Singer songwriter Makihara Noriyuki (35) is back on top of the charts for the first time in almost 10 years. “Explorer” is his first original album to top the Oricon chart since “Pharmacy” in November 1995. An ironic title that turned out to be, as Makihara’s career went into a slide following his arrest for stimulant drug use in 1999. He will start a national tour on September 4.
• The popular TBS school drama “3-Nen B-Kumi Kimpachi Sensei” is to have a seventh series, starting in mid-October. Starring Takeda Tetsuya (55) as the philosphizing teacher, the series is marking its 25th anniversary this year, and will feature many of the actors and actresses who have launched their careers playing students on the show.