AVEX Concert

Here are more pictures from the annual AVEX Stockholder Concert that took place last Sunday at Saitama Super Arena (さいたまスーパーアリーナ) just north of Tokyo. AVEX Group (エイベックス) is a Japanese record giant and its shareholder-only concert was a star studded event, featuring several internationally known J pop artists.

After more than a decade, Namie Amuro (安室奈美恵), the girl who is credited with starting the contemporary Japanese fashion as we know today can still rock the stage

The humble looking Japanese diva Kumi Koda (倖田來未) performed gracefully while shedding some tears, no doubt reflecting on her “rotten womb” comment scandal from earlier this year

AVEX mega popular artist Ai Otsuka (大塚愛) looks cute no matter what she’s wearing, even in this pajama inspired outfit

Former Morning Musume Maki Goto (後藤真希) made her first official appearance as an AVEX Nation artist

Ethnic Tibetan alan (アラン, or 阿兰) was discovered recently when AVEX held an audition in China and was quickly signed to the label

Maki Goto Joins AVEX Family

Maki Goto’s first official photo under AVEX payroll

I guess there were a few last minute issues that caused the delay, but just as reported in my post back in March (which drew some heated debate) Maki Goto has switched camp to AVEX Nation! After the long speculation, it was officially announced this past Friday that former Japanese idol and Morning Musume third generation member has signed with Japanese record giant AVEX. The sexy 22 year old Maki, source of masturbation fantasy for countless men will indeed debut under AVEX’s label “Rhythm Zone”, which mega J-pop artists such as Kumi Koda and EXILE also belong to.

According to the media relations department at AVEX, it’ll be the 10 year anniversary since Maki Goto’s showbiz debut and some drastic changes may be in the work. However, they cannot confirm any future activities since they’re still in the planning stages and Maki is considering her options.

Maki Goto has a smoking hot body that even her former handler Up Front Agency (UFA) couldn’t hold back!

AVEX held its annual stock holder meeting at Saitama Super Arena this past weekend with a stock holder only private concert that followed. Each stock holder could invite 1 guest to the concert, where AVEX artist Namie Amuro appeared for the first time in 8 years and Japanese diva Kumi Koda broke down crying in the middle of her number. With about 15000 in attendance, it was the largest AVEX stock holder concert ever. After being introduced on stage, Miki Goto surprised everyone by singing Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love For You”. It was her first public performance since last October when she was still a Hello!Project artist.

In a red one piece dress and super long blond hair extension, Maki belted out a Whitney Houston classic at Saitama Super Arena yesterday

Kumi Koda Is Back

Just like I expected all along, the princess of Japan’s dirty pop Kumi Koda kicked off her national concert tour yesterday pretty much as originally planned at Ekoba Arena in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Prefecture (about 2.5 hr southwest of Tokyo). It has been about two and a half months since her off the cuff “rotten womb” radio show comment that landed her in hot water which ended in cancellation of all work related activities and self exile.

Before the show Kumi once again apologized and bowed to the fans. She then exclaimed, “I will give my best!”

According to reports, since the scandal blew up in the beginning of this past February Kumi had been hiding in hotels. And recently Japanese tabloid FLASH sighted the j-pop diva resurfacing, sporting huge sunglasses with her trademark brightly colored hair surrounded by several AVEX staff members while being discreetly shuttled around.

The 25 year old Miss Kumi Koda had reportedly wanted to delay the start of her national tour. But due to several complications decided to stick to the original schedule. The concert tour covers 8 locations and consists of 16 shows in total. The ones in the beginning such as Shizuoka, Kobe and Fukuoka have been completely sold out a long time ago before the rotten womb scandal took place and tickets for her performance in Tokyo which went on sale on the 15th of last month were also gone in an instant.

Although her advertising activities with major companies like Kirin, P&G Japan and Japanese cosmetic Kose are still on halt, I’m sure everything will be back to normal by early summer and you’ll start to see Kumi pimping all kinds of products everywhere you go again.

Things are looking good for Kumi Koda. Her latest DVD “Kumi Koda Live Tour 2007 ~Black Cherry~ Special Final in Tokyo Dome” that was released on the 31st of last month shot up to the No. 1 position for music DVD. As a matter of fact, this is the 4th consecutive number one ranking she’s received for her DVD, beginning with “secret ~First Class Limited Live~” in September of 2005.

Kumi is on track to surpass Hikaru Utada’s sales record of 6 consecutive No. 1 DVD 

This really shows you in Japan it doesn’t matter what kind of trouble you get yourself into,  a tearful apology followed by a short hiatus goes a long way!

Kumi Koda Apologizes

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 Saga of Kumi Koda’s Comment Continues

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! 

Kumi Koda Takes A Time Out

“Hey Rihanna, our wombs are still ok, right?”

Japanese diva and princess of dirty pop Kumi Koda once again has gotten herself in trouble with her loose lips. The trouble took place at the beginning of her Nippon Hoso radio show “Kumi Koda’s All Night Nippon” last Tuesday. When Kumi mentioned that her 35 year old female manager just got married, she suddenly said, “I think your womb turns into shit when you’re 35, so I want to make some kids before I hit that age.”

Yes Kumi, there’s still plenty of time for you to make some babies

I’m sure Kumi was just joking. But unfortunately even in an old fashioned country like Japan, the place is rapidly changing into a very politically correct society just like its western counterparts. After the show was aired many listeners complained that her comment had no scientific basis and these days plenty of older women give birth in Japan. Hello, aren’t we taking this just a little too seriously?!

In the end Kumi had to do the “right thing” (ahem, politically correct thing) and announced on both her lable Avex and Nippon Hoso’s website this past Friday that “I sincerely apologize for causing displeasure to everyone.”

“Hehe…I was only joking”

The timing came at a pretty bad time for Kumi Koda, as she was going around promoting her new album “Kingdom”. Due to the unexpected problem, she has suspended all of her activities until further notice (just until things cool off), although previously recorded TV appearances will still be aired.

Her national concert tour kicks off on April 12th and rehearsal does need to begin in the middle of March, but I speculate everything will go according to schedule.

Don’t worry Kumi, it’ll be business as usual soon

Ayumi Hamasaki Loses Hearing

Japanese singer diva Ayumi Hamasaki has just announced on her members-only fan website “Team Ayu” that she has completely lost her hearing ability in the left ear. Quoting her from the website, Ayumi reveals the lost of hearing was confirmed last year and there’s no cure for her condition. However, she intends to continue her musical career with only her other good ear.

Japanese entertainment beat insiders noted that back in 2000 Ayumi had to postpone scheduled concert dates due to problems with her ears. They speculate it was around that time that she began having trouble with her hearing ability.

However, people are puzzled why the Japanese diva chose to reveal such important and personal information to the media first and not to her own family and staff members. Regardless the seriousness of Ayumi’s claimed hearing problem or whether it was more of a publicity stunt, I wish her a possible and speedy recovery.