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“Johnny’s Countdown” is no more! The annual company concert on December 31 is being replaced with “Johnny’s Festival ~Thank you 2021 Hello 2022~” on December 30 at Tokyo Dome. This concert is being produced by Arashi‘s Jun Matsumoto.

Snow Man, SixTONES, Naniwa Danshi, Hey! Say! JUMP, and KinKi Kids are among the groups performing. See who else is performing below!

It has been announced that Tomohisa Yamashita will star in the Netflix film “Koi ni Ochita Ie.” It is a remake of the 2012 South Korean film “Architecture 101.” The new version is set in Japan and features a cast and staff from Japan and South Korea.

“Koi ni Ochita Ie” is a 19 year love story centers on architecture student Ibuki and a woman, Li You. It is set to be released worldwide.

Arashi‘s live film “ARASHI Anniversary Tour 5×20 FILM ‘Record of Memories'” was released at Dolby Cinemas today, ahead of its Japan-wide release on November 26. The group, with the exception of Satoshi Ohno, made a suprise appearance at Tokyo’s Marunouchi Piccadilly today to celebrate the film’s release, to great applause.

Sho Sakurai said to Masaki Aiba that he was worried about the response they would get from the audience, but he was happy with their enthusicatic response. Sho noted that today is their 22nd anniversary, and that they were on stage for it, before thanking the audience for attending.

“Long time no see,” Jun Matsumoto said. “I haven’t been in public recently, and I feel nervous about standing here with three people. Even though it’s for a short time, thank you for coming,” he said to the audience.

Sho revealed to the audience that a week ago all five members of Arashi gathered for the first time in ten months.

Towards the end of the event, Jun revealed that he had a message from Satoshi, which Sho then read.

Shinichi Osawa‘s MONDO GROSSO project is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. Over the decades, MONDO GROSSO has served as a bridge between Japan and the world, between the underground and the mainstream. The body of work MONDO GROSSO has created will be celebrated on November 3 with the best album “MONDO GROSSO OFFICIAL BEST.”

This album will contain various songs from the course of MONDO GROSSO’s career, but remastered, and in some cases with new mixes and edits. Of particular note is the BoA collaboration “Everything Needs Love.” Originally recorded in 2002 when she was 15, the song was only in English. The new versions of “Everything Needs Love” are now in English and Japanese, with new vocals by BoA. Check out the animated video for the Japanese version below!

We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped the charts this week 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

V6 disbanded on November 1 after 26 years. On their last day together, the group donated an olive tree named “Buiroku no Ki” to Nagisa Park in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward. The group has actively promoted human co-existence with nature and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. As a final act, V6 wanted to continue with these efforts, while donating something to future generations, hence the tree donation.

The olive tree is known for being a plant of peace, and V6 wishes for peace and that people will be able to overcome all difficulties in their lives. They hope that the olive tree will be loved not only by V6 fans, but by everyone.

On November 3, BE:FIRST will release their debut single “Gifted.” This release from the winners of SKY-HI‘s survival series “THE FIRST” comes nearly three months after their pre-debut digital single “Shining One.”

The title “Gifted.” has a special meaning. According to SKY-HI, the song’s title refers to BE:FIRST being gifted with natural talent, but it also refers to everybody being gifted with life. The period added to the song’s title makes the title seven characters, with each character representing a different BE:FIRST member. The period also represents the end of BE:FIRST’s pre-debut era and the beginning of their new career.

“Gifted.” will be released in three editions: CD+DVD limited edition A, CD+DVD limited edition B, and CD only regular edition. The DVD that comes with limited edition A will feature live performances, while the DVD that comes with limited edition B will feature the music video for “Gifted.” and it’s making.

Speaking of the music video for “Gifted.”, it has now been released and can be seen below, along with more information on BE:FIRST’s debut!