ARAMA! JAPAN | Page 95 | Breaking J-Pop News and Celebrity Gossip

Utada Hikaru to Release New Digital Single and Album

On November 26, Utada Hikaru will release their new digital single, “Kimi ni Muchuu.” The song serves as the theme song for the TBS drama “Saiai.” It was written, composed, and arranged by Utada, with some production assistnance by PC Music’s A. G. Cook. The music video for the song is set to premiere on Utada’s YouTube channel on December 9, their debut day. A short teaser video for the music video can be seen below.

In related news, Utada will release their eighth album this coming spring. While it is currrently untitled, it will include the songs “One Last Kiss”, “Find Love”, “Kimi ni Muchuu”, “Face My Fears”, “Time”, and “PINK BLOOD.” More details on Utada’s upcoming album, and its accompanying digital live event, will be revealed on December 9 as well.

On November 25, the 38th edition of the “Best Jeanist” awards were held in Tokyo at Shinagawa Intercity Hall.

Nagase Ren of King & Prince and Araki Yuko were chosen as the winners of the general selection award. The nominees for this award were selected by 2000 randomly selected people ranging in age from teens to 50s. There was a general online election, where the nominees were narrowed down to one male and one female, who were the winners.

The Japan Jeans Council selected Higashino Koji and Hayashibara Megumi as their council’s winners. The council also gave a special global award to Horigome Yuto, and a special contribution award to Ishii Keita, ITOCHU Corporation’s chief operating officer, for his work in the industry.

Check out photos from the event below!

Official HIGE DANdism Wins Best Video Award at the MTV VMAJ 2021

Tonight, “MTV VMAJ 2021 -THE LIVE-” was held. This was the live portion of the MTV VMAJ 2021. The big winner of the night was Official HIGE DANdism, who took home the night’s top prize, Best Video Award, for “Cry Baby”. The band also was the winner of Best Japanese Group Video for that video.

Some of the winners appeared in person, while others sent in taped messages. Check out photos from the show below!

Toki Asako to Release First Album in 2 Years

On November 24, Toki Asako will release her new album “Twilight.” This is her first studio album since October 2019’s “PASSION BLUE.” “Twilight” has the theme of spending the twilight hours luxuriously.

“Twilight” will be three released in three editions: CD+DVD, CD+Blu-ray, and CD only. The cover of the first two editions shows New York at twilight, while the CD only covers show Asako looking at Tokyo during twilight. The DVD / Blu-ray that comes with the album features footage of Asako performing at THE PRINCE PARK TOWER TOKYO this past September.

Check out more information about Asako’s new album below!

JO1 Gets Wintry with “Bokura no Kisetsu”

On December 15, JO1 will release their fifth single, “WANDERING.” The single has the theme of growing by overcoming unexpected situations and hardships. This is similar to what the group itself has experienced over the course of their career.

“WANDERING” marks the first time that JO1 has released a single with two lead songs, “Bokura no Kisetsu” and “Prologue.” The latter serves as the ending theme for the TV Tokyo anime series “BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS.” The song is JO1’s first anime tie-in. Group leader Yonashiro Sho said that he never imagined that the group would have a tie-in for such a popular anime series, and he, along with the rest of JO1 are thankful for the opportunity.

“WANDERING” will come in four editions: CD+DVD limited edition A, CD+Photobook limited edition B, CD only regular edition, and CD only anime edition.

JO1 has now released the music video for “Bokura no Kisetsu.” The song is described as a lyrical and gentle love song. Check out the video below!

In related news, JO1, along with their brother group INI, will perform at the “2021 MAMA (Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS)” on December 11.

Tokyo Jihen, Ayumi Hamasaki, Seiko Matsuda, and More Added to “2021 FNS Kayousai” Lineup

This year’s edition of “FNS Kayousai” on December 1 and 8. As previously announced, Night 1 will feature the likes of Naniwa Danshi, LiSA, JUJU, Koda Kumi, and aiko, while Night 2 includes names such as KAT-TUN, Aimyon, Genie High, Hikawa Kiyoshi, and Yuuri.

More acts have now been added to both nights! Newcomers to Night 1 include Ayumi Hamasaki, Seiko Matsuda, and King Gnu, and, while Night 2’s new additions include Tokyo Jihen, Spitz, and Akiko Yano. See who else was added to the lineup below!

“FNS Kayousai” is known for the collaborations, and this year’s edition includes many! Sexy Zone will collaborate with Tokunaga Hideaki, Hata Motohiro, as well as with KinKi Kids and Naniwa Danshi together. AI and Koda Kumi will performer together. JO1 and Wada Akiko will collaborate as well.