Longtime talent agency Ishihara International Productions Inc., established by late movie star and singer Yujiro Ishihara, will call it quits in January, it was learned Friday. The agency, better known as Ishihara Promotion, produced many hit police dramas, including "Seibu Keisatsu" ("Western Police"), got its ...
Three generations of Bollywood's Bachchan family hit by COVID-19
Revered Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan's daughter-in-law and granddaughter have joined him and his son in testing positive for COVID-19, the family said on Sunday, in one of the highest-profile cases of the pandemic sweeping India. From hospital with his father in Mumbai, Amitabh Bachchan's son ...
In a rare move, entertainers air criticism of Japan's response to COVID-19 crisis
Members of the show business industry usually avoid anything smacking of politics so as not to jeopardize employment opportunities.
Celebs lead protest tweets over Abe's push to extend prosecutors' terms
Concerns over favoritism for PM-friendly prosecutors at a time when people think the government should be focusing on the coronavirus pandemic.
Drama star Kumiko Okae, host of 'Hanamaru Market,' dies from coronavirus at 63
Actress Kumiko Okae died from pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus at a hospital on Thursday. She was 63. Okae, whose real name was Kumiko Owada, developed a fever on April 3 and was rushed to the hospital in Tokyo three days later after her ...
'PPAP' star Piko Taro and pop group Arashi release hand-washing songs
Comedian Pikotaro, best known for his viral hit song "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen," and boy band Arashi have released songs encouraging people to wash their hands amid the coronavirus pandemic. "I have a hand, I have a soap. Uh! Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash!" Pikotaro repeats, adopting the same ...
Veteran comedian Ken Shimura has tested positive for the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, his agent said Wednesday, making him the first Japanese entertainment figure to announce their infection publicly. The 70-year-old Shimura, known for performing as popular characters including Baka Tonosama, meaning stupid lord, ...
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have both tested positive for coronavirus, the U.S. actor said Wednesday. Hanks, 63, said he and Wilson came down with a fever while in Australia, where he is reportedly filming a new movie about the life of Elvis ...
The resurgence of Yoko Tajima's personal feminist ideology
On Feb. 17, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologized for a remark he made in response to a comment from opposition lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto during a Lower House Budget Committee meeting in the Diet. Tsujimoto was talking about what she perceived to be corruption in ...
Entertainer Masashi Tashiro jailed for drug use and possession
Entertainer Masashi Tashiro was found guilty Wednesday of using and possessing illegal stimulants last November. The Sendai District Court sentenced Tashiro to 30 months in prison, six months of which were suspended for two years with probation for rehabilitation purposes. According to the ruling, Tashiro, 63, ...
Harry and Meghan to stop using 'Sussex Royal' brand in spring
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will no longer use the "Sussex Royal" label when they begin their new life outside the royal inner circle in the spring, their spokeswoman said Friday. The couple will formally step down as senior royals from March 31 and ...
Singer Noriyuki Makihara allegedly admits to taking drugs again after his 1999 conviction
Singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara, who has been arrested on suspicion of illegal drug possession, has confessed he began using drugs again sometime after his 1999 conviction for a similar case.
