W-inds. to release documentary photo book, “w-inds. ALL OFF SHOT!!!”

It’s been revealed that pop unit w-inds. will be releasing their first documentary photo book, “w-inds. ALL OFF SHOT!!!“, on November 14th to commemorate their tenth year anniversary.

The photo book was shot over a period of 100 days. To capture their ‘real selves’, every single picture was taken as an off-shot. It is described as a book that will draw out each of the member’s personalities.

Additionally, the photo book will feature relaxed talk sessions between the members, a 15,000-word interview, and a Q&A segment.

Source + Image: natalie

AKB48, Koda Kumi, EXILE, and more perform at Japan-Vietnam Friendship Music Festival

On October 9th, “The 2nd Japan-Vietnam Music Festival~Kono Heiwa wo Yume mite~” which was proposed by singer/actor Sugi Ryotaro, was held at the Opera House in Hanoi, Vietnam.  This music festival was held to thank Vietnam for their support for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the venue.

As reported back in August,  7 groups of artists, such as AKB48, Koda Kumi, and EXILE, attended the music festival.

The first up was AKB48, and they performed two songs.  A member, Takahashi Minami said to the audience, “If there would be our sister group here in Vietnam, would it be ‘VTN48′?  Girls here are very pretty, so I would mention that to Akimoto-sensei (=Akimoto Yasushi)!”  She also said that the members enjoyed sightseeing during their free time.

Koda Kumi also appeared, and showed her performance in sexy costume which was rare in Vietnam.  She greeted, “I would like to become a bridge between Japan and Vietnam.”, and performed “Ai no Kotoba.”

The last performer was the special ambassador for Japan and Vietnam, Sugi Ryotaro.  He performed “Bara-iro no Dance” with 50 orphans, and thanked people in Vietnam for their support.

EXILE, Godai Natsuko, w-inds., AAA also performed at the festival.  Check out the photos from the music festival below!

Source & Image: tokyohive ,Sanspo (1 + 2), Sponichi Annex

w-inds. to release DVD “w-inds. 10th anniversary live -Three Fourteen- at Nippon Budokan” in October!

On September 5th, it was announced that w-inds’ 10th anniversary live concert, ‘w-inds. 10th Anniversary –Three Fourteen-’will be published as a DVD titled, “w-inds. 10th Anniversary –Three Fourteen – at Nippon Budoukan”. The DVD has a tentative release date for October 19th.

This DVD will display approximately two and a half hours of performance from this live concert that occurred back on April 28th.

Check out which of their songs will be featured in this exciting DVD below!

[w-inds. 10th Anniversary –Three Fourteen – at Nippon Budoukan]

01. Let’s get it on
02. Night Flight ~Yakan Hikou~
03. No one else
04. NEW PARADISE
05. Kawariyuku Sora
06. Izayoi no Tsuki
07. Still With You (KEITA)
08. Fade Away (RYUICHI)
09. Dance Performance (RYOHEI)
10. TOKYO
11. Memories
12. Feel The Fate
13. Another Days
14. Long Road
15. New-age Dreams
16. Endless Moment

01. To My Fans
02. Forever Memories
03. THANK YOU

Source & Image: w-inds. Official Website

w-inds. perform their new single “YOU & I” on CDTV!

On August 20th’s episode of ‘Countdown TV‘, w-inds. performed their new single “YOU & I” , a single released back on the 17th!
Before the performance, the boys described “YOU & I” as “this summer’s perfect summer song“. This new work is also their 30th single as well.

AKB48, EXILE, Koda Kumi and others to attend Japan-Vietnam Friendship Music Festival!

Singer and Actor Sugi Ryoutarou (66) is the special ambassador for Japan and Vietnam and with this title he has invited 43 artists, including EXILE, AKB48, and Koda Kumi (28) to attend the “2nd Japan-Vietnam Friendship Music Festival”. The event will be held on October 9th in Hanoi, Vietnam.
This is the second time the music festival will be held with the first occurring back in 2008 and is held in order to promote a cultural exchange between both countries. Japan has received much support from Vietnam after the Great Tohoku Earthquake and the artists want to show their gratitude to the people in Vietnam despite these hard times. A donation of around 16 million yen (~208,384 USD) was made to the disaster relief from the earthquake.
Seven different artists across various genres and generations will be performing and adding up all the groups’ members the total amount of artists will be 43. The following will attend: EXILE, Koda Kumi, AKB48, w-inds, AAA, and Sugi’s wife Godai Natsuko (49).
Koda grinned as she commented on bringing her sexiness to Vietnam for the first time, “I want to appear there in a sexy outfit. Is that alright Sugi-san?”. Even though the rules will probably be strict, Sugi gave his seal of approval, “That’s alright! But it might be the first time ever, so there will be a lot of people copying (you)!”
EXILE’s TAKAHIRO (26) commented, “Ever since I was a child, I received power from artists all over the world, so I also want to give that power to someone”. AKB48 is planning on sending 16 members, Miyazawa Sae (20) smiled, “We want to show AKB’s power!”
The live will be broadcasted live on Vietnam’s national broadcasting for two hours, and it will be shown in Laos and Cambodia as well.

Source: Oricon & Daily Sports

Matsuura Aya to retire and settle down with w-inds.’s Tachibana Keita?

Rumors are spreading like wildfire about how former idol Matsuura Aya will finally settle down with her long-term boyfriend, w-inds. member Tachibana Keita, and retire from the entertainment industry.

“Ayaya” first began appearing as a regular on “Meringue no Kimochi” in April of 2007, but recently stepped down from her co-host position. Coupled with the fact that Matsuura has substantially decreased her activities as a singer as well as her television appearances in recent years, many are speculating that she’s planning to step out of the limelight.

An acquaintance of hers seems to suggest that Matsuura is considering marriage with Tachibana Keita as well. The couple has been eyed by the media ever since gossip magazine “Friday” revealed in 2005 that Matsuura had entered Tachibana’s home holding toilet paper and other day-to-day goods she had bought at the store. The couple also turned a few heads when “Josei Jishin” reported that the two of them were spotted on a café date in 2008. Although Tachibana’s agency has repeatedly denied that the two are dating, some feel that watching the rumor resurface again and again only confirms the rumor.

“Since she sharply dropped her exposure (in the media), it’s always been said that she’s been decreasing her work so that she can marry Tachibana,” said a reporter about Ayaya. “Furthermore, I’ve heard that Matsuura answered when a deliveryman pushed the intercom button at Tachibana’s apartment, so it seems like they’re living together right now.”

Sources suggest that Matsuura has been thinking of marriage ever since Dream Morning Musume member Fujimoto Miki’s married her boyfriend Shouji Tomoharu in 2009. She was also reportedly influenced by Goto Maki’s recent decision to pause her activities as a singer.

Source: Cyzo Woman

w-inds reveals PV for their new song, “You & I”!

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w-inds. has just revealed the PV for their latest hit, “You & I“!

The beautiful, summery PV gives a nice contrast to their slow love song, which will be released as a single on August 17th.

 Source : 0314mido