Mainichi Daily reports that LDP leader Yasuo Fukuda has been elected the new Japanese Prime Minister after Shinzo Abe's resignation. Also mentioned is that Taro Aso, the well-known "otaku politician", has resigned:

Fukuda asked former ruling Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Taro Aso, who fought against Fukuda in last Sunday's party leadership race, to join his Cabinet, but Aso declined the offer.

Source: Japanator

From Kylandra comes a report of this year's Anime World Atlanta, which took place from 9/21 - 9/23. The report contains some info on the Dark Horse panel, info on new release and more.

Via: MangaBlog

Yaoi Press has updated its blog a prototype of its recently announced Yaoi Parasol.

According to this LiveJournal entry, Tokyopop manga editor Lillian Diaz-Przybyl has been promoted to a senior editor.

Also, Tokyopop is looking for new marketing coordinator, copy editor, and junior editor, while Go! Comi is looking for a new art director.

Source: ANN and MangaBlog

Riyoko Ikeda, creator of The Rose of Versailles (also known as Lady Oscar), will be making a manga adaptation of the Korean drama series Story of the First King's Four Gods, the new manga will start serialization in Kodansha's magazine Tokyo Isshoukan and Kansai Isshoukan on September 25th.

Source: ANN

Aspiring manga artist Takeshi Miyazawa writes on Factory 9ine about his experience meeting with the Kodansha editors in "The Wall 2". Part 1 can be found here.

Via: MangaBlog

A new manga titled Hatsukoi Limited (????????????) by Mizuki Kawashita, creator of Ichigo 100%, will begin serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump No.44 (10/1).

A new series titled GTR -GREAT TARO REVOLUTION-, drawn by Toda Takanobu, will start in Big Comic Spirits No.44 (10/1).

The official site for Futabasha's seinen manga magazine Manga Action Pizazz has been opened at http://www.action-pizazz.com/.

Source: Ultimatum Tidbits

Ohzora Shuppan will be launching a new BL novel (light novel) label in September called Citrus Novels (????????????????????????). BL novels to be published under this label include:

• Kaizoku Ouji no Ryoshuu KISS to Kaizoku (1)
• Ai no Kutsujoku KISS to Kaizoku (2)

Both novels are authored by Ioka Noeru and illustrated by Enoki, and will be released on September 27th. (Note that the obi strip around both novels also mentions the start of the new BL label)

Also, according to Ultimatum Tidbits, Ohzora Shuppans josei manga magazine Bessatsu Harlequin will be relaunched under the title marie.

Variety's Asian film blog, Kaiju Shakedown, has published an interview with Manami Iiboshi, VIZ Pictures's Director of Marketing:

What with all their acquisitions this week, Viz is a natural for an interview about their live action program. They graciously agreed to do an email interview last week and here it is, in all its glory.

Via: Giapet.net

Yoshida Sensha, mangaka of Utsurun Desu. and Young Bandit, has married Risa Itou, mangaka of Hey Pitan! and Oruchuban Ebichu. According to Yoshida, the two have known each other since their debut as mangaka. The relationship grew between the two after they met again in 2004. Also, both were previously divorced, and this marks the second marriage for both manga artist.