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Gackt gets ready to launch in 20 countries – Tokyograph
In October, Gackt will be making some of his releases available to 20 countries in North America and Europe. On the 19th, his two DVDs “THE GREATEST FILMOGRAPHY 1999-2006” (“~RED~” and “~BLUE~”) will be released simultaneously in the U.S. and Canada. These North American editions will reportedly include English lyrics he wrote for the songs.…
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Cocco to release Okinawa-only single on 9/15/07
Having just released a new album titled “Kira Kira” in July of this year, Cocco has plans to release a new single on September 15, 2007 called “Jugon no Mieru Oka” which will only be sold in Okinawa. The song is Cocco’s way of celebrating the return of two dugongs to Okinawa’s Oura Bay in…
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Mainichi Daily News: ‘Orange Range bassist announces marriage’
Orange Range bassist announces marriage: “Yoh, the bassist of the popular rock band Orange Range has married a woman in Okinawa Prefecture, the musician announced on his web site.” (Via MSN-Mainichi Daily News: Entertainment.) Yoh Miyamori is marrying a 23 year-old from Okinawa who is expected to give birth to the couple’s first child at…
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TV: NHK’s ‘SONGS’ featuring BEGIN
BEGIN will be the featured artist on NHK’s ‘SONGS’ music program, the show’s 17th episode. The episode will air in Japan on 2007.9.5 (Wed.) and in the U.S. on 2007.9.12 (Wed.) via TV Japan. Check out your local listings for the time in your area (in Hawaii, it airs from 6:10-6:40pm). NHK should have the…
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Lecture: Okinawan Identity and Independence
Dr. Taira is Emeritus Professor of Labor Economics and Industrial Relations at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and for the past two decades has been the Editor and Publisher of The Ryukyuanist, a newsletter which has connected and informed scholars and researchers of Okinawa Studies of developments in the field. He has written extensively on…
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J-MELO in Okinawa!
On today’s episode (#119) of NHK’s English-language music show J-MELO, VJ (and popular J-pop artist) melody. announced an upcoming show with the focus being on Okinawa. Yay! There was a short clip of melody. singing a song of hers with Yukito Ara (Parsha cluB) on sanshin and Isamu Shimoji on guitar that should be pretty…
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BEGIN Starts Up Their Own Record Label: PIG PINK
Music group BEGIN has founded its own music label named PIG PINK, also known by the nickname ‘Buta House.’ The label started in July as part of Imperial Records, the J-pop branch of Teichiku Records. Last fall, BEGIN started working on their music in a pink-walled house on Okinawa. Their label’s name is based on…
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Yukie Nakama and Aya Ueto are Japan’s CM Queens
Nakama’s still the CM queen: Video Research Ltd. has published its mid-year report on TV commercials, which includes a section measuring celebrities’ exposure. On top of the list is actress Yukie Nakama, continuing her streak as ‘CM queen’ since 2005. In the Kanto region, Nakama had a total of 6,175 commercial broadcasts, adding up to…
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In Hawaii: Hanayakara, Ryusei Daiko & Naha Daiko
The girls of the group Hanayakara are so cute and talented that they could possibly be thought of as the Okinawan version of the popular J-pop group Morning Musume. Hanayakara will be performing in Hawaii at 2pm on Friday (8/31/07) at the Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Centerstage and at 4:05pm on Saturday (9/1/07) at the…
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In Hawaii: Miiuta Taishou Winner Takayuki Oshiro [Unconfirmed]
Last year, one of my favorite upcoming utasaa, Akane Murayoshi, came to Hawaii as part of Radio Okinawa’s annual Miiuta Taishou Grand Prix winner’s prize. This year’s (the 18th annual) grand prix winner is Takayuki Oshiro (his nickname is ‘Ootaka’ おおたか) who will be performing his winning composition, “Sakasanaya∼”. The YouTube clip above is Ootaka…
Karakui 