Former Morning Musume member Kei Yasuda has revealed that she is pregnant! Kei just entered the stability period and is expected to give birth sometime early next year. Both Kei, and her husband Yoichi Kozaki are absolutely delighted about the news.

Signs of Kei wanting a baby have been present for quite a while now. She has become a regular cover model for the popular baby oriented magazine “Akachan Ga Hoshi”, becoming a big hit with the readers. When she first appeared on the cover, it was the very first time since the magazines launch in 2001 that an adult female graced the cover alone.

Kei made her debut in 1998 as a 2nd generation of Morning Musume, first appearing in the single “Summer Night Town”. The following year she was selected to be in the sub-group Petitmoni, their debut single “Chokotto LOVE” was a huge success selling over 1 million copies. Kei soon gained notoriety on variety shows, most notably “Utaban” where the hosts Masahiro Nakai and Takaaki Ishibashi would regularly tease her. As a result, she became one of the most memorable and popular guests.

After graduating from Hello!Project in 2009 Kei continued to be a regular on variety shows, and starred in a string of television dramas and stage plays. On May 29th 2013 she married chef Yoichi Kozaki.

(via NikkanSports)

Despite complaints from the Miyagi Prefecture assembly, the governor of Miyagi Prefecture said on Monday that “provocative” promotional video starring actress and gravure idol Mitsu Dan will not be removed from circulation.

The 2.5-minute video—titled “Nice and cool: Miyagi in summer”—features Dan and a mascot presenting local products and tourist destinations, as well as some “sexually charged scenes” that include Dan “seductively” parting her lips and the mascot spurting blood from its nose (a common visual gag denoting arousal).

Another day, another infidelity scandal in the Japanese entertainment scene. This time it involves former singer and politician Eriko Imai. 

The news broke in the latest issue of the tabloid “Weekly Shincho”, which hit store shelves today. The magazine reported that there was suspicion of infidelity between Eriko and a member of the Kobe city council named Koichi Miyuki. Eriko swiftly responded to the report on her official blog, writing a lengthy entry trying to explain the situation. Eriko owned up to the commotion the news caused stating “I deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused by my bad behavior”.

The twelfth digital single from singer Utada Hikaru entitled “Forevermore” will be available for sale on iTunes when it hits midnight locally in whatever country you’re in, and to tease the music video due out in Japan tomorrow, a short version has been uploaded to Sony Music Japan’s official YouTube Channel.

Directed by photographer and filmmaker Jamie-James Medina in London, the video is composed of scenes in which Utada dances contemporary choreography from London-based choreographer Fukiko Takase to the story of the song.

The song acts as a tie-in for TBS drama “Gomen, Aishiteru,” which is remake of 2004 South Korean drama series “Sorry, I Love You”, and stars Tomoya Nagase, Shinobu Otake, Riho Yoshioka and Kentaro Sakaguchi.

Hiroomi Tosaki, one of the lead vocalists of Sandaime J Soul Brothers, has released his highly anticipated solo debut MV for “WASTED LOVE”.

“WASTED LOVE” was produced by world renowned dutch DJ Afrojack, following the EDM club sound that has become a staple among artists under the “LDH” family. The MV was directed by Jun Shim, and takes full advantage of the “hypebeast” aesthetic.

The video begins with a steamy scene showing Hiroomi making out with a beautiful girl inside a car. It seems Hiroomi begins to have second thoughts and isn’t in the mood anymore, the girl senses his hesitation and gets out of the car. Hiroomi then drives off leaving her alone in the rain. The next scene takes place in a club where Hiroomi is seen indulging himself in some beer, he eventually makes his way to the dance floor where he locks eyes with the girl who was in the car with him. A flashback takes place showing Hiroomi and the tattooed beauty during happier times, but reality sets in and perhaps Hiroomi realizes they are unable to go back to how they were before.

“WASTED LOVE” is released digitally today, on July 27th. Watch the full MV below the jump.

Former Hello!Project idol Miki Fujimoto will be appearing in the latest Kamen Rider movie! Titled “Kamen Rider Ex-Aid: True Ending“ this will be Miki’s first acting role this decade, her last being the 2009 film “Long Caravan” where she costarred with former EXILE performer MATSU.

Since graduating from Hello!Project and getting married to comedian Tomoharu Shoji, Miki focused on being an MC, model and tarento. She gave birth to her first child in March 2012, and had a second child in August 2015.

In the film Miki will play the role of Akemi Hoshi, mother to Makoda Hoshi. Makoda is a young girl who suffers from a rare illness, as a result she needs to get treatments daily at the hospital. She is soon targeted by the evil villain Kamen Rider Fuma, who uses her in his plot to transfer humans into virtual reality. Makoda is held hostage and it’s up the “CR Riders” to rescue her. Miki commented that playing this role came naturally to her, as she’s a mother herself. She described Akemi as a caring and loving character who would do anything to help her daughter, and is definitely someone you will find yourself rooting for.

“Kamen Rider Ex-Aid: True Ending” will hit Japanese theaters on August 5th. Watch the latest trailer below!

On July 26, MISIA will release her new mini album, “MISIA SOUL JAZZ SESSION.” As the title suggests, this is a jazz-centric release, with MISIA performing new songs in the genre, as well as remaking some of her older songs in a jazz style.

One of these new songs is a collaboration with jazz musician Marcus Miller, “Unmei loop.” This song serves as the theme song for the video game “Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi”, which will be released this winter. As part of this collaboration, the game makers have created an illustration of MISIA, which can be seen above, which will also appear in the game.

Check out more information on MISIA’s new mini album below!

Three years to go until the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Organizing Committee have unveiled the official dance and promotional song. Y’all ready to BOP and SWAY?

Revolving around the concept of “HAPPY&PEACE,” the theme song of the event has been dubbed as “Tokyo Olympic Ondo-Ondo 2020,” a remake of the original song from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics titled “Tokyo Gorinto Ondo.” The lyrics were also updated a bit to include Paralympians! The official version of the song will be sang by Sayuri Ishikawa, Pistol Takehara and Yuzo Kayama.

The performers were joined by several Olympians, including 2012 London Games gold medalist Homare Sawa, all of whom donned yukata (summer kimonos) printed with the Olympic logo.