This week’s guests were AKB48, Fujiwara Sakura, Ariana Grande, Kanjani8, Kishitani Kaori, Kobukuro, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, and Kuwata Keisuke.

It was in September last year when TOKIO’s Kokubun Taichi announced his marriage. This time he has announced that he will soon be a father. The announcement was made towards the end of the June 17 broadcast of his TBS program “Hakunetsu Live Vivit”.

Kokubun revealed that he will become a father in late October. The announcement was met with a round of applause as congratulations. The gender of the baby is still unknown but he says “I really wanted twin girls, but it won’t be twins”.

Kokubun says the feeling is complicated and he still can’t believe it’s real. Although he always thought he wanted children, but the feeling of becoming a father has not sunk in yet. In response, commentator Hiromi said “It takes time for men, a little different with women, but we gradually become fathers”.

NEWS Kato Shigeaki suggested “If it’s a baby boy, please let him join Johnny’s” and MC Maya Miki said “If it’s a girl, Takarazuka”. Kokubun expressed surprise at the suggestions and says he should probably start thinking about it.

(via Oricon)

Ayumi Hamasaki’s surprise album, “MADE IN JAPAN”, will be available for purchase physically and digitally on June 29, after a month and a half of being an AWA streaming exclusive. In the past few minutes, Ayu has released 2 music videos in support of the album’s release.

The first video is for “FLOWER”, the album’s second track. The clip for the traditional music meets rock track features Ayu in a beautiful room. Then all hell breaks loose, with Ayu taking a pair of scissors to her luscious locks.

The second video is for the third song on “MADE IN JAPAN”, “Mad World.” The video starts off with a stripped down Ayu, who is then made over by her image team into her diva form. She sings the song on a stage while clips of her nearly 20 year career play in the background.

Check out both videos below!

Covers and more information regarding Namie Amuro‘s 43rd single “Hero” have been revealed! The song will serve as the “theme” for the upcoming NKH broadcast coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. A b-side titled “Show Me What You’ve Got” will also be included, luckily for fans “Show Me What You’ve Got” will receive it’s own PV along with “Hero”.  The single will be released on July 27th.

“Hero” is described as an uplifting song filling the listener with hope and courage, inspiring them to become their own hero. The power of song truly knows no bounds?

Check out the covers and a short preview of “Hero” below!

Today popular rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN chose to publish the music video for their song “Houseki ni Natta Hi” to their official Youtube channel.  The track was previously included on their album “Butterflies”, which was released earlier this year, and has also been used as a CM song for both Google Play Music and Calpis Water.

The PV features footage from the band’s currently ongoing “STADIUM TOUR 2016 ‘BFLY'” and follows a group of three fans as they travel to and enjoy the show.  These live shots are then intercut with brief snippets of the band’s members roaming through Shibuya, the lights and excitement from the concert bleeding into the normal world.

You’ll find the full music video for “Houseki ni Natta Hi” just below the cut.

Following a nearly two-and-a-half year long silence, alternative rock outfit the HIATUS have announced that they will be releasing a new studio album on July 6th.  This new record is titled “Hands Of Gravity” and will include ten new songs written and composed by the members of the band.

In addition, starting on July 15th the band will embark on their “Hands Of Gravity Tour 2016” in order to support the release, with stops planned all across Japan.

Read on below for a look at the cover and complete track list for “Hands Of Gravity” and expect further information about the album as it becomes available.

On this month’s episode of NEWS PREMIUM SHOW, NEWS performed unplugged versions of White Love Story, Ai no Matador and Forever. Kanjani8 is the guest and they performed their newest single Tsumi to Natsu and the new band version of Do you agree?

From this episode, we also get rare interaction between the two groups as they sat down for the TALK segment. During the introduction, they admit that this is the first time as they usually don’t meet. From there, it was hilariously pointed out that Nishikido Ryo used to be a member of NEWS. The TALK tackle more inside stories as members continue to expose other members in topics such as “Who is the scariest?”, “Who is the most tennen?” At one point, Nishikido clears “That’s not the reason why I left NEWS” which got a very strong reaction from everyone and got him into a frantic denial mode.

Check out the performances and the talk segment below.

As previously reported, Oboreru Knife will have a live action adaptation. The film follows Komatsu Nana as Natsume Mochizuki, a model in the sixth grade who suddenly moves from Tokyo to the countryside. Natsume has a difficult time adjusting to her new life as she misses modelling and her friends back in the big city. However, a captivating encounter with a mysterious boy,  Suda Masaki as Kouchiro Hasegawa, changes her life in ways she’d never imagine.

They are joined by Johnny’s West’s Shigeoka Daiki and Kamishiraishi Mone. A teaser trailer, poster, and additional cast were released. The teaser reveals the film’s November debut.

Check out the trailer and poster below.