Miliyah Kato, Mai Kuraki to perform at 'LOVE in Action Meeting' for Red Cross

Mai Kuraki

TOKYO — The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) has announced the addition of two big names in Japanese entertainment - Miliyah Kato and Mai Kuraki – to its 2011 “LOVE in Action Meeting” event to be held in June this year at the Budokan in Tokyo.

The upcoming live performance in June is part of JRCS’s initiative “Love in Action Project,” launched first in 2009, to promote blood donation awareness among Japan’s young generation. In recent years, the number of young people donating blood has decreased.

JRCS officials, together with the cooperation of the government, have publicly begun to acknowledge the threat of possible future blood donation shortages. With the launch of “LOVE in Action Meeting,” organizers hope that more young Japanese will become aware of the importance of donating blood.

JRCS has announced that 8,000 people will receive free invitations to the concert, and winners will be selected via a drawing. Those who are interested can apply via JRCS’ website (see below).

Kato and Kuraki will be joined by other popular musicians and idol groups such as Shota Shimizu and all-girl group AKB48.

Application for free tickets can be made until Sunday May 8.

Website: http://ken-love.jp
http://ken-love.jp/m/ (Mobile website)

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Miniskirt Police recruit new members

The new members of the Miniskirt Police
SANKEI

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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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.”

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Emiri Henmi: 'Dating's going well'

Saturday 18th September, 07:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress Emiri Henmi was the special guest at a launch event for Chinese appliance maker Haier’s new washing machine designed for duvets. Naturally, the media were more interested in the 33-year-old’s relationship with fellow actor Kenji Matsuda, 38, which came to the public’s attention in August.
When asked about her love life, Henmi replied, “It’s going well. Right now I’m happy.”
Asked about doing housework, Henmi said: “To be honest, when it comes to housework I prefer cooking rather than doing the washing. My specialty is hamburgers. My other half says he likes them too.”

Aya Ueto becomes Tomei Expressway PR spokeswoman

Friday 24th September, 03:19 AM JST
TOKYO —
Singer Aya Ueto has been named 2010 Tomei Expressway Maintenance PR character and will appear in TV commercials and on posters to inform the public about the maintenance work.
Child commercial star Seishiro Kato, 9, will act alongside Ueto in the campaign. “I was very excited to act with Seishiro. He’s my hero,” gushed Ueto.

Kumi Koda to represent Japan at 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards

Kumi KodaJapan Today

TOKYO —Singer Kumi Koda, 29, will represent Japan at the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Singapore on Tuesday.

MAMA features talent from 45 Asian countries and typically draws a viewership of around 2 million. The 2011 show will mark the event’s 13th consecutive year.

The event’s organizers reportedly requested Koda specifically to perform at the event, citing her powerful stage presence, Sankei Shimbun reported.

Japan Today

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Angelica Michibata to bare all in magazine

TOKYO —Argentinian-Japanese model Angelica Michibata, 26, appears nude in the January issue of girls’ magazine S Cawaii!

Michibata is the subject of a 10-page special feature in the magazine, which includes a double page spread of nude photos.

“I’d done underwear shoots before, so I wasn’t embarrassed, but I was a little nervous before the shoot,” she told reporters.

The magazine goes on sale on Dec 7.

Japan Today

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