Japanese music and entertainment had a busy week with several noteworthy announcements across different sectors.

Dogashten Marks Milestone With New Single

Legendary rock band Dogashten is releasing their new track "Tokaite" on April 22, a date with special significance: it falls the day before vocalist Masao Mashiko's 60th birthday. The band, which formed in Sapporo in 1984, has embraced turning 60 with their typical creative spirit. Last December, all band members released a special version of "Otona no Susume" ("Adult Advice") subtitled "Otona no Susume ~Kanreki Joto!~" ("Adult Advice ~Turning 60 is Fine~!"), and they're carrying that momentum forward. The three-member outfit—which also includes guitarist Tomoyasu Uehara and drummer Katsuhiko Sakatsume—has built a distinctive career beyond typical rock band constraints, working across film, theater, and collaborations with idol groups. They first played Tokyo's Nippon Budokan in 2014 for their 30th anniversary. "Tokaite" will premiere on FM802's "The Nakajima Hiroto Show 802 Radio Masters" on April 16 at 2 p.m.

New Idol Unit Arrives

Meanwhile, producer Seiko Omori has unveiled a new idol unit called Zettai Shojo (Absolute Girls), with the full member roster now public. Details remain limited, but the project represents another entry in Japan's continually evolving idol landscape.

Pop Culture Retail Expands

On the retail front, Natalie Store is launching its first popup shop experience at Tokyo's Parco Ikebukkan B2F from May 15 through June 7. The temporary space within "POP CULTURE BASE" will stock merchandise tied to various franchises, including the manga "Dorohedoro" and the beloved "Katamari" series, marking an expansion of the digital platform into physical retail.

These developments reflect the ongoing vitality of Japan's entertainment sector, from established acts finding new energy at life milestones to emerging projects and retail ventures tapping into fan enthusiasm across multiple mediums.