Sun, May 10, 2009 (11:13pm EDT)
On Mother's Day, the management agency of actress Yoko Maki (26) announced that she has entered motherhood. She gave birth to a daughter, though the actual date of the delivery was not revealed.
Maki got married in November to former actor Reo Katayama (27), whom she had been dating for about three years. She was in her third month of pregnancy at the time. It is not yet known when Maki will resume work, but she has previously said that she hopes to return as quickly as possible.
Maki got married in November to former actor Reo Katayama (27), whom she had been dating for about three years. She was in her third month of pregnancy at the time. It is not yet known when Maki will resume work, but she has previously said that she hopes to return as quickly as possible.
Sun, May 10, 2009 (10:25pm EDT)
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, rock band THE BOOM has announced a tribute album that will go on sale July 22. Titled "THE BOOM 20th SPECIAL COVER ALBUM," it will contain 22 songs by a wide variety of artists.
Although the complete tracklist is still unknown, the participating musicians have been revealed. The roster includes Kazumasa Oda, Tamio Okuda, Ayaka, Kimaguren, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, BEGIN, MONGOL800, and more.
THE BOOM debuted in 1989 but went on hiatus in 2006. They resumed activities last year in preparation for their 20th anniversary, and they already have plans for a new single and album. The single, "Yume Kara Samete / All of Everything," goes on sale the same day as the cover album. Their new original album will follow sometime in the fall.
Although the complete tracklist is still unknown, the participating musicians have been revealed. The roster includes Kazumasa Oda, Tamio Okuda, Ayaka, Kimaguren, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, BEGIN, MONGOL800, and more.
THE BOOM debuted in 1989 but went on hiatus in 2006. They resumed activities last year in preparation for their 20th anniversary, and they already have plans for a new single and album. The single, "Yume Kara Samete / All of Everything," goes on sale the same day as the cover album. Their new original album will follow sometime in the fall.
Sun, May 10, 2009 (6:00am EDT)
Johnny's Jr. member Shintaro Morimoto (11) has been given his first role in a movie. He will play the lead in Shochiku's "Snow Prince: Kinjirareta Koi no Melody," directed by Joji Matsuoka ("Tokyo Tower").
The movie uses an original script by Kundo Koyama, who wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning "Okuribito" ("Departures"). The story is set in a poor village during the early Showa era, and Morimoto plays a young boy who has lost both parents. The heroine is being played by Marino Kuwajima (11), while the rest of the cast includes Teruyuki Kagawa, Rei Dan, Maiko, Katsuo Nakamura, and Tadanobu Asano.
"Snow Prince" is scheduled to be released in December. So far, film distributors from 17 other countries have already sent offers, making it very likely that the picture will see a wide international release.
The movie uses an original script by Kundo Koyama, who wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award-winning "Okuribito" ("Departures"). The story is set in a poor village during the early Showa era, and Morimoto plays a young boy who has lost both parents. The heroine is being played by Marino Kuwajima (11), while the rest of the cast includes Teruyuki Kagawa, Rei Dan, Maiko, Katsuo Nakamura, and Tadanobu Asano.
"Snow Prince" is scheduled to be released in December. So far, film distributors from 17 other countries have already sent offers, making it very likely that the picture will see a wide international release.
Sun, May 10, 2009 (4:48am EDT)
Thai singer May (19) has been accepted into Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies. She will begin attending classes this September.
May is one half of the electropop/house duo Sweet Vacation, which made their major label debut in Japan last August. She is currently enrolled at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, but she will be taking a break from the school to move to Japan in June so that she can continue her education at Waseda.
In addition to being fluent in Thai and Japanese, May is also proficient in English, scoring a 637 out of a possible 677 on the TOEFL. Her courses will be taught in English at Waseda's School of International Liberal Studies, where many other celebrities are enrolled, including singer JYONGRI (20).
With May's acceptance into Waseda, Sweet Vacation now represents two of Japan's top schools. The group's other member, Daichi Hayakawa (31), is a graduate of Tokyo University.
May is one half of the electropop/house duo Sweet Vacation, which made their major label debut in Japan last August. She is currently enrolled at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, but she will be taking a break from the school to move to Japan in June so that she can continue her education at Waseda.
In addition to being fluent in Thai and Japanese, May is also proficient in English, scoring a 637 out of a possible 677 on the TOEFL. Her courses will be taught in English at Waseda's School of International Liberal Studies, where many other celebrities are enrolled, including singer JYONGRI (20).
With May's acceptance into Waseda, Sweet Vacation now represents two of Japan's top schools. The group's other member, Daichi Hayakawa (31), is a graduate of Tokyo University.
