Among the most popular jpop artists in Japan right now, Hikaru Utada is now set to expand her popularity to include American audiences as well. Rush Hour 2, sequel to the hit action comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, will set the stage for her US debut. Blow My Whistle, track 13 on the upcoming Rush Hour 2 soundtrack, set to hit shelves July 31st, features Foxy Brown in addition to Utada's lead singing. In fear of retribution from Hikki fanboys the world over, I won't pass judgement on her first domestic effort, but I will say this: it's far from her best work. Don't take my word for it though. Listen to Blow My Whistle in the real audio section and decide for yourself.

Back across the Pacific, MTV Japan has a Best Of MTV Unplugged series scheduled to run between August 1st and 10th, featuring performances by Nirvana, Oasis, and Eric Clapton, among others. Capping off the best of series, Hikaru Utada will be performing her own all new unplugged set, airing multiple times between August 10th and 12th.

In other Hikki news, the Hikaru Utada Single Clip Collection Vol 2 video is set for release on September 29th on both VHS and DVD. This second music video collection runs approximately 40 minutes long, and features the following clips:

• Wait & See - Risk -
• Making Of Wait & See - Risk -
• For You
• Time Limit
• Can You Keep A Secret?
• Making Of Can You Keep A Secret?
• FINAL DISTANCE
• Making Of FINAL DISTANCE

First pressings of the clip collection will come with a bonus mouse pad sticker.

Finally, following up on the popularity of her Distance album, Utada will soon be releasing a new single called Final Distance. The single, set for release July 25th, features the original Distance, as well as a collection of remixes of this great Utada song. The track list is as follows:

1. FINAL DISTANCE
2. DISTANCE -PLANITb Remix-
3. DISTANCE -m-flo remix- produced by TAKU (m-flo)
4. DISTANCE
5. DISTANCE -Original Karaoke-
6. FINAL DISTANCE -Instrumental-

Can't wait for the release of the new single to hear Final Distance? Then head over to the real audio section and get an early listen of the title track, as well as the original version of Distance. While you're at it, stop by the wallpapers section and choose your favorite from our collection of 4 new Utada wallpapers to spice up your desktop. Also, be sure to check Hikki's Web Site, Utada's official page, where you can find a screen saver available for download, completing the audio visual experience.