Monthly Archives: November 2004

Topping Video Research’s latest survey of the most popular TV “talento” are comedian Akashiya Sanma and actress Takeuchi Yuko. The results are released twice a year. Sanma topped the male category for the fourth time in a row. Second was Southern All Stars vocalist Kuwata Keisuke (up from 6th), followed by rotund comedian Ishizuka Hidehiko (of Debuya and “maiuu” fame, up from 5th). In the female category, comedienne Hisamoto Masami moved up from 5th to 2nd, relegating actress Yamaguchi Tomoko to 3rd.

• Repercussions are still being felt from the Shimada Shinsuke assault case (see earlier stories). His original 10-day forced leave of absence has been extended by the Yoshimoto agency and his emcee role on several TV shows have been filled by other Yoshimoto regulars. The comedian was not arrested, as it was not felt that he was likely to do a runner, but documents were sent to the public prosecutor and the case is likely to go to court.

The 1977 TBS drama series “Fuyu no Undokai” (Winter Sports Meet), written by the popular Mukoda Kuniko, is to be revived as a 3-hour special on NTV in the New Year. The updated version will star Okada Junichi (23) of the Johnny’s pop group V6 and popular actress Hasegawa Kyoko (26). It will be broadcast from 9pm on January 4.

• Another Johnny’s act, Tackey and Tsubasa are currently at #3 in the Oricon singles chart with “Serenade.” At #1 is T.M. Revolution with “Ignited”, the opening theme from the anime series “Gundam Seed Destiny”; hip hop unit Orange Range are right behind with “Hana”; Morning Musume are at #4 with “Namida ga Tomaranai Hokago” and Dreams Come True fill out the top five with “Love Letter.”

Today is the Bunka no Hi (Culture Day) national holiday

Pop duo Kinki Kids are to release their 20th single – “Anniversary,” and a greatest hits album on December 8. They’ve sold over 20 million singles to date, and every one they’ve released since their debut in 1997 has gone to No.1 in the Oricon charts, a feat recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

• Singer Matsuura Aya (18) has been chosen as the 2004 TV Commercial Queen. She was chosen at the 44th ACC CM Festival for her dancing performance in the Pritz commercials. The sponsor, Ezaki Glico – which also makes the Pocky series of snacks – is one of six companies she has represented this year.

• The Yoshimoto employee who recently filed assault charges against comedian Shimada Shinsuke (48) has said that his recent tearful apology on national TV only caused her more pain. Through her lawyers she said she won’t accept his apology and will take the matter to court.

At the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival, the Grand Prix and $100,000 prize went to “Whiskey” by Uruguayan directors Juan Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll. The festival’s website describes the 94-minute, Spanish-language movie about a trip by a widower, his employee with whom he pretends to be married and her brother as a “heartwarming film.” The inaugural Kurosawa Akira Award went to Steven Spielberg (56), a longtime fan of the legendary director, and Yamada Yoji (photo, 73), himself a master film-maker. Both served as judges at the festival.

• Rakugo performer Shunpuutei Ryuukyou died of cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Sunday. He was 69.

• TV personality Katsumata Shukazu (39) revealed on the TBS “Akko ni Omakase” show at the weekend that he recently became a father. The former boy band member married a former flight attendant in 2002. Their baby daughter was born on October 25.

Newly designed banknotes for ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 will go into circulation today – the first redesigns in 20 years. The banknotes are produced with the world’s most advanced printing technologies in order to prevent counterfeiting, which has been rising sharply in Japan in recent years. The ¥1,000 note features the image of Noguchi Hideyo, an internationally renowned bacteriologist (1876-1928). The ¥5,000 note has the image of Higuchi Ichiyo, a female novelist and poet (1872-96). She is the subject of a new TBS drama series starting tonight, with Uchiyama Rina (photo, 22) in the title role. The ¥10,000 banknote has been redeisgned but keeps the image of Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901), an educator during the Meiji era known as the founder of Keio University.

• Kataoka Sennosuke made his stage performance at the weekend – at the tender age of 4. The son of onnagata (actor who plays female roles) Kataoka Kotaro (36) and grandson of tachiyaku (male role specialist) Kataoka Nizaemon (60) showed no signs of nerves during his first appearance at the famous Kabukiza theater in Tokyo’s Ginza.