Sun, May 17, 2009 (10:34pm EDT)
The romance between actress Yuko Ito (35) and comedian Ken Watabe (36) has been over since last year, it was learned last week. The pair had been going out for more than three years and were thought to be nearing marriage, but they reportedly broke up about a year ago.
According to a source close to the couple, Ito and Watabe had grown apart due to their busy careers. Ito's agency confirmed that this was the case. Watabe's management also acknowledged the breakup later in the week.
According to a source close to the couple, Ito and Watabe had grown apart due to their busy careers. Ito's agency confirmed that this was the case. Watabe's management also acknowledged the breakup later in the week.
Sun, May 17, 2009 (9:54pm EDT)
One of Japan's top hosts will be making his CD debut this week. The 39-year-old Ryuji is currently the number-one host at the well-known Club Ai in Shinjuku. On May 20, his first single, "Kotsukigawa," will arrive in stores.
Ryuji says that after graduating from high school, his dream was to become a singer, but he wound up becoming a host. Despite being a non-drinker, he won over customers with his conversational and singing skills, propelling him to the top of the club's rankings.
Two years ago, Ryuji met the group Ketsumeishi through a TV show, and they reassured him that one can be successful in music at any age, as the group's four members are all in their thirties. As a result, Ryuji decided to make a demo CD and send it to people in the industry, and he was able to secure a deal with Victor Entertainment.
"Kotsukigawa" is a love song named after a river in Ryuji's native Kagoshima. It was composed by YANAGIMAN, who has done work Ketsumeishi and many other top artists. On May 19, one day before the CD's release, Ryuji will hold his first live performance in Shinjuku.
Ryuji says that after graduating from high school, his dream was to become a singer, but he wound up becoming a host. Despite being a non-drinker, he won over customers with his conversational and singing skills, propelling him to the top of the club's rankings.
Two years ago, Ryuji met the group Ketsumeishi through a TV show, and they reassured him that one can be successful in music at any age, as the group's four members are all in their thirties. As a result, Ryuji decided to make a demo CD and send it to people in the industry, and he was able to secure a deal with Victor Entertainment.
"Kotsukigawa" is a love song named after a river in Ryuji's native Kagoshima. It was composed by YANAGIMAN, who has done work Ketsumeishi and many other top artists. On May 19, one day before the CD's release, Ryuji will hold his first live performance in Shinjuku.
Sun, May 17, 2009 (7:46pm EDT)
Popular comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto (45), also known as Macchan of the duo Downtown, has tied the knot and will soon be a father. His agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo, announced the news on Sunday via a fax to the media.
In the past, Matsumoto has been linked to various actresses and singers. Yoshimoto's announcement described Matsumoto's wife as a non-celebrity and offered no further details, but newspapers are reporting that the woman is former talento Rin Ihara (26), who served as a weathercaster on NTV's "Zoom In!! SUPER" before she left show business around the end of last year.
The relationship between Matsumoto and Ihara was first discovered last July, when the two were spotted on a date at Nakano Broadway. According to one of Ihara's close friends, Ihara had already gotten engaged to Matsumoto at the time she left her management agency.
Yoshimoto revealed that Matsumoto's wife is pregnant, but did not mention when she is due to give birth. The date of the marriage was also not made public.
In the past, Matsumoto has been linked to various actresses and singers. Yoshimoto's announcement described Matsumoto's wife as a non-celebrity and offered no further details, but newspapers are reporting that the woman is former talento Rin Ihara (26), who served as a weathercaster on NTV's "Zoom In!! SUPER" before she left show business around the end of last year.
The relationship between Matsumoto and Ihara was first discovered last July, when the two were spotted on a date at Nakano Broadway. According to one of Ihara's close friends, Ihara had already gotten engaged to Matsumoto at the time she left her management agency.
Yoshimoto revealed that Matsumoto's wife is pregnant, but did not mention when she is due to give birth. The date of the marriage was also not made public.
Sun, May 17, 2009 (7:16pm EDT)
This December, actress Kumiko Aso (30) will appear in her first theater production. The play, titled "Murray Hill no Genei," is written and directed by actor/dramatist Ryo Iwamatsu.
Inspired by the American classic "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the story is set in New York on the eve of a financial crisis. It centers on a group of Japanese people living there, away from their homeland. Aso's romantic interest will be played by actor ARATA (34), also taking on his first stage role.
"Murray Hill no Genei" will be performed at the Honda Theater in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, from December 5 to December 27.
Inspired by the American classic "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the story is set in New York on the eve of a financial crisis. It centers on a group of Japanese people living there, away from their homeland. Aso's romantic interest will be played by actor ARATA (34), also taking on his first stage role.
"Murray Hill no Genei" will be performed at the Honda Theater in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, from December 5 to December 27.
Sun, May 17, 2009 (6:57pm EDT)
Actor Eisaku Yoshida has reopened his singing career, in honor of the 20th anniversary of his first single in 1989. His last release was 14 years ago, when he put out a best collection in 1995.
One of Yoshida's biggest hits was the 1990 single "Kokoro no Tabi," a cover of the song by the band Tulip. That led him to his first appearance on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen. In 1993, he had another hit with "Ima wo Dakishimete," which he co-released with Nobuko Sendo under the group name NOA. However, he put his singing on hold in 1995 when he went to the United States to seriously train as an actor.
Yoshida is returning with two simultaneous releases on August 5. One will be a self-cover of "Kokoro no Tabi," while the other will be a fan-selected best album titled "Yoshida Eisaku BEST." Fans are currently able to vote for their choices on the singer's official website.
One of Yoshida's biggest hits was the 1990 single "Kokoro no Tabi," a cover of the song by the band Tulip. That led him to his first appearance on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen. In 1993, he had another hit with "Ima wo Dakishimete," which he co-released with Nobuko Sendo under the group name NOA. However, he put his singing on hold in 1995 when he went to the United States to seriously train as an actor.
Yoshida is returning with two simultaneous releases on August 5. One will be a self-cover of "Kokoro no Tabi," while the other will be a fan-selected best album titled "Yoshida Eisaku BEST." Fans are currently able to vote for their choices on the singer's official website.
Sun, May 17, 2009 (3:21am EDT)
An internet survey taken among first-year junior high school students asked them to rank celebrities by the statement, "That person would be nice to have as a teacher." 500 boys and girls participated in the survey, conducted by the company Superweb.
For the female rankings, actress Haruka Ayase came in first, while Arashi's Sho Sakurai topped the rankings for the male category. Professional baseball player Ichiro was first in the athlete category.
Ayase recently played the role of a junior high school teacher in the hit movie "Oppai Volleyball." She barely beat out actress Yukie Nakama, who starred as a teacher in the drama series "Gokusen."
In the men's category, Shinsuke Shimada placed second while Ryuta Sato of "ROOKIES" ranked third. Swimmer Kosuke Kitajima came in second behind Ichiro in the athlete rankings.
The survey also included a politician category, led by Hideo Higashikokubaru. He was followed by Barack Obama and Junichiro Koizumi.
For the female rankings, actress Haruka Ayase came in first, while Arashi's Sho Sakurai topped the rankings for the male category. Professional baseball player Ichiro was first in the athlete category.
Ayase recently played the role of a junior high school teacher in the hit movie "Oppai Volleyball." She barely beat out actress Yukie Nakama, who starred as a teacher in the drama series "Gokusen."
In the men's category, Shinsuke Shimada placed second while Ryuta Sato of "ROOKIES" ranked third. Swimmer Kosuke Kitajima came in second behind Ichiro in the athlete rankings.
The survey also included a politician category, led by Hideo Higashikokubaru. He was followed by Barack Obama and Junichiro Koizumi.
