Idol singer Matsuura Aya (19) is to revive the role of Asamiya Saki after an absence of 18 years from the big screen. The character is central to the hugely popular 80s TV series “Sukeban Deka”, and has previously been played on TV and in movies by notable idols Saito Yuki (39), Minamino Yoko (38) and Asaka Yui (36). Each played the role on TV for a year or so, with Minamino and Asaka each making one movie. Asamiya is a high school “detective”, complete with sailor girl uniform, who wields a red yoyo in her battles with criminals. The story was originally a manga by Wada Shinji, and its 22 volumes sold over 20 million copies. “Sukeban Deka, Codename Asamiya Saki” will be Ayaya’s second movie but her first lead role, and she will be under the able direction of Fukasaku Kenta (33). The son of the late, great Fukasaku Kinji is best known for taking over from his father to complete “Battle Royale II”. Filming is scheduled to start this month, with the movie set for an autumn release.
• Singer Go Hiromi (50) is to celebrate his 35th year in showbiz with a series of dinner shows and an outdoor concert in Tokyo this summer. Speaking to the media at his large Manhattan apartment, Go said he will give the dinner shows – usually a type of event only held at the end of the year – at 30 venues across the country between May and August. Then he will release a new single and play an outdoor concert in Hibiya in September. He is currently taking singing lesons twice a week with a teacher who has worked with, among others, Whitney Houston.