Ayaka Ozaki

STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, Japan's premier entertainment agency, has officially launched 'STARTO NEWS ARCHIVES,' a completely free subscription-based infotainment portal dedicated to its international fanbase.The newly established platform will provide curated articles and updates featuring the agency's talent and artist groups, with content available in four languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Thai, and Korean.

Japanese boy band member Tomohiro Kamiyama of WEST. has released “G.O.D.,” his first solo digital single, now available to download and stream worldwide on YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

avantgardey: A dance team produced by akane(Read: Interview: Producer akane Makes AGT Finalist, avantgardey Go Viral), the choreographer behind “Bubbly Dance,” consisting of 16 members. Established in 2022, they gained recognition in 2023 as finalists on the renowned American famous TV show, 'America’s Got Talent,' and also performed in the same year's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen（紅白歌合戦）,” one of the Japan’s biggest music TV shows. Known as the 'mysterious uniformed bobbed-hair group,' they have amassed global popularity on TikTok and Instagram. Furthermore, starting from May 16th, they held their Avantgardey Tour 2026. Here, we present the highlights from Osaka performance on May 23rd.

​​​​​​​Universal Studios Japan is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its summer event, “Universal Cool Summer – Discover U!!!”. For summer 2026, the park is introducing an all-new lineup of nighttime entertainment, inviting guests of all ages to enjoy the season from day to night. Running from July 1 through August 26, the limited-time event will feature the debut of “Universal Summer Matsuri Nights: Neon Glow Up.”As the sun sets, the park transforms into a vibrant festival atmosphere illuminated by colorful neon lights. Guests can experience the brand-new nighttime show “NO LIMIT! Glow Up Oh-Matsuri” along with a variety of new street performances presented as part of “Glow Up Street Performance.” Bringing energy and excitement to summer evenings, the event offers a unique way to experience the park and celebrate its 25th anniversary with a completely different atmosphere after dark.

Get all the top news & discounts for Japan & beyond. Yoshinori Masakado of the popular J-Pop group Ae! group is set to star in "Chat Boy," the

Get all the top news & discounts for Japan & beyond. Japanese boy band SUPER EIGHT's Tadayoshi Ohkura offers viewers an all-access backstage

Three-piece band Mrs. GREEN APPLE, consisting of Motoki Ohmori (Vocals/Guitar), Hiroto Wakai (Guitar), and Ryoka Fujisawa (Keyboard), launched their stadium tour, “ZENJIN MITO TO IM/MUTABLE,” in April 2026. The tour visited Japan National Stadium in April and July and Yanmar Stadium Nagai in May, featuring hit songs including “KUSUSHIKI,” “Lilac,” and “Darling.” Across all performances, the tour attracted a total of 390,000 fans. The tour also made Mrs. GREEN APPLE the first band in history to perform four shows at Japan National Stadium, while spectacular productions, including 4,500 fireworks, created an unforgettable concert experience.The tour’s final performance, held on July 5 at Japan National Stadium, was streamed live across 15 online platforms. Live viewings were also held at more than 360 movie theaters throughout Japan, as well as in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, in addition to karaoke viewing events. Including those in attendance at the venue, approximately 250,000 people experienced the grand finale together.Below is a review from the final performance at Japan National Stadium on July 5.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Disney Theatrical Group’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a powerful musical that explores the fate of Quasimodo and the complex human relationships surrounding him in 15th-century Paris. Set against the backdrop of Notre Dame Cathedral, the story delves into themes of love, prejudice, and acceptance.The score features music by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked). Enriched by soaring choral arrangements and a sweeping orchestral sound, the production invites audiences to reflect on the timeless question of what it truly means to be human. It remains one of Shiki Theatre Company’s most acclaimed productions.Quasimodo lives in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral, where he has been raised since childhood by the archdeacon Frollo. Looking out over the city from above, he dreams of the day he might finally experience the world beyond the cathedral walls.With only the bells and stone statues for company, Quasimodo spends his days in solitude. But an unexpected encounter sets into motion a chain of events that will change his life forever.

Japanese boy band SUPER EIGHT’s You Yokoyama has released phase two of his special “ROCK TO YOU” solo project with sophomore album “ROCK FOR YOU,” now available to download and stream worldwide on YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more.

THE RE:BORN CHASING DISCOTHEQUE LIVE, a dance and live entertainment production starring Keita Richard Kusama and fully produced, directed, and choreographed by Tomoyuki Yara, will run at THE GLOBE TOKYO from October 28 to October 30, 2026.