Ayase Haruka & Arashi chosen as hosts for this year's Kohaku

On Oct 18th, it has been confirmed that Arashi and actress Ayase Haruka will be the chairpersons for the 64th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. This is the 4th consecutive year that Arashi will be the “White team” leader while this will be the first time for Ayase to lead the “Red Team”.

Ayase currently plays the lead role in NHK’s Taiga drama “Yae no Sakura“; in addition, she’s also one of the most popular actress and has been active in both TV dramas and movies. As a judge of last year’s Kohaku, Ayase is nervous to be this year’s chairman though she also said that it was her ambition to convey the splendor of music with Arashi.

On the other hand, this is the 4th consecutive year that the 5-member Arashi will host the show. Sakurai Sho commented that being the chairpersons, they were supported by all singers who participated and that they only wanted to connect to the world through songs.

In addition, Ninomiya Kazunari said that he will work hard as possible so that the singers will be able to convey their songs as easily as possible.

NHK’s New Year’s Eve song show theme will be “Uta ga koko ni aru” (A song is right here).

The 64th Kohaku Uta Gassen will be broadcasted at NHK starting at 7:15PM (JST) on Dec 31st.

Read more at Arama They Didn't: http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/5084601.html#ixzz2iL0oOG4x

Arashi to be the main personality for this year’s “24-Hour Television”

On “Arashi ni Shiyagare SP” which was aired on January 1st, it was announced that Arashi will be the main personality for NTV’s “24-Hour Television” charity telethon this year.

Usually, the main personality for “24-Hour Television” is announced during spring or summer, but this year, Arashi members will start preparations for “24-Hour Television” on New Year’s Day for the support of the Tohoku earthquake disaster areas and toward their recovery.

On the show, Arashi members commented,

“The reason why we are making this announcement on the New Year’s Day is that we thought there is an important thing that we need to reflect upon once again, and we should not forget, especially on today, when we greet the New Year.” – Sakurai Sho

“On March 11th of last year, the great earthquake struck eastern Japan.  People in the disaster areas are working hard toward the recovery even at this moment.” – Aiba Masaki

“However, cold winter is still going on, and the brutalest season will come to the disaster areas soon. That is why we are starting the ‘24-Hour Television’ today.” – Matsumoto Jun

“We can not take back the past.  There is nothing we can do about the past, however, we still can make our future.  We would like to think not only about the disaster,  but also about the several problems that are happening currently in Japan, with everybody.” – Ninomiya Kazunari

“This will be the third time for us, Arashi, to take part as the main personality for ‘24-Hour Television’.  We will put all the effort into it by making good use of our experiences from the past!” – Ohno Satoshi

As Ohno mentioned, Arashi was the main personality for the “24-Hour Television” two previous times, in 2004 and in 2008, and this year will be their third time as the main personality for the program.

Source: TV LIFE

Image: Arashi ni Shiyagare official site