This week’s guests were Sukima Switch and SCANDAL.

Sukima Switch – Kanade

SCANDAL – Shunkan Sentimental

This week’s guests were Sayuri Ishikawa, Ishikawa Hitomi, Ito Yukari, Kawakami Daisuke, Kokusho Sayuri, Godai Natsuko, Yuki Koyanagi, Jyunretsu, chay, Mizumori Kaori, Mori Masako, Kaneko Takahiro, and MUSIC CONCERTO.

Following a relatively quiet year, up-and-coming rock band LAMP IN TERREN have revealed that they will be releasing their third full album “fantasia” on April 12th.  Of note, this will be the group’s first record to be released in two versions, with the Limited Edition coming packaged with a DVD containing footage from the final live of their “GREEN CARAVAN TOUR” at Tokyo’s Liquidroom.

“fantasia” will include ten songs from the band, including tie-in tracks “innocence” (Ajin -Shoutotsu- Theme Song) and “pellucid” (Nanimono Insert Song).  In addition, you can listen to the full version of new song “Namidaseigun no Yoru” on the album’s special website.

You’ll find the cover and track list for “fantasia” just beneath the cut.

Late last year folk/pop duo Yuzu announced that they would be releasing a compilation album this Spring in order to celebrate their 20th anniversary.  The group have now revealed all of the details regarding this release, which will be titled “YUZU 20th Anniversary ALL TIME BEST ALBUM Yuzu Iroha 1997-2017” and is set to hit store shelves on April 26th.

This best album will comprise three total discs, titled “I”, “Ro”, and “Ha” respectively, and include 50 tracks, among them 34 tie-in songs and a special 20th anniversary track which can be found at the end of each disc.  Immediately following the release of this compilation, Yuzu will embark on their first Dome tour, which will find them performing six shows at venues such as the Nagoya Dome and the Tokyo Dome.

Read on below to find the complete track list for Yuzu’s upcoming Best and also wish the duo well in their 20th year.

We previously reported that Nippon TV’s music show “I Can Sing in Japanese”  partnered with GEM TV, to find applicants all over Asia to compete in the biannual singing competition. Since the start of the online call for entries in December last year, the audition has seen an overwhelming response. 12 finalists from all across Asia were chosen, and Krissha Viaje from the Philippines came out on top!

Yuji Gobuichi, the Japanese director of the program, was full of compliments for Krissha and all the other finalists: “We are very impressed by the immense talent we have seen in the entries from Asia. I believe that Krissha is the next big thing in the making and that the rest of the contestants are also ready to take on other global singing competitions.”

Krissha has been a fan of Japanese media since she was a child, for her audition she sang “Precious” by Yuna Ito, theme for the hit movie “Limit of Love: Umizaru”. Despite the high calibre of the other finalists  Krissha stood out with her precise diction and expressive singing, which judges said they were immensely moved by. Speaking after learning of her win, she said: “I am so excited for this chance and I cannot thank the judges enough for selecting me as the winner. I am looking forward to doing my country proud at the I Can Sing in Japanese! competition!”

The upcoming season of “I Can Sing in Japanese” will begin filming later in the year. The singing competition show features non-native Japanese speakers from all over the world who have a passion for singing Japanese songs. The performers are assessed by a panel of industry experts based on their pronunciation, singing skill, and how they express their love for Japan through their songs. In Japan the show will air on Nippon TV, while in Asia it will air on GEM TV.

Additional pictures of Krissha as well as the other finalists can be seen below.

Today, select CDJapan customers checked their inbox to find a very depressing email. Publishing company Avex Pictures (owned by Avex Group) has suddenly decided to place an export ban on Blu-ray, DVD, and CDs. This means that they cannot be sold outside of Japan. Avex Pictures is responsible for publishing a plethora of popular anime including YURI!!! on ICE, ONE PIECE, and Mr. Osomatsu.

Every single online shop in Japan has to abide by these new rules. The restriction begins promptly at 6:00PM (Japan Time UTC+9) on Feburary 15th, 2017. Customer service reps from CDJapan, and other popular online shops including Amazon.jp has said they will try to fulfill as many orders as possible before the deadline. There is currently no explanation from Avex Pictures as to why they are enforcing this new rule.

It is currently unknown if the restriction will also apply to artists and movies published under Avex Pictures. A full list of the anime titles, as well as other media published by Avex Pictures can be seen here.

The full email from CDJapan can be seen below

This week’s guests were SCANDAL and Akai Koen.

SCANDAL – Shunkan Sentimental

Akai Koen – Yamiyo ni Chouchin

Former KAT-TUN member Junnosuke Taguchi will be releasing his major level debut in April. Since withdrawing from both KAT-TUN and Johnny & Associates back in the spring of 2016, Junnosuke stunned fans when he announced his comeback to the music industry in September 2016. An indie single, HERO, was released two months later in November.

Junnosuke has scored a deal with Universal Japan, his debut single Connect will be released on April 5th, 2017. Junnosuke is starting this new chapter in his life with the motto “I’m a person who stands on the stage again”. When describing the concept of the song Junnosuke revealed that he wants to connect with as many people as possible, with himself acting as the “hub”.

Connect will be released in two versions, a standard CD only and limited edition CD+DVD. The CD only will contain an exclusive remix of Connect while the limited edition will include the music video for Connect, as well as the MV for his indie single HERO. Footage of his fan-club event held at Shibuya TSUTAYA O-EAS will also be included on the DVD.

(via music-book)