Welcome once again to Arama’s weekly Open post.

This is where you and other readers of the site can come together, chat and hangout. Talk about some of the recent posts that has captured attention or even about your favorite release. Just about anything goes and no need to only talk about Japan related topics.

gif source: hello katy

This week’s guests were Ikimonogakari, BREAKERZ, Golden Bomber, Hoshino Gen, Kanjani8, and Superfly.

Ikimonogakari – Anata

BREAKERZ – WE GO

Golden Bomber – Shinda Tsuma ni Niteiru

Hoshino Gen – SUN

Kanjani8 – Tsuyoku Tsuyoku Tsuyoku

Superfly – Beautiful

A few days ago, Buzzfeed posted an article titled “Poke Your Screen While Watching This Video And Be Instantly Hypnotized“, about Namie Amuro’s new music video for her song “Golden Touch”.

Since the article was posted, it’s been viewed almost 900,000 times and has earned a spot as one of this week’s top posts.

This week’s guests were THE ALFEE, Masuda Takahisa, Hata Motohiro, Thelma Aoyama, Shota Shimizu, Flower, Nishiuchi Mariya, Kumamushi, Superfly, Yu Takahashi, Abe Natsumi, and Chris Hart. This week’s Wednesday Singers (the show’s core group of singers) were Ide Ayaka, Jennii, Saho Aono, Eric Fukusaki, GILLE, and Yamamoto Takuji.

They sang songs by the likes of THE ALFEE and Inoue Yosui. Superfly also performed some of her new songs.

Late last year, Shiina Ringo appeared in a commercial for LG’s “isai VL” cellphone, with her song “Chichinpuipui” as the CM song. She now has a new CM for the company. This new one is for the “isai vivid” model. It features a new song titled “Kamisama, Hotokesama.” The song features Mukai Shutoku of the band ZAZEN BOYS. He also narrates the commercial. In the CM, Ringo can be seen wearing an outfit composed of brightly colored flowers, vivid makeup, and a crown. Multiple smartphones swirl around her, showing off their technologically advance cameras and screens.

The commercial hits television screens on May 29. No word yet on when “Kamisama, Hotokesama” is to be released. Check it out after the jump!

Avex has been signing a number of acts recently, ranging from SOLIDEMO to Seiko Oomori. One of their new signees is 17 year old Saho Aono. She is from Hyogo Prefecture. She started dance lessons at the age of 5. In 2007, won a special prize at the Avex-sponsored “Kiratto☆Entertainment Challenge Contest” for modelling. It was then that she enrolled in the Avex Artist Academy for vocals and dance. In 2012, she went to New York City to perform at the hallowed Apollo Theater, following in the footsteps of other Japanese singers such as Ken Hirai and Shota Shimizu. She participated in the kids’ portion of the Amateur Night contest. The Amateur Night contest has been the launching pad for acts such as The Jackson 5, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Saho won the kids’ portion of the contest as was named one of the “Stars of Tomorrow.”

She was recently chosen to be one of the core singers of Fuji TV’s new music program “Suiyou Kayousai.”, along with other singers such as MACO, Ms.OOJA, and another new Avex signee, Eri Nobuchika. Today, she released the music video for her debut release. The song is titled “Once in a Lifetime.”

On July 8, Sandaime J Soul Brothers will release their new single, “Summer Madness.” “Summer Madness” is an EDM song that sees them collaborating with world-renowned DJ/producer Afrojack. The Grammy Award winner has worked with several international stars, including Beyonce, Madonna, and Pitbull. Frequent Sandaime J Soul Brothers collaborator STY will be working on the song as well, providing the lyrics and composition. The covers and tracklist will be provided when they become available.

On the single side, AKB48 topped the chart with “Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai”, with its CD+DVD Limited Edition Type A selling 80,228 copies. The 8 editions of this single took the top 8 spots on the chart. Between its 8 editions, “Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai” sold 423,874 copies, making it the best selling single this week.

On the album side, MAN WITH A MISSION x ZEBRAHEAD took the top spot with “Out of Control”, with its CD+DVD Limited Edition selling 24,392 copies. However, the best selling album this week was Domoto Tsuyoshi’s “TU.” Between its 3 editions, “TU” sold 55,602 copies, making it the best selling album this week.