Yesterday, Sports Nippon newspaper reported that Jin Akanishi (27) and actress Meisa Kuroki (23) are planning to get married. The newspaper further claimed that Kuroki is in her second month of pregnancy.

According to all Japanese mass media, today, Johnny’s Entertainment faxed them a statement stating that the two are officially married and are currently living together.
The marriage happened on February 2nd and Akanishi reported registering his marriage to Kuroki. He also stated that even though both of them are still young and immature, he will continue to work hard. He also hopes that people will respond with kindness and warmth to their marriage.

There wasn't any mention regarding Meisa Kuroki's pregnancy.

For the fourth consecutive year, all-girl rock band STEREOPONY is once again coming
back to the U.S. after their remarkable performances at SXSW (2009), AnimeNEXT
(2010), and Anime Boston (2011).

This year, the girls were chosen as the Guest of Honor for Sakura-Con, the largest
Anime convention in the Northwest, held at the Washington State Convention and Trade
Center in Downtown Seattle, Washington on April 6-8.

Sakura-Con is the first and largest Japanese Animation Convention in the Northwest
and the main realization of ANCEA's non profit mission to support Asian Cultural
Education. Sakura-Con is committed to providing people of all ages an opportunity to
learn more about anime, manga, gaming, and Japanese culture-both traditional and
contemporary.

The popular J-metal band DIR EN GREY announced Tuesday that they will be canceling all their tour dates between March and April 2012, due to the group's vocalist, Kyo, developing health concerns.

The band posted two separate statements concerning the matter on their Facebook page Tuesday:

"Unfortunately under recommendation of Kyo's physician after extensive examination of his vocal chords, DIR EN GREY has regretfully canceled their participation in “The Still Reckless Tour” and solo shows scheduled between March and April 2012."

"To all our fans and affiliates, we are deeply sorry and please understand that this has been a very difficult decision for us as a band. To all our fans, please know that we are always thankful for your continuous support. "

Throughout the years, Kyo has been hospitalized a number of times. In 2000, he was hospitalized due to hearing problems (he remains partially deaf in his left ear) and in 2006 and 2009 he was diagnosed with a larynx edema.

Sources state that Kyo's personal physician suggested that they cancel the tour as he has multiple polyps in his throat which may require a surgical procedure and more examination.

The band has stated that their future will be uncertain until their vocalist fully recovers.

The Visual Kei band vistlip. will be releasing a new single on April 11, 2012.
Details about the single are still to be revealed, but what we already know is that it will come in three editions, as usual of vistlip's releases: vister & lipper [Limited Editions] and the Regular edition; both Limited editions come with 2 discs; and all 3 editions come with first press bonus: a trading card randomly selected from 10 kinds.

vistlip also made a special collaboration with the Japanese apparel brand SUPER LOVERS to produce 4 fashion items, to be released in March 2012, each one inspired by one member of the band.
The items are (click to check):
º a jump suit designed by Umi;
º parka & shorts set (2 different colors) designed by Tomo;
º a backpack designed by Tohya;
º a cardigan designed by Rui;

The popular Japanese online store CDJapan announced that the items are already available to be pre-ordered online.
The jump suit and Tomo's set cost around U$191, while the backpack and the cardigan cost around U$122.

And be quick to pre-order them because they will be produced in very limited quantities!
Click here and check out all the special items!

Kanzen Music announced many concerts and European tours for the first half of 2012.
The first one will be of the Visual Kei band PLUNKLOCK, that will be doing an European tour in end of February and beginning of March, passing by 10 countries, including a concert in Moscow (Russia).

PLUNKLOCK is a very young band formed in the end of 2010 and has 4 members.
Though neither of them is new to the music scene, their drummer, Pinky, can be recognized as ex-member of the Vk band Hacchi.

Check the dates & places and tickets information for this tour below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLUNKLOCK -EURO TOUR-「創生～epsode 0～」:

24.02.2012 : Moscow / Russia @ Hot Dog
25.02.2012 : Falun / Sweden @ Arenan
26.02.2012 : Vienna/ Austria @ Reigen
29.02.2012 : Warsaw/ Poland @ Progresja
1.03.2012 : Prague/ Czech Republic @ Matrix
2.03.2012 : Munchen/ Germany @ Garage Deluxe
3.03.2012 : Cologne/ Germany @ MTC
4.03.2012 : Amsterdam/ Netherlands @ Winston
7.03.2012 : Helsinki / Finland @ Gloria
8.03.2012 : Berlin / Germany @ K17
9.03.2012 : Budapest / Hungary @ Crazy Mamma
10.03.2012 : Bucharest / Romania @ Atelierul de Productie
11.03.2012 : Paris / France @ Glazart


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TICKETS:

- Germany/Munchen : http://www.muenchenticket.de/
- Germany Cologne, Berlin : http://www.astan-magazin.de/
- Austria : www.oeticket.com
- Poland : www.eventim.pl
- Czech Republic : www.eventim.cz
- Netherlands : www.winston.nl
- Finland : http://www.tiketti.fi/Plunklock-JAP-Karmia-GLORIA-Helsinki-lippuja/14361
- Hungary : www.tex.hu
- Romania : http://www.eventim.ro/ro/bilete/plunklock-jrock-concert-bucuresti-atelierul-de-productie-114274/event.html
- Sweden : http://www.rencon.se/biljetter
- France : http://www.moxity.com/events/plunklock-a-paris

The Complaint Department has released a charity single called “Walking Hand in Hand”. This single is available now for download on iTunes, and all of the proceeds will go towards renewing Tohoku which was hit by 9.0 earthquake last year. March 11th marks the date, and it's almost been a year since this event occurred. Don't be afraid to help out.

Buy the single on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/jp/album//id482075047?l=en




For more information, visit The Complaint Department's official website at http://www.thecomplaintsdepartment.net/

L'Arc~en~Ciel announced the European release dates of their upcoming album "BUTTERFLY".
Here the list:

March 5th: UK
March 7th: France / Italy / Finland
March 9th: Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Belgium / Netherlands / Luxemburg / Scandinavia
March 17th: Spain / Poland

24-year-old female singer & songwriter YUI ended her 5th nationwide concert tour YUI 5th Tour 2011-2012 Cruising -HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE-" in Okinawa on Jan 25th, touring 20 cities / 22 shows and drew 50,000 audiences in total.

On Jan 18th and 19th, YUI also performed 2 days in Tokyo at Nippon Budokan.

20,000 fans gathered over the 2 days, captivated by her performance mainly selected from her new album “HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE” (which topped in the weekly Oricon chart) along with her hit singles including “Good-by days” and “CHE.R.RY”.

And now, YUI’s official tour merchandise online shop just launched for all the fans outside of Japan.

The official merchandise from the latest national tour "YUI 5th Tour 2011-2012 Cruising - HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE-" is now available!


YUI 5th Tour 2011-2012 Cruising - HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE- Official Goods Store

http://www.official-store.jp/yui-cn/

*Prices are indicated in Japanese Yen, but you’ll be able to select the currency at the payment

Heat up your winter with the hot sounds of j-Summit New York, the concert series that brings exciting local acts to the stage. We’re proud to present an eclectic lineup of bands and dancers that is as diverse as the city itself.

The live show will take place on Sunday, February 5 at The Bowery Electric (327 Bowery between Second and Third Streets) in New York. Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door for guests 21 and older. The price includes one drink ticket. Guests 18 to 20 pay $13 in advance and $16 at the door, including one drink ticket for a non-alcoholic beverage.

Here are the performers we’re featuring in February:

MUTEKI – Powered by the lungs of vocalist/bassist Mouda, MUTEKI is a high-energy, heavy metal trio.

NoirceuR – The members of this four-piece hard rock band hail from Hong Kong and Japan. Their unique sound reflects the meaning of their name: "Noirceur" is "darkness" in French.

The Taste – “Yesterday’s the Charm” is the latest single from this alternative/indie rock band.

The Asterplace – First established in Shanghai in 2005, The Asterplace is a "New Generation Asian Melodic Punk band" that sings in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Reiko-4D – j-Summit New York switches to electronica/house/pop with Reiko-4D, a young singer/songwriter who debuted in 2009.

Yuki and Cuties – The style of this Brooklyn-based band is alternative, jazz, and J-pop peppered with a traditional Japanese flavor.

Nob – Bringing a touch of spirituality to j-Summit New York, Nob blends jazz, blues, gospel, and R&B.
We’ll also have dance performances by Myu to Yu and Foxy Foxes.

We at j-Summit New York are dedicated to helping Japan recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. We collected money for disaster relief at each j-Summit New York event last year, and on February 5 we will once again have a donation box available for your generous contributions. All donations and partial proceeds from the event will go to the Consulate General of Japan in New York.

Attendees can reserve advance tickets by joining the j-Summit New York Facebook page and by sending an e-mail with their full names to info@jsummitny.com to be added to the mailing list.

For more information, please contact Katsu Oiwake, Executive Producer of Japan Summit New York, Inc. (info@jsummitny.com), or Hiroshi Kono, Media/Director of Mar Creation, Inc. (contact@marcreation.com).
Our j-Summit NY Music Producer is Daisuke Hinata (www.daisukehinata.com, www.hyperdisc.com).

Related sites:
www.jsummitny.com www.myspace.com/jsummitnewyork
http://www.facebook.com/events/278452388883743/