On May 11, UA will release her new album, “JaPo.” This is her first new album since 2009’s “ATTA.” The title of the album comes from the Ainu language, with “Ja” meaning “land” and “Po” meaning “child.” UA wrote all 10 songs on the album, while Aoyagi Takuji, Rachael Dadd, and Yoshida Daikiti composed the songs on it. Aoyagi is also in charge of the album’s production. The album’s vivid, eye catching cover and promo pictures were produced by Shindo Mitsuo. Check them out after the jump, along with the album’s tracklist!

This week’s show was a special episode dedicated to new artists. This week’s guests were Drowned Shrimp, Charisma.com, Inoue Sonoko, Akasick, Akai Koen, and WHITE ASH.

Drowned Shrimp – Isoginchaku no Ue de Odore!

Charisma.com – Subliminal Diet

Inoue Sonoko – “Kimi ni Deaete Yokatta”

Akasick – 8mm Film

Akai Koen – Canvas

WHITE ASH – Blaze

Recently Music Station held a 3 hour special which marked KAT-TUN’s Junnosuke Taguchi’s last appearance on the show and also saw Ayumi Hamasaki return with “A Song for XX.”  As always, Japanese netizens had something to say about the performers.

Catch some of their comments below! And be sure to add your own comments about the special too!

Hey, Arama! Japan! It’s Friday, so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like! Enjoy!

This week’s episode was a 3 hour long spring special. This week’s guests were Ketsumeishi, AKB48, Kis-My-Ft2, Kiroro, BEGIN, Kiritani Kenta, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, Ikimonogakari, Ayumi Hamasaki, Fujimaki Ryota, and KAT-TUN. There was also a countdown of the top 40 sakura and graduation songs.

Rock band UNICORN will provide the theme song to the upcoming TBS drama ‘Juuhan Shuttai!‘ starting on 12th April. Haru Kuroki, who has just received her second Japan Academy Prize for an Outstanding Actress in a Supporting role, is tackling a lead drama role for the first time. The song will be titled “Echo”.

Yamashita Tatsuro is currently celebrating his 40th anniversary in the music industry. As a bonus to this celebration, it’s been announced that he now holds the record for the “Most consecutive years to appear on the Japan single chart.” He achieved this feat with his 1983 single “Christmas Eve.”

Today, Shiseido released a new commercial starring Komatsu Nana for its “MA CHERIE” line of haircare products. The CM features Nana in a romantic home turned fantasy world. A new song by Shiina Ringo titled “MA CHERIE” accompanies the clip’s visuals. Check it out after the jump!