News On Japan

Hikaru Utada and Sheena Ringo Set for First TV Appearance Together

TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - Hikaru Utada is set to appear on the first regular broadcast of the new Nippon Television music program "with MUSIC" (every Saturday from 7:56 PM), which starts on April 13th. Shiina Ringo will also make a special appearance, marking the first time the two artists will perform together on television.

The show "with MUSIC," themed around the concept of "with," aims to delve into the charm of artists through various segments, featuring a lineup of stellar artists performing their songs. The program will be hosted by Yumiko Udo with artist navigator Kouhei Matsushita, and it seeks to explore the joy of experiencing music through television, a medium that is diversifying rapidly in today's age. It will endeavor to convey the allure of artists and their music to the fullest.

For this memorable first regular episode, Utada's participation has been confirmed. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of her debut, Utada is releasing her first best-of album "SCIENCE FICTION." Her songs will be reborn in new forms and delivered to the world. In this significant moment, she will perform "One Last Kiss," the theme song for the 2021 film "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time," on television for the first time.

Furthermore, Shiina's special appearance has been decided. Together, they will perform their collaborative song "Nijikan Dake no Vacance." This will be the first television performance for the two artists, who debuted in the same year and were signed to the same record label, often referred to as "classmates." The song, included in Shiina's sixth album "Fantôme" released in 2016, expresses the precarious relationship between the ordinary and the extraordinary. What will the "now" look like, woven by the two artists who have walked the path of 25 years to become top artists?

Additionally, there will be a conversation between Utada and Udo. Various perspectives will be used to dig deeper into the "current" Utada.

Source: MDPR

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Rising land prices are making it increasingly difficult for people to live in their preferred locations, prompting a growing trend of choosing homes a few stations away from major hubs as a way to reduce rent.

A farewell ceremony for Masashi Ozaki, a legendary figure in Japanese golf affectionately known as “Jumbo,” who died at the age of 78 last December, was held at a hotel in Tokyo on March 16th, drawing many figures from the golf world and related industries to pay their respects.

Two weeks after attacks on Iran triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, turmoil has spread through the global economy, with rising gasoline prices already hitting consumers while a looming shortage of petrochemical materials threatens to drive up the cost of everyday goods.

JR East raised fares across all of its service areas on March 14th, marking the first fare hike since the company’s privatization and the first major increase in about 40 years, excluding adjustments tied to consumption tax increases.

Kyoto Prefecture recorded more than 30 million overnight visitors last year, reinforcing its status as one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Entertainment NEWS

The popular group Arashi, which will end its activities in May this year, launched its final nationwide tour in Sapporo, setting off a surge of fans and a ripple of economic effects stretching far beyond Hokkaido.

Today we explore the promising March show at the Kabuki-za theatre in Tokyo! (Kabuki In-Depth)

The head family of the Ikenobo school of flower arrangement has opened its annual Spring Ikebana Exhibition, showcasing works gathered from across Japan beginning on March 13th.

An exhibition aimed at promoting Japanese women artists internationally is currently being held at a gallery in Tokyo’s Omotesando district, drawing attention to the persistent gender gap in the global art world.

This week, we have another look at other interesting topics related to the drama film Kokuho. (Kabuki In-Depth)

In early 1900s London, a young Japanese woman enrolls in a famous art school, only to be surprised when rivalry with a gifted classmate becomes romance. (Netflix Anime)

Members of the idol group Sakurazaka46, including Morita Hikaru, appeared as presenters at the AnimeJapan 2026 “Manga Fans Want to See Animated Ranking 2026” award ceremony held in Tokyo on March 4th.

Shogakukan has come under mounting criticism after it was revealed that its manga app “Manga One” appointed a male manga artist as the original author of a new serialized work despite being aware of his past sexual misconduct, prompting the publisher to apologize and announce on March 2nd that it would establish an independent third-party committee to investigate the matter.