EXILE ATSUSHI recently attended and performed at a charity court banquet for The House of Savoy (Casa Savoia). They are an Italian royal family that was formally founded in 1003. The event took place at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, where ATSUSHI was given the prestigious title and medal of “Knight”.

The title is officially recognized as the “The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus”. There’s roughly 2000 “Knights” and “Ladies” in 33 countries all around the world, in more recent years the title has been awarded to those who are heavily engaged in charitable activities and supporting humanitarian efforts. ATSUSHI commented that he will take the honorable title very seriously, and promised to work even harder in-regards to his activities with his music and charity work.

Many European nobles were present at the event, including the Prince of Venice, Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia. ATSUSHI entertained the crowd by performing his 4th single “Michishirube”, along with a cover of John Lennon’s song “Imagine”.

Other Japanese recipients of this title include the first Japanese prime minister Ito Hirobumi, legendary baseball player Shigeo Nagashima, and Hirohito (Emperor Showa). Some photos and a short video from the banquet can be seen below.

Today marks 1000 days til the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. To mark the occasion, NHK aired a special titled “Uchimura Gorin Sengen ~TOKYO 2020 Kaimaku 1000 Nichi Mae Special~.” The show looked at Japan’s Olympic past and its future. There were musical guests on the show as well, including Shiina Ringo, Perfume, and Yuzu. Ringo’s special unit HUMAN ERROR also performed, singing the Pizzicato 5 song that they debuted at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Yuzu – Eikou no Kakehashi

Perfume – TOKYO GIRL

HUMAN ERROR – Tokyo wa Yoru no Shichiji

Shiina Ringo to Tortoise Matsumoto – Menukidori

Updated numbers are in! Due to the elections, a few dramas have not aired a new episode last weekend. Check out the latest below!

Topping the charts this week is Mix, a romantic comedy starring Aragaki Yui and Eita based on the original screenplay of Kosawa Ryota (Legal High). The film was released in 276 screens and attracted 179,623 viewers and earned ¥235,154,200.

At no. 2 is Saiki Kusuo no Sainan (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K) starring Yamazaki Kento and directed by Fukuda Yuichi (Gintama). The live action film mobilized 155,882 viewers (¥195,316,000).

American Made starring Tom Cruise ranked 3rd with 133,838 admissions (¥175,911,700). New movie releases Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Ch. I – Koudou and Atomic Blonde opens at no. 9 and 10 rsepectively.

This week’s guests were miwa, Nomiya Maki, Watanabe Marina, Porno Graffitti, GENERATIONS, and Kariyushi58.

miwa – We are the light

Nomiya Maki & Watanabe Marina – Daisuki na Shatsu (1990 Ryoko Sakusen)

Porno Graffitti – Montage

GENERATIONS – BIG CITY RODEO

Kariyushi58 – Ryusei Time Machine

It’s Friday, so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like! Enjoy!

On November 29, Mukai Taichi will release his debut album, “BLUE.” The album will feature a slew of collaborations, featuring names such as BACHLOGIC, grooveman Spot, Kai Takahashi of LUCKY TAPES, and starRo.

Earlier today, Taichi released the music video for the song “Sora.” The song features SALU and is co-produced by mabanua. The song is a play on opposites, two sides of the same coin. Taichi sings from the point of view of someone who dreams of being an artist, while SALU raps as someone who has suffered due to his art. Taichi’s scenes take place during a bright, sunny day, in opposition to SALU’s dark, rainy night setting.

Check out the video below, along with the more information on “BLUE”, including the video for the MONJOE & MIRU of yahyel / Soushi it co-production “Can’t Wait Anymore.”

It has been reported that YUI divorced her husband this past August. YUI married the non-celebrity man in April 2015, at the same time announcing that she was pregnant. She gave birth to twin boys later that year. YUI’s management company, which revealed the divorce news, also said that she has custody of the twins. No reason was given for the marriage’s breakdown.