Nikkei Entertainment's Talent Power Ranking 2014

Arashi has been in the top 3 of this ranking for 5 years. The last time they topped this ranking was in 2012, the year after that they placed second. Personally, Sakurai Sho also kept his position  from last year, while Matsumoto Jun was able to climb up from the 25th to the 16th. The other members of Arashi also made it into the top 100.

Arashi surpassed AKB48 in Billboard Japan's ranking for the first half of 2014

Billboard Japan has announced its rankings for the first half of 2014 (25 Nov. 2013 - 1 Jun. 2014). For the first time in 4 years, Arashi was able to take the top spot after suppressing AKB48, who had ranked first consecutively for the last 3 years.

SMAP reveal details for their upcoming single

SMAP will release another double-A-side-single, "Top Of The World/Amazing Discovery", on July 16. For this single, SMAP teamed up with samurai guitarist MIYAVI. MIYAVI composed the song  "Top Of The World", while the lyrics are provided  by Ishiwatari Junji.

SMAP and Nakayama Yuma on Music Station

Last Friday, April 11, SMAP and Nakayama Yuma appeared on TV Asahi's Music Station. SMAP performed their newly released song "Yes we are" while Nakayama Yuma sang "High Five", which was released a week earlier. During the opening, Kimura Takuya made clear, that the won't be singing "Arigatou" which they sang for Tamori-san during the grand finale for Waratte Iitomo!.

SMAP reveals covers and details for Yes we are/Koko Kara

Johnny's-net was updated with covers and more information about SMAP's upcoming double A-side single "Yes we are/Koko Kara". This single will be released in 3 limited editions and 1 regular edition. All editions will have both songs "Yes we are" and "Koko Kara".

The Limited A edition will have a Yes we are cover and comes with a DVD, that includes the music video for "Yes we are". The Limited B edition will have a Koko Kara cover with Sakura theme and will include a DVD of the music video for "Koko Kara". The regular edition will have a bonus track "Silence". The COREDO Limited edition will have a different bonus track as the regular edition. It will be a remix of "Koko Kara" titled "Koko Kara ~ Hyadain no Riririri ☆ Remix ~".

This double A-side single will be released on April 9.

Source: Johnny's-net

SMAP and noon boyz participated in Waratte Iitomo!'s grand finale

March 31 "Waratte Iitomo!" aired their grand finale special, "Waratte Iitomo! Grand Finale Kansha no Chotokudaigo (笑っていいとも！グランドフィナーレ 感謝の超特大号)" whit a lot of guests. Of course Nakai Masahiro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Katori Shingo and noon boyz, who are regulars in the show, also participated in this special program. The other 2 members of SMAP also came to perform a gratitude song. During the last part of the show the "Waratte Iitomo!" members, including Nakai, Kusanagi and Katori, each gave a gratitude speech. During this part, many members started to shed tears, saying good bye to the program.

SMAP attanded Yomiuri Giant's 80th season opening

March 28, SMAP attended the opening ceremony of the Yomiuri Giant's 80th season at Tokyo Dome. All members wore black suits with a red boutonniere attached to them. After the players for both teams were introduced, SMAP was called to sing the national anthem. Kimura Takuya lead the members by giving the sign to start singin. They sang with no background music making their voice echo beautifully through the dome.

SMAP to sing the national anthem!

Johnny's-net announced, that SMAP is going to sing the national anthem at the opening of the Yomiuri Giants' 80th season on Friday, March 28, at Tokyo Dome, where the Giants will play against the Hanshin Tigers.

SMAP amazed by A.B.C-Z' performance in Music Station

March 21, SMAP and A.B.C-Z performed in Music Station's 3 Hours Spring Special.

SMAP sent another special message video

March 17, SMAP sent another special message video through Johnny's-net. This time, it's about their upcoming single, Yes we are/Koko Kara.

SMAP sent a special message video

SMAP sent a special message video through Johnny's-net. In the video they talked about Kimura Takuya's starring role in TV Asahi's 55th Anniversary TV drama special Miyamoto Musahi (宮本武蔵). The drama will air for 2 nights 3/15 Sat. and 3/16 Sun. at 21:00. Each episode will have a duration of 2,5 hours.

The message video can be watched through johnnys-net.

Source: johnnys-net.