Shoji Narita (41), a former guitarist for rock band Otokogumi, has been arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession.

Investigators from the Shibuya police station conducted a search of Narita's home on Sunday, finding several grams of marijuana. Narita reportedly admitted that he was keeping the drugs for personal use.

Otokogumi released their debut single under Johnny's Jimusho in 1988 and were popular up until their breakup in 1993. Currently, Kenichi Okamoto is the only member of the band still signed with Johnny's Jimusho.

source: Tokyograph

JE (again +__+)

NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (24) has scheduled his first solo concerts, to be held at Yokohama Arena this November. Just before that, he will also release a new solo single, his first in more than three years.

Yamashita's first single as a soloist was "Daite Senorita" in May 2006, used as the theme song of the drama series "Kurosagi." The song has sold more than 800,000 copies.

His new song is an R&B tune titled "Loveless." It will be released on November 18. Then, on November 21-23, he will do a total of five shows at the Yokohama Arena.

source: Tokyograph

*I hope Jin will be there LOL*

With Stardust Promotion looking to terminate its contract with actress Erika Sawajiri (23), it appears that rising star Meisa Kuroki (21) may be filling in for her in the live-action "Space Battleship Yamato" movie.

The movie itself was confirmed in July, with SMAP member Takuya Kimura (36) playing the lead. Sawajiri was tentatively offered the part of the heroine, Yuki Mori, and this was expected to be her comeback as an actress. She returned to Japan earlier this month, but her agency later refused to approve her appearance in "Yamato."

Sawajiri has previously caused problems for Stardust, and the company has reportedly decided to cancel her contract. Her dismissal is expected to be made official on September 28.

Along with Sawajiri, Kuroki is one of several actresses who were initially considered for the role of Yuki Mori. With Sawajiri out of the picture now, Kuroki has been chosen to replace her, and she was given an unofficial offer last week.

"Yamato" is scheduled to start filming during mid-October, with theatrical release planned for 2010.

source: tokyograph

The rumored relationship between KAT-TUN's Junnosuke Taguchi (23) and actress Rena Komine (29) appears to still be going strong. On Saturday, they both returned from a vacation they took together in Hawaii.

Taguchi and Komine were seen taking the same flight to Hawaii on September 6, but they returned separately on September 12, possibly to avoid facing the press together. Taguchi flew into Narita Airport in Tokyo, while Komine landed at Kansai International Airport in Osaka.

At the airport, reporters asked Taguchi about the trip, including questions regarding the rumor that this was a "pre-marriage trip," but he gave no comment.

Taguchi and Komine's relationship was first publicly revealed in September 2007. However, both of their agencies have repeatedly denied that they are dating.

source: Tokyograph

Popular idols Ryo Nishikido (24) and Tomohisa Yamashita (24) have reportedly been infected with influenza A, according to a fax sent out by their management on Tuesday. It is said that there is a possibility that they have the H1N1 strain.

Nishikido was diagnosed with the flu on Monday, and Yamashita was diagnosed the following day. Their doctor has instructed them to take a break from work and remain confined to their homes until they recover.

Nishikido currently appears in the TBS drama series "Orthros no Inu." The seventh episode is scheduled to air on Friday, September 4, but some of Nishikido's scenes have still not yet been filmed. As a result, there may be changes to this week's broadcast, and future episodes will depend on his recovery.
Source: Tokyograph


Is that true?? OMG~ Pi.... get well soon anta tachi.
What about jin? They're close, hope he will be alright too *prayhard*

Actress Mao Inoue (22) is teaming up with actor Jonathan Sherr (35) for a movie adaptation of the manga series "Darling wa Gaikokujin" ("My Darling is a Foreigner").

The original comics, written by mangaka Saori Oguri (42), depict her experiences throughout her relationship with her husband, American journalist Tony Laszlo (48). The manga began publication in 2002 and has sold more than 2 million copies of its four volumes released so far. The latest one, which covered the birth of their son, was published last year.

Filming is already in progress. The official website has opened, though few details are available. Theatrical release is set for spring 2010.
Source: tokyograph

The Japanese Wikipedia article on actress Aya Ueto (23) has been locked from editing after someone posted a bomb threat, it was learned on Thursday.

The message declared that explosives would be used to kill everyone attending an Aya Ueto event on August 31, apparently referring to her "Happy Magic" event at Odaiba's Zepp Tokyo. That event will be her first live concert in close to two years.

Tokyo police are investigating the matter and have warned the event's organizer to increase security. Criminal charges may be brought against the person responsible for the threats.
Source: Sankei Sports & tokyograph

As expected, the boy band Arashi dominated the charts this past week with their collection "All the BEST! 1999-2009." The album sold 753,000 copies, setting their own personal record for first-week sales.

The album also sets the record for opening week sales during the 2009 period. The previous highest was Mr.Children's "SUPERMARKET FANTASY," which sold 708,000 copies when it was released this past December. That album has already become a million seller, suggesting that Arashi's album will likely achieve that milestone as well. If it does, it will be their first million seller.

Aside from Arashi, the week's top ten included new releases from Big Bang (#3), MINMI (#5), Denki Groove (#6), and Hi-Fi CAMP (#8).

On the singles chart, Kiyoshi Hikawa also set a record. His "Tokimeki no Rumba" sold 68,000 copies to become his third chart-topper, which is the most for a solo enka artist.

TOKIO (#3), Yuko Hara (#5), The Gospellers (#7), Tatsuro Yamashita (#8), and Ayabie (#10) also entered the top ten.
Source: Oricon & Tokyograph

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

( The circumstances... )


Source: Yahoo!News By LYNN ELBER

SMAP's Shingo Katori will be appearing on police posters starting next month. The work is in connection with his starring role in TBS's upcoming drama series "Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo," also known as "Kochikame."

Based on a long-running comedy manga by Osamu Akimoto, "Kochikame" stars Katori as a police officer named Kankichi Ryotsu.

Katori appears in uniform as Kankichi on the police poster, which promotes the prevention of traffic accidents involving children during summer vacation. Posters will be put up at various police stations throughout Tokyo starting on July 1. Katori is also scheduled to make public appearances as Kankichi at police-sponsored events.

Incidentally, TBS also announced some of the cast members for "Kochikame," which premieres in August. Karina and Mocomichi Hayami will both be playing police officers working with Kankichi. Karina will be the talented beauty Reiko Catherine Akimoto, while Mocomichi has been cast as the wealthy Keiichi Nakagawa. LaSalle Ishii, who voiced Kankichi in the anime series and played him in the stage version, will appear on the show as Kankichi's father.
Source: Sankei Sports & TG

Rock band B'z is providing the theme to the Fuji TV drama series "Buzzer Beat," starring Tomohisa Yamashita and Keiko Kitagawa. For B'z, this is their first time in four years writing a tune for a television drama, and their first time ever for Fuji TV's "Getsu 9" time slot.

The song, titled "Ichibu to Zenbu," is being released as their 46th single on August 5. B'z recorded the song with support from drummer Chad Smith (of Red Hot Chili Peppers) and bassist Juan Alderete (of The Mars Volta).

B'z fans will get to hear the song on TV when "Buzzer Beat" premieres on July 13.
Source: Sankei Sports & TG

NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita has the lead role in Fuji TV's upcoming Monday night drama series, tentatively titled "Buzzer Beat ~Gakeppuchi no Hero~." His female lead this time is actress Keiko Kitagawa, who graduated from Meiji University's School of Commerce one year after he did.

The love story has Yamashita playing a salaryman who belongs to his company's basketball team. Despite his appearance, he is completely weak under pressure when it comes to work and romance. Although he has a girlfriend (Saki Aibu), he falls in love with a spirited and cheerful woman who is unable to be straightforward (Kitagawa).

Shihori Kanjiya plays Kitagawa's friend, while Hideaki Ito serves as Yamashita's rival in love. Junpei Mizobata, Nobuaki Kaneko, Miki Maya, and Masaru Nagai are also part of the supporting cast.

Yamashita's only experience with basketball so far is in classes at school, so he is undergoing special training for two weeks. "Buzzer Beat" premieres in July.
Source: Sankei Sports & TG

Hideaki Takizawa (27) has picked up his first starring role in a serial drama since 2005. He will share the screen with Ryo Nishikido (24) in a TBS series tentatively titled "Orthros no Inu," named after the two-headed dog from Greek mythology.

The thrilling human drama has Takizawa playing the role of a mysterious and ambitious man with a wicked heart, who possesses the power to heal pain and illness with the touch of his hand. Nishikido, on the other hand, plays a high school teacher with a gentle heart, but who has the ability to kill with his touch. The two happen to meet, resulting in a battle of good and evil.

Takizawa's last starring role in a series was in the 2005 NHK taiga drama "Yoshitsune." Before that, he played the lead in Fuji TV's "Boku Dake no Madonna."

TBS will broadcast "Orthros no Inu" on Friday nights at 10:00pm, starting in July.

Source: tokyograph

OMG~~!!!! I just can say ganbare ryo taki~ ^^

Utada.com announced on Monday that singer Hikaru Utada is postponing the in-store visits planned this week. Utada, who releases her new album "This Is The One" in the U.S. on Tuesday, had scheduled promotional visits in New York, Universal City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu from Tuesday to Saturday.

According to the message on the website, Utada has "been diagnosed with an acute case of left relapsing peritonsillitis." She had intended to fly into the U.S. on Monday, but doctors advised her not to travel and not to use her voice for the next couple weeks.

A representative said that Utada plans to reschedule her promotional activities.

source:utada.com, tg, medical dictionary

get better soon hikki~!!

Johnny's Jimusho proved dominant on the music charts this week, earning 1st on the album, single, and DVD rankings.

KAT-TUN's 4th album, "Break the Records -by you & for you-," sold 200,000 copies to lead the albums chart, continuing the streak from their first three. Elephant Kashimashi charted at #3 with their newest release. Also making the top ten were a request album for guitarist hide (#7) and the latest effort from Tommy heavenly6 (#9).

( Read More )

Popular actor Hiro Mizushima (24) and singer-songwriter Ayaka (21) surprised the entertainment industry on Friday when they held a press conference announcing that they recently married. In addition, it was revealed that Ayaka will be putting her music career on hold.

The two apparently first met three years ago, but it wasn't until a magazine interview last spring that their relationship began to develop. The pair started seriously dating in August. They decided to register their marriage on February 22.

( Read More )

Source: Sankei Sports & tokyograph

Source: Oricon & tokyograph

Source: Sponichi Annex, tg