Wed, May 13, 2009 (3:34am EDT)
The popular 12-member group CRAZY KEN BAND has finally signed with a major record label, about 12 years since its formation. The band will release a new song called "Girlfriend" under Universal Music on July 22.
Led by Ken Yokoyama, the group has consistently released singles and albums since their debut, with several making the top ten on the weekly charts. Their biggest hit was "Tiger & Dragon," originally released in 2002 and re-released in 2005 when it was used as the theme song to the TBS drama series of the same name.
CRAZY KEN BAND opened talks with Universal in June of last year. The label eventually decided to establish a private sublabel called Double Joy International to house the group.
Along with their debut, they will kick off a 10-city tour on June 6. And on September 12, they will hold a large outdoor festival in Yokohama.
Led by Ken Yokoyama, the group has consistently released singles and albums since their debut, with several making the top ten on the weekly charts. Their biggest hit was "Tiger & Dragon," originally released in 2002 and re-released in 2005 when it was used as the theme song to the TBS drama series of the same name.
CRAZY KEN BAND opened talks with Universal in June of last year. The label eventually decided to establish a private sublabel called Double Joy International to house the group.
Along with their debut, they will kick off a 10-city tour on June 6. And on September 12, they will hold a large outdoor festival in Yokohama.
Wed, May 13, 2009 (2:51am EDT)
Tackey & Tsubasa member Hideaki Takizawa released his second solo single last week, titled "Sha La La / Mugen no Hane." It sold more than 46,000 copies, enough to rank #1 on the weekly charts. His first single, "Ai Kakumei," came out in January and also topped the charts.
Three other artists made the top ten with new singles: Kaela Kimura (#4), SOPHIA (#7), and May'n (#10).
Meanwhile, another Hideaki led the way on the album charts. At close to 31,000 copies, Hideaki Tokunaga's "WE ALL" barely beat out last week's #1 by Takeshi Tsuruno. The only other new music album to break the top ten was Hiroshi Tamaki's "Times..." at #9.
Three other artists made the top ten with new singles: Kaela Kimura (#4), SOPHIA (#7), and May'n (#10).
Meanwhile, another Hideaki led the way on the album charts. At close to 31,000 copies, Hideaki Tokunaga's "WE ALL" barely beat out last week's #1 by Takeshi Tsuruno. The only other new music album to break the top ten was Hiroshi Tamaki's "Times..." at #9.
Wed, May 13, 2009 (2:31am EDT)
The 6th Cotton USA Awards were held in Tokyo on Tuesday. The awards, designed to promote the cotton industry, are given annually to celebrities who possess cotton-like qualities such as "softness" and "freshness."
Meisa Kuroki (20) was selected as Miss Cotton, while Hitomi Kuroki (48) was named Mrs. Cotton. DAIGO (31) picked up the title of Mr. Cotton. This year, there was an additional "legend" category, which was given to the late actor Yusaku Matsuda.
Meisa Kuroki (20) was selected as Miss Cotton, while Hitomi Kuroki (48) was named Mrs. Cotton. DAIGO (31) picked up the title of Mr. Cotton. This year, there was an additional "legend" category, which was given to the late actor Yusaku Matsuda.
Wed, May 13, 2009 (1:50am EDT)
NHK has announced more cast details for its 2010 taiga drama "Ryomaden." Based on the life of the Edo-era figure Sakamoto Ryoma, the show was first revealed last year with actor/singer Masaharu Fukuyama starring as Sakamoto. Now it is known that actress Ryoko Hirosue will play the heroine as his first love.
Hirosue had a one-episode appearance in NHK's 2003 series "Musashi," but she has never had a recurring role in a taiga drama before.　Her character, Hirai Kao, was the sister of Sakamoto's friend, Hirai Shujiro.
The rest of the supporting cast includes Teruyuki Kagawa as Iwasaki Yataro, Tetsuya Takeda as Katsu Kaishu, and Katsumi Takahashi as Saigo Takamori. The series starts airing in January 2010.
Hirosue had a one-episode appearance in NHK's 2003 series "Musashi," but she has never had a recurring role in a taiga drama before.　Her character, Hirai Kao, was the sister of Sakamoto's friend, Hirai Shujiro.
The rest of the supporting cast includes Teruyuki Kagawa as Iwasaki Yataro, Tetsuya Takeda as Katsu Kaishu, and Katsumi Takahashi as Saigo Takamori. The series starts airing in January 2010.
Wed, May 13, 2009 (1:12am EDT)
Popular young actor Toma Ikuta (24) will star in a new movie directed by Genjiro Arato, the producer responsible for the award-winning "Zigeunerweisen" in 1980. The film is "Ningen Shikkaku," based on the Osamu Dazai novel of the same name. Also known in English as "No Longer Human," the book is generally considered to be Dazai's greatest masterpiece.
Ikuta has recently had major roles in several television series, but this role will actually be his first time appearing in a movie. Published in 1948, the semi-autobiographical "Ningen Shikkaku" was Dazai's last completed work before he successfully committed suicide. Despite selling millions of copies, the story has never been adapted to screen. However, this year is the 100th anniversary of Dazai's birth, prompting the decision to create a movie.
Filming starts in July, with a release projected for spring 2010.
Ikuta has recently had major roles in several television series, but this role will actually be his first time appearing in a movie. Published in 1948, the semi-autobiographical "Ningen Shikkaku" was Dazai's last completed work before he successfully committed suicide. Despite selling millions of copies, the story has never been adapted to screen. However, this year is the 100th anniversary of Dazai's birth, prompting the decision to create a movie.
Filming starts in July, with a release projected for spring 2010.
