Koda Kumi to donate proceeds from three songs to earthquake victims

Singer Koda Kumi is taking her support for the earthquake disaster victims to the next step. Much like other artists who have been donating money, the singer hopes to comfort people with her songs, and is going to

Koda Kumi Sings Opera

J-pop diva Koda Kumi (26) has taken her first bash at classical music, kind of. She recently recorded a new song that is based on an aria from Handel's Italian opera "Rinaldo." With original Japanese lyrics by Koda, "Alive" is the theme for "Kamui Gaiden," Sai Yoichi's big screen adaptation of the 1960s anime "Ninpu Kamui Gaiden" (Kamui the Ninja). It stars the currently red-hot Matsuyama Kenichi (24, photo) in the title role of a ninja who becomes a fugitive from his former clan. While filming last summer, Sai was listening to a favorite aria, "Lascia ch'io pianga" (Let me Weep), and felt that it captured the theme and atmosphere of the movie. With a melody by Iwashiro Taro (44), who wrote the movie's score, Koda recorded the song over three days at the end of May. It will be released as a single in the autumn. The movie provides yet another high-profile role for Matsuyama, who has made a name for himself in such films as "Death Note," "Detroit Metal City" and the upcoming "Norwegian Wood." The all-star cast of "Kamui..." also includes Koyuki, Ito Hideaki, Sato Koji, and Tsuchiya Anna. The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on September 19.




credits: japanzone

With fears rising in Japan about the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, Avex has become the latest company to take major precautionary action. It announced on Tuesday that a total of six concerts by pop stars Ayumi Hamasaki, Ai Otsuka, and Kumi Koda have been canceled in the Kansai region.

Cases of swine flu were recently confirmed in Osaka and Kobe, and the number has risen to almost 200 people. Thousands of schools in the Osaka and Hyogo prefectures have closed for the week in an effort to slow the spread. Due to the heightened concern, major music artists are calling off shows that have been scheduled for those areas.

Earlier this week, Johnny's Jimusho announced the cancellation of four Osaka performances on May 23-24 by the Kansai Johnny's Jr. group. However, Avex's move on Tuesday was the biggest so far, with the total attendance of those six shows anticipated to be roughly 48,000 people. Hamasaki was scheduled to perform at Osaka-jo Hall on May 20-21 followed by Otsuka on May 23-24, while Koda was to perform at Kobe's World Hall on May 23-24.

Initially, Avex had planned to hold the concerts, requiring fans to disinfect their hands upon entry and equipping the facilities with mouthwash and masks. However, the company ultimately decided that it would be unable to adequately make the venues safe for so many people.

Avex is currently looking into the possibility of setting new dates for the concerts.




source: asianfanatics