Japan Zone - Entertainment News from Japan http://www.japan-zone.com/news/ Keep up to date with all the news and developments in Japanese show business. 2009-07-03T07:56:09+09:00 Gearing Up For Yujiro Fest http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/07/03/gearing_up_for_yujiro_fest.shtml Ishihara Yujiro, Memorial
Preparations are almost complete for a major Buddhist memorial service for the late legendary actor Ishihara Yujiro, who died in 1987 at the age of 52. As one of the biggest stars of 20th century Japan, he still has legions of fans and tens of thousands are expected to attend the service on Sunday afternoon. The service will be the main event over a weekend that will also feature movies and numerous Ishihara specials on the TV networks. The memorial event will be broadcast live from the National Stadium, originally built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where 100 craftsmen have spent the last week building...]]> tokyoguy 2009-07-03T07:56:09+09:00 GReeeeN Get Guinness Nod http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/07/03/greeeen_get_guinness_nod.shtml
Guinness World Records yesterday formally recognized "Kiseki," by J-pop group GReeeeN, as the best-selling digital downloaded single of all time. The single was used as the theme for last year's hugely popular TBS teen baseball drama "Rookies" and went on sale in May 2008. The application to GWR was made on May 24, at which point the single had been downloaded more than 2.3 million times. But the success of a Rookies spinoff movie gave another boost to digital sales, which are now said to be over 5.9 million. Sato Ryuta (29), star of the drama and the movie, was clearly delighted as he received the official record certificate yesterday from GWR Japan president (and old Japan Zone friend) Russell Willis at the TBS studios in central Tokyo. He said he has yet to meet the four members of GReeeeN (Hide, Navi, 92 and Soh), who hide behind masks in official photos, but hopes he can now finally do so. The group recently saw sales of their 3rd album, "Shio, Kosho" break the million barrier.
Earlier stories:
Another Million Seller for Greeeen (Jun 22, 2009)]]> tokyoguy 2009-07-03T06:19:31+09:00 Mori Mitsuko Receives National Honor http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/07/02/mori_mitsuko_receives_national_honor.shtml Mori Mitsuko
She may be a tiny old lady, but it's hard to believe that the vibrant Mori Mitsuko is 89 years old. Just last month she performed the lead role in the play "Hourouki" for the 2,000th time, a role she's been playing since 1961! She is such a popular figure that she is sometimes referred to as "Nihon no Okaasan" (Mother of Japan). In recognition of everything she has achieved and her cultural contributions, yesterday she became the 17th recipient of a national honor award. She is the first actress and the oldest person to be recognized, and just the second person (after Kurosawa Akira) to have also received the Order of Cultural Merit. Yesterday's award was presented by Prime Minister Aso Taro at his official residence, after which Mori gave a press conference. Twisting a...]]> tokyoguy 2009-07-02T09:10:29+09:00 Another Chance for Tashiro Masashi http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/07/01/another_chance_for_tashiro_masashi.shtml Tashiro Masashi
Disgraced talento Tashiro Masashi (52, photo right) is on the comeback trail yet again. The former jailbird held a press conference yesterday for an upcoming new talk show on the Mondo21 cable channel. The first show will likely draw a lot of attention, especially as his guest will be the Livedoor founder, and another former jailbird, Horie Takafumi (36). Tashiro is the epitome of the top star whose life and career hit rock bottom when repeated arrests led to a three year prison term that ended in June of last year.

He made his showbiz debut in 1980 as a member of the doo-wop group Chanels, who had a million selling debut with the single "Runaway." The following years saw a change of name, to Rats & Star, and a string of hits. In the mid-80s, top comedian Shimura Ken took Tashiro under his wing, rebranded him as a comedy/variety performer and helped him become one of the biggest young names in...]]> tokyoguy 2009-07-01T07:32:22+09:00 Is Jasmine the Next Big Thing? http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/06/30/is_jasmine_the_next_big_thing.shtml Jasmine
She's often referred to as the next Utada Hikaru, but not much else is known about her. The nationwide media has shown barely a glimpse of young singer Jasmine (20), but her single "Sad to Say" has already topped the digital download charts. It's being reported as the first time an artist has reached No.1 on the charts before making their official debut, which Jasmine did a week later on June 24. The song hasn't even benefited from a TV commercial tie up, and its success has been mostly through online viral marketing and the comparisons with Utada. She also wrote her own songs from the start and did all her pre-debut promotions only on the radio. Jasmine says she considers Utada a big influence but was first inspired to become a singer at the age of 13 after seeing a gospel choir perform at the US military base in Yokota. She dropped out of high school in...]]> tokyoguy 2009-06-30T07:25:58+09:00 Avex Brushes Off Scandals http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2009/06/29/avex_brushes_off_scandals.shtml Avex Shareholders Meeting
Major music company Avex held its annual meeting and concert for shareholders at the Saitama Super Arena yesterday. Attendance at the event was 9,679, said to be the biggest ever gathering of shareholders in a Japanese business. Despite being hit by several scandals, the company was able to announce record income of ¥117.8 billion for the financial year which ended in March, the highest since the Avex was founded in 1988. This obviously took some of the heat off company management, who had to deal with questions about recent problems. Regarding the arrest and trial of...]]> tokyoguy 2009-06-29T08:08:32+09:00