Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Yonezu Kenshi defeat NGT48 and TWICE. Kenshi and TWICE are back again this week, facing off against a newcomer. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

It has been announced that LDH group Sandaime J Soul Brothers will be releasing their 7th studio album titled FUTURE.

Hopefully fans have been saving up, it will be released in 5 different versions each filled to the brim with content. A 3CD version, 3CD+3Blu-ray, and lastly a deluxe 3CD+4Blu-ray. The two Blu-ray versions will also be available in DVD format. 

This week, KAT-TUN topped the Hot 100 chart with their new single “Ask Yourself.”

SHINee topped the Hot Albums chart with their first best album “SHINee THE BEST FROM NOW ON.”

TWICE topped the Streaming Songs chart for the second consecutive week with their single “What Is Love?”

Yonezu Kenshi topped the Download Songs chart for the ninth consecutive week with his single “Lemon.”

The “Greatest Showman” soundtrack retook the top spot on the Download Albums chart, topping it for the eighth non-consecutive week.

Today, Johnny & Associates group TOKIO held a press conference regarding the future of the group, and bass player Tatsuya Yamaguchi.

This is all in response to his “forced indecency” with a 16-year-old girl.

TOKIO’s leader Shigeru Joshima was the first to speak at the conference.

As expected, he repeatedly apologized to the victims family and the public for all the commotion this scandal has caused. Joshima then went into the talks the members had of what they should do regarding Yamaguchi.

He quickly revealed what many were expecting, Yamaguchi officially handed in his resignation and will no longer be a member of the group. During the meeting with the other members he said

“I will quit TOKIO. I’m responsible for hurting TOKIO”

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.

It has been announced that former Berryz Kobo member Risako Sugaya has given birth to a healthy baby girl!

Sugaya shared the happy news herself on both her official Instagram and LINE blog. She actually gave birth on March 1st, but only decided to share the news with her fans now.

In the caption she wrote that since she’s only been a mother for 2 months, every single day she’s still “exploring” in reference to motherhood. She wishes that she would grow with her daughter at the same time.

Girl group AKB48 will be going for a sexy concept in their latest effort Teacher Teacher.

Each members dons a matching leather mini shirt with sleeveless mockneck, and sleek black pumps.

Teacher Teacher is the 52nd major single from the girls, and will be released on May 30th. This single is also the highly anticipated “Senbatsu” single, which means fans who purchase copies will be able to participate in voting for their favorite members.

Move over Best Jeanist, there’s a hot new award in the Japanese entertainment world.

Talents Peco & Ryucheru were the winners of the very first Best Wedding Awards, which took place in Tokyo on May 1st.

The award was given to the colorful duo thanks to all the attention their ceremony garnered. Both Peco and Ryucheru also have a very large following of younger fans giving them very high influence with those crowds.