki was previously married to a businessman from 1988 to 1995, and they had two sons, now aged 19 and 16. Both are being raised by their father.
Fri, May 1, 2009 (2:48am EDT)
With only two days to go before their Tokyo Dome concerts this weekend, rock band X Japan officially finalized their lineup on Thursday. They confirmed that bassist HEATH will indeed be participating, along with a newly added sixth member, SUGIZO.
In March, it was discovered that problems had arisen with HEATH's management agency, resulting in the cancellation of two Korean concerts and the delay of ticket sales for the Tokyo Dome shows. HEATH suggested that he leave the band in order to avoid further complications, but Yoshiki managed to persuade him to stay.
Along with the announcement of HEATH's participation, X Japan revealed that former LUNA SEA guitarist SUGIZO has been officially added to the band, as many predicted. SUGIZO has already been closely connected to Yoshiki through the supergroup SKIN that formed in 2007, and SUGIZO served as a support member for X Japan in their three reunion concerts at the Tokyo Dome in March 2008. He also attended a fan meeting at the start of April as a substitute for a sick Yoshiki.
In March, it was discovered that problems had arisen with HEATH's management agency, resulting in the cancellation of two Korean concerts and the delay of ticket sales for the Tokyo Dome shows. HEATH suggested that he leave the band in order to avoid further complications, but Yoshiki managed to persuade him to stay.
Along with the announcement of HEATH's participation, X Japan revealed that former LUNA SEA guitarist SUGIZO has been officially added to the band, as many predicted. SUGIZO has already been closely connected to Yoshiki through the supergroup SKIN that formed in 2007, and SUGIZO served as a support member for X Japan in their three reunion concerts at the Tokyo Dome in March 2008. He also attended a fan meeting at the start of April as a substitute for a sick Yoshiki.
Fri, May 1, 2009 (2:07am EDT)
ATSUSHI (30), a dancer for rock group Dragon Ash, attended an event on Thursday for the opening of his charity project "POWER of LIFE." During the event, he publicly acknowledged that he is dating talento YOU (44).
This is the first time that ATSUSHI has commented on the matter, ever since rumors of the relationship were first reported in 2006. ATSUSHI was asked if the couple has plans for marriage this year, but he laughed it off and simply replied, "I don't know."
This is the first time that ATSUSHI has commented on the matter, ever since rumors of the relationship were first reported in 2006. ATSUSHI was asked if the couple has plans for marriage this year, but he laughed it off and simply replied, "I don't know."
Fri, May 1, 2009 (12:37am EDT)
Nikkan Sports has finished announcing the winners of its 12th annual reader-chosen Drama Grand Prix. The awards cover the period from April 2008 to March 2009, with the final nominees consisting of the top five from each season.
The TBS thriller "Maou" was voted Best Drama. Arashi leader Satoshi Ohno picked up the title of Best Actor, impressing fans with his acting in that series. Meanwhile, Best Actress was won by a wide margin by Aoi Miyazaki, who starred in the hit taiga drama "Atsuhime."
NEWS and Kanjani8 member Ryo Nishikido was the top choice for Best Supporting Actor, having played the violent and possessive boyfriend in Fuji TV's "Last Friends." Juri Ueno also picked up Best Supporting Actress for the same drama series.
The TBS thriller "Maou" was voted Best Drama. Arashi leader Satoshi Ohno picked up the title of Best Actor, impressing fans with his acting in that series. Meanwhile, Best Actress was won by a wide margin by Aoi Miyazaki, who starred in the hit taiga drama "Atsuhime."
NEWS and Kanjani8 member Ryo Nishikido was the top choice for Best Supporting Actor, having played the violent and possessive boyfriend in Fuji TV's "Last Friends." Juri Ueno also picked up Best Supporting Actress for the same drama series.
