Baba Ikuzo, better known as the bassist IKUZONE of the band Dragon Ash, has suddenly passed away at the age of 46. An announcement on the group’s official website on Tuesday night revealed that IKUZONE died of acute heart failure on the night of April 21st.

IKUZONE had collapsed in his home studio and was discovered by his family. He was quickly taken to a hospital, where his death was confirmed at 10:55pm.

Dragon Ash was scheduled to perform at the Okuma Beach Fest 2012 event in Okinawa on April 28, but due to IKUZONE’s death, they have canceled their appearance.

IKUZONE was one of Dragon Ash’s founding members in 1996, along with Kj and Sakurai Makoto.

Source:
Natalie

According to the Sankei Sports newspaper, talento Inoue Waka (31) is getting married on her next birthday, May 13th. Her husband will be 33-year-old movie director Iizuka Ken (“SAI-REN,” “Summer Nude”), who recently worked on the live-action television and movie adaptations of “Arakawa Under the Bridge.”

The two first met in March of last year during the filming of “Arakawa Under the Bridge.” Their relationship was said to be purely professional at the time, but they met again during a group meal in May after filming was completed and started dating soon after that.

Iizuka also cast Inoue in his stage play “FUNNY BUNNY,” which is currently running until the end of this month.

The Sankei Sports newspaper says that Inoue’s agency has confirmed that she is getting married. It is said that she plans on continuing with her show business career.

Source:
Sankei Sports

AKB48 has been very popular in China, with the group’s official online forum in China reportedly boasting more than 2 million members. The group has also visited China multiple times to meet with fans.

Like all of the other AKB48 groups, including JKT48 and TPE48, Akimoto Yasushi will serve as the general producer. Reports say that the first audition for members will be held this fall, with activities to begin in December.

Sources:
Sponichi Annex
Sankei Sports

“Petal Dance” is a road movie about the growth of four women. It starts with Jinko (Miyazaki) and Motoko (Ando), two women who have been friends since college. They hear a rumor that their friend Miki (Fukiishi), who lives in northern Japan, had jumped into the ocean, and they set off on a road trip to see her. They meet another girl (Kutsuna) who ends up going along with them.

The movie is scheduled for release in spring 2013.

Source:
Sports Hochi

On Wednesday, a press event was held for Morning Musume’s next stage play, “Stacies Shoujo Saisatsu Kageki.” This will be the group’s first play after current leader Niigaki Risa graduates on May 18. Member Tanaka Reina will take on the starring role, supported by 8 other members of the group.

“Stacies Shoujo Saisatsu Kageki” is based on Otsuki Kenji’s horror novel “Stacies Shoujo Saisatsu Zendan,” which was turned into the film “Stacy” in 2001. The story involves a strange phenomenon in which teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 17 suddenly die and turn into zombies, known as “Stacies.” As a result, a group is formed whose job is to terminate the Stacies by “re-killing” them.

Besides Tanaka, the cast will include all of the 9th and 10th generation members: Fukumura Mizuki, Ikuta Erina, Sayashi Riho, Suzuki Kanon, Iikubo Haruna, Ishida Ayumi, Sato Masaki, and Kudo Haruka. Due to Michishige Sayumi’s schedule and Mitsui Aika’s recovery from a foot injury, the two will not be appearing in the play.

Other cast members include Kaai Gamon, Yamamoto Shoma, Shiramata Atsushi, Yamaura Toru, and Akahoshi Masanori.

Performances will be held at Space Zero in Tokyo from June 6 to June 12.

Sources:
Eiga.com
Hello! Project

Meanwhile, Morning Musume took #3 with their 49th single, “Renai Hunter,” their last one before leader Niigaki Risa graduates from the group. Morning Musume now has a total of 49 singles that have entered the Top 10, giving them the current all-time record, ahead of Hamasaki Ayumi (48 singles), B'z (47 singles), SMAP (46 singles), and THE ALFEE (46 singles).

1. Sexy Zone – Lady Diamond – 115,950
2. Perfume – Spring of Life – 93,881
3. Morning Musume – Renai Hunter – 41,036
4. B'z – GO FOR IT, BABY -Kioku no Sanmyaku- – 21,382
5. 2AM – Denwa ni Denai Kimi wa – 16,028
6. SHU-I – HITORIJIME – 14,481
7. Taketatsu Ayana – Sinfonia! Sinfonia!! – 13,897
8. ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION – Kakato de Ai wo Uchinarase – 13,780
9. Fukuyama Masaharu – Ikiteru Ikiteku – 9,995
10. The Birthday – ROKA – 9,236

In albums, Domoto Tsuyoshi’s newest solo album “shamanippon -Rakachi no Tohi-” was #1 with more than 72,000 copies sold.

Although not in the Top 10 this week, Tokunaga Hideaki’s “VOCALIST & BALLADE BEST” was in the Top 300 ranking for the 51st time. This is the 6th album in Tokunaga’s “VOCALIST” cover series, and the albums in the series have now charted in the Top 300 a total of 600 times. This is the first cover album series to ever achieve such a high number.

1. Domoto Tsuyoshi – shamanippon -Rakachi no Tohi- – 72,309
2. ClariS – BIRTHDAY – 53,909
3. KARA – Super Girl – 17,774
4. Sound Horizon – Chronology 2005-2010 – 17,721
5. BENI – COVERS – 10,495
6. Nicki Minaj – Roman Reloaded – 9,759
7. Kis-My-Ft2 – Kis-My-1st – 9,549
8. Madonna – MDNA – 8,275
9. Various Artists – DJ KAORI’S JMIX V – 8,078
10. Yusuke – Ano.. Namida ga Arukara Ai ga Arundesukedo. – 7,608

Sources:
Oricon (weekly single ranking)
Oricon (weekly album ranking)
Oricon
Oricon
Oricon

On Tuesday, Fuji TV announced its plans to begin uploading several of its shows to its official channels on video site YouTube, allowing users to watch for free. According to the announcement, the network aims to spread its contents globally and to attract new viewers, while also increasing its online advertising revenue.

Reports say that Fuji TV plans to upload about 40 videos a day, ranging from news to variety to anime. So far, 6 channels have been announced for distribution: “FNN Fuji News Network,” “Shin Houdou 2001,” “BS Fuji Live Prime News,” “Fuji TV ni Detai Hito TV” (previously announced), “Idoling!!!,” and “Fuji TV Anime.”

The “Fuji TV Anime” channel, which currently includes “Thermae Romae” and “Kuchu Buranko,” is limited to viewers in Japan, but the other channels are available worldwide.

The “Idoling!!!” channel will include original contents in addition to videos from the group’s television show.

Sources:
Mantan Web
Fuji TV

The songs on the best album will be selected by fans. Voting will be conducted on the special website and on Johnny’s Web, scheduled to start at noon on April 18. Fans will be able to choose from songs that have been released since their debut on any of the group’s albums or as single B-sides (A-sides, unreleased songs, and instrumental songs are not included). Each user will get to vote for 4 songs, and the results will determine the album’s final track list.

The release dates for the best album and the new single have not yet been announced.

Koyama also announced that NEWS will have a concert tour, though the dates are still unknown.

NEWS, who debuted in 2003, was reduced to four members last year after Yamashita Tomohisa and Nishikido Ryo both left the group.

Sources:
Johnny’s Web
Jnews

“Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de” has so far had two books released, selling more than 2.75 million copies combined. Last year, it was turned into a television drama series on Fuji TV that reached ratings as high as 18.1%. The drama starred Arashi’s Sakurai Sho (30) as the sharp-tongued butler Kageyama and Kitagawa Keiko (25) as Hosho Reiko, the daughter of a wealthy family who works as a novice police detective. Although Reiko’s deductive skills as a detective are lacking, Kageyama helps her solve her cases as she tells him details while he serves her dinner.

For the stage version, DAIGO will take on the role of the butler Kageyama, and Nishiyama will play Reiko. Wentz will play Nishiyama’s superior at the police station.

Actor Murakami Hiroki (38) of the acting troupe Sessya Munieru will serve as director and writer. Performances will be held in Tokyo at the Galaxy Theatre in Tennozu from August 31 to September 9.

Source:
Sports Hochi

Talento Hoshino Aki (35) and jockey Miura Kosei (22) have just become parents. Hoshino wrote in her blog that she gave birth to the couple’s first child, a girl, at 4:06pm on April 12th.

Both Hoshino and her newborn daughter are said to be in good health. According to someone at her management agency, Hoshino went into labor in the morning and gave birth only 3 to 4 hours after entering the delivery room. It is said that Miura rushed to the hospital and was present at the time of the birth.

Hoshino and Miura started dating in 2009. They got married in September of last year, and the next month Hoshino announced that she was 3 months pregnant.

Sources:
Mantan Web
Sports Hochi

The NTV drama series “Muse no Kagami,” starring AKB48 member Sashihara Rino (19), is being turned into a movie this summer. Other than the AKB48 documentary films, this will be Sashihara’s first appearance in a movie.

“Muse no Kagami” has been airing in a late-night time slot since January of this year. The 15-minute episodes follow the story of a seemingly ordinary girl who gets noticed for her hidden acting talent, setting her on the path towards becoming an actress.

Fukuda Yuichi (“33-pun no Tantei,” “Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro”) will stay on as screenwriter and director. The movie will actually be a retelling of the drama’s story, starting from when Sashihara’s character’s talents are first discovered.

During the press conference for the movie announcement, Fukuda said of Sashihara, “After seeing shows like ‘Sashiko no Kuseni,’ I’ve always thought that this girl is no good. I’m delighted to be working with such awful material.” He continued, “She hasn’t developed at all as an actress. But I love the Sashihara Rino who is always unselfishly trying her hardest.”

Sashihara acknowledged, “I know nothing about acting, so I’m being taught everything from scratch. I’m terrible at acting.” When asked by a reporter whether the other members of AKB48 are jealous about her acting career going so well, she asserted that everyone is cheering her on without jealousy.

The movie, tentatively titled “Eigaban: Muse no Kagami,” is scheduled for nationwide release this summer.

Sources:
Mantan Web
Sankei Sports

More cast members have been unveiled for Kanjani8’s movie “Eight Ranger,” which was first announced last month. The new additions include Higashiyama Noriyuki in his first villain role and Becky as the story’s heroine.

“Eight Ranger,” also known as “Eito Ranger,” is based on a series of skits that Kanjani8 has performed during their concerts. The skits involve the group’s members playing superheroes who battle an evil organization.

The movie is set in a fictional city in the near future, where the “Eight Ranger” team must fight against a terrorist group known as “Dark Crusade.” Higashiyama will play the villainous leader of that group, whose activities include selling slaves. Meanwhile, Becky will cast aside her usual cheerful image as she plays a female police detective with a dark past.

The other newly announced cast members are Renbutsu Misako as a detective who admires heroes, Takenaka Naoto and Tayama Ryosei as police chiefs, Ishibashi Renji as the chairman of the vigilante “Hero Association,” and Ueshima Ryuhei as a hero candidate.

It was already revealed previously that Tachi Hiroshi will play a legendary hero named Captain Silver.

“Eight Ranger” is scheduled for theatrical release on July 28.

Source:
Eiga.com

DJ CHEMICAL (29), the DJ of hip-hop trio FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, revealed in the group’s blog that he is now married. On April 8th, he registered his marriage with a woman (30) whom he was dating for the past 5 years.

His wife is not in show business, so no personal details about her have been revealed.

Source:
Sankei Sports

NHK has announced that popular screenwriter Kudo Kankuro (41) will be in charge of the network’s morning drama series during the spring and summer of 2013. This will be his first time ever writing an NHK drama.

Details for the drama are currently being prepared. NHK plans to hold a press conference in June at the earliest to announce the show’s title, story, and setting.

Kudo is well known for writing television dramas such as “Tiger & Dragon” and “Kisarazu Cat's Eye,” as well as writing and directing films such as “Shonen Merikensack” and “Maiko Haaaan!!!”

Source:
Sankei Sports

CHEMISTRY announced on Sunday that they are putting their activities on hold in order to focus on their separate solo activities. They did not state how long they plan to be on hiatus.

Composed of members Kawabata Kaname and Dochin Yoshikuni, CHEMISTRY was formed in 2001 through the music show “ASAYAN.”Since then, the duo has released more than 30 singles and more than 10 albums over the past 11 years. Their latest album, “Trinity,” was just released in January, and they just finished a nationwide tour this weekend.

In their announcement, the two stated that they both aim to raise their skills as individuals, focusing on creating music that they can only pursue as solo artists.

Source:
Natalie

On Saturday, hip-hop artist SEEDA and singer EMI MARIA announced via their blogs that they are married and expecting a child. The two actually registered their marriage around the start of this year, but it they chose to wait until EMI MARIA was in the stable period of her pregnancy before making it public.

Despite her pregnancy, EMI MARIA is said to currently be working on a new album. She plans to continue with her music activities as usual.

Source:
Natalie

The #1 single on the charts this week was Fukuyama Masaharu’s “Ikiteru Ikiteku,” which is being used as the theme song for the latest “Doraemon” movie. This is Fukuyama’s 5th consecutive #1 single, but the last “Doraemon” theme song to top the charts was 28 years ago.

1. Fukuyama Masaharu – Ikiteru Ikiteku – 119,833
2. UVERworld – 7th Trigger – 52,407
3. Kis-My-Ft2 – SHE! HER! HER! – 23,048
4. KARA – Speed Up / Girls Power – 17,326
5. Daikoku Danji – Jumping – 16,975
6. Afilia Saga East – Mirai ga Watashi wo Matteiru – 12,920
7. Yukine Kurisu (Ayahi Takagaki) – Senki Zesshou Symphogear Character Song 4: Makyuu Ichii-Bal –10,068
8. Naoto Inti Raymi – Aishiteta – 9,549
9. Little Blue boX – BRAVE HERO / Fighting Pose – 9,384
10. Arashi – Wild At Heart – 9,217

Meanwhile, Kis-My-Ft2 ranked #1 in albums with their first album, “Kis-My-1st.” The album sold close to 254,000 copies, making them the first male artist since KAT-TUN in 2006 to exceed 200,000 copies for a first album.

1. Kis-My-Ft2 – Kis-My-1st – 253,807
2. Porno Graffitti – PANORAMA PORNO – 56,945
3. BIGBANG – ALIVE – 52,987
4. Madonna – MDNA – 31,426
5. 2NE1 – COLLECTION – 22,224
6. Hamasaki Ayumi – Party Queen – 18,101
7. Acid Black Cherry – 2012 – 17,869
8. Various Artists – DJ KAORI’S JMIX V – 15,867
9. Madonna – The Complete Studio Albums (1983-2008) – 13,091
10. RAINBOW – Over The Rainbow – 13,009

Sources:
Oricon (weekly single ranking)
Oricon (weekly album ranking)
Oricon
Oricon

Singer Haida Shoko (33) revealed in her blog that she recently got married. She and her husband, a 35-year-old man not in show business, tied the knot on March 25th, Haida’s birthday.

According to Haida’s management agency, the couple are in the middle of preparations for living together. They plan to hold a private wedding ceremony. The agency also stated that Haida is not pregnant, and she plans to continue with her work.

Haida was formerly with the Takarazuka Revue until 2002. After that, she entered mainstream popularity when she was a regular on the NHK children’s show “Okaasan to Issho” from 2003 to 2008.

Sources:
Sankei Sports
Sports Hochi

Kimura Yoshino (35) will star in a drama series on NHK this spring, titled “Hatsukoi.” The last time she led an NHK drama series was 9 years ago, in the 2003 series “Nikoniko Nikki.”

“Hatsukoi” is a love story written by screenwriter Nakazono Miho, who previously worked on shows such as “Yamato Nadeshiko” and “Haken no Hinkaku.”

Kimura plays a speech therapist named Midori. Her first love, a man named Mishima (played by Ihara Tsuyoshi), betrayed her by breaking a promise they made. While despairing over the betrayal, she met a younger man named Jun (played by Aoki Munetaka) and later married. One day, her happy life with Jun is interrupted when she is diagnosed with liver cancer, and the only doctor who can perform the difficult surgery required happens to be Mishima. Although Midori had hoped to never think of Mishima again, his sudden appearance causes a disturbance in her heart.

Other cast members include Sato Eriko, Hashimoto Ai, Cunning Takeyama, and Sonim.

“Hatsukoi” is scheduled to run for 8 episodes in NHK’s Tuesday 10:00pm time slot, starting May 22.

Source:
Mantan Web

Puffy announced on their official website that member Yoshimura Yumi (37) is expecting her first child. In the announcement, Yoshimura revealed that she will become a mother this summer.

Yoshimura got married on December 31, 2009, to a businessman five years younger than her. This is her second marriage; she was previously married to musician Nishikawa Takanori (41) from 1999 to 2002.

Puffy already has a new single titled “Tomodachi no Wao!” scheduled for release on May 23. Yoshimura said that she is aiming to continue with her activities from now on, though she will be consulting with her partner Onuki Ami (38) and their staff members regarding those activities.

Sources:
Sponichi Annex
Natalie