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Kazutoshi Matsuda posts pics from Okinawa’s New Year’s TV specials
Popular utasha (Okinawan folk singer) Kazutoshi “Kaazuu” Matsuda recently performed in two of Okinawa’s New Year’s TV specials: RBC’s “Kouhaku Uta-gassen” and OTV’s “Shinshun! Shimauta no Saiten.” Although both shows won’t air until January (RBC’s one on 1/2, OTV’s on 1/3), Kaazuu is sharing a few pics on his blog which gives us a preview…
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TV: ‘Gokusen 3’ in April 2008
Yankumi, played brilliantly by actress Yukie Nakama, will be returning to the classroom in April 2008 with its third installment. The popular J-drama (pulled in a whopping 32.5% viewership) airs on the Nippon Terebi network which is celebrating its 55th anniversary and hopes to make it big with “Gokusen 3”, returning three years after season…
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Yu Yamada cast as Nodame’s rival – Tokyograph
Actress Yu Yamada has been revealed as part of the cast of the upcoming ‘Nodame Cantabile’ drama special, scheduled to air on January 4-5 on Fuji TV. Yamada plays Son Rui, a Chinese prodigy who becomes rivals with Nodame. Although Yamada had no prior experience in playing piano, she recently took lessons and practiced on…
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Tokito stars in Churaumi drama special – Tokyograph
On December 14, Fuji TV will broadcast a drama special titled ‘Churaumi Kara no Nengajou.’ It revolves around Okinawa’s Churaumi Aquarium, which opened in 2002 and was the largest in the world until 2005. Actor Saburo Tokito stars in the drama as the aquarium’s director. The story begins when he announces the plans for the…
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Autumn 2007’s line-up of J-dramas
Summer 2007’s J-drama line-up proved to be a successful one for actors from Okinawa so how does autumn look? Abarenbo Mama (Fuji TV) stars Aya Ueto in the lead role Hataraki Man (NTV) stars Yu Yamada in a supporting role Joshi Deka! (TBS) stars Yukie Nakama in the lead role Otoko no Kosodate (TV Asahi)…
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TV: Manami Higa’s ‘Dondo Bare’ finishes strong
It got off to a weak start but how you finish is what’s important, right? NHK’s 76th Asadora (if you’re keeping track, “Churasan” was the 64th), “Dondo Bare” starring Manami Higa, finished its run on September 29 with a strong finish at 23.2% for the final episode — contrast that with the 14.9% for the…
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YouTube: Yoshio Kojima
One of my daily routines every night is to check YouTube’s Most Viewed of the Day and I’ve been seeing a lot of clips from a Japanese comedian by the name of Yoshio Kojima. Lo and behold, he’s from Okinawa! A graduate of Waseda University, the comedian got his big break from his appearances in…
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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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Kenshin Uesugi the Rock Star
This clip of Gackt as Kenshin Uesugi in a modern setting is way cool. (Gackt is playing the role of Kenshin Uesugi in the NHK Taiga Drama “Fuurin Kazan”.)
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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…
Karakui 