Atsuko Maeda, an original member of all-girl pop group AKB48, has given birth to a baby boy, her first child, her husband said Monday. "I'd like to report that a baby boy was safely born the other day," 32-year-old actor Ryo Katsuji, Maeda's husband, posted ...
High-profile talent agency Johnny & Associates creates first virtual idols
Major entertainment agency Johnny & Associates Inc. announced Tuesday that it is creating its first virtual idols in collaboration with video streaming service Showroom. The virtual idols — all-singing, all-dancing digital performers — will be able to interact with fans during videos that started to ...
Popular boy band Arashi's decision to take a break at end of 2020 shocks fans in Japan and overseas
In a move that shocked fans, popular Japanese boy band Arashi said Sunday that it will go on hiatus at the end of 2020. "Around the middle of June 2017, I told other members that I wanted to end the activities as Arashi for now ...
NGT48 agency removes manager from post over handling of assault on idol group member Maho Yamaguchi
The operator of popular all-girl band AKB48 and its sister groups said Monday it has removed one of its officials from a key post amid criticism of its handling of an assault against a member of idol group NGT48. The company, AKS, announced the change ...
Outrage erupts online in Japan after assaulted NGT48 pop idol apologizes for 'causing trouble'
Idol says the group’s management did not act even after she spoke with them, and asked who would be responsible in “the worst-case scenario.”
NPO Fukuribi's wigs offer Japan's chemo patients new weapon in their fight against cancer
When TV celebrity Miki Yakata was told she would need chemotherapy after undergoing a mastectomy in April, she realized she would have to buy a wig. "I found a relatively cheap one made from synthetic fiber on the internet," said the 26-year-old, who was diagnosed ...
Atsuko Maeda, 27, a pop cultural icon and original member of the all-girl group AKB48, has married actor Ryo Katsuji, 31, an official of his management company said on Tuesday. "We will continue to support each other and sincerely engage in each and every project ...
Tokio member Tatsuya Yamaguchi investigated over indecent act with high school girl
A member of the all-male pop group Tokio has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of engaging in an indecent act with a high school-aged girl, investigative sources said Wednesday. Tatsuya Yamaguchi, 46, allegedly kissed the girl against her will at his home in Tokyo's ...
Dempagumi.inc's Risa Aizawa on the true power of fashion
Fashion designers can be stiff creatures, especially when it comes to divulging their history or feelings in an interview. However, Risa Aizawa is not your run-of-the-mill fashion designer. She is a member of the five-person Akihabara-born idol group Dempagumi.inc, known more for it's hard-core ...
For African-American ‘idol’ Amina du Jean, difference is a double-edged sword
Amina du Jean been in Japan for only 2½ years, but in that time has become a bona fide idol, joined a J-idol group and even branched off into a bit of gravure (bikini) modeling.
26.9% of aspiring models, idols have been asked to perform sex acts for the camera: survey
Many young women who signed contracts with talent agencies to become fashion models or idols have been asked to perform sex acts on camera, with some giving in to such requests, a government survey showed Wednesday. The online survey conducted last December by the Cabinet ...
Hugely popular boy band SMAP will break up at the end of the year, their management agency has announced.
