On March 13th, it was revealed that X JAPAN’s leader, YOSHIKI, will be auctioning off his beloved “crystal piano” to aid in the disaster relief effort for Japan.

YOSHIKI, who normally lives in Los Angeles, flew to Tokyo in order to oversee his fashion show, as well as to record songs. He felt the tremors of the earthquake in his recording studio on the 11th. After watching news reports, he was shocked by the large-scale damage across Japan, and decided that he “must do something.”


The “crystal piano” has YOSHIKI’s logo engraved on it and according to experts, “is a priceless item.” His “crystal piano” often accompanies the star during their concerts all over the world. The entire sum raised from the auction will be given to disaster relief organizations, although detailed information will follow at a later date. The musician has also expressed an intent to collect disaster relief donations through his foundation, YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA.

On Twitter, YOSHIKI reassured fans, saying, “Thank you, everyone, for worrying about me. Although there are some friends I haven’t been able to contact, I’ve been able to reach all my family members. In order to support everyone, I am planning to extend my stay in Japan. LOVE YOU…”







source: tokyohive

Japanese pianist and singer Kanno Yoko just revealed an original song on YouTube, entitled “Kimi de ite buji de ite“, sending an inspirational message to people affected by the earthquake in Japan.

“Kimi de ite buji de ite” translates roughly to “be you, be okay”. In the short piece, Kanno plays the piano as she sings the following lyrics:

“Worrying
The world is worrying about you
They’re searching for your name

Being together
The world is together with you
They’ll go meet your life

Heart and body
Without breaking, hugging you
Until they meet you, be you
Be okay”

The video has collected many comments voicing support for victims of the earthquake, telling them to be strong. Check out the song below:




source: tokyohive

It’s been revealed that GACKT has organized an emergency charity, “SHOW YOUR HEART“, to raise disaster relief funds for the 2011 Japanese earthquake.

As the representative for “SHOW YOUR HEART”, GACKT stated, “We decided to organize the charity as it was something that even we could start [in order to help]. We want everyone to lend us their strength. Although individuals may not be able to do much, if everyone works together, it becomes a lot of power. In this sort of time, we need to have the courage to lend a helping hand.”


On the “SHOW YOUR HEART” official webpage, many celebrities, including Shinya (from LUNA SEA), Fujiwara Norika, DAIGO (from BREAKERZ), and Haruna Ai, have left supportive messages.

Donations can be made through a direct deposit in Japan to the “SHOW YOUR HEART” bank account. The funds collected will be distributed to victims through the Japanese Red Cross and local community associations.

source: tokyohive

Nishikawa Takanori (a.k.a. T.M. Revolution) has revealed through his Twitter account, that he plans to hold a charity concert on March 30th to raise disaster relief funds for the recent earthquake which hit Japan.

Nishikawa plans to set up a live stream for the event, which will be held at Zepp Tokyo, along with a donation website. He will be donating all proceeds from the website and ticket sales, and also wants to hold a charity auction.


At this point, the event is still in the planning stage, although other artists have expressed their support. He tweeted to followers that he is looking for people who are willing to provide broadcasting equipment, and websites that will host the stream and auction.

Nishikawa has been using Twitter to spread important messages immediately after the earthquake. Regarding this live, he said, “It’s unclear how much or even whether I can do it, and I know that I will probably face difficulties when I actually put it in motion, but I want to put all my energy into it.”


source: tokyohive

Many Japanese celebrities have been using Twitter to reassure fans that they’re safe and help spread word on important topics regarding the current earthquake crisis, and just recently, Korean girl group KARA has followed suit.

Members Kang Jiyoung and Goo Hara have not used their twitter accounts since mid-January, when their contract dispute began, but both of them broke their Twitter silences following the earthquake.

Hara tweeted the inspirational message, “[I] want to live ‘now’ with all my heart,” in Japanese.

Jiyoung tweeted, “Everyone, we’re back in Korea, so don’t worry about us!” in Korean, and then followed with a Japanese message, “Everyone in Japan, we are now safely back in Korea. Is everyone alright?! I wish that the situation doesn’t get any worse. I am cheering for you! Please do your best!!!”

All five members of KARA safely returned to Korea yesterday and have temporarily put Japanese promotions on hold.


source: tokyohive

A woman wrapped in a blanket stares shell-shocked at the damagae in Ishimaki City



Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide: A mighty wave of foaming black waterbursts through an embankment in Miyako, crushing cars parked in the street and obliterating everything in its path




Overturned: A motorcyclist passes by an overturned fishing boat in Hachinohe, Aomori, northern Japan



Precarious: Like a discarded toy tossed carelessly across a child's room, a ferry balances on the roof of a house in the village of Otsuchi



Lost: A woman searching for her missing husband looks under an overturned truck after an earthquake and tsunami struck Minami Sanriku



Broken home People walk through the debris of what was once a suburb of Minami Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture which was hardest hit by Friday's earthquake and tsunami



Blown away: Local residents walk past debris, including an overturned fishing boat, in Minami Sanriku



There is nothing left: A woman surveys the ravaged town of Minami Sanriku



There is nothing left: A woman surveys the ravaged town of Minami Sanriku



People look at a devastated area of Minamisanriku, northern Japan, Monday, March 14, 2011, three days after a powerful earthquake-triggered tsunami hit the country's east coast.



Tsunami evacuee is carried to hospital from an evacuation center in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, northern Japan Sunday, March 13, 2011 following Friday's massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.



Residents who were ordered to evacuate from their homes, rest at a shelter in Ofunato, Iwate, northern Japan Monday, March 14, 2011 following Friday's massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.




Residents fill up bottles of water from a public tap for home use in downtown Sendai city in Miyagi prefecture on March 14, 2011. A new explosion at a nuclear plant in nearby Fukushima prefecture hit punch-drunk Japan on March 14 as it raced to avert a reactor meltdown after a quake-tsunami disaster that is feared to have killed more than 10,000 people.




Local residents look at a tsumami-hit area covered with mud and debris in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on March 14, 2011 following the March 11 tsunami. A new explosion at a nuclear plant in nearby Fukushima prefecture hit punch-drunk Japan on March 14 as it raced to avert a reactor meltdown after a quake-tsunami disaster that is feared to have killed more than 10,000 people.



A market near a port is filled with debris in Fudai, Iwate, northern Japan Monday, March 14, 2011 following Friday's massive earthquake and the ensuing tsunami.



A displaced house washed away by a powerful earthquake-triggered tsunami gets stuck at a torii, a gate of a shrine in Noda village, northern Japan, Monday, March 14, 2011, three days after the earthquake hit the country's east coast.



A man reacts while looking at a stock price board in Tokyo Monday, March 14, 2011 as the Tokyo stock market plunged on its first business day after an earthquake and tsunami of epic proportions laid waste to cities along Japan's northeast coast. Only stock prices of construction and housing business show upward trend in red digits.



CORRECTS SOURCE - In this photo taken Sunday, March 13, 2011, debris covers Otsuchicho town, northern Japan, two days after a powerful earthquake-triggered tsunami hit the country's east coast.



People queue up to wait for buses to leave the city in downtown Sendai in Miyagi prefecture on March 14, 2011. A new explosion at a nuclear plant in nearby Fukushima prefecture hit punch-drunk Japan on March 14 as it raced to avert a reactor meltdown after a quake-tsunami disaster that is feared to have killed more than 10,000 people.



People queue up to buy food and daily necessities in downtown Sendai in Miyagi prefecture on March 14, 2011. A new explosion at a nuclear plant in nearby Fukushima prefecture hit punch-drunk Japan on March 14 as it raced to avert a reactor meltdown after a quake-tsunami disaster that is feared to have killed more than 10,000 people.


Tsunami Wave Breached Seawall in Japan Friday



source: dailymail, daylife
photo: AP photo, dailymail

Below is some information and links on how you can locate friends or relatives living in Japan and how you can donate to help with the disaster relief.

United States of America:
American Red Cross Online Donation Page
People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

To contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan, contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services:
1-888-407-4747 (within the United States)
(202)647-5225 (from Abroad)

Canada:
Canadian Red Cross Donation Page
People can also donate by:
- Calling 1-800-418-1111
- Texting the word ASIA to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5
- Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

To locate Canadians who may be affected, call the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at 613-944-2471 (613-943-1055), or toll free within Canada at 1-800-606-5499 (or 1-800-387-3124), or email sos@international.gc.ca.

United Kingdom:
British nationals in Japan who require assistance should contact the Foreign Office helpline in London: +44 20 7008 0000 (from Japan) or 020 7008 0000 (in the UK). You can also e-mail the Foreign Office on japan.earthquake@fco.gov.uk or skype (text not call) on “fcojapan”.

Australia:
If you want to inquire about the safety of family in the region through the Embassy of Japan in Australia, please contact them at 02-6273-3244.

If you are currently living in Japan or have friends and family there, please check the websites of your country’s Japanese embassy for more information. Send us a tip if you have info for your own country.


source: tokyohive

We are currently doing our best to compile a list of confirmed safe celebrities. If you know of any, please link us to their blog/Twitter through a tip and we will add them to the list ASAP.

If you are trying to reach friends or family in Japan or just want to help the victims, please head over to this article and learn how you can help the relief effort from your own country.

Next are a few awesome tweets by foreign celebrities, who are sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims of the earthquake in Japan.


We wanted to show you all something that gives a little bit of hope and positivity.

Alicia Keys: “My heart breaks 4 Japan. woke up this morning early w/ a song in my heart. not sure what but wow! So much going on in the world! #pray4japan”

Ameriie: “My heart aches as we all pray for those killed, injured, & missing in Japan… to help text ‘redcross’ to 90999 to donate $10 #helpJapan #textREDCROSSto9099”

Ashanti: “I’m saddened to see so much suffering. The images of Japan are horrific. My only reflection on this is that we are all but one single nation. One world united. That when there is one region affected by a catastrophe the erst of the world must react…”

B.o.B: “My heart goes out to the people of Japan. Stay Strong”

Brandy: “Sending prayers to Japan!!!!”

Bun B: “What’s happening to Japan right now is indescribable. These extreme acts of nature are getting more and more frequent. Pray for them and us.”

Chris Brown: “My prayers go out to everyone in japan!!! We have to love one another and come together as a planet!!!! Life is way too precious to waste on ignorance!!! We have to come together!!! All of us! Every race, gender, etc. I love you all. For anyone I’ve ever hurt, cursed out, yelled at, been rude too!! I sincerely apologize!! Life is beautiful and we are Beautiful People. I’m buggin out right now over japan!! #praying”

Ciara: “I am sooooo sad to hear about what’s happening in Japan. It breaks my heart. Let’s pray for the families and their country!”

Derek Hough: “Incredible…I can’t believe my eyes… Everyone pray for them…Puts things into perspective. Wow!”

Diddy: “GOD BLESS everyone in Japan and anyone affected by this disaster- you are in every thought and prayer!! Count your blessings today and be Nice! Let’s go! Never take life for granted!! Make today your GREATEST.”

Emma Bunton: “Thinking of everyone in Japan, my prayers are with you all.”

Estelle: “Prayers for Japan. All mu West Coast mates now would be good to visit fam in Midwest or east coast! Thank God for every moment.”

Jennifer Lopez: “Sending LOVE! Lets all please take a minute and say a prayer for all the people in Japan. For God to give them hope, courage, and strength.”

Jermaine Dupri: “i pray everybody is paying attention to the news right now, this earth quake and tsunami stuff is so real”

JoJo: “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Japan and the other affected areas. Let’s love and forgive and uplift and embrace each other.”

Justin Bieber: “Japan is one of my favorite places on earth…it’s an incredible culture with amazing people. My prayers go out to them. We all need to help”

Keri Hilson: “My heart goes out to any & everyone affected by the tsunami & earthquake in Japan. Sincere prayers for safety & repair…”

Kim Kardashian: “Just heard about the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan. My prayers are with everyone in Japan!”

Lady Gaga: “I Designed a Japan Prayer Bracelet. Buy It/Donate here and ALL proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief Efforts. Go Monsters: http://bit.ly/f0aYwZ”

Lea Michele: “So devastating to hear about the huge earthquake & tsunami Japan. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone there.”

LeToya Luckett: “My prayers go out to all affected by the Tsunami. #Godbless”

Lil’ Kim: “My prayers go out to everyone in Japan and families affected. #prayforjapan”

Mariah Carey: “All my love & prayers go out to everyone in Japan. Our thoughts are w/ you as you recover from this tragic situation. God Bless, Aishitemasu”

Melanie Fiona: “Please do all you can to assist the devastation in Japan. Even if its sending love, prayers & energy, we are responsible for one another xo”

Missy Elliott: “I am Praying 4 Everyone in Japan and Everywhere!!! All Prayer Warriors Please do the same…”

Monica: “Praying constantly 4 the families of those in both Japan & parts of Hawaii. It saddens me 2 no end but I know Gods able 2 protect & provide”

Mya: “Words can not describe the sorrow I feel.My heart goes out to you Japan”

Ne-Yo: “GOD BLESS JAPAN. My prayers go out to the people of japan hit by that terrible earthquake and tsunami, as well as the people of hawaii.”

Nicki Minaj: “RT @itzBAD_BarbieDC: Sending my thoughts n prayers out to Japan. And anywhere else affected by the earthquake/tsunami”

Nicole Scherzinger: “My heart goes out to all those affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. Pls keep Japan in ur prayers. God bless and be with them”

Nintendo America: “Thanks for your concern! During the earthquake no one at Nintendo in Japan was injured and there was no apparent structural damage.”

Paris Hilton: “The images on the news are breaking my heart. I am so worried for everyone in Japan. My thoughts are with you Japan. God bless you all.”

Ryan Seacrest: “Glued to TV watching this unreal earthquake footage out of Japan. Sending prayers to everyone affected. Unbelievable.”

Sean Garrett: “All the love and payers go out to my people in Japan,Hawaii and the West Coast!”

Sean Kingston: “Wanna send my Condolences to everybody in japan right now may the lord be with u all! Bless”

Snoop Dogg: “Sending prayers out to Japan. Stay strong and keep ya head up.”

Trey Songz: “Praying for my Japanese people affected by the Tsunami.”

will.i.am: “I’m worried about my friends from smap smap, verbal, kage son, and all my friends I care about. I can’t reach any of them in japan. 2new is in japan too…’wow’…I’m really worried…I can’t sleep…”


source: tokyohive

On her official blog, popular seiyuu and singer Hirano Aya revealed information about her upcoming best album, along with several intriguing one-shots of herself.

Through a series of posts, Hirano revealed the track lists and other details about each version of her first best album, which will be released on April 20th. The best album will contain songs from both her musical career and character songs she sang as a seiyuu. The still-unnamed best album will come in three different editions: a special ‘2CD+DVD’ set, a limited ‘2CD’ version, and a regular version.


In addition to teasing information through each blog post, Hirano also posted several pictures of herself in different costumes. According to Hirano, the pictures are sneak peaks at the cover for each version, with each taking inspiration from different women in history: Cleopatra (limited), Mona Lisa (regular), and Jean of Arc (special).

Check out which tracks have been confirmed for the best album, as well as Hirano Aya’s photos below!

-

Character Songs
01. Step ~Asu e no Ippo~
02. Shichaimashou suggestive (Pakira Ver.)
03. God knows…
04. Lost my music
05. Wasuremashou ne Yayayayayan♪
06. Futsuu no Koi ~Hashire! Iinchoo!~
07. First Good-Bye
08. Dream Space Shuttle
09. Flying Horse ~Uma Kamen Ai no Theme~
10. Uchuu Tetsujin Kyodain
11. Dondake Fanfare
12. D Drive Love
13. Me Samenai wish…
14. HYSTERIC DOLLS

Regular Songs
01. Bouken Desho Desho?
02. LOVEGUN
03. NEOPHILIA
04. MonStAR
05. Unnamed world
06. RIOT GIRL
07. Hoshi no Kakera
08. For you
09. Set me free
10. Super Driver
11. Speed Star
12. Mizutamari
13. Dahlia






source: tokyohive

AKB48’s Hirajima Natsumi updated the Watarirouka Hashiritai sub-unit’s official blog today with a cute story about hanging out with her close friend. The close friend was none other than former AKB48 member and current SDN48 member Urano Kazumi (also known as CinDy).


The two spent a day strawberry picking at a place called Koshigaya Strawberry. Natsumi wrote, “At the end, counting up all the strawberries the two of us ate… between the two of us it was 36!! … Finally going strawberry picking after 3 years was so much fun! And delicious! (lol) I want to go again next year~” From the pictures below, it seems like the girls had a great time!





source: tokyohive

Recochoku put out a survey asking its users which voice actor they think has the voice of a god.

The survey took place between February 22nd and March 8th, and 2,593 people responded.

Did your favorite voice actor make the cut?

Check out the results below!



1. Mizuki Nana

2. Hirano Aya

3. Toyosaki Aki

4. Sugita Tomokazu

5. Kamiya Hiroshi


source: tokyohive

AKB48’s newest sub-unit “Not yet” is preparing to release their debut single, “Shumatsu Not Yet” (“Weekend Not Yet”), for March 16th, but its members have recently participated in a photoshoot for ‘Shonen Magazine‘.

In this latest edition, Oshima Yuko, Kitahara Rie, Sashihara Rino and Yokoyama Yui are seen preparing for a ‘weekend date’. Fans will be able to see the girls deciding on their date outfits, while goofing around in their comfortable pajama-like clothing.

Who wouldn’t want to have a date with all four of these adorable girls at the same time?




source: tokyohive

On March 10th, the main cast of “GANTZ PERFECT ANSWER” held a theatre greeting for the Japanese premiere of their film at the Tokyo International Forum.

Arashi’s Ninomiya Kazunari planned a special surprise for Matsuyama Kenichi, by bringing out a handmade birthday cake for the star! Matsuyama had turned 26 years old on March 5th. Although Ninomiya celebrated his birthday a little belatedly, he continued a tradition of giving Matsuyama a cake.


Matsuyama was moved, “I was really surprised. I never thought something like that would happen here. He is really different from other stars”. Ninomiya replied with a huge smile on his face, “When I was making the cake, I noticed that filming the movie took a really long time . This is the first time I’ve made a cake for a co-star two times in a row. This is my “perfect answer””.

The boys stood in front of their audience and expressed their hopes for the movie’s success. Ninomiya cheered,, “We’ve put a lot of thoughts and love into this movie. So, I hope that you all like this “answer””. Meanwhile, Matsuyama smiled, “I like the Japan Premiere in which we can share enjoyment with a lot of people. So, I was looking forward for this.”.

“GANTZ PERFECT ANSWER” will be shown nation-wide on April 23rd.

source: tokyohive

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Japan submerged: A screen grab taken from news footage by Japanese Government broadcaster NHK on March 11, 2011 shows cars on a flooded street following an earthquake-triggered tsumani in Miyagi prefecture


People in cars try to outrun waves on coastal highways

Tokyo's Disneyland car park under water

Hundreds injured after ceiling caves in at Tokyo graduation ceremony

Physicist describes event as one of history's 'great quakes'

Buildings rocked in China's capital Beijing, 1,500 miles away


Huge tsunami waves have washed away buildings and cars after a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Japan.

The earthquake, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, sent ten-metre waves surging inland and caused fires in Tokyo.

Japan's meteorological agency said the tsunami struck Sendai, which has a population of about one million.

Drivers were seen fleeing the waves on highways close to the coast as the impact of the huge quake swept ashore while the car park at Disneyland in Tokyo was submerged.


Creeping dread: In this image from Japan's NHK TV video footage, houses are washed away by tsunami in Sendai as the waves power ashore


Aftershocks: The power of the seismic activity has been felt in Tokyo, 230 miles of its impact off the coast near Sendai


Dramatic footage showed the surge washing away cars, a bridge and buildings at the mouth of the Hirose-gawa River, which flows through the centre of Sendai, while a roof caved in at a graduation ceremony in Tokyo.

A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK, and numerous people are believed to have been injured.

Officials were trying to assess possible damage from the quake but had no immediate details.

The quake that struck 2:46pm was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9.


Crashing ashore: A tsunami is seen hitting the coast in Sendai



Capital shakes: A building burns after an earthquake in the Odaiba district of Tokyo


Moment of impact: People at a book store react as the store's ceiling falls in Sendai


Wide impact: A U.S. Geological Survey map shows the location of the quake while Yurikamome train passengers walk on the elevated track towards Shiodome Station in Tokyo's Shiodome district


A nation ablaze: A factory burns after the impact of the earthquake


The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. National broadcaster NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas.

A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 kilometres), about 80 miles (125 kilometres) off the eastern coast, the agency said.


Cars and buildings have been swept away by a crashing wave after the earthquake


The area is 240 miles (380 kilometre) northeast of Tokyo.
In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety.

TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.

In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.

Footage on NHK from their Sendai office showed employees stumbling around and books and papers crashing from desks.


A 7.9 magnitude earthquake has hit Tokyo, sparking a tsunami


Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.

Thirty minutes after the quake, tall buildings were still swaying in Tokyo and mobile phone networks were not working. Japan's Coast Guard has set up task force and officials are standing by for emergency contingencies, Coast Guard official Yosuke Oi said.

'I'm afraid we'll soon find out about damages, since the quake was so strong,' he said.





source: dailymail