On December 31, the 68th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen will air. The show’s performers include the likes of Arashi, Shiina Ringo, Daichi Miura, Ken Hirai, Keyakizaka46, AI, Hoshino Gen, and Sandaime J Soul Brothers. The song list for the show has now been released. See who will be performing what below!

Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE announced a new album scheduled to be released in early summer 2018. Fans are in for a treat as the new album, titled “FUTURE” will be a 3-disc set, which will include a new original album from the group after 2 years, and solo albums from members Tosaka Hiroomi and Imaichi Ryuji.

Sexy Zone’s new album, which marks the finish line for their fifth year anniversary, along with a new start and a “new form” for the group, is going to be released on February 14! The new album will contain 16 songs. 3 unit/ solo songs will be included in the Regular Edition, including the song O.N.E ～Our New Era～ written by members of the group.

New song “Wasurerarenai Hana” will be getting a music video. Check out the album covers and tracklist below!

Earlier today, Music Station Super Live 2017 aired. The show featured performances by Arashi, Shiina Ringo, Gesu no Kiwami Otome., Daichi Miura, Ken Hirai, Keyakizaka46, Hoshino Gen, and Sandaime J Soul Brothers, and more. Check it out below!

Huge movie franchises Star Wars and Yokai Watch face off yet again at the Japanese box office charts this December. Last Year, the 3rd Yokai film grabbed the top spot in terms of admissions but lost in revenue to Star Wars.

At no.1 this time, both in admissions and revenue is Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The film was released in 937 screens and mobilized a massive 737,467 viewers with revenue of ¥1,125,800,000. This is 72.4% higher than 2016’s spin off movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story but 9.6% lower revenue than the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film opened on a Friday and its 3 day total is at ¥1,617,174,500.

Ranked at no.2 is Youkai Watch Movie 4: Shadow Side – Oni-ou no Fukkatsu, the 4th film of the franchise. The film attracted 355,230 viewers with a revenue of ¥399,218,800, a 34% lower turnout than last year’s movie.

At no. 3 is the film 8 Nen Goshi no Hanayome (The 8-Year Engagement) starring Sato Takeru and Tsuchiya Tao. The film mobilized 203,803 viewers (¥262,989,100) over the weekend.

Following up on a busy year, popular rock band Mr.Children have revealed that their new song “here comes my love” has already been picked up as the theme song for FujiTV drama “Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru.”  “here comes my love” has been described as a track with both a hopeful outlook and a powerful band sound which nonetheless holds something back.

In addition, the group’s latest live DVD/Blu-ray, “Live & Documentary -Mr.Children Hikari no Atelier de Niji no E wo Kaku-” went on sale this week on December 20th.  The release chronicles the story behind the band’s 2016-2017 Hall Tours, including the creation of the ‘Hikari no Atelier’ ensemble and how the concert series influenced the large-scale tour that followed.

You’ll find a preview and the track list for this release below, and look forward to hearing “here comes my love” when “Tonari no Kazoku wa Aoku Mieru” premieres on January 18th.

It has not been announced officially, but it was revealed through FC message cards sealed in a red envelope that V6 Okada Junichi is getting married. The cards were sent to fan club members supposed to be delivered on the 24th. It seems that some of the letters were sent earlier to FC members on the 22nd and the news erupted on the internet. The letter did not mention the name of his partner and date but news are already reporting it to be Miyazaki Aoi. Marriage registration is expected to be submitted and announced on the 24th.

It was recently announced that famed singer/songwriter Kazumasa Oda will be providing the theme song for the upcoming live action adaptation of popular manga series “Sakamichi no Apollon.”  The track, titled “Sakamichi wo Nobotte,” was inspired by Oda’s own days in high school, memories of which returned to him after reading the manga.

“Sakamichi no Apollon” is a story which centers around the relationship between two unlikely friends, Kaoru Nishimi (Yuri Chinen) and Sentarou Kawabuchi (Taishi Nakagawa), the pair brought together by a mutual love of music (in particular, jazz).  The film also stars Nana Komatsu as Ritsuko Mukae, Dean Fujioka as Junichi Katsuragi, Nakamura Baijaku II as Tsutomu Mukae, and Erina Mano as Yurika Fukahori.

You’ll find the most recent trailer for “Sakamichi no Apollon,” which previews Oda’s theme song, right after the jump.