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!

Veteran singer/songwriter Yumi Matsutoya has announced that she will be will be releasing a new full-length album titled “Shinkai no Machi” on December 1st. This will be Matsutoya’s 39th studio record, and her first such release in over four years, following up on 2016’s “Uchuu Toshokan”.

“Shinkai no Machi” will run 11 tracks in length, including the already-released title track, her theme song for Touken Ranbu -ONLINE- “Anata to Watashi to”, her recent TBS drama theme “Shiranai Doushi”, and more. The album will be issued in three versions: a CD-Only Edition, a Limited Edition which contains a DVD featuring documentary footage of the album’s production process at Matsutoya’s home, the making of the record’s cover art, and an interview video, and a special Christmas Edition Box, which will include the DVD contents on a Blu-ray disc, a 36-page art book, and a 2-Disc LP pressing of the record.

Read on below to find the cover and partial track list for “Shinkai no Machi”, and look forward to additional info. about the release as it is made available.

Back in September we reported that singer/songwriter Yuji Nakada would be releasing his second album of the year, titled “PORTAS“, digitally on November 11th (and physically on November 18th). With both of these dates roughly a month away, Nakada has chosen to make all of the details regarding the longplay available online.

“PORTAS” will run ten tracks in length, including a new version of the previously released “Kimi ga Tame ni” and his newly released digital single “BACK TO MYSELF”. The physical version of the album will include a second disc containing live recordings from Nakada’s 2018 Hikigatari tour “Nakada Yuji no Utau Romance Kaidou”.

You’ll find the cover and complete track list for “PORTAS”, as well as a lyric video for “Kimi ga Tame ni” right after the cut.

Last month we reported that folk-pop duo Humbert Humbert would be releasing a new album titled “Ai no Himitsu” on October 21st. As this date draws closer, the pair have chosen to upload a PV for its lead track “Bokura no Mahou” to their YouTube channel.

The music video, which was produced by SUN-AD, features Humbert Humbert’s members taking a variety of poses intercut with a series of intricate finger dances. The latter shots were performed by experts Rina Mizumura and K.E.N-DIGIT.

You’ll find the full version of this PV below.

Back in August we reported that alt. rock quartet LAMP IN TERREN will be releasing a new studio record titled “FRAGILE” on October 14th. With this date right around the corner, the group have chosen to publish the music video for the album’s lead track “EYE” to their YouTube channel.

The clip, which was directed by videographer Gen Natsume, combines performance shots of the band with a skit starring actor Shugo Nagashima. Of note, the entirety of this expansive scene was shot using a drone.

You’ll find this PV, as well as an album trailer, right after the jump.

Arashi has announced the details of their upcoming concert! “ARAFES 2020 at the National Stadium” will be held on November 3, their debut day. Part 1 will only be available to FC members (4:30 pm) while general viewing starts at Part 2 (7:30 pm). The unattended concert will be pre-recorded and streamed online via Johnnys Net online. The 2-Part concert will have different setlists.

According to the online concert site, there will be no archive footage. Tickets can be purchased until 30 mins before the start time. There are 3 price tiers: Y4800 (Arashi FC members); Y5,300 (Johnnys FC members); Y5,800 (non FC). To purchase tickets and for more info, you can access Johnnys Net Online.

We’re back with another episode of the Arama! Japan Podcast! This episode is the second in our female soloists special series, with this episode dedicated to older female soloists! Fave divas such as Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru, Seiko Matsuda, and Kudo Shizuka are dicussed in depth, touching on why these women still appeal to fans several decades into their careers. There are also segments on moving on from old faves, the dislike of Aimyon by some JPop fans, and doxxing Kalen Anzai.

Featured on the podcast alongside myself this time is Hannah, along with special guest Brett. Check it out below!

On October 7, Hiroshi Fujiwara will release his new album, “slumbers 2.” This follow up to “slumbers” comes three years after the original’s release. Like “slumbers”, “slumbers 2” will be released on Sakanaction‘s NF Records.

“slumbers 2” will include the song “TERRITORY”, which was released in June and featured in the Yamashita Tomohisa-fronted ad for Hiroshi’s Moncler collaboration line. The album will also include a cover of Sakanaction’s 2015 hit “Shin Takarajima.”

Speaking of Sakanaction, Hiroshi has released the music video for “TERRITORY”, which features the band’s frontman, Ichiro Yamaguchi. Check it out below, along with more information on Hiroshi’s new album!