A little more than a week has passed since the soft launch of YouTube RED in the United States. This resulted in several Japanese music channels on YouTube being blocked for American viewers. There have been some recent developments though. As was said in an update in the original post, I spoke to tricot’s manager and they fixed the issue. Their channel is now available again in the US. In another update, I said I was in the process of contacting as many artists and labels as possible. I encouraged readers to do the same. There have been some success stories. The channels for Alice Project and RADWIMPS are no longer blocked.

This week’s guests were Funky Kato, Nishiuchi Mariya, and Inoue Sonoko.

Funky Kato – MUSIC MAGIC

Nishiuchi Mariya – Save me

Inoue Sonoko – Daisuki.

From October 30 – November 1, this year’s edition of Skate Canada took place in Lethbridge, Alberta. This was the second event in the International Skating Union’s 2015 – 2016 Grand Prix Series. While Japanese skaters did not top the podium, they did win a silver medal and 2 bronze medals, 2 in the men’s competition and 1 in the women’s.

Yuzuru Hanyu took second place behind Patrick Chan of Canada with a total score of 259.54 to the Canadian’s 271.14. Yuzuru’s short program was given a score of 73.25, putting him in sixth place. It was a disastrous performance. He doubled his quad toe, which under new rules this season meant he earned no points for the jump. Yuzuru also turned a triple lutz-triple toe combination into a triple lutz-double toe. Because of the repeated double toe, the entire element received no points. Yuzuru’s free skate was the second highest scored of the night, behind Patrick Chan’s, with 186.29 points. He fell on his triple lutz.

Daisuke Murakami took third place behind Yuzuru Hanyu with a total score of 252.25. His short program was the top one of the night, with a score of 80.88. He stumbled on his quad salchow. “It was definitely not one of my best skates, but I’m glad that I fought through,” he said. “It was actually the first time I tried the triple lutz-triple loop in the second half. I’m really satisfied with how I didn’t give up after the quad that I made an error on.” His free skate was given a score of 171.37, making it the third highest of the night, behind Patrick Chan and Yuzuru Hanyu.

Yuka Nagai, in her first senior Grand Prix competition, finished in third place with a total score of 172.92. The United States’ Ashley Wagner finished in first with 202.52, while Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia took second place with 188.99. Yuka’s short program’s score was 63.35, the second highest of the competition, behind Ashely Wagner’s 70.73. At the time, Yuka said, “I am so surprised to be in second place. This is my first senior Grand Prix season and I was nervous at first. I am glad to be here now.” Her free skate was given a score of 109.57, the seventh best. She singled a planned triple loop and stumbled on a number of jumps. Of her third place finish, Yuka said, “It’s an unbelievable result. I was looking forward to competing in the GP series but my insecurities were greater than that. I made mistakes but I am pleased because I gave it absolutely everything I have.”

This week’s guest was Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku. There were talk segments with TOKIO, Perfume, KANA-BOON, and Computer Magic.

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku – Super Hero

On February 17th, 2016, Perfume will re-release their Tokuma Japan Communications era albums on vinyl. The trio’s second run of vinyl re-releases (their first being the LEVEL3 album in three versions last year) will span the albums Perfume ~Complete Best~ (2006) through to Perfume Global Compilation “LOVE THE WORLD” (2012) for a total of five, and will be on 180g high quality vinyl. They will be sold individually and in a box set labeled Complete “LP” BOX.

Perfume is currently promoting their 22nd major single “STAR TRAIN” and celebrating their 15th anniversary since debut.

This week’s guests were DISH//, Nishiuchi Mariya, EXILE SHOKICHI, Shota Shimizu, Silent Siren, Goodbye holiday, LIFE IS GROOVE, and Nogizaka46.

DISH// – Oretachi Rookies

Nishiuchi Mariya – Save me

EXILE SHOKICHI – IGNITION

Shota Shimizu – Hanataba no Kawari ni Melody wo

Silent Siren – alarm

Goodbye holiday – Afureru Mono

LIFE IS GROOVE – Gauloise wo Sutta Koto ga Arukai

Nogizaka46 – Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru

It has been announced that singer Namie Amuro will release her new single “Red Carpet” on December 2. The single can be pre-ordered from today.

The lead track is a neo soul tune with “walking on the red carpet known as life, to everyone of you” as its theme. It is a mid-tempo song with powerful yet gentle vocals.

“Black Make Up”, the coupling song, is an up-tempo song with a danceable, edgy R&B beat.

The DVD that comes with the CD+DVD edition contains an interactive music video for “Red Carpet” in which fans can change the color of Namie’s clothes and other things. On top of that, a making movie is also contained, a first for a Namie single.

Check out the details after the jump!

This week’s guests were Mika Nakashima and Sukima Switch.

Mika Nakashima x Kanjani8 – GLAMOROUS SKY

Sukima Switch x Kanjani8 –  Zenryoku Shonen

Mika Nakashima – Hanataba