On August 12, singer and actress Yui Asaka announced through her Instagram and YouTube accounts that she has passed the examination of the Japan Professional Mahjong Association. She will continue to be an active member of the association, but has no plans to compete in any competitions at the present moment.
Last month, Perfume released their new album, “PLASMA.” The Japan Times has now released a new interview with the group, and its courtesy of none other than friend of Arama! Japan Ryo, in his The Japan Times debut!
In the interview, it is said that Perfume’s new album is more interested in going with the flow, rather than chasing something new like with their previous album, 2018’s “Future Pop.” This is in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group was one of the first acts to be affected by the pandemic, with their run at Tokyo Dome cut short due to the closing of venues in February 2020. But during this time where the world slowed down, came the new album.
On September 14, King & Prince will release their tenth single, “TraceTrace.” The song serves as the theme song for the NTV drama “Shin Shincho Koki ~Classmate wa Sengoku Busho~”, which stars group member Ren Nagase. The song has the message of “Let’s build up the present and carve out our history.”
“TraceTrace” will be released in three editions: CD+DVD limited edition A, CD+DVD limited edition B, and CD only regular edition. Each edition will have different B-sides. The DVD that comes with limited edition A will feature the song’s music video, its dance version, and its making of. Limited edition B’s DVD will feature a variety video that features King & Prince running, dancing, and mimicking various races.
King & Prince has now released the music video for “TraceTrace.” The colorful video was choregraphed by the Norwegian choreographer Quick Style. In it, the group performs a dance with the theme of “androids & humans”, to complement the song’s electronic sound.
Check it out below, along with more information on their new single!
Last year, Shukan Bunshun reported that influencer / model Loveli sexually assaulted a woman while on a work trip with her. On March 31 of this year, the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. During an interview with a magazine the following month, the victim said that she was preparing for a civil trial.
On Twitter earlier today, it was announced by the victim’s lawyers that her and Loveli have agreed to a settlement.
Seiho has risen through the ranks of the Japanese electronic music scene over the past decade, producing music for the likes of Daichi Miura, Akiko Yano, Chara, YUKI, and Alisa Mizuki. He’s also made CM songs for large brands such as Mercedes-Benz. After being put in charge of the opening music for the completion event of the National Stadium in 2019, he was also put in charge of the Opening Ceremony music for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Shukan Bunshun is now reporting that the Olympic curse lives on into this year. Last month, a musician in her 30s, who has been working with Seiho since she was in her 20s, pressed charges against him. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Shibuya station is now investigating a violation of the nuisance prevention ordinance, which is equivalent to molestation.
It all started on May 14, at the after party for one of Seiho’s performances. The woman, A-san, went to the party at a DJ bar in Shibuya with an acquaintance. She recounts that when she entered the bar, a man, T, who works for a record company approached her while drunk. T is also known as the DJ Analski, and is an acquaintance of hers. Suddenly, he grabbed both of her breasts from behind with both hands.
She then complained to Seiho, the party’s organizer, about what had just happened to her. He then asked, “Touched your chest, like this?”, and then touched her left breast with his right hand. A-san reacted by saying she couldn’t believe what Seiho was doing, to which he said he would get her a drink to make up for it. He then gave her a drink ticket and left the bar.
Ayumu Imazu was born in Osaka on May 12, 2000. He started dancing at the age of six, and studied in the New York for three and a half years while a teen. Since then, he has been active in Japan and the US. His ability to dance, choreograph, write lyrics, and compose led to NTV’s morning show “Sukkiri” naming him the “next break artist of Generation Z” last year.
On August 10, he will release his debut album, “Pixel.” The album will include the various digital singles he has released since last year, along with some new songs. His talent across various genres is shown on this release, with the album spanning dance music, R&B, and ballads.
“Pixel” will release in a CD+DVD limited edition and a CD only regular edition. The DVD that comes with the limited edition will will be split between music videos and footage from his concert “AYUMU IMAZU LIVE 2021 “Prologue”@SHIBUYA WWW X.”
Check out more information on Ayumu’s debut album below!
On August 10, (((Sssurrounddd))) will release their new album, “After Hours.” This is the group’s first album since March 2015’s “See you, Blue.” They resumed activities last year with the release of “Soap Opera EP.” The nine-song album will be entirely in English.
After the release of “After Hours”, (((Sssurrounddd))) will be active as a producer team.
Check out more information on their new album below!
Ryota Yamasato from the comedy duo Nankai Candies has announced on his radio show that his wife actress Yu Aoi has given birth to their first child. The exact date of birth has not been stated, but Ryota has mentioned that Yu has delivered a healthy baby girl.
Ryota and Yu got married in June 2019. In February of this year, they announced that Yu was expecting their first child.
Congratulations to the happy couple!