Arama! Japan recently conducted an interview with former Johnny’s Jr. member Koki Maeda! While part of Johnny’s Jr., Koki was part of the group 7 MEN Samurai.

During the interview, we discussed a variety of topics, including what his day was like as a Johnny’s Jr., what he thinks of the changes the company has made of late, why he thinks Johnny’s are leaving the company now more than ever, and what Johnny Kitagawa was like. Check it out below!

NOTE: Since its publication, this interview has been edited upon request.

We’re back with another episode of the Arama! Japan Podcast! This episode is our 2020 year end review! For this episode, we covered a variety of topics, including the year end charts, this year’s trends, future trends, the impact of COVID-19, and our top songs and albums of the year.

Featured on the podcast alongside myself this time is my co-host Hannah, and our special guest Ryo.

In addition, me, Ryusenkai, and Hannah have also revealed our favorite songs and albums of the year as part of Staff Selections.

Check it all out below! And tell us your 2020 faves in the comments!

Earlier today, “CDTV Live! Live! Toshikoshi Special 2020→2021” aired. The show featured performances by LiSA, NiziU, JO1, AI, Reol, KREVA, Daichi Miura, DA PUMP, Sakurazaka46, MIYAVI, Hirate Yurina, DISH//, Johnny’s WEST, Aqours, and many more. Check it out below!

Over the last few days, we’ve looked back on the year end charts for the years that were covered in the 2020 editions of Oricon Flashback. We conclude with 2015.

Sanspo is reporting that retired queen Namie Amuro will be releasing a brand new best album in 2021. Ever since her retirement in September 2018, her music has continued to maintain popularity. Amuro’s music is still even being used for marketing campaigns.

Just this month makeup and skincare giant KOSE created a campaign titled “You are my HERO” honoring health care workers. Amuro’s 43rd single “Hero” is currently being used for the campaign.

These past few weeks have been a bit rough for Ayumi “AYU” Hamasaki fans. The state of her 2020-2021 CDL concert was temporarily in limbo due to new restrictions from the government regarding COVID-19, but the concert ultimately had to be cancelled due to one of the staff members testing positive for the virus. Luckily for her fans, Ayu had some surprises to cheer them up for the holiday season and new year.

At her CDL concert she was supposed to debut a brand new song called “Pray for you“. Instead, she has uploaded the entire instrumental of the song on her official Instagram account. The instrumental video features a summary of her live performances this year along with BTS footage. Check it out below:

The time has come to say good bye to the LDH girl group E-girls. Their disbandment was announced at a release event for their 24th single “Bessekai“. Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic squashed many of their plans for 2020, but they still proceeded with December 31st as their disbandment date. Their official Twitter and Instagram account have both already been deleted.

Before disbanding E-girls was able to hold one more live concert titled “LIVE×ONLINE BEYOND THE BORDER E-girls LAST LIVE“, held online through the streaming service Abema TV. The concert also featured performances from the group Happiness, and also served as the final concert for the unit Sudannayuzuyully. It was at this live where the new LDH girl group SWEET REVENGE was announced.

Earlier today, “Nihonju ni Genki wo!! Johnny’s Countdown 2020-2021 ~Tokyo no Machi kara Uta de Tsunagaru Namahoso~” aired. The show featured performances by NEWS, Kanjani8, KAT-TUN, Hey! Say! JUMP, Kis-My-Ft2, Sexy Zone, A.B.C-Z, Johnny’s WEST, King & Prince, SixTONES, and Snow Man. Check it out below!