Ayumi Hamasaki 1st artist to achieve 13 consecutive years of No. 1 albums

Ayumi Hamasaki 1st artist to achieve 13 consecutive years of No. 1 albums

TOKYO —
Ayumi Hamasaki, 32, will soon become the first artist in Japan to achieve 13 consecutive years of No. 1 albums after Oricon Album Rankings announced that her new album “Love Songs” is set to hit the top of the charts on Jan 3. The new album is Hamasaki’s 17th No. 1 album in total since her debut was released in 1999.

A track by Naoya Urata featuring Hamasaki, titled “Dream On,” is also set to hit the No. 1 spot in the singles chart on the same day. She will be the first album and single No. 1 position holder since pop group Arashi managed the same feat in 2007, three years and one month ago. It will be nine years and three months since Hamasaki has topped both charts simultaneously.

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'Single' Akina Minami wins Wedding Best Dresser Award

Akina Minami
SANKEI

TOKYO —Akina Minami, 21, was named one of three winners of the inaugural Wedding Best Dresser Awards this week, despite being single and unattached. Minami won in the category of TV personality. In the model category, the award was scooped up by Marie, 23, while 19-year-old
Tomomi Itano from AKB48 took the gong in the idol category—both of whom are also single.

At the awards ceremony, Minami appeared in a wedding dress and told attendees, “All girls long for a white wedding, so I’m pleased to have been chosen for this award.” When asked about her own wedding prospects, Minami replied, “I’d like to get married at around 24 or 25, but I don’t have a boyfriend right now and my friends tell me it’s not going to happen anytime soon. But when the day comes, my ideal ceremony would be at Disneyland with all my friends.”

In response to the news that comedian Toshifumi Fujimoto, 39, of comedy group Fujiwara, and 23-year-old TV personality Yukina Kinoshita recently tied the knot in a hotel affiliated with the Tokyo Disneyland resort, Minami responded, “I’ve been beaten to it, so it’s going to look like I’m copying them. I think I’ll scratch that idea.

Katy Perry to perform in Japan next spring

Katy Perry

TOKYO —American pop singer Katy Perry, 26, will be coming to Japan in May for her first Japanese concerts since her marriage. So far, concerts on the May 23 and 24 have been announced at Tokyo’s Studio Coast live event space, with further dates expected in Osaka and Nagoya.

Perry married popular British comedian Russel Brand, 35, in India on Oct 23 this year. The sudden announcement of her forthcoming Japanese performances will delight fans, as the dates will mark her fourth visit to Japan since August of last year. The Japan performances are part of Perry’s second world tour.

Perry, who has been nominated in four categories for this year’s Grammy Awards, said in a statement to media: “It’s been an amazing year. I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve received from my Japanese fans.”

Yukina Kinoshita dispenses marriage advice

Wednesday 17th November, 05:43 AM JST

TOKYO —TV celebrity and underwear model Yukina Kinoshita, 22, was the guest of honor at the 10th Sanai Swimwear Image Girl event in Tokyo this week as one of the company’s former “image girls.”

Kinoshita, who makes up one third of idol group Pabo alongside celebrities Suzanne, 24, and Mai Satoda, 26, was asked how she felt about the recent announcement that Satoda was in a relationship with Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. She replied with a smile, “I already knew they were dating. I think they look great together.” On the subject of marriage she said, “I think we’ll leave that to them, right?”

Having recently got married to comedian Toshifumi Fujimoto, 39, Kinoshita was asked what the secret to a happy marriage was. She replied, “When you fight, the man should apologize.”

Meanwhile, Tokiko Kitagawa, 23, was chosen as this year’s 10th Sanai Swimwear Image Girl.

Haruka Ayase on a quest for beautiful skin

Haruka Ayase on a quest for beautiful skin
Friday 19th November, 05:01 AM JST

TOKYO —Actress Haruka Ayase, 25, who is the face of skincare brand SK-II, attended a launch event this week for a forthcoming TV commercial. At the event she
revealed that she uses SK-II products herself because they give her “supple, springy skin.”

When asked what she thought of the common Japanese belief that 25 is a turning point for a woman’s skin, she replied with a smile, “Yes, I think I’ve got some crow’s feet coming on but I urge other girls of my generation to join me in the quest for beautiful skin.”

Harajuku style

SUNNY SIDE UP

Monday 13th September, 07:00 AM JST

Models take part in the Harajuku Style Collection for autumn at Ariake Coliseum on Sunday. Models included Jun Komori, 4th from right, actress IMALU, center, and singer Ami Suzuki, 4th from left. Becky, Puffy and Anna Tsuchiya also performed live at the event.

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The best of beauty

Thursday 02nd September, 07:00 AM JST

The three winners of the 7th annual Beauty Week Awards are from left: Shiori Kutsuna, 17, representing the 10-19 age group; Shihori Kanja, 24, representing the 20s group; and Maomi Yuki, 30, representing the 30s. The ceremony is held each year to celebrate the hairstyles and “beautiful” lifestyles of celebrities.

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Miss Japan Maiko Itai

REUTERS

Thursday 12th August, 05:05 AM JST

Miss Japan Maiko Itai, right, and Miss Angola Jurema Ferraz pose in their swimsuits during the registration and fitting process in preparation for the Miss Universe 2010 Competition at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Miss Universe 2010 competition will take place on Aug 23.

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The new members of the Miniskirt Police
SANKEI

Miniskirt Police recruit new members

Tuesday 05th October, 05:03 AM JST

TOKYO —

Popular glamor model group Miniskirt Police have recruited four new members into their ranks. The existing members of the force introduced the new members at a press event in Tokyo.

One of the new recruits, 20-year-old Chika Aikawa, actually spent six months in the Kanagawa police traffic division but is more optimistic about her career prospects in the Miniskirt Police, saying, “I’m hoping to become Chief of Police some day.”

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