Aeri Yokoshima Announces Departure From Pop Idol Group AKB48

AKB48 is taking another roster hit as they lose their first Team B member of the year.

Aeri Yokoshima, member of AKB48, announced her graduation from the pop idol group. Yokoshima shares “I had set a number of goals I wanted to accomplish with AKB48 and had promised myself to leave the group if I didn’t reach the goals by my 17th birthday. I had given it my all with my performances and social media outreach but sadly, life is was bitter, and I was unable hit the goals I set for myself. she continues “To be clear, I am not graduating AKB48 having given up my dreams, I am graduating to pursue other dreams.”

Pop Idol Group ℃-ute to Disband Following 12th anniversary

It’s the final curtain call for pop idol group ℃-ute as 2017 marks the final year for the musical act.

Pop idol group ℃-ute will be ending their careers with a ground-breaking 12-year run as their activities draw to a close in June of next year. The Hello! Project managed all-girls group released an official statement “In June of next year our long-cherished dream of holding a concert at the Saitama Super Arena will come true, and with our wishes fulfilled ℃-ute will be disbanding.”

Chiako Ito Announces Pregnancy and Retirement From AAA

Pop idol group AAA will be experiencing their first roster change since 2007 as a member announces her departure.

Chiako Ito has announced her recent marriage and subsequent pregnancy as reasons she’ll be leaving pop idol group AAA. AAA, formed in 2005, last suffered a roster change as Yukari Goto left the group in 2007, and now leaves one of Japans premier acts down to a single female vocal for the ensemble. Ito, currently three months pregnant, shares her thoughts “When I found out about the baby I was overjoyed with a feeling of happiness I’ve just never experienced before and I wanted to take care of this life with everything I have.”

In reaction to the announcement the members of AAA responded via blog post on their official website “When we heard the news from Chiaki we were both happy and shocked at the news. After many discussions with the members and the staff we all fully support the path she’s taking with starting her family.” the message continues “AAA will work even harder than before, so please continue to support AAA and Chiaki Ito as you always have.”

BABYMETAL to Tour United States With The Red Hot Chili Peppers

The girls’ of BABYMETAL are returning to the states thanks to some famous friends in the rock industry.

BABYMETAL have announced they’ve inked a 10-city tour as special guests for the upcoming Red Hot Chili Pepper’s United States tour beginning April 12th. The girls’ recently wrapped up a United Kingdom tour with the group and had most recently made an appearance at the Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea opening for Metallica and for Guns N’ Roses in Japan this month.

Aika Ota Announces Departure from HKT48

Aika Ota made the surprise announcement to depart HKT48 in a move the strips the pop idol group of one of their most senior members.

Aika Ota, Captain of HKT48′s Team KIV, drops the bombshell as she announces her impending graduation from the pop idol group. Ota represents one of the last remaining 3rd Generation AKB48 members which included names such as; Yuki Kashiwagi, Ayaka Kikuchi, Yuki Matsuioka, Haruka Nakagawa, Mayu Watanabe, and Rumi Yonezawa, of which only a handful still remain in the 48 Family of Groups. Aika Ota started her career with AKB48 in 2007 and transferred to sister group HKT48 in November of 2012.

Yasushi Akimoto to Produce Digital Idol Group “22/7″

Yasushi Akimoto is extending his pop culture influence beyond the realm of analog and into the digital sphere.

Yasushi Akimoto, famed producer behind AKB48, Nogizaka46, and their sister groups, is looking conquer the digital world in his next move. Akimoto announced the details behind his virtual idol group, named 22/7, along with their character art. 22/7 will be comprised of eight members with each character designed by some of the top artistic directors in their field including; Mieko Hosoi, Misaki Kurehito, Hirokazu Koyama, Yukiko Horiguchi, Koharu Sakura, Masayoshi Tanaka, Kantoku, and Tometa Ohara.

Leo Ieiri to Release Best-Of Album

Leo Ieiri is starting 2017 off strong with a Best Of album in the way and her first appearance at the Nippon Budokan.

Leo Ieiri is set to release her Best Of album on February 15th, titled 5th Anniversary Best, fortified with her upcoming concert to be held at the Nippon Budokan on April 30th. Ieiri’s 5th Anniversary Best is set to include copies of all her previously released singles along with a brand new song Sorezore no Ashita e and a special remix of Bokutachi no Mirai.

Perfume to Release First New Single in Over a Year

The girls’ of Perfume are dropping their first single of the year and their first new single release since 2015.

Perfume’s newest single, titled TOKYO GIRL, is set to hit stores on February 15 and comes over a year after their last single release STAR TRAIN back in October of 2015. The girls’ titular song is set as the theme song or NTV’s newest drama series Tokyo Tarareba Musume. The show, a romantic comedy following the plight of three single women in their 30′s, premiers on Janurary 18th nationwide and is based on the popular Akiko Higashimura penned manga of the same name.

Ikimonogakari Announces Hiatus

Ikimonogakari have announced they’ll be hitting a “grazing period” as the pop group announces an indefinite hiatus.

Ikimonogakari made the announcement that each of the three members will enter a “grazing period” aimed at exploring their potential and expanding their artistic capabilities over an indefinite amount of time. The members shared their thoughts via the group’s official website “First of all, thank you for everything. We want all our fans to continue to support our endeavors. Ikimonogakari is a place the three of us plan to return, but let’s keep our heads up with a smile until then.”

X Japan to Release We Are X Film Soundtrack Worldwide on March 3, UK/Japan Premiere Dates Announced

The soundtrack for the film WE ARE X — the critically acclaimed music documentary about X JAPAN — will be released worldwide on March 3, 2017, via Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings (a division of Sony Music Entertainment) and is available for pre-order now at Amazon.

Hailed as “fascinating” by the New York Times, WE ARE X is a transcendent and beautifully shot rock & roll story about the most successful rock band in Japanese history, X JAPAN. They’ve sold over 30 million albums, singles and videos combined; sold out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record 18 times; and played to tens of thousands of fans outside of Japan.

Details Behind miwa’s Nationwide Tour and Upcoming Album Revealed

Details behind a new nationwide tour hits the streets as miwa fans await her upcoming album dropping in stores this February.

A brand new album, titled SPLASH☆WORLD, is hitting shelves on February 22nd as the diminutive miwa looks to fortify her hold over the Japanese market with a nationwide tour shortly thereafter in April. The nationwide tour, which kicks off on April 22nd and 23rd at Nippon Gaishi Hall and wraps up on June 17th and 18th at Saitama Super Arena. The nationwide tour brings miwa to Nippon Gaishi Hall, Marine Messe Fukuoka, Xebio Arena Sendai, Osaka-jo Hall, Yokohama Arena, and Saitama Super Arena.

Haruna Kojima to Open “22;Market” Pop-Up Shops Around Japan

Haruna Kojima is primed to become the next top model as she looks to make her impact on the fashion scene.

Fashion maven Haruna Kojima is ready to set the fashion world on fire with her latest pop-up shops opening at a handful of locations around Japan next month. The shop, named 22;market, is hitting the major markets in Osaka, Tokyo, and Aichi beginning February 6th. The shop will showcase items made in collaboration with top artists including Daichi Miura and NO PANTIES on top of their original merchandise. Haruna Kojima shares “It’s a small store but it’ll be packed with tons of limited collaborative items, original goods, and all of my favorite things. I want tons of people to feel free to visit the store, whether you’re a guy or a girl. I am also trying to think of fun campaigns to run in the meanwhile.”

Ai Otsuka to Release New Single

Ai Otsuka is set to release a brand new single this month as fans eagerly await her first new release of the year.

Ai Otsuka is releasing her new single, titled Watashi, on February 15th which will serve as the opening theme song for the Fuji TV drama Kirawareru Yuuki. The single will also include the song Sakura Hara Hara which serves as the theme song for the digital art exhibition FLOWERS by NAKED 2017 -Risshun-.

Ai Otsuka [大塚愛] is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter from Suminoe-ku, Osaka, Japan signed to the Avex Trax label. Otsuka is best known for her 2003 hit “Sakuranbo,” which stayed in the Top 200 Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 103 weeks and is a mainstay on many music video games. A piano player since age four, Otsuka composes and co-produces her own songs, as well as writes her own lyrics. Her music ranges from upbeat catchy pop/rock music and ballads.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Unleashes Music Video for Harajuka Iyahoi

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is going back to Harajuku in her newest song sure to catch fire with her fans.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu unveiled the music video for her newest song Harajuku Iyahoi which recently hit stores as one of the tracks on her latest double-A sided single. The single titled Crazy Crazy (feat. Charli XCX & Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) / Harajuku Iyahoi, released in collaboration with Yasutaka Nakata, marks her first split credit single.

Pick up your copy of Crazy Crazy (feat. Charli XCX & Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) / Harajuku Iyahoi from CDJapan today.

Mika Nakashima to Release New Single This Month

Mika Nakashima is dropping a brand new single in a matter of weeks and fans couldn’t be more anxious for the release.

Mika Nakashima’s newest single, titled Koi wo Suru, is set to hit shelves on February 22 and promises to bring a little heat to your the winter months. The titular track is serving as the theme song for DHC’s newest F1 Skincare series of products whose lyrics tackle the emotions of a girl in love.

Pick up your copy of Koi wo Suru in Limited Edition format with DVD or Standard Edition at CDJapan today.

Koda Kumi to Drop Two Albums in March

March is set to be the month of Kumi as the pop diva looks to release a pair of new albums.

Koda Kumi is closing out the final weeks of winter with a pair of new releases, titled W FACE ～inside～ and W FACE ～outside～, set to hit shelves on March 8th. The albums look to explore the two sides of Koda Kumi with On My Way a song from the W FACE ～inside～ already picked up as the theme song for Fuji TV’s newest drama Mahiru no Akuma starring Rena Tanaka.

Rihwa Suspends Tour for Minor Surgery

 

Rihwa puts her health first as she cancels an upcoming appearance in favor of vocal cord surgery.

Pop idol Rihwa has decided to cancel her March 3rd concert Candy Box Vol.4 at the Hiroshima CLUB QUATTRO in order to have vocal cord polyps removed. The singer song-writer was diagnosed last year and had been performing with the ailment until threat of polyp growth forced her to consider surgery. Rihwa shares “To ensure a long career I’ve decided to get it treated.” she continued “I want everyone in Hiroshima, Japan, and around the world to be able to listen to my voice and my music, so I’m hoping for a total and speedy recovery so I can return to stage to open arms.”