This week, NEWS topped the Hot 100 chart with their new single “EMMA.”

back number’s best album “Encore” topped the Hot Albums chart, making this the album’s fourth non-consecutive week at #1.

From February 16 – 19, this year’s Four Continents Championships took place in Gangneung, South Korea. Japan sent three male skaters, three female skates, two teams of pairs skaters, and two ice dance teams to this event. In the end, the Japanese team won three medals, one of each color.

Mai Mihara won the women’s portion of the Four Continents Championships with a total score of 200.85, 3.94 points ahead of Canadian Gabrielle Daleman. This score is a new personal best combined score for Mai. Her short program was given a score of 66.51, placing her in fourth place, 0.36 points behind Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan. After her largely error-free short program, Mai said, “I skated right until the end with a real feeling of enjoyment. It’s a bit disappointing that I was fourth, but I am happy to be in the final group. I’m determined, whatever the circumstances, to skate through the free program without any mistakes.”

Mai’s free skate received a score of 134.34, the highest of the night, 2.3 points ahead of American Mirai Nagasu. Mai’s free skate score was a new personal best. After her error-free free skate,  she said, “I can’t believe I have finished in first place. It’s like a dream. I had a lot of support and that really provided me with power.”

This week’s guests were Sukima Switch, Mizuno Yoshiki, Yamazaki Hironari, and Sayaka Yamamoto. Sukima Switch also performed with Kanjani8.

Sukima Switch x Kanjani8 – Kanade

How well do you remember the 80s? Do you remember the happy, go-lucky tunes by artists like Kylie Minogue or Moritaka Chisato? How about the bright-colored outfits with spandex pants that everyone wore? Or, do you recall those Saturday morning cartoon shows that came with a billion toys that you had to buy?

Sadly, I don’t know the 80s well enough as I was born at the far end of the decade. But, if you are like me and don’t recall this golden era, don’t worry! Wakita Monari got you cover as her latest single, “BOY FRIEND”, will take you back to the days of that glorious decade.

Japanese rock and pop duo Do As Infinity has quite the year ahead of them. The band, which consists of vocalist Van Tomiko (38) and guitarist Ryo Owatari (44), is currently scheduled to appear in events in both North and South America.

On March 11th, Do As Infinity will hold a mini live the night before Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden 2017. Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden is described as a “5k Relay Race with a breathtaking course along Diamond Head and the coast line.” Do As Infinity has been named as official support for the event and will also be cheering runners on during the race. Admission to the live is free and takes place at the Hawaii Convention Center. This marks the bands first time performing in America since the summer of 2004.

The band will also be making an appearance at Anime Friends, a South American anime convention, this July. Anime Friends takes place at the Transamerica Expo Center from July 7th to July 9th. It was also revealed that before the band performs at Anime Friends, they will be making a stop in Mexico to perform on July 1st through Ninshi Conciertos. VIP tickets are 1,890 pesos and general admission will cost you 590 pesos. C-ute will also be performing in Mexico this April. So if you’re in Hawaii, Mexico or Brazil and interested in seeing Do As Infinity or C-ute here’s your chance!

Considering Avex’s recent export ban it’s interesting to see one of their older acts performing abroad. Could this possibly lead to more shows for Do As Infinity and other Avex acts abroad? Or do you think Avex will keep their acts in Japan?

This week’s guests were Perfume and EXILE THE SECOND.

EXILE THE SECOND – SUPER FLY

Perfume – TOKYO GIRL

This past weekend, I had the pleasure to assist on behalf of ARAMA!JAPAN to Japan Weekend Madrid, one of the most important Japanese culture cons of Spain. The event was bustling with cosplayers, dance groups, illustrators, merchandise sellers, videogame lovers and much more. And what would be a Japanese cons without guest international stars to bring Japan extra closer? One of them was the Idol-Metal, Kawaii-Core superstar LADYBEARD, a true beast on the stage that left no-one indifferent, covering all your faves and knocking out all his haters. Today we are sharing our report on the Q&A panel he held, and yesterday we shared our Live Report of the concert he gave on Satuday! Don’t forget to also check color-code‘s Q&A!

Reported by ONE OK ROCK members today on the first stop of their 2017 “AMBITIONS JAPAN TOUR” in Shizuoka, the band’s bassist Ryota Kohama got married this past month!

“I got married this month! Her name is Michelle! I’m pleased to announced that we’re husband and wife,” Ryota elated.