Yesterday, former KAT-TUN member Taguchi Junnosuke held a event titled “Junnosuke Taguchi official FAN meeting 2019 ～COSMOS CITY～” at Tokyo’s morph tokyo. The fan meeting served as a “restart” for his career, after receiving a two year probation sentence for his marijuana arrest earlier this year.

At the event, Junnosuke said that he will “continue forward as a new Taguchi Junnosuke.” He also thanked the audience for their support and said that he was glad they were there to see him take his first steps as the new version of himself.

At “Junnosuke Taguchi official FAN meeting 2019 ～COSMOS CITY～”, he performed songs from his new album which was released last month, “COSMOS CITY.” Oricon was on hand to document the fan meeting, where Junnosuke wowed the crowd with his vocal talent and sex appeal. Check it out below!

On December 4, Ken Hirai will release his new single, “#302.” The song serves as the theme song for the TBS drama “4 Bunkan no Marigold.” “#302” is described as a medium ballad with a simple arrangement.

Ken recently released the music video for the song on his YouTube channel. In an interesting twist, it’s viewable outside of Japan. Ken is signed to Sony, a label notorious for blocking their YouTube videos outside of Japan. Check out the video below!

On December 4, SALU will release his new album “GIFTED.” This album is being released digitally and will only be available physically through the EXILE TRIBE STATION online shop. This physical edition features a DVD with four music videos and a 24-page photobook. Check out more information this release below!

Earlier today, the first night on 2019 FNS Kayousai aired. The show featured performances by the likes of Arashi, Shiina Ringo, Nakayama Miho, Daichi Miura, JUJU, Nana Mizuki, Nogizaka46, and NEWS. Check out the full show below!

Instrumental jazz quintet SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS announced earlier this year that they would be releasing a new studio album titled “MAN STEALS THE STARS” on December 4th. This 13-track record marks a departure from the band’s recent longplays, eschewing vocal features in favor of an involved, conceptual experience which returns to the group’s club jazz roots.

In conjunction with the album’s release, they have uploaded the music video for its lead track “Space Drifter” to their YouTube channel. The clip pairs the electronic-backed number with scenes of the band members walking the streets of London in autumn.

Read on below to find this PV, a special YouTube live, and the cover and track list for “MAN STEALS THE STARS”. If you like what you hear, you can give the full record a spin on Spotify.

Last month we reported that alt. rockers Halo at Yojohan will be releasing a new album titled “ANATOMIES” on January 29th. Well in advance of that date, the quartet have chosen to publish the PV for album track “Naraku” to their YouTube channel.

This video, directed by longtime collaborator Yuki Wakisaka, was filmed at both a Yokohama studio and Kurihama Port in early November. Of note, “Naraku” is currently serving as the theme song for the second season of drama “Edomae no Shun”.

You’ll find the full version of this seasonally-appropriate music video below.

This week Tower Records Japan has chosen to announce the releases which stand at the top of their Bestseller lists for the year 2019.  These rankings reflect the combined total sales of the Japanese, Imported, Limited, Analog, etc. versions of each Album/DVD sold through Tower Records stores from January 1st through November 30th of this year.

The Japanese Year-End chart was topped by Arashi’s “5×20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019”, while the Foreign Year-End chart has been topped by the original soundtrack for film Bohemian Rhapsody. The Jazz category was ruled by Hiromi Uehara’s “Spectrum”, with Isabelle Faust’s interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Violin Concertos taking the top spot in the Classical category.  Finally, the top selling single and music DVD/Blu-ray at Tower Records stores were Arashi’s “BRAVE” and “5×20 All the BEST!! CLIPS 1999-2019” respectively.

Congratulations of course go to all of the victors, and the full Top 20s for the Japanese Album chart, the Foreign Album chart, and more will follow after the cut.

On December 4 and 11, 2019 FNS Kayousai will air. The first and second sets of performers were previously revealed, and now it’s time for the third set! Added to the first night are Ihara Rikka and Nakayama Miho, who will be returning to FNS Kayousai for the first time in 20 years. The second night of the show will now see Golden Bomber performing.

At 6:30 PM JST, there will be a live stream of the show and Arama! Japan will be hosting a chat on Discord so that readers can chat with each other during the show! Links to the show and the chat are after the jump!