Sat, May 2, 2009 (3:37pm EDT)
Erina Hashiguchi (12), also known by the nickname "Eri~na," will be graduating from the idol group Canary Club. An announcement by Tsunku on the NICE GIRL Project! website revealed that her last performance will be on June 14.
Hashiguchi has been part of the group since its debut over 2 years ago. It has now been decided that she will focus on acting, on stage and on screen. However, she will still be affiliated with NICE GIRL Project, so she is expected to participate in some concerts and will probably continue singing as a solo artist or as part of another group.
After Hashiguchi's graduation, Canary Club will be reduced to 7 members. The group lost another member, Riho Sugiura (17), this past January.
Hashiguchi has been part of the group since its debut over 2 years ago. It has now been decided that she will focus on acting, on stage and on screen. However, she will still be affiliated with NICE GIRL Project, so she is expected to participate in some concerts and will probably continue singing as a solo artist or as part of another group.
After Hashiguchi's graduation, Canary Club will be reduced to 7 members. The group lost another member, Riho Sugiura (17), this past January.
Sat, May 2, 2009 (3:22pm EDT)
Actor Yo Oizumi (36) announced on Saturday that he is now married. His wife is Kumiko Nakajima (39), a producer for Fuji TV's drama production center. They submitted their marriage registration earlier that day.
In a fax sent out by Oizumi, he revealed that his relationship with Nakajima started early last year when they were both involved in the Fuji TV drama series "Loss Time Life." After the pair got engaged, they decided to wait until after Oizumi's acting group TEAM NACS finished a nationwide tour that started in February and ended on April 29.
According to Oizumi's management, he has no plans to hold a press conference regarding the marriage.
In a fax sent out by Oizumi, he revealed that his relationship with Nakajima started early last year when they were both involved in the Fuji TV drama series "Loss Time Life." After the pair got engaged, they decided to wait until after Oizumi's acting group TEAM NACS finished a nationwide tour that started in February and ended on April 29.
According to Oizumi's management, he has no plans to hold a press conference regarding the marriage.
Sat, May 2, 2009 (3:01pm EDT)
Rock musician Kiyoshiro Imawano has just passed away at the age of 58. He died at 12:51am on May 2, after a battle with cancer that started three years ago.
In July 2006, Imawano was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx, and after undergoing treatment he was able to make a comeback at the end of 2007. Later that year, it was discovered that the cancer had spread, once again halting his career. However, medical treatment was unable to stop the cancer, and it ultimately spread throughout his lymphatic system.
Imawano started his career as the vocalist of influential rock band RC Succession. The group went on indefinite hiatus in 1991, and Imawano continued as a solo artist. He was also active as a lyricist, composer, producer, and actor.
In July 2006, Imawano was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx, and after undergoing treatment he was able to make a comeback at the end of 2007. Later that year, it was discovered that the cancer had spread, once again halting his career. However, medical treatment was unable to stop the cancer, and it ultimately spread throughout his lymphatic system.
Imawano started his career as the vocalist of influential rock band RC Succession. The group went on indefinite hiatus in 1991, and Imawano continued as a solo artist. He was also active as a lyricist, composer, producer, and actor.
Sat, May 2, 2009 (2:13am EDT)
It was first discovered last year that movie studio Vertigo Entertainment was working on a movie remake of the popular "Death Note" manga series, which was turned into three live-action films in Japan. Now, it has been revealed that Warner Bros. has acquired the film adaptation rights.
Screenwriters Vlas and Charles Parlapanides were initially attached to the project with Vertigo, and they are still in charge of the script. Vertigo remains involved on the production side.
It is still not known when the film is expected to be released, and no director or cast members have been announced yet.
Screenwriters Vlas and Charles Parlapanides were initially attached to the project with Vertigo, and they are still in charge of the script. Vertigo remains involved on the production side.
It is still not known when the film is expected to be released, and no director or cast members have been announced yet.
Sat, May 2, 2009 (2:01am EDT)
Singer May J. (20) is making her debut as a fashion model. She will appear in the first catalog of fashion brand Sugar Russh, which just launched in March. Targeted towards females in their late teens and early
20s, the brand covers the sweet (Sugar) and fierce (Rush) sides of women. The multilingual singer was said to fit the brand's concept well.
May J., who is currently a host on NHK's "J-Melo," said that she has long been interested in fashion and someday wanted to try out modeling. With this, she has finally achieved her dream.
Later this month, May J. is releasing the album "FAMILY," her first since switching to the Rhythm Zone label. The album includes a cover of the 1999 song "GARDEN" by Sugar Soul and Kenji. May J.'s version is a collaboration with DJ KAORI, Diggy-MO', and Clench & Blistah. The chaku-uta of the song ranked #3 on Recochoku's weekly charts.
May J., who is currently a host on NHK's "J-Melo," said that she has long been interested in fashion and someday wanted to try out modeling. With this, she has finally achieved her dream.
Later this month, May J. is releasing the album "FAMILY," her first since switching to the Rhythm Zone label. The album includes a cover of the 1999 song "GARDEN" by Sugar Soul and Kenji. May J.'s version is a collaboration with DJ KAORI, Diggy-MO', and Clench & Blistah. The chaku-uta of the song ranked #3 on Recochoku's weekly charts.
Sat, May 2, 2009 (12:39am EDT)
Actress Hiromi Nagasaku (38) recently tied the knot, it was learned on Friday. Her husband is Maro Naito (39), a writer for television and film who also directs commercials. They registered the marriage on April 27.
The couple met about four years ago when they both worked on a TV commercial, and they began dating about a year and a half ago. They are already living together.
Nagasaku was a member of the idol group Ribbon in the late '80s and early '90s. She seriously entered acting in 1993 and has since then appeared in many films and dramas. One of her best recognized roles was in the 2007 movie "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero," for which she won multiple Best Supporting Actress awards.
The couple met about four years ago when they both worked on a TV commercial, and they began dating about a year and a half ago. They are already living together.
Nagasaku was a member of the idol group Ribbon in the late '80s and early '90s. She seriously entered acting in 1993 and has since then appeared in many films and dramas. One of her best recognized roles was in the 2007 movie "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero," for which she won multiple Best Supporting Actress awards.
Sat, May 2, 2009 (12:05am EDT)
Hikaru Utada will be making several in-store appearances in the U.S. to promote the CD release of her new album, "This Is The One."　The first will be in New York on May 12, the day the album goes on sale. She will then visit Universal City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu. More information is available on her official website.
