Sunday, 13 March 2011

Info on locating people living in Japan and disaster relief

Below is some information and links on how you can locate friends or relatives living in Japan and how you can donate to help with the disaster relief.

United States of America:
American Red Cross Online Donation Page
People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

To contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan, contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services:
1-888-407-4747 (within the United States)
(202)647-5225 (from Abroad)

Canada:
Canadian Red Cross Donation Page
People can also donate by:
- Calling 1-800-418-1111
- Texting the word ASIA to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5
- Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

To locate Canadians who may be affected, call the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at 613-944-2471 (613-943-1055), or toll free within Canada at 1-800-606-5499 (or 1-800-387-3124), or email sos@international.gc.ca.

United Kingdom:
British nationals in Japan who require assistance should contact the Foreign Office helpline in London: +44 20 7008 0000 (from Japan) or 020 7008 0000 (in the UK). You can also e-mail the Foreign Office on japan.earthquake@fco.gov.uk or skype (text not call) on “fcojapan”.

Australia:
If you want to inquire about the safety of family in the region through the Embassy of Japan in Australia, please contact them at 02-6273-3244.

If you are currently living in Japan or have friends and family there, please check the websites of your country’s Japanese embassy for more information. Send us a tip if you have info for your own country.


source: tokyohive

Foreign celebrities send thoughts and prayers to Japanese earthquake victims

We are currently doing our best to compile a list of confirmed safe celebrities. If you know of any, please link us to their blog/Twitter through a tip and we will add them to the list ASAP.

If you are trying to reach friends or family in Japan or just want to help the victims, please head over to this article and learn how you can help the relief effort from your own country.

Next are a few awesome tweets by foreign celebrities, who are sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims of the earthquake in Japan.


We wanted to show you all something that gives a little bit of hope and positivity.

Alicia Keys: “My heart breaks 4 Japan. woke up this morning early w/ a song in my heart. not sure what but wow! So much going on in the world! #pray4japan”

Ameriie: “My heart aches as we all pray for those killed, injured, & missing in Japan… to help text ‘redcross’ to 90999 to donate $10 #helpJapan #textREDCROSSto9099”

Ashanti: “I’m saddened to see so much suffering. The images of Japan are horrific. My only reflection on this is that we are all but one single nation. One world united. That when there is one region affected by a catastrophe the erst of the world must react…”

B.o.B: “My heart goes out to the people of Japan. Stay Strong”

Brandy: “Sending prayers to Japan!!!!”

Bun B: “What’s happening to Japan right now is indescribable. These extreme acts of nature are getting more and more frequent. Pray for them and us.”

Chris Brown: “My prayers go out to everyone in japan!!! We have to love one another and come together as a planet!!!! Life is way too precious to waste on ignorance!!! We have to come together!!! All of us! Every race, gender, etc. I love you all. For anyone I’ve ever hurt, cursed out, yelled at, been rude too!! I sincerely apologize!! Life is beautiful and we are Beautiful People. I’m buggin out right now over japan!! #praying”

Ciara: “I am sooooo sad to hear about what’s happening in Japan. It breaks my heart. Let’s pray for the families and their country!”

Derek Hough: “Incredible…I can’t believe my eyes… Everyone pray for them…Puts things into perspective. Wow!”

Diddy: “GOD BLESS everyone in Japan and anyone affected by this disaster- you are in every thought and prayer!! Count your blessings today and be Nice! Let’s go! Never take life for granted!! Make today your GREATEST.”

Emma Bunton: “Thinking of everyone in Japan, my prayers are with you all.”

Estelle: “Prayers for Japan. All mu West Coast mates now would be good to visit fam in Midwest or east coast! Thank God for every moment.”

Jennifer Lopez: “Sending LOVE! Lets all please take a minute and say a prayer for all the people in Japan. For God to give them hope, courage, and strength.”

Jermaine Dupri: “i pray everybody is paying attention to the news right now, this earth quake and tsunami stuff is so real”

JoJo: “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Japan and the other affected areas. Let’s love and forgive and uplift and embrace each other.”

Justin Bieber: “Japan is one of my favorite places on earth…it’s an incredible culture with amazing people. My prayers go out to them. We all need to help”

Keri Hilson: “My heart goes out to any & everyone affected by the tsunami & earthquake in Japan. Sincere prayers for safety & repair…”

Kim Kardashian: “Just heard about the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan. My prayers are with everyone in Japan!”

Lady Gaga: “I Designed a Japan Prayer Bracelet. Buy It/Donate here and ALL proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief Efforts. Go Monsters: http://bit.ly/f0aYwZ”

Lea Michele: “So devastating to hear about the huge earthquake & tsunami Japan. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone there.”

LeToya Luckett: “My prayers go out to all affected by the Tsunami. #Godbless”

Lil’ Kim: “My prayers go out to everyone in Japan and families affected. #prayforjapan”

Mariah Carey: “All my love & prayers go out to everyone in Japan. Our thoughts are w/ you as you recover from this tragic situation. God Bless, Aishitemasu”

Melanie Fiona: “Please do all you can to assist the devastation in Japan. Even if its sending love, prayers & energy, we are responsible for one another xo”

Missy Elliott: “I am Praying 4 Everyone in Japan and Everywhere!!! All Prayer Warriors Please do the same…”

Monica: “Praying constantly 4 the families of those in both Japan & parts of Hawaii. It saddens me 2 no end but I know Gods able 2 protect & provide”

Mya: “Words can not describe the sorrow I feel.My heart goes out to you Japan”

Ne-Yo: “GOD BLESS JAPAN. My prayers go out to the people of japan hit by that terrible earthquake and tsunami, as well as the people of hawaii.”

Nicki Minaj: “RT @itzBAD_BarbieDC: Sending my thoughts n prayers out to Japan. And anywhere else affected by the earthquake/tsunami”

Nicole Scherzinger: “My heart goes out to all those affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. Pls keep Japan in ur prayers. God bless and be with them”

Nintendo America: “Thanks for your concern! During the earthquake no one at Nintendo in Japan was injured and there was no apparent structural damage.”

Paris Hilton: “The images on the news are breaking my heart. I am so worried for everyone in Japan. My thoughts are with you Japan. God bless you all.”

Ryan Seacrest: “Glued to TV watching this unreal earthquake footage out of Japan. Sending prayers to everyone affected. Unbelievable.”

Sean Garrett: “All the love and payers go out to my people in Japan,Hawaii and the West Coast!”

Sean Kingston: “Wanna send my Condolences to everybody in japan right now may the lord be with u all! Bless”

Snoop Dogg: “Sending prayers out to Japan. Stay strong and keep ya head up.”

Trey Songz: “Praying for my Japanese people affected by the Tsunami.”

will.i.am: “I’m worried about my friends from smap smap, verbal, kage son, and all my friends I care about. I can’t reach any of them in japan. 2new is in japan too…’wow’…I’m really worried…I can’t sleep…”


source: tokyohive

IU says goodbye with “Cruel Fairy Tale” on ‘Inkigayo’


Although it’s only been three weeks since IU kicked off her promotions for “The Story Only I Didn’t Know“, she’s already wrapping up her promotions this weekend.

Filming for “Dream High” might have concluded a while ago, but IU has already taken on new jobs, with a new SBS sitcom on the horizon and a hosting gig with “Inkigayo“. IU has thus decided to end her promotions in order to concentrate fully on her upcoming activities.


Musing over her new position as a MC alongside fellow newbie, B2ST’s Kikwang, she expressed, ”When I think about doing a live broadcast every Sunday, I get nervous. Also, I will learn a lot from Jo Kwon oppa and Sulli, so that I won’t make any mistakes.”

To give fans a nice parting gift, she performed “Cruel Fairy Tale” for the first time!




source : allkpop

Big Bang wins Inkigayo Mutizen again + other performances

SBS’s Inkigayo is back once again, and this week’s show was full of amazing and fun performances from the top participating K-pop artists!

As reported earlier, it was Jung Yonghwa’s last episode as MC due to other commitments, and he will be replaced by IU and B2ST’s Kikwang from next week.


The ‘Take 7′ nominees for the March 13th episode of Inkigayo were IU (“The Story Only I Didn’t Know“), Lee Hyun (“You Are The Best of My Life“), Navi (“Well Done“), MBLAQ (“Again“), Big Bang (“Tonight“), G.NA (“Black & White“), and Mighty Mouth feat. Soya (“Tok Tok“). Lee Hyun was not present on today’s show due to another schedule.









Since they’ve already won four trophies through “M! Countdown” and “Music Bank“, Big Bang claimed their sixth trophy by winning the ‘Mutizen’ again on “Inkigayo”. Congratulations to Big Bang!



Other artists who performed on this afternoon’s show include Kahi, Kan Mi Youn, TEEN TOP, Kim Hyun Jung, Dalmatian, 5dolls, Song Ji Eun, Coin Jackson and Ye Ara.















source: allkpop

Big Bang wins Inkigayo Mutizen again + other performances

SBS’s Inkigayo is back once again, and this week’s show was full of amazing and fun performances from the top participating K-pop artists!

As reported earlier, it was Jung Yonghwa’s last episode as MC due to other commitments, and he will be replaced by IU and B2ST’s Kikwang from next week.


The ‘Take 7′ nominees for the March 13th episode of Inkigayo were IU (“The Story Only I Didn’t Know“), Lee Hyun (“You Are The Best of My Life“), Navi (“Well Done“), MBLAQ (“Again“), Big Bang (“Tonight“), G.NA (“Black & White“), and Mighty Mouth feat. Soya (“Tok Tok“). Lee Hyun was not present on today’s show due to another schedule.









Since they’ve already won four trophies through “M! Countdown” and “Music Bank“, Big Bang claimed their sixth trophy by winning the ‘Mutizen’ again on “Inkigayo”. Congratulations to Big Bang!



Other artists who performed on this afternoon’s show include Kahi, Kan Mi Youn, TEEN TOP, Kim Hyun Jung, Dalmatian, 5dolls, Song Ji Eun, Coin Jackson and Ye Ara.















source: allkpop

Yoseob loses the ‘dance copy machine’ title to Kikwang on “100 Points out of 100″

On March 12th’s episode of “100 Points out of 100“, B2ST’s Yoseob demonstrated his dance ‘copying’ skills again as he tried to master MBLAQ’s “Again” dance.

However, unlike his usual self, Yoseob looked nervous, getting teased by the cast for being self-conscious of Kikwang, who followed the choreography secretly from the sidelines. In the end, his nerves got the best of him and Yoseob had the title of ‘dance copy machine’ taken away.

Meanwhile, Kikwang was praised, and even managed to dance to his own version of the “Again” dance. The cast complimented his dancing skills as Yoseob angrily asked him what his real identity was.

Check out the funny clip below:




source: allkpop

MATE releases digital single, “Transform”

On March 11th, rock band trio ‘MATE‘ kicked off their comeback activities with the release of their latest digital single, “Transform.”

Due to member Im Hun Il enlisting in the army this year, this will be the group’s last release until his discharge. The single contains two tracks, their title track “Yeah,” and “Run,” both of which exemplify the group’s departure from their previous style.

They introduced the album by stating, “We wanted to tell a story about the things we feel in love and about the dreams of the youth. Since we’re musicians that represent the youth, we wrote our music while thinking of the energy of concert halls.”

When asked about their style transformation, they replied, “We’d like for people to think of it as the characteristic of those in their 20s. We’re always wanting to try new things.”

MATE will be holding a two-day concert on March 25th and 26th at the Mary Hall in Sogang University.








source: allkpop

Saturday, 12 March 2011

Hirano Aya reveals info on her upcoming best album

On her official blog, popular seiyuu and singer Hirano Aya revealed information about her upcoming best album, along with several intriguing one-shots of herself.

Through a series of posts, Hirano revealed the track lists and other details about each version of her first best album, which will be released on April 20th. The best album will contain songs from both her musical career and character songs she sang as a seiyuu. The still-unnamed best album will come in three different editions: a special ‘2CD+DVD’ set, a limited ‘2CD’ version, and a regular version.


In addition to teasing information through each blog post, Hirano also posted several pictures of herself in different costumes. According to Hirano, the pictures are sneak peaks at the cover for each version, with each taking inspiration from different women in history: Cleopatra (limited), Mona Lisa (regular), and Jean of Arc (special).

Check out which tracks have been confirmed for the best album, as well as Hirano Aya’s photos below!

-

Character Songs
01. Step ~Asu e no Ippo~
02. Shichaimashou suggestive (Pakira Ver.)
03. God knows…
04. Lost my music
05. Wasuremashou ne Yayayayayan♪
06. Futsuu no Koi ~Hashire! Iinchoo!~
07. First Good-Bye
08. Dream Space Shuttle
09. Flying Horse ~Uma Kamen Ai no Theme~
10. Uchuu Tetsujin Kyodain
11. Dondake Fanfare
12. D Drive Love
13. Me Samenai wish…
14. HYSTERIC DOLLS

Regular Songs
01. Bouken Desho Desho?
02. LOVEGUN
03. NEOPHILIA
04. MonStAR
05. Unnamed world
06. RIOT GIRL
07. Hoshi no Kakera
08. For you
09. Set me free
10. Super Driver
11. Speed Star
12. Mizutamari
13. Dahlia






source: tokyohive

AKB48’s Hirajima Natsumi goes strawberry picking with Urano Kazumi

AKB48’s Hirajima Natsumi updated the Watarirouka Hashiritai sub-unit’s official blog today with a cute story about hanging out with her close friend. The close friend was none other than former AKB48 member and current SDN48 member Urano Kazumi (also known as CinDy).


The two spent a day strawberry picking at a place called Koshigaya Strawberry. Natsumi wrote, “At the end, counting up all the strawberries the two of us ate… between the two of us it was 36!! … Finally going strawberry picking after 3 years was so much fun! And delicious! (lol) I want to go again next year~” From the pictures below, it seems like the girls had a great time!





source: tokyohive

Which voice actor has the voice of a god?


Recochoku put out a survey asking its users which voice actor they think has the voice of a god.

The survey took place between February 22nd and March 8th, and 2,593 people responded.

Did your favorite voice actor make the cut?

Check out the results below!



1. Mizuki Nana

2. Hirano Aya

3. Toyosaki Aki

4. Sugita Tomokazu

5. Kamiya Hiroshi


source: tokyohive

Jewelry to end promotions for “Back It Up”, will release a new album in April

Back in January, Jewelry released a lively swing-flavored single titled “Back It Up“, which the girls have received hot responses for. It’s just been revealed that Jewelry will be ending their promotions on March 13 after they perform one last time for SBS’s “Inkigayo“. Afterwards, they’ll be jumping right into preparations for a new album.


Jewelry’s management Star Empire expressed, “On this week’s Inkigayo, Jewelry will show a new charisma with a remix version of ‘Back It Up’. After the promotions, Jewelry will be investing a lot of energy to prepare for their new album, so please look forward to it.”

Their new album is scheduled for release in late April.

source: allkpop

KARA makes a safe return back to Seoul

Five member girl group KARA was recently in Japan to finish up their schedule, however, due to the earthquake which shook Japan on March 11th, KARA planned for an emergency trip back to Seoul.

The members arrived safe and sound at Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport, and reporters flocked to the scene to snap photos.

On the 11th, the members were able to wrap up filming for their Japanese drama, “URAKARA“, before the natural disaster took place. Whether or not KARA would still be able to follow through with their Japanese promotion schedule has yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, one of KARA’s staff members described the moment they felt the earthquake. “It was on the 11th, while on the set of “URAKARA”, the members were busy filming. As soon as we felt the earthquake, filming was halted and everyone was taken to a safe zone immediately. The members were very scared, due to the fact that objects from buildings were falling left and right.”







source: allkpop

2NE1’s CL returns to Korea safely


Earlier today, we reported that 2NE1 was planning to return to Korea due to the recent natural disasters affecting Japan. On March 12th, CL was the first member to return safely to Korea.

A YG Entertainment representative revealed, “Due to complications with flight reservations, CL has returned to Korea before the other members. The other remaining members will be taking an evening flight to return [to Korea].”


2NE1 left for Japan on March 9th to begin their official Japanese promotions through TV Asahi’s “Music Station” on March 11th. However, the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan yesterday, forced the cancellation of their broadcast.


source: allkpop

After School’s UEE shed tears on “Running Man”?

The upcoming episode of SBS’s “Running Man” will feature After School’s UEE and actor Park Joon Gyu, who will both participate in a restaurant tour.

The challenge took place in front of Hongik University, and over 20 restaurants were visited by the cast. The chase turned out to be more thrilling due to the high population of citizens in the area at the time.


When UEE returned to the field where the staff was located, however, it was reported that the member had shed tears of embarrassment.

What do you think the reason could be?

The ‘Gourmet Tour’ episode will broadcast on March 13th.

source: allkpop

Younha denies she got plastic surgery on ‘Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook’


On the March 11th episode of KBS 2TV’s ‘Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook‘, singer Younha played a game of subtle Q&A with host Yoo Hee Yeol.

After MC Yoo Hee Yeol glanced at Younha, he commented, “Today you look so much prettier. Did you change anything?“. But Younha was quick to pick up that the MC was referring to plastic surgery, so she replied, “Nothing was changed“.


In the past, many netizens speculated that Younha had some sort of surgery done, however she previously admitted, “I’m too scared to get something like that done.”

Later on, Younha also stated that she’s been very busy with a new movie titled “Life is Beautiful“, which is scheduled for release this coming April.




source: allkpop

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