Singer-songwriter Thelma Aoyama has us yelling Age-poyo!! like it’s the mid 2000s again with the release of the nostalgic short music video for her song “Sekai no Chuushin ~We Are The World~“.
Inspired by walking around the streets of Shibuya—the center of Gyaru fashion and lifestyle—”Sekai no Chuushin ~We Are The World~” is a high energy song perfectly produced to pair up with a ParaPara dance.
This week’s performers were aiko, JUN SKY WALKER(S), and KANA-BOON. Okura Koji was the talk guest.
aiko – Straw
JUN SKY WALKER(S) – MY GENERATION
KANA-BOON – Samayou Hibi to Fanfare
This week’s guests were SUGIZO (LUNA SEA / X JAPAN), HISASHI (GLAY), Tsuno Maisa (Akai Koen), Tsukaji Muga, and Yamamoto Sayaka (NMB48).
SUGIZO x HISASHI x Tsuno Maisa x Kanjani8 – STORM (LUNA SEA cover)
The Heisei Era, the time period we are currently living in, will come to an end on April 30, 2019, when Emperor Akihito abdicates. This period began on January 8, 1989 when Akihito became emperor.
The beginning of the Heisei Era, along with the end of the previous Showa Era (1926 – 1989), was part of the “bubble era”, when Japan’s economy was at its peak. During this time, the land on which Tokyo’s Imperial Palace sits was reportedly worth more than Canada. The value of metropolitan Tokyo’s land was estimated to be worth more than the entire United States.
This was a time of great excess in Japan. Even after the bubble burst and Japan’s economy began to suffer, the excess continued for a period of time. Women danced all night in body-con dress with feather fans at the nightclub Juliana’s Tokyo. A museum which held reproductions of masterpieces from the Louvre in Paris was built in Mie Perfecture. Shibuya started to become the street style mecca that it is known as today.
This week, TWICE topped the Oricon single chart with their new single “Wake Me Up”, selling 262,658 copies in its first week.
EXO-CBX topped the Oricon album chart with their debut album “MAGIC”, selling 14,018 copies in its second week.
Yonezu Kenshi topped the Oricon digital single chart with his single “Lemon” for the 12th non-consecutive week , selling 28,108 copies in its 14th week.
Bodan Shonen Dan topped the Oricon digital album chart with their new album “LOVE YOURSELF Zhuan ‘Tear’”, selling 6,493 copies in its first week.
Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw HKT48 defeat SingTuyo and Nishino Kana. This week, we have two newcomers facing off against a blast from the past. Find out what Ronald thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!
The youngest daughter of celebrity power couple Kudo Shizuka and Kimura Takuya has just made her debut as a model!
Fifteen-year-old Mitsuki, taking on the stage name “Kouki” (an alternate reading of the Kanji for her birth name), is featured as the July 2018 cover model for fashion magazine ELLE JAPON, pictured below.
It seems entertainment company Avex Entertainment is continuing to step foot in the event/tourism industry. For the 2nd year in a row they have held the “Star Island” event. It’s proving to be a successful venture, as it managed to become a sold out event.
“Star Island” takes place at Odaiba Marine Park, located along the coast of Tokyo. It’s a family friendly outdoor event, the primary attraction is an extravagant fireworks and performance show. The official “Star Island” website describes itself as follows:
“Star”, what would you imagine if you hear the word “star”??
Some people may imagine the stars in the sky,
Or some people might think about an icon “Super Star”.
Our mother Earth is very much a STAR in the space.
Like the sunset, or the night sky…Depending on your point of view, you may have so many ways
– as abundant as there are stars – in order to enjoy your life.
If one day you had wandered into a parallel world, we would like to create an extraordinary experience in your everyday life.
With this we would like to help to provide a catalyst in order to realize your potential in your life.
From Tokyo to the world; from the world, to outer space.
15,000 people showed up to the event. The price for standard tickets ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 yen. Limited edition seats were also available for purchase.
30,000 yen awarded you premium blowup chairs and the very best seating on the beach, allowing you to view the firework, 3D, and stage performances in full glory. 40,000 yen gave you a luxury bed instead of the blowup chair.
50,000 yen gave you the previous incentives along with dinner and a bottle of champagne. All of the limited edition tickets accounted for two people.
Avex’s head honcho Max Matsuura is a big proponent for the event, even posting a selfie with J Soul Brothers’ member NAOTO. The chance to see some of Avex’s top acts will no doubt attract some fans in the future.
Top Comedian Atsushi Tamura also shared a personal video from the event.
The only musicians who performed at “Star Island” thus far are DJs, but it would no doubt be a prime venue for stars to take the stage it. Perhaps this will turn into the second coming of a-nation?
Photos from “Star Island” 2018 can be seen below.
(via MaxMatsuura‘s twitter & travel.mdpr)