Before today’s news, a shameless plug. Remember the British pop star Leo Sayer? He was huge in the 1970s. Well, on his official web site he says this about Japan Zone – “Fascinated by Japanese culture? I am, and if you are too then this is the place.” (end shameless plug)
Pop duo Puffy, known in the US as Puffy AmiYumi, will be touring again from the end of this month till May. They kick off their latest tour, “Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi ROCK SHOW*** GO WEST!!” supported by Sneaker 2 Bombs, on April 22nd in Portland, Oregon and the tour will continue through May 2nd. The duo, Yoshimura Yumi (30) and Ohnuki Ami (31), became pop icons in the late 1990s with a string of hits started by their 1996 debut “Asia No Junshin” and even their own variety show, “Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa Puffy.” Last year, they launched a hit cartoon/live show on the US Cartoon Network, “Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi.” For more details on tour venues, dates and tickets (as well as ringtones, wallpaper, IM icons), check their website: www.puffyamiyumi.com.
• Talent agency Oscar Pro presented its new stars of the future yesterday. Hoping to enjoy the same huge popularity as other young female pro golfers is high school student Umeda Kisa (16), while Maekawa Yasuyuki (31) is the first male actor with the agency. Also on parade were Taiwanese actress Lin Chiling (30) and pin-up girl Otomo Minami (23). The event is held every spring and has launched such names as Yonekura Ryoko (29), Kikukawa Rei (27) and Ueto Aya (19).