Currently Imai Tsubasa is in the middle of a concert tour and performing in small to mid-size venues all around Japan. The tour is titled '☆D＆R ～ an extension★ TSUBASA IMAI LHT', and Imai has just completed his first performance in Tokyo.
Tsubasa "I really got fired up on Day 1 in Tokyo★ Right from the start I gave everything I've got, so I was sweating like crazy♪ I'll continue to give myself over to the music, but also be careful not to make any mistakes! After the show I phoned my partner [Tackey; Takizawa Hideaki]♪
To fans of Tackey &Tsubasa: We're sorry for keeping you waiting for so long. We promise we'll come back again, but please wait a little while longer. I hope you haven't gotten fed up. We know there are lots of people out there like you who are waiting. We constantly feel your love, and one day we will perform again together! We really appreciate your support."
What did Tsubasa talk about over the phone with Tackey? Currently both Tsubasa and Tackey are performing as solo artists. But along with their solo careers they still consider Tackey & Tsubasa as an important part of themselves. The fans' support is a vital source of energy for them, and doubtless the fans will continue to show their love for the two artists for years to come.
music japan plus
On December 2nd all 5 members of the popular Korean artist group Tohoshinki appeared in Fuji TV's '2009 FNS 歌謡祭 / 2009 FNS Kayo-Sai [Song Festival]'. The annual large scale Year end event has been held since 1974, and for this year the main hosts were SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi and actress Kuroki Hitomi.
The main concept for 2009 was 'collaboration'. Many young and veteran artists participated. Each young/veteran pair passionately performed memorable hit songs of each decade! Tohoshinki skillfully sang together with Tokunaga Hideaki.
Afterwards the group sat together with SMAP to have a chat. SMAP member Kimura Takuya lauded Tohoshinki. "Even though I'm a man, I find them charming." The Tohoshinki members in turn praised SMAP. YUNHO said "We think the SMAP members all look cool too. It's inspiring to see each of them showing high quality performances in various fields, such as singing, dancing and acting."
music japan plus
Japanese TV personality Ai Haruna said she wants her country to be more tolerant toward people of diverse sexual orientations, a month after she was crowned the world's most beautiful transsexual.
Haruna, 37, already a household name in Japan, was chosen Miss International Queen 2009 at a pageant in Thailand last month after judges picked her over runners-up from the host country and Brazil.
"I was surprised to see many transgender people work at hotels and restaurants with no problem in Thailand," she said at a Tokyo press conference.
"Japan can learn many things from other Asian nations like Thailand and the Philippines."
In Japan, people can legally change their gender on official documents, but transgender people still face spoken and silent discrimination, Haruna said.
She recalled condominium owners had declined to let her rent apartments because neighbours may object.
"I was rejected five straight times," she said. "I think Japan is behind."
Haruna, whose original name is Kenji Onishi, said she had lived with difficulties since when she was a child.
"I was born with a very masculine sounding boy's name. But I always wanted to be a girl, always dreamed of becoming a pretty idol seen on TV."
"But for a long time life was very difficult for me," she said in a quivering voice.
"Even after I had a sex change operation at the age of 19 and had my first boyfriend, I encountered many, many obstacles that constantly made me realise I wasn't a woman."
Now crowned the world's transsexual queen, Haruna said she wanted to work internationally to raise awareness for sexual minorities.
"I want to work for those who are troubled like me," she said. "I want to work in the world. And of course, I want to be married some day."
AFP
Idol group AKB48 will star in a TV Tokyo drama series this winter. Titled "Majisuka Gakuen," the show was planned and written by AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto.
The drama will revolve around adolescent "yankees," or delinquents. Although all of AKB48's members are planned to appear on the show, the main character will be Atsuko Maeda (18), who was voted #1 by fans in the group's "senbatsu" election earlier this year. Maeda has already acted in multiple films and dramas, and was recently announced as a cast member in NHK's 2010 taiga drama "Ryomaden," playing a niece of protagonist Sakamoto Ryoma (Masaharu Fukuyama).
"Majisuka Gakuen" will air in TV Tokyo's "Drama 24" time slot (Friday nights at 12:12am). The show premieres on January 8. The official website has already opened.
tokyograph
Teen actress Kie Kitano (18) will make her singing debut next year. On February 24, she is scheduled to release the single "Sakura Saku," which has been chosen for a commercial tie-in with the candy bar Kit Kat.
The song is also being used to cheer on students preparing for exams next year, as part of an annual campaign sponsored by Kit Kat. Kitano was appointed as the "captain" of the current campaign.
tokyograph
Johnny's member Ikuta Toma talked about his recently meeting with Arashi member Matsumoto Jun.
Ikuta "For the first time in ages I went out to eat dinner with Matsumoto Jun. Afterwards we ended up going to Matsumoto's house...I had a great time talking about lots of different things. Matsu-Jun [Matsumoto] is a very earnest person. He's a great source of motivation. While we were talking we discovered that we were using the same perfume. We 'argued' who should switch to a different one! 'I'll change first!' 'No, I will!'
That reminded me of when we had costarred in the theater production 'Stand by Me'. We quarreled practically everyday (laugh). We fought over the most insignificant things. But hey, we were just middle school students back then.
Now those 'brats' have grownup, and there we were talking while having a drink...gee, we've matured a lot (laugh)."
Fans would definitely have wanted to be there between them! The two longtime friends must have been surprised to find that have unwittingly been using the same perfume. Does anyone know exactly what brand they're using? As they grow older they are bound to continue being good friends and also be good influence for each other!
music japan plus
1. EXILE - Aisubeki Mirai e = 229052
2. GACKT - Re:Born = 13371
3. GReeeeN - Imamade no A Men, B Men Desuto!? = 11509
4. BREAKERZ - FIGHTERZ
5. Enya - ENYA - All Time Best
6. Susan Boyle - I Dreamed a Dream
7. B'z - MAGIC
8. Ai Hidaka (Haruka Tomatsu) - The Idolmaster (iDOLM@STER) Dream Symphony 03
9. V.A. (DJ KAORI) - DJ KAORI'S JMIX III
10. Paul McCartney - Good Evening New York City
