94th Drama Academy Award Winners: Code Blue, Yamashita Tomohisa, Arimura Kasumi, Aragaki Yui and more!

Winners have been announced for the 94th annual Television Drama Academy Awards. This is held quarterly every year by popular magazine “The Television”. The results are decided through combined votes of the magazine readers, special juries, and TV journalists.

Have you watched any dramas from last season? Do you agree with the results? Find out the winners below.

CHEMISTRY and Flower Companyz Perform on Premium MelodiX! for November 13

This week’s guests were CHEMISTRY and Flower Companyz.

CHEMISTRY – Windy

Flower Companyz – Peaceful

Best Hits Kayousai 2017 Live Stream and Chat

The year end shows are starting! The first one is Best Hits Kayousai 2017, which will air on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV on November 15 at 7 PM JST to 8:54 PM JST. The show will feature performances by the likes of Seiko Matsuda, Daichi Miura, Kanjani8, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, and Keyakizaka46.

There is a live stream of the show and Arama! Japan will be hosting a chat on Discord so that readers can chat with each other during the show! Links to the show and the chat are after the jump!

Hey! Say! JUMP marks 10th anniversary, to debut on Kouhaku

On November 14, Hey! Say! JUMP held their 10th anniversary event “ULTRA JUMP Party ~ shin no Hey! Say! JUMP wa oreda!!” at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. It is the same venue where the “Volleyball World Cup 2007” was hosted and in which the group served as special supporters during debut. Yamada Ryosuke comments “Today is our 10th anniversary. This is also a memorable place for us. I am glad we are able to welcome our anniversary this way with all of you.”

The official list of all performers for the “68th NHK Kouhaku Utagassen” will be announced very very soon but newspapers and morning wide shows are already confirming Hey! Say! JUMP’s debut appearance on the show. The group has gained popularity and has grown into a group responsible for Johnnys next generation.

Four idols sue company D-topia over unpaid wages; receive threats

On November 14th, it was announced that four members of the idol group Nijiiro Fanfarre were opening a lawsuit against their management company D-topia (owned by former XL member Oonishi Terukado). The seven-member group was formed in July 2015, and members were promised in their contracts a monthly wage of 38,000 yen each (roughly $350). As of September 2017, each member is owed two years’ worth of unpaid wages totaling around 1 million yen (~$9000).

Additionally, when one member expressed her desire to leave the group and move to another management agency, she was allegedly told by the manager “If you try to get back into show business, we will do everything it takes to destroy you.” The five-year contracts contain a clause that forbids former members from activities outside of the label for an additional two years.

Namie Amuro Announces Dates for Her Farewell Tour

The sun is setting on Namie Amuro’s career, but not before one last tour! As previously reported, Namie will venture out on her final tour next year. “namie amuro Final Tour 2018 ~Finally~” will see Namie performing at Japan’s five major domes, along with additional shows across Asia.

The advance ticket lottery for fan club members for the Japan concerts opened today at noon JST. Ticket details for the Asian concerts will be announced at a later date.

Fans can still vote through the end of the year for the setlist here.

Check out the date for Namie’s final tour below!

Oricon Flashback: Week of 11/13

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.

BABYMETAL Wins Best Japan Act at The 2017 MTV EMA

The 2017 MTV EMA were held in London on November 12 at The SSE Arena. One of the awards last night was Best Japan Act. BABYMETAL took home the award, beating KOHH, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Rekishi, and Suiyoubi no Campenella out for the prize. Check out a clip of their win below!