The multi-talented Kitano Takeshi (63, profile ) was given the highest honor by the French government on Tuesday for his film and artistic works. French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand (photo right) presented the Commander of the Order of the Arts and … Read More

The parody music group Yajima Biyoshitsu just released their first album last week, but they won’t be providing the theme song for their upcoming movie by themselves. Instead, they have teamed up with iconic singer Seiko Matsuda (48), forming the combination of “Yajima … Read More

Last month, it was announced that Arashi ’s Satoshi Ohno (29) will star in a live-action drama series based on the “Kaibutsu-kun” manga. On Wednesday, more of the cast members were revealed, along with their costumes. The fantasy story follows … Read More

Singer MINMI (35) is expecting her second child, it was learned on Wednesday. She is currently five months pregnant and is expected to give birth around early August. In 2007, MINMI married Wakadanna (33) of the group Shonannokaze and gave birth … Read More

Visual-kei band jealkb announced during a concert on Monday that two of its members are leaving. Keyboardist “chaos” and guitarist “mofto” will end their activities with the band in April, after it completes its current tour. jealkb formed in 2005 and made … Read More

The “ikemen” acting troupe D-BOYS has unveiled its stage productions for 2010, including their first true comedy work. Titled “NOW LOADING,” the piece is being directed by LaSalle Ishii (54), who is also known as an actor and a member of … Read More

On Wednesday, talento Mari Yaguchi (26) appeared at a PR event for Yaguchi Mari with Straw Hat, one of the newest music groups born from the “Quiz! Hexagon II” variety show. During an interview at the event, she stated that … Read More

Yosuke Eguchi (42) has been chosen to star in the NHK drama series “Chase ~Kokuzei Sasatsukan~,” airing this spring. The show will pair him up again with screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto, who helped launch Eguchi’s career in 1991 with the popular drama ” … Read More

Famous MC Kang Ho-dong has received the “KBS Best Entertainer Award” for “Happy Sunday: One night two days.” Kang, who won the “MBC Best Entertainer Award” and the “KBS Best Entertainer Award” last year, earned the award for the second … Read More

The final round of the 2009 M-1 Grand Prix came to a close on Sunday, with duo Punkbooboo claiming victory and a 10 million yen prize. This was the combo’s first time in the final round of the comedy competition, which … Read More