Wed, October 21, 2009 (4:58am EDT)
Miyavi is scheduled to start the U.S. leg of his world tour later this month, but at least two of the scheduled performances have apparently run into problems.
LiveNation updated the listing for Miyavi's October 28 concert in New York, stating that it has been postponed. The show was to take place at The Fillmore, which currently has a listing for Lenny Kravitz on that night (rescheduled from October 15).
Meanwhile, STG Presents is listing Miyavi's October 25 concert in Seattle as canceled.
So far, there has been no official comment from either Miyavi or H.U.G. Incorporated.
UPDATE: Miyavi's official website has just announced that the whole tour is postponed.
LiveNation updated the listing for Miyavi's October 28 concert in New York, stating that it has been postponed. The show was to take place at The Fillmore, which currently has a listing for Lenny Kravitz on that night (rescheduled from October 15).
Meanwhile, STG Presents is listing Miyavi's October 25 concert in Seattle as canceled.
So far, there has been no official comment from either Miyavi or H.U.G. Incorporated.
UPDATE: Miyavi's official website has just announced that the whole tour is postponed.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (4:40am EDT)
On Tuesday, a special investigative division of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office arrested Masao Nakagawa (40), the president of Tokyo-based management agency Muse Communication. Nakagawa is suspected of evading approximately 92 million yen in taxes.
According to investigators, Nakagawa used made-up expenses and transferred money into other bank accounts in order to falsely reduce the company's reported income. Between 2004 and 2007, he is believed to have hidden approximately 300 million yen in earnings.
Established in 2002, Muse Communication primarily represents AV actresses and gravure idols.
According to investigators, Nakagawa used made-up expenses and transferred money into other bank accounts in order to falsely reduce the company's reported income. Between 2004 and 2007, he is believed to have hidden approximately 300 million yen in earnings.
Established in 2002, Muse Communication primarily represents AV actresses and gravure idols.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (4:25am EDT)
76-year-old actress Yoko Minamida passed away on Wednesday morning at a Tokyo hospital. She had been hospitalized since the weekend after an emergency operation for a brain hemorrhage, though she never regained consciousness.
Minamida is survived by her husband, actor Hiroyuki Nagato (75), whom she married in 1961. Nagato had held a press conference on Tuesday night to speak about the critical condition of his wife.
Minamida began her rise to popularity in the 1953 film "Juudai no Seiten," in which she co-starred with Ayako Wakao (75). Minamida joined Nikkatsu two years later, and shortly after that she played the heroine role in the film adaptation of Shintaro Ishihara's novel "Taiyou no Kisetsu," also known as "Season of the Sun." That movie was also her first time acting with Nagato.
In 1963, Minamida was named Best Supporting Actress in the Blue Ribbon Awards for her role in "Samurai no Ko." The next year, she and Nagato started a production company called Ningen Production, which helped launch her into television dramas.
Minamida gave up acting in 2006 after she began showing signs of dementia. She was hospitalized twice earlier this year, once for a stroke and once for a disturbance of consciousness. This past Saturday, she suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery, but she remained unconscious in intensive care up until her death on Wednesday.
Minamida is survived by her husband, actor Hiroyuki Nagato (75), whom she married in 1961. Nagato had held a press conference on Tuesday night to speak about the critical condition of his wife.
Minamida began her rise to popularity in the 1953 film "Juudai no Seiten," in which she co-starred with Ayako Wakao (75). Minamida joined Nikkatsu two years later, and shortly after that she played the heroine role in the film adaptation of Shintaro Ishihara's novel "Taiyou no Kisetsu," also known as "Season of the Sun." That movie was also her first time acting with Nagato.
In 1963, Minamida was named Best Supporting Actress in the Blue Ribbon Awards for her role in "Samurai no Ko." The next year, she and Nagato started a production company called Ningen Production, which helped launch her into television dramas.
Minamida gave up acting in 2006 after she began showing signs of dementia. She was hospitalized twice earlier this year, once for a stroke and once for a disturbance of consciousness. This past Saturday, she suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery, but she remained unconscious in intensive care up until her death on Wednesday.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (3:57am EDT)
On Tuesday, the 7th annual Kimono Award was presented at the Yokohama Arena. This year's winner was actress Aya Ueto (24), following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Reiko Takashima in 2008 and Rina Uchiyama in 2007.
The presentation ceremony was held jointly with a fashion show, which was highlighted by a performance from singer Yu Hayami (43). She appeared on stage along with her two daughters, ages 8 and 6.
The presentation ceremony was held jointly with a fashion show, which was highlighted by a performance from singer Yu Hayami (43). She appeared on stage along with her two daughters, ages 8 and 6.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (3:43am EDT)
Pop duo Da Bubblegum Brothers have announced their first album in 16 years. Consisting of Brother Tom and Brother Kone (formerly Brother Korn), the pair were a big part of the '80s pop scene but have mainly been doing solo work since the mid '90s.
Da Bubblegum Brothers officially resumed activity last December with the single "Daddy's Party Night." Their new album is titled "Da Bubblegum Brothers Show ~Taryoku Hongan~" and will go on sale November 25. The CD jacket features the two men in front of a sexy pair of legs, whose owner has now been revealed to be model Angelica Michibata (23).
Michibata is the younger sister of Jessica (25) and Karen (30), who are also well-known as models.
"Da Bubblegum Brothers Show" will include a new version of their hit "WON'T BE LONG," as well as collaborations with artists such as Masayuki Suzuki, Toshinobu Kubota, and Thelma Aoyama.
Da Bubblegum Brothers officially resumed activity last December with the single "Daddy's Party Night." Their new album is titled "Da Bubblegum Brothers Show ~Taryoku Hongan~" and will go on sale November 25. The CD jacket features the two men in front of a sexy pair of legs, whose owner has now been revealed to be model Angelica Michibata (23).
Michibata is the younger sister of Jessica (25) and Karen (30), who are also well-known as models.
"Da Bubblegum Brothers Show" will include a new version of their hit "WON'T BE LONG," as well as collaborations with artists such as Masayuki Suzuki, Toshinobu Kubota, and Thelma Aoyama.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (3:16am EDT)
KENCHI (30) and NAOTO (26), both members of the popular group EXILE, are making there drama debut in a mobile phone series on BeeTV.
The two will co-star in "Genryo Boxer," a comedy about a pro boxer (KENCHI), whose unstoppable appetite has kept him out of the ring as he never passes the weigh-in, and a younger boxer (NAOTO) who lays "traps" of food for him.
The series will start on BeeTV on November 1.
The two will co-star in "Genryo Boxer," a comedy about a pro boxer (KENCHI), whose unstoppable appetite has kept him out of the ring as he never passes the weigh-in, and a younger boxer (NAOTO) who lays "traps" of food for him.
The series will start on BeeTV on November 1.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (3:02am EDT)
Pop-rock band Aqua Timez released their first best album, "The BEST of Aqua Timez," last week. The collection ranked #1 on the weekly sales chart at more than 83,000 copies.
The album is the band's first to top the charts since they signed with a major label. However, they already achieved it once during their indie days, with the album "Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori." It was released in August 2005, but it didn't reach #1 until February 2006, just a couple months before their major label debut.
the pillows and Kome Kome Club also made the top ten this week with new albums, ranking #7 and #8, respectively.
On the singles chart, rock duo B'z took #1 with "MY LONELY TOWN," which sold close to 181,000 copies. This is their 43rd consecutive chart-topper, extending their record. They are also now tied again with SMAP and Ayumi Hamasaki for the record of 44 top ten singles.
Sukima Switch's new song landed at #2, followed by the new male idol group Shinsengumi Lien. Also near the top were The Gospellers (#5), Shoko Nakagawa (#6), The Birthday (#9), and a "Macross" single (#10).
The album is the band's first to top the charts since they signed with a major label. However, they already achieved it once during their indie days, with the album "Sora Ippai ni Kanaderu Inori." It was released in August 2005, but it didn't reach #1 until February 2006, just a couple months before their major label debut.
the pillows and Kome Kome Club also made the top ten this week with new albums, ranking #7 and #8, respectively.
On the singles chart, rock duo B'z took #1 with "MY LONELY TOWN," which sold close to 181,000 copies. This is their 43rd consecutive chart-topper, extending their record. They are also now tied again with SMAP and Ayumi Hamasaki for the record of 44 top ten singles.
Sukima Switch's new song landed at #2, followed by the new male idol group Shinsengumi Lien. Also near the top were The Gospellers (#5), Shoko Nakagawa (#6), The Birthday (#9), and a "Macross" single (#10).
Wed, October 21, 2009 (2:13am EDT)
"Crayon Shin-chan" creator Yoshito Usui passed away last month, but TV Asahi is already continuing with the anime series. The show resumed last week, but on October 23, it will also feature a new opening theme song, performed by talento Becky (25).
The tune is called "Hapi Hapi," with lyrics written by Becky herself. As a singer, Becky has already released several singles. Her debut song was "Soratobu Pokemon Kids" in 1999.
The tune is called "Hapi Hapi," with lyrics written by Becky herself. As a singer, Becky has already released several singles. Her debut song was "Soratobu Pokemon Kids" in 1999.
Wed, October 21, 2009 (1:27am EDT)
The popular band Mr.Children will be providing the theme song for the next "One Piece" movie, their first ever for an animated film.
Currently one of the most successful manga franchises, the comic is now in its 12th year of serialization. "One Piece Film: Strong World" is the franchise's 10th theatrical film. The manga's creator, Eiichiro Oda, supervised the movie's production, and he personally requested a song from Mr.Children.
The band accepted the offer this past February and finally finished the song at the end of September. Titled "fanfare," it will be released as a chaku-uta on November 16. No CD release date has been set yet.
"Strong World" opens in theaters on December 12.
Currently one of the most successful manga franchises, the comic is now in its 12th year of serialization. "One Piece Film: Strong World" is the franchise's 10th theatrical film. The manga's creator, Eiichiro Oda, supervised the movie's production, and he personally requested a song from Mr.Children.
The band accepted the offer this past February and finally finished the song at the end of September. Titled "fanfare," it will be released as a chaku-uta on November 16. No CD release date has been set yet.
"Strong World" opens in theaters on December 12.
