On June 29, TV Tokyo aired the third edition of its midyear music special, Tele To Ongaku Sai. The nearly 4 hour long show was hosted by TOKIO’s Kokubun Taichi and TV Tokyo announcer Ohashi Miho.
Performers on the show included the likes of Kanjani8, AKB48, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, and Ami Suzuki. Check out the full show below!
Last year, AISHA released a new EP, “Pink Diamond.” Several of the songs on that release have found their way, albeit in a new form, on her new EP, “MAKE LOVE”, out June 29. The title track is a new form of the song from “Pink Diamond”, this time featuring rapping, in Spanish, by Zumba’s creator, Beto Perez. As previously reported, “MAKE LOVE” is the official Zumba song for Japan. AISHA will perform at the Zumba Instructor Convention 2016, in Orlando, Florida, July 28 – 31.
But ahead of that, AISHA has released the music video for the remix of “MAKE LOVE.” AISHA flew to Miami, Zumba’s birthplace, for the video. The video shows her in different locations around the city, accompanied by a team of Zumba dancers. Beto Perez also appears in the video, to deliver his rap.
The original version of the “MAKE LOVE” appears on the EP as well, as do the new, English versions of “CANDY LOVE” and “BAD BOY.”
Check out the video and more information on “MAKE LOVE” after the jump!
On July 27, Namie Amuro will release her new single, “Hero.” The song serves as the theme song for NHK’s coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Today, Namie released a short lyric video for the song. In the clip, listeners can hear the song, but also see behind the scenes footage of the photoshoot for the single’s album art. Check it out below!
June 29 sees the release of a summer concept album from BENI, “Shiki Uta summer.” This is the first album in BENI’s “Shiki Uta (Four Seasons Songs)” series. This new series comes on the heels of BENI’s “COVERS” album series reaching 1 million copies sold.
“Shiki Uta summer” is a bit of old and a bit of new, featuring new songs as well as some previously released ones. The limited edition of the album comes with a DVD that features footage from the final show of BENI’s 2014 tour, “10th Anniversary BENI ‘BEST’ LIVE TOUR 2014.”
Today, BENI released the music video for “Natsu no Omoide”, a cover of Ketsumeishi’s song. Check it out below, along with more information on the album!
On June 29, it has been revealed that Shiori Kutsuna will play the heroine in the movie “Kiseki -Ano hi no Sobito-” (to be released spring 2017), a story based on the creation of 4-member band GReeeeN’s 2008 hit song “Kiseki”. Kutsuna will play the role of Rika, the lover of GReeeeN’s leader HIDE, who will be portrayed by Masaki Suda.
The movie is based on a true story of band members JIN and his younger brother HIDE during their adolescent years. Masaki Suda and Tori Matsuzaka will be co-starring for the fourth time, but this will be the first time in which they play siblings. The word “sobito” is a term created by GReeeeN, which describes an amateur individual who freely challenges new endeavors.
This summer, NEWS sings about “the ultimate heart-wrenching love affair of one summer” in their newest single “Koi wo Shiranai Kimi e”. The single captures in the ephemeral scenes of summer in a passionate love ballad. The single will be released on July 13 and will serve as the ending theme song to the 5-episode NTV drama “Toki o Kakeru Shojo”.
Those who’ve fallen in love before, as well as those who haven’t, you can fall in love through this song. And the moment you have finished watching “Toki o Kakeru Shojo” this song will find its completion…
1,400 clothes make up the set of the music video, to be likened to the sea during summer. Check out the radio preview and PV previews below.
Kasumi Arimura (23) will be the lead role for Spring 2017’s Asadora “Hiyokko“. The morning drama will start on April 3rd and will air for 29 days.
The plot revolves around Mineko Yatabe (Arimura), who grew up in a large family of farmers in the Northwest part of Ibaraki prefecture. It is set during the time of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Due to rapid economic growth and the rise of mass employment, Mineko is drawn to Tokyo and so her adventure begins. “Hiyokko” is a story of youth, growth, and family.
Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Flower win for the second week in a row, this time defeating V6 and Fujiwara Sakura. This week, we have 2 newcomers facing off! Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!