Action star Jackie Chan (54) was recently in Japan to help promote an upcoming concert to raise money for the survivors of the major earthquake in China in May. “Heart Aid Sichuan” will be held at the Tokyo International Forum on July 14. It will feature Taiwanese-born Judy Ongg (58), Minami Kousetsu (59), Atari Kousuke (27), and young boy band w-inds. Yahoo! Japan will support the charity through its auctions service. Meanwhile, idol group Morning Musume donated ¥10 million to the cause following their first ever show in China on June 28. They took part in an event in Shanghai to promote the World Expo, which takes place in the city in 2010. The 9-member group includes two Chinese and recently held auditions in Taiwan. New Taiwanese members are expected to be announced within the year.
• Singer Matsuyama Chiharu (52) has canceled a series of concerts as he recovers from emergency surgery. He was diagnosed with unstable angina following a show on June 25 and underwent a coronary angioplasty, a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to open a blockage in a heart artery. He has been told to rest and has canceled all shows between June 27 and July 11. In his 32-year career, it’s the first time he’s been forced to cancel a show.
• Actress Maya Miki (44) is engaged to be married. She announced on her blog on July 1 that she and ballet dancer/actor Nishijima Kazuhiro (38) plan to tie the knot within the year. The two met when they worked together on the stage production “Stardust in Shanghai” in 2002. They started dating last summer and Nishijima proposed in March.
• Nakanomori Band have announced that they have officially split up. The four female members of the band said the decision was due to differences in musical direction. The band debuted in 2004 and won a best newcomer award. They won a record of the year award for “Fly High” in 2006. In all they released three albums and eight singles. Vocalist Ayako (23) is currently recovering from surgery she underwent in April to remove a cyst from her vocal chords.