Actors Erika Sawajiri and Tori Matsuzaka attended a press conference in support of their upcoming film Impossibility Defense.

In the film Tadashi Usobuki (Tori Matsuzaka) is a contract killer, known for always wearing a black suit. Nobody knows about his past, but his clients don’t really care as they are usually blinded by hatred or desire. All they care about is if Usobuki is able to get the job done.  What makes Usobuki so successful in his work is that he uses the power of “suggestion” on his victims, basically like psychological warfare. This makes his crimes almost impossible to track.

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.

Late last month we reported that duo Sukima Switch would be releasing a brand new album titled “Shinkuukan Algorithm” on March 14th.  Now that this date has drawn closer, they have decided to reveal all of the details regarding this release, including its cover and track list.

As previously stated, the album will be 10 tracks long and include all of the group’s singles from this era.  The Limited Edition will include a DVD containing not only the music videos for tracks “LINE” and “Mr. Kite”, but also a solo live performance of “Kono Yami wo Terasu Hikari no Mukou e”, the duo’s collaboration track with singer Anly, as well as an interview about the album’s recording process.  The Deluxe Edition, which is available exclusively to members of their fanclub, features yet another DVD containing a series of six live performances from the year 2017 and will come packaged in a high quality box.

Read on below to find all of the available information about “Shinkuukan Algorithm”, and look forward to the album’s release in March.

Just last week we reported that Ohashi Trio would be releasing his latest full-length album “STEREO” on February 14th.  Well in advance of this date he has now chosen to publish the music video for the record’s lead track “VENUS” to his label’s Youtube channel.

This PV stars both Ohashi Trio and Happiness/E-girls member Kaede, with the latter providing some stylish dance moves as the former plays a succession of different instruments.  Of note, this is the first time that Kaede has appeared in a music video not related to her primary projects.

You’ll find the PV for this funky rock track right after the cut.

Nearly four years after the release of their previous album, fusion trio Lamp have announced that they will be releasing a new studio set titled “Kanojo no Tokei” in May of this year.  Ahead of this date, however, they will be issuing the album as an analog record, this release to coincide with a live event which will take place at Tokyo’s LIQUIDROOM on April 28th.

Though this date is still months away, the group have already published a music video for the record’s closing track “Fantasy”.  The rather wistful electronic number is set to scenes which were originally filmed in the early 1980s and later stitched together by band member Kaori Sakikibara.

You’ll find this video, as well as the cover and track list for “Kanojo no Tokei” right after the jump.

Chanteuse Tomomi Itano has returned to the scene with a brand new single and photobook, both due out in February.

The photobook titled Wanderer will be released on February 19th, 2018. Just like some of her previous photo books, it was shot by the famed photographer ND Chow. Itano flew to Los Angeles for shooting. It will be 160 pages in total and each copy will come with a random postcard, there are 5 designs in total. Furthermore, fans who order from HMV will receive an exclusive limited edition cover.

Doing double duty the visuals and MV for Itano’s 10th single Just as I Am were also shot in Los Angeles. Described as a “grand ballad” full of acoustics, it will be surly be a perfect fit for the former AKB48 member who has earned the moniker “The Voice of Japan” due to her rich and powerful vocal cords.

This week’s episode was a Masaharu Fukuyama special.

Yesterday, Ayumi Hamasaki finally announced the dates for her 20th Anniversary arena tour “ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2018 ～POWER of MUSIC 20th Anniversary～”. It follows last years “Just the beginning -20- TOUR”, the warm up to this series of large scale events, kicking off at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday, April 7.

It can be expected that Ayumi Hamasaki and her team will be bringing a unique spectacular that will encompass her iconic 20 year career, with songs picked from her entire discography. Fans will have a great time trying to guess what songs will be performed and dreaming about the stunning set pieces and costumes that are sure to be a highlight. Tickets will be available to fan-club members first, on January 28. Read on below to find out all the tour dates.