Utada Hikaru (21) has launched the latest stage of her stellar career. She has begun making appearances under the name “Utada” and her ‘debut’ album goes on sale in Japan on Wednesday. She will have her U.S. debut next month with the album “Exodus.” The first single “Easy Breezy” (includes the line, “You’re easy breezy and I’m Japaneesy.”) is already getting lots of airplay.
• Miyazaki Hayao’s (63) latest animated feature was unveiled for the first time at a press screening at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. “Howl’s Moving Castle” received a healthy standing ovation from the full house of about 1,300.
• The latest round of auditions has opened for young hopefuls who want to members of Morning Musume. It is the seventh round and seven years since the group was started, and as such is being called the “Lucky Seven Audition.” It’s open to girls in 9th grade or above who will be under 20 by next April 1. There are currently 12 members but leader Iida Kaori (23) and Ishikawa Rika (19) are ‘graduating’ next year.