Shingo Katori, previously known as a member of the legendary boy band SMAP, will release his second studio album ‘Tokyo SNG’ on April 13, 2022. The release comes about two years after his last album, ‘20200101.’  The concept of the work is ‘jazz in a tuxedo.’ The band performs a wide range of jazz styles from standard style to big band, and to commemorate the release of the album, Katori and his incredible band will perform 24 shows at Meiji-za in Tokyo.  ‘Tokyo SNG’ features a total of 11 songs and includes guest appearances by Atarashii Gakko!, H ZETTRIO, Ai Higuchi, Gentle Forest Jazz Band, Takao Tajima, and WONK. Certain tracks were arranged by Yasuharu Konishi, and the English version of ‘Mack the Knife,’ a standard jazz number and 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, is also covered brilliantly by Katori. The song Tokyo SNG includes lyrics by Shutoku Mukai (ZAZEN BOYS), and Takarazuka Revue’s resident writer Takeshi Ota composed Michishirube, which also boasts lyrics written by Gekidan Hitori. 

Comment from Shingo Katori

My new album ‘Tokyo SNG’ is complete! I like to play with different styles, and this time, I tried to wrap myself in jazz. I live in Tokyo, where so many things have been restricted. I wanted to try to lift people’s spirits with swing, so please enjoy it! Let’s smile together!  

In accordance with Earth Day, which is set for April 22, Nestlé released its limited-time KitKat Mini Maple on Monday to raise awareness of environmental issues and the future of the planet.

KitKat Mini Maple (3 Included)

KitKat Mini Maple (12 Included)

9 packaging designs with different messages related to the environment

'KitKat Always For Earth Day' online talk event to take place on April 30

In September 2019, Nestlé began packaging five of its major large-sized KitKat bags in paper bags rather than plastic, and since autumn 2020, most of their large sized bags are now made from paper. This has helped reduce 450 tonnes of plastic per year.   Now, Nestlé is releasing a new collection of packages for Earth Day featuring original designs by up-an-coming young artist SUGI. Each features messages from members of MIMO, a group managed by Japanese model Mila Aina, stating messages about helping to protect the environment and the future of planet earth.

Japanese singer-songwriter AiNA THE END, who is also known as a member of the Japanese idol group BiSH, announced via her official Twitter page that her new single Dare Dare Dare ("Who Who Who") will be released on music streaming and download services on February 23, 2021. The track will be used as the new opening theme for the ongoing TV Tokyo drama series Anonymous: Keishicho ”Yubisatsujin” Taisakushitsu starring Shingo Katori which began airing in January.

AiNA THE END

New Song - "Dare Dare Dare"

Dare Dare Dare is a new song not featured on AiNA THE END's solo album THE END which dropped on February 3 this year. It is produced by Japanese music producer and arranger Seiji Kameda who also produced THE END.  

AiNA teased the new single's artwork on her official Twitter account along with a snippet of the instrumental version of the song.

A new Japanese drama series titled Anonymous: Keishicho ”Yubisatsujin” Taisakushitsu began airing on January 25, 2021. The show stars Shingo Katori in his first commercial broadcast for a drama series in five years. When the first episode dropped, the show's name Anonymous trended on Japanese Twitter.   Earlier this week, Shingo Katori surprised everyone by releasing the main theme song for the series Anonymous (feat.WONK), which he sings, digitally on music streaming services including Spotify. When the song was first broadcast, there was much speculation as to who the singer was on Japanese social media, with some having no idea and others saying it sounded a lot like Katori. Turns out it really was him to the surprise of fans. When the second episode aired on February 1, the show's official homepage went live and Katori updated his own personal social media pages with promos for the show. The song comes as his first music release in over year following the huge success of his album 20200101 which dropped on January 1, 2020 and made it to No. 1 on Japan's Oricon charts. He wrote the song in collaboration with music group WONK. The song's theme touches on seeing the light in a dark world and is sung in English. Katori also released a music video for Anonymous (feat.WONK) earlier this week which is available to watch on his YouTube channel.

Amazon is set to release a new Amazon Original drama series entitled Dareka ga Miteiru (Somebody's Watching) on Amazon Prime Video on September 18, 2020. The 8-episode series will drop worldwide. The series was created by Kōki Mitani and Shingo Katori, two veterans in the Japanese entertainment industry. in collaboration with Amazon. Both will appear in the series, with Mitani as we've never been him before and Katori bringing humour to the screen.   The series will be released in over 240 countries and territories worldwide. In spite of the different language and culture of those who will watch it outside of Japan, they are sure to be entertained by both Katori's character, who despite messing up all the time you still can't hate them, and Mitani's character, who will draw viewers in with all the happenings around him.   Katori spoke joyously of the series. "'Dareka ga Miteiru' is a really funny series, so I really want a lot of people to see it, even if they watch it by themselves. I'm super happy that the people of the world will get to see this."   He continues: "And I hope Kōki Mitani's character gains fans around the world who love him."   To promote the series, the first two episodes will be premiered on YouTube and Twitter on September 12, and viewers around the world will be able to watch them with Katori and Mitani. You can set a reminder for the YouTube premiere below or follow the series on Twitter.   YouTube Live Premiere

  In the series, Katori Shingo's character is a klutz, and so their neighbour's sister comes up with the idea to film everything in secret and upload it to YouTube to make him popular. Check out the trailer below, which showcases the full cast of characters played by some huge names in Japan, as well as plenty of comical moments.   "Dareka ga Miteiru" Trailer

  If you're looking for a laugh, then be sure to check out this series created by Kōki Mitani and Shingo Katori, both of whom have brought comedy to Japan in films, drama series, and theatre shows.   © 2020 Amazon Content Services LLC

Nestlé Japan is opening a new branch of KitKat Chocolatory inside Shibuya's new shopping mall Miyashita Park on August 4, 2020. KitKat Chocolatory is a direct-to-consumer chain, serving premium, handcrafted KitKats made with top quality ingredients and production methods under full direction by Takagi Yasumasa―the owner and chef of LE PATISSIER TAKAGI. Its product line-up features a range perfect as gifts to friends, family and co-workers, or as a treat to yourself.   Japan is home to eight KitKat Chocolatory branches. The new Miyashita Park Shibuya branch will open as the fourth in Tokyo, as well as the first where you can create your own KitKat products.

My KITKAT: ¥2,000 (Before Tax)

"My KITKAT" comes as the world's first KitKat service where consumers can create their own original chocolate bars.

KitKat Waffle: ¥1,000 (Before Tax)

KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Soft Cream: ¥630 (Before Tax)

KitKat Chocolatory Miyashita Park Shibuya will also sell a variety of unique and exclusive KitKat desserts, like luxurious soft serve ice cream topped with couverture chocolate. It will also offer a cafe menu created by Nespresso, where customers can pair Chocolatory desserts with seasonal coffee menus, and more.

Shibuya-esque wall art will decorate the interior of the shop, making for plenty of photo opportunities.