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

Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw AKB48 defeat Anly+Sukima Switch= and WANIMA. This week, we have a newcomer facing off against a returnee from a previous week. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

This week’s episode featured Keykizaka46. This episode airs on the one year anniversary of the group’s debut single, “Silent Majority.” This episode chronicles Keyakizaka46’s quick rise over the past year, which included their debut on Kohaku Uta Gassen last year. Keyakizaka46 also performed four songs.

Keyaizaka46 – Silent Majority / Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai / Futari Saison / Fukyouwaon

According to the tabloid Bunshun, former SMAP member Shingo Katori is in in the middle of finalizing marriage to his long-time girlfriend.

The two have apparently been dating for over 20 years, she is 2 years older than him. Bunshun reveals that Shingo has been building a house in the coastal city Zushi, located in the Kanagawa Prefecture. While digging up information on the house, they also came across the supposed preparations for marriage. The tabloid also mentioned that Shingo was spotted at an amusement park with an unknown boy, adding fuel to the old rumor that Shingo is secretly a father.

The origins of this rumor date all the way back to 1997, when it was first revealed that Shingo was seeing a non-famous woman. An unnamed source that works in the entertainment industry claims that for many years the boy lived part-time with Shingo, but due to his activities with SMAP Shingo was forced to keep everything a secret, and limit the time the two of them had together so things could continue to be kept under wraps.  Now that SMAP has disbanded Shingo has the opportunity to no longer pretend his alleged son doesn’t exist anymore.

In the past, the only SMAP member to have their love affair be officially recognized by Johnny & Associates was between Kimura Takuya and Kudo Shizuka. The two got married in 2000, and Kudo gave birth shortly after.

Another source, this time from someone who works at a television station and is close with Shingo, also shared some details about the house being built in Zushi. Naturally it’s going to be in one of the high-class residential areas, actor couple Nanako Matsushima and Takashi Sorimachi share a home in the same area. The new home is also said to have it’s own personal studio where Shingo can focus on his own personal artistic activities. The source also thinks that it’s only a “matter of time” before the two officially tie the knot.

A picture of Shingo with his girlfriend, as well as a picture of his alleged son can be seen below.

Warner Bros Japan just released another trailer for the Fullmetal Alchemist live action film adaptation.  The first trailer gave us picturesque shots of the European backdrop as well as a taste of the CG effects that will be used for the transmutation scenes and for bringing the character of Alphonse Elric to life.  This time, we see the Elric brothers as children attempting the human transmutation that kickstarts the series.  Ryosuke Yamada, playing the role of Ed Elric, is also shown with an automail arm and performing more action stunts.

Can you hear that?  That faint noise coming from the distance…  Sorry, that’s just my screaming from the announcement of Osomatsu-san season 2!

The announcement was made during the Osomatsu-san Spring Nationwide Big Selection Screening Festival during the showing of a new short episode.  The official website has also been updated to feature official artwork and the comments from cast and staff.

Electronic outfit Have a Nice Day! just released the Music Video for “Fallin Down“, the group’s first track since last year’s acclaimed record “The Manual (How to sell my shit)“, released via Virgin Babylon records.

The track sticks to the formula that made the group’s previous works stand out in the Indie scene, featuring high-pitched synths intertwining with tight rhythmic sections, smartly balanced by melancholic bass lines and digitally-altered vocals that add a pleasant vibe to the package. Despite being a pretty straightforward number, each section is marked by subtle twists that add bits of different influences here and there, an approach that keeps the group’s trademark sound in “Fallin Down” constantly fresh and interesting. 

Now a duo, pop-rock outfit Pirokalpin have announced that they will be releasing their latest album “Gnome no Sekai” next month on May 10th.  Their first such release in two years, “Gnome no Sekai” will include eight new songs from the band and is set to be mixed by engineer Eiji “Q” Makino, who is known for his work with popular bands BUMP OF CHICKEN and Spitz.

Ahead of the album’s release, the pair have also made the PV for its lead song “Growin’ Growin” available on their official Youtube channel.  The music video was directed by Ryouji Aoki and features the group performing the track in a picturesque meadow, cutting together shots taken from many different angles.

You’ll find this music video, plus the cover and track list for “Gnome no Sekai”, just after the cut.