Singer chay has announced the release of her 12th single, and this time she will be joined by a special guest. Crystal Kay!

“Anata no Shiranai Watashitachi” is the very first duet single for chay. It has been selected as the theme song for the upcoming TV Asahi drama series “Anata ni wa Watasanai” starring Yoshino Kimura and Miki Mizuno.

Back in August 2018 talent Akemi Darenogare boldly announced that she wanted to debut as an actress in Hollywood!

Originally she planned to attend school in America beginning in January 2019 to perfect her English skills, in Japan she has already been enrolled in English conversational classes.

The power of anime? DAOKO’s 2017 single “Uchiage Hanabi” has surpassed over 200 million views on YouTube!

Originally released in August 2017, “Uchiage Hanabi” is DAOKO’s third single. The song is a collaboration with former Vocaloid musician Yonezu Kenshi, who now releases music under his own name and voice.

This week’s guests were ZIGGY, The Cro-Magnons, and Macaroni Enpitsu.

ZIGGY – Kono Yoru no mukou e

The Cro-Magnons – Ikiro

Macaroni Enpitsu – Lemon Pie

A photo from actor Yosuke Kubozuka‘s Instagram account has been making headlines, to the joy of many drama enthusiasts.

He recently posted a photo with himself and fellow actor Shun Oguri! The photo was taken at the wedding ceremony of a friend, showing Oguri and Kubozuka posing with his daughter Amato.

From October 19 – 21, this year’s edition of Skate America took place in Everett, Washington. This was the first event in the International Skating Union’s 2018 – 2019 Grand Prix Series. For the second consecutive year, Satoko Miyahara won the women’s portion of the event, with Kaori Sakamoto following in second.

Satoko won with a total score of 219.71. Her short program received a score of 73.86, putting her in first place. “I was nervous, but I was able to turn that into power,” Satoko said after her skate. “Since my goal now is to show in competition what I’ve done in practice, I think the short program was decent enough as a first step.”

Satoko’s free skate was the top one of the event, with a score of 145.85. “I was nervous during the performance, so I’m glad,” she said. “The best thing was that there wasn’t a lack of turns in my jumps at this tournament.” With this win, Satoko has become the first woman to win back to back at Skate America since South Korea’s Yuna Kim in 2008 and 2009.

Kaori came in second with a total score of 213.90. Her short program was ranked second, with a score of 71.29. Kaori’s free skate was also ranked second, with a score of 142.61.

Japan’s only other entry in this competiton, Marin Honda, finished in eighth place with a total score of 158.04.

This coming weekend sees Shoma Uno, Kazuki Tomono, Wakaba Higuchi, Yura Matsuda, and Mako Yamashita taking the ice at Skate Canada in Laval, Quebec.

We’re back with this week’s edition of Oricon Flashback. This is where we look back on what topped Oricon this week 5, 10, 15, and 20 years ago. Think of it as a way to reminisce and learn about the past of Japanese music.

Popular singer/songwriter Gen Hoshino has just announced that he will be releasing a brand new studio album on December 19th.  Titled “POP VIRUS,” this new record comes three years after the release of “YELLOW DANCER” and will include his hit tracks “Koi,” “Family Song,” and “Idea” – among others.

The record will be issued in four versions:  a Limited Edition A, which will include a Blu-ray disc; a Limited Edition B, which will include a DVD; a First-Press Regular Edition, which will include a limited print booklet; and a Regular CD-Only Edition.  Additionally, Gen will be embarking on his first 5 Dome Tour in February and March of 2019 in order to support the release.

Though information about “POP VIRUS” is sparse as of yet, you’ll find the album’s cover, as well as the schedule for the upcoming Dome Tour below.