J-Pop Project News
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The latest news on female J-Pop for overseas fans, from the J-Pop Project - news, radio and more.
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1/2 - ASOBISYSTEM's "log you" made their live debut on November 15, with eight experienced members, formerly with AKB48, STU48, Cherry Bullet, My Dear Darlin', PIGGS, THE COINLOCKERS, and other groups. The event also included the two other "PEAK SPOT" groups, "Toi Toi Toi" and "fav me".
November 16, 2025 at 9:17 AM
1/2 - ASOBISYSTEM's "log you" made their live debut on November 15, with eight experienced members, formerly with AKB48, STU48, Cherry Bullet, My Dear Darlin', PIGGS, THE COINLOCKERS, and other groups. The event also included the two other "PEAK SPOT" groups, "Toi Toi Toi" and "fav me".
1/2 - KissBee management have reported that an individual was caught photographing up the skirts of members at a performance. He admitted what he had done, and the police were called. However, it was determined that it wasn't an act of voyeurism under current law. (Pic: KissBee posing for photos)
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
1/2 - KissBee management have reported that an individual was caught photographing up the skirts of members at a performance. He admitted what he had done, and the police were called. However, it was determined that it wasn't an act of voyeurism under current law. (Pic: KissBee posing for photos)
1/2 - The performers for 2025's prestigious "Kōhaku Uta Gassen" include, for the first time, AiNA THE END, FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, Lilas Ikuta (as a soloist rather than as part of YOASOBI), and both Chanmina and the group she produces, HANA. www.nhk.or.jp/kouhak...
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
1/2 - The performers for 2025's prestigious "Kōhaku Uta Gassen" include, for the first time, AiNA THE END, FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, Lilas Ikuta (as a soloist rather than as part of YOASOBI), and both Chanmina and the group she produces, HANA. www.nhk.or.jp/kouhak...
Perfume's A-chan (Ayaka Nishiwaki) has announced on IG that she recently married a non-celebrity man. The 36-year-old wrote "He's a friend from way back, we are best friends who know a lot about each other. He's also a fan who wholeheartedly supports me and Perfume." www.instagram.com/p/...
November 11, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Perfume's A-chan (Ayaka Nishiwaki) has announced on IG that she recently married a non-celebrity man. The 36-year-old wrote "He's a friend from way back, we are best friends who know a lot about each other. He's also a fan who wholeheartedly supports me and Perfume." www.instagram.com/p/...
Visitors to the Hello! Project Official Shop in Akihabara now see this sign, with the shop having closed at the end of October, after 12½ years. The company say they plan on opening a new shop in a new location. Their two other shops, in Nagoya and Osaka, continue to operate. www.helloshop.info/s...
November 11, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Visitors to the Hello! Project Official Shop in Akihabara now see this sign, with the shop having closed at the end of October, after 12½ years. The company say they plan on opening a new shop in a new location. Their two other shops, in Nagoya and Osaka, continue to operate. www.helloshop.info/s...
1/3 - A survey suggests that Gen Z's attitudes to "oshikatsu" are different from older generations, with 61% supporting those who provided the "best content", while only 5% see them as a pseudo-romantic partner - there was also a clear preference for talent over looks.
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
1/3 - A survey suggests that Gen Z's attitudes to "oshikatsu" are different from older generations, with 61% supporting those who provided the "best content", while only 5% see them as a pseudo-romantic partner - there was also a clear preference for talent over looks.
1/2 - The "Happy Party Train" from Aqours 3rd single was created in April 2017 for a "limited time", but is still operating today on the Izuhakone line between Mishima and Shuzenji.
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
1/2 - The "Happy Party Train" from Aqours 3rd single was created in April 2017 for a "limited time", but is still operating today on the Izuhakone line between Mishima and Shuzenji.
Nogizaka46's captain, Minami Umezawa, has announced that they will soon release their first album in almost 7 years. "My respect" will go on sale on January 14, 2026. www.oricon.co.jp/new...
November 7, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Nogizaka46's captain, Minami Umezawa, has announced that they will soon release their first album in almost 7 years. "My respect" will go on sale on January 14, 2026. www.oricon.co.jp/new...
Reina Yokoyama has been experiencing severe symptoms of her Meniere's disease, and will take around three weeks of rest. With the 24-year-old graduating from Morning Musume '25 at the end of their Autumn concert tour, there may be few opportunities for fans to see her again. www.helloproject.com...
November 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Reina Yokoyama has been experiencing severe symptoms of her Meniere's disease, and will take around three weeks of rest. With the 24-year-old graduating from Morning Musume '25 at the end of their Autumn concert tour, there may be few opportunities for fans to see her again. www.helloproject.com...
1/2 - A man (57) has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for murdering a former underground idol (24) in Tokyo. The woman (identified as Ms. A) was stabbed to death in a hotel room in February 2023. www.dailyshincho.jp/...
November 7, 2025 at 11:33 AM
1/2 - A man (57) has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for murdering a former underground idol (24) in Tokyo. The woman (identified as Ms. A) was stabbed to death in a hotel room in February 2023. www.dailyshincho.jp/...
The second holding of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN will see14 new categories added (including Best Girls Idol Culture Song (Group/Solo)) when it takes place on June 13, 2026 at the new TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO. www.ceipa.net/newsle...
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The second holding of MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN will see14 new categories added (including Best Girls Idol Culture Song (Group/Solo)) when it takes place on June 13, 2026 at the new TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO. www.ceipa.net/newsle...
Karaoke company JOYSOUND celebrated "Good Oshi Day" on November 4 by issuing a list of customers' favourite female artists.
ME:I grabbed the top spot with VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi, Nogizaka46, VTuber Fubuki Shirakami, and =LOVE making up the top 5. x.com/JOYSOUND_PR/st...
ME:I grabbed the top spot with VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi, Nogizaka46, VTuber Fubuki Shirakami, and =LOVE making up the top 5. x.com/JOYSOUND_PR/st...
November 4, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Karaoke company JOYSOUND celebrated "Good Oshi Day" on November 4 by issuing a list of customers' favourite female artists.
ME:I grabbed the top spot with VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi, Nogizaka46, VTuber Fubuki Shirakami, and =LOVE making up the top 5. x.com/JOYSOUND_PR/st...
ME:I grabbed the top spot with VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi, Nogizaka46, VTuber Fubuki Shirakami, and =LOVE making up the top 5. x.com/JOYSOUND_PR/st...
1/3 - A high school in Nagano has created an "Idol Club" to provide development for girls who are interested in singing and dancing, on a par with the school's baseball and football clubs, in what sounds like a real-life "Love Live!". news.yahoo.co.jp/art...
November 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
1/3 - A high school in Nagano has created an "Idol Club" to provide development for girls who are interested in singing and dancing, on a par with the school's baseball and football clubs, in what sounds like a real-life "Love Live!". news.yahoo.co.jp/art...
Yukari Sasaki has become the latest former idol creating an idol group. The former AKB48 member will lead the formation of the group for Strobo Agency (who list AKB48's Haruna Hashimoto as their only other artist), aiming for a debut at the end of February 2026. strobo-agency.co.jp/...
November 2, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Yukari Sasaki has become the latest former idol creating an idol group. The former AKB48 member will lead the formation of the group for Strobo Agency (who list AKB48's Haruna Hashimoto as their only other artist), aiming for a debut at the end of February 2026. strobo-agency.co.jp/...
IDOL MOMENT: A young fan held aloft by her mommy to see "Hey! Mommy!"
November 1, 2025 at 11:51 AM
IDOL MOMENT: A young fan held aloft by her mommy to see "Hey! Mommy!"
Although over 3,000 people applied for the audition to become new members of Saishu Mirai Shoujo, a three-member female idol group known as "AI idols" with AI-like looks (note: they are real people), none were selected at this time, so the group will continue as a trio. topics.smt.docomo.ne...
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Although over 3,000 people applied for the audition to become new members of Saishu Mirai Shoujo, a three-member female idol group known as "AI idols" with AI-like looks (note: they are real people), none were selected at this time, so the group will continue as a trio. topics.smt.docomo.ne...
1/2 - Sumire Miyaoka, of "FLAPSTAR", announced that she had cancelled her contract with R.D. MUSIC (through her lawyer), only for the agency to hit back 30 minutes later saying that they had cancelled her contract for breach of contract. news.yahoo.co.jp/art...
October 30, 2025 at 11:44 AM
1/2 - Sumire Miyaoka, of "FLAPSTAR", announced that she had cancelled her contract with R.D. MUSIC (through her lawyer), only for the agency to hit back 30 minutes later saying that they had cancelled her contract for breach of contract. news.yahoo.co.jp/art...
"@Seventeen", an idol group formed from maids at the "At Home" maid cafes in Akihabara and Osaka, will disband after a solo performance at WWW X Shibuya on January 13, 2026. The group was originally formed in August 2016 to participate in the Tokyo Idol Festival of that year. idol-report.com/2025...
October 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
"@Seventeen", an idol group formed from maids at the "At Home" maid cafes in Akihabara and Osaka, will disband after a solo performance at WWW X Shibuya on January 13, 2026. The group was originally formed in August 2016 to participate in the Tokyo Idol Festival of that year. idol-report.com/2025...
1/2 - Members of idol group "Subete no Shunkan wa Kimi Datta." were involved in a traffic accident and taken to hospital on October 28. All have now returned home, with management confirming there were no life-threatening injuries. mdpr.jp/news/detail/...
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 AM
1/2 - Members of idol group "Subete no Shunkan wa Kimi Datta." were involved in a traffic accident and taken to hospital on October 28. All have now returned home, with management confirming there were no life-threatening injuries. mdpr.jp/news/detail/...
Former PASSPO☆ captain Ai Negishi posted a photo of herself in a wedding dress, and later wearing a grey one, at her wedding ceremony. The 33-year-old is married to KEYTALK's drummer Takemasa Ono (37). www.instagram.com/p/...
October 28, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Former PASSPO☆ captain Ai Negishi posted a photo of herself in a wedding dress, and later wearing a grey one, at her wedding ceremony. The 33-year-old is married to KEYTALK's drummer Takemasa Ono (37). www.instagram.com/p/...
Imaginate, who run the HEROINES idol groups, and TWIN PLANET ENTERTAINMENT have got together to hold auditions for a new idol group. The three members already identified are all with TWIN PLANET, including former Last Idol and LIIiEN members Nanami Abe and Haruka Suzuki. prtimes.jp/main/html...
October 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Imaginate, who run the HEROINES idol groups, and TWIN PLANET ENTERTAINMENT have got together to hold auditions for a new idol group. The three members already identified are all with TWIN PLANET, including former Last Idol and LIIiEN members Nanami Abe and Haruka Suzuki. prtimes.jp/main/html...
ASOBISYSTEM have announced "ASOBIEXPO HAWAII 2026", with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and FRUITS ZIPPER performing, on March 16, 2026. asobiexpo.com/hawaii2026/
ASOBIEXPO HAWAII 2026 | Japanese Pop Culture Experience
First-Ever “ASOBIEXPO” in Hawaii / 2026年3月16日（月）ハワイ・ホノルルで初開催！きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ、FRUITS ZIPPER の出演が決定しました。日本のポップカルチャーを象徴するアーティストたちがハワイに集い、音楽を通じて日本と世界がつながる特別な夜を創り出します。
asobiexpo.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
ASOBISYSTEM have announced "ASOBIEXPO HAWAII 2026", with Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and FRUITS ZIPPER performing, on March 16, 2026. asobiexpo.com/hawaii2026/
1/2 - Rumours are circulating in Japanese media that Rio Kitagawa will become a TV Tokyo announcer when she graduates from Morning Musume '25 at the end of the year. The 21-year-old has been on hiatus since April, after violating Hello! Project rules. news.nifty.com/artic...
October 24, 2025 at 5:13 PM
1/2 - Rumours are circulating in Japanese media that Rio Kitagawa will become a TV Tokyo announcer when she graduates from Morning Musume '25 at the end of the year. The 21-year-old has been on hiatus since April, after violating Hello! Project rules. news.nifty.com/artic...
Miyu Matsuo has announced that she will graduate from Nogizaka46, and leave the world of entertainment, on December 31. The 21-year-old joined as a 4th Generation member in 2018, and will be graduating on the same day as Mio Yakubo, who announced her graduation two days ago. www.nogizaka46.com/s...
October 23, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Miyu Matsuo has announced that she will graduate from Nogizaka46, and leave the world of entertainment, on December 31. The 21-year-old joined as a 4th Generation member in 2018, and will be graduating on the same day as Mio Yakubo, who announced her graduation two days ago. www.nogizaka46.com/s...
Mio Yakubo has announced her graduation from Nogizaka46. The 23-year-old's final activity will be on December 31. www.nogizaka46.com/s...
October 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Mio Yakubo has announced her graduation from Nogizaka46. The 23-year-old's final activity will be on December 31. www.nogizaka46.com/s...