Flight attendant-themed idol group PASSPO☆ will be participating in France’s Japanese culture fair, ‘JAPAN EXPO‘, which is being held from June 30th to July 3rd in Paris, and their activities there will be broadcast live on ‘Nico Nico Namahousou‘!
PASSPO☆ will first hook-up with the ‘Nico Nico Douga‘ booth on July 1st at 12:00 AM (JST), and they’ll then have a live talk about their thoughts on visiting Paris and ‘JAPAN EXPO’ for the first time.
On July 2nd, PASSPO☆’s “flight” (concert) at ‘JAPAN EXPO’ will be broadcast from 5:00 PM (JST). Fans should be sure to check out the live broadcast and see their fun performance in Paris!
France no Japan Expo Nico Nico Douga Booth kara Namahousou! July 1st (Friday) 12:00 AM JST Broadcast Page
France no Japan Expo “PASSPO☆ Stage” Event Housou July 2nd (Saturday) 5:00PM JST Broadcast Page
Today it was revealed that actress Aragaki Yui was added to the cast of the upcoming movie “Kirin no Tsubasa“, a movie adaption of the popular drama series “Shinzanmono“, starring actor Abe Hiroshi.
The actress will play the girlfriend of the prime suspect in a mysterious murder case that happened in front of the statue of the winged giraffe in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and completely believes in the innocence of her boyfriend.
Aragaki is said to be a big fan of the drama, as she never missed an episode and couldn’t stop crying. About her first role in an original mystery, she commented, “The drama was really interesting, because my initial predictions always were overthrown with a twist. In the scene where I was interrogated by the detectives, it didn’t just feel like playing the character, it felt really personal. I’ve never experienced such a sensation before.”
Abe himself also is very fond of working together with Aragaki again, six years after “Dragon Zakura“. He said, “Back then she was still a little girl overflowing with innocence, but now she changed into an actress who can tackle all kind of roles.”
The filming began on May 12th and they are scheduled to wrap it up until mid-July. As mentioned last month, most of the drama’s regular cast, including Kuroki Meisa and Mizobata Junpei, will reprise their roles in the movie.
“Kirin no Tsubasa” is scheduled to open in Japan in January of 2012.
On June 28th, X-JAPAN officially started their world tour at Shepherd’s Bush Empire venue located in England!
At this live, the band performed ten songs – including their new single, “JADE” – in front of approximately two thousand of their European fans. “It’s like a dream. I wish I could stay in this moment forever,” said YOSHIKI to the crowd.
During the encore, YOSHIKI appeared back on stage with TOSHI to deliver a special message about their past guitarist hide, who tragically passed away in 1998. “After hide’s death, I could not imagine myself here. Even after our ten year reunion as a band, I wish hide could be here with us. But, in a way, hide is here with us right now…” he said, trailing off as tears began running down his face.
The performance lasted approximately two hours, and included a ten song set-list. After their performance, top news companies such as Reuters and BBC interviewed the band and covered this event.
“This is my first time coming to an X-JAPAN performance,” said a young English woman about the performance. “I really liked how HEATH played his bass guitar. I was able to meet different people at this event.” Another fan who arrived from Paris early in the morning just to watch this concert enthusiastically commented, “X-JAPAN is an amazing rock band! I’m going to attend all four of their performances [in Europe].”
Shepherd’s Bush Empire was established in 1903 and has hosted other famous artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie, and Bon Jovi.
Read on to see the set list and photos from the event!
2011.06.28 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Set List 01. Jade 02. Rusty Nail 03. Silent Jealousy 04. Drain 05. Kurenai 06. Born to be free 07. I.V. 08. X 09. Endless Rain 10. Art of Life
Former Morning Musume member Lin Lin has returned to Japan!
On her blog, the eighth generation Momusu member wrote, “Everyone~~ I’m back!!!”, in both Japanese and Chinese, followed by multiple pictures of herself and the city.
Although she doesn’t state whether she’s come back to Japan simply to visit or on other business, Lin Lin also made sure to hang out with Morning Musume members Tanaka Reina and Niigaki Risa, both of whom updated their official blogs later on.
“What? W-w-what!! Lin Lin came~”, wrote Tanaka on her blog, along with several pictures of the two posing cutely together. “Yesterday, Kamei Eri-chan came too 3 Ehh? What about Jun Jun? (lol)”.
Lin Lin also took a cute two-shot with Niigaki, who wrote, “And! Today, Lin Lin came! I was surprised at how much she’s grown up ☆*:.。. o(≧▽≦)o .。.:*☆ But the way she talks and the atmosphere around her haven’t changed, it’s so cute and funny Morning Musume really loves you ☆*:.。. o(≧▽≦)o .。.:*☆ Thank you so much!”
The showcase tickets for popular K-pop girl group After School’s performance at Akasaka BLITZ went on sale today. Over 50,000 people attempted to purchase the tickets, but with a 3,000 ticket capacity (for two stages), all of the tickets were sold out in one minute!
After School has collaborated with Amuro Namie for her collaboration album, “Checkmate!” and has even sang at ‘Tokyo Girls Collection by girlswalker.com 2011 SUMMER/SPRING’ despite not having made their debut in Japan yet.
As reported, the group will make their debut with their new single, “Bang!”, which is set for release on August 17th.
Their debut single is a Japanese remake of their song that is already popular in Korea. At their July performance at Tokyo, it is expected that “Bang!” will be performed at this live.
Earlier this month, we shared a preview of Hey! Say! JUMP’s new single, “OVER“.
This will be Hey! Say! JUMP’s 7th single and will be released June 29th. It will be released in two versions, a limited CD+DVD edition and a regular CD edition
On June 23rd and June 24th, AKB48 completely took over the SHIBUYA TSUTAYA shop. The shop’s first floor was completely occupied for the commemoration event for their new music video DVD, “AKB48 Ga Ippai ~ The Best Music Video ~”.
From the walls of their official pictures and outfits from their music videos to the large monitor screen which played their new DVD, this store was full of AKB48. Furthermore, on the 24th, various members of AKB48 showed up at the store and signed their pictures on the walls of the store for two hours.
When asked which music video left the most impression, Itano Tomomi answered, “For me, it was “Ponytail no Shu Shu”. It was the first time I flew in a helicopter and the wind was amazing! I thought I might blow away with the wind.”
As reported earlier, six of the AKB48 members are currently making appearance at SHIBUYA 109 and the building has a large billboard poster of Kashiwagi Yuki. Regarding this, she stated, “I saw my photo on the way here at SHIBUYA 109 and I was so surprised that I unconsciously, started taking photos on my cell phone! I grew up in the countryside (Kagoshima) so seeing my photo in Shibuya definitely makes me happy!”
Their DVD includes 36 of their music video including “Beginner”, “Heavy Rotation”, and “Ponytail no Shu Shu”. Takahashi Minami of AKB48 stated, “The creation of our music videos had a lot of help. They have a lot of story and message in them and plenty of support from the directors and staff. I am truly grateful.”
It was quite an eventful evening for AKB48’s ace Maeda Atsuko and the girls of KARA as they performed their new songs “Flower” and “GO GO Summer” on Music Station.
This was Maeda’s first time on Music Station without fellow members of AKB48, so she blogged, “During rehearsal I was so nervous that my hands were shaking, but during the middle of the program I completely forgot that it was a live broadcast and it was so much fun, it went by in the blink of an eye…”
Despite her nerves, Maeda felt that this performance was her personal best, and that it could have been due to the loving support of Nishino Kana and the girls of KARA. “All of the artists were nice. Since I was by myself, even during the live broadcast Nishino-san and everyone in KARA talked to me a lot…” she said cheerfully about her fellow celebrities, noting that she seemed to have a special bond particularly with the girls of KARA. “Nicole held my hand the whole time… <3″ she wrote. “It’s because I was by myself that I was able to meet them… I was so happy.”
Maeda finished her entry expressing her gratitude to all the music programs she has been able to perform on, especially Music Station. “With this recording, Music Station is the last of my music program performances, but I’ve really been able to experience so much, so I was truly happy,” she said to her fans. “Above all, because I was able to perform on Music Station!!”
Three members of AKB48’s newly-formed Team 4 have been added to the growing cast of “Hana Kimi“!
As we previously reported, AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko will star as the drama’s main character – who dresses up as a boy to get into an all-boy’s high school – and stunned fans with her transformation into an ikemen. Fellow AKB48 member Kashiwagi Yuki will also take part in the remake as Maeda’s rival.
The latest additions from AKB48 include “fresh lemon” Ichikawa Miori, Ooba Mina, and Nagao Mariya, all of whom will play students from the all-girls’ St. Blossom High School.
Nagoya-based unit SKE48 is collaborating with shoe store ASBee for the fifth time!
The girls participating are SKE48’s center girls Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena. To express ASBee’s “SUMMER SALE”, the girls are dressed up in cute marine outfits
Details on V6’s new single, “Sexy.Honey.Bunny! / Takara no Ishi“, set to be released in August, was revealed on various online CD shops today.
As reported previously, one of the songs included in this CD, “Takara no Ishi”, was used in Waseda Academy’s CM just recently. Furthermore, “Sexy.Honey.Bunny!” will be used as a theme song for TV Asahi’s upcoming drama, “Shin Keishicho Sousa Ikka 9gakari“, starring Inohara Yoshihiko of V6.
This single CD will have three versions: Limited Edition (Honey Version), Limited Edition (Bunny Version), and Regular Edition. The two limited edition CDs will include their own individual DVDs.
The single is scheduled to be released on August 24th.
Read on to check out the track lists for the CDs below!
Regular Edition
“Sexy.Honey.Bunny!” “Takara no Ishi” “Mission of Love” “WALK”
Limited Edition (Honey Version)
[CD Track List]
“Sexy.Honey.Bunny!” “Takara no Ishi” [DVD Track List]
A 30-minute video from their nationwide tour in various venues in big cities – a documentary featuring all six of the members of V6.
[CD Track List]
“Sexy.Honey.Bunny!” “Takara no Ishi” [DVD Track List]
“Sexy.Honey.Bunny!” (Music Video) “Sexy.Honey.Bunny!” (Choreography Video) An exciting 20-minute video from the members in attempt to raise up people’s spirits.
Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) is featured on the front cover of the August issue of “Ray” magazine, which started to be displayed in stores on June 23rd.
The nine members of the group showed up on the cover wearing a different coordination of white blouses and denim tops/rompers. To accent the simple outfits, they all wear summer-themed, vivid-colored heels, and show off their beautiful legs which every girl envies.
Their interview in this magazine features their thoughts on their current Japanese tour, and Shoujo Jidai also answered one hundred questions for “100 no Q&A”. Before the photography session, Taeyeon used moisturizer and scrub on her skin to emphasize her flawless skin for the photos.
This issue of “Ray” also featured models Karina, Izumi Rika, and Miyu wearing different summer outfits.
Check out Shoujo Jidai’s scans from the magazine below!
Compassion: Lady Gaga wipes away her tears as she remembers the victims of the Japanese earthquake at a press conference in Tokyo today
She donated more than £1million out of her own pocket towards relief efforts after the Japanese earthquake and another £500,000 from sales of her charity bracelet.
So it was no surprise to see the Lady Gaga compassionately shed a tear for the victims of the disaster which devastated the country in March.
The singer was at a press conference in Tokyo today to promote the MTV Video Music Awards Japan.
Choked up: The tears falling down her face, Gaga struggles to compose herself
She will be performing at the awards, which take place on Saturday, which have been renamed Video Music Aid Japan and will raise money for the Japanese Red Cross.
Today Gaga broke down as she spoke about her love for the country.
She said: 'I am always so inspired when I come to Japan, inspired by the spirit, the passion, the love, the absolutely infectious joy of Tokyo.'
Hello, Tokyo: Gaga arrived at the press conference in her new aquamarine wig and black Aladdin pants
And she encouraged people from all over the world to visit the country, which has seen a huge plunge in tourism since the disaster, the nation's biggest recorded earthquake struck.
It created a tsunami that caused widespread destruction and set off a crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant about 140 miles (220 kilometers) north of Tokyo.
It killed almost 20,000 people, tens of thousands more were left homeless and thousands of others were forced to leave homes near the plant because of the radiation danger.
Please visit: Gaga urged tourists to come to Japan declaring it 'beautiful' and 'safe'
Wearing a long aquamarine wig, she said: 'I can't say enough to people all over the world that the majority of Japan right now, Japan in general, is very safe. It's fine to come here. It's beautiful.
'The most important thing, and the best thing, we could do for Japan right now is to boost tourism.
'I would like to use my position here today and all week long to run around Tokyo enjoy the beautiful city and kiss all the beautiful little monsters and scream at the top of my lungs that everyone should come visit this beautiful place.'
Thirsty work: Gaga sipped from a china tea cup which had Japanese characters that read 'Pray For Japan' across it
For luck: The singer kisses an Okiagari-Koboshi, a traditional Japanese doll
During the press conference, she sipped tea from a china cup that was painted with Japanese characters that read 'We pray for Japan'.
She was also presented with an 'Okiagari-koboshi' - which means 'getting up little priest' - a Japanese traditional tumble doll that is considered a good-luck charm and a symbol of perseverance and resilience
GaGa arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, days in advance of her performance on Saturday's Music Aid Japan benefit concert which will be broadcast live to an estimated 30 million households in Japan, Korea, Singapore and China.
For her Little Monsters: Gaga stopped to sign autographs as she left a restaurant last night...
... and kept her faithful followers happy as she stopped to greet fans at the airport
Last night she was bombarded by fans as she left Shabuzen, a popular restaurant that specialise in a common Japanese dish called Shabu-shabu, which is a Japanese hot pot, in the trendy night life area of Roppongi, in Tokyo.
But ever gracious to her 'Little Monsters', she happily stopped and signed autographs for them, just as she did when she arrived at Narita International Airport.
Just put your paws up: Gaga gives her trademark claw-hand sign and then waves to her fans as she heads out of the airport
Lady Gaga at the MTV Video Music Aid Japan press conference (june 2011)
X-JAPAN’s highly anticipated single, “JADE”, has now had its PV released to the public!
This 6-minute video is from a live performance, and while wearing all black outfits, X-JAPAN’s vocalist Toshi’s voice echoes through the crowd, who are holding x-shaped glow sticks.
Former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi’s jinbei (traditional Japanese clothing worn during the summer) and yukata (casual summer kimono) are back again this year after selling out a total of 5,000 last summer.
These summer clothing items keep you cool and are easy to wear; perfect for summer festivals.
The Tsuji produced jinbeis and yukatas are now on sale, and the sales will end once everything is out of stock.
Sandara Park releases an angelic CF for “Nikon”
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Nikon Imaging Korea has just released a jaw-dropping commercial with 2NE1‘s
Sandara Park.
The idol shed her quirky style and emerged as a gorgeous woman w...
Today it was revealed that actress Aragaki Yui was added to the cast of the upcoming movie “Kirin no Tsubasa“, a movie adaption of the popular drama series “Shinzanmono“, starring actor Abe Hiroshi.
On June 28th, X-JAPAN officially started their world tour at Shepherd’s Bush Empire venue located in England!
Former Morning Musume member Lin Lin has returned to Japan!
“What? W-w-what!! Lin Lin came~”, wrote Tanaka on her blog, along with several pictures of the two posing cutely together. “Yesterday, Kamei Eri-chan came too 3 Ehh? What about Jun Jun? (lol)”.
On June 23rd and June 24th, AKB48 completely took over the SHIBUYA TSUTAYA shop. The shop’s first floor was completely occupied for the commemoration event for their new music video DVD, “AKB48 Ga Ippai ~ The Best Music Video ~”.
As reported earlier, six of the AKB48 members are currently making appearance at SHIBUYA 109 and the building has a large billboard poster of Kashiwagi Yuki. Regarding this, she stated, “I saw my photo on the way here at SHIBUYA 109 and I was so surprised that I unconsciously, started taking photos on my cell phone! I grew up in the countryside (Kagoshima) so seeing my photo in Shibuya definitely makes me happy!”
Nagoya-based unit SKE48 is collaborating with shoe store ASBee for the fifth time!
Details on V6’s new single, “Sexy.Honey.Bunny! / Takara no Ishi“, set to be released in August, was revealed on various online CD shops today.
Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) is featured on the front cover of the August issue of “Ray” magazine, which started to be displayed in stores on June 23rd.
Compassion: Lady Gaga wipes away her tears as she remembers the victims of the Japanese earthquake at a press conference in Tokyo today
Choked up: The tears falling down her face, Gaga struggles to compose herself
Hello, Tokyo: Gaga arrived at the press conference in her new aquamarine wig and black Aladdin pants 
Thirsty work: Gaga sipped from a china tea cup which had Japanese characters that read 'Pray For Japan' across it
For luck: The singer kisses an Okiagari-Koboshi, a traditional Japanese doll
For her Little Monsters: Gaga stopped to sign autographs as she left a restaurant last night...
... and kept her faithful followers happy as she stopped to greet fans at the airport
Just put your paws up: Gaga gives her trademark claw-hand sign and then waves to her fans as she heads out of the airport
Former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi’s jinbei (traditional Japanese clothing worn during the summer) and yukata (casual summer kimono) are back again this year after selling out a total of 5,000 last summer.
