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Busy, busy, busy! What with family and friends arriving, the World
Cup in full swing and a new job, I'm having trouble just keeping
up with what's going on these days. So this issue is somewhat
abridged, and I'm afraid I may even have to stop writing the newsletter
in the near future.
But for now, it's party time in Japan. The World Cup has totally
dominated everything this month. I actually feel a bit sorry for
anyone living here who doesn't like football! I went to all the
Ireland games here, before we qualified to go on the second round
in Korea. There was plenty of beer being drunk and songs being
sung but, as usual, we have the best-behaved supporters in the
world. Boisterous, yes, but always friendly and good-natured.
Hopefully a few more Japanese are keen (no pun intended!) to know
where Ireland is by now.
The Japanese team surpassed all expectations and seemed to be
growing from strength to strength. But their lackluster display
against Turkey was a huge disappointment. With striker Takayuki,
politician Muneo and baseball hero Ichiro, Suzuki's continue to
provide the bulk of news stories. Ichiro still baffles the ML
pitchers with his batting. And the chickens have finally come
home to roost for old Muneo, who has been arrested at last.
Mark McBennett
Webmaster, Japan Zone
Contents
1. Japan Zone Updates
2. What's going on in Japan
3. Sports news
4. Gei-noh news
5. Unsubscribe
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1. Japan Zone Updates
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Profile: With his peroxide hair, baby face and aggressive style in Japan's
midfield, young Inamoto Junichi was one of the stars of the World
Cup.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/inamoto_junichi.shtml
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2. What's going on in Japan
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Well, as I said, the World Cup and in particular Japan's success
has dominated the news to the extent that everything else seemed
to be relegated to the level of "and in other news". Many people
were surprised by the enthusiasm that suddenly erupted once the
event kicked off. TV audience figures reached almost 82% during
the game with Russia. There had been concern that Korea had made
much more of an effort to build up a festival atmosphere and that
Japan would look bad in comparison. That may yet happen, especially
since Japan have been knocked out and Korea made the quarter-finals,
surmounting some huge hurdles along the way.
But huge blocks of empty seats in stadiums, especially in Korea,
have been the main point of concern during this month-long event.
They have only served to increase the anger of tens of thousands
of fans eager to attend games who have been badly let down, whether
the culprit is FIFA, local organizers JAWOC or British ticket
agency Byrom.
Japanese fears about hooligan hordes arriving from England and
elsewhere seem to have been almost completely allayed. The media
have been sheepishly reporting the fact that the people wrecking
telephone boxes, smashing windows and generally causing trouble
have been locals.
In the political world, the main story has been the pursuit and
finally the arrest of Suzuki Muneo. Opposition parties were adamant
in their hunt for Suzuki's head and finally got a vote in the
Diet to have his immunity lifted. He was arrested later that day.
The charges relate to a bribe from Yamarin, a timber company,
paid after the firm had been found guilty of illegal logging.
The firm asked Suzuki, who at the time had been appointed deputy
chief cabinet secretary, to use his influence to lobby for government
contracts. He continues to proclaim his innocence, saying that
the 5 million yen was to congratulate him on his appointment.
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3. Sports news
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Baseball
With all the attention focussed elsewhere, little has changed
in the Central or pacific leagues. The top spot in the CL is still
being contested by the Giants and Tigers, with the Swallows just
behind. The PL is currently led by the Lions.
In the US, Ichiro still leads the majors in batting average and
looks like being the No.1 vote-getter for the All Star game.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/suzuki_ichiro.shtml
Other Sports
Maruyama Shigeki has maintained his recent good form and even
became the first Japanese player to hit a hole-in-one at the US
Open. However, he still failed to make the leader board.
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4. Gei-noh news
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The big story was the suddenly announced marriage of actress Nakayama
Miho (32) and Akutagawa prize-winning novelist and musician Tsuji
Jinsei (42). Of course, if you've been reading this newsletter,
you probably saw it coming!
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/nakayama_miho.shtml
The latest romantic involvement of pop diva Matsuda Seiko (41)
is said to be a lawyer in his 30s. Meanwhile, with the release
of her new album "Area 62", Matsuda is said to be making yet another
assault on the US market.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/matsuda_seiko.shtml
"Mito Komon" samurai drama star Ishizaka Koji (60), who has been
hospitalized with rectal cancer, has officially stepped down from
the lead role. The role is to be taken over by Satomi Kotaro (64),
a face familiar from many similar shows.
It seems that actress Iijima Naoko (34) is being sued by a man
she met in Bali some ten years ago. The man claims that having
received a ring and her address, he believed they were to be married.
But he has failed to turn up in court on two separate occasions.
Composer and conductor Yamamoto Naozumi, known for his long hair,
beard and bright character, died of heart failure at the age of
69. During a forty-year career he recorded almost 230 songs, including
many theme tunes for the popular Tora-san movie series.
More Bits and Bobs
Former "visual kei" rock singer Gackt, who boasts a body-fat ratio
of 6%, is to appear in the new Takano Yuri Beauty Clinic TV commercial.
Police arrested staff at a "cabakura" hostess club attended by
underage pop star Yuuki, formerly of EE Jump.
Popular postwar enka singer Murata Hideo died of lung cancer at
the age of 73.
It seems that Nishida Hikaru's new businessman husband has been
the subject of several sexual harassment claims.
"Atsuki Koudo no Hate" became the 29th successive B'z single to
enter the Oricon chart at No.1. The song is one of the current
World Cup themes.
KAT-TUN, a unit made up of six members of Johnny's Junior, are
to make their live debut in August.
Popular actress Kuroki Hitomi (41) was chosen by the Dutch embassy
to receive the "Woman whom Lilies Suit Best" prize.
What brought an end to the relationship between "talento" Fujisaki
Nanako (24) and London Boots member Tamura Atsushi (28) was Tamura's
affairs.
SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi is to make his Korean CD debut under
the name Chonan Kan. His late-night TV show of the same name has
been a sleeper hit.
The actor who plays the lead in "Ultraman Cosmos" was arrested
in Osaka on two-year old assault charges. Unusually in such a
situation, he is to be allowed to take part in promotion events.
There are rumors of a romance between former super-model Kawahara
Ayako (31) and Olympic hammer thrower Murofushi Koji (27).
Nancy Seki, who was famous for her caricatures made from from
erasers, died of heart failure at the age of 39.
Taira Tetsuo, former president of the Rising Production talent
agency was given a one-year sentence, suspended for four years,
on tax evasion charges.
Former boy idol Higashiyama Noriyuki (35) is rumored to be romancing
TV Asahi announcer Takeuchi Emi.
Actress Enamoto Kanako (22) is to make her singing debut. But
she says that even if the song is a hit, she won't be singing
again.
There are rumors that former sumo giant Konishiki is to remarry
within the year.
Actress Toyota Maho (34) and popular movie director Aoyama Shinji
(37) are said to be planning a wedding for July.
Baby Rush
TV personality Okuyama Yoshie (27) gave birth to a baby boy. The
wife of singer Saijo Hideki (47) gave birth to a bay girl. Fellow
40s pop star Noguchi Goro (46) and his wife Mitsui Yuri (33) also
became the parents of a baby girl. Another girl was born to actor
Eguchi Yosuke and singer Moritaka Chisato.
Oricon Daily Single Chart (May 28th)
1. B'z - Atsuki Koudo no Hate (End of the Hot Movement)
2. V6 - Feel Your Breeze
3. Going Steady - Doutei So Yangu (Virgin So Young)
4. Porno Grafitti - Mugen (Infinity or Dream)
5. Shimatani Hitomi - Amairo no Kami no Otome (Flaxen-haired Maiden)
B'z (pronounced "Bees") are the biggest rock band in the country.
You'll no doubt have heard this song countless times as it's one
of the theme tunes for the World Cup. V6 are one of several boy
bands that have come out of the Johnny's Jimusho talent agency,
also home to SMAP.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/bz.shtml
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