Mikeru On Japanese Music Today

The best combination in Japanese female R&B is back for the first time in seven years, with singers AI, 28, and Namie Amuro, 32, set to release their single “FAKE feat. Namie Amuro.”

The sexy pair performed together as part of SUITE CHIC in 2003 and ZEEBRA in 2006, but this is the first time for a song to be released under AI’ s name. 2010 also marks AI’s 10th anniversary on the music scene, and word is that she sounded Amuro out for her participation both publicly and privately.

“FAKE” is about a girl who has just been dumped by her man, and her talking about it with one of her girl friends. AI said: “This kind of thing would never happen to a girl like Namie, right? For that reason I thought it’d be interesting to have her on it.”

Amuro flashed a wry smile and said “I got more nervous than during my own recordings.”

“FAKE feat. Namie Amuro” goes on sale March 31.

X Japan leader Yoshiki has filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against the music production company Nexstar Corporation, seeking approximately 375 million yen in damages. However, that figure could grow by another 600 million yen.

According to the lawsuit, after X Japan reunited, they entered a contract with Nexstar Corporation in January 2008, which included the use of some recordings. That initial deal was for the sum of 600 million yen in advance royalties and contract money, which has so far been entirely unpaid.

Between 2008 and 2009, the company also sponsored ten of the band's concerts in Japan and other parts of Asia. About 320 million yen in performance fees and merchandise sales from those concerts is due to the band as well. In all, the total unpaid amount is more than 900 million yen.

Yoshiki's side points out that the ticket and merchandise sales have earned more than 2.5 billion yen in revenue for Nexstar, making it unreasonable that the company still has not paid any of it. Although attempts were initially made to resolve the dispute between the two parties, a lack of progress led Yoshiki to take the matter to court.

The lawsuit is currently seeking only 375 million yen for the revenue earned from the concerts, but should the case go to trial, Yoshiki's side plans to file an additional claim for the 600 million yen in the initial contract.

When reached for comment, Nexstar stated that they have not yet received the lawsuit. The company reportedly acknowledged that there is some unpaid money due to the band, but they said that the amount is different from Yoshiki's claim.

Sawajiri Erika has officially returned to showbiz. At the press conference for her first endorsement deal, she tearfully made her apology to the public.

Sawajiri, who is known for her poor work attitude, surprisingly appeared at the press conference with a smile on her face. Later as she was apologizing, she had tears in her eyes. She addressed her poor work attitude and apologized for bringing trouble to people around her. However, when she was asked by a reporter regarding the six restrictions she placed on the press conference, her attitude changed again and she stated she will not retract any of the rules.

The six restrictions:
01 - Avoid any falsifications or anything else that could invite misunderstandings when writing news or reporting about statements of Sawajiri.

02 - Do not release any kind of groundless gossip and always check the credibility of any news before you publish them.

03 - Refrain from any kind of humiliating and insulting comments that could damage the honor of Sawajiri or any of her family members (including her ancestors, possible descendants and husband).

04 - Do not release any news or comments concerning Sawajiri's private life and the privacy of her family without our authorization.

05 - In case of publishing inaccurate facts, lies or news that could harm Sawajiri or her family, we expect you to release an accurate revision.

06 - You may also not publish or broadcast any kind of pictures obtained by trespassing private property or generally prohibited areas as well as pictures showing the private life of Sawajiri or her family.

The label Maru Music has announced that D’espairsRay shall release their latest compilation album IMMORTAL in the US. This collection of D’espairsRay songs features some of their most popular songs and their personal favorites.

This release is set for April 20, 2010 in North America and will likely be supported by a world tour this year. Maru Music also announced that this US version of the album will include the lyrics in romaji.

Producer AILI will release her debut album Future on April 14th.

The artist will make her debut under the label "rhythm zone" which is well known for producing artists such as Koda Kumi and EXILE amongst others. AILI is currently having her work featured in the latest commercial for "Samantha Thavasa × GLAMOROUS" which co-stars fashion models Iwahori Seri, Michibata Jessica and Hiraka Risa. The backing track for the commercial is entitled Shiny! Shiny! and is part of her collaborative series "AILI thanx to..." and the song includes vocals by R&B singer May J..

Future will continue AILI's collaborative "thanx to..." series and will feature such artists as EMI MARIA, twenty4-7, SATOMI' and KEN THE 390 amongst others. The album will be released in CD and CD+DVD format and both versions are expected to include twelve tracks total whilst the DVD will feature music videos and other footage.

Actress Aiko Ito (29) is now a married woman. According to multiple sources, Ito tied the knot on February 10 to an elite businessman in his early 30s who works for a construction-related company.

The two apparently met last year through a mutual friend, and it was said to be love at first sight. They began dating in the fall, and their marriage came just four months later. They plan to hold their wedding ceremony overseas this June.

Ito is reportedly not pregnant, though she stated that she hopes to have a child in about two years.

Chatmonchy are three girls from Japan who rock. The band will be making their U.S. debut on March 19 at SXSW 2010, followed by a Japan Nite Tour with performances in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The band will also be performing at Cakeshop in NY on March 22, as well as the legendary Amoeba Music in Hollywood on March 24 and in San Francisco on March 26 (see below for details).

Playing raw, energy-infused melodic rock music, Eriko (guitar and vocals), Akiko (bass), and Kumiko (drums) have been making a buzz all across Japan since their 2005 major label debut. Now, with their latest Oricon chart-topping album “Kokuhaku” (Confession), they’re ready to infect North American fans with their catchy take on girl-rock power. SIN/Sony Music Independent Network has released three of the band’s full-lengths, including 2009’s “Kokuhaku” (Confession), “Miminari” (Ear Ringing), and “Seimeiryoku” (Life Force). The albums are available in a digital only format.

The 2010 SXSW Music Conference will be Chatmonchy’s first North American live performance, and the beginning of the next important chapter for these accomplished musicians—these three girls from Japan who rock.

CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

March 18
Austin, TX - Typewriter Museum (Japan Preview)

March 19
Austin, TX - Cafe Mundi (Girls Rock Austin SXSW Day Party)

March 19
Austin, TX - Elysium (SXSW Japan Nite)

March 21
New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom (Japan Nite Tour)

March 22
New York, NY - Cakeshop

March 24
Los Angeles, CA - Amoeba Music (In-store)

March26
San Francisco, CA - Amoeba Music (In-store)

March26San Francisco, CA - The Independent (Japan Nite Tour)

March27Los Angeles, CA - Viper Room (Japan NIte Tour)