Maki Goto Jumps Ship

Fixed to appease some of you passionate Maki fans –> This just in from an unconfirmed source! Former super popular Morning Musume and Hello!Project artist Maki Goto has signed with Japanese record giant AVEX. “GoMaki”, as she’s often referred to in Japan was a 3rd generation member of Morning Musume. Her solo career took off after “graduating” from Japan’s most popular all girl group back in 2001. However, Maki had announced that she was leaving Hello!Project (and her handler Up Front Agency) last fall due to differences in the direction for her career she had with Up Front Agency, plus she was entangled in personal trouble over the arrest of both her younger brother (former EE Jump member Yuki Goto) and her boyfriend.

Maki will release her first single under the AVEX Trax sub label “Rhythm Zone” on May 7th titled “Necessary”. I think what’s “necessary” for her is to drop that loser boyfriend of hers immediately! This time the sexy 22 year old Maki has teamed up with well-known Japanese producer AKIRA who’s worked wonders for hit artist BoA. The B-side of her single will be a cover of famous Japanese singer / songwriter Keizo Nakanishi’s “You and I”, which was originally release back in 1993.

Hopefully by switching over to Avex Maki Goto will have more freedom with her music

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Japanese Idol Ranking, Part II

Continuation of CDTV’s (Countdown TV) top 20 ranking for ideal girlfriend according to Japanese guys that was just released this month.

No. 11 – Reina Tanaka

One look at the extremely popular Morning Musume and you’ll want to take this kitty home! (and yes guys, she’s legal) The girl from Fukuoka LOVES singing karaoke.

No. 12 – hiroko (mihimaru GT)

The 23 year old vocal that makes one half of the super poppy Japanese duo is from Hyogo Prefecture (next to Osaka)

No. 13 – BoA

What hasn’t been said about this Korean sensation who’s made it big in Japan and captured the heart of countless fans since ‘01? She’s pretty, sings well, can really dance, speaks Japanese fluently and got a great personality…what more can you ask for?

No. 14 – Eri Kamei

The 6th generation member of Japanese all girl idol group Morning Musume has made a really nice transition from the awkward, extremely shy little girl when she first joined to a confident and beautiful girl next door

No. 15 – Ayaka (絢香)

This singer / songwriter burst onto the j-pop scene only back in ‘06 but already has been compared to Hikaru Utada and Mika Nakashima

No. 16 – Ai Kawashima

The talented street performing singer / songwriter turns 22 today! The vocal of the now disbanded j-pop duo I WISH has had a tough life, orphaned as a toddler and losing both of her adopted parents while she was still in school.

No. 17 – Yui Aragaki

This Okinawan teenager first entered Japanese showbiz as a model for a popular fashion magazine. She has since appeared in several dramas and is highly sought after for commercial work.

No. 18 – Risa Niigaki

You can’t help but love this 5th generation Morning Musume and current sub-leader. The 19 year old Yokohama (just south of Tokyo) native charms her fans with her positive and energetic attitude.

No. 19 – aiko

You’d never have guessed this baby faced singer / songwriter from Osaka is 32 and has been making hits for over 10 years

No. 20 – Shoko Nakagawa

By now “Shokotan“, as all of Japan calls her has become a household name. The self professed otaku and former gravure idol has a huge loyal fan base and is the unofficial “princess of blogging“.

2007 Kohaku Year-End Extravaganza

The LINEUPS for the 58th annual NHK Kohaku Utagassen show have been announced. “Kohaku” airs every year on New Year’s Eve from about 7pm til right before midnight. It is probably the most watched TV program in Japan and it is a deeply rooted Japanese family tradition to gather around and watch the show.

Kohaku is a singing competition between popular male (white) and female (red) performers. You can think of it as a Japanese all-star battle. The music ranges anywhere from the latest pop to traditional enka (similar to country western here in the States). It is an extreme honor to be invited on the roster and the performers often consider their appearance on the show as their way of paying respect to their parents.

According to the announcement it looks like the popular all-girl group Morning Musume and other members (including Berryz Kobo and C-ute) from the same production company will be opening the show for the red team this year. And the ever popular enka singer Sayuri Ishikawa and her beautiful voice will be in charge of the finale.

Many of the well known performers will be present this year. The red team includes mihimaru GT, Angela Aki, AKB48, Ayaka, BoA, Ayaka Hirahara, Ai Otsuka, Ayumi Hamasaki, Kumi Koda, aiko, Mika Nakashima, Yo Hitoto, Dreams Come True and Akiko Wada. Even Shoko Nakagawa (aka Shoko-tan) and sexy import pin-up model Leah Dizon will be there!

Some of the artists on the white team you might’ve heard of are the always eccentric Kenichi Mikawa, w-inds, soulful EXILE, WaT, Kome Kome Club, Porno Graffitti, Sukima Switch, Masashi Sada, the mysterious Gackt, TOKIO, the “price of enka” Kiyoshi Hikawa, Hideaki Tokunaga, Ken Hirai, Kobukuro and the ever popular and ageless super unit SMAP.

I hope you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of this festive show, either on the tube or YouTube.