We previously reported that mixture rock quartet King Gnu would be releasing a new Double A-side single titled “Sanmon Shousetsu / Senryou Yakusha” on December 2nd. Well ahead of this date, the group have chosen to publish the music video for the first track – “Sanmon Shousetsu” – to their YouTube channel.

This clip, which was directed by frequent collaborator OSRIN, stars professional dancers Tuki Takamura and Maiko Ino. The pair perform an interpretive routine meant to represent the struggles of life while the band performs the song from the sidelines.

You’ll find the full PV for this emotive ballad right after the cut.

Singer/songwriter Hiroji Miyamoto – better known as the front-man for rock band Elephant Kashimashi – has announced that he will be releasing his first cover album on November 18th. This record – titled “ROMANCE” – came about as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, as Miyamoto recorded his initial takes of the included tracks while in isolation.

“ROMANCE” will feature covers of twelve songs from female singers, including Akiko Kosaka’s “Anata”, Miyuki Nakajima’s “Keshou”, Yumi Matsutoya’s “Koibito ga Santa Claus”, and – Miyamoto’s personal favorite – Seiko Matsuda’s “Akai Sweet Pea”. The album’s Limited Edition will include a second disc containing Hikigatari demos of six cover tracks.

You’ll find the cover and complete track list for “ROMANCE”, along with an album digest right after the jump.

Hey, Arama Japan! It’s Friday, so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like! Enjoy!

In July, Nana Mizuki announced her marriage. She has now announced that she is pregant!

Nana’s pregnancy has now entered its stable period and she is in good health. On her official blog, she wrote that during her first pregnancy at the age of 40, she would like to create something that she could love and protect.

This week’s guests were Uno Misako (AAA), JUJU, Sexy Zone, WANIMA, Stray Kids, and Arashi.

Uno Misako (AAA) – Kousui

JUJU – Kanade

Sexy Zone – NOT FOUND

WANIMA – Cheddar Flavor / LIFE

Stray Kids – ALL IN

Arashi – Do you…?

Ealier this week, the American entertainment magazine Variety published an interview with Arashi‘s Matsumoto Jun. The interview is in the same vein as the group’s other recent Western interviews, with talk of their success in Japan, their recent international debut, working with Bruno Mars, and their upcoming hiatus.

One of the topics that came up in the interview was the legacy of Johnny & Associates founder Johnny Kitagawa. When asked about it, Jun spoke of how Johnny created the Asian idol system that has endured over the decades.

“Johnny created so many boy bands in his 60 years of working and left an indelible mark not just on the entertainment industry of Japan, by bringing it up to a global standard, but also on Asian pop culture overall, even outside of Japan, [visible in] the rise of the Asian pop generation,” Jun said. “What you’re currently seeing now with non-Japanese groups as well all really found its roots in the foundational work that Johnny did back in the 1960s.”

Jun also revealed his thoughts on KPop having success internationally, saying, “I feel no sense of the kind of tribalism that some people might imagine, but rather a sense of pride that the architecture that Johnny laid the foundations for decades ago is now finally starting to cross borders. Even if it’s not being done by Johnny, per se, the legacy still continues and is alive and well. You can see the flowers taking root in other cultures and countries.”

Jun, continued, admitting with a laugh, “I’ve definitely heard ‘Dynamite’ quite a few times,” referring to the K-pop group BTS’ first entirely English-language single that made them the first Korean group to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Jun saying that Johnny Kitagawa is responsible for the KPop idol system, and in effect, KPop’s international success angered some Korean netizens. Check out what they had to say below!

Good news for those who missed the online streaming of Arashi’s “ARAFES 2020 at National Stadium” last November 3. It was announced that a re-delivery of the concert will be held for 3 days from November 6th (Friday) to 8th (Sunday). Those who have purchased a ticket will be able to watch again at a selected date and time. In addition, those who do not have a ticket can purchase a new ticket and watch it. Details are available at the official website of “Arafes”.

This is the group’s first concert at the National Stadium since Arafes 2013. All 6 sports newspapers dedicated a whole page feature and morning information programs covered the extravagant production of the concert. The production included 70,000 penlights, 1,800 staff, 60 cameras, 2,500 fireworks, 50,000 balloons, 280 11-ton trucks equivalent of equipment, 250 ton water, a 100 width stage, and 135 performers (Johnnys Jr, Turning Up dancers, Mount Blast and New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra),

This week, LiSA topped the Hot 100 single chart for the second consecutive week with her single “Homura”, with 36,504 points.

IZ*ONE topped the Hot Albums chart with her debut Japanese album “Twelve.”

LiSA also topped the Streaming Songs chart with “Homura.”

LiSA also topped the Download Songs chart for the second consecutive week with “Homura.”

JUJU topped the Download Albums chart with her new cover album “Ore no Request.”