Starting on April 3, Yamada Ryosuke of Hey! Say! JUMP will the star of 31 Ice Cream’s new commericals! The first CM is for the brand’s “Tanjoubi ni Wai Wai Cake.” In the commercial, Ryosuke enjoys an ice cream birthday cake at a party with a group of kids.

The second commercial is for 31 Ice Cream’s “Sawayaka Variety Pack.” In this CM, Ryosuke enjoys a variety of ice cream flavors with a group of friends. These friends include HiHi Jets members Takahashi Yuto and Inoue Mizuki.

Ryosuke has loved 31 Ice Cream since he was a child, so he was happy to be in the brand’s commercials. Check them out below!

On April 1, Jaejoong made an Instagram post saying that he was hospitalized with the novel coronavirus COVID-19. A few hours later he revealed that the post was an April Fools’ Day joke. The story has shocked people worldwide, and the effects in terms of his career are starting to show.

It was speculated as to whether or not he would appear on April 3’s three-hour MUSIC STATION special. Earlier today, it was confirmed that he was no longer performing on the show. His official website stated that he was no longer appearing on the show due to “various circumstances.”

MUSIC STATION’s three-hour special will carry on though, featuring performances by Tokyo Jihen, YOSHI, GLAY, JUJU, Nogizaka46, Ikiminogakari, and more! There is a live stream of the show starting at 7 PM JST and Arama! Japan will be hosting a chat on Discord so that readers can chat with each other during the show! See more below!

As previously reported, Tokyo Jihen will release their new EP, “News”, on April 8. The EP will contain five songs, all written by Shiina Ringo; each song is composed by a different band member.

The Kameda Seiji-composed “Geneki Player” serves as the theme song for WOWOW’s tennis coverage this season. Also featured on “News” is “Eien no Fuzai Shoumei”, a composition by Ringo. The song serves as the theme song for the new Detective Conan film, “Meitantei Conan Hiiro no Dangan”, out April 17.

The music video for “Eien no Fuzai Shoumei” has now been released! The clip depicts Tokyo Jihen coming to Earth during a leap year. The music video can also be seen a continuation of two of Ringo’s previous music videos, 2015’s “Kamisama, Hotokesama” and last year’s “Niwatori to Hebi to Buta.” Check it out below, along with more information on Tokyo Jihen’s new EP!

Folk-pop singer/songwriter Yuta Orisaka previously announced that he would be releasing a new digital single this week on April 1st. Now that this date has arrived, the music video for the track – titled “Torch” – has been published to his YouTube channel.

Co-written and produced by fellow folk singer butaji, the mellow “Torch” is accompanied by shots of Orisaka and actor Sankichi Kawamoto engulfed by smoke and water respectively. Of note, the video features subtitles in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

Read on below to find the striking PV for “Torch”.

Last month we reported that electronic/rock duo INABA / SALAS would be releasing a new album titled “Maximum Huavo” on April 15th. Now that this date has drawn closer, the pair have uploaded the music video for the record’s lead track “Demolition Girl” to their YouTube channel.

This PV centers around a performance of the upbeat track at a club, the group’s fans dancing all around them. “Demolition Girl” is currently being used as the theme song for NTV’s informational program “Sukkiri” during the month of April.

You’ll find the full version of this energetic video right after the cut.

Singer/songwriter Yasuyuki Okamura released a new studio album, titled “Misao”, this week on April 1st. This marks Okamura’s first new longplay since 2016’s “Koufuku” and includes nine songs from the veteran performer.

Notable for their inclusion are “Step Up LOVE” and “MacGuffin”, Okamura’s collaborations with DAOKO and RHYMESTER respectively. The record’s Deluxe Edition features a special paper jacket, an original sacoche bag, and a second CD containing a selection of covers from Okamura’s live shows in the 2010s.

You’ll find the cover and track list for “Misao” right after the jump.

Check out the music video preview for “Kame to YamaP’s” newest song “Amor”. The popular duo formed by Kamenashi Kazuya and Yamashita Tomohisa will be releasing their first original album “SI” on April 29. It’s been 15 years since their debut single “Seishun Amigo” was released.

The two-shot on the seaside with the backdrop of the rising sun is reminiscent of the last scene from their starring drama “Nobuta wo Produce”. In a simliar fashion to “Seishun Amigo”, the tune of “Amor” is imbibed with a latin flair.

The duo will also be holding a Dome Tour. They will be performing on May 9 and 10 at Kyocera Dome Osaka and June 13 and 14 at the Tokyo Dome. Check out the MV and album covers below!

Last night’s epsisode of Utacon featured peformances by Nogizaka46, May J., Sayuri Ishikawa, and Mizumori Kaori, among others. Jaejoong also performed on the show last night. Today, he made a post on Instagram saying that he was hospitalized with the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The post read:

“I have been infected with COVID-19. It is a result of my negligence, ignoring the cautionary words shared by the government and those around me.

A person’s individual actions can have such a big impact on society as a whole. I am so sorry to those who may have been infected because of me.

My foolish judgment to live as though it couldn’t happen to me is why I am like this today. I am currently hospitalized. I am reflecting on my past a lot and feeling both grateful and sorry.

There are many things I want to say. There are many people I want to see so much.“

Jaejoong later edited the now-deleted post to say it was an April Fools’ Day joke.