This Dewi Remaja 2006 winner is now part of the Impian Illyana cast. Sharifah Nor Azean or Scha, an ex Air Asia Flight attendant, plays Kak Yatie, a strict UITM senior.

Scha has a Diploma in Information Techonology from PTPL College, Shah Alam. She is currently working as an Assistant Sales Manager and does some freelance modeling.

Whilst she has done a few TV commercials, this is her first time.

Continue reading Tidbits: Sharifah Nor Azean

Asahi Breweries appointed its 2009 Image Girl on Monday.

20-year-old model Kobayashi Yumi will be succeeding Miki Yoshimura as the face of the company, starting in January.

Past image girls include Fujiwara Norika and Ito Misaki.

Continue reading Kobayashi Yumi Succeeds Yoshimura Miki as Asahi Beer’s Image Girl

Akiyama George’s 1970 manga series “Zeni Geba” is being turned into a live-action drama on NTV this winter.

Rising actor Matsuyama Kenichi has been given the lead role.

This is his second starring role in a drama series, after last year’s “Sexy Voice and Robo.”

Also known as “Money Crazy,” the original manga tells the story of a young man who loses his sick mother as a child due to poverty.

As a result, he becomes completely obsessed with money.

Continue reading Matsuyama Kenichi Goes Crazy for Money in Zeni Geba

Actress Fukatsu Eri has been given her first solo starring movie role since Morita Yoshimitsu’s 1996 comedy “(Haru).”

Fukatsu Eri is taking the lead in “Onnanoko Monogatari,” an upcoming picture by director Morioka Toshiyuki (”Requiem of Darkness”) that already finished filming in October.

The movie, adapted from the manga of the same name by Saibara Rieko, features Fukatsu Eri as a failure of a mangaka who idles away her days drinking beer and bathing in the tub.

While the original comic focused on the woman’s struggle to gain the courage to regain her life.

Continue reading Fukatsu Eri Stars in Onnanoko Monogatari

The upcoming movie version of “Elite Yankee Saburo” is being reinforced with the addition of top actress Nakama Yukie.

Based on a TV Tokyo adaptation of a gag manga by Abe Shuji.

The movie stars Ishiguro Hideo as a teenage otaku who gets mislabeled as an “elite” delinquent.

Nakama Yukie will play a very minor role as a mysterious nun.

The movie opens in theaters on February 28.

It was just announced on Tuesday that Fuji TV’s Monday night drama next season will be the medical series “Voice,” featuring Eita in his first starring role.

A few more details have now been revealed, including the addition of Ishihara Satomi and Ikuta Toma to the primary cast.

The show’s full title will apparently be “Voice ~Inochi Naki Mono no Koe~.”

As previously announced, the story revolves around a group of medical students analyzing corpses as part of a seminar in forensic pathology.

Continue reading Ishihara Satomi, Ikuta Toma Add Their Voice

According to the newest issue of Josei Seven, actress Shiraishi Miho (30) appears to have found a new romance.

She was spotted out on a date with actor Hasegawa Hiroki (31) sometime last month.

The magazine article says the pair had a meal together at an Indian restaurant in the Meguro ward.

Afterward, they were seen arm-in-arm, and Shiraishi Miho was seen occasionally gazing at Hasegawa Hiroki’s face.

When asked about the rumor, Shiraishi Miho’s agency declined to comment, saying that it is a private matter.

Hasegawa Hiroki’s agency was slightly more responsive, saying that they’ve heard that the two often eat out together.

Notably, the agency did not deny the rumor.

source: tokyograph

Last month, police arrested former adult actress Risa Coda and pro tennis player Miyao Joji on charges of drug possession.

On Wednesday, the first hearing in Coda’s trial was held in Tokyo District Court, and she was found guilty of the charges.

She was given a sentence of 18 months, suspended for 3 years.

According to Coda Risa’s testimony, she had started using the drugs last year due to a combination of factors, including her grandfather’s death and her breakup with her boyfriend.

Since her retirement from the AV industry this past February, she has been supporting herself with a job as a cabaret club hostess.

Continue reading Coda Risa Receives Suspended Sentence

Hip-hop group TERIYAKI BOYZ will be entering the U.S. market with a major label release next year.

Their album, titled “Serious Japanese,” is scheduled to be put out by Pharrell’s Star Trak Entertainment label in March.

The album will also be simultaneously released in Europe and Asia, though Japan will get it first on January 28.

Continue reading Teriyaki Boyz Get Serious with US Major Lable Release

Talento Hinagata Akiko will star in the daytime television series “Sagishi Ririko,” airing next season on TV Tokyo.

The story is based on the book “Route 246″ by Izumi Fujimura.

Hinagata Akiko plays a housewife who happens to be a brilliant swindler, and she uses her skills to punish evil.

Her supporting cast includes Oura Ryuichi, Azuma Terumi, and Tsuruta Shinobu.

Continue reading Hinagata Akiko Swindles in Daytime Series