Eri Nobuchika debuted on the Japanese music scene in 2004. In 2009, she went on hiatus to give things outside of music a shot. Eri has decided that it’s time to give music another shot. She has recently signed with Avex’s new label JUSTA MUSIC. She’s also a regular featured singer on Fuji TV’s new music show “Suiyou Kayousai.”

Eri had dreamed of being a singer since she was a child. At the age of 17, she entered a Sony Music audition in an attempt to live her dream. However, she forgot to write her address on her audition package. The person in charge of the audition tracked her down in her hometown of Fukuoka. She then signed with Sony.

Producer Shinichi Osawa heard Eri’s voice and immediately fell in love. In early 2004, after she had graduated from high school, Eri and Shinichi began work on her debut. Even though the releases had a number of tie-ins, they didn’t do well.

On April 15, Fuji TV debuted a new music show, “Suiyou Kayousai.” “Suiyou Kayousai” is similar to Fuji TV’s other music specials, “FNS Uta no Natsu Matsuri” and “FNS Kayousai”, in that it features a variety of acts singing the hits of the past. The show airs Wednesday nights at 7:57 PM. It is hosted by Moritaka Chisato and Watabe Ken. We here at Arama Japan will now be bringing this show to you starting this week.

The guests on this week’s episode were Makihara Noriyuki, Masuda Takahisa, Flower, Tomomi Kahala, DAIGO, Minami Takahashi, Eric Fukusaki, Kikuchi Momoko, Ikuta Erika, Shiraishi Mai, Nishino Nanase, Shizuka Kudo, K, Hitoto Yo, Akiko Wada, Daichi Miura, Ayaka Hirahara, Sakai Yuu, Fujisawa Norimasa, Abe Natsumi, Chris Hart, Tetsuya Komuro, Eri Nobuchika, Ms.OOJA, and GILLE.

They sang songs by the likes of Pink Lady, Spitz, Utada Hikaru, Mr.Children, Every Little Thing, and SMAP.

Promising young rock band KANA-BOON recently confirmed that they’re going to be releasing their first single of 2015 on May 13th.  Now the group have chosen to upload the music video for the release’s lead track “Nandemonedari” to Sony Music Japan’s official Youtube channel, giving us a taste of exactly what we can expect.

This refreshing PV finds the band playing in the midst of a gymnasium filled with girls going about their daily club activities, the video culminating in a massive dance sequence that absolutely everyone gets involved in.  “Nandemonendari” is currently being used as the CM song for Shiseido Anessa sunscreen, the bright and fun number perfect for the summer season.

You’ll find the the single’s cover and track list, as well as the full music video for “Nandemonedari” right after the cut.

Hot off the heels of the release of their new studio album “EPIC DAY”, veteran hard rock duo B’z have announced that a new single titled “RED” is set to hit store shelves on June 10th.  “RED” is currently being used as the entrance theme for baseball player Kuroda Hiroki of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, making it B’z’ first song written specifically for an athlete.

The new single is currently set to be released in three versions:  a Regular Edition, a Limited Edition which will include a DVD with the title track’s Music Video (featuring footage from B’z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT- at Yokohama Arena), and the “Red Edition”, which will include a special wristband with the CD in a special red case.  Of note, “RED” will be B’z’ first single since the release of “Real Thing Shakes” in 1996 to only include one track.

Read on below for a look at the single’s cover and a short preview of “RED” courtesy of the band’s official Youtube channel.

The Japanese Ministry of Justice has formed a team composed of celebrities to assist in the rehabilitation of prisoners. These celebrities are to be called “correction support officers.” They will visit various correctional facilities around Japan and entertain the prisoners as well as give lectures about how their life experiences. Among the celebrities who are part of this team are Ayumi Hamasaki, EXILE’s ATSUSHI, AKB48’s Minami Takahashi, and MAX.

Today, an induction ceremony was held. All of the celebrities named above appeared at the event except Minami. When Ayu was approached about this opportunity, she jumped on it without hesitation. She started studying the Japanese penal system in an effort to figure out how best to do her new job. These visits will start in the middle of May.

Check out video of the induction ceremony after the jump!

Renowned photographer Leslie Kee has photographed many celebrities over the course of his career. Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, EXILE, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga are just some of the names he’s worked with. Now, he’s turning the camera on a different group of people. The Singapore-born photographer recently did a shoot with 111 LGBT people living in Japan, ranging from teenagers to senior citizens. This project is called “OUT IN JAPAN.” Over the course of the next 5 years, he hopes to shoot 10,000 LGBT people. It is estimated that 5.2% of the Japanese population is LGBT. However, only 5% of Japanese people say that they know someone who falls in this group. In most Western countries, 60% – 70% of people say they know someone who is LGBT. With this project, Leslie hopes to show Japanese people that LGBT people are among them, even if they don’t know it. It’s all about increasing visibility, and in effect increasing rights for LGBT people.

Leslie, who is openly gay, gained courage, by shooting these people who too are openly LGBT. From his travels in the West, he has experienced LGBT people being accepted and treated as normal people. He doesn’t understand why the same can’t be done in Japan, seeing as how Japan is a more secular society compared to other Asian countries. He thinks that it stems from ignorance of LGBT people, hence the “OUT IN JAPAN” project.

The Harajuku flagship of GAP has partnered with Leslie to exhibit the work from this project. The exhibition opened on April 21 and will continue til April 28.

Check out photos from the project and a behind the scenes video of the shoot after the jump!

Today, Izumi Macra released her new album “Ai Naraba Shitteiru.” It is her first album since 2013’s “My room my stage”, which garnered her significant buzz. “Ai Naraba Shitteiru” has love as its main theme. The album is a mix of hip hop and trip hop sounds. It features production by people such as DJ Mitsu the Beats, Olive Oil, nagaco, and LIBRO. The mysterious artist recently released a digest of the album. Check it out after the jump along with the album’s cover and tracklist!

On the single side, Sandaime J Soul Brothers topped the chart with “starting over”, with its CD only version (the only version of the single) selling 29,261 copies. However, the best selling single this week was Morning Musume. ’15 with “Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure wa Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara.” Between its 6 editions, “Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure wa Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara” sold 32,284 copies, making it the best selling single this week.

On the album side, Southern All Stars took the top spot with “Budou”, with its CD only Regular Edition selling 32,639 copies. Between its 2 editions, “Budou” sold 35,918 copies, making it the best selling album this week.