Preview of "Masshiro" - Winter 2015

Title: Masshiro まっしろ
Official website: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 Jan 2015
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Cast: Horikita Maki, Yagira Yuya, Shida Mirai, Takanashi Rin, Nanao, MEGUMI, Takeuchi Miyako, Nisho Mari, Nobukawa Seijun, Watanabe Mai, Shumoto Erika, Ito Mamiko, Mikami Kensei, Tsuda Eisuke, Mashima Hidekazu, Ishiguro Ken, Mizuno Miki, Kimura Tae

Preview of "Wagaya" (drama SP)

Title: Wagaya わが家 (My Family)
Official website here
O.A. Date: 4 Jan 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS / MBS
Theme song: Home ni te by Takahata Mitsuki feat. KOBUDO
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Nagazuka Kyozo, Tanaka Yuko, Murakawa Eri, Ichikawa Mikako, Kitaro, Kusamura Reiko, Hamada Mari

Preview of "Ouroboros" - Winter 2015

Title: Ouroboros ウロボロス
Official website: here
Official Facebook page: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 16 Jan 2015
Timeslot: Fridays 10pm
Original work by: Kanzaki Yuya
Cast: Ikuta Toma, Oguri Shun, Ueno Juri, Yoshida Yo, Muro Tsuyoshi, Seino Nana, Takeda Kumiko, Mitsuishi Ken, Takito Kenichi, Yoshida Kotaro, Nakamura Hashinosuke

Preview of "Zeni no Sensou" - Winter 2015

Title: Zeni no Sensou 銭の戦争 (Money Wars)
Official website: here
Official Facebook page: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 6 Jan 2015
Timeslot; Tuesdays 10pm (9pm for the first OA)
Broadcast by: FujiTV / Kansai TV
Original work by: Park In Gwon
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Oshima Yuko, Kimura Fumino, Takada Sho, Tamamori Yuta, Tsugawa Masahiko, Judy Ong, Osugi Ren, Watabe Atsuro

Preview of "Orient Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken" (drama SP)

Title: Orient Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken オリエント急行殺人事件 (Murder On the Orient Express)
Official website: here
O.A. Dates: 11th and 12th Jan 2015, 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original novel by: Agatha Christie
Scriptwriter: Mitani Koki
Cast: Nomura Manzai, Matsushima Nanako, Ninomiya Kazunari, An, Tamaki Hiroshi, Sawamura Ikki, Kichise Michiko, Ishimaru Kanji, Ikematsu Sosuke, Kuroki Haru, Yagi Akiko, Aoki Sayaka, Fujimoto Takahiro, Fuji Sumiko, Takahashi Katsumi, Sasano Takashi, Kobayashi Takashi, Kusabue Mitsuko, Nishida Toshiyuki, Sato Koichi

Preview of "Taishi Kakka no Ryorinin" (drama SP)

Title: Taishi Kakka no Ryorinin 大使閣下の料理人 (The Ambassador's Chef)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Date: 3 Jan 2015, 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original manga by: Nishimura Mitsuru & Kawasumi Hiroshi
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Gouriki Ayame, Okura Koji, Kato Shigeaki (NEWS), Takenaka Naoto, Otani Naoko, Hirosue Ryoko, Nishida Toshiyuki

Top 10 bestselling DVDs of 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the number of units sold:

1) ARASHI Arafes'13 NATIONAL STADIUM 2013 - Arashi (711,139)

2) ARASHI Live Tour 2013 "LOVE" - Arashi (629,042)

3) KANJANI 8 LIVE TOUR JUKE BOX - Kanjani 8 (298,824)

4) SNOW DOME no Yakusoku IN TOKYO DOME 2013.11.16 - Kis-My-Ft2 (206,801)

5) Sandaime J Soul Brothers LIVE TOUR 2014 "BLUE IMPACT" - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (206,245)

6) namie amuro FEEL tour 2013 - Amuro Namie (167,997)

7) B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 ENDLESS SUMMER - XXV BEST - B'z (159,826)

8) Tohoshinki LIVE TOUR 2014 TREE - Tohoshinki (136,297)

9) Mr.Children [ (an imitation) blood orange] Tour - Mr.Children (133,387)

10) EXILE LIVE TOUR 2013 "EXILE PRIDE" 9.27 FINAL - EXILE (121,292)

Source: Oricon

Top 10 bestselling CD albums of 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the number of units sold:

1) Tsugi no Ashiato - AKB48 (1,041,355)

2) Frozen OST - Various Artists (980,383)

3) THE DIGITALIAN - Arashi (784,933)

4) Ballada - Amuro Namie (431,356)

5) Sekai no chuushin wa Osaka ya ~ Nanba Jichiku ~ - NMB48 (397,661)

6) THE BEST/BLUE IMPACT - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (347,363)

7) HUMAN - Fukuyama Masaharu (344,036)

8) EXILE TRIBE REVOLUTION - EXILE TRIBE (333,998)

9) Kanjani-ism - Kanjani 8 (327,752)

10) HIT! HIT! HIT! - Kis-My-Ft2 (293,309)

Source: Oricon

Top 10 bestselling CD singles of 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the number of units sold:

1) Labrador Retriever - AKB48 (1,786,825)

2) Kibou teki Refrain - AKB48 (1,156,706)

3) Mae shika mukanee - AKB 48 (1,153,906)

4) Suzukake no Ki no Michi de 'Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru' to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nannichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono - AKB48 (1,086,491)

5) Kokoro no Placard - AKB48 (1,058,059)

6) GUTS! - Arashi (604,654)

7) Bittersweet - Arashi (591,847)

8) Nandome no Aozora ka? - Nogizaka 46 (578,174)

9) THE REVOLUTION - EXILE TRIBE (573,268)

10) Kizuitara Kataomoi by Nogizaka 46 (546,832)

Source: Oricon

Top 5 bestselling artistes in 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the total sales of CDs and DVDs accumulated in 2014:

1) Arashi (JPY 13,823,000,000)

2) AKB48 (JPY 13,075,000,000)

3) Kanjani 8 (JPY 5,862,000,000)

4) Kis-My-Ft2 (JPY 5,258,000,000)

5) Tohoshinki (JPY 3,691,000,000)

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Marumaru Tsuma" - Winter 2015

Title: Marumaru Tsuma
Official website: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 Jan 2015
Broadcast by: NTV
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Cast: Shibasaki Kou, Kuroki Hitomi, Shirota Yu, Renbutsu Misako, Okunuki Kaoru, Watanabe Makiko, Iwamoto Tayo, Hiraizumi Sei, Higashiyama Noriyuki

Top 10 actors who have made a breakthrough in 2014 (Oricon)

1) Fukushi Sota

2) Nishijima Hidetoshi

3) Sakai Masato

4) Higashide Masahiro

5) Ayano Go

6) Ikematsu Sosuke

7) Saito Takumi

8) Takito Kenichi

9) Yamazaki Kento

10) Kataoka Ainosuke

Source: Oricon

Uchida Asahi announces his impending marriage to a civil servant

Uchida Asahi will be getting married to a civil servant 7 years younger than him early next year, as announced by his agency on 8 December. The couple reportedly met at Moscow, Russia, in July 2012 when Uchida was there for the filming of a programme and his girlfriend was on a tour with her mother. Soon after they returned to Japan, they started their long-distance relationship as Uchida was based in Tokyo and his girlfriend was based in Mie Prefecture. Nonetheless, the couple would meet up for holidays within Japan or go for dates at museums. It was said that Uchida proposed to her in October last year and their wedding will be held in spring next year.

Source: Sponichi

Top 10 actresses who have made a breakthrough in 2014 (Oricon)

1) Arimura Kasumi

2) An

3) Nounen Rena

4) Ishihara Satomi

5) Nikaido Fumi

6) Yoshitaka Yuriko

7) Matsu Takako / Takahata Mitsuki

9) Ayase Haruka / Takei Emi

Source: Oricon

Aibu Saki to star in new WOWOW drama "Garasu no Ashi"

Aibu Saki will be starring in the new WOWOW drama "Garasu no Ashi" (The Glass Reed) which is due to be shown from 21 February in the Saturdays 10pm timeslot. In this drama adapted from Naoki Award winner Sakuragi Shino's same-titled novel set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Aibu  will take on the role of Setsuko, a woman who had been raised by an abusive mother and later marries her mother's lover. However, even after getting married, Setsuko is involved with another man and eventually kills her mother and other people.

Filming begins around the 20th of this month.

As Aibu has been taking on baddie roles of late which had gained her quite a bit of attention, she said that she is fine with the intimate scenes but finds it difficult to imagine having to kill her mother like what Setsuko does. In addition, she finds the idea of having an extramarital affair unacceptable so these are the emotional hurdles she has to overcome while playing her character.

Source: Sanspo

Romaji lyrics of "Fall" by Makihara Noriyuki (Theme song of "Kyouwa Kaisha Yasumimasu")

Title: Fall
Artiste: Makihara Noriyuki
Lyrics & Melody: Makihara Noriyuki

itsu demo kimatta koto wo
hitori de tantan to konasu
hito ga karamanai bun dake
mondai mo okoranai kedo
kinou to kyou ga shirazu ni
ire kawatteta toshitemo
kizukenai you na hibi wo
rekishi to yobezu nayandeta

sonna toki kimi ga arawarete
kocchi e oide to te wo nobasu
sono te ni isshun fureta dakede
sekai ga chigatte mieta

hontou wa konna taimingu
matteta no kamo shirenai
mita koto mo nai sekai e
dare ka to ochiru sono toki wo
koi no hitotsu mo shiranai de
issho wo owaru nante iyada!
kokoro no sakebu koe ni mimi wo
fusagu te wo dokereba
IT'S TIME TO FALL!

kizutsuketari kizutsuitari
gaman shitari kojiretari
hito ga karameba mondai mo
okottari mo suru keredo

dare ka to iru koto deshika
mienai mono ga aru nara
sono aite wa kimi shika inai
nigitta te wo hanasanai

hontou wa konna taimingu
matteta no kamo shirenai
mita koto mo nai sekai e
dare ka to ochiru sono toki wo
mada nemuru kao wo minagara
kaisha ni ireta hajimete no
zuru yasumi no denwa kara
kimi to ochite iku
IT'S TIME TO FALL!

zaiakukan nomi komu hodo no
setsunasa de tsuita uso ga
zettai kawaranai to omotteta
kono jibun wo kaete iku

hontou wa konna taimingu
matteta no kamo shirenai
mita koto mo nai sekai e
dare ka to ochiru sono toki wo
koi mo shirazu owaru nante
iyada! iyada! iyada! iyada!
kokoro no sakebu koe ni mimi wo
fusagu te wo dokereba
3.2.1 FALL!

Hirose Suzu & Kamiki Ryunosuke to star in NTV Winter 2015 drama "Gakkou no Kaidan"

Hirose Suzu and Kamiki Ryunosuke will be starring in the NTV Winter 2015 drama "Gakkou no Kaidan" which is due to begin its run from 10 Jan in the Saturdays 9pm timeslot. Hirose plays the role of an ordinary girl who is forced to become the president of the student council and accidentally meets a speech writer (Kamiki) known as the Magician. Although she doesn't know much about him or whether he is an ally or foe, she develops skills of making good speeches through her interaction with him. Co-stars include Namase Katsuhisa, Asano Atsuko and Sugisaki Hana.

Source: Sanspo

Takasugi Mahiro to play Nakatani Miki's son in FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Ghost Writer"

Takasugi Mahiro will be playing Nakatani Miki's son in the upcoming FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Ghost Writer". The two of them had worked in the movie "Kawaki" previously but did not have any scenes together. This time, Takasugi plays Daiki, the son of Risa (Nakatani) who is in senior high school and creating lots of problems for his mother due to his rebellious attitude especially after news of his existence is revealed to the public.

Nakatani commented that she is looking forward to having Takasugi play her son in the drama especially since she had found his performance in "Kawaki" very memorable when he had to change quickly from a gentle expression to one that was menacing. As for Takasugi, he expressed his eagerness to learn from his co-stars who are all more experienced than him.

Source: Sanspo

Okada Junichi & Eikura Nana to reunite in new movie "Toshokan Sensou - THE LAST MISSION - "

V6's Okada Junichi and Eikura Nana will reunite in the new movie "Toshokan Sensou - THE LAST MISSION -" which will be shown in cinemas next October. This film will be the sequel of "Toshokan Sensou" which was screened in April last year and the cast will be largely the same including Okada, Eikura and Fukushi Sota. Filming is due to begin in the middle of this month but physical training already begun two months ago where the cast members would gather once a week to be trained by a former Self Defense Forces member.

Source: Sanspo

Ashida Mana to play the president of a company in NHK drama SP "Rugged!"

The press conference for NHK BS drama SP "Rugged!" was held on 5 Dec which was attended by the cast members Ashida Mana, Iwaki Koichi, Ishida Ayumi, Kurosawa Toshio, Ono Takehiko and Maeda Gin. The drama SP which will be shown on 21st and 28th February at 7.30pm, features Ashida as a 10-year-old girl Noa who has to take over her father's company after he passed away while trying to get back JPY 300m from a fraud group which had cheated him. Thanks to the help of a group of elderly men, Noa manages to tap into their skills and experience to fight against the bad people around her.

This is Ashida's first leading role in a NHK role and she commented that it is a very interesting experience to play the president of a factory but it's something unlikely to happen in reality. However, she is very happy about taking on this challenging role and hoped that she won't be a burden to her co-stars who are more than 50 years older than her.

Source: Sponichi

Further cast announcements for FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~"

Further cast announcements for the FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~" were made on 5 Dec. Kuninaka Ryoko will play the role of Shimada Kaori, a former delinquent who is a carefree person that shows a lot of concern towards anyone. As she had played mostly good characters in the past, Kuninaka expressed her surprise when she got the offer and viewed it as a new challenge for her in the new year. As Kuninaka and Mukai Osamu are expected to get married in December, this drama will be her first after her marriage. Hey! Say! Jump! member Nakajima Yuto will play Washio Yutaka, a kendo expert who works at a sporting goods manufacturer and hates to go around the bush. Kaori's brother Sotaro will be played by Matsuo Satoru.

As for the role Yabushita Yoriko's (An) mother, this will be taken on by Wakui Emi while her father will be played by Matsushige Yutaka. As for Taniguchi Takumi's (Hasegawa Hiroki) mother, this will be played by Fubuki Jun.

Source: Sponichi

Sato Takeru to star in new TBS Spring 2015 drama "Tenno no Ryoriban"

Sato Takeru will be playing a chef for the first time in the upcoming TBS 60th anniversary drama "Tenno no Ryoriban" (The Emperor's Cook) to be shown from April next year in the Spring 2015 season. He will play the role of Akiyama Tokuzo who was the head chef in the Imperial Household Department during the Taisho and Showa eras. In order to prepare for the role, Sato cut his hair by 20cm and remarked that he had never cut his hair so short since his junior high days when he was in the baseball team. He also started taking cooking lessons since August this year and practiced cutting vegetables such as onions and potatoes at home.

Akiyama came to Tokyo from his hometown at the age of 16 in order to realise his dream of being a chef. After working at a top-class hotel in Paris, he became the head chef at the young age of 26 for the royal family. Kuroki Haru will play the wife of Akiyama while Kobayashi Kaoru will play his teacher.

Source: Sponichi

The 27th Nikkansports Movie Awards / Ishihara Yujiro Award (2014)

Best Movie: Eien no Zero

Best Director: Yamazaki Takashi (Eien no Zero / STAND BY ME Doraemon)

Best Leading Actor: Okada Junichi (Eien no Zero / Higurashi no Ki)

Best Leading Actress: Miyazawa Rie (Kami no Tsuki)

Best Supporting Actor: Ikematsu Sosuke (Umi wo Kanjiru toki / Kami no Tsuki / Bokutachi no Kazoku)

Best Supporting Actress: Hirosue Ryoko (Omoi Nokoshi)

Best Newcomer: Nounen Rena (Hot Road)

Best Foreign Film: Frozen

Ishihara Yujiro Award: Rurouni Kenshin

Ishihara Yujiro Newcomer: Higashide Masahiro (Kiseijuu / CROWS EXPLODE)

Ishihara Yujiro Special Contribution Award: Hashimoto Seizo

Special Award: Takakura Ken

Source: Nikkansports

Romaji lyrics of "Silly" by Ieiri Leo (Theme Song of "N no tame ni")

Title: Silly
Artiste: Ieiri Leo
Lyrics: Ieiri Leo
Melody: Nishio Yoshihiko

muzukashii koto ga oosugiru ai
kyou mo kawarazu furi tsuzuiteiru ame ga
toiki no sukima de namae wo yobare
aenai hi no kodoku kaki kesarerunda
Rainy day oh Rainy day
kishimu hadou ni nomarete

Oh It's so silly
nani ka wo motome tashikame takute kyou wo ikiteru
Oh It's so silly
damaseru no nara genjitsu nante hitsuyo janai
nogarerarenai kanashimi ni Oh It's so silly

tsuyogari kakushita namida no ato ni
kizukanai soburi hada wo kasaneru yoru wa
asai nemuri kuri kaeshi nagara mo
tonari no omomi wo tashikamete irunda
Rainy day oh Rainy day
otona ni narikire nakute

Oh It's so silly
sukui wo motome mitasaretakute kyou wo ikiteru
Oh It's so silly
yurusareru nara kono ai dake wo dakishimetai
nogarerarenai itami demo Oh It's so silly

imi no nai nani mo nai ashita wa
mitenai wakaranai furi de
nigedashiteru So Silly
furueru tsumi no nai sore wo ushinaeba ii
yugamu kimochi wa anata ga hoshii

Oh It's so silly
nani ka wo motome tashikame takute kyou wo ikiteru
Oh It's so silly
damaseru no nara genjitsu nante hitsuyo janai
nogarerarenai kanashimi ni
kizu mo ima dewa itoshikute
Oh It's so silly

Preview of "Sayonara Watashi" (NHK)

Title: Sayonara Watashi さよなら私 (Goodbye to me)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 Oct 2014
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Total number of episodes: 9
Broadcast by: NHK
Theme Song: Onaji Samishisa by Hirai Ken
Cast: Nagasaku Hiromi, Ishida Yuriko, Fujiki Naohito, Sato Hitomi, Tanimura Mitsuki, Lily, Omi Toshinori

Preview of "Shokuzai no Sonata" (WOWOW)

Title: Shokuzai no Sonata 贖罪の奏鳴曲 (The Sonata of Atonement)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 24 Jan 2014
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 4
Original novel by: Nakayama Shichiri
Cast: Mikami Hiroshi, Sometani Shota, Toyota Maho, Shiraishi Shunya, Nomaguchi Toru, Yamashita Yorie, Horibe Keisuke, Nakahara Takeo, Lily Frankie

Preview of "Kiri no Hata" (drama SP)

Title: Kiri no Hata 霧の旗 (The Flag of Mist)
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 7 Dec 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Horikita Maki, Takahashi Katsumi, Kimura Yoshino, Furuhata Niino, Fukuda Seiji, Tanimura Mitsuki, Denden, Watanabe Ikkei, Hashizume Isao, Shiina Kippei

Preview of "Sakamichi no Ie" (drama SP)

Title: Sakamichi no Ie 坂道の家 (The House on the Slope)
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 6 Dec 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Ono Machiko, Emoto Akira, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Watanabe Eri, Fueki Yuko, Marie, Shofukutei Tsuruko, Kazuki Saya

Preview of "Kageriyuku Natsu" (WOWOW)

Title: Kageriyuku Natsu 翳りゆく夏 (The Darkening Summer)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 18 Jan 2015
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 5
Original novel by: Akai Mihiro
Cast: Watabe Atsuro, Tokito Saburo, Kadowaki Mugi, Suda Masaki, Iwamatsu Ryo, Takito Kenichi, Aoi Wakana, Iwamoto Masuyo, Toda Masahiro, Shimada Kyusaku, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Maeda Atsuko, Moriguchi Yoko, Tsuruta Mayu, Kiba Katsumi, Nakada Yoshiko, Sato Bsaku, Itaya Yuka, Hashizume Isao

Nakatani Miki & Mizukawa Asami to work together in FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Ghost Writer"

Nakatani Miki will be taking on the leading role in a drama series for the first time in 13 years when she appears in the upcoming FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Ghost Writer" due to begin its run from Jan in the Tuesdays 9pm timeslot. Her last drama where she had a leading role was in the 2002 FujiTV drama "Koi suru Top Lady".

This time, Nakatani will play the role of a popular writer Risa who is facing writer's block and asks her assistant Yuki (Mizukawa Asami) who dreams of being a novelist one day, to be her ghost writer in order to get over the crisis. While feeling troubled over how she has to lie to maintain her status as a popular writer, she also has to deal with the challenge from Yuki who also has talent and is capable of making it on her own.

The storyline is very similar to the ghost writer scandal which happened in February this year when Samuragochi Mamoru, a composer who had been said to be fully deaf, was caught for having a "ghost writer" for the past 18 years as some of his works were composed by a contemporary musician and teacher Niigaki Takashi but released in Samuragochi's name. When asked about this resemblance, the production crew acknowledged that it had used the scandal as a reference but stressed that the theme of people having to pretend to be someone who they aren't in reality and the pain of going through that was something which everyone could identify with. Besides, they wanted to highlight the topic of making mistakes which are irreversible that would be of interest to the viewers who would want to find out what happens to Risa and Yuki in the end.

Nakatani and Mizukawa last worked together 14 years ago in the TV Asahi drama "R-17". Co-stars include Miura Shohei, Nanao and Tanaka Tetsushi.

Source: Sanspo

First-day-screening of new movie "Kiseijuu"

The first-day-screening event of new movie "Kiseijuu" was held on 29 Nov which was attended by the cast members Sometani Shota, Fukatsu Eri, Higashide Masahiro, Hashimoto Ai, Yo Kimiko and the director Yamazaki Takashi. The movie is a science-fiction story about how parasites invade the brains of human beings and control their bodies in a bid to take over the human race. Sometani plays a student whose right hand is invaded by a parasite named Migi and has to fight against the parasites which are invading people's minds very rapidly. During the five-month filming period, he could only imagine that there was indeed a parasite named Migi on his right hand so it was a tough and lonely battle he had to undertake. As for Fukatsu who plays a senior high school student invaded by a parasite and has her face split open in this movie, she remarked that she will look even more horrendous in the second movie.

The finale of this movie titled "Kiseijuu Kanketsuhen" will be released in cinemas from 25 April next year.

Source: Sponichi / Sanspo

Nikaido Fumi & Arai Hirofumi reported to have broken up

Nikaido Fumi and Arai Hirofumi are said to have gone their separate ways, as reported on 27 Nov. The couple who are 16 years apart in age, met on the set of the movie "Himizu" which was released in Jan 2012 and soon started dating. In March last year, they were first romantically linked to each other and were caught by the tabloids on a yakiniku date in June the same year. However, according to insiders, the couple decided to go their separate ways after being together for two and a half years because of their differing views towards marriage. As Arai is going to be 36 next Jan, he was said to have the intention to marry Nikaido and had introduced her to his parents. On the other hand, Nikaido made it to Keio University this year after taking the entrance exams as a repeat student and is very busy with her acting career these days thus had no intention to get married yet.

Source: Nikkansports

An and Hasegawa Hiroki to co-star in new FujiTV Winter 2015 Gekku "Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~"

An will be taking on her first leading role in the a FujiTV Gekku when she appears in the new Winter 2015 drama "Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~ " (Date ~ What kind of thing is love?) alongside Hasegawa Hiroki which begins its run from 19 Jan at 9pm on Mondays. The drama is set in Yokohama and will be a bittersweet romantic comedy.

An plays the role of Yabushita Yoriko, a 29-year-old economics expert who holds a Masters degree from University of Tokyo and works in the field of macroeconomics research. She is rigid and refuses to pander to others. As she aims to get married by 30, she registers at a marriage agency in order to find a partner. On the other hand, Hasegawa plays a jobless man named Taniguchi Takumi who depends on his mother for a living while being absorbed in the world of literature, arts, music and entertainment. He regards himself as a high-class nomad and decides to register at the same marriage agency as Yoriko in order to find a rich woman who he can depend on for a living if his mother is no longer around. The two of them who are said to be unable to love and unsuitable for love get paired up together and through a number of dates, become closer to each other while viewing the topic of marriage as a mere contract rather than the union of two people who are in love with each other.

Source: Sponichi

Mizobata Junpei & Katase Nana cohabiting?

Mizobata Junpei and Katase Nana are said to be cohabiting, according to the 28 Nov issue of FRIDAY. The two had been first romantically linked in July last year and said to be in a serious relationship in August this year. However, Mizobata denied the reports and said that Katase was just a respected senior of his and they are just good friends. On the other hand, Katase did not deny the reports when she appeared at an event soon after the report was published.

In the latest report by FRIDAY, the couple were said to have started living together in the same apartment a few months ago and were photographed to have been entering and leaving the apartment block. With regard to this new report, both artistes' agencies claimed that they were just good friends.

Source: Nikkansports

Tamaki Hiroshi to star in FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Zannen na Otto"

Tamaki Hiroshi will be starring in the new FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Zannen na Otto" (The Disappointing Husband) due to begin its run from 14 Jan in the Wednesdays 10pm timeslot. He plays the role of a man working at a housing company who looks like the perfect husband because of his looks, character and abilities and is on good terms with his wife played by Kurashina Kana who adores and respects him a lot. However, with the birth of their first child, her character goes through a total change where she starts to find fault with him about things which used to be bearable to her and becomes so hysterical that he starts to see her as a "monster wife". He cannot find a reason as to why she is behaving like this and becomes "downgraded" to a disappointing husband in her eyes.

Tamaki commented that although he has a favourable image of marriage personally, to play such a role at this point of his life is considered as a good learning experience for him. He also hopes to make this character believable and for everyone to be able to identify with through watching the drama. On the other hand, Kurashina who is also single, said that it is a first experience for her to play a wife and mother so she is looking forward to acting in this drama.

Other co-stars include Kishitani Goro who plays Tamaki's superior, Otsuka Nene who plays his wife as well as EXILE's Kuroki Keiji, Hayashi Kento, Takahashi Maryjun and Asada Miyoko.

Source: Sponichi

DAIGO & Kitagawa Keiko acknowledge that they are dating

DAIGO and Kitagawa Keiko have been dating since spring this year, as reported on 27 Nov. According to insiders, the two of them first met in 2011 when DAIGO was the guest in the first episode of the TBS drama "LADY" starring Kitagawa. However, they only became closer after appearing in the same variety show in Jan this year and started dating from March after going on meals with their mutual friend Kanjiya Shihori. It was said that Kitagawa was sighted at DAIGO's concert and fanclub events on 26 July, 15 Sep and 19 Oct despite her busy schedule. As they had been seen wearing couple rings on their right hands, rumours had been circulating among fans about their relationship.

Source: Sponichi / Sanspo

Nishijima Hidetoshi & Kagawa Teruyuki to play father and son in TBS Winter 2015 drama "Ryusei Wagon"

Nishijima Hidetoshi and Kagawa Teruyuki will be working together in the upcoming TBS Winter 2015 drama "Ryusei Wagon" (Shooting Star Wagon" based on Naoki Award winner Shigematsu Kiyoshi's bestselling novel. The drama which will be shown from Jan in the Sundays 9pm timeslot, features Nishijima as the 43-year-old son who is retrenched and loses all hope in life when a mysterious wagon appears in front of him. Upon getting onto the wagon, he is transported back in time to the past where he meets his father (Kagawa) at the same age as him now who is down with terminal cancer. Through the interaction with his father, the son takes a fresh look at family ties, Kagawa will also appear in the present day as a 73-year-old bedridden old man who cannot get along with his son. Co-stars include Igawa Haruka who play Nishijima's wife who has been neglected by him all this while thus leading to the breakdown of their marriage and Yoshioka Hidetaka.

Source: Sponichi

Nakashima Mika to get married next month

Nakashima Mika will be getting married to Shimizu Kunihiro, a member of Japan's national volleyball team, next month as reported on 25 Nov, The couple were said to have met while watching a volleyball match and started dating in the summer of 2011. As Nakashima had expressed her wish to get married during Christmas which is her favourite period in the year, there are plans to adjust her schedule to submit her marriage application around this time.

Nakashima is scheduled to hold a concert at Nippon Budokan on 30 Dec which is likely to be her first public appearance after her marriage and when she will announce the news to her fans.

Source: Sponichi

Sakurai Sho to star in FujiTV's New Year drama SP "Taishi Kakka no Ryorinin"

Arashi's Sakurai Sho will be starring in the upcoming FujiTV New Year drama SP "Taishi Kakka no Ryorinin" which will be shown on 3 Jan where he will play a chef for the first time. The drama SP is based on a manga serialised in "Morning" between 1998 and 2006 by Nishimura Mitsuru and Kawasumi Hiroshi and features Sakurai as the lead character Osawa Ko, a chef specialising in French cuisine who is warm and serious about his work. Despite working as a assistant head chef in a top-class hotel, Ko feels weird about not being able to see his customers' reactions to his dishes. Just then, he sees a pamphlet asking for interested parties to apply for a chef position at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Vietnam and decides to work there instead so that he can create dishes with his skills and heart.

Ko's wife Hitomi will be played by Hirosue Ryoko who he met while working at the hotel. The Japanese ambassador Kuraki Kazuya will be played by Nishida Toshiyuki while the translator Furuta Seiichi will be played by Okura Koji. Kato Shigeaki will play a diplomat Eguchi Satoru while Takenaka Naoto will play the French chef Murakami Shinzo who was Ko's boss at the hotel.

Filming started on 1 Nov.

Source: Oricon / Cinema Today / Natalie

Kamenashi Kazuya & Fukada Kyoko co-star in TV Asahi Winter 2015 drama "Second Love"

KAT-TUN's Kamenashi Kazuya and Fukada Kyoko will be working together in the upcoming TV Asahi Winter 2015 drama "Second Love" which begins its run from January in the Fridays 11.15pm timeslot. The drama which will be written by Oishi Shizuka who is famous for her hit drama "Second Virgin", will be about the scandalous relationships among adults.

Kamenashi who is taking on his first leading role in a TV Asahi drama, will play a contemporary dancer in his 20s who is struggling with the gap between his ideals and reality. On the other hand, Fukada plays a senior high school teacher in her 30s who is involved in an extramarital affair with her married colleague. Kamenashi's character will woo Fukada's character aggressively and the two of them will be embroiled in an intense love affair while grappling with their own problems.

Filming begins next month.

Source: Sponichi

Matsu Takako announces her first pregnancy; due to give birth next spring

Matsu Takako announced through her official website on 27 Nov that she is currently 6 months pregnant with her first child and will give birth next spring. She got married to guitarist Sahashi Yoshiyuki in December 2007

In her statement which was handwritten, Matsu revealed that she and her husband are very happy about the impending arrival of their first child. As for work, she will do her best depending on her condition and asked for the support of all around her. She ended the message by saying that she is very grateful for the understanding of everyone during this period.

Source: Sanspo / Nikkansports

Joint press conference for TV Asahi's Matsumoto Seicho SPs "Sakamichi no Ie" & "Kiri no Hata"

The joint press conference for TV Asahi's two new Matsumoto Seicho SPs i.e. "Sakamichi no Ie" and "Kiri no Hata" was held on 27 Nov which was attended by the respective leads Ono Machiko and Horikita Maki.

Ono plays a hairdresser in "Sakamichi no Ie" to be shown on 6 December who destroys the lives of two men that had gotten involved with her. On the other hand, Horikita appears in "Kiri no Hata" to be shown on the following night at the same time where she plays a hostess eager to take revenge on her enemies.

When asked about their thoughts of having to play bad women, Ono said that women do have dark sides within themselves so it was a matter of bringing this out in the drama. As for Horikita, she expressed her wish to try baddie roles again because she had enjoyed playing one this time.

Source: Sanspo / Nikkansports

"HERO" to have a movie version next summer

"HERO" will be back as a new movie next summer as a continuation of its second drama series shown this year. The new movie which is due to be shown in cinemas from 18 July 2015, will still feature Kimura Takuya as the unconventional prosecutor Kuryu Kohei as well as the heroine in the second series Kitagawa Keiko and will bring back the original drama series' heroine Matsu Takako and feature new names in the cast lineup including Sato Koichi as a rival of Kuryu. Filming begins at the end of this month.

This time, Kuryu will be investigating a case related to a foreign country's embassy. However, due to the lack of rights to investigate the embassy and its diplomats, any wrong move may escalate into a major issue thus making Kuryu face his biggest crisis so far in his career.

Source: Sponichi

Oda Yuji welcomes the birth of his first son

Oda Yuji welcomed the birth of his first son at the end of last month, as announced on 27 November. According to his agency, Oda's wife and son are doing well but they will not announce the date of birth for privacy reasons. The couple got married in August 2010 when few details were announced about how long they had dated or how they met. As for the pregnancy and childbirth, it was only made known to a small group of people.

Source: Sanspo

The 39th Hochi Movie Awards 2014

Best Japanese Movie: 0.5mm

Best Director: Koizumi Takashi (Higurashi no Ki)

Best Leading Actor: Okada Junichi (Eien no Zero)

Best Leading Actress: Miyazawa Rie (Kami no Tsuki)

Best Supporting Actor: Tsugawa Masahiko (0.5mm)

Best Supporting Actress: Oshima Yuko (Kami no Tsuki)

Best Newcomer: Komatsu Nana (Kawaki) / Tosaka Hiroomi (Hot Road) / Nishida Masafumi (Onodera no Otouto Onodera no Ane)

Best Foreign Film: Jersey Boys (Clint Eastwood)

Special Award: Frozen / Takakura Ken

Source: Yomiuri Hochi

Tanaka Rena to star in TBS Winter 2015 drama "Utsukushiki Wana ~ Zanka Ryoran"

Tanaka Rena will take on her first leading role in a private network drama series in 7 years when she appears in the TBS Winter 2015 drama "Utsukushiki Wana ~ Zanka Ryoran" which will be shown from 8 Jan in the Thursdays 9pm timeslot. The drama which is based on the novel "Zanka Ryoran" by Okabe Etsu, features Tanaka as a 34-year-old OL who is betrayed by her married lover and managing director of a large company (Murakami Hiroaki). As a result, she vows to take revenge on his wife (Wakamura Mayumi) who was the mastermind for what had happened. At the same time, she happens to meet a young entrepreneur (Aoyanagi Sho) through an arranged meeting session but finds out that he is in love with her former lover's wife.

Source: Sponichi

Takeuchi Yuko to star in FujiTV drama SP "Joryu Kaikyu ~ Fukumaru Hyakkaten Gaishobu~"

Takeuchi Yuko will be starring in the FujiTV drama SP "Joryu Kaikyu ~ Fukumaru Hyakkaten Gaishobu ~" which will be shown at 9pm on 16 Jan 2015. The drama SP which is based on the novel by Takadono Madoka, will feature Takeuchi as Samejima Shizuo, a part-time worker at a departmental store's foodstuff section in the basement who sells cakes and boasts of high sales. Later, she becomes a permanent employee and rises up the ranks to become a member of the institutional customers' department who serves the celebrity customers and must achieve a monthly sales target of JPY 15m. As part of her job, Samejima must carry luxury items such as jewellery and branded watches in a huge suitcase to bring to her customers and remember important information such as their and their family members birthdays and meet their unreasonable demands at times in order to make a deal. The filming was primarily done at a real departmental store in Kobe.

Source: Sponichi

Completion press conference of WOWOW drama "Akka"

The completion press conference of new WOWOW drama "Akka" was held on 18 November which was attended by the leads Oikawa Mitsuhiro and Kuroki Meisa. The drama begins its run from 23 November at 10pm on Sundays. When interviewed by the media if there were any episodes on set which made her nervous on set, Kuroki said that there was a scene where Oikawa had to carry her and she was worried that he might find her too heavy but he ended raising her with ease. On the other hand, Oikawa cited the kissing scene which made him quite embarrassed and nervous.

Source: Sponichi

Arimura Kasumi to star in the new movie "Biri Girl"

Arimura Kasumi will be starring in the new movie "Biri Girl" (Last-placed Girl) which will be shown in cinemas next year. The movie which is based on a book that had sold more than 550,000 copies to date, talks about the true story of a delinquent girl named Sayaka who was last in the entire level but managed to turn her results around after meeting a cram school teacher and qualify for the prestigious Keio University in just one year. The book was written by the cram school director Tsubota Nobutaka who had personally tutored Sayaka.

Arimura will be playing the role of Sayaka which means that she has to dye her hair, put on heavy makeup and wear earrings on her belly button. Sayaka was such a troublemaker at school and suspended so many times that her mother forced her to go to Tsubota's cram school in the summer of her second year in high school. Despite being very bad at her studies to the extent that she was judged as to be at Primary 4 only, Sayaka managed to turn the situation around and qualify for entry into Keio.

Filming will begin in January next year. Arimura had already met the real Sayaka last month and will learn how to speak in the Nagoya dialect and girls' slang from her when they meet again before the start of the filming.

Source: Sponichi

The Ideal Celebrity Couple Ranking 2014 (Meiji Yasuda Insurance)

The numbers in brackets indicate the number of respondents who voted for them:

1) Miura Tomokazu & Yamaguchi Momoe (No.1 for 9 years in a row - 232)

2) Sasaki Kensuke & Hokuto Akira (127)

3) Kuwata Keisuke & Hara Yuko (73)

4) Karasawa Toshiaki & Yamaguchi Tomoko (65)

5) Mizutani Yutaka & Ito Ran (58)

6) Nakura Jun & Watanabe Marina (57)

7) Kinashi Noritake & Yasuda Narumi (51)

8) Yamashita Tatsuro & Takeuchi Mariya (49)

9) Tanaka Masahiro & Satoda Mai (44)

10) Watanabe Toru & Sakakibara Ikue (43)

11) Eguchi Yosuke & Moritaka Chisato (39)

12) Ichimura Masachika & Shinohara Ryoko / Suzuki Osamu & Oshima Miyuki / Nakamura Masatoshi & Igarashi Junko (36)

Source: Yasuda Meiji Insurance

Ranking of most desired male celebrities as marriage partners (My Navi Woman)

1) Mukai Osamu

2) Nishijima Hidetoshi

3) Fukuyama Masaharu

4) Sakurai Sho / Sakai Masato

6) Hayami Mokomichi / Tsumabuki Satoshi / Saito Takumi

Source: My Navi