-
Model Lena Fujii dating DA PUMP’s ISSA – Tokyograph
Fashion model Lena Fujii (24) has confirmed rumors of her dating DA PUMP member ISSA (30). Last week’s issue of Josei Seven had published photos of the two sharing a kiss together late at night. On Wednesday, Fujii held a press conference presenting a red wedding dress that she produced. Reporters at the event took…
-
Meisa Kuroki teams up with Kusanagi in “Ninkyo Helper” – Tokyograph
Some details are now out about Tsuyoshi Kusanagi’s new comedy series, ‘Ninkyo Helper,’ which starts filming this week. One major cast addition is Meisa Kuroki, who will take on the heroine role. ‘Ninkyo Helper’ stars Kusanagi as the boss of a yakuza group. As part of training, his group’s parent organization orders all of its…
-
Shimobuku Rekoodo: Masaru and Isamu
Just in time for the start of summer is a new musical unit comprised of Masaru Shimabukuro (BEGIN) and Isamu Shimoji who call themselves Shimobuku Rekoodo (Record). The duo just released their debut album, “Looking South West,” on the Teichiku label. Isamu’s previous release was last year’s collaboration with (Karakui.com favorite) Yukito Ara for the…
-
Minami Kizuki’s 3rd single set for 7/22 release
Amami Oshima singer Minami Kizuki’s 3rd single release has been set for a July 22, 2009, release. Titled “Shiroi Tsuki,” the single will have a total of three tracks — all originals with no instrumental (karaoke) tracks. Minami, who debuted this year with the single “Aitsumugi,” follows a tradition of shimauta-trained female singers from Amami…
-
Yui Aragaki’s 2nd album set for 6/17 release!
Titled “hug,” Yui Aragaki’s (or Gakky) follow-up album to her 2007 debut “Sora” will be released on June 17, 2009. Containing a total of 13 tracks, it will be released in a CD+DVD format with the DVD including four PVs, as well as two first release editions. From the release of her single “Make my…
-
BEGIN’s Uta no Hi Carnival 2009
BEGIN’s annual free outdoor concert, the Uta no Hi Carnival, will be taking place at the Nishihara Marine Park on June 27, 2009. It looks like the lineup is set and will feature: All Japan Goith (Okinawa) – Ska Syakari (Okinawa) – Pop Emi Tawata (Okinawa) – R&B THE BOOM (Japan) – Pop Rock Shuken…
-
Oricon: who would you want to become? – Tokyograph
Weekly entertainment magazine ORI☆STAR polled 700 male and female readers on which famous person they would like to try being. In the men’s category, singer/actor Masaharu Fukuyama ranked first, while Namie Amuro took the top spot in the women’s category. Many of the readers expressed a wish to have similar personal experiences to those of…
-
Namie’s “NEW LOOK” is the VMAJ 2009’s Best Female Video
Namie Amuro’s PV (promotion video) for her single “NEW LOOK” took the Best Female Video at this year’s MTV VMAJ (Video Music Awards Japan). In addition to the top female video award, her PV for the single “Sexy Girl” won the Best R&B Video award. Congrats to Namie! (Via Tokyograph.)
-
SPEED to go on nationwide tour
Having reunited in August of last year and with a new single (“S.P.D.”) to be released on the 27th of this month, the girls of SPEED have announced a nationwide tour—their first in eight years—beginning September 5, 2009, in Aichi Prefecture and concluding on October 14, 2009, at the Nippon Budokan. (Via Yahoo! Japan.)
-
THE BOOM to release a special cover album commemorating the band’s 20th anniversary
On July 22, 2009, THE BOOM will commemorate their 20th anniversary with a special cover album that will feature several artists from Okinawa. Known for their song “Shimauta,” THE BOOM has released a number of singles with an Okinawan-sound to them. Titled “THE BOOM 20th SPECIAL COVER ALBUM,” it will feature Kariyushi58, MONGOL800 and BEGIN.…
Karakui 