MissMonika wrote:Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
December 20, 2006
Actor, SMAP member and Japan's No.1 heart throb Kimura Takuya (34) will not be accepting his nomination for a best actor prize at the 30th Japan Academy Awards. Kimutaku stars in "Bushi no Ichibun", the third in Yamada Yoji's trilogy of samurai movies. His decision means that the movie misses its chance to be represented in all 13 award categories. It is the first time an actor has refused a nomination, other than the rare occasion when it has conflicted with a work schedule. Johnny's Jimusho, which represents Kimura, said he "doesn't want to compete with other nominees". The agency also refuses its stars' nominations for Record Taisho awards as a matter of policy. "Bushi..." was only barely eligible for this year's awards, opening on December 1, the last day for which movies could be considered. It's been a big success, taking in over \1.7 billion at the box office. Several other of its stars have received nominations, including Dan Rei (35), Sasano Takashi (58), and Momoi Kaori (54). "Bushi..." is said to be Yamada's last samurai drama, despite the huge success of "Tasogare Seibei" (Twilight Samurai, 2003) and "Kakushi-ken: Oni no Tsume" (Hidden Sword: Demon's Talons, 2004).
bmwracer wrote:
Your boots need a pedicure. :hehe:
haha....hmm....seriously though i don't get the idea that a talent agency (i.e. Johnny's Jimusho) would force the withdrawal of a nomination for the Japanese Film Academy Awards.....
Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
January 8, 2007
Perhaps the biggest showbiz story over the New Year came from NHK's continuing struggle to revive its annual Kohaku Uta Gassen show on December 31. For several years, the show has seen its once-dominant audience ratings drop lower and lower despite ever-increasing appeals to younger TV viewers. Things were no better this year, with a live apology, the second-worst ever ratings, and tragedy striking the crew. The network was inundated with complaints about a naked DJ Ozma and his topless dancers - in fact, the singer was wearing a semi-realistic looking appendage and the girls were wearing costumes that made them look naked. But the fuss caused NHK to make an apology on air. The network later said they had not anticipated the incident as the performers had used different costumes in rehearsals, though it was the same performance Ozma had used during his recent nationwide tour. He and his dancers performed the same routine later that night on TBS, with no fuss. Meanwhile, tragedy struck earlier in the day, when a member of the NHK crew collapsed during final rehearsals. The 56-year old man had been filling the role of Olympic gold medalist Arakawa Shizuka during rehearsals when he collapsed. He died in hospital on New Year's Day.
• It's the standard practice for many Japanese celebrities to wind down from the hectic year-end schedule by spending a few days vacationing in Hawaii or other warmer climes over the New Year. Actress Fujiwara Norika (35) and comedian Jinnai Tomonori (32) returned yesterday from their short "pre-honeymoon" in Miami and were greeted by about 50 reporters at Narita Airport. The couple are set to have the biggest showbiz wedding of the year at Ikuta Jinja shrine in their hometown of Kobe on February 17. Already married are comedian Ogi Hiroaki (35) and Moriyama Naho (34), who were in Hawaii for a New Year honeymoon. Naho is the daughter of folk singer Moriyama Ryoko. Other celebrities in Hawaii included local ukelele player Jake Shimabukuro (30), who appeared on Kohaku, singer Koda Shin and comedians Kawada Hiroki, Ueda Shinya and Shibata Rie.
• Actress Kikuchi Rinko (26) has been nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for a Best Supporting Actress award for her role in gBabelh. The nomination follows similar recognition last month from the National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics Association.
• Popular actress Amami Yuki (39) and rock singer Kikkawa Koji (41) have split up. The pair had been dating since 2003, and their relationship became public in the summer of 2004. They are said to have grown apart and broke up on good terms. Though it's probably nothing to do with the split, Kikkawa is the only celebrity to have acknowledged his former relationship with actress Ishihara Mariko (42) following her publication late last year of a book about her romantic involvement with 13 famous stars. He's also the only one Ishihara says she thought she could have married.
Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
January 9, 2007
Yamamoto Mona (30) admits she was a "jackass"! The newscaster, forced to quit the TBS show "News23" in October following revelations of an affair with a married politician, continues to submit herself to humiliation as an act of repentance. She made her first public appearance yesterday since the scandal, taking on the role of "Jackass Japan Section Chief" in a PR event for the movie "jackass number two". Directed by Jeff Tremain and again starring Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera, the sequel continues to exploit the success of MTV's show based on crazy, dangerous and irresponsible behavior. In an effort to restart her career, Yamamoto is going along with the spin that her own lifestyle was similarly reckless. Her only TV appearance after leaving News23 was on Beat Takeshi's Ultra Quiz revival at the end of the year, on which she was the constant butt of jokes. "jackass..." opens on January 13.
• DJ Ozma is enjoying the benefit of his recent Kohaku scandal. The singer caused an uproar on the New Year's Eve song contest when he and his dancers appeared wearing costumes that, at a glance, made them seem naked. Hundreds of complaints flooded into NHK, who issued an apology. But the flamboyant Ozma has been totally unapologetic and his single "Age Age Every Kishi" has shot up the Oricon chart. It jumped from 107 to 42, the largest ever rise credited to the "Kohaku effect". Meanwhile, at No.1 on the singles chart is Mr. Children's "Shirushi". And on top of the album chart is Koda Kumi with "Black Cherry".
• Japan's ace pitcher threw his last baseball in public before he heads off to join the Boston Red Sox this week. Matsuzaka Daisuke (26) took part as a guest in an exhibition game between amateur teams on Sunday. Though his new MLB contract forbids him from playing elsewhere, he threw a ceremonial opening pitch to Ibaragi Golden Goals owner, comedian Hagimoto Kinichi. Matsuzaka wore a No.1 shirt for the Yokohama Samurai, who are based in his hometown. He was also roped in to throwing a closing pitch, this time to another special guest, veteran actor Watari Tetsuya. He leaves for the U.S. on Thursday. It's surely no coincidence that the date - 1/11 - is similar to the amount the Sox paid to negotiate with him - $51,111,111.11!
• Traditional dancer Hanayagi Juraku died from emphysema on Sunday at a Tokyo hospital. He was 88. Designated as a Living National Treasure in 1991, he was a leading figure in kabuki buyo who also choreographed dance performances abroad and by the Takarazuka theatrical troupe.
MissMonika wrote:Yamamoto Mona (30) admits she was a "jackass"! The newscaster, forced to quit the TBS show "News23" in October following revelations of an affair with a married politician, continues to submit herself to humiliation as an act of repentance. She made her first public appearance yesterday since the scandal, taking on the role of "Jackass Japan Section Chief" in a PR event for the movie "jackass number two". Directed by Jeff Tremain and again starring Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera, the sequel continues to exploit the success of MTV's show based on crazy, dangerous and irresponsible behavior. In an effort to restart her career, Yamamoto is going along with the spin that her own lifestyle was similarly reckless. Her only TV appearance after leaving News23 was on Beat Takeshi's Ultra Quiz revival at the end of the year, on which she was the constant butt of jokes. "jackass..." opens on January 13.
LOL.
And someone was just watching Jackass 2... :hehe: :hehe:
Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
January 10, 2007
Singer turned actress hitomi (30) avoided her usual sexy attire for the Japan premiere of the Tsukamoto Shinya movie "Akumu Tantei" (Nightmare Detective) yesterday. She wore a kimono for the event, attended by 2,000 fans, and looked every bit the ideal Japanese beauty. Giving her her first starring role and co-starring Matsuda Ryuhei (23), the movie was first shown at the Pusan Film Festival last October and is slated to open in 15 countries, including the U.S. and the U.K. Tsukamoto is said to be planning a series and may follow in the footsteps of other horror directors who have recently started working in Hollywood. Some 11 companies are interested in doing a remake. Akumu Tantei's plot reads like "Nightmare on Elm Street" meets "One Missed Call". Detective Kirishima Keiko (Hitomi) tries to recruit a mysterious man (Matsuda) who can enter people's dreams to help unravel unusual suicides whose victims are found to have dialled 0 on their mobile phones before their death. It opens here on January 13.
• Permanently bronzed singer Matsuzaki Shigeru (57) is a proud dad once again. He announced the birth of his third child yesterday at a PR event for the upcoming movie "Keitai Deka, The Movie 2". He provided songs for the movie's soundtrack, including the theme tune. His wife Hiroyo gave birth to their second daughter on January 4.
Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
January 11, 2007
The president of Toshiba EMI visited NHK twice this week to formally apologize for the scandal caused by DJ Ozma, who is with the label. Ozma's performance on the public network's Kohaku special on New Year's Eve featured the artist and his dancers in body suits that fooled many viewers into thinking they were naked. NHK was inundated with over 1,000 complaints and issued a rare on-air apology. Ozma himself - also known as Ayanokouji Sho, the frontman for popular "tsuppari" rock group Kishiden - has been unapologetic about the matter.
This bit of info will make News fangirls happy
• Popular Johnny's Jimusho group NEWS are officially back. The group went on a sabbatical last April after two separate incidents in which members Uchi Hiroki (20) and Kusano Hironori (18) were caught for underage drinking and "demoted" to "trainee" status. The former 9-member group is now down to six (Moriuchi Takahiro quit in 2003), and they made a long-awaited comeback appearance at the Johnny's Countdown on New Year's Eve. Over 200 reporters packed a press conference yesterday to hear them talk about their plans for the future and their relationship with the disgraced two former members. They are to release their 7th single, "Hoshi wo Mezashite", and will start a 19-date concert tour at the Yokohama Arena on February 17.
• Actor Matsuda Yoji (39) has been married since last October, it was realed yesterday. He and his bride Kayo (38), who runs a restaurant, plan to have a wedding ceremony in February. Matsuda is best known for his role in the TBS drama version of the hit 1983 movie "Kazoku Game", in which he played a high school boy home-tutured by rock musician Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi. He also narrated the voice of Ashitaka in the 1997 Studio Ghibli anime "Mononoke Hime" (Princess Mononoke). In recent years, he has worked mostly in theater.
MissMonika wrote:Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
January 11, 2007
This bit of info will make News fangirls happy
• Popular Johnny's Jimusho group NEWS are officially back. The group went on a sabbatical last April after two separate incidents in which members Uchi Hiroki (20) and Kusano Hironori (18) were caught for underage drinking and "demoted" to "trainee" status. The former 9-member group is now down to six (Moriuchi Takahiro quit in 2003), and they made a long-awaited comeback appearance at the Johnny's Countdown on New Year's Eve. Over 200 reporters packed a press conference yesterday to hear them talk about their plans for the future and their relationship with the disgraced two former members. They are to release their 7th single, "Hoshi wo Mezashite", and will start a 19-date concert tour at the Yokohama Arena on February 17.
That really sucks. No more Uchi Hiroki?? Bah. I don't think the chances of them being repromoted are very slim. If it was Yamapi that did the whole underage drinking thing (although I know he is way beyond those years) I wonder if Johnny's would have don ethe same thing.
That really sucks. No more Uchi Hiroki?? Bah. I don't think the chances of them being repromoted are very slim. If it was Yamapi that did the whole underage drinking thing (although I know he is way beyond those years) I wonder if Johnny's would have done the same thing.
I highly doubt they would do the same thing if Yamapi were in that position. He's way too popular for that. The fangirls would riot if he was out of the spotlight for a lengthy period of time. I heard being a trainee is the pits, though, that they do all the dirty work. Poor Uchi and Kusano. My friend and I nicknamed them Failures #1 and #2. Hehehe :hehe: I'm evil, I know.
I highly doubt they would do the same thing if Yamapi were in that position. He's way too popular for that. The fangirls would riot if he was out of the spotlight for a lengthy period of time. I heard being a trainee is the pits, though, that they do all the dirty work. Poor Uchi and Kusano. My friend and I nicknamed them Failures #1 and #2. Hehehe :hehe: I'm evil, I know.
Entertainment news from Japan-zone.com-Your Guide to Japan and Japanese Culture:
January 12, 2007
Former and current members of Morning Musume have formed a new unit to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular girl group on January 28. Morning Musume Tanjou 10-Nen Kinentai is made up of "graduates" Abe Natsumi (25), Iida Kaori (25) and Goto Maki (21), and current younger members Niigaki Risa (18) and Kusumi Koharu (14). They have recorded a commemorative single, "Bokura ga Ikiru, My Asia", which will also be the theme tune of the upcoming Cirque du Soleil show "Dralion". The name is a combination of the Eastern dragon and the Western lion, and the tune is described by Helo! Project founder and producer Tsunku (38) as a reflection of that east-meets-west theme. The show opens on February 7 and other celebrity supporters enlisted to promote it include comediennes Hisamoto Masami and Shibata Rie, newscaster Ogura Tomoaki, and Olympic ice skating gold medalist Arakawa Shizuka. Morning Musume will also have their annual spring tour from March to May 6, after which leader Yoshizawa Hitomi (21) will graduate from the group. Her role will be filled by Fujimoto Miki (21).
• The DJ Ozma scandal continues and NHK chairman Hashimoto Genichi (63) spoke about nothing else during his regular press conference yesterday. The public broadcaster has received some 1,800 complaints from viewers about the "naked" performance of Ozma and his dancers on Kohaku last New Year's Eve. The network has apologized, as have Ozma's label, Toshiba EMI. But NHK are determined that there will be no repeat of such a "surprise attack" on future shows. Ozma appeared on NHK music shows a total of eight times last year, but is unlikely to be seen on the network again anytime soon as he has been resolutely unapologetic for the incident. In future, according to Hashimoto, verbal agreements will be replaced with written contracts that clearly forbid unsuitable" performances. There are also plans for a new manual on how to change camera angles during a live broadcast. On a related note, three U.S. stations in San Fransisco, Los Angeles and Hawaii broadcast an edited version of the show.
• Johnny's veteran Higashiyama Noriyuki (40) has fessed up to his romance with actress Uchiyama Rina (25). The former Shonentai member admitted to the relationship in a message to fans on the Johnny's Web mobile site.
![[image]](http://www.costumesbyscavenge.com/images/franco/25008.jpg){kind=link}
![[image]](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/2triky/Chicken_Feet_5x7_72_dpi.jpg){kind=link}