HKT48 Debuts on Top of Japan Hot 100 as Official HIGE DANdism Dominates Half of Top 10

When cinemas in Japan began preparing to reopenlast week, theater operators were faced with a puzzling question: What to show? Studios and distributors from Hollywood to Tokyo have postponed most major new releases for months in response to the novel coronavirus, aware that box office earnings will be minuscule until social distancing policies can be relaxed on a massive scale. That's forced the smattering of international exhibitors who are resuming business to get creative.

Billie Eilish, fashion designer? On Monday (May 18), Uniqlo announced a new line of apparel by the pop star is on its way, designed in collaboration with Takashi Murakami.

By Tim Dams

Official HIGE DANdism will share previously unreleased live footage of seven songs performed during its headlining tour from 2018 to 2019 for a limited time, starting 9 p.m.

By Peter White

Japanese artist MIYAVI dropped the animated music video accompanying the title track from his latest album, Holy Nights.

Official HIGE DANdism's "I LOVE…" logs its seventh week at No. 1 on the latest Billboard Japan Hot 100, dated May 4 to 10, leading look-ups and video views for the fourth and 11th week in a row, respectively.

Japan's major movie theater circuits have begun a partial reboot after shutting down mid-April, when the Tokyo government declared a national emergency in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Japan is home to the world's third-largest box office, so any significant resumption of business there will represent a significant step toward getting the global theatrical sector back on track.

By Mark Schilling

By Patrick Frater

Official HIGE DANdism's "I LOVE…" returns to No.

HKT48 blasts in at No. 1 on the latest Billboard Japan Hot 100 with "3-2" (pronounced "san hiku ni," meaning "three minus two" in English), the group's first release since central member Rino Sashihara left.The single sold 172,981 copies in its first week, taking the top spot, fueled by physical sales (No.

Billboard Japan has launched a project asking artists and the music community to curate "stay home" playlists for people self-isolating amid the coronavirus pandemic."With the spread of the novel coronavirus and Japan declaring state of emergency, many people are being urged to work from home and refrain from going outside. The music industry has also cancelled many concerts and events since March," Billboard Japan said in a statement."But music won't stop playing, not now or in the future.

Billboard Japan has launched a project asking artists and the music community to curate "stay home" playlists for people self-isolating amid the coronavirus pandemic."With the spread of the novel coronavirus and Japan declaring state of emergency, many people are being urged to work from home and refrain from going outside. The music industry has also cancelled many concerts and events since March," Billboard Japan said in a statement."But music won't stop playing, not now or in the future.

By Mark Schilling

J-pop band Official HIGE DANdism shared the new music video accompanying "Parabola," the follow-up to their Billboard Japan Hot 100 No. 1 hit "I LOVE…""Parabola" is currently being aired nationwide in Japan as the 2020 commercial song for Calpis Water.

© Shutterstock Lisa Snowdon has revealed her heartbreak after having to cancel her wedding due to coronavirus Lisa Snowdon has had to cancel her wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

TOKYO — Call it lockdown lite. After weeks of downplaying the coronavirus pandemic, Japan is now under a nationwide state of emergency. The nu

By Manori Ravindran