Nearly a year after the release of their most recent album “TIMELESS WORLD”, folk/pop duo Kobukuro have announced that they will be releasing a new single titled “Kokoro” on May 24th.  Their first such release since 2015’s “Mirai”, the lead song has already been chosen as the theme song for film “Chotto Ima Kara Shigoto Yamete Kuru”, which will arrive in Japanese theaters three days after the single hits store shelves.

“Kokoro” will be issued in two different editions, the Limited Pressing planned to include a DVD containing footage from their 2016 Acoustic Live, which was sponsored by Ghana.  The A-side will be available for digital download starting on May 13th, but if you just can’t wait, a full rip of the track can be found below.

In addition, you can also find the cover and track list for the single if you read onward.

Pop duo Yoshida Yamada have revealed that they will be releasing a brand new single titled “Machi” at the end of next month on May 24th.  The single will be released in two different versions, with the Limited Edition to be packaged with a DVD and the Regular Edition to include an extra track.

To support this new release, the group have published short PVs for both the lead song and B-side “RAIN” to their official Youtube channel.  Machi’s music video features the duo performing the song in the heart of the concrete jungle, while RAIN’s focuses on footage from the single’s artwork shoot.

You’ll find both of these PVs, as well as the cover and track list for “Machi” right after the jump.

Following up on the release of their latest album “ETERNALBEAT”, pop-rock band Negoto will be releasing a new single on June 21st.  The title track, “DANCER IN THE HANABIRA”, will be produced by Masayuki Nakano of BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, and has been described as a violent and powerful song based around the theme of one’s meetings and partings.

The single’s Limited Edition will come packaged with a DVD which contains footage from the final show of their recent one-man tour.  Ahead of its June release, the band have already published a video showcasing their live performance of “asymmetry”, a track which was also produced by Nakano.

Read on below to find the live music video for “asymmetry”, as well as the cover and complete track list for “DANCER IN THE HANABIRA”.

In a statement released on their corporate website WOWOW revealed brand new working measures for all child actors/talents. WOWOW is a private satellite and pay-per-view television station in Japan, quite known for broadcasting the concerts of high profile artists.

Last month WOWOW was busted by the tabloid “Bunshun”, for their drama series “Tokyo Sumikko Gohan”. Apparently, heinous violations of labor laws were constantly broken during the filming of the series especially involving the child actors. In the expose child actress Kurumi Inagaki was singled out. She arrived on set and officially began her work day at 12:00 PM, however the filming was constantly extended and didn’t conclude until 5:00AM the following day which meant her full work day totaled 17 hours. Kurumi is only 6 years old.

Rankings and more rankings! This time, we look into Shukan Josei’s “Liked and Disliked Johnnys” ranking which they conduct every year. With over 10,000 responses, the results can be found below.

In addition, we have the Top 30 Soaring Johnnys Ranking, part of Nikkei’s “Talent Power Ranking” report. This charts Johnnys talents that made a huge improvement from their past rank due to increase in popularity. Leading the pack is Hey! Say! JUMP’s Inoo Kei.

Was there any in the list that surprised you? Do you agree with the fave and disliked list?

Nikkei Entertainment has released its “Talent Power Ranking” list for 2017. We now have the top 30 list for musical acts. Arashi tops the list for the sixth year in a row. TOKIO is #2, rising from last year’s #3. Southern All Stars rounds out the top 3, rising from last year’s #6. Find out the rest of the top 30 after the jump!

This week’s guests were Creephyp and Che’Nelle.

Creephyp – Ito

Che’Nelle – Destiny

This week’s guests were Chage, Takahashi Yu, GENERATIONS, Kawashima Keiji, and Ayaka Hirahara.

Chage x Takahashi Yu x GENERATIONS x Kawashima Keiji – YAH YAH YAH

Ayaka Hirahara – Yakusoku no Kono Toki ni

Takahashi Yu – Road Movie

GENERATIONS – Taiyou mo Tsuki mo

Chage – Tatta Ichido no Jinsei Naraba