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. 2010-02-10T07:54:37+09:00 Uchida Yuki, Ito Atsushi Join Odoru3 Cast http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2010/02/10/uchida_yuki_ito_atsushi_join_odoru3_cast.shtml Uchida Yuki, Oda Yuji in Odoru Daisosasen
There were some cast announcements yesterday for this summer's highly anticipated movie sequel "Odoru Daisosasen 3" (Bayside Shakedown 3). Actress Uchida Yuki (34) will reprise the police officer role she last played in the original TV series in 1998 (photo). Uchida is recently enjoying a resurgence in her career, which was put on hold following her...
]]> tokyoguy 2010-02-10T07:54:37+09:00 Oshio Refused Bail http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2010/02/09/oshio_refused_bail.shtml Oshio Manabu, Katsumi-Sayuri
The Tokyo District Court yesterday rejected a bail application by former actor Oshio Manabu (31, photo left). he has been charged in relation to the drug death of Ginza bar hostess Tanaka Kaori (30) on August 2. Prosecutors say Oshio gave her the synthetic drug MDMA (ecstasy) in a friend's apartment in Tokyo's upmarket Roppongi Hills complex, but then left her to die after she went into a coma. Already handed a suspended prison sentence in November for the...
]]> tokyoguy 2010-02-09T08:55:29+09:00 It Isn't Easy Being a Star http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2010/02/08/it_isnt_easy_being_a_star.shtml Manabe Kaori, Kitano Makoto
So what led talento Manabe Kaori (28, photo left) to pull out of a fashion show on Saturday at the last minute. Organizers of the bridal fashion show at the Tokyo International Forum said that Manabe's management agency called them at about 2am the night before claiming that she was in poor health and would not be able to appear. In her place, the agency supplied...
]]> tokyoguy 2010-02-08T08:49:12+09:00 A New Dawn, Sad Day for Sumo http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2010/02/05/a_new_dawn_sad_day_for_sumo.shtml Takanohana, Japan Sumo Association
Yesterday was a momentous and sad day for fans of sumo. As former yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana (37, photo right) was formally announced as the youngest ever board member of the Japan Sumo Association, Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu (29) shocked the country by announcing his retirement.

Though one of the great...
]]> tokyoguy 2010-02-05T08:10:57+09:00 Matsuda Seiko Joins Bones Cast http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2010/02/04/matsuda_seiko_joins_bones_cast.shtml Matsuda Seiko in Bones
Singer-actress Matsuda Seiko (47, profile) has landed a role on the popular U.S. drama series "Bones," it was revealed yesterday. She plays the part of a Japanese journalist in series 5 of the Fox show, set to air from April. The series 4 box set is to go on sale in Japan next month and the Seiko connection is sure to help boost the show's popularity here. Producers say they were looking for a Japanese actor who would...
]]> tokyoguy 2010-02-04T08:17:58+09:00 Get Your Dose of Kawaii http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2010/02/03/get_your_dose_of_kawaii.shtml Moon Kana
(A reader sent this in so we're posting it) If you're in Los Angeles this spring and want to get a serious dose of Japanese kawaii, then you should check out Moon Kana. She'll be making three night-time appearances in L.A. on April 1-2 along with special guest DJ SiSeN. She doesn't seem to have released any new material since the...
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