sleepy john - news, pictures and videos for the jpop, kpop, gravure, racing queen, grid girl and av idol fan!

I’ve got the cure for your Monday morning blue! Kii Kitano (北乃きい) is one of the hottest U-19 idols from Japan. The 17 year old cutie from Kanagawa Prefecture first made her presence known by winning the 2005 Miss Magazine (ミスマガジン) gravure Grand Prix. She then appeared in the 2006 controversial NTV drama “The 14 Year Old Mother” (14才の母), Fuji TV’s 2007 wild drama “Life” (ライフ), as well as starring in the hit movie “Kofuku na Shokutaku” (幸福な食卓) last year.

The pictures are from the spread she did with Japanese gravure magazine Up To Boy at the end of last year.

Enjoy and you bet your ass I’ve got more Kii cuteness for you!

Here’s a few more pictures I took while salivating in the Land of the Rising Son (yes, pun intended)!

One of my favorite ramen joints in Tokyo…it was good to be back!

Okay, so this is not the best example and I was only able to get a few stealth shots of the school girls.  I’m not down with getting arrested for stalking and taking upskirt shots of every single uniform wearing cutie I saw!  But believe me I got my share of creamy thighs & plenty of panty flash!

What else can I say about Japanese school girls except they’re HOT!

Rainbow Bridge, the famous Tokyo landmark that leads to Odaiba

The man-made island of Odaiba (mostly from landfill) hosts various entertainment spots such as Decks Tokyo, Aqua City and Venus Fort in addition to Tokyo Big Sight convention center where all those cosplay anime conventions take place, Ariake Colosseum sports arena and several warehouses and industrial complexes. I have a strong suspicion that most of the trash Tokyo produces end up here as the island keeps expanding.

Fuji TV headquarters, where so many of the Japanese TV shows you’ve come to love is from

Here’s a survey done by Japanese entertainment info and data authority Oricon at the end of last year on the top 10 female “talent” (a Japanese catch-all word for entertainer) that the Japanese men would love to have as their girlfriend. From the overall response it seems like the majority of men placed a big importance on the girl’s smile.

No.1 - Yui Aragaki (新垣結衣,)

Some of the reasons that shot the Okinawa native to the top included “I love her clean cut and cheery image” and “Her smile brings me peace”.

No.2 - Masami Nagasawa (長澤まさみ)

The 20 year old actress prompted comments such as “She looks like she can always give me energy” and “I can be happy with her because she is cheerful and honest”.

No.3 - Maki Horikita (堀北真希)

One of the most popular U-20 (under 20) Japanese actresses. She commanded a whopping 20% viewer rating on her latest Fuji TV drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e” and drew responses like “Her boyish charms got me”.

No.4 - Yukie Nakama (仲間 由紀恵)

The popular Okinawan actress of “Gokusen” and “Trick” fame is a former gravure idol and can carry a tune too.

No.5 - Haruka Ayase (綾瀬 はるか)

When asked about the big chested Horipro actress and gravure idol, one of the subjects surveyed answered, “Her smile is so cute”.

No.6 - Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛)

The mega popular AVEX recording artist elicited responses such as “I love her smile”.

No.7 - Aya Ueto (上戸 彩)

“I want to see her smile everyday” was one of the comments given about the “super idol” who excels at both acting and singing.

No.8 - Saki Aibu (相武紗季)

The 22 year old actress hails from Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan and is rumored to be dating Japanese heartthrob Tomoya Nagase.

No.9 - Aki Hoshino (ほしの あき)

The ageless busty pin-up girl needs no introduction. Next to Yinling of Joytoy, this babyfaced sexy doll is probably Japan’s eldest gravure idol!

No.10 - Yuri Ebihara (蛯原 友里)

No one in Japan doesn’t know “Ebi-chan”, as she is affectionately referred to. The Japanese fashion magazine CanCam model has taken cuteness and beauty to another level.

“Ayapan” is consistently ranked No. 1 as the most desirable TV announcer in Japan

Rumors started flying that super popular Japanese TV announcer (newscaster) Aya Takashima aka “Ayapan” will be married later this summer to Yuji Kitagawa of the Japanese folk duo “Yuzu”. The two began dating back in 2006 and supposedly plan to tie the knot at the end of June when Yuzu wrap up their national concert tour.

Yuji Kitagawa, the envy of millions of Japanese men

Yuzu: Koji Iwasawa (back) and Yuji Kitagawa (front)

However, Ayapan herself denies this on her blog. According to insider information there are several reasons why “the princess of Fuji TV” cannot tie the knot just yet. First off, Yuji’s family used to be devotees of the Japanese religion “Gedatsukai”. Since leaving the cultish church his mother Keiko established her own religion named “Kamunagara no Michi” and appointed herself the leader. Keiko Kitagawa has already proclaimed that when a woman marries her son, she should be a full time housewife who focuses on raising kids and taking care of the family. But it’s presumed that Aya would like to continue working.

The Princess of Fuji TV isn’t about to go down quietly following her possible future mother-in-law’s wishes

Secondly, the 29 year old Aya Takashima is considered the crown jewel at Fuji TV, excelling at presenting new programs as well as variety shows. Fuji TV does have other younger “announcers” such as Minako Nakano, Midori Matsuo, Rio Hirai and Tomoko Honda, but they all either lack the experience and ability that Aya possesses or are prone to scandals. So for the time being Fuji TV must rely on “Ayapan” to maintain good ratings.

Aya Takashima with the darling of Fuji TV, Minako Nakano (left)

And then there’s also the money factor. Keep in mind that it is customary in Japan for a female TV newscaster / announcer to voluntarily “retire” once she announces her marriage. You may return to active duty at a later time, but most likely under the status of a freelance announcer. (Japanese TV stations like to stock their “ana” young, fresh and single) It has been estimated that if Aya Takashima were to turn freelance she wouldn’t make much more than what she is getting paid now, which is around $200,000.

We’ll see how this plays out…

Ryoko Hirosue called it quits on her marriage

Japanese model and fashion designer Takahiro Okazawa, 32

The now 27 year old mother of one was among one of the hottest commodities in the Japanese entertainment world toward the of 1990s and at the turn of the century!

Japanese actress and former idol Ryoko Hirosue announced on her website today that she has divorced her husband of more than 3 years, Japanese model and fashion designer Takahiro Okazawa. Ryoko burst onto the Japanese showbiz scene when she was only 14, appearing in commercials and photo shoots. 2 years later the Kochi Prefecture native got an even bigger break when she debuted as a singer with the hit song “Maji de Koi Suru Go Byo Mae”.

Ryoko and Takahiro caught in 2001 in Sendagaya district of Tokyo

A young Ryoko Hirosue pitching for Japanese wireless giant DoCoMo

Ryoko stirred up a media frenzy when she enrolled in the prestigious Waseda University back in 1999 but didn’t bother to show up on campus until almost 3 months later. She never really attended any of the classes and ended up dropping out.

Ryoko’s first day at Waseda University was a carefully orchestrated event by her management agency

Posing with French actor Jean Reno at the press conference of their 2001 international hit movie WASABI

But Ryoko blew it by getting knocked up by then boyfriend Takahiro Okazawa in 2003. They subsequently had a hurried wedding ceremony in January of 2004 after Ryoko held a press conference at the end of 2003 to confirm the rumor that she was pregnant. This was really ironic because the plain looking girl I had nicknamed “koala face” since she first surfaced had starred in a popular Japanese drama back in 2001 on Fuji TV with Japanese heartthrob Yutaka Takenouchi titled “Dekichatta Kekkon” (Shotgun Wedding)!

Ryoko Hirosue at the press conference in December 2003 to announce her pregnancy and marriage

I remember Ryoko’s sudden pregnancy and marriage drew a lot of criticism from both fans and media back then. Many on going projects related to her had to be put on hold indefinitely, altered or scrapped altogether. And just like I thought, her popularity and career took a nose dive when she tried to make a comeback after the birth of her boy. As a matter of fact, her status has never been the same ever since.

Ryoko cited work related issues as part of her reason to divorce

Kumi Koda in her glamorous form

Here’s more info regarding the aftermath of Japanese pop diva Kumi Koda’s careless radio comment at the end of last month that wombs after 35 turn to shit. (Technically, she said “amniotic fluid in the uterus will go bad” but it doesn’t sound very colloquial and smooth that’s why I’m sticking to my translated version) Last Thursday Fuji TV aired an exclusive interview with Kumi Koda on its FNN Super News which was taped the previous day. In the interview Kumi had completely transformed her appearance to show just how remorseful and contrite she was. Gone were the gaudy make up and hair and her trademark blinged out long nails. They were replaced by a solemn Kumi in black suit, plain hairdo speaking in a low voice and at times in tears.

Kumi Koda delivered her apology in an exclusive interview with Fuji TV

The FNN Super News interview generated a 10.1% viewer rating, which was only about 8% above the average. This shows me that contrary to what mass hysteria her innocent womb comment seem to have brought on, the majority of the country isn’t really up in arms coming to lynch her. It’s only the media and a few internet sites composed of mostly bitter people with no life of their own that are making a huge deal out of this. Unfortunately the Japanese entertainment world is still a very old fashioned one and they take immediate precaution against any scandals big or small.

It’s easy to see why there are bitter Japanese women who’d love to see Kumi Koda go down over something so trivial

Kumi has been a long time friend of Japanese showbiz veteran and respected senpai (senior, elder) Akiko Wada and Kumi often seeks her advice about things in her personal life too. On Akiko’s popular talk show “Akiko ni Omakase!” on TBS this past Sunday she revealed the development that’s happened so far.

Japanese showbiz veteran Akiko Wada (R) and her co-host Ryuta Mine

- The person who’s responsible for Kumi Koda’s radio show on Nippon Hoso has been greatly affected too. He used to come to work in jeans and sandals but these days he shows up in a suit and stays in the “self-reflection” room studying the broadcasting manual for 10 hours every day. (This is such a typical Japanese punishment…I bet he has to turn in a “self reflection” report at the end of each day too)

- Through her private conversation with Kumi, she felt Kumi really regrets making the comment and knows she has hurt the feelings of people with her words. Kumi told Akiko, “I’ve done something bad” and couldn’t stop crying.

Japanese showbiz icon and often feared singer Akiko Wada

- During her interview with Fuji TV, at one point the interviewer asked Kumi if she’d like to have children too someday. Only an incomplete part of her reply was used because they were deemed too heavy.

- Kumi’s record label Avex still plans on kicking off the concert tour of her new album “Kingdom” on April 12th. However Kumi doesn’t quite feel the same way. She has told Akiko Wada that she thought April was too early a date to resume working. She said something terrible and by returning so quickly she’s afraid she might be trampling on people’s feelings, especially since rehearsal must start at the beginning of March if the show is to go on according to schedule.

- Where Kumi’s coming from, she’s not sure if she’ll be able to sing her songs about love right after she’s said these hurtful things. But her record label Avex feels that she has many fans that support her and by coming out to perform it’s also one way to show her remorse.

- Kumi Koda feels she wasn’t able to fully express her apology during the interview, but Akiko Wada thinks she is genuinely sorry for making the remark. Also, at this time Kumi has no motivation to begin rehearsing.

Kumi Koda’s not ready to go back to work yet

Millions of dollars will be lost by postponing Kumi’s national concert tour. So Avex is working really hard trying to convince her to be back on schedule. But if her management agency doesn’t carefully consider the possible future outcome over money, things could backfire and ruin Kumi’s career.

But then again Kumi’s new album “Kingdom” has been selling well and captured the No. 1 position again on the latest Oricon chart (Japan’s Billboard Top 100) this past Monday. See, I told you a few haters mess up everything!

Don’t the fans exert any influence?

Kumi Koda’s latest album Kingdom is still occupying the No. 1 position on Oricon

The always hot and sexy Leah Dizon

Despite her extreme popularity in Japan and appearance on NHK’s year end Kohaku Utagassen extravaganza, rumors have been flying around that super sexy gravure idol Leah Dizon will hang up her bikinis come this March. Shukan Gendai, one of Japan’s major tabloids has come out with an article saying that “The Black Ship of Gravure” (please refer to my previous blog for further explanation) is going to retire soon.

The softer side of Leah Dizon

Even though Leah received the high honor of performing at Kohaku, what has followed hasn’t exactly been what people are expecting. First of all, her blog hasn’t been updated since the first of last month. People have seen her being bullied by other gravure models and she cried backstage at Kohaku. And her latest photobook “Heaven” hasn’t been too well received. Some people on the set have criticized that her facial expression was plain and she gave the same look in every shot. Some have even gone as far to say “she’s got no talent to be a gravure model!”

From Leah’s latest photobook “Heaven” which was shot in Kenya

In addition, some of the videos and photos from her modeling days in America have come back to haunt her. Most people think Leah can’t show anymore skin to generate excitement unless she goes “hair nude”. There’s also report of her being standoffish and not mingling with other gravure idols in the dressing room, which leads to the inevitable trash talking behind her back.

Leah Dizon nipple flash…oh I’d love to lather up her pink nipples with my tongue!

Leah Dizon has always made it clear that she likes singing (although in my opinion her voice is weak and at best okay as an amateur) and has pushed her management company Sky Corporation hard to let her debut as a singer in Japan. But lots of people upstairs don’t see that as the planned future for her. Her handler had groomed her to be a gravure idol and now it seems like things have turned half assed.

For a petite slender girl, Leah’s got some pretty nice big tits

Finally, here’s the unconfirmed rumor that’s supposed to show Leah Dizon’s dislike for doing gravure modeling. During the taping of Fuji TV’s “Hey Hey Hey Music Champ” at the end of last year, the host and probably the most famous Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto kept pressing Leah asking her if she’d be willing to do some racier photoshoots. Upon hearing that Leah walked off the set crying.

Obviously when contacted for comment regarding the Shukan Gendai article Sky Corporation vehemently denied that Leah Dizon wants to quit. But it does seem like recently Leah has been feeling very homesick and has said, “I want to go back to the States.” I don’t know about you but I haven’t gotten enough of Leah Dizon’s sexiness. Let’s hope “The Black Ship of Gravure” isn’t sinking anytime soon.

The insatiable Kumi Koda is a household name in Japan

Trouble keeps coming since Japanese diva Kumi Koda made the careless comment that “women’s womb turns into shit after 35″ last week on the radio. The following is a gist of what has happened to the mega popular singer some have compared to as Japan’s Britney Spears.

Kumi’s loose lips landed her in the entertainment world’s equivalent of home detention until further notice

Kumi’s Kirin Chuhai Hyoketsu (a carbonated fruity alcoholic drink) commercial was pulled off the air on Monday.

Kumi’s already taped appearance on TV Asahi’s “Tetsuko no Heya” which was scheduled to air on Thursday has been postponed.

Kumi’s homepage on Japanese cosmetic maker Kose’s website has been shut down indefinitely, as well as Honda’s “Zest Sports” (a micro passenger car).

Kumi’s commercial for Morinaga confectionery’s Weider Protein Bar has been taken down.

Gillette Japan has temporarily halted Kumi’s planned appearance in commercials for the Venus series this month.

There were two previously taped TV shows of Kumi Koda that went on air as scheduled. TV Asahi’s “Koi no Karasawagi” which is hosted by Japanese talk show host icon Sanma Akashiya was aired last Saturday and Fuji TV’s “Shin Domoto Kyodai” on Sunday. However Fuji TV actually reported receiving over a hundred calls on that day from complaining callers.

Once thing’s for sure…Kumi Koda’s ass is THE SHIT!

This is really a shame for Kumi because her latest album “Kingdom” reached the number one position on the Oricon chart (our equivalent of Billboard) last Thursday.

People of Japan, take a chill pill!!

Trying to make peace with her fans…Kumi ganbatte! 

A major Japanese tabloid has exposed a romantic link between the beautiful Japanese model turned actress Ryoko Yonekura and popular Japanese comedian Atsushi Tamura of London Boots. The couple was spotted dating in the posh Tokyo district of Roppongi in early December. Reportedly Atsushi gleefully told his co-workers that “spring has arrived for me”, which in Japanese means he’s fallen in love.

Ryoko Yonekura

The sexy Ryoko Yonekura is no stranger to the tabloids. She has dated A+ guys in the past including Japanese soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata and kabuki performer Ebizo Ichikawa. Atsushi Tamura himself is often in the headlines too. He had a long term relationship with idol / talent Nanako Fujisaki. He’s also famous for arranging mixer parties for Japanese celebrities and entertainers, one of them resulted in the infamous meeting between ex- Morning Musume leader Miki Fujimoto and Tomoharu Shoji of the comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji.

London Boots: (L) Atsushi Tamura, (R) Ryo Tamura

On a recent episode of Fuji TV’s “Mecha Iketeru” variety show they even made fun of Atsushi by sticking a photo of him and Ryoko together on his forehead with the caption that read “I’m the dude who beat out Ebizo!” (note: top kabuki performers in Japan are treated like rock stars) It is believed that the couple first got to work together in the beginning of last year on London Boot’s show “London Hearts” airing on TV Asahi and that’s when sparks flew.

Atsushi Tamura, the monkey boy that’s dating the leggy Ryoko Yonekura

The second rate comedian Tomoharu Shoji of the Japanese comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji announced on a New Year TV special of his intention to marry his girlfriend Japanese super idol and former Morning Musume member Miki Fujimoto, affectionately known as “Mikitty” to the public.

The uber cute Miki Fujimoto…enough said!

In one corner of Fuji TV’s popular show “Mecha x 2 Iketeru” the 32 year old Tomoharu proclaimed that he’d like to get married this year, thus crushing the dream and fantasy of millions of die-hard Mikitty fanboys not only in Japan but all over the world.  The topic of that corner was “entertainers who got caught in ‘07″.

Shinagawa Shoji - (L) Hiroshi Shinagawa, (R) Tomoharu Shoji

Miki Fujimoto aka Mikitty and Tomoharu Shoji caused an uproar in Japan back in May of last year when she broke the huge Japanese idol code by having a boyfriend, or at least being seen in public with one.  Unlike the West, dating for idols in Japan is an absolute no-no (don’t bother arguing about this, it’s the reality) and career breaker.  Her status as the recently promoted leader of the Japanese all girl idol group Morning Musume made the situation even worse.  She had to step down and ended up being the shortest lived leader in Morning Musume history, lasting roughly only a month and a half.

And instead of quickly coming up with some damage control tactics Mikitty defiantly admitted their courtship, quit her position as the leader of the most popular Japanese idol group and apparently has continued on with the relationship.  Understandably this not only broke the heart of countless Mikitty fans, it also made the loose lipped Tomoharu Shoji public enemy number one!

Is Mikitty trying to buck the old fashioned Japanese entertainment world?

When Tomoharu stated that he wanted to get married the other guests on the show said “you’re the man” and egged him on to propose right there on TV.  But his partner Hiroshi Shinagawa saved him by chiming in, “you guys pressured him too much that he farted!”

“What are your plans with her?”  “Can I be frank?”  “I wanna tie the knot.”

We can only wait and see whether his plan and foolish outburst pan out or not.

It has been rumored since summer that Japan’s queen of durrrty pop is going out with the leader of Japan’s most well known and ageless boy group SMAP, Masahiro Nakai.  Both camp have long denied the allegation by saying they’re simply friends.

However recently evidence of the two dating is mounting.  Kumi has been sighted several times going into Masahiro’s new place.   Earlier this month she was once again caught trying to sneak in there inside an unmarked car.

Masahiro Nakai, the oldest member and leader of the ever popular boy group SMAP

Both Kumi and Masahiro are no stranger to scandals.  Masahiro has often been romantically linked to different celebrities, the latest being with the beautiful and extremely popular Fuji TV announcer Minako Nakano. (In Japan female TV announcers are often treated like idols and superstars and it is very prestigious to be chosen by one of the major TV networks.)  The public couldn’t understand why the Japanese heartthrob dumped such a classy beauty for a trashy, over the top, Christina Aguilera-wannabe.

“Purikura” (mini sticker picture) of Masahiro kissing Minako…the dream of millions of Japanese men!

The infamous Kumi Koda needs no introduction.  Some people praise her for her “creativity” and courage to break many traditions in the relatively conservative Japanese showbiz world.  Others loath her less than proper appearance and often lewd on stage antics.  Personally I still remember the real Kumi back in the good old days before she turned skankalicious. *sigh*

As it turns out Masahiro will be one of the hosts for NHK’s year end Kohaku Utagassen extravaganza and Kumi is scheduled to perform.  Everyone’s anxious to see how this will play out.  This might get interesting…