Sony Music Entertainment has announced that it will be holding auditions for the first generation members of a new group, Toriizaka46.

In response to the breakthrough of Nogizaka46, Toriizaka46 will be formed as the second group of the “sakamichi series” (slope series). Toriizaka is a slope located in Minato Ward, Tokyo. It is near Zepp Blue Theater Roppongi where Nogizaka46 under members perform. The group will start their activities with a Live at the theater, and will aim for a CD debut under the production of Akimoto Yasushi.

Sony Music Entertainment started accepting applicants last June 28. The final audition will be held on August 21, the same day that Nogizaka46 was formed in 2011.

(via Natalie)

This week’s guests were Dempagumi.inc, Inoue Sonoko, Yoshida Yamada, and Shinonome DONG WOON from BEAST.

Dempagumi.inc – Otsukare Summer!

Inoue Sonoko – Taisetsu na Kimi e

Yoshida Yamada – Kimi ni Aitaina

Shinonome DONG WOON from BEAST – Kimi wa Shiranai

As previously reported, Kis-My-Ft2′s Tamamori Yuta will be starring in the film adaptation of Arikawa Hiro‘s original novel “Raintree no Kuni”. Co-starring with him is singer- model Nishiuchi Mariya as the heroine. 

Arikawa’s “Rein Tsuri no Kuni” tells the pure love story between two people who have never met. Tamamori plays the role of Sakisaka Nobuyuki, a salary man from a food company who starts exchanging emails with the owner of “Rain Tree no kuni” blog named Hitomi (Nishiuchi). Hitomi has a secret that she can’t say in person.

Miyake Yoshishige directs the movie. Additional cast include Mori Kanna, Abe Joji, Yamazaki Shigenori, Kataoka Ainosuke (special appearance), Yajima Kenichi, Aso Yumi, Osugi Ren and Takahata Atsuko.

“Raintree no Kuni” opens November 21. Check out the released trailer and poster below

This week well-known folk/pop duo Yuzu made their new song “Kakeru” available for download on all of the major digital platforms in Japan.  The track is currently being used as the CM song for Nippon Life Insurance, the fourth in their series of collaborations with the company, and features Taiyo Doki of the band LILI LIMIT on electric guitar, with famed record producer tofubeats serving as its beat and rhythm conductor.

A PV for “Kakeru” was also uploaded to the group’s official Youtube channel, the video transporting us to Tokyo’s Shibuya distict in the year 2025.  In this world, the signs that dominate the city’s skyline display numbers and other faceless symbols rather than words; the MV follows the efforts of a courageous young woman (Sugisaki Hana) who attempts to right this wrong, the police dogging her every step.  These thrilling scenes are intercut with shots of Yuzu performing atop a building in this Shibuya, the innovative camerawork handled almost entirely by drone.

You’ll find the exciting music video for “Kakeru” just below the cut, so please don’t hesitate to read on.

whiteeeen, a vocal group formed by four girls in their teens are back with their second single! As previously introduced, they are produced by senior vocal group GReeeeN, and like them, their identities remain hidden. Their debut single “Ai Uta ~since 2007~”, a remake of GreeeeN’s original song, was used as the theme song for the film Strobe Edge.

“Pocket” is the second single released by whiteeeen. The title track was used as the theme song for the anime movie Sinbad: Sora Tobu Hime to Himitsu no Shima. It was released digitally on July 1.

Check out the single details and released short version music video for “Pocket” below.

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 box office chart sees the 1st to 6th positions unchanged from last week’s ranking. Love Live! The School Idol Movie continues its strong hold at the box office. New movie Strayer’s Chronicle starring Okada Masaki and Sometani Shota opened at 7th place.

Check out the latest ranking below.

Following the release of their latest single “Kanashikunaru Mae ni”, rock band indigo la End have published a music video for one of the record’s B-sides to their Youtube channel.  The PV for the very soothing “Natsuyoru no Magic” finds us following a certain singer on their search for inspiration one summer night, fireworks and a luminescent ferris wheel only two of the many things that color this fateful evening.

The band have also announced that they will be releasing a new single, their first Double A-side, this September on the 16th.  “Shizuku ni Koishite / Wasurete Hanataba” will consist of three songs in total and will come in both Limited and Regular editions, with the benefits of the former to be announced at a later date.

Natsuyoru no Magic’s music video, as well as the full track list for indigo la End’s new single can be found following the jump.