At the beginning of 2020 the Japanese entertainment industry was shocked to find out that actor Masahiro Higashide was cheating on his wife Anne Watanabe. He was cheating on her while she was pregnant. Actress Erika Karata was revealed to be his mistress.

The former couple worked together on the NHK drama series Gochisosan. Fans were in heaven when their marriage was announced, as many saw them as the “ideal couple”. After the affair was reported, more news came out on Higashide’s awful behavior at home.

This two hour special episode of KanJam Kanzennen SHOW featured Arashi‘s Matsumoto Jun as its guest.

Kanjani8 – STRIPE BLUE (Shonentai) / Jetcoaster Romance (KinKi Kids) / Highteen☆Boogie (Kondo Masahiko)

Singer Kenshi Yonezu is prepping for the release of his brand new studio album titled “Stray Sheep”. Yonezu has previewed a brand new song from the album in a new CM for the drink “Calorie Mate”. Promoted as a nutritional drink “balanced” for humans, the CM will begin to air nationwide beginning on August 1st.

The new song featured in the CM is titled “Mayoeru Hitsuji” and was reportedly written just for the CM tie-in. In the CM Yonezu appears to be in a dystopian world, where he walks side by side with a giant mechanical fox.

“Stray Sheep” will be released on August 5th, 2020. Check out the full CM below!

It’s here! The empress of Japan Ayumi Hamasaki has released a brand new digital single titled “Dreamed a Dream“. The full audio of the song has been uplaoded to Ayu’s official YouTube channel.

“Dreamed a Dream” is Ayu’s tenth digital single overall. For the song she worked with famed producer Tetsuya Komuro, once formerly retired “Dreamed A Dream” is serving as one of the songs for his comeback as a producer. In support of the single Ayu and her team are encouraging fans to create their own remix of the song, an acapella version can also be found on her official YouTube channel.

Last year Shun Oguri and Yu Yamada surprised fans when they decided to relocate to the United States. The couple decided to bring their family to Los Angeles to support a full-scale step into Hollywood.

However, the tabloid Josei Seven has learned that Oguri and his family have officially returned to Japan at the beginning of July, 2020. The reason for this is due to the persistent effects of COVID-19. California is currently one of the hot spots for the coronavirus in the U.S, as of July 29th they set a new daily record for deaths related to the virus. California is currently the state with the largest amount of confirmed cases, followed by Florida and Texas.

Hollywood in general has slowed down and delayed the release and production of many projects, and Yamada just gave birth to the couples third child in April. To put their minds at ease they decided to return to Japan.

A few days ago news broke that former Do As Infinity member Dai Nagao was arrested for violating Japan’s stimulants control law. On July 15th Nagao was caught for possession, and was eventually released via bail on July 22nd. He was formally charged two days later on July 24th.

Nagao took to his Facebook account to formally apologize for the arrest. He said that due to this arrest he doesn’t want to tarnish the memories of his fans during his time as a member of Do As Infinity, full of self-guilt and regret he vowed to reflect on his actions.

At the beginning of the year, Mukai Taichi revealed that he would release a new digital EP in May. Due to COVID-19, production was delayed, but the EP, titled “Supplement”, will be released on July 29.

The name stems from Taichi’s idea that even thought music isn’t vital, it’s good to have in life, similar to nutritional supplements.

“Supplement” contains four songs, including “Comin’ up”, which serves as the opening theme for ABEMA’s news show “ABEMA Prime.” It also includes the song “Boku no Mama de”, which a music video for was recently released. The music video is a collaboration with the eye drop brand Rohto Z!, and has the theme of “awakening.” The imagery the video parallels what it is like when one uses Rohto Z! eye drops. Check it out below, along with more information on Taichi’s new release!

On August 5, anan will release its annual “Ai to SEX” issue, and this year’s coverboy is Hey! Say! JUMP‘s Yamada Ryosuke!

Ryosuke worked out at home during the coronavirus stay at home measures, so it was a pleasant surprise when anan approached him to do this year’s issue. He said that in the ten days before his gravure shoot, he restricted his food and water intake in order to show off his body better. Ryosuke said that this photoshoot shows off his usual sex appeal, but with something new added.

Ryosuke’s “Ai to SEX” issue has a theme similar to “Romeo and Juliet”, featuring a love story between him and woman. One of the photos in the shoot features Ryosuke in the shower, showing his body down to his groin. This image was released to newspapers and can be seen below, along with the cover!