The weekend’s three shows at Tokyo Dome are now part of the X Japan legend. The hugely anticipated reunion after ten years, and without charismatic guitarist hide, was full of drama and some fan disappointment. The set list for Friday’s opening concert – which Japan Zone attended – had 16 songs but the band ended up playing just nine in a 1-hour, forty-five-minute show, less time than the more than two-hour delay that preceded it. The delay was said to be due to extended rehearsals and technical problems, mainly with a ¥150-million hologram screen that allowed the late hide to “play” on stage. That was one of several tributes to the late band member during the high-energy shows, which also included destroyed drum kits and appearances by guest guitarists Richard Fortus (Guns ‘n’ Roses), Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) and Sugizo (Luna Sea). Friday’s show ended with drummer and band leader Yoshiki collapsing from the exertion of the high-speed song “Art of Life” and being carried off stage. Deprived of their “X jump” ritual that traditionally ends an X Japan concert, some fans were clearly unhappy with the chaotic nature and particularly the brevity of the show. But Saturday and Sunday’s concerts ran more or less on schedule and the many fans who attended all three shows will no doubt be feeling pretty satisfied. And there will be more to come – a two-day tribute to hide is scheduled for early May, ten years after his death, and on Saturday Yoshiki announced a concert in Paris on July 5.
• Comedienne Murakami Tomoko (28) of the popular trio Mori Sanchu suddenly announced on Friday’s edition of the live Fuji TV variety show “Waratte Iitomo” that she had recently got married. She said that she and a 30-year-old apparel company employee had tied the knot on March 23, just three weeks after they met. Murakami says he was her first boyfriend.
• Japan-based Korean talento Yoon Sona (32) announced on Friday that she is expecting her first child in September. She will be taking maternity leave and plans to return to work next January. She married a Korean entrepreneur (37) in 2006.
• Hollywood actress Glenn Close (61) was in Tokyo over the weekend, her first visit to Japan in 17 years, to promote her latest U.S. drama series “Damage.” The show is to air on the NHK BS2 satellite network from April 2.
• Actress Sawajiri Erika (21) and her video director boyfriend Takashiro Tsuyoshi (43) returned from their 3-month stay in the U.K. on Saturday. “Erika-sama” seemed a bit surprised by the waiting media at Narita Airport and, in keeping with the bad image she earned last year, she tried to avoid the cameras. But as she dropped a makeup bag and spilled the contents all over the arrival lobby floor, her first words were “Oh, shit!” Reporters helped her pick up her things and she let guard down, smiling and briefly answering questions about her trip and future plans.
• Actor Hino Shouhei (58) is to be prosecuted after his car hit a cyclist last Friday. The 61-year-old lady cyclist received minor injuries to her head and was taken to hospital.
• NTV weather girl Matsuoka Yoko (28) announced on her blog on Saturday that she’s getting married this spring. She and her new husband will move to Belgium, where he’ll be working.