Kennichi Matsuyama on the way to international fame!
Two movies starring popular young actor Kenichi Matsuyama (24) will be screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, it has been announced. Even including people from other countries, it is rare for the festival to include two films led by the same actor.
This year, the festival will screen more than 300 films in 19 categories. One of Matsuyama's works is "Kamui" (directed by Yoichi Sai), an action-packed adaptation of a classic manga about a fugitive ninja. It will be part of the festival's Special Presentations category. Matsuyama's other work is Satoko Yokohama's "Ultra Miracle Love Story," which tells the story of an eccentric farmer from Aomori who falls in love with a teacher from Tokyo (Kumiko Aso). It will be shown in the Discovery category, under the international title "Bare Essence of Life."
Unlike most major film festivals, TIFF does not have a specific competition category. Instead, the big prize is the People's Choice Award, chosen by votes from the audience. Matsuyama had a chance to win last year with "Detroit Metal City," but "Slumdog Millionaire" took home the prize. The last Japanese film to win the award was Takeshi Kitano's "Zatoichi" in 2003.
A few other films from Japan will also be screened: Hirokazu Koreeda's "Kuuki Ningyou" ("Air Doll"), Hitoshi Matsumoto's "Symbol," and Koji Yakusho's "Gama no Abura" ("Toad's Oil").
The festival runs from September 10 to September 19.
source: tokyograph
This year, the festival will screen more than 300 films in 19 categories. One of Matsuyama's works is "Kamui" (directed by Yoichi Sai), an action-packed adaptation of a classic manga about a fugitive ninja. It will be part of the festival's Special Presentations category. Matsuyama's other work is Satoko Yokohama's "Ultra Miracle Love Story," which tells the story of an eccentric farmer from Aomori who falls in love with a teacher from Tokyo (Kumiko Aso). It will be shown in the Discovery category, under the international title "Bare Essence of Life."
Unlike most major film festivals, TIFF does not have a specific competition category. Instead, the big prize is the People's Choice Award, chosen by votes from the audience. Matsuyama had a chance to win last year with "Detroit Metal City," but "Slumdog Millionaire" took home the prize. The last Japanese film to win the award was Takeshi Kitano's "Zatoichi" in 2003.
A few other films from Japan will also be screened: Hirokazu Koreeda's "Kuuki Ningyou" ("Air Doll"), Hitoshi Matsumoto's "Symbol," and Koji Yakusho's "Gama no Abura" ("Toad's Oil").
The festival runs from September 10 to September 19.
source: tokyograph
Tohoshinki gets close to Arashi!
Here i present you the Oricon sales of the singles which have been released today in Japan. I bet the title was misleading :D But if you look at the numbers, you'll see that Tohoshinki is quite close to Arashi (the current most popular group of Japan!) Comparing to Tohoshinki's previous single, Share the World which sold 90K during the first week, Stand by U is out and kicking, selling over 90K in one day. (still waiting for my copy !!)
flumpool did not make it to the top 3 for the first day, but i hope their ranking will get higher by the end of this week.
And to remind everyone, Arashi, Tohoshinki, flumpool, Gackt, Fukuyama Masaharu and AKB48 will be guesting in Music Station this coming Friday. Stay tuned!
The rest of top 10:
4: ＭＷ〜Ｄｅａｒ Ｍｒ．＆ Ｍｓ．ピカレスク〜／夏Ｄｉｖｅ | MW ~ Dear Mr. & Mrs. Picaresque / Natsu Dive - flumpool
5: Flower - Gackt
6: たんぽぽ／海賊船／其の拳 | Tanpopo / Kaizokusen / Sono Kobushi - 遊助 | Yusuke
7: Blue Moon - John-Hoon
8: 涙サプライズ！ | Namida Surprise - AKB48
9: Brave Vibration - 土屋アンナ | Tsuchiya Anna
10: Storia - Kalafina
Romaji made by me.
Pictures above is courtesy of oricon.co.jp
flumpool did not make it to the top 3 for the first day, but i hope their ranking will get higher by the end of this week.
And to remind everyone, Arashi, Tohoshinki, flumpool, Gackt, Fukuyama Masaharu and AKB48 will be guesting in Music Station this coming Friday. Stay tuned!
The rest of top 10:
4: ＭＷ〜Ｄｅａｒ Ｍｒ．＆ Ｍｓ．ピカレスク〜／夏Ｄｉｖｅ | MW ~ Dear Mr. & Mrs. Picaresque / Natsu Dive - flumpool
5: Flower - Gackt
6: たんぽぽ／海賊船／其の拳 | Tanpopo / Kaizokusen / Sono Kobushi - 遊助 | Yusuke
7: Blue Moon - John-Hoon
8: 涙サプライズ！ | Namida Surprise - AKB48
9: Brave Vibration - 土屋アンナ | Tsuchiya Anna
10: Storia - Kalafina
Romaji made by me.
Pictures above is courtesy of oricon.co.jp
Hiatus.
Undetermined.
YAY PANDA! For real.
Looks like one of the couples in Love Shuffle has made it to the real scene of life. It's the pair of Tamaki Hiroshi and Yuriko Yoshitaka! Wasn't that my dream or something while watching this awesome drama?
Last season's drama series "Love Shuffle" (TBS) revolved around a group of men and women mixing and matching their relationships in an attempt to find their right mates. The experiment apparently worked out for two of the show's stars: Hiroshi Tamaki (29) and Yuriko Yoshitaka (20), who are said to now be seriously dating.
In "Love Shuffle," Tamaki played a manager at an IT company who was on the fast track due to his engagement to the president's daughter. Yoshitaka, on the other hand, played an art student undergoing psychiatric counseling. Although their characters did not end up together, the two actors hit it off and continued their dates off-screen.
Sources said that the two got along well during the show's filming, and they really started seeing each other after the series ended in March.
Tamaki's acting career has been very busy lately, particularly with starring roles in movies such as "Manatsu no Orion," "MW," and the upcoming "Nodame Cantabile" movies. Meanwhile, Yoshitaka has been establishing herself as a rising star. She received multiple Best New Actress awards for her role in last year's "Snakes and Earrings," in which she appeared nude.
source: kawaii joyuu
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There are way too many good news out there during these days and i obviously can't keep up with them all. I don't want to flood this website with too many posts at once. ^^; Maybe i will just summarize them all in a future entry. ^___^V
On another note i've been ranting about this everywhere so i am saying it in here as well.
I FREAKING WANT one of the cheeryouup T-SHIRTs !!!
Damn you, Korea.
Last season's drama series "Love Shuffle" (TBS) revolved around a group of men and women mixing and matching their relationships in an attempt to find their right mates. The experiment apparently worked out for two of the show's stars: Hiroshi Tamaki (29) and Yuriko Yoshitaka (20), who are said to now be seriously dating.
In "Love Shuffle," Tamaki played a manager at an IT company who was on the fast track due to his engagement to the president's daughter. Yoshitaka, on the other hand, played an art student undergoing psychiatric counseling. Although their characters did not end up together, the two actors hit it off and continued their dates off-screen.
Sources said that the two got along well during the show's filming, and they really started seeing each other after the series ended in March.
Tamaki's acting career has been very busy lately, particularly with starring roles in movies such as "Manatsu no Orion," "MW," and the upcoming "Nodame Cantabile" movies. Meanwhile, Yoshitaka has been establishing herself as a rising star. She received multiple Best New Actress awards for her role in last year's "Snakes and Earrings," in which she appeared nude.
source: kawaii joyuu
--------------------
There are way too many good news out there during these days and i obviously can't keep up with them all. I don't want to flood this website with too many posts at once. ^^; Maybe i will just summarize them all in a future entry. ^___^V
On another note i've been ranting about this everywhere so i am saying it in here as well.
I FREAKING WANT one of the cheeryouup T-SHIRTs !!!
Yamapi and RHCP?
Well, not exactly but they have been indirectly linked. XD
It looks like Japanese rock band B'z will be doing the theme song of Yamapi's drama with the weird name, Buzzer Beat (known as Boozer Beat by the Japanese - yes i know, it's confusing as hell!). Nothing new here as we all know that Yamapi's dramas always get the best bands in Japan to provide the theme songs.
What it is interesting is that the song, titled "Ichibu to Zenbu," which is being released as their 46th single on August 5 was recorded with support from drummer Chad Smith (of Red Hot Chili Peppers) and bassist Juan Alderete (of The Mars Volta). WOHOO~
And in the next news i will be one happy girl. Stay tuned! (I don't know how but some of my dreams are becoming reality in the Japanese Ent. XDDD)
It looks like Japanese rock band B'z will be doing the theme song of Yamapi's drama with the weird name, Buzzer Beat (known as Boozer Beat by the Japanese - yes i know, it's confusing as hell!). Nothing new here as we all know that Yamapi's dramas always get the best bands in Japan to provide the theme songs.
What it is interesting is that the song, titled "Ichibu to Zenbu," which is being released as their 46th single on August 5 was recorded with support from drummer Chad Smith (of Red Hot Chili Peppers) and bassist Juan Alderete (of The Mars Volta). WOHOO~And in the next news i will be one happy girl. Stay tuned! (I don't know how but some of my dreams are becoming reality in the Japanese Ent. XDDD)
Tag : yamapi
Johnnys news
I'm back on good terms with these guys (but NOT with the jimusho) so here i bring you news on Masuda Takahisa from NEWS and Ninomiya Kazunari of Arashi.
Takahisa Masuda (22) of NEWS has landed his first starring role in a play this November, titled "Ame no Hi no Mori no Naka." Masuda has performed in stage shows before, but this will be his first time taking the stage in a true acting role.
The play is written and produced by Masafumi Nishida, who was one of the screenwriters for the hit drama series "Maou." The story is an original slapstick comedy about a college student (Masuda) whose car runs out of gas, stranding him and a friend (Mitsuki Tanimura) in the woods on a rainy day. They eventually end up at an old boarding house, but it seems suspicious. As it turns out, Masuda's character gets frightened very easily by the incidents that occur, while Tanimura plays the much more strong-willed character.
Performances are scheduled for November 4-23 at The Globe Tokyo, followed by a run at Osaka's Theater Drama City on November 26-30. This makes a total of 31 shows!
Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya will be performing in his first stage play in four years. He has been given the starring role in "Strangers on a Train" ("Mishiranu Joukyaku"), opening this summer.
The play is based on the popular novel of the same name, which was turned into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1951. The suspenseful story tells of a wealthy young man named Bruno who happens to meet an up-and-coming architect named Guy during a train ride. They each have their own difficult personal circumstances, and Bruno proposes that they "exchange" murders - Bruno will kill Guy's unfaithful wife if Guy kills Bruno's father.
Robert Allan Ackerman, who has handled several Broadway productions, will produce the play. Ninomiya has been cast as the wild and devilish Bruno, while Kumiko Akiyoshi plays his mother. Shige Uchida is also part of the cast. Coincidentally, Akiyoshi previously played Ninomiya's mother in the 2003 movie "Ao no Hono," which also featured Ninomiya as a killer, though under different circumstances.
"Strangers on a Train" is being performed at The Globe Tokyo from July 18 to August 11.
source: tokyograph
Let's hope for two DVDs!
----------
Now it's time for some advertisement. Does anyone know icecapades @LiveJournal? Her entries on Japanese/Korean Ent. have always been hilarious but now she's moved her livejournal to WordPress.com. It doesn't mean anything of course 'coz she still writes with a passion.And we're kind of sharing the same interests. So bookmark her blog (floatingstars) if you want to have a good laugh once in a while and make sure to first read the one post that cracks me up these days. 
Takahisa Masuda (22) of NEWS has landed his first starring role in a play this November, titled "Ame no Hi no Mori no Naka." Masuda has performed in stage shows before, but this will be his first time taking the stage in a true acting role.
The play is written and produced by Masafumi Nishida, who was one of the screenwriters for the hit drama series "Maou." The story is an original slapstick comedy about a college student (Masuda) whose car runs out of gas, stranding him and a friend (Mitsuki Tanimura) in the woods on a rainy day. They eventually end up at an old boarding house, but it seems suspicious. As it turns out, Masuda's character gets frightened very easily by the incidents that occur, while Tanimura plays the much more strong-willed character.
Performances are scheduled for November 4-23 at The Globe Tokyo, followed by a run at Osaka's Theater Drama City on November 26-30. This makes a total of 31 shows!
Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya will be performing in his first stage play in four years. He has been given the starring role in "Strangers on a Train" ("Mishiranu Joukyaku"), opening this summer.
The play is based on the popular novel of the same name, which was turned into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1951. The suspenseful story tells of a wealthy young man named Bruno who happens to meet an up-and-coming architect named Guy during a train ride. They each have their own difficult personal circumstances, and Bruno proposes that they "exchange" murders - Bruno will kill Guy's unfaithful wife if Guy kills Bruno's father.
Robert Allan Ackerman, who has handled several Broadway productions, will produce the play. Ninomiya has been cast as the wild and devilish Bruno, while Kumiko Akiyoshi plays his mother. Shige Uchida is also part of the cast. Coincidentally, Akiyoshi previously played Ninomiya's mother in the 2003 movie "Ao no Hono," which also featured Ninomiya as a killer, though under different circumstances.
"Strangers on a Train" is being performed at The Globe Tokyo from July 18 to August 11.
source: tokyograph
Let's hope for two DVDs!
----------
Now it's time for some advertisement. Does anyone know icecapades @LiveJournal? Her entries on Japanese/Korean Ent. have always been hilarious but now she's moved her livejournal to WordPress.com. It doesn't mean anything of course 'coz she still writes with a passion.
IU covers Suju & Big Bang
And she does it good!
IU (real name Lee Ji Eun) is Korea's wunderkind as she's only 16 years old and has powerful vocal skills already. Don't you know who she is? You can make an impression while watching her debut music video, Missing Child.
Warning: Contains disturbing images. (credit: IUworld)
Next you can listen to her covers of Super Junior's Sorry Sorry and Big Bang's Lies.
Although they did not sound exactly like the original, some people in the business thought they were better than those. IU has the real talent because not only are her live performances almost flawless, her guitar playing and interpretation of different styles of music is very impressive.
She's brilliant! Enjoy.
Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry" featuring
Park Sang Hyun, 2NE1's Sandara's brother!
Big Bang's "Lies" featuring
Park Sang Hyun again
credit for the above videos: IUworld.
IU (real name Lee Ji Eun) is Korea's wunderkind as she's only 16 years old and has powerful vocal skills already. Don't you know who she is? You can make an impression while watching her debut music video, Missing Child.
Warning: Contains disturbing images. (credit: IUworld)
Next you can listen to her covers of Super Junior's Sorry Sorry and Big Bang's Lies.
Although they did not sound exactly like the original, some people in the business thought they were better than those. IU has the real talent because not only are her live performances almost flawless, her guitar playing and interpretation of different styles of music is very impressive.
She's brilliant! Enjoy.
Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry" featuring
Park Sang Hyun, 2NE1's Sandara's brother!
Big Bang's "Lies" featuring
Park Sang Hyun again
credit for the above videos: IUworld.
Tag : knews
BEP likes WG & Rain!
Famous American hip hop group, The Black Eyed Peas consisting of members will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie were recently interviewed by a Korean News Station. When asked who their favorite Korean Star was, one of the members stated that they liked Rain and The Wonder Girls.
This isn't the first time they recognized a Korean artist, as will.i.am gave Kero One a personalized video message. It seems like a lot of American artists are interested in Korean acts these days. Hopefully, this time period will be looked back upon as the start of big things for Asian Artists in America. Thanks to Sarah West and wana for the tip.
source: allkpop through GhostWriter
This isn't the first time they recognized a Korean artist, as will.i.am gave Kero One a personalized video message. It seems like a lot of American artists are interested in Korean acts these days. Hopefully, this time period will be looked back upon as the start of big things for Asian Artists in America. Thanks to Sarah West and wana for the tip.
source: allkpop through GhostWriter
Tag : knews
Anna Tsuchiya back into the spotlight!
Model and singer Anna Tsuchiya, 25, attended an event in Omotesando Hills this week to promote the opening of the “Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2009.”
Tsuchiya received an award for her first efforts in directing, for her short film called “Fishbone,” which tells the tale of a fish who tries to help his friend escape from captivity. She said that directing is not something one can do by themselves, and that many people helped her along the way.
Genki Sudo, former K-1 fighter and recipient of an award at last year’s festival, also attended the event and offered to work with Tsuchiya in the future. Tsuchiya said that she’s difficult to work with and doesn’t have the best personality, to which Sudo said: “That’s OK. I’ll support you. As a martial artist, I have a penchant for pain.”
The “Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2009” runs until June 14. Information on times and venues can be found here. http://www.shortshorts.org/2009/en/index.php
source: japan today
Oguri Shun news.
Popular actor Shun Oguri (26) is taking on his first directing job. While actors becoming directors is nothing new, this is said to be the first case for a star still in his twenties. The movie's official title is still unknown, but those close to the project are apparently calling it "Surely Someday."
Oguri, who is currently overseas for work, plans to start shooting this summer. Details are sparse, but the film is said to be a story of adolescence that will feature a cast of handsome actors.
Oguri has wanted to try directing for a long time. He was able to get this project rolling with the help of producer Mataichiro Yamamoto, who heads Oguri's management agency Tristone, and his father, stage director Tetsuya Oguri. The actor has already done a little directing, working on the short "manner CM" that played in theaters for "Crows ZERO II."
"Surely Someday" is expected to open in theaters next year.
credit: tokyograph
Oguri, who is currently overseas for work, plans to start shooting this summer. Details are sparse, but the film is said to be a story of adolescence that will feature a cast of handsome actors.
Oguri has wanted to try directing for a long time. He was able to get this project rolling with the help of producer Mataichiro Yamamoto, who heads Oguri's management agency Tristone, and his father, stage director Tetsuya Oguri. The actor has already done a little directing, working on the short "manner CM" that played in theaters for "Crows ZERO II."
"Surely Someday" is expected to open in theaters next year.
credit: tokyograph
When Japan & Korea join forces.
This is how the final result looks like: Heaven's Postman starring Kim Jaejoong and Han Hyo Joo, written by Kitagawa Eriko-san and produced by Lee Hyung Min-sshi!
credit: GOE-SS
May i add that the song in the background is sang by JJ? ♥ And as much as i love Han Hyo Joo, she's just too hysterical in this preview. T-T
More info on this drama/movie can be found here.
credit: GOE-SS
May i add that the song in the background is sang by JJ? ♥ And as much as i love Han Hyo Joo, she's just too hysterical in this preview. T-T
More info on this drama/movie can be found here.
Happiest countries in the world
The top 10 "happiest" countries:
1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. The Bahamas
6. Finland
7. Sweden
8. Bhutan
9. Brunei
10. Canada
Denmark ended up at the top to "its wealth, natural beauty, small size, quality education, and good health care". At the bottom were the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Burundi.
The U.S. ended up on the 23rd place, the UK on 41, China is 82, Japan 90, and India an unhappy 125.
credit: theredtothehorizon.org
Why not happy, Japan? Workaholics and anime freaks.
1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. The Bahamas
6. Finland
7. Sweden
8. Bhutan
9. Brunei
10. Canada
Denmark ended up at the top to "its wealth, natural beauty, small size, quality education, and good health care". At the bottom were the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Burundi.
The U.S. ended up on the 23rd place, the UK on 41, China is 82, Japan 90, and India an unhappy 125.
credit: theredtothehorizon.org
Why not happy, Japan? Workaholics and anime freaks.
Back in full force
I'm back from my hiatus!
I got over it. Heck, we're going to Stockholm and there's gonna be a blast!
Looking forward to meeting everyone.
Now on to the news.
Yamapi's new getsu-9 summer drama, Buzzer Beat. w00t? Well the plot is lame, the name is weird, the cast isn't good AT ALL, but there's Keiko Kitagawa and that's all that matters. I mean, my dream has come true sooner than expected. And let's not forget Maya Miki, she's an awesome actress.
Tomoya Nagase's drama (which is the only one that caught my attention this coming season). Title undetermined, cast undecided. But this one it's a comedy. Nagase style.
KAT-TUN might get the world record for most consecutive concerts (8) with an attendance of over 55,000 people per concert.
Hiroki Narimiya returns on the big screen!. The love story "Bakamono," by award-winning author Akiko Itoyama, is being turned into a movie starring Hiroki Narimiya (26) and Yuki Uchida (33). The film will be directed by Shusuke Kaneko, who recently helmed the live-action "Death Note" films. (source: tokyograph)
Tegoshi Yuuya plays a host in Dareka ga Uso wo Tsuiteiru. First announced last month, the drama has Mizutani playing a salaryman falsely accused of groping on a train. One of the key themes is the resulting impact on him and his family. Miyazaki is playing his wife, while Tegoshi and Tanimura have been cast as their children. Tegoshi's character is a student who finds a job as a bar host. (source: tokyograph)
Paradise Kiss, the manga by Ai Yazawa might become a Hollywood movie. >___> The idea is still being discussed. Let's hope they won't ruin it. (to the Romanians: they are airing NANA on Animax Romania!)
And last but not least, Tohoshinki is gonna be in Tokyo Friends Park II. They aren't promoting anything so i have no idea why they got invited. I guess it's the Toho power. ^___^
おわり。/ The end.
I got over it. Heck, we're going to Stockholm and there's gonna be a blast!
Looking forward to meeting everyone.Now on to the news.
Yamapi's new getsu-9 summer drama, Buzzer Beat. w00t? Well the plot is lame, the name is weird, the cast isn't good AT ALL, but there's Keiko Kitagawa and that's all that matters. I mean, my dream has come true sooner than expected. And let's not forget Maya Miki, she's an awesome actress.
Tomoya Nagase's drama (which is the only one that caught my attention this coming season). Title undetermined, cast undecided. But this one it's a comedy. Nagase style.
KAT-TUN might get the world record for most consecutive concerts (8) with an attendance of over 55,000 people per concert.
Hiroki Narimiya returns on the big screen!. The love story "Bakamono," by award-winning author Akiko Itoyama, is being turned into a movie starring Hiroki Narimiya (26) and Yuki Uchida (33). The film will be directed by Shusuke Kaneko, who recently helmed the live-action "Death Note" films. (source: tokyograph)
Tegoshi Yuuya plays a host in Dareka ga Uso wo Tsuiteiru. First announced last month, the drama has Mizutani playing a salaryman falsely accused of groping on a train. One of the key themes is the resulting impact on him and his family. Miyazaki is playing his wife, while Tegoshi and Tanimura have been cast as their children. Tegoshi's character is a student who finds a job as a bar host. (source: tokyograph)
Paradise Kiss, the manga by Ai Yazawa might become a Hollywood movie. >___> The idea is still being discussed. Let's hope they won't ruin it. (to the Romanians: they are airing NANA on Animax Romania!)
And last but not least, Tohoshinki is gonna be in Tokyo Friends Park II. They aren't promoting anything so i have no idea why they got invited. I guess it's the Toho power. ^___^
おわり。/ The end.
Inside Japan.
I'm back with news on swine flu and the reaction Avex has had (unlike others canceling concerts).
Show business organizers have started taking measures to deal with the surge in swine flu cases in Japan over the last couple of days. With the flu seemingly arriving in Japan with school kids who've been studying in North America, schools have been closed in the Kansai area where the cases have been concentrated. J-pop concerts and other events where teenagers would gather in large numbers are also an obvious risk. One of the biggest record labels, Avex Group Holdings, said they would ask concertgoers to disinfect their hands at venues this week. They will also provide iodine mouthwash in toilets and provide face masks for anyone seen to be coughing or sneezing. Avex have upcoming concerts by several major artists: Hamasaki Ayumi (May 20/21) and Otsuka Ai (May 23/24) at Osaka Castle Hall, and Koda Kumi at the Kobe World Kinen Hall (May 23/24). The Kobe venue is also scheduled to host Dreams Come True and Mr. Children this month. Another high profile organization, Johnny's Jimusho, announced that they would be postponing concerts in the Kansai region. The group Kansai Johnnys Jr. were scheduled to play four shows over two days at the Umeda Geijitsu Gekijo theater in Osaka on May 23-24, but the shows have been indefinitely postponed. Johnny's say they will notify the 7,600 ticket holders when new dates are decided. Actress Fujiwara Norika was scheduled to attend a Red Cross event at her old high school in Kobe tomorrow, but it has been canceled.
source: japanzone
Back to my hiatus. XD
Show business organizers have started taking measures to deal with the surge in swine flu cases in Japan over the last couple of days. With the flu seemingly arriving in Japan with school kids who've been studying in North America, schools have been closed in the Kansai area where the cases have been concentrated. J-pop concerts and other events where teenagers would gather in large numbers are also an obvious risk. One of the biggest record labels, Avex Group Holdings, said they would ask concertgoers to disinfect their hands at venues this week. They will also provide iodine mouthwash in toilets and provide face masks for anyone seen to be coughing or sneezing. Avex have upcoming concerts by several major artists: Hamasaki Ayumi (May 20/21) and Otsuka Ai (May 23/24) at Osaka Castle Hall, and Koda Kumi at the Kobe World Kinen Hall (May 23/24). The Kobe venue is also scheduled to host Dreams Come True and Mr. Children this month. Another high profile organization, Johnny's Jimusho, announced that they would be postponing concerts in the Kansai region. The group Kansai Johnnys Jr. were scheduled to play four shows over two days at the Umeda Geijitsu Gekijo theater in Osaka on May 23-24, but the shows have been indefinitely postponed. Johnny's say they will notify the 7,600 ticket holders when new dates are decided. Actress Fujiwara Norika was scheduled to attend a Red Cross event at her old high school in Kobe tomorrow, but it has been canceled.
source: japanzone
Back to my hiatus. XD
