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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’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

ZARD’s latest single 翼を広げて (Tsubasa wo Hirogete) will be featured in a Detective Conan movie

A previously unreleased song by Izumi Sakai, lead vocal of the Japanese rock band ZARD will be the theme song for the latest Detective Conan anime movie, “Meitantei Konan Senritsu no Gakufu” (Detective Conan, Score of Horror). Izumi Sakai was the voice and face of the somewhat mysterious unit that was extremely popular in the 90s. She passed away last May under cloudy circumstances while battling cervical cancer.

The poster for 名探偵コナン 戦慄の楽譜 “Detective Conan Score of Horror”

The song “Tsubasa wo Hirogete” (Spread Your Wings) was written by famous Japanese musician Tetsuro Oda and its lyrics penned by Miss Izumi Sakai herself. The animated movie will hit theaters across Japan this Saturday.

Japanese talent Chiriko Sakashita (L) and comedian Ryota Yamasato of Nankai Candies (R) promoting the movie in Tokyo last week

Mikitty was all smile at Tokyo FM’s Spain Zaka Studio

The lovely former Morning Musume leader Miki Fujimoto made an appearance on Monday on the Tokyo FM radio show “Wonderful World” in Shibuya to promote her upcoming single “Oki Tegami” (置き手紙). This is her first release since scandal broke out last summer that led to her stepping down from the popular Japanese idol group (please see blog from 2/15 & 1/9) and also her first solo single in 5 years.

Oki Tegami (Letter Left Behind) will be Miki Fujimoto’s comback single

Mikitty (as she is affectionately called) said she worked hard on this piece because the folk song style which “Oki Tegami” is based on is something she’s previously not familiar with. But she’s not nervous and is enjoying her solo activity. While on the subject of her b-side track “Far Away Lover” (遠い恋人) the radio show host playfully teased by asking, “Is your lover close by?” Slightly embarrassed Mikitty replied, “Yes, he’s close.”

Oki Tegami will hit the shelf next Wednesday alongside with a different version from veteran Japanese singer Takao Horiuchi.

Miki Fujimoto with Takao Horiuchi (L) at the press conference for Oki Tegami last month

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!

U.S. otaku will be able to see Shokotan in person soon!

It has been announced that super popular Japanese talent, singer, former gravure idol, voice actress and queen of blogging Shoko Nakagawa aka Shokotan will appear at Anime Expo 2008 as a special guest. Anime Expo is the largest anime, manga, otaku and cosplay related event in North America and takes place at LA Convention Center over the July 4th weekend.  For more info about her, please refer to my blog on 2-19-08, 2-21-08 and 3-19-08.

Shokotan’s breakthrough began last year when she released the single “Sorairo Days” which she went on to perform at the prestigious Kohaku Utaggasen year end extravaganza, and held her first concert in October. Her success continues this year with her single “Snow Tears” making No.2 on Japan’s Oricon chart and the record breaking one billionth hit on her blog. on February 1st, not to mention her first album titled “Big Bang!!!” dropped just last month.

Big Bang!!! debuted at No.5 on the Oricon chart

Using her own lingo “ギザコール”, Shokotan said, “I’d like the U.S. fans to cheer me on loudly!”

The “kawayushi” (カワユシ - Shokotan’s lingo for cute) Shokotan is ready to take on her U.S. fans

Aya Matsuura possesses a great voice and is a top selling artist for Hello!Project

Japanese singer and mega popular idol Aya Matsuura was the PR chief  today for the upcoming 25th Japan Confectionery Expo in Hyogo (in conjunction with Himeji Confection Expo 2008).  It was only fitting that the super sexy and cute “Ayaya” (as her fans affectionately call her) was in charge of promoting the event, since the 21 year old Hello!Project artist hails from Himeji city in Hyogo Prefecture.

Ayaya said, “I’m having such a good time since I love sweets.  I can’t wait to try them all!”

The expo will be held from April 18th through May 11th in and around Ayaya’s hometown.

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

I thought I’d break away from the norm today. Instead of the typical idol, glamorous gravure model or slutty, big tittied j-birds, I’d show you another side of Japanese girls.

Mana Mikura (L) and Kana Mikura (R)

Mana Mikura and Kana Mikura are identical twins that just turned 22 yesterday. The lovely and wholesome actresses from Osaka are known to everyone as “ManaKana” (マナカナ), and their graceful and reserved demeanor offer a refreshing change to the Japanese people.

Mana Mikura & Kana Mikura in Tokyo yesterday at their photo essay release and autograph signing event

The Mikura twins can sing too, having released 3 singles

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“.

The purpose of Japanese weekly TV show CDTV (Countdown TV) on TBS (no, it doesn’t belong to Ted Turner) is to compile rankings out of anything and everything from the most popular high school bags to body shampoos to crepes that are served in the trendy Tokyo district of Harajuku. And CDTV has just released their semi annual list of “girls you’d like to make your girlfriend”.

Okay, so not all of the fine ladies that made the list are idols. Without further adieu, here is the list of the top 20 girls that Japanese guys would like to make their chick:

No. 1 - YUI

For some reason, for the third time in a row, the often gloomy looking singer / songwriter from Fukuoka captured the top position

No. 2 - Kaori Mochida

The vocal for now disbanded Every Little Thing takes the 2nd spot for the second time in a row. I guess Kaori still has a lot of pull even though she’s not that active anymore.

No. 3 - Ai Otsuka

The funky singer / songwriter from Osaka has an infectious voice and has butted heads with Kumi Koda who’s also from the same record label Avex

No. 4 - Rika Ishikawa

The leader of Viyuden and former Morning Musume possesses a hot body and her ass has been known to make fanboys cream in their pants!

No. 5 - Ayumi Hamasaki

The 29 year old Japanese diva with a sultry voice needs no introduction. She’s also often known as “Ayu” to her fans.

No. 6 - Ai Takahashi

The leader of Japan’s most popular girl group Morning Musume has a beautiful voice and a cheery personality

No. 7 - Natsumi Abe

Everyone in Japan knows “Nacchi“. The former leader of Morning Musume holds the record with 6 consecutive number one positions. The 26 year old Hokkaido native still melts the heart of men everywhere with her soft voice and warm personality.

No. 8 - Namie Amura

I can’t believe this 90s mega j-pop icon is 30! The singer from Okinawa forever changed the culture, fashion and language for young people in Japan.

No. 9 - Hitomi Yoshizawa

Also known as “Yossie“, the former leader of Japanese super idol group Morning Musume with boyish charms has blossomed into a fine young lady

No. 10 - Kumi Koda

Sometimes referred to as “Japan’s Britney Spears“, the chart topping singer from Kyoto has been in hot water as of late over her careless “womb” comment. (please see my blog on 2/4, 2/6 & 2/14) It’s no wonder that the 25 year old queen of “dirty pop” listed Christina Aguilera as one of her favorite artists.

Shoko Nakagawa’s 4th single “Snow Tears” reached No.2 on the Oricon chart

Super popular Japanese gravure idol and singer Shoko Nakagawa aka “Shokotan” made a startling announcement at a recent promotional event for her new single “Snow Tears” and blog collection turned book “Donyoku Days” (貪欲デイズ). When Shokotan revealed to her fans that her first album titled “Big Bang” will drop on the 19th of next month, she added that she shall run through Nakano’s (a popular spot in western Tokyo, 1 express train stop from Shinjuku) Broadway shopping arcade naked if her album reaches No.1 on the Oricon chart!

From Shokotan’s blog…this is one cutie I’d love to keep!

Good things are happening to the 22 year old self made Japanese idol who hails from Tokyo. The self-professed “otaku” completed the transition from an underground cosplay (costume play) legend in the Akihabara district to a mainstream talent and artist last year, ending the year with a performance on NHK’s Kohaku Utagassen. The total number of hits on her blog reached over 100 million, with the site receiving as many as 4.5 million hits per day!

Yoko Kumada boasts a F cup bust and a killer body

Japanese gravure idol and “talent” (a Japanese catch-all word to describe entertainer) Yoko Kumada promoted her latest DVD “Taiyo Sweets” this past Saturday in Tokyo.  While at the event she squashed rumors about her recent sudden weight loss.  The Gifu Prefecture native explained that she simply stopped eating all the rich food that’s provided while she’s on location shooting, started cooking more at home and just returned to the weight she had when she first made her debut.  Whatever she did, I still think she looks great!

Yoko Kumada at the press conference to promote her DVD “Taiyo Sweets”

The busty Yoko Kumada was once a goodwill ambassador for the Indonesian resort island of Bali also talked about her experience doing gravure work there.  According to the F cup beauty the sun in Bali is way stronger than Hawaii and the heat packs a powerful punch.  She had to apply sunblock lotion more in Bali than anywhere else.  As a matter of fact, the voluptuous gravure model and part time singer (she has 3 singles and 1 album under her belt) claimed that she uses up more sunblock lotion than anyone else in the industry with an average of 2 bottles per day when she’s out shooting!

Screw that Western ideal of a tanned body…innocent cute face, subtle curves on a petite frame and white, creamy skin is my cup of tea!

Going by the rate that she shoots about 120 days in a year, that’s roughly 250 bottles of sunblock Yoko Kumada goes through!  No wonder Yoko said, “If given the chance, I’d like to be an ambassador for sunblock lotion!”

Oh Yoko, you can be the ambassador to my place and I’ll apply lotion on you anytime! 

It looks like Japanese idol and former Morning Musume leader Miki Fujimoto aka Mikitty is set to return to the spotlight with the release of a new single as a solo artist on April 23rd. This time Miss Fujimoto will attempt to shed her idol past and do a 180 degree turnaround, debuting as a bona fide adult singer.

We’ll get to hear the beautiful voice of Mikitty again soon!

Mikitty got herself into lots of trouble in the beginning of summer last year when she was caught dating Tomoharu Shoji of the Japanese comedian duo “Shinagawa Shoji” then refused to leave him. This pretty much earned her banishment from Japanese showbiz and career suicide. For more information please check out my blog on 1-9-08.

Miki Fujimoto aka Mikitty is known for being strong-willed

But being the crown jewel of Up Front Agency, Mikitty’s handler knows they can’t let a super cute talent with a beautiful voice go to waste no matter how much she messes up. Since Miki stepped down as the leader of the most popular Japanese all girl group and ceased all activities as a Hello!Project member she’s been relegated to only playing futsal occasionally for the Gatas Brilliantes, an Up Front Agency backed all girl team.

Mikitty in action playing for the Gatas Brilliantes

Miki Fujimoto’s new single is titled “Oki Tegami”. It is composed by Masato Sugimoto (who shot to fame with the single “Waremoko” last year, and got the honor to perform at NHK’s Kohaku Utagassen year-end extravaganza) and lyrics written by Haku Ide. Instead of the typical pop sound, Miki’s new single has a folk song flavor to it.

Miki Fujimoto (L), Masato Sugimoto (C) and Takao Horiuchi (R)

Japanese singer Takao Horiuchi who also belongs to Up Front Agency first received the offer to sing the song last fall as Masato Sugimoto suggested that he should do it in a “chanson” (French cabaret style) fashion. Around the same time Mikitty was looking for the right music to revive her career as a singer. Her manager heard the demo tape and thought the song was perfect for her smooth mezzo-soprano voice. In the end it was decided that both Miki and Takao would release their own version of the single on the same date…how’s that for some inter-agency rivalry?!
The recording was done in the beginning of this month with songwriter Masato Sugimoto present. He remarked that Mikitty had a great voice, better than he imagined for a female in her 20s singing a song about distressed love, and that she carried good aura for the song. Mikitty commented that the song was rather challenging. It was nothing like she’s ever sung before, but Masato gave her some really helpful pointers. For an accomplished singer (Mikitty is not only a pretty face) to humble herself and say something like that, I really look forward to hearing the single!

The soon to be 23 year old Hokkaido native says, “This is a completely different style of singing but I’d like you to support the new Miki Fujimoto.”

I bet Mikitty is still as uber cute as ever

…or “Yukorin”, as her fans affectionately call her. Yuko Ogura is one of the premier Japanese gravure idols and I’ve known her since her debut back in ‘01. The angelic baby faced darling has even attempted singing, having released a few singles.

Those innocent eyes and transparent fair skin get me everytime!

Yukorin is definitely one of the girls I’d love to bring home AND keep there

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! 

* Some images may be NSFW

Lina, a member of the former 90s Japanese sensation MAX has decided to bare it all before she’s too old and saggy. The 30 year old Lina announced at the end of last year of the release of her first photo book titled “Lina Sings”.

Still sexy after all these years

Still “active”, MAX is a unit composed of 4 females performing mainly eurobeat covers, although in recent years they have started putting out more R&B type music. Some of their well known singles include “Tora Tora Tora”, “Seventies” and “Get My Love”. MAX originated as Namie Amuro’s backup dancers, Super Monkeys then hit it big on their own around ‘95 / ‘96.

The original MAX (L to R): Reina, Mina, Lina and Nana

MAX today (L to R): Nana, Reina, Lina and Aki

The group’s success and popularity was never the same once their lead vocal Mina called it quits back in 2002 due to being knocked up. It makes you wonder how much more Lina could’ve milked if she and her members had released nude photo books back during their heyday.

Nice perky tits

Makes me wanna spread that butt cheek and take a closer look!

Popular and long time Japanese singer Hideaki Tokunaga has reached the 1 million mark for the first time in his career with his latest album, Vocalist 3.  The artist who’s most known for his hit single “Saigo no Iiwake” has been unstoppable since returning to showbiz 2 years ago after recovering from cancer treatment.

Actually his accomplishment should be even more impressive because in Japan an album that achieves 1 million in sales is considered a diamond record (selling 250,000 records qualifies for platinum status in Japan)!  Hideaki performed for the second straight year at last New Year Eve’s NHK Kohaku Utagassen with a special cover medley of Akiko Kobayashi’s “Koi ni Ochite”, followed by Miki Imai’s “Pride”, then Miyuki Nakajima’s “Wakare Uta”.

Mr. Tokunaga joins Japanese band Mr. Children, Exile and Kobukuro as the only 4 “million seller” artists in Japan last year.

Mega popular Japanese songstress Ayaka was caught possibly having a romantic romp on Christmas Eve. The lucky guy is Toshikazu Wakabayashi, vocal of the Japanese indie band Love Handles. The 32 year old has been the guitarist on Ayaka’s concert tour and also performed with her on last New Year Eve’s NHK Kohaku Utagassen.

Toshikazu Wakabayashi

The two were spotted entering Ayaka’s condo in Tokyo shortly after 9pm on the 24th and Toshikazu did not leave until 11am the following morning while carrying a shopping bag sporting a certain name brand logo (Christmas present from Ayaka?). When Ayaka’s agency was contacted regarding the sighting the response was, “He’s one of the people Ayaka works with closely.”

The 12 year difference sure makes things hotter 

Popular Japanese singer Takako Matsu has wed guitarist / producer Yoshiyuki Sahashi (age 46).  According to her agency the two met 6 years ago when Yoshiyuki was a part of her concert tour and they began dating 4 years ago.  A date for the ceremony hasn’t been set.