27-year old JPOP singer Kumi Koda will perform with her little sister, 25-year old Misono, for the first time ever at the '2009 Kohaku Koda Special' this New Year's Eve. According to reports, Koda will perform her hit single, 'Lick Me,' and will then invite her sibling on stage for a duet performance of 'It's All Love!' The sisters' first ever joint concert will be a part of NHK's 60th annual 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' New Year's event. Said Keisuke Inoue, the show's producer, "I hope they both rock 'Kohaku.'"

For the second time in two years, former Hikaru Genji member Akasaka has been arrested and charged with possession of illegal drugs. Chiba police administered a drug test to Akasaka on December 28th after finding him in a hotel that they were searching in a sweep for a different man suspected of drug use. Akasaka and the woman with whom he was staying both tested positive, and the 36 year old former JPOP star was arrested the next day at a karaoke bar that he manages. Akasaka has reportedly admitted to using stimulants, and claimed that the man whom the police were originally looking for allowed him and his friend to stay in his hotel room. No paraphernalia, however, was recovered. If convicted, Akasaka will almost certainly face jail time, since he was already convicted and sentenced in 2007 to possession of stimulants.

Fresh face Kim Bum recently released his very first single, 'Christmas Eve Sky,' and it's wasted no time in skyrocketing to the top spot in the JPOP singles charts. Kim Bum is best known for his short but brilliant acting career, but his decision to take a stab at a crossover career in music wasn't expected to be much more than a dalliance. With this surprising success, though, JPOP and KPOP fans alike may very well expect to see more from this young star in the near future.

Popular JPOP girl group Morning Musume is planning to release a new DVD, titled 'Morning Musume: Yomiura Land East Live 2009' on January 20th. The film will feature live footage from the group's October 31st performance at Yomiura, which was held as a form of celebration for the release of their best of album, 'Morning Musume: Zen Single Coupling Collection,' which was released at the beginning of October. News of their upcoming DVD release comes as the group also prepares to embark on a new tour around Japan. 'Morning Musume: Concert Tour 2010 Haru Pikappikaa!' will feature more than 20 concert dates, starting in Tokyo on March 19th, and finishing up in Nakano on May 5th.

A new visual-kei group founded by former Ruvie members will make their world debut early next year, according to reports. Named BugLug, the group features former Ruvie guitarists Yuu and Kazuki, as well as bassist Tsubame. Their first album, 'Super Nova' will hit stores on January 27th, and will feature 5 brand new tracks. For more information and a preview of the video for their single '7,' check out the band's official website.

Over the past few years, JPOP and Japanese Rock have made substantial inroads with Western audiences and listeners. In 2010, when the Japan Nite tour hits the US, expect audiences to be bigger than ever--especially now that the official line up has been announced. Among the highlights of the Japan Nite American tour include, most notably, an appearance at the 2010 SXSW Festival in Ausitn on March 17-21. Currently, the Japan Nite show at SXSW is scheduled for the evening of the 19th, and will include Chatmonchy, Dolly, Omodaka, Red Bacteria Vacuum, and Okamoto's. Several other Japanese bands not part of the Japanese Nite contingent will be appearing at the festival, as well, including Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO, Boom Boom Satellites, Caucus, Geeks, and Maruosa.

Once SXSW wraps up, the Japan Nite bus will be headed off to 6 other US cities, starting in New York on March 21, and finishing up in Los Angeles on the 27th.

Abingdon Boys School lead singer Takanori Nishikawa, better known as T.M. Revolution, is reportedly starting his own indie record label called Defrock Records. He's already signed one group to the fledgling label, an indie quartet named Agitato, scheduled to release their first album under Defrock on January 20th. Agitato has a bit of history with Abingdon Boys School, opening for the group at the Liquidroom show back in October.