Wed, May 20, 2009 (3:41am EDT)
With fears rising in Japan about the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, Avex has become the latest company to take major precautionary action. It announced on Tuesday that a total of six concerts by pop stars Ayumi Hamasaki, Ai Otsuka, and Kumi Koda have been canceled in the Kansai region.
Cases of swine flu were recently confirmed in Osaka and Kobe, and the number has risen to almost 200 people. Thousands of schools in the Osaka and Hyogo prefectures have closed for the week in an effort to slow the spread. Due to the heightened concern, major music artists are calling off shows that have been scheduled for those areas.
Earlier this week, Johnny's Jimusho announced the cancellation of four Osaka performances on May 23-24 by the Kansai Johnny's Jr. group. However, Avex's move on Tuesday was the biggest so far, with the total attendance of those six shows anticipated to be roughly 48,000 people. Hamasaki was scheduled to perform at Osaka-jo Hall on May 20-21 followed by Otsuka on May 23-24, while Koda was to perform at Kobe's World Hall on May 23-24.
Initially, Avex had planned to hold the concerts, requiring fans to disinfect their hands upon entry and equipping the facilities with mouthwash and masks. However, the company ultimately decided that it would be unable to adequately make the venues safe for so many people.
Avex is currently looking into the possibility of setting new dates for the concerts.
Cases of swine flu were recently confirmed in Osaka and Kobe, and the number has risen to almost 200 people. Thousands of schools in the Osaka and Hyogo prefectures have closed for the week in an effort to slow the spread. Due to the heightened concern, major music artists are calling off shows that have been scheduled for those areas.
Earlier this week, Johnny's Jimusho announced the cancellation of four Osaka performances on May 23-24 by the Kansai Johnny's Jr. group. However, Avex's move on Tuesday was the biggest so far, with the total attendance of those six shows anticipated to be roughly 48,000 people. Hamasaki was scheduled to perform at Osaka-jo Hall on May 20-21 followed by Otsuka on May 23-24, while Koda was to perform at Kobe's World Hall on May 23-24.
Initially, Avex had planned to hold the concerts, requiring fans to disinfect their hands upon entry and equipping the facilities with mouthwash and masks. However, the company ultimately decided that it would be unable to adequately make the venues safe for so many people.
Avex is currently looking into the possibility of setting new dates for the concerts.
Wed, May 20, 2009 (2:55am EDT)
The Heisei era of popular tokusatsu franchise "Kamen Rider" is currently in its tenth year, having restarted in 2000 after being off the air for over a decade. To celebrate the milestone, the franchise is getting a stage show and its first "musical" next month.
"MASKED RIDER LIVE & SHOW ~Junensai~" is a two-day event, taking place on June 28-29 at the Tokyo International Forum. The first day will feature appearances by "Kamen Rider Decade" actors Masahiro Inoue, Ryota Murai, Kanna Mori, Kimito Totani, and others, with talk and video segments covering the franchise's past 10 years.
The second day will have a concert bringing together theme song artists from past series, including m.c.A.T, Masayuki Tanaka, Keiko Terada, Rica Matsumoto, and RIDER CHIPS. That same day will also have the "dance battle musical" with performances by past Riders, such as Kuuga, Agito, and Den-O.
"MASKED RIDER LIVE & SHOW ~Junensai~" is a two-day event, taking place on June 28-29 at the Tokyo International Forum. The first day will feature appearances by "Kamen Rider Decade" actors Masahiro Inoue, Ryota Murai, Kanna Mori, Kimito Totani, and others, with talk and video segments covering the franchise's past 10 years.
The second day will have a concert bringing together theme song artists from past series, including m.c.A.T, Masayuki Tanaka, Keiko Terada, Rica Matsumoto, and RIDER CHIPS. That same day will also have the "dance battle musical" with performances by past Riders, such as Kuuga, Agito, and Den-O.
Wed, May 20, 2009 (2:22am EDT)
A flood of new releases took over the music charts this past week, but Morning Musume emerged victorious on the single rankings with their 39th single, "Shouganai Yume Oibito." It sold close to 48,000 copies to give the group their first #1 since "Aruiteru" in November 2006.
"Shouganai Yume Oibito" marks Morning Musume's 11th chart-topper, extending the record that they hold among female groups. It is also the first one for the group's 8th generation members Aika Mitsui, Junjun, and Linlin.
The newest song by w-inds. came closest at #2, followed by Yuzuguren (Yuzu and Kimaguren), VAMPS, and a collaboration between Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu. Also in the top ten were The Alfee (#6), Mika Nakashima (#8), and Kiyoharu (#10).
Meanwhile, "21st Century Breakdown" by American rock band Green Day sold 60,000 to rank 1st on the album chart. Masayoshi Yamazaki made #2 at about half that number. Nightmare, Rin Toshite Shigure, and BONNIE PINK rounded out the top five. tacica (#9) and Korean group SS501 (#10) also had new releases in the top ten.
On the DVD rankings, Ayumi Hamasaki's "PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008－2009 A" was #1 overall with 44,000 copies sold. Although this is her fifth music DVD to top the overall charts, her last one was "evolution" back in 2001.
"Shouganai Yume Oibito" marks Morning Musume's 11th chart-topper, extending the record that they hold among female groups. It is also the first one for the group's 8th generation members Aika Mitsui, Junjun, and Linlin.
The newest song by w-inds. came closest at #2, followed by Yuzuguren (Yuzu and Kimaguren), VAMPS, and a collaboration between Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu. Also in the top ten were The Alfee (#6), Mika Nakashima (#8), and Kiyoharu (#10).
Meanwhile, "21st Century Breakdown" by American rock band Green Day sold 60,000 to rank 1st on the album chart. Masayoshi Yamazaki made #2 at about half that number. Nightmare, Rin Toshite Shigure, and BONNIE PINK rounded out the top five. tacica (#9) and Korean group SS501 (#10) also had new releases in the top ten.
On the DVD rankings, Ayumi Hamasaki's "PREMIUM COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008－2009 A" was #1 overall with 44,000 copies sold. Although this is her fifth music DVD to top the overall charts, her last one was "evolution" back in 2001.
Wed, May 20, 2009 (1:42am EDT)
This Saturday, the drama series "MR.BRAIN," starring SMAP's Takuya Kimura, will premiere on TBS. The cast already includes several other popular stars, such as Haruka Ayase and Hiro Mizushima, but during a recent press event it was announced that each episode will also feature big-name guests.
Last week, it was revealed that KAT-TUN's Kazuya Kamenashi is scheduled to appear in the show's third episode. Now, it is known that the first episode will have appearances by Ebizo Ichikawa, Ryoko Hirosue, and others, while the second episode will bring on musician Gackt.
TBS is hoping to draw very high ratings for the series, which airs in the network's Saturday night time slot.
Last week, it was revealed that KAT-TUN's Kazuya Kamenashi is scheduled to appear in the show's third episode. Now, it is known that the first episode will have appearances by Ebizo Ichikawa, Ryoko Hirosue, and others, while the second episode will bring on musician Gackt.
TBS is hoping to draw very high ratings for the series, which airs in the network's Saturday night time slot.
Wed, May 20, 2009 (1:24am EDT)
Manami Oku (13), the youngest member of AKB48's Team K, is currently taking a break from performances due to pains in her knees. Her condition was announced during a Team K show on Monday.
Oku is suffering from the common Osgood-Schlatter disease, a growth-related condition that generally affects children who are active in sports and other physical activities. Due to her dancing as part of AKB48, Oku was susceptible to the disorder.
According to her doctor, Oku should be able to return to performing after about a month of rest. Details about her comeback will be announced in the future through the group's official site.
Oku is suffering from the common Osgood-Schlatter disease, a growth-related condition that generally affects children who are active in sports and other physical activities. Due to her dancing as part of AKB48, Oku was susceptible to the disorder.
According to her doctor, Oku should be able to return to performing after about a month of rest. Details about her comeback will be announced in the future through the group's official site.
