New au CM starring Arashi

On April 15th, mobile phone brand, au began airing a new CM starring the boys of Arashi.  The new CM has the concept of “Japan begins to connect each other more”, and features each member’s solo shot.
The theme song for the CM is Arashi’s song “Boku ga Boku no Subete” which was one of the follow up songs of their 24th single “Beautiful days” (released in November 2008).

Check the new CM below!

Source: au by KDDI

Blind pianist Tsujii Nobuyuki to provide music for Sakurai Sho’s upcoming movie, “Kamisama no Karute”



It was revealed on April 14th that blind pianist Tsujii Nobuyuki will be creating his first music piece for a film project.

The theme song for the movie “Kamisama no Karute” (out August 27th) will be included on his new album, “Kamisama no Karute ~ Tsujii Nobuyuki Jisakushuu”, releasing on July 27th.
The movie will be a drama set in a medical facility, starring Arashi’s Sakurai Sho (29) and actress Miyazaki Aoi (25). Tsujii created the original music for the movie after reading a Braille version of the script. He commented, “I was able to visit the filming location, so I composed the music with the atmosphere and the words of the director and actors in mind."

Source: Sanspo

Who is the most favorite talent?

Video Research Ltd, a company that records the TV ratings amongst other things, recently released the results of their 77th “TV Talent Image Survey.” The survey is conducted every six months and probes for the TV talents’ visibility, popularity, and overall image evaluation.

After four years and two second places, popular TV host and multi-talent Akashiya Sanma managed to become the most favorite male talent. Ice princess Asada Mao was voted as the most favorite female talent. She has constantly been in the top 3 for the past three years and previously managed to come in first back in February of 2009.

Not to be outdone, goo/NTT DoCoMo thought that one survey wasn’t enough and conducted a similar mobile poll asking their users for their favorite talent.

Who is your personal favorite among all those actors, singers, groups, TV personalities, comedians, athletes and so on?

Check out the results below!
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Who is your most favorite male talent?

01 – 13,601 votes – Arashi

02 – 5,902 votes – Other, not listed

03 – 3,391 votes – Mukai Osamu

04 – 2,161 votes – Okamura Takashi (Ninety-nine)

05 – 2,148 votes – SMAP

06 – 1,980 votes – Akashiya Sanma

07 – 1,735 votes – Sekine Tsutomu

08 – 1,397 votes – Tokoro George

09 – 1,111 votes – Abe Hiroshi

10 – 1,013 votes – Ishizuka Hidehiko (Bonshamaka)


Who is your most favorite female talent?

01 – 5,793 votes – Becky

02 – 4,720 votes – Ayase Haruka

03 – 3,875 votes – Other, not listed

04 – 3,374 votes – Amami Yuki

05 – 2,567 votes – Miyazaki Aoi

06 – 2,275 votes – Kanno Miho

07 – 2,160 votes – Asada Mao

08 – 1,894 votes – Aragaki Yui

09 – 1,744 votes – AKB48

10 – 1,500 votes – Kichise Michiko

SOURCE : TOKYOHIVE

Japan Earthquake : 7.4 quake strikes, tsunami alert issued

Japan has been rattled by a strong aftershock and tsunami warning nearly a month after a devastating earthquake and tsunami flattened the north-eastern coast.

The Japan meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for a wave of up to one metre. The warning was issued for a coastal area already torn apart by last month's tsunami.

Officials say the new quake was a 7.4-magnitude and hit 25 miles under the water and off the coast of Miyagi prefecture. The quake that preceded last month's tsunami was a 9.0-magnitude.

Buildings as far away as Tokyo shook for about a minute.

The US Geological Survey gave the preliminary magnitude as 7.4 and it struck off the eastern coast 60 miles from Sendai and 90 miles from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant. It was about 215 miles from Tokyo.

The depth was 25 miles. Shallower quakes tend to be more destructive.

Hundreds of aftershocks have shaken the north east region devastated by the March 11 earthquake, but few have been stronger than 7.0.

p/s....lets us pray for Japan...hope they all be alright~~

Johnny’s “Marching J” fundraiser attracts 389,000 people over 3 days

Many fans gathered outside the fundraiser for the March 11th earthquake, on the afternoon of April 3rd.

As we previously reported, Johnny & Associates held a 3-day fundraiser at Tokyo’s Yoyogi National Stadium, as part of their earthquake relief project, “Marching J“.

All of the artists of the agency, including SMAP, TOKIO, Arashi, KAT-TUN, NEWS, and Kanjani8, helped with the fundraiser, and over the course of the 3 days, around 389,000 people came out to support the cause (we reported the first day total of 101,000).

On April 3rd, the final day, SMAP’s Kimura Takuya thanked fans, saying, “Thank you to all of you for lending us your help, two days ago, yesterday, and today.”

Fellow member Katori Shingo commented, “I believe these thoughts will definitely reach many people.”

SMAP also performed an a cappella version of their hit songs “Sekai de Hitotsu Dake no Hana” and “Yozora no Mukou“.

The “Marching J” relief project will be continuing its support of relief efforts even after the event.

Source + Photo: Sanspo /Kyodo News via excite

Arashi & Disney fellows’ collaboration on Himitsu no Arashi-chan!

On the latest episode of Arashi’s variety show, Himitsu no Arashi-chan which aired on March 31st, Disney’s biggest star, Micky Mouse made a guest appearance. The corner Micky appeared was called the VIP ROOM, and this was the 2nd time for Arashi to co-star with Mickey. (Arashi has held special christmas live in Tokyo Disney Sea on November 20th in 2009.)

On the show, Mickey introduced his hometown “TOON TOWN”, and showed off his special drum playing skills. Moreover, Mickey brought his fellow friends, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Chip and Dale. By Mickey’s suggestion, each Arashi member teamed up with each character, and the characters taught Arashi some choreography. (Ohno&Mickey, Sakurai&Goofy, Ninomiya&Chip and Dale, Aiba&Donald, Matsumoto&Minnie)

But, it wasn’t all! At the end of the show, Arashi and the Disney fellows held a special collaboration live together. Arashi performed “When You Wish upon a Star” and “Mickey Mouse March” with the characters.


SOURCE : TOKYOHIVE

p/s...sure bring a great smile to all of us watching this~~

GACKT to begin worldwide video + photo project for earthquake relief

Popular singer GACKT has begun multiple projects to assist victims of the Tohoku earthquake, but recently revealed through his official Twitter that he would like to begin yet another one to show Japan that citizens all over the world care about Japan’s well-being. “I have a new idea here. Would you try something else with me?”, he tweeted on March 29th. “I want messages from people all over the world. Please take a video of yourself and your message for ‘SHOW YOUR HEART!!!’ We want you to put the videos up on You Tube starting from the 31st. It will give courage to all people in the disaster areas.” Fans of GACKT and other supporters are being asked to upload a video of themselves holding a piece of paper with “SHOW YOUR HEART” written on it, along with your own message and your current location. Those who are unable to upload the videos to YouTube themselves can send it to GACKT directly, who will then post it for earthquake victims to view. Alternatively, fans can send a photo with a message and the name of their city and country to photo@showyourheart.net. All photos received will be posted on the official website for viewing to encourage those who are currently struggling with the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake. Source: GACKT’s Official Twitter