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Noriyuki Higashiyama

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Noriyuki Higashiyama
東山 紀之
Born (1966-09-30) September 30, 1966 (age 57)
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
OccupationBusinessman
Agent(s)Smile-Up (2023–present)
Johnny & Associates (1979–2023)
Spouse
​
(m. 2010)​
Musical career
Also known asHigashiyama-san, Higashi
GenresJ-pop
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Years active1979–2023
LabelsElov-label
Formerly ofShonentai
WebsiteShonentai (Elov-label)

Noriyuki Higashiyama (東山 紀之, Higashiyama Noriyuki, born September 30, 1966 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese businessman, former singer, actor, and member of the idol group Shonentai. He is married to actress Yoshino Kimura.[1]

In September 2023 Higashiyama became the president and CEO of Johnny & Associates (currently Smile-Up), until his retirement at the end of 2023, following the sexual abuse scandal involving late company founder Johnny Kitagawa.[2]

History[edit]

According to his book Kawasaki Kid, his paternal great-grandfather was Russian.[3] When he was still a baby, his grandfather drunkenly poured boiling water on his leg,[4] which left him with a deformity in his left foot. Because of this burn, he said, his leg remained bandaged until he was about three years old.[5] Higashiyama was known to train very hard, doing 1,000 sit-ups daily and running 100 kilometres (62 mi) a month and maintain a body fat percentage of 9%.[6] The reason he works out so hard is because without muscle training, the deformity in his leg causes pain in his hip joint.[5] Even with his leg deformities, he was athletic and could do a backflip at the age of nine.[7]

His parents divorced because of his father's drunken problem when he was three years old. His mother was worried that Higashiyama would become a drunkard like his father and grandfather, so she taught him repeatedly, "When you grow up, be careful that alcohol doesn't ruin your life." He said that this helped him to avoid getting deeply intoxicated when he did drink.[4] His mother later remarried, but later divorced because his next father was a man who was violent not only to his mother and Higashiyama, but also to his younger sister.[7] He and his younger sister were raised by their mother, who worked at a barber shop. They lived in poverty and sometimes had difficulty finding food, but a Korean family who ran a barbecue restaurant in the neighborhood would share their food with them, and they were able to stave off hunger.[8]

In 1979, his mother, who worked at a barbershop for NHK employees in Shibuya Tokyo, gave him tickets to watch a singing show, so Higashiyama went with a friend to see the show at NHK.[9] On their way home, he was waiting at a traffic light at Shibuya Crossing when he caught the eye of Johnny Kitagawa, who was driving by and scouted him directly. He was in the sixth grade at the time.[10][9]

Higashiyama said that for a while after he joined Johnny's, he could not dance well because he thought it was weird that a man singing and dancing as an idol at that time.[11] However, he was "struck by lightning"[12] when he saw a Michael Jackson video at his agent, and he honed his dancing skills in admiration of Michael.[13]

In 1982, he formed Shonentai with Kazukiyo Nishikiori and Katsuhide Uekusa, and made their record debut on December 12, 1985 with the single Kamen Butōkai.[14]

After his debut, in addition to his group activities, he mainly worked as an actor, mainly in TV dramas, movies, and stage performances.

In 1988, Shonentai became popular among young women, and the term "soy sauce face," (soft facial features) coined to describe a Japanese-looking, fair-skinned, cool-looking man like Higashiyama's,[15] and the term "sauce face," (defined facial features) coined to describe a tanned, chiseled face like Nishikiori's, became popular to describe good-looking men. They were selected for the "Basic Knowledge of Modern Terms" published every December It won the Popular Award in the Popular Words category of the 1988 U-CAN Inc.[16]

He is in acting, with his stoic image, he has used his acting career to play a wide range of roles, from prince-like roles and jidaigeki (historical dramas) to comedies.[17] After portraying Japanese historical heroes such as Okita Sōji, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and Hikaru Genji,[18] he became the first Johnny's actor to star in an NHK Taiga drama in 1993 with Ryukyu no Kaze.[19] Since 2007, he starred in the popular TV Asahi jidaigeki drama Hissatsu series,[20] since 2013, he starred in NHK jidaigeki drama Ooka Echizen,[21] and since 2015, he starred in TV Asahi serial detective drama Seven Detectives.[18]

On September 20, 2020, it was announced that Nishikiori and Uekusa would leave Johnny & Associates within the same year. Shonentai name would remain and Higashiyama would continue his performing career.[22]

On September 5, 2023, Higashiyama succeeded as president of Johnny & Associates (later renamed Smile-Up. on October 17 of the same year), replacing Julie Keiko Fujishima, who had resigned after the sexual assault scandal involving the office's founder, Johnny Kitagawa, surfaced and the "negative effects of family management" were pointed out in the investigation report process (later renamed Smile-Up. on October 17 of the same year).[23] On the same day, he held a press conference and announced that he would retire from show business by the end of 2023 and concentrate on his company business.[24]

With this announcement, his appearances on TV Asahi's information variety program Sunday Live![25] and the TBS Television documentary program "Birth Day,"[26] in which he has served as a host since the program's inception in 2005, also ended their appearances after the second episode in the same month.

On December 26, he made his last appearance on stage before his retirement at his solo dinner show "Noriyuki Higashiyama Dinner Show 2023" held at ANA InterContinental Tokyo.[27] Higashiyama performed for the last time as an entertainer. The show had last taken place in 2002, was held in Osaka and Tokyo, for the 2023 edition. Surrounded by excited voices, applause and audience singing, Higashiyama sung a total of 24 songs, which included songs from his time as a member of Shonentai, while in the background, nostalgic images from several moments of his artistic life, as well as a sort of an end roll with a record of his performances until then, ended with a thank you message.[28]

Higashiyama's last appearance on television was in TV Asahi Hissatsu Shigotonin broadcast on December 29, 2023. This drama was a popular jidaigeki that had been ongoing since he took over the lead role in 2007.[29][30]

On December 31, 44 years after he entered show business in 1979, he retired from show business with a last message on his paid member blog, saying, "I would be grateful if someday people could understand that I chose this kind of life".[31]

Background of President appointment[edit]

September 2023, Higashiyama succeeded as the president and CEO of Johnny & Associates (currently Smile-Up) replacing Julie Keiko Fujishima. He and Julie are the same age,[32] and they met when they were 14 years old and they have been close ever since.[33] Julie also did styling and management work for Shonentai, a boy band that Higashiyama belongs to, since she was still a college student,[34] and over the years they are said to have developed a trusting relationship where they could consult each other about anything.[33]

Julie is the niece of Johnny Kitagawa and the daughter of Mary Yasuko Fujishima, who is the sister of Kitagawa. Mary was an executive at Johnny's for many years.[35] It is said that Mary was particularly fond of Masahiko Kondō and Higashiyama, and it was sometimes said that "Kondō is the first son" (the most powerful person of Johnny's talents), and "Higashiyama is the second son" (second powerful person).[36] After Kondo left Johnny's in 2021 due to his own adultery scandal, Higashiyama had be regarded as "Johnny's first son" in both name and reality.

Hideaki Takizawa, who retired as a talent and became vice president after Johnny Kitagawa passed away in 2019,[37] he had been entrusted with the training of more than 200 trainees (Johnny's Jr.).[38] Takizawa was close to Kitagawa in his later years and was said to have been named by him as his direct successor.[39][40] He had inherited Kitagawa's ideas and was considered one of the leading successors to Johnny's.[41] However he left the company in October 2022 to set up a new talent agency Tobe.[42]

After the Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal came to light in 2023, Julie initially looked for an outside president, but all requests were turned down.[43] Julie's mother Mary had already passed away in August 2021.[44] Finally, Julie asked Higashiyama to be president in early August in 2023, with whom she had a long-standing and trusting relationship.[43] No matter how much power Higashiyama was said to have as the "first son," he did not have a a career as a businessman, and definite position like Takizawa who was the vice president of Johnny's. Higashiyama said he was very worried when he received the request and thought about it overnight, but decided to accept it because he thought it was his destiny.[45] He also reportedly took over as president to fulfill his responsibilities as the "first son" of the company.[46]

Personal Life[edit]

On October 23, 2010, he married actress Yoshino Kimura. They had been going steady for about two and a half years since they performed together on stage in March 2008.[47] Their first child, a daughter, was born in 2011,[48] and their second child, a daughter, was born in 2013.[49]

Awards[edit]

  • 56th ACA National Arts Festival (2001) - Theater Division Excellence Award for Musical The Christmas Box[50]
  • 2008 Japanese Movie Critics Awards - Best Actor for Yamazakura[51]
  • 30th Hashida Awards (2022) - Reason for Award: He has been active in a wide range of TV dramas and host roles, including Seven Detectives (TV Asahi) and Sunday Live! (TV Asahi) and other dramas and host for many years. He is also a hero in the hearts of Sugako Hashida's works (On Inochi, The Tale of Genji (TBS Television (Japan)), etc.).[52]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Television[edit]

  • Great Magistrate: Tōyama no Kin-san (1988–1992) – Mizuki Shingo
  • The Tale of Genji, Volume 1 (1991) – Hikaru Genji
  • Ryūkyū no Kaze (1993) – Keitai
  • Genroku Ryōran (1999) – Asano Naganori
  • Morimura Seiichi no Munesue Keiji (2005–2019) – Kōichirō Munesue
  • Kuitan (2006–2007) – Seiya Takano
  • Hissatsu Shigotonin (2007–2023) – Kogoro Watanabe
  • The Partner (2013) – Sakitarō Asaba
  • Ōoka Echizen (2013–2023) – Ōoka Tadasuke aka Ōoka Echizen
  • Seven Detectives (2015–2023) – Yū Amagi
  • Burning Flower (2015) – Kido Takayoshi
  • Yokokuhan: The Pain (2015) – Eiji Sakuma
  • Nobunaga Moyu (2016) – Oda Nobunaga

Dubbing[edit]

Live-action[edit]

Animation[edit]

Stage[edit]

Title Year Role Ref.
Okita Sōji 1988 Okita Sōji
Barcelona Monogatari 1991 Rafael Taranto
Gari 1993 Okada
Singin' in the Rain 1996 Don Lockwood
Millennium Shock 2000 Kōichi's deceased brother / Ghost
Musical The Christmas Box 2001 Richard Evans / David Parkin
Romeo and Juliet 2004 Romeo [55]
Farewell My Concubine 2008 Cheng Dieyi [56]
Madame de Sade / My Friend Hitler 2011 Renée, the Marquis de Sade / Ernst Röhm [57]
The King's Speech 2012 Bertie (George VI) [58]
Frankenstein 2013 Dr. Frankenstein / The creature [59]
Joan d'Arc 2014 Charles VII of France [60]
Dorobou Yakusha 2018 Maezono [61]
Chocolate Donuts 2020, 2023 Rudy Donatello [62][63]

Book[edit]

  • Higashiyama-Style: Noriyuki Higashiyama Photo Collection (December 15, 1990, Fusosha Publishing) Photo/Katsuo Hanzawa
  • Noriyuki Higashiyama (December 17, 1998, Magazine House, ISBN 9784838711024) - A photo essay based on the serial "Higashiyama Noriyuki's My favorite scene" in the magazine "Raku", with new photos and articles added.
  • Noriyuki Higashiyama talking about Makoto (February 18, 2005, Pia) - Dialogue and Photobook (published by Pia, Feb. 18, 2005, ISBN 9784835615097)
  • Show Lovery River (Written by Show Aikawa / Published by Pia on March 3, 2005, ISBN 9784835615073) - Appeared as one of the guests in a book written by Show Aikawa. Talk 3: Noriyuki Higashiyama and Show Aikawa, two men who keep on running.
  • Kawasaki Kid (June 4, 2010, Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc, ISBN 9784022507563 / August 7, 2015, Asahi Sonorama, ISBN 9784022618351) - A reconstructed version of the serial "Hitherto and Hereafter" from the magazine "Asahi Weekly," with new additions such as a document of a visit to his hometown Kawasaki. Essays on his half life[64]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Noriyuki Higashiyama, Yoshino Kimura, now married
  2. ^ "Johnny's talent agency admits sexual abuse by founder, head resigns". Kyodo News. September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "東山紀之、反ヘイト本文庫化であらためて語る差別と暴力「人は人を差別するときの顔が最も醜い」「人間は、決して無駄に闘ってはならない」". litera (in Japanese). August 14, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "東山紀之「火傷が原因で"腹筋"1日千回しないといけない体に」". jisin.jp (in Japanese). Kobunsha Co., Ltd. February 18, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Noriyuki Higashiyama, the reason for his muscle training is a serious burn from his childhood". sirabee.com (in Japanese). January 7, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  6. ^ "This drink has zero calories, so even a higashi with a body fat percentage of 9% is fine". sponichi (in Japanese). May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "「一番恥ずべきことは、知っていて、何もしないこと」俳優・東山紀之が"最後の舞台"で口にした意味深なセリフとは". bunshun (in Japanese). November 26, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "少年隊･東山紀之の自叙伝は何がすごいのか 原点を見つめなおし､新しい地平を開く". toyokeizai (in Japanese). August 29, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  9. ^ a b ""I was scouted by Johnny in a car". sanspo (in Japanese). July 11, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "東山紀之、伝説のデビュー秘話「ジャニーさんから渋谷の交差点で直接スカウトされた」". oricon (in Japanese). July 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  11. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama talks about meeting Michael, the man of his dreams, and how he was going to give the precious "treasure" to his children". sponichi (in Japanese). December 5, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  12. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama reveals the truth about Michael Jackson's allegations". mynavi (in Japanese). June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama was shocked to see Michael-san after his concert: "A top-notch person is doing this much... we are more". sponichi (in Japanese). December 7, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "錦織一清が語る80年代の名曲「少年隊の『仮面舞踏会』完成までは半年かかった」". gendai (in Japanese). March 3, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "東山紀之は近年稀に見る"時代劇スター"だった 『必殺仕事人』シリーズは次世代へ継承？". Realsound (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  16. ^ "第5回 1988年 授賞語". 現代用語の基礎知識 (in Japanese). Jiyukokuminsha.Co.Ltd. 1988. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  17. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama's daily routine of sit-ups "is a daily struggle". oricon (in Japanese). December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Noriyuki Higashiyama was a rare " jidaigeki star" in recent years". realsound (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  19. ^ "Taiga drama Ryukyu no Kaze". NHK (in Japanese). 1993. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "Why Noriyuki Higashiyama's "Soon to Retire" is in Danger". toyokeizai (in Japanese). December 15, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Ooka Echizen Special". NHK (in Japanese). 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  22. ^ "少年隊の錦織と植草ジャニーズ退所 東山１人が残る". nikkan (in Japanese). January 1, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  23. ^ "ジャニーズ事務所の藤島社長が辞任へ 後任は東山紀之氏". asahi.com (in Japanese). September 7, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  24. ^ "ジャニーズ事務所の藤島ジュリー景子社長が引責辞任、後任・東山紀之は年内をもって芸能界引退". natalie (in Japanese). September 7, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "東山紀之の『サンデーLIVE！！』降板をテレビ朝日・野上慎平アナウンサーが報告 緊張気味に頭下げ「このチームで頑張りましょう」". chunichi (in Japanese). September 10, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  26. ^ "ＴＢＳ系「バースデイ」、東山紀之降板には触れず". hochi (in Japanese). September 9, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  27. ^ "君にこの歌を、東山紀之が最後のディナーショーで見せた熱演と伝えた感謝「人生はまだまだ続きます」". natalie (in Japanese). December 27, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  28. ^ "年内引退の東山紀之、最後の表舞台でファンにお別れ「お元気で!さようなら!」". Oricon (in Japanese). December 27, 2023. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "東山紀之、「必殺仕事人」で最後のテレビ出演を終える ラストのセリフは「いやもう、お好きなように」引き継ぎ言及なし". Hochi Sports (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  30. ^ "どうなる「必殺」シリーズ、松下奈緒が加入しても東山紀之は引退…自宅に招こうとしていた藤田まことの思い". yomiuri.co.jp (in Japanese). December 29, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  31. ^ "東山紀之 タレント業引退の日に談話発表「これからまた違う人生を歩むことに…」旧ジャニ入所から44年". sponichi (in Japanese). December 31, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "Julie had a "one-sided love" for Noriyuki Higashiyama in the past... "Higashiyama, who listens to everything," cannot escape from the curse of the founding family". nikkan-gendai (in Japanese). September 16, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "The "Puppet Suspicion" that has not disappeared...He met Julie when he was 14 years old. Noriyuki Higashiyama, the new president, revealed his true relationship with "Empress" Julie". gendai (in Japanese). September 8, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  34. ^ "Julie Keiko Fujishima, 57, president of Johnny's, to step down: "I am in no condition to appear in public"". bunshun (in Japanese). August 29, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  35. ^ "Letter from Julie, who was absent from the conference, "Mary was said to be a lion."". asahi.com (in Japanese). Asahi shinbun. October 2, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  36. ^ ""Second son" Noriyuki Higashiyama's remarks on "Sunday LIVE!" on the 2nd were noted... "First son" Masahiko Kondo left Johnny's". hochi (in Japanese). May 1, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  37. ^ "Hideaki Takizawa becomes vice president of Johnny's". natalie (in Japanese). September 27, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "What kind of person was Hideaki Takizawa, who created the golden era of Johnny's Jr.?". bookbang (in Japanese). November 4, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  39. ^ "The truth behind Tackey's departure and the departure of the three members of King＆Prince". bunshun (in Japanese). November 5, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  40. ^ Hiromi Yuzuki (July 21, 2019). "Hideaki Takizawa: "From now on, I hope they can leave the nest from me." "Mr. Janey" saw to it that "Music Day" was a great achievement of Johnny". exite (in Japanese). Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  41. ^ "Hideaki Takizawa, former vice president and "heir to Johnny-ism," has left the company. ...... From now on, the Johnny's fears a "drastic decrease in the number of resumes sent to us."". gendai (in Japanese). December 30, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  42. ^ "Japan's entertainment agency Johnny & Associates vice president Hideaki Takizawa resigns". The Japan Times. November 1, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  43. ^ a b "The past and future of Johnny's as seen at the press conference". ktv.jp (in Japanese). Kansai Television Co. Ltd. September 8, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  44. ^ "Mary Fujishima, J-pop matriarch of Johnny & Associates, dies at 93". japantimes. August 17, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  45. ^ "Higashiyama assumes the position of president, "I decided to take it on because I thought it was my destiny"... "Someone has to take over" the relief efforts". yomiuri.co.jp (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shinbun. September 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  46. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama to be the new president of Johnny's, determined to fulfill his responsibility as the "first son" and will not resign from his talent". nikkan (in Japanese). September 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  47. ^ "交際２年半 東山紀之 木村佳乃と結婚！". sponichi. October 24, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016.
  48. ^ "東山紀之&木村佳乃夫妻に第1子女児誕生 「命の詩を聞かせてくれました」". oricon (in Japanese). November 5, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  49. ^ "東山紀之 木村佳乃との次女にデレデレ". daily (in Japanese). June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  50. ^ "List of the 56th Art Festival Prizes 2001" (PDF). bunka.go.jp (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  51. ^ "18th". Japan movie critics award (in Japanese). 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  52. ^ "30th Hashida Prize Winners and Award Ceremony". hashida.or.jp (in Japanese). Hashida Cultual Foundation. April 3, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  53. ^ "幸せへのキセキ". Star Channel. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  54. ^ "ブラザー・ベア". Wowow. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  55. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama and Asaka Seto go for broke" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 2003. Archived from the original on September 20, 2003. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  56. ^ "Directed by Ninagawa! Higashi in his first Oyama role" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. October 17, 2007. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  57. ^ "Higashiyama and Ikuta crossdress in a Ninagawa production" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  58. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama gives an enthusiastic performance, 'The King's Speech' opens". Ticket Pia (in Japanese). August 24, 2012. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  59. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama and V6's Masayuki Sakamoto collaborate in 'Frankenstein'". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 16, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  60. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama praises Kasumi Arimura in her stage debut". Mantan Web (in Japanese). October 6, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  61. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama and Kanjani Eight's Ryuhei Maruyama to star in 'Dorobou Yakusha'". Modelpress (in Japanese). January 23, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  62. ^ "No.93: What "solitude" did Akon Miyamoto see in Noriyuki Higashiyama in the stage version of his beloved movie "Chocolate Donuts"?". eiga.com (in Japanese). December 4, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  63. ^ "Noriyuki Higashiyama's "Chocolate Donuts" to be performed again; Keito Okamoto to join new cast". Fashion Press (in Japanese). June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  64. ^ "Kawasaki Kid". Asahi Sonorama (in Japanese). August 7, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
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