This week’s guests were Sayuri Ishikawa, Ichimura Masachika, Otori Ran, Okumura Chiyo, Mai Kuraki, Sachiko Kobayashi, Jyunretsu, Takehara Pistol, Nishida Ai, Bando Tamasaburo V, Ayaka Hirahara, Miyama Hiroshi, Mori Konomi, Moriyama Aiko, Yashiro Aki, Yamazaki Ikusaburo, Flash Kaneko, and MUSIC CONCERTO.

Instead of serenading fans with music, Ichiro Yamaguchi will be enlightening fans in an academic setting come December. Check behind the jump for more information on this unique venture.

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.

From November 3 – 5, this year’s edition of Cup of China took place in Beijing. This was the third event in the International Skating Union’s 2017 – 2018 Grand Prix Series. Wakaba Higuchi came in second at this event, making her the only entry out of Japan’s four at this event to medal.

Wakaba came in second place with a total score of 212.52, 1.36 points behind Russia’s Alina Zagitova. Wakaba’s short program received a score of 70.53, putting her in second place behind Canada’s Gabrielle Daleman, whose short program received a score of 70.65. “Overall I was able to skate well. I was able to focus on my performance,” Wakaba said. “I am happy that I was able to get more than 70 points. If I hadn’t made some small mistakes on my spins and steps, I would have scored even more. There is still the free skate so I am going to try and not think about it.”

Wakaba’s free skate received a score of 141.99, putting her in second place behind Alina, whose free skate received a score of 144.44. “I was so happy the moment I finished as I knew I’d completed my performance without making any mistakes.” Wakaba continued, adding, “I looked at the score and saw (the margin) between first and second was only a little over a point and that was really frustrating. (But) I was able to put everything out there that I have been doing in practice.”

This week, Keyakizaka46 topped the Hot 100 chart with “Kaze ni Fukarete mo.”

Tohoshinki topped the Hot Albums chart with their new best album “FINE COLLECTION ~Begin Again~.”

Ed Sheeran topped the Streaming Songs chart with “Shape of You.”

Keyakizaka46 topped the Download Songs chart with “Kaze ni Fukarete mo.”

Hi-STANDARD topped the Download Albums chart with their newly available digitally album “THE GIFT.”

Tomorrow marks the release of Namie Amuro‘s highly anticipated BEST album Finally.

Amuro’s 6th compilation album overall, the album celebrates her 25 years in show business. The album comes with six new songs and re-recordings of over 35 singles spanning her entire career, starting with Mister U.S.A up until her 39th single Tsuki. 5 of the 6 new songs on the album will also receive it’s very own MV.

The song Showtime was selected as one of the primary promotional songs for the album. It’s currently serving as the theme song for the TBS drama series Princess Princess. The MV features a glammed up Amuro as a prisoner in jail, where all the guards are actually children! Finally will hit Japanese store shelves nationwide on November 8th, 2017.

Watch the full Showtime MV below the jump.

Living breathing meme Piko-Taro had the opportunity to meet with both Japan and The United States’ leaders, Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump.

President Trump is currently on a 12 day international tour in Asia, officially beginning his tour in Japan. Prime Minister Abe hosted a dinner party for Trump, with the guest list featuring a plethora of dignified Japanese politicians. Out of thosePiko-Taro seems to be an odd choice for a guest invite.

The comedian, whose real name is Daimaou Kosaka, was virtually unknown prior to the release of his hit song “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen”. The song eventually became viral worldwide and has amassed over 240 million views between the upload on Piko-Taro’s official youtube account, and the other official upload via UltraMusic.

AKB48 has released short version MVs of the b-sides for their upcoming single 11gatsu no Anklet. 

The song Yaban na Kyuuai is performed by the “AKB48 Dance Team”. This consists of 8 members in total, including SKE48 member Jurina Matsui and NMB48 member Sayaka Yamoto. Decked out in red and white outfits the girls showoff their cool charm in an upbeat dance number. The white setting of the MV makes for a very simple, yet visually pleasing aesthetic. Yaban na Kyuuwai will be available on Type D versions of 11gatsu no Anklet.