Details on Towa Tei‘s upcoming album have been revealed. Titled “CUTE” and releasing on July 29th, it will be the musician’s 8th studio album in 21 years and features a variety of artists including YMO members Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, as well as past Tei collaborator Kiko Mizuhara’s younger sister, Yuka Mizuhara, who is also a model. Check out the album’s cover and tracklist (with production credits) below!

During yesterday’s Ongaku no Hi, there was a special episode of CDTV titled CDTV Special! This show aired from 11:45 PM – 5 AM JST.

The show features performances by Eir Aoi, Arsmagna, [Alexandros], Tomomi Itano, A.B.C-Z, Ohara Sakurako, OKAMOTO’S, Katahira Rina, KANA-BOON, Charisma.com, KEYTALK, Kishidan, Kimaguren, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, °C-ute, Kuso Iinkai, Crystal Kay, Good Morning America, GLIM SPANKY, Golden Bomber, Sasaki Mao, Shishido Kavka, Thinking Dogs, C&K, GENERATIONS, SPYAIR, SEKAI NO OWARI, AAA, Dream Ami, Nakatani Yushin, Nakayama Yuma, Niiyama Shiori, Nishino Kana, back number, Perfume, vivid undress, flumpool, BLUE ENCOUNT, BREAKERZ, MACO, Daichi Miura, MINMI, Yasuda Rei, Yoshida Yamada, Rihwa, and wacci.

Yesterday, TBS aired its annual midsummer music special, Ongaku no Hi. It was hosted by Nakai Masahiro of SMAP and TBS announcer Azumi Shinichiro.

The show features performances by aiko, E-girls, Ikimonogakari, Sayuri Ishikawa, Itsuki Hiroshi, AKB48, HKT48, EXILE, SKE48, NMB48, Okamoto Mayo, Kaientai, Tomomi Kahala, Kishitani Kaori, Kis-My-Ft2, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, King Cream Soda, Chris Hart, Kozai Kaori, Hiromi Go, Sakamoto Fuyumi, Sada Masashi, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, JUJU, Sukima Switch, SMAP, SEKAI NO OWARI, Sexy Zone, Yu Takahashi, Chage, Dream5, Nishiuchi Mariya, Nishino Kana, NyaaKB With Tsuchinoko Panda, Nogizaka46, Hata Motohiro, Perfume, Ken Hirai, Fuji Ayako, Flower, Busaiku, Porno Graffitti, Chisato Moritaka, Yamamoto Sayaka, Yuzu, Little Glee Monster, Watanabe Misato, Akiko Wada, and WaT.

Monogatari Series: Final Season’s ‘Owarimonogatari’ is in production

Animator Hiroko Kazui’s official website has been updated to include storyboard work on the anime adaptation of Monogatari Series: Final Season’s Owarimonogatari. Her previous work includes storyboards for Hanamonogatari and various arcs of Monogatari Series: Second Season.

It is believed that it will air in 2015.  Probably at the end of the year or early 2016.

We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped Oricon this week 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

Japan Airlines Co. on June 27 started flying a Boeing 777 jet decorated with images of the five Arashi members on the body. Arashi, who serves as ambassadors for JAL, was present during the unveiling of the design at Haneda Airport hangar. The event was also attended by JAL’s President, as well as the organizing committee chairman of Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Foundation.

Ohno Satoshi, the leader of Arashi, created the design, which also includes images of Mount Fuji, insects, flowers, and Japan’s Four Seasons. Also added is a rainbow using Arashi’s colors. Under these images, a message says, “Fly to 2020.”

The design and service commemorate JAL becoming an official partner of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. The services, connecting Naha Airport, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Osaka Airport in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, will run until around March next year.

EXILE’s 2nd single in 2015 will be “24karats GOLD SOUL”, scheduled to be released on August 19.

This is the 4th song in the 24karats series and also the first 24karats song performed by EXILE independently. The previous songs of the 24karats series were jointly produced with guest rappers and singers. But this time, the 24karats song will be created by EXILE independently. The theme of this song is to run to the new world of 24karats, which can be taken as EXILE’s soul.

The second song will include ATSUSHI’s song “UPSIDE DOWN”, a tribute song for member Matsumoto Toshio, USA and MAKIDAI who have announced that they will stop carrying out activities as performers. The track is going to incorporate funk and black music, which are well known throughout the 1980s to 1990s. Matsumoto Toshio, USA and MAKIDAI will also be appearing in the music video together with ATSUSHI.

EXILE has performed “24karats GOLD SOUL” for the first time in Ongaku no-Hi last June 27. Check out the performance/ song preview, and single details below.

YUI will be releasing a Music video DVD / Blu-ray collection “FIND ME YUI Visual Best” on July 29.

YUI made her major debut in 2005. She suspended her solo activities at the end of 2012. The MV collection “FIND ME YUI Visual Best”, will feature all her PVs, including “It’s happy line”, which was produced prior to her major debut, and more than 20 making-of videos. In addition, included in the Limited Edition is the “YUI Sweden Special Movie” content and a photobook “Clip Shot”.

After her solo hiatus, she formed the band FLOWER FLOWER. In April this year, she announced she got married to a non-celebrity and is expecting her first child.