Japan Showbiz Latest News and Updates

PlayStation to Lay Off 900 Employees, or 8% of Workforce - variety.com - Japan
variety.com
27.02.2024

PlayStation to Lay Off 900 Employees, or 8% of Workforce

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Sony‘s PlayStation has joined the long list of video game companies hit by layoffs in 2024. Approximately 900 Sony Interactive Entertainment employees, or 8% of PlayStation’s global workforce, will be impacted by the cuts, per outgoing-CEO Jim Ryan. Employees across the Americas, EMEA, Japan, and APAC regions will be affected and several studios, including PlayStation’s London studio, will shutter.

Japan Opens First Funding Round of Location Production Incentive Scheme - variety.com - Japan
variety.com
27.02.2024

Japan Opens First Funding Round of Location Production Incentive Scheme

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Japan will next month open the first round of film and TV production funding under its previously-teased location incentive scheme. The scheme offers reimbursement of up to 50% of qualifying expenditure in Japan, with an upper limit of JPY1 billion ($6.66 million) on each disbursement. Targeting larger-scale productions, the scheme is open to: film, TV or streaming projects that have minimum direct production spending in Japan of $3.3 million; or have budgets greater than $6.66 million and spend a fifth of that (JPY200 million or $1.33 million) in Japan; or, in the case of other projects distributed in ten or more countries, have Japanese production spend higher than $1.33 million.

Forget ‘Game Of Thrones’: FX’s ‘Shōgun’ Director Compares U.S.-Japanese Epic To A Different HBO Hit - deadline.com - Britain - Japan - city Sanada
deadline.com
27.02.2024

Forget ‘Game Of Thrones’: FX’s ‘Shōgun’ Director Compares U.S.-Japanese Epic To A Different HBO Hit

Long-awaited FX epic Shōgun, which launches tomorrow, has been compared to HBO epic Game of Thrones by all and sundry, but director Jonathan van Tulleken has different comparators in mind.

New Zealand Drama ‘My Life Is Murder’ Sees Brand New Season Widely Pre-sold by DCD Rights (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Spain - France - New Zealand - Canada - Japan - Denmark - Czech Republic - Finland - Hungary - Israel - Singapore - Slovakia
variety.com
27.02.2024

New Zealand Drama ‘My Life Is Murder’ Sees Brand New Season Widely Pre-sold by DCD Rights (EXCLUSIVE)

Emiliano De Pablos U.K.-based distributor DCD Rights has pre-sold the fourth season of New Zealand’s mystery drama “My Life Is Murder” to a raft of territories ahead of its Feb. 27 official launch at the London Screenings. Starring Lucy Lawless (“Top of the Lake,” “Spartacus,” “Xena: Warrior Princess”), the series’ brand new season rights have been secured by YLE Finland, TV2 Denmark, Quebecor Content Canada and Yes DBS Israel.

‘Catch Me a Killer,’ with ‘Game of Thrones’’ Charlotte Hope, Sells Widely as Abacus Media Rights Rolls Out Its Crime Drama Slate (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Australia - Spain - New Zealand - Ireland - Canada - South Africa - Japan - Greece - Poland
variety.com
26.02.2024

‘Catch Me a Killer,’ with ‘Game of Thrones’’ Charlotte Hope, Sells Widely as Abacus Media Rights Rolls Out Its Crime Drama Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Underscoring the enduring popularity of crime drama, Abacus Media Rights (AMR), an Amcomri Entertainment company, has announced a slew of sales on two titles, led by Showmax Original “Catch Me a Killer,” a true crime drama with “Game of Thrones’” Charlotte Hope playing South Africa’s first and most famous serial killer profiler. Hope also headed “The Spanish Princess,” as Catherine of Aragon. AMR has moreover closed further deals on fiction drama “Scrublands,” a scripted drama about the real reasons for a country town massacre.

FX Miniseries ‘Shogun’ Is the Most Transportive TV Epic Since ‘Game of Thrones’: TV Review - variety.com - Britain - Japan
variety.com
26.02.2024

FX Miniseries ‘Shogun’ Is the Most Transportive TV Epic Since ‘Game of Thrones’: TV Review

Alison Herman TV Critic Of all the shows that have sought or earned comparisons to “Game of Thrones,” most have emulated its genre conventions. From “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” to “Foundation,” fantasy and science fiction series have thrived in recent years, riding on the momentum of a blockbuster hit that proved lore and maps weren’t just for fan conventions. But in writing “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the source material for the HBO drama, author George R.R.

NCT’s Taeyong explores Japan in music video for new single ‘Tap’ - www.nme.com - Spain - county Hall - South Korea - Japan
nme.com
26.02.2024

NCT’s Taeyong explores Japan in music video for new single ‘Tap’

NCT’s Taeyong has released his sophomore solo mini-album, ‘Tap’, along with a music video for its title track of the same name.In the whimsical music video for ‘Tap’, Taeyong, dressed in an oversized business suit, wakes up in the closet of an empty ryokan, which kick starts his exploration of Japan, as he searches for Japanese delicacies such as dango, omurice and more.“Tap, tap, tap, tap, tapping on me / Awkward stare and then slinkin’ away / Looks different now, you got that right / Then I’mma stare back like I know nothing,” the NCT leader raps on the song’s funky chorus.‘Tap’ was co-written by Taeyong, while the album’s five remaining B-sides – ‘Moon Tour’, ‘Run Away’, ‘APE’, ‘Ups & Downs’ and ‘404 Loading’ – also credit Taeyong as a co-lyricist. Most of the tracks on the ‘Tap’ record were co-composed and produced by SQUAR, who also worked with Taeyong on his previous solo work.Taeyong first debuted as a solo artist last June with the mini-album ‘SHALALA’, led by a title track of the same name.

BTS Agency Hybe Posts Record $1.6B In Annual Sales As K-Pop Demand Rockets - deadline.com - USA - Japan - North Korea
deadline.com
26.02.2024

BTS Agency Hybe Posts Record $1.6B In Annual Sales As K-Pop Demand Rockets

Hybe, the label behind Korean supergroup BTS, announced today that its annual sales hit 2.17 trillion won (US$1.6 billion) in 2023, making it the first K-pop agency ever to reach this milestone.

Hybe Revenue and Profit Growth Are Propelled by Booming Album Sales, Concerts - variety.com - USA - city Seoul - Japan - North Korea - Hong Kong
variety.com
26.02.2024

Hybe Revenue and Profit Growth Are Propelled by Booming Album Sales, Concerts

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Hybe, the Korean entertainment group behind BTS, saw revenues and profits both grow by more than a fifth in 2023 as album sales doubled and post-COVID conditions allowed more concerts. The company Monday reported annual revenues of KRW2.17 trillion ($1.63 billion), up 23% compared with 2022. Net profits reached KRW187 million, more that three times 2022’s depressed result and exceeding 2021’s figure.

Berlin Competition Title ‘La Cocina,’ Starring Rooney Mara, Sells Nearly Worldwide for HanWay (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Australia - Spain - France - New Zealand - New York - China - USA - Mexico - Italy - Manhattan - Ireland - South Korea - Ukraine - Austria - Germany - Japan - Switzerland - Indonesia - Greece - Poland - Czech Republic - Berlin - Israel - Singapore - Taiwan - Romania
variety.com
26.02.2024

Berlin Competition Title ‘La Cocina,’ Starring Rooney Mara, Sells Nearly Worldwide for HanWay (EXCLUSIVE)

Alex Ritman “La Cocina,” the Rooney Mara-starring drama that recently bowed in competition at the Berlinale, has been acquired for most international territories. HanWay Films has closed sales for France (Originals Factory), Australia and New Zealand (Vendetta), Spain (Avalon), Italy (Teodora Film), Benelux (Cherry Pickers), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Scandinavia (Mis.

Korea Box Office: ‘Exhuma’ Makes $16.8 Million Commercial Debut After Berlin Premiere - variety.com - South Korea - Japan - North Korea - Berlin
variety.com
25.02.2024

Korea Box Office: ‘Exhuma’ Makes $16.8 Million Commercial Debut After Berlin Premiere

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Occult drama-thriller “Exhuma,” dominated the South Korea box office in its opening weekend with a scarily good debut approaching $17 million. The film, about two shaman, a feng shui master and a mortician who attempt to undo the mysterious events happening to a U.S.-based Korean family, grabbed $14.5 million between Friday and Sunday, representing a 77% share of the overall box office market. Including the earnings since its Wednesday debut, the film earned $16.8 million in its full opening session, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic).

McDonald’s Plans Anime Version Of Its Restaurant In L.A., Will Offer New Anime Shorts And Manga - deadline.com - Los Angeles - Los Angeles - Japan
deadline.com
24.02.2024

McDonald’s Plans Anime Version Of Its Restaurant In L.A., Will Offer New Anime Shorts And Manga

McDonald’s is celebrating a new anime collaboration by launching a Los Angeles exclusive: WcDonald’s, a version of McDonald’s that’s commonly featured in many popular anime shows.

Jennifer Lopez suprises her twins Max and Emme with a special birthday gift - us.hola.com - Japan
us.hola.com
23.02.2024

Jennifer Lopez suprises her twins Max and Emme with a special birthday gift

Emme Muniz attends ‘This Is Me... Now’ premiere with a dateJennifer Lopez tells Kelly Clarkson she’s one of her favorite singersSofia Vergara introduces new boyfriend to family and friendsJennifer Lopez is a proud mom! The 54-year-old Hollywood star, who recently released her new film ‘This Is Me ...

Destin Daniel Cretton To Direct ‘Naruto’ Movie Based On Popular Manga - theplaylist.net - Japan
theplaylist.net
23.02.2024

Destin Daniel Cretton To Direct ‘Naruto’ Movie Based On Popular Manga

If you don’t know the super popular manga property, “Naruto,” you probably at least have seen the running meme about racing as fast as you can to something you love (someone did the run in real life during the Area 51 raid and it made the news, lol). That’s probably exactly how fans of the Japanese manga/graphic novel feel about the latest news.

Jennifer Lopez Travels to Japan to Celebrate Twins Max & Emme's 16th Birthday - www.justjared.com - Japan
justjared.com
23.02.2024

Jennifer Lopez Travels to Japan to Celebrate Twins Max & Emme's 16th Birthday

Jennifer Lopez is celebrating her twins’ 16th birthday with a fun-filled trip!

Here’s every song on the ‘Perfect Days’ soundtrack - www.nme.com - Britain - Texas - Germany - Japan - Tokyo - county Buena Vista
nme.com
23.02.2024

Here’s every song on the ‘Perfect Days’ soundtrack

Perfect Days is released in UK cinemas today (February 23), with a glittering rock’n’roll soundtrack. Read on to find out which songs are included in the film. Wenders co-wrote the film alongside Takuma Takasaki, and it stars Koji Yakusho (Babel, 13 Assassins) in the lead role as a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo.

‘Eurovision Murder Mystery’ & Vatican Drama Selected For Series Mania’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions - deadline.com - France - Italy - Germany - Japan - Argentina - Vatican - Israel
deadline.com
23.02.2024

‘Eurovision Murder Mystery’ & Vatican Drama Selected For Series Mania’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions

Drama series set in the worlds of Eurovision and the Vatican are among the selected projects for Series Mania‘s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions next month.

How Vietnam Has Become One Of Asia’s Fastest Growing Markets With New Multiplexes, A Movie-Hungry Audience & Vibrant Local Film Biz - deadline.com - USA - Hollywood - India - Japan - Vietnam
deadline.com
23.02.2024

How Vietnam Has Become One Of Asia’s Fastest Growing Markets With New Multiplexes, A Movie-Hungry Audience & Vibrant Local Film Biz

Lunar New Year is a key box office period in several Asian territories, but nowhere was it more hotly contested this year than in Vietnam, where several local, Japanese and Hollywood movies were slugging it over the week-long holidays (February 9-15).

Series Mania Forum Unveils Co-Pro Projects, Expands to Japan with ‘A True Novel,’ and Manga-Inspired ‘Issak’ - variety.com - France - Brazil - South Africa - Japan - Argentina - Vatican - Taiwan
variety.com
23.02.2024

Series Mania Forum Unveils Co-Pro Projects, Expands to Japan with ‘A True Novel,’ and Manga-Inspired ‘Issak’

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent “A True Novel,” directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, manga-inspired “Issak,” written by Itaru Mizuno (“Double Booking”) and “4 Blocks” Richard Kropf, look like potential highlights at this year’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, the centerpiece at Series Mania’s Forum, as its projects expand ever more their geographic compass, here welcoming their first titles co-produced by Japan. They are joined by titles from around the world such as Argentinean Daniel Burman’s “Witness 36,” which won the Series Mania Award at the Berlinale Series Market on Tuesday, and a slice of Vatican noir and which reunites the team of “De Grace,”and The Forum runs March 19-21 during Series Mania, Europe’s biggest dedicated TV festival, which will unspool this year over March 15-22 in Lille, Northern France.

Japanese Advertising Giant Hakuhodo Launches Production House Trigger Happy Studios in India (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - India - Japan - Tokyo
variety.com
23.02.2024

Japanese Advertising Giant Hakuhodo Launches Production House Trigger Happy Studios in India (EXCLUSIVE)

Naman Ramachandran Tokyo-based global advertising giant Hakuhodo Inc. is further expanding its India footprint.

Travis Kelce arrives in Australia via private jet to support Taylor Swift - us.hola.com - Australia - California - Japan - city Honolulu - county Travis - Kansas City
us.hola.com
22.02.2024

Travis Kelce arrives in Australia via private jet to support Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s relationship since they began dating in September. The singer has been a loyal girlfriend to the athlete, famously flying from Japan to Las Vegas to attend the Super Bowl, and Kelce is showing the same level of commitment. Kelce has officially touched down in Sydney, Australia.Following the Super Bowl, Swift’s “Eras” tour picked up in Melbourne, Australia on February 16.

How Rodrigo Prieto Balanced ‘Flower Moon’ and ‘Barbie’ and Became Hollywood’s Most-Trusted Cinematographer: ‘He Always Delivers… Absolutely Nothing Stops Him’ - variety.com - Japan - Oklahoma
variety.com
22.02.2024

How Rodrigo Prieto Balanced ‘Flower Moon’ and ‘Barbie’ and Became Hollywood’s Most-Trusted Cinematographer: ‘He Always Delivers… Absolutely Nothing Stops Him’

Martin Scorsese was making “Silence,” his 2016 drama about a pair of Jesuit priests spreading the gospel in Japan, a typhoon hit the area, bringing with it biblical showers. As the filmmaker braced himself for news that the bad weather would mean he’d have to abandon plans to shoot that day, there was a rap on his trailer door. There stood Rodrigo Prieto, Scorsese’s long-time cinematographer, outfitted in heavy rain gear.

Global Entertainment Awards Names Regional Winners Putting Marketing & Promo Teams In The Spotlight: International Ceremony Set For March - deadline.com - India - Japan
deadline.com
22.02.2024

Global Entertainment Awards Names Regional Winners Putting Marketing & Promo Teams In The Spotlight: International Ceremony Set For March

EXCLUSIVE: The people that put film, TV, and games on the map with their work across marketing and promotion have had their work recognized in the roster of Global Entertainment Awards regional winners.

Sony Promotes Entertainment PR Chief Robert Lawson to Head of Corporate Communications in Tokyo - variety.com - USA - Japan - Tokyo
variety.com
22.02.2024

Sony Promotes Entertainment PR Chief Robert Lawson to Head of Corporate Communications in Tokyo

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Sony Pictures Entertainment communications chief Robert Lawson has been promoted to head of all corporate communications for its Tokyo-based parent Sony. The choice to move Lawson, who joined Sony amid the infamous cyber attack and email leaks at the entertainment group in 2014, into the top corp comms role is indicative of Sony’s significant focus on its entertainment divisions within the company’s larger portfolio; movies, music and gaming accounts for more than half of Sony’s revenue and profit.

Robert Lawson Promoted To Tokyo-Based SVP Corp Comms Post For Sony Group - deadline.com - USA - Japan - city Culver City
deadline.com
22.02.2024

Robert Lawson Promoted To Tokyo-Based SVP Corp Comms Post For Sony Group

Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Chief Communications Officer Robert Lawson is being upped to SVP, Corporate Communications for the entire Sony Group. The new job will bring Lawson, a nine-year vet of the Culver City lot who was a key consigliere during the 2014 cyber-attack, to Sony HQ in Tokyo, Japan, reporting to Sony Group Corp Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida.

Mac DeMarco shares Haruomi Hosono cover from new compilation Hosono House - www.thefader.com - Paris - Japan
thefader.com
21.02.2024

Mac DeMarco shares Haruomi Hosono cover from new compilation Hosono House

LA-based label Stones Throw has announced plans to release a compilation album of artists covering songs from Haruomi Hosono’s 1974 album, Hosono House. The album will mark 50 years of the Happy End and Yellow Magic Orchestra musician's solo debut and will feature contributions from Sam Gendel, John Carroll Kirby, and more.

Gkids Sets Two-Night Nationwide Release For Anime ‘The End Of Evangelion’ - deadline.com - Britain - USA - Japan
deadline.com
21.02.2024

Gkids Sets Two-Night Nationwide Release For Anime ‘The End Of Evangelion’

Gkids announced on Wednesday that it will soon be bringing The End of Evangelion, the feature follow-up to Hideaki Anno’s influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, to North American theaters for the first time. The film will be screened in its original Japanese language with English subtitles, bowing in select theaters nationwide on March 17th and 20th.

‘I, Daniel Blake’ Producer Rebecca O’Brien Says UK Indie Film Sector Will “Die” Without “Additional Fiscal Support” - deadline.com - Britain - Japan
deadline.com
21.02.2024

‘I, Daniel Blake’ Producer Rebecca O’Brien Says UK Indie Film Sector Will “Die” Without “Additional Fiscal Support”

“There’s market failure because the streamers came in, high-end TV got higher end, and Hollywood arrived. And they took a lot of our investors away,” Sixteen Films producer Rebecca O’Brien concluded when quizzed on the state of the UK indie film sector during an appearance at the UK’s British Film & High-End TV Inquiry. 

Actor-Director Hideo Sakaki Arrested After Sexual Assault Allegations - deadline.com - Japan - Tokyo - county Ward
deadline.com
21.02.2024

Actor-Director Hideo Sakaki Arrested After Sexual Assault Allegations

Hideo Sakaki , a prominent Japanese actor, film director and talent agency director, has been taken into custody after allegations of sexually assaulting a woman.

Sakaki Hideo, Japanese Actor and Director, Arrested After Sexual Assault Allegations - variety.com - Japan - Tokyo
variety.com
21.02.2024

Sakaki Hideo, Japanese Actor and Director, Arrested After Sexual Assault Allegations

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Sakaki Hideo, a well-known Japanese actor and film director, was arrested on Tuesday in Tokyo on suspicion of sexual assault. Japanese media, quoting police reports, said that the arrest relates to an alleged incident in May 2016. They also cite Sakaki’s denial of the charges, which he calls “false accusations.” The assault is alleged to have occurred at Sakaki’s apartment, where he took an actor in her 20s in order to give her acting advice.

Taylor Fritz's Girlfriend Morgan Riddle Talks Being a Tennis WAG & How It's Different Than Football WAGs - www.justjared.com - Mexico - Taylor - Japan
justjared.com
21.02.2024

Taylor Fritz's Girlfriend Morgan Riddle Talks Being a Tennis WAG & How It's Different Than Football WAGs

Taylor Fritz just won the Delray Beach Open and his girlfriend Morgan Riddle was there to cheer him on!

Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson rom-com gets international update - us.hola.com - China - USA - Russia - Japan
us.hola.com
20.02.2024

Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson rom-com gets international update

Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans are in talks to star in “Materialists,” a romantic-comedy. Directed by Celine Song, who recently directed and wrote the Academy Award nominee “Past Lives,” “Materialists” is described as a romantic-comedy, and has already acquired international distribution.What Marcello Hernandez’s mom thinks about his SNL skit with Pedro PascalPedro Pascal reveals ‘the other Fantastic Four’ in sweet family moment“Materialists” is being sold by A24, which will be its US distributor.

Berlin: Taiwan’s ‘Shambhala,’ ‘Sleep With Your Eyes Open’ Producers Join Forces for Film, TV Venture - variety.com - Brazil - China - Japan - Berlin - Nepal - Taiwan
variety.com
20.02.2024

Berlin: Taiwan’s ‘Shambhala,’ ‘Sleep With Your Eyes Open’ Producers Join Forces for Film, TV Venture

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Two Taiwan-based production companies with features in this week’s Berlin Film Festival have joined forces to launch new venture, Long Hu Bao × An Attitude. Taiwan’s Yi Tiao Long Hu Bao International Entertainment, is one of eight co-producers on main competition film “Shambhala,” from Nepal’s Min Bahadur Bham.

Martin Scorsese Gives Update On Life Of Jesus Project: “I Am Contemplating It Right Now. I Want To Make Something Unique & Different” – Berlinale - deadline.com - Japan - Berlin - Vatican - city Vatican
deadline.com
20.02.2024

Martin Scorsese Gives Update On Life Of Jesus Project: “I Am Contemplating It Right Now. I Want To Make Something Unique & Different” – Berlinale

Martin Scorsese revealed he is still mulling how to tackle the life of Jesus on the big screen, at a press conference at the Berlin Film Festival where he will receive its honorary Golden Bear on Tuesday evening.

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Rules U.K., Ireland Box Office - variety.com - Mexico - Ireland - Germany - Japan - Israel - Palestine
variety.com
20.02.2024

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Rules U.K., Ireland Box Office

Naman Ramachandran Paramount’s “Bob Marley: One Love” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £6.9 million ($8.7 million), according to numbers from Comscore. Universal’s animation “Migration” dropped a spot to second place with £2.7 million in its third weekend and now has a total of £13.5 million.

SixTONES’ Matsumura Hokuto Makes Acting Splash in ‘All the Long Nights’ Berlin Forum Title - variety.com - Japan - Berlin
variety.com
20.02.2024

SixTONES’ Matsumura Hokuto Makes Acting Splash in ‘All the Long Nights’ Berlin Forum Title

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The route from idol group member to TV and film acting is a well-trodden one for multiple Japanese performers as they mature and attempt to broaden and extend their career. Few, however, can have received the plaudits of SixTONES member Matsumura Hokuto, who flies in to the Berlin Film Festival for the international premiere of two handed drama feature “All the Long Nights.” Derived from a novel by Seo Maiko and directed by Miyake Sho, the narrative features a woman (portrayed by Kamishiraishi Mone) whose pre-menstrual tension is so intense that it changes her character and disrupts her career. She is befriended by a younger, somewhat solitary man who, in turn, suffers from panic attacks.

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Japan is an island country located in East Asia. It is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, and spans from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Philippine Sea in the south. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan encompasses an archipelago of about 6,852 islands, with five main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa) comprising 97% of the country's area.

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