Singer-songwriter miwa’s new song “fighting-Φ-girls” will be released on January 28 and it was recently announced that teen vocal group Little Glee Monster will be participating in the new song. Members Serina, manaka, Maju, and MAYU will be joining miwa for the chorus of the song.

 “fighting-Φ-girls is the theme song for the upcoming drama “Masshiro” starring Horikita Maki. In addition, BIG HORNS BEE and Gen Ittetsu Strings Group will provide the instruments for the single. The title song is said to feature gospel, making this miwa’s first time taking on a soul/R&B number. Coupling song “Sora no Kanata” was also chosen as theme for NHK sports program, “Mezase! 2020-Nen no Olympian”.

Full song preview, single tracklist and covers have also been released. Check them out below.

During their live event “NEW YEAR PARTY 2015” in Tokyo, Taiikukan on January 1, AAA announced through the screen on the stage that they will be releasing a single in seven consecutive months as part of their 10th anniversary project. The first single “I’ll Be There” will be released on January 28, to be followed by “Lil ‘Infinity” to be released on February 25. The monthly single release will continue until July.

In addition, singles purchased from mu-mo will come with an application form to AAA’s 10th year anniversary live. The special ‘AAA 10th Anniversary Live‘ will be held on September 13 and September 14 at the Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium. Both “I’ll Be There” and “Lil ‘Infinity” will be released in nine versions: a CD Only edition and eight music cards.

Flower sings the theme song of the movie ANNIE. “TOMORROW ~Shiawase no Housoku~” is the Japanese arrangement of Tomorrow, from the hit musical ANNIE, used for the film adaptation. The song imparts a positive message and the group sings with 40 children in the music video to impart its message. The PV also incorporates scenes of Annie (Quvenzhane Wallis) and Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) from the movie.

Annie opens across Japan on January 24. Flower will perform the song at the premiere on January 20 and the winner of a LIVE DAM singing audition will sing alongside them at the event. Check out the group’s latest music video below.

The theme of the promotion video for Japan tourism is “Omotenashi Nippon”. Serving as tourism ambassadors, Arashi is featured on the video to introduce “omotenashi”, as published by the Japan National Tourist Office.

“Omotenashi” has become a buzzword ever since Tokyo Olympic bid ambassador Christel Takigawa uttered the word in her speech to the International Olympic Committee. It can be translated to elaborate courtesy, but not quite, or allude to the spirit of Japanese hospitality. The promotional video hopes to better showcase it.

A new Jdrama season has just started! You can check out the new compiled list of the winter drama line up.

Nakatani Miki and Mizukawa Asami face off in Ghost Writer,  Shibasaki Kou takes on her first leading role in Marumaru Tsuma, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi stars in the Japanese remake of hit Korean drama, “Jjeonui Jeonjaeng” (War of Money), Ikuta Toma and Oguri Shun team up in Ouroboros, Sawamura Ikki’s Doctors is back for a third season, and Inoue Mao’s taiga drama Hana Moyu premieres. Rare romance dramas in the line up are represented this season by DATE and Second Love.

There’s plenty more so check out rest of the Winter dramas below.

On January 28, Ayumi Hamasaki is set to release her new classical album, “LOVE CLASSICS.” The album includes mashups of some of Ayu’s hit love songs with famous classical pieces. Songs such as “Voyage”, “Days”, and “Dearest” will be mashed up with songs by the likes of Vivaldi, Bach, and Chopin. Today, Ayu released a clip of the album’s opening track, a mashup of “Voyage” and  Johann Pachelbel’s “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Check it out after the jump along with the album’s cover and tracklist.

This week’s episode consisted of mainly interview sessions with guests from last year. This week’s performers were Gospellers, May J., and Wasureranneyo.

Gospellers – Mimosa

May J. – So Beautiful

Wasureranneyo – Bakamono no Subete

On Friday night at 11PM, Fuji TV debuted its newest music show, “Ongaku no Jikan ~MUSIC HOUR~.” The 30 minute-long show is hosted by Nishiuchi Mariya and Fuji TV announcer Fukui Yoshihito. The show is a mix of performances, interviews, and music news. NEWS and Nogizaka46 were the show’s first guests. Check out the show after the jump! Also look forward to expanded music show coverage in 2015!

NEWS – KAGUYA

Nogizaka46 – Boku ga Iru Basho