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WOWOW revealed on Thursday that Airi Matsui (right in image below) has joined the cast of the live-action series of Masami Yuuki's Hakubo no Chronicle manga. Matsui plays Akari Fusegi, a newly hired Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare official.

West idol group member Tomohiro Kamiyama (seen left in image above) stars as Kai Yukimura.

The series will premiere next year.

The supernatural mystery story follows Yukimura, an okinaga who looks 18 but is actually 88 years old. He joins a newly hired Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare official named Akari Fusegi to stop a serial killer — and seek revenge. Yukimura's former lover was murdered by the so-called "Sheep Killer," who only murders on Christmas during the Year of the Goat every 12 years. The long stretches between the killings means that only an okinaga like Yukimura could be the culprit.

Kazuhiro Nakagawa (live-action Double, "Godzilla vs. Hedorah") and Gō Sasaki are directing the series, with scripts by Shōta Koyama (Jashin no Tenbin), Taiki Yamazaki (AIBOU: Tokyo Detective Duo, Ultraman Blazar), and Shiori Tanaka. Harumi Fuuki (Forest of Piano, Miss Hokusai, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes) is composing the music.

Yuuki launched the manga in Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine in August 2013 as his first weekly series in 10 years. Shogakukan published the manga's 11th and final compiled book volume in 2017.

Yuuki launched the Shinkurō, Hashiru! (Shinkurō, Run!) manga in Shogakukan's Monthly! Spirits in January 2018, and it is ongoing.

Yuuki's Tetsuwan Birdy Evolution (Birdy the Mighty Evolution) series ran from 2008 to 2012 in Weekly Big Comic Spirits. The series is a sequel to his Tetsuwan Birdy (Birdy the Mighty) manga remake that ran in Shogakukan's Weekly Young Sunday and Big Comic Spirits magazines. The manga versions of Birdy the Mighty have not been released in North America, but Central Park Media and Funimation released the various anime adaptations, and Viz Media released some of Yuuki's Mobile Police Patlabor manga.

In March 2023, Eldoah Casino appointed Yua Mikami, a well-known Japanese actress and social media influencer, as its official ambassador. This prestigious position is a vital part of Eldoah Casino’s ambitious plans to expand its presence and establish dominance in the Japanese market. With her extensive Twitter and Instagram following, Mikami will grant the online casino steady access to a substantial and largely untapped audience of fans. Eldoah Casino is thrilled to have Mikami on board, as she will play a critical role in helping the casino achieve its strategic goals. Eldoah Casino expects to recruit many new players in the Japanese online gambling community thanks to Mikami’s influence.

In March 2023, the appointment of Yua Mikami as the official ambassador for a Japanese online gambling company caused a stir when Casinosnavi shared the news with their readers (article in Japanese here). The appointment of the popular Japanese AV actress and idol singer was due to her massive following. Yua’s fame and influence have helped her to achieve her new role as an ambassador. Yua Mikami began her career in 2009 as a member of the idol group SKE48, but left in 2014 to join the idol group Ebisu Muscats. She later debuted in South Korea as a member of the idol group Honey Popcorn and then became part of the musical group SEXY-J. Today, Yua is a renowned actress in Japan, and she also boasts a massive social media following, with 4.3 million Twitter followers and 3.5 million Instagram followers. She has also established a successful apparel company, further increasing her popularity among young girls and men. As an influential figure in Japanese pop culture, Yua Mikami’s appointment as ambassador is expected to bring significant benefits to the online gambling company.

Eldoah Casino’s choice of Yua Mikami as their ambassador is a significant step forward for the online gambling company. As it expands its presence in the Japanese market, the casino hopes to improve its reputation and credibility. It is common practice in the online casino industry to appoint a famous person as a brand ambassador. An online casino can convey a message of trust and legitimacy to its potential customers by associating itself with a prominent and admired person.

The brand believes the celebrity ambassador will use her celebrity and following to promote the brand as a reputable gambling platform. Her presence may help to dispel any negative stereotypes or perceptions of the online gambling platform. More importantly, Yua is expected to attract new customers who may have been hesitant to try online gambling in the past. Yua will help to build customer loyalty by creating an emotional connection between the brand and its customers if she is sufficiently committed to the new role.

The ambassador is the new bridge between the online casino industry and potential players unaware of the industry’s existence. Japan has a sizable untapped online casino fan base, and her presence will almost certainly entice new players to jump on board. Casino gaming, particularly the establishment of land-based casino businesses, has historically been restricted in Japan. The emergence of online casinos is shifting the tide in favor of legalization, and online casinos such as Eldoah are capitalizing on the rising demand. Eldoah Casino will most likely release commercials featuring the new brand ambassador in the future. The casino will almost certainly flood Japanese media outlets and online platforms with infomercials celebrating the new appointment and introducing new bonuses and promotions.

Japanese pop sensation and undisputed queen Ayumi Hamasaki is losing her hearing in her remaining good ear, the star shared with fans on her Team Ayu blog.

The singer said she recently started experiencing severe dizziness, was unable to walk straight, and was even vomiting while at rehearsals.

She also noticed her hearing started to deteriorate and after a series of tests, doctors told her that her right ear was beginning to weaken, having had to compensate for her left ear for the past nine years.

However, Ayumi said she had no plans to stop performing, because she felt that the stage was where she “belonged”.

Ayumi’s hearing has been in decline since the mid-2000s, when she was diagnosed as being deaf in her left year.

That condition can be traced back to the cold and ear infection she caught while on a tour in 2000.

Despite being warned that she needed to lessen her exposure to loud noises, Ayumi only spent a few days recovering before she went back to touring, and did not cancel or postpone any concert dates until later.

Dubbed the “Empress of J-pop, Ayumi is considered one of Japan’s best selling-artists of all time, with over 50 million records sold.

Her debut single, “Poker Face”, was released in 1998 and her first album debuted at the top of the Oricon charts in Japan, where it stayed for four weeks.

Actress Keiko Kitagawa is the latest cover girl for the popular fashion magazine VoCE. A regular in the magazine, she last made the cover six months ago. Kitagawa is currently expecting a child with her husband DAIGO, this makes the issue of VoCE quite special as it will be her final magazine cover appearance until she gives birth.

The magazine will be available in two editions that feature two different covers. Both are close up shots with a fresh faced Kitagawa wearing a black dress in one, and a white dress on the other.

When consulting with the editorial team for her photoshoot, Kitagawa told them that she will not be hiding her belly in the photos, but at the same time won’t be overly emphasizing it. She wanted a natural appearance and feel for the photoshoot.

Back in January 2016 Kitagawa announced her marriage to DAIGO, the two are expected to welcome their baby in the fall!

Gakki steps into summer as the ambassador for a new sustainable fashion line.

As one of the nation’s most popular actresses, Yui Aragaki brings star power to everything she touches, and global fashion retail chain H&M is now hitching their wagon to her star for their upcoming collection.

“Gakki” as she’s fondly known, will be stepping into the role of brand ambassador for the chain’s “Let’s Change” campaign, which kicks off on 27 April, ahead of Golden Week, a string of public holidays that begins on 29 April this year.

The collection features items made from sustainable materials, which the 32-year-old can be seen modelling in a series of photos recently released by H&M Japan.

Earthy tones dominate the collection, which includes a top (1,799 yen) and matching skirt (2,499) made from recycled polyester.

Gakki’s fun, casual style is a perfect fit for jeans made from recycled cotton (4,999 yen), which come with a slit in the hem to create a bohemian look.

Gakki’s confident side shines through in this sleeveless jacket (3,999 yen) and matching shorts (2,999 yen) set, which are also made from recycled cotton.

▼ 100-percent organic cotton is used in this cardigan (2,499 yen), top (1,799 yen) and skirt (2,999 yen) ensemble.

▼ And this shirt dress, which is priced at 2,499 yen.

Speaking about her role as ambassador for the eco-friendly collection, Aragaki says:

By 2030, H&M says it aims to only sell items made with materials that are recycled or procured sustainably, and the company is already 65-percent of the way towards reaching that goal.

With Gakki on board to help promote the new collection, hopefully more retailers and customers will seek out sustainable fashion in future. Because eco-friendly alternatives aren’t just limited to store shopping bags.