The Hello! Project idol group S/mileage has announced the results of its recent audition for new members. Five new girls have been added, but they will start out as “sub” members rather than as official members.
The auditions started in June and roughly 2,000 people entered in the initial round. The field was narrowed down to 12 girls for the final round, and producer Tsunku selected five of the finalists to join S/mileage as sub-members.
The five new faces are Katsuta Rina (13), Kosuga Fuyuka (13), Nakanishi Kana (14), Tamura Meimi (12), and Takeuchi Akari (13).
The first single that the new members will participate on is “Tachiagirl” (タチアガール), scheduled for release on September 28. They are also expected to participate in S/mileage’s nationwide tour that begins on September 10. They will also appear with the four current official members in a new photobook titled “S/mileage 1″ that goes on sale on September 26.
Tsunku plans to wait until at least the end of October before formally announcing whether each of the new recruits will become an official member. If they don’t become part of S/mileage, he says that they may become Hello! Pro Eggs, debut as a separate group, or even leave Hello! Project completely.
Sources:
Natalie
Mantan Web
Matsushima Nanako (37) will take on the starring role for an NTV drama this fall, her first television series since 2009. Titled “Kaseifu no Mita,” the story is an original work by screenwriter Yukawa Kazuhiko, whom she previously worked with for the shows “GTO” and “Majo no Jouken.”
In the drama, Matsushima plays a mysterious housekeeper named Mita Akari, whose age is a secret and who is completely unsociable. However, she is perfect in her housework, and through her work she resolves hidden issues among the family members of the homes she is dispatched to. Despite her clients’ eventual wishes to keep her as a permanent housekeeper, she always moves on to the next job, where a fresh set of domestic problems await.
The rest of the cast has not yet been announced, but NTV has launched the show’s preliminary website. Broadcast is scheduled for Wednesdays at 10:00pm, starting this October.
Source:
Cinema Today
Singer and voice actress Sakamoto Maaya (31) is now married to voice actor Suzumura Kenichi (36), it was recently revealed. The two of them announced on their official websites that they registered their marriage on August 8, 2011.
Sakamoto and Suzumura have worked together for many anime series in the past, including “Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny” (as Lunamaria Hawke and Shinn Asuka) and “Ouran High School Host Club” (as Fujioka Haruhi and Hitachiin Hikaru).
Source:
Natalie
Actress Ayase Haruka (26) has just been revealed as the heroine of the big-budget TBS drama series “Nankyoku Tairiku” that will air this fall. This teams her up once again with SMAP’s Kimura Takuya (38), as they previously co-starred in the 2009 series “MR.BRAIN” and the 2006 drama special for the “HERO” franchise.
As announced in January, “Nankyoku Tairiku” focuses on the difficulties faced by Japan’s first Antarctic research expedition team, who were also the subject of the hit 1983 film “Nankyoku Monogatari.” In particular, one of the most notable aspects of that expedition was the miraculous survival of two of the dogs – out of the original 19 Sakhalin Huskies – even after the expedition team was forced to leave them behind and retreat from their base due to extreme weather conditions.
Kimura plays a researcher named Kuramochi Takeshi, one of the leaders of the team. Ayase plays the part of an elementary school teacher named Takaoka Miyuki, the younger sister of Kuramochi’s deceased wife. The role is said to be a painful one, as she deals with the loneliness and uneasiness caused by Kuramochi being on the dangerous Antarctic expedition.
“Nankyoku Tairiku” will premiere this October in TBS’s Sunday 9:00pm time slot.
Source:
Sankei Sports
Just recently ONE OK ROCK had started a mysterious count down on their official homepage and with it reaching 00:00 a new album has been announced along with a two-day performance at Yokohama Arena.
The album will be released on October 5th 2011 and will be titled "Zankyou Reference ". It is their 5th original album and will include the previously released songs like "Re:make" and "No SCARED".
Moreover, from November the band will be going on their new tour, which eventually will be leading them to two days at Yokohama Arena on January 21st and 22nd 2012.
Details will be announced soon.
5th Album "Zankyou Reference"
Released Date: 2011/10/05
[First Press Limited Edition] 3,150Yen (tax in)
[Regular Edition] 2,800Yen (tax in)
News Credits: Music Japan+
Kimura Kaela Returning onto the Stage of Akasaka BLITZ!
2011-08-05
Kimura Kaela / live
On August 3rd 2011, pop-singer Kimura Kaela has returned onto the stage of Akasaka BLITZ. It was her first live performance since she had given birth to her child and a triumphant return for the "XYLISH presents Welcome Home Tour 2011". It had been about a year and a half since her last performance.
"Thank you, I am Kimura Kaela", she greeted. "Welcome to my Welcome Home Tour! And, and...I am home! I had been waiting for this day to come. And I am so excited! I had been talking about how to actually do this performance before...but it's going unexpectedly well."
Kimura performed in front of 1,700 people presenting nostalgic and recent songs, along with her new single "Kidoairaku + Ai", which has just been released on August 3rd 2011 as well.
Article Credits: Music Japan+
Image Credits: photobucket
Broadcaster NHK has announced that actor Ito Hideaki (35) will star in a new drama series titled “Last Money ~Ai no Nedan~.” Inspired by a real-life series of murders for insurance money, the show is described as a tale of psychological suspense revolving around themes of love and money.
Ito, who has never before played the lead in an NHK series, has been cast as a claims adjuster for a life insurance company. While burdened with a past trauma involving an insurance claim, he begins investigating a woman suspected of marriage fraud, played by Takashima Reiko.
Supporting cast members include Nakamaru Yuichi (KAT-TUN), Matsushige Yutaka, Tabata Tomoko, Tanaka Tetsushi, Ibu Masato, and Natsuyagi Isao.
“Last Money” begins airing on September 13 in NHK’s Tuesday 10:00pm time slot and will continue for 7 episodes.
Source:
Oricon
The heroine of the “Rurouni Kenshin” live-action movie has just been revealed. Rising star Takei Emi (17) will take on the role of Kamiya Kaoru, playing opposite lead actor Sato Takeru’s (22) Himura Kenshin.
The movie, based on Watsuki Nobuhiro’s popular manga of the same name, was just officially confirmed last month. Filming begins in August, so Takei is already preparing with training in swordplay and other skills.
Theatrical release is planned for summer 2012.
Takei recently starred in the manga-to-drama adaptation “Asukou March!” She has also landed major roles in the 2012 taiga drama “Taira no Kiyomori” and the 2012 movie “Ai to Makoto 201X.”
Sources:
Oricon
Eiga.com
SKE48 members Matsui Jurina (14) and Yagami Kumi (17) are making their movie debuts together in a film titled “WAYA! Uchuu Ichi no Osekkai Daisakusen,” it has been learned.
Directed by Kohatsu Yo, the film stars comedian Itoda Jun, a member of the duo Speed Wagon. The story is set in the Endouji shopping arcade in Nagoya, near SKE48′s base in Sakae.
Itoda plays the part of Kantaro, a young man working at the cleaners who is chosen as the head of the arcade’s youth organization. He decides to plan a big event in honor of the arcade’s chairman, a stubborn old man named Shige (Yazaki Shigeru) who has been running a wooden clog shop for 30 years. However, his true objective is to reconcile the relationship between Shige and Shige’s friend Nobu (Lou Oshiba) after the two have a fight. But Kantaro’s little white lie ends up growing, turning his meddlesome plan into a mess.
Matsui plays Sanae, the granddaughter of the stubborn old man, while Yagami plays a cool high school student. Matsui was actually only 13 when the movie was filmed, even though her character is 18 years old.
Both Matsui and Yagami were chosen for their parts through an audition involving all of the SKE48 members, held by the director at the group’s theater in Sakae.
The cast also includes Itoda’s comedy partner Ozawa Kazuhiro, Mizuno Miki, Fujita Tomoko, Moro Morooka, Miwa Mizuki, and Kojima Noriko.
“WAYA! Uchuu Ichi no Osekkai Daisakusen” will open first in Nagoya in October, and other theaters across the country will follow.
Sources:
Eiga.com
2NE1 set for September debut in Japan
Due to the earthquake in Japan, 2NE1's debut plans were delayed. However, come September, 2NE1 will be making a lightning debut in Japan with a formal mini-album. YG Entertainment stated, "On September 21st, 2NE1 will be releasing a mini album and making their official debut in Japan through popular Japanese agency, Avex Entertainment."
On March 11th of this year, 2NE1 had visited Japan in order to appear on a popular music program in Japan, "Music Station". However, due to a huge earthquake at the time, their appearance and the release of their album were both postponed.
With their debut album release coming up, a download service for "I am the Best" will begin on Japan's biggest music mobile site, "Rekochoku," on July 20th, to kick off the 2NE1 countdown. To follow up, on August 10th and August 31st, they will release two more of their hit Korean songs as Japanese versions. Just like their group name, it will be in intervals of 21 days.
Leader CL stated, "After experiencing such hardships together, we feel closer with everyone. This time, we hope that we can create stages that we can enjoy together." Fellow member Sandara Park also revealed, "Still, when I think about the earthquake that day, my heart beats fast. It was a tough time but we'll still be going to Japan to work hard on our activities."
Are you excited for 2NE1 to debut in Japan?
Source: Herald M and YG Ladies
Credits: Karina @ Koreaboo
The hit drama series “SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~” from last year is going to continue in the form of a special episode and a theatrical movie. Toda Erika (22) and Kase Ryo (36) will return as co-stars.
Originally broadcast during the fall of 2010, “SPEC” was the spiritual successor to the 1999 drama series “Keizoku.” Toda and Kase played two police detectives dealing with unnatural cases, leading them into confrontation against people with special powers known as SPECs.
The special episode will air before the release of the movie, though no specific broadcast date has been announced yet. The episode is tentatively titled “SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~ Shou” and will take place one year after the drama series, focusing on addressing some of the questions that were left unanswered.
The movie is tentatively titled ”SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~ Ten.” Like the original series and the special episode, Tsutsumi Yukihiko (55) will direct. Details are still unknown, but the release has been scheduled for spring 2012.
tokyograph
Actress and singer Mizuki Alisa (34) is said to currently be in a relationship with actor Shimizu Ryotaro (22). According to the Sports Nippon newspaper, the two of them started dating earlier this year, and Shimizu has already openly informed his father, comic impersonator Shimizu Akira (57).
Mizuki is currently starring in the TBS drama series “Hanawake no Yon-shimai” that started on Sunday. As previously reported, that drama makes this her 20th year in a row that she has had a starring role in a television series.
Shimizu, on the other hand, is a relatively new actor. He started out in 2006 with a minor role in “Komyo ga Tsuji.” He has also appeared in dramas such as “Elite Yankee Saburo” and the third season of “Gokusen.”
When reached for comment, Mizuki’s and Shimizu’s agencies both simply stated that the two are good friends.
Source:
Sponichi Annex
Hello! Project trio Buono! will star together in a movie for the first time. The movie is titled “Gomennasai” and is an adaptation of a popular mobile phone novel. Asato Mari (“Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo”) is directing.
“Gomennasai” is a horror story set in a high school in the Kanagawa prefecture. The three main characters are Hidaka Yuka (Suzuki Airi), Kurobane Hinako (Natsuyaki Miyabi), and Sonoda Shiori (Tsugunaga Momoko). The story starts when Shiori is unable to beat the talented Hinako in a test, and she begins getting harassed about it. Hinako is later forced to write the script for a play that will be performed at the school festival, but from that point on, people around them begin to mysteriously die one by one.
The three members of Buono! will also apparently appear in secondary roles as themselves, addressing the audience about real-life horror stories.
The movie is scheduled to be released this fall. Buono! will also sing the theme song, which has not been given a title yet.
tokyograph
On the 8th, actress Inoue Mao filmed on location in Azumino, Nagano for NHK's current asadora Ohisama. It has been exactly a year since filming first began in Azumino. On the day of filming, soba flowers were in full bloom. The sunny weather also allowed for filming to be completed smoothly.
Set in the Showa period, the times have finally settled down as it reached 1950 (Showa 25). The scenes filmed that day will show the dream of the Maruyama family. These will air during weeks 20 to 22 of the drama, which will be broadcasted from August 15 to September 3.
For Inoue it is her second time filming on location in Azumino. She says, "It's been a year since the crank-in. The seasons have come and gone, but it's great to come back." With the effects of the Tohoku earthquake, there are many things people are reflecting upon these days. Inoue believes there are lots of meaningful lines in the drama, with many more messages still to be conveyed. "I'm really grateful to play a character who cherishes everything around her."
It's the first time for Kora Kengo to film on location in Azumino. He plays of the role of Inoue's husband in the drama. Kora says that he's happy to be in Azumino. "The scenery here is amazing. There's an entirely new feeling you get filming on location than in the studio." With another month left to go, everyone promises to do their best to complete the filming.
Compiled from: Daily Sports Online & Nikkan Sports
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ asianfanatics.net
The hit drama series “SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~” from last year is going to continue in the form of a special episode and a theatrical movie. Toda Erika (22) and Kase Ryo (36) will return as co-stars.
Originally broadcast during the fall of 2010, “SPEC” was the spiritual successor to the 1999 drama series “Keizoku.” Toda and Kase played two police detectives dealing with unnatural cases, leading them into confrontation against people with special powers known as SPECs.
The special episode will air before the release of the movie, though no specific broadcast date has been announced yet. The episode is tentatively titled “SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~ Shou” and will take place one year after the drama series, focusing on addressing some of the questions that were left unanswered.
The movie is tentatively titled ”SPEC ~Keishichou Kouanbu Kouan Daigoka Mishou Jiken Tokubetsu Taisakugakari Jikenbo~ Ten.” Like the original series and the special episode, Tsutsumi Yukihiko (55) will direct. Details are still unknown, but the release has been scheduled for spring 2012.
tokyograph
Actress Horikita Maki (22) has officially been announced as the star of an upcoming NHK morning drama, confirming a rumor from earlier this month. The drama is titled “Umechan-sensei” and is an original story written by Ozaki Masaya (“Kekkon Dekinai Otoko,” “Oniyome Nikki”).
The story is set in the devastated area of Kamata, Tokyo, in 1945 just after the end of the war. Horikita plays Shimomura Umeko, the youngest of three siblings whose father is a doctor at a university hospital. Compared to her outstanding sister Matsuko and brother Takeo, she lacks self-confidence, but an incident makes her determined to become a local doctor. However, her path is fraught with failures.
Horikita will play the character from the age of 16 up to her mid-30s. This is the first time that she has been cast as a doctor.
Filming is scheduled to begin in November of this year. The series will last 156 episodes, starting on April 2, 2012.
tokyograph
TOKYO: A live-action film adaption of popular Japanese manga (graphic novel) "Ruruoni Kenshin", which stars Japanese actor Takeru Sato as the film's hero Kenshin Himura, will go into production in July, reported Japanese media.
"Ruruoni Kenshin" revolves around Himura, a master samurai who had slain countless men over the course of his career as the deadly assassin Hitokiri Battousai.
He vows to stop killing after the Meiji Restoration, a series of events that restored imperial rule to Japan, leaving his life of bloodshed behind to lead the life of a wanderer who protects the weak with his skills.
"Everyone knows the character Kenshin in the original work. I think engaging acting is required.
"I will work with the production staff to create a Kenshin that stays true to the details [in the Manga]," said 22-year-old Sato, who is now undergoing swordsmanship training.
The creator of "Ruruoni Kenshin", 41-year-old manga artist Nobuhiro Watsuki, was happy that the role of Kenshin Himura went to Sato.
"When the project first began, I and my wife were discussing who should play Kenshin, and Takeru Sato was the first person who came to mind.
"So when it was confirmed [that Sato would play Himura], I was surprised but also very happy," said Watsuki.
The rest of the film's cast will be announced at a later date.
Warner Brothers will produce the film, which is scheduled for a 2012 release.
CNA
Dream Morning Musume member and former Morning Musume member Ishikawa Rika (26) has landed her first starring movie role. She will headline the cast of “Atsuhime Number 1,” a film produced by Tsunku (42) that is expected to be released next year.
In the story, Ishikawa plays the part of Atsuhime, a princess during the Edo period. A time slip sends her into the present day, where she becomes a hostess at a high-class Ginza club. Nakazawa Yuko (38), who is also part of Dream Morning Musume, will play Atsuhime’s mentor Tae. According to Tsunku, he is considering including surprise appearances by current and former Morning Musume members.
“Atsuhime Number 1″ will begin filming next month. Before that, Ishikawa is planning to make a trip to an actual Ginza hostess club in order to prepare for the role. An exact release date has not been set yet, but it is currently planned for release in spring 2012 or later.
Tsunku stated that a portion of the movie’s ticket sales will be donated to earthquake relief efforts through Up-Front Group’s ongoing charity project.
tokyograph
Actress Fukiishi Kazue (28) will star in a TV Asahi drama series this summer titled “Barairo no Seisen.” The show is based on Koyama Yukari’s popular manga of the same name, which is currently being serialized in Kodansha’s magazine Kiss.
Fukiishi plays a housewife named Makoto whose peaceful life suddenly changes when she learns of her husband’s affair. Determined to reaffirm her own beauty, she decides to try becoming a fashion model.
Hasegawa Tomoharu (39) will play Makoto’s husband, while Watanabe Konomi (4) will play their daughter. Inoue Jun (64) has been cast as Makoto’s father. Natsuki Mari (59) will play the president of Makoto’s modeling agency, and Ashina Sei (27), Nakama Lisa (28), and Takizawa Saori (29) will also play models. Kaname Jun (30) will round out the cast as a popular photographer.
“Barairo no Seisen” will air on Sundays at 11:00pm this summer.
tokyograph
Popular male idol group SMAP will release a charity album called “SMAP AID” on Aug 17. The album will feature songs voted on by fans.
According to SMAP’s management, Johnny’s Entertainment, many Japanese fans wrote to the agency following the March earthquake and tsunami disaster to say that SMAP songs cheered them up in the wake of the tragedy. The messages led to the album’s concept.
The album, which will sell for 3,570 yen, will come with a yellow or red handkerchief—red representing health, and yellow representing happiness. Two hundred yen from the sale of each album will go to the “Marching J” charity project.
The band will also hold a fan meet-and-greet on Sept 9, where 1,000 fans who participate in a lottery will get the new album for free.
japantoday
V6 member Okada Junichi (30) is starring in a new movie called “Tenchi Meisatsu,” directed by Takita Yojiro (“Okuribito”). He is joined by actress Miyazaki Aoi (25), whom he previously worked with on the movie “Kagehinata ni Saku” in 2008.
“Tenchi Meisatsu” is an adaptation of an award-winning novel by Ubukata Tow (“Le Chevalier D'Eon,” “Mardock Scramble”). Okada plays the role of Shibukawa Shunkai, an astronomer and Go player in the early Edo period who was later known as Yasui Santetsu. The story follows his life as he undertook the significant project of revising the calendar, leading to the invention of the Jokyo calendar that was used for several decades.
Miyazaki plays the wife of Shibukawa, whom she initially meets through her mathematician brother (Sato Ryuta). Kanjani8 member Yokoyama Yu plays Honinbo Dosaku, Shibukawa’s rival in Go. Other cast members include Nakai Kiichi, Matsumoto Koshiro, Ichikawa Somegoro, Ichikawa Kamejiro, Sasano Takashi, Kishibe Ittoku, Watanabe Dai, and Shirai Akira.
Hisaishi Jo is handling the soundtrack. Filming is scheduled to finish in mid-August, and theatrical release is planned for fall 2012.
tokyograph
Last November, actress Takeuchi Yuko (31) starred in the Fuji TV drama special “Strawberry Night.” That special is now being turned into a full drama series, scheduled for broadcast early next year. Takeuchi will return with other main cast members like Takeda Tetsuya (62) and Nishijima Hidetoshi (40), and Koide Keisuke (27) has been revealed as one of the new cast additions.
The “Strawberry Night” drama special was based on a bestselling mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya, part of the “Himekawa Reiko” series. The new drama series will continue the story with several of the other “Himekawa Reiko” books.
Takeuchi once again plays the protagonist Himekawa Reiko, an elite police detective who has quickly risen in the ranks. Because of her keen instincts, she is said to understand a criminal’s thoughts even better than the criminal himself.
Besides Takeda, Nishijima, and Koide, the cast also features Ukaji Takashi, Namase Katsuhisa, Takashima Masahiro, Endo Kenichi, Watanabe Ikkei, and Tsugawa Masahiko.
Filming for the show has already begun, though Fuji TV plans to broadcast it next year, starting in January.
tokyograph
Former Morning Musume member Ichii Sayaka (27) and former musician Yoshizawa Naoki (35) have divorced. Ichii’s management agency announced on Monday that she got divorced on May 23, just one day after Yaguchi Mari (28), another former Morning Musume member, got married.
Ichii and Yoshizawa got married in May 2004. Since then, Ichii gave birth to two daughters, currently ages 6 and 4. Although she left show business for a time, she returned in 2009 and has mainly been active in modeling and acting.
Although Ichii’s agency did not announce the reason for the divorce, this week’s issue of Shukan Josei published a comment on the matter, supposedly from someone who knows the couple. According to that article, Yoshizawa has been negligent in his child-raising responsibilities, leading to feelings of mistrust. It is also said that since his retirement as a guitarist, there was a time when Yoshizawa did not have a steady job.
Sources:
Singer-songwriter Kawaguchi Kyogo (36), known for hits such as “Sakura,” is soon getting married. His wife-to-be is half-Mexican talento Cecilia (30), who is mainly active as a television and radio personality. The two plan to register their marriage sometime this month.
Kawaguchi and Cecilia first got to know each other about 10 years ago, when they were both regulars on separate radio shows on FM Shiga. They went separate ways after that, but in December of last year they met again through a friend. They soon began dating around Christmas, and it is said that they had been thinking about marriage from the start.
Kawaguchi is starting a tour on June 30, and he is also soon releasing a new cover album titled “Kimi wo Suki Datta Ano Koro 2.”
Source:
Actress Inoue Mao (24) is currently starring in NHK's asadora Ohisama. Photos of her wearing a shiromuku (traditional wedding kimono) for the drama was revealed earlier in the week. Her attire ties in appropriately with the storyline for next week, titled "Kyou dake no Hanayome" (A Bride for Only Today). Inoue comments on her first time wearing a shiromuku, "I've had experience wearing wedding dresses before on other projects, but I never had the chance to wear a shiromuku. I really wanted to try wearing one, so I'm grateful I've been able to with filming Ohisama."
Next week's storyline will follow Yoko and Kazunari's wedding in the midst of the Second World War. There will be a sense of bittersweetness for Yoko as her husband returns to the battlefield the morning after the ceremony.
At an earlier press conference prior to the Tohoku earthquake, Inoue had mentioned how she hoped the drama will bring happiness to everyone in Japan. As her character is the Taiyou no Yoko, no matter what setbacks she encounters, she always remembers to smile through the tough times. With the current situation in Japan, hopefully the message behind the story will resonate with everyone.
Ohisama airs Monday to Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Next week will be the tenth week of the drama.
Inoue Mao Wears Her First Wedding Kimono for NHK's Asadora
Source: Asahi
Actress Mizuki Alisa (34) will star in a new TBS drama series this summer, making her the first person ever to have a lead role in a drama series for 20 consecutive years. Her part this time is in “Hanawake no Yon-shimai,” based on a manga by Saimon Fumi (“Tokyo Love Story,” “Asunaro Hakusho”).
Serialized from 2005 to 2008 in Kodansha’s magazine Morning, “Hanawake no Yon-shimai” is a comedy depicting the ups and downs of four sisters. Mizuki plays the second eldest Takemi, who has divorced twice and is a single mother of three children.
Kichise Michiko (36) plays the eldest sister Fujiko, an “unbeatable” fashion magazine editor. Kanjiya Shihori (25) plays the third sister Sakurako, an employee at a wig maker who is easily swayed by others and who is searching for her true self.Kawashima Umika (17) plays the youngest sister Ume, a 2nd-year theater student at an art college who has zero experience in love.
All four of the sisters are connected somehow to a freelance photographer, played by NEWS member Kato Shigeaki (23). The sisters’ parents are being played by Endo Kenichi (49) and Miyazaki Yoshiko (52).
“Hanawake no Yon-shimai” will air in TBS’s Sunday 9:00pm time slot (currently occupied by “JIN”). The series will premiere sometime in July.
Sources:
Mantan Web
Actress Maki Yoko (28) is taking on the lead role in an NHK drama series at the end of this year. Titled “Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi,” the series is based on the novel “Omoiwazurau Koto Naku Tanoshiku Ikiyo” by the popular, prize-winning author Ekuni Kaori.
The story focuses on the love lives of three sisters and their bonds as a family. Maki plays the middle sister Haruko, who turns down a marriage proposal from her beloved boyfriend. Kimura Tae (40) plays the eldest sister Asako, who is hiding the fact that she is suffering from domestic violence by her husband. Kaho (19) has the role of the youngest sister Ikuko, who is unable to understand the concept of love.
Nagatsuka Kyozo and Takahata Atsuko have been cast as the parents of the three sisters. Yusuke Santamaria, Tokui Yoshimi (Tutorial), Miura Takahiro, and Kataoka Reiko also have supporting roles.
NHK plans to broadcast the show as an 8-episode series between November 1 and December 20, running in a Tuesday 10:00pm time slot. Composer Oshima Michiru is handling the soundtrack, while Ando Yuko is providing the theme song, “Kagayakashiki Hibi.” Asano Taeko is in charge of the script.
Maki previously starred in “Shukan Maki Yoko” in 2008, but that series consisted of unrelated episodes by different writers and directors. “Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi” will count as her first true starring role in a television series.
Sources:
Oricon
Model Masuwaka Tsubasa (25) is about to make her debut as a singer. On July 20, she will release her debut single “Bunny days♥” under the stage name Milky Bunny.
“Bunny days” is a song aimed at girls in love, describing the “fluffy, fun time” just before a friend becomes a lover. The song will be used in a commercial for the cosmetics brand CandyDoll, produced by Masuwaka herself. She also appears in the commercial, which is scheduled to begin airing on June 16.
Masuwaka said that she has been dreaming of becoming a singer for a long time. She remarked, “The things that I couldn’t express as Masuwaka Tsubasa, I hope that I can convey them through my music activities as Milky Bunny. Please look forward to it.”
Source:
Oricon
It was reported on Friday that former Morning Musume member Yaguchi Mari (28) and former D-BOYS member Nakamura Masaya (25) were planning to get married this month. Sure enough, they announced their marriage at a press conference on Sunday. The two submitted their marriage registration late at night on May 21, technically during the early hours of May 22.
Yaguchi and Nakamura met around the start of 2010, and their relationship became public in May of that year. Nakamura said that he proposed to Yaguchi on January 20 of this year, her 28th birthday. They originally intended to register their marriage in March, but they postponed it due to the Tohoku earthquake.
Reporters asked various questions during the press conference, such as whether their height difference (almost 50 centimeters) was a problem. Yaguchi replied that it wasn’t, and Nakamura bashfully explained that he usually lifts her up when they kiss.
When asked about how they started dating, Nakamura said they met through a mutual friend. He said that they had matching interests, such as enjoying drinking and liking the same anime series. Yaguchi remarked that previously, some news sources inaccurately reported that she had fallen in love at first sight and aggressively pursued Nakamura, but the truth is that they instantly got along and began dating right away.
The two were also asked about Nakamura’s proposal. They were both in Osaka for work on Yaguchi’s birthday, and they went out to a fancy izakaya, where Nakamura presented her with an engagement ring with the words, “I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.” “He worked hard to buy that ring,” Yaguchi said. Nakamura explained, “I can’t say what my salary is, but it was more than three months’ worth.” Yaguchi jokingly countered, “It was probably about one year’s worth.”
Asked about their plans for children, Nakamura said that they both like kids, but because they are both working, they will leave it up to when the timing is right. Yaguchi admitted that she would like to have children soon.
The two have not yet decided on a date for their wedding ceremony.
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The latest film from director Gu Su-yeon (“Guuzen ni mo Saiaku no Shounen”) will star actor Matsuda Shota (25), it has been revealed. Titled “Hard Romanticker,” the film is based on Gu Su-yeon’s debut novel of the same name, a partially autobiographical account of his experiences as a second-generation Korean in Japan.
Matsuda plays the part of Gu, a high school dropout who works as a part-timer. He gets tangled in trouble through a gangster that he has known since he was a child (Maki Kurodo), leading to the involvement of a police detective (Watabe Atsuro).
For the role, Matsuda came up with the idea to dye his hair blond and slick it back. Filming started on April 29 and is planned to finish at the end of this month. The story is set in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi (where Matsuda’s father and legendary actor Matsuda Yusaku was born) and in Ogura, Fukuoka.
The supporting cast also features Nagayama Kento, Emoto Tokio, Maki Yoko, Watanabe Dai, Endo Yuya (D-BOYS), Ochiai Motoki (NAKED BOYZ), Ishigaki Yuma, Endo Kaname, Ashina Sei, Nakamura Shido, Hakuryu, Kaneko Nobuaki, Kawano Naoki, and Awaji Reiko.
“Hard Romanticker” is scheduled for release in early 2012.
Rokuhana Chiyo’s award-winning manga “IS ~Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei~” is being turned into a live-action series on TV Tokyo, co-starring actresses Fukuda Saki (20) and Goriki Ayame (18). This will be Goriki’s first lead role in a drama series.
“IS” stands for “intersexual,” a term referring to people who cannot clearly be classified as male or female, and who may biologically possess characteristics of both sexes. Rokuhana’s manga primarily deals with the troubles faced by the young Hoshino Haru (played by Fukuda), an intersexual who was registered as a girl at birth but has been raised as a boy.
Goriki plays Aihara Miwako, a mysterious classmate who tries to get close to Haru. Inoue Masahiro has been cast as Ibuki Kenji, a member of the soccer club whom Haru begins having feelings for. Nishida Naomi and Minami Kaho play Miwako’s and Haru’s mothers, respectively.
TV Tokyo has scheduled “IS” for a Monday 10:00pm time slot this summer, beginning in July.
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Ueto Aya (25) is confirmed to be returning to Fuji TV in a sequel to the 2010 drama series “Zettai Reido.” While the previous series had the subtitle “Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Sousa,” the new series is subtitled “Tokushu Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa.”
The original show starred Ueto as rookie detective Sakuragi Izumi, who worked on difficult unsolved cases as part of a Special Investigations Office (based on an actual division established by Japan in 2009). This time takes place half a year later, after Sakuragi has been transferred to a different division that deals with current crimes.
The new “Zettai Reido” series will be broadcast in the same Tuesday 9:00pm time slot, starting in July. Before it begins, Fuji TV will air a 2-hour special episode called “Zettai Reido ~Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Sousa~ Special,” which is set one month after the events of the first series.
Other returning cast members include Kitaoji Kinya (68), Miyasako Hiroyuki (41), and Yamaguchi Sayaka (31).
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Esumi Makiko (44) is starring in her first drama series in four years. Titled “Bull Doctor,” the show has her playing a forensic doctor, while Ishihara Satomi (24) plays a police detective. The series also features SMAP member Inagaki Goro (37) as another forensic doctor who is dating Ishihara’s character.
Esumi’s character Tamami is the “bull doctor” of the show’s title, which comes from the word “bulldozer.” Ignoring any opposition from the people around her, she uses any means necessary to determine the truth behind the deaths of the bodies she examines. Because of her personality, she is constantly at odds with both Ishihara and Inagaki’s characters.
The screenplay is being written by Hashibe Atsuko, who also worked on hit dramas like “Freeter, Ie wo Kau,” “Boku no Ikiru Michi,” and “Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji.”
NTV will broadcast “Bull Doctor” on Wednesday nights at 10:00pm this summer, beginning in July.
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The Nikkan Sports newspaper reported today that Arashi member Ninomiya Kazunari (27) and popular model Sasaki Nozomi (23) are in a serious relationship, though the story has not been confirmed by any official sources.
According to the newspaper, Ninomiya and Sasaki got to know each other in April 2010 when Sasaki made a guest appearance on Arashi’s show “Himitsu no Arashi-chan!” (TBS). It is said that they started truly dating that winter. Due to their popularity, they have avoided going out on dates in public, instead finding room in their busy schedules to spend time together at Sasaki’s apartment.
That apartment is in a high-class building with many celebrity residents. One of the building’s residents, who was not identified in the newspaper’s article, stated that Ninomiya has been seen there as much as twice a week. It is also said that Sasaki’s apartment is a 2LDK (2 bedrooms, living, and dining room) with an area of more than 100 square meters, plenty enough for even a whole family.
According to the newspaper’s sources, Sasaki has told close friends about the relationship, happily declaring that she and Ninomiya are “practically living together.”
So far, neither side has issued a comment on the matter.
NEWS 24 indicated that the management agencies for Ninomiya and Sasaki have responded, each stating it has heard that the two are just friends.
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The TV Asahi drama special “Saigo no Bansan,” which aired on May 14, is getting a sequel in the form of a whole series this summer. Sato Koichi (50) will reprise his starring role. Miura Haruma (21), who only appeared on screen for 45 seconds in the drama special, will be playing a major role in the series.
“Saigo no Bansan” was previously described as the “ultimate mystery/suspense story,” featuring a star-studded cast, led by Sato as a police detective trying to solve a particular case. The series will take place after the events of “Saigo no Bansan,” as the case has not yet been completely closed. Sato’s character has received orders from above and has become a newly appointed instructor at a police school, while Miura plays one of the young trainees.
Like the special, Inoue Yumiko is writing the screenplay for the series.
The show has not yet been given an official title. TV Asahi will broadcast it on Thursdays at 9:00pm, starting in July.
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Talento and gravure idol Uehara Miyu has just passed away at the age of 24. She was found hanged in her apartment in Meguro, Tokyo, earlier today (May 12). Police are currently investigating the incident as a suicide.
According to the police, an acquaintance discovered Uehara at around 2:00am and called 119. An emergency team rushed to the scene to find an unconscious Uehara, and she was confirmed dead at a hospital about an hour and a half later.
Uehara made her debut as a race queen in 2006. She became popular about two years later for her reputation of being a “poor idol,” having grown up in poverty as the youngest of 10 children.
Just two days before her death, she wrote a blog entry talking about her worries with her love life, starting off with the words, “I hated the sky today.” She continued, “In reality, I can’t do love. I used to always be in a relationship, but I’m losing my understanding of how to love or have a romance.” It appears she closed her message with a genuine plea for advice.
Uehara just celebrated her 24th birthday on May 2.
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Fuji TV announced today that the 2007 drama series “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~ Ikemen Paradise” is coming back this summer, but with an entirely new cast. Instead of the original lead actress Horikita Maki, the new series will be led by AKB48’s Maeda Atsuko.
Based on the popular manga series by Nakajo Hisaya, “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e” (abbreviated as “Hana Kimi”) tells the story of a girl named Ashiya Mizuki who lives in the United States. She falls in love with a young high jumper named Sano Izumi after seeing him on television, but when he suddenly quits the sport, she decides to take action. In order to get close to Sano and help him return to high jumping, she moves to Japan and disguises herself as a boy to enroll in Sano’s all-boys high school.
In the first drama series, the male leads were played by Oguri Shun and Ikuta Toma, though the show also featured other popular actors like Mizushima Hiro and Okada Masaki. The new show will reportedly have a fresh cast, and the setting and story will also be changed. Rather than being a sequel to the first series, Fuji TV’s announcement suggests that this will be a new retelling of the story. However, plot details are being kept secret for now.
The original series averaged 17.3% ratings over its 12-episode run, and the finale reached 21.0%.
Naturally, AKB48 will be in charge of the new show’s theme song, to be released in August, likely as the group’s 22nd single. The center member and other participants will be decided in AKB48′s Senbatsu election, which starts on June 9.
The drama series will start in July and air on Sundays at 9:00pm.
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Previously linked with Matsumoto Jun, Kimura Ryo, baseball player Saito Yuki, Miyao Shuntarou and Yamashita Tomohisa, Kitagawa Keiko is currently rumoured to be dating actor Hosoda Yoshihiko, one year her junior. Both actors belong to the same management company and had roles in last season's TBS drama, LADY ~ Saigo no Hanzai Profile.
The latest edition of Josei Seven reports that both actors went out for a meal together at a popular yakiniku restaurant before returning to Kitagawa's apartment for the night. According to eyewitness accounts, the actors were joined by Hosoda's friends, who he introduced to Kitagawa. It seemed like he was the one who made the reservation at the restaurant, as he was attentive in ordering food for the group.
Their management company says that it's not uncommon for actors to go out for meals together, but insists they are not dating. The company also clarified that Kitagawa had friends over at her house that night and there were four of them altogether. However, Hosoda did not leave Kitagawa's apartment till 11:30 p.m. the following day. In other words, he was over there for 24 hours. Josei Seven has taken the opportunity to label Kitagawa as a nikushoku joshi (carnivore women).
Kitagawa Keiko Rumoured to be Dating Hosoda Yoshihiko
Excerpt from: Infoseek
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ asianfanatics.net
Perfume’s hit song “Polyrhythm” will make its world debut this summer. The song will be used in all versions of Disney and Pixar’s upcoming movie “Cars 2,” the sequel to the 2006 animated film “Cars.” In addition, “Polyrhythm” will also be included on the movie’s CD soundtrack that will be released worldwide in June.
Like the first movie, “Cars 2″ features anthropomorphic cars in a story revolving around racing. “Polyrhythm” will play during a scene at a party the night before the World Grand Prix race in Japan.
The movie’s staff had been searching for music by a Japanese artist to use in that scene, and a Perfume fan on staff suggested the song to director John Lasseter. When they tried it out alongside the neon signs and other bright visuals in the scene, they found the cute pop tune to be a perfect match.
“Cars 2″ opens in the United States on June 24. In Japan, it will hit theaters on July 30.
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Koike Eiko (30) will finally achieve her dream of starring in a romantic comedy. She will play the main character of a BeeTV mobile drama called “Ese Nikushoku Joshi no Renai Jijou,” scheduled to begin this month.
Koike plays the 33-year-old Madoka, a single working woman whose stylish appearance causes everyone to assume that she is a “nikushoku-joshi” (“carnivorous woman”). However, when it comes to matters of romance, she is actually the opposite – a passive “soushoku” type (“herbivorous”). As a result, she is constantly getting her heart broken.
Her supporting cast will be played by Kaname Jun (30), Nonami Maho (30), Hiraiwa Kami (31), Suzuki Ami (29), Aijima Kazuyuki (39), and Masu Takeshi (55). The screenplay is by Nakazono Miho, the writer of shows like “Yamato Nadeshiko” and “Haken no Hinkaku.”
BeeTV will begin releasing the drama on May 20, with updates every Monday. A total of 12 episodes are planned, each approximately 10 minutes in length.
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The complete main cast of the “Wild 7” movie adaptation was uncovered on Monday during an on-location press conference in Kawaguchi, Saitama. It was previously reported that the film includes lead actor Eita and Kanjani8 member Maruyama Ryuhei as two of the titular group of outlaws, but it is now known that the rest are being played by Shiina Kippei, Abe Tsuyoshi, Ukaji Takashi, Hirayama Yusuke, and Matsumoto Minoru.
Also joining the cast is Fukada Kyoko, who will play the story’s heroine as Yuki, a mysterious woman working as a sommelier at an Italian restaurant. Her character is said to be an important one, holding the key to the story.
As explained in previous reports, “Wild 7″ is based on an action manga by Mochizuki Mikiya from the 1970s, telling the story of a motorcycle-riding group of former convicts (the “Wild 7″) who get selected by the police to combat terrorists and other criminals. Nakai Kiichi will be playing the police superintendent who oversees the group.
Kaname Jun and Motokariya Yuika have been cast as newspaper reporters chasing after the incidents that the “Wild 7″ are involved in. Yoshida Kotaro plays an official with the Public Security Intelligence Agency.
The film has now been given a release date around the start of 2012.
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The AM2 convention just announced visual-kei band Sadie as one of this year’s musical guests, but it immediately followed that up with the news that female pop-rock band SCANDAL will also be performing.
SCANDAL formed in 2006 and made their indies debut in 2008. That same year, they toured the U.S. as part of the SXSW Japan Nite tour, and they also made a stop at the Sakura-Con convention in Seattle. They also performed at conventions in France and Hong Kong that summer, before they made their major label debut a couple months later.
SCANDAL’s connections to anime include songs used in “Bleach” and “Fullmetal Alchemist.”
According to the Sports Nippon newspaper, talento Ogura Yuko (27) is looking to hold her wedding this fall. It appears that she has decided to have it in Hawaii, and sources say she is currently there to visit a chapel that will likely be the venue for the wedding.
Ogura is engaged to popular hair and makeup stylist Kikuchi Isao (40). Their relationship was discovered in January of last year, and in November it was learned that Ogura had accepted Kikuchi’s proposal.
The two are said to be in the process of choosing a date for the wedding. On several occasions in the past, Ogura has declared that she wants to get married by the age of 28. Given that holding weddings on birthdays is not uncommon, there appears to be a good chance that they will aim for Ogura’s 28th birthday, on November 1.
Source:
Sponichi Annex
Rumors of a solo debut by AKB48’s Maeda Atsuko are now confirmed. Her first single is titled “Flower” and will be used in her movie “Moshi Koukou Yakyuu no Joshi Manager ga Drucker no Management wo Yondara” (“Moshidora”), which opens in theaters on June 4, 2011.
Maeda personally announced the news on Saturday during AKB48′s handshake event at Nagoya Dome. The song is said to be a slow ballad and will be released on CD on June 22. There will be 3 versions, with different coupling songs and DVD content. It will be released through King Records, the same label as AKB48. More details will be revealed at a later date.
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Kanjani8 member Maruyama Ryuhei (27) will appear in his first movie, it was announced today. He is joining lead actor Eita (28) in the movie adaptation of Mochizuki Mikiya’s action manga “Wild 7,” which was unveiled in February.
The original manga, serialized between 1969 and 1979, revolved around a group of seven motorcycle-riding outlaws who receive authorization from the police to combat criminals and terrorists. Eita is playing Hiba Dairoku, the leader and the youngest of the group.
Maruyama has been cast as the member Pairou (or possibly Pyro), an original character for the movie taking the place of the character Happyaku from the manga. Pairou’s grandfather is American, making him a quarter-American. His specialties are explosives and machinery.
Filming is already in progress and is planned to finish in May. Warner Bros. has not yet set a release date for the movie.
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Asami Mizukawa is dating with Koide Keisuke
Kamis, 28 April 2011 | Label: Asami Mizukawa, Koide Keisuke
The latest issue of Josei Seven, which went on sale Thursday, reports that actor Koide Keisuke (27) and actress Mizukawa Asami (27) are dating. The two have been friends since appearing together in the 2006 drama series “Nodame Cantabile,” but it seems that it later turned romantic.
According to the magazine, the pair have been spotted on several dates since early February, such as at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park, a spa, and a cafe bar. Mizukawa was also at a party for Koide the night before his birthday. In mid-April, the magazine snapped photos of Mizukawa as she was leaving Koide’s apartment building at night.
However, both of their agencies responded to inquiries by stating that they are just friends. Mizukawa’s agency said that there were several other friends present during their reported “date.”
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Noritsuke Masaharu’s gag manga series “Afro Tanaka” is getting a live-action movie adaptation. Matsuda Shota (25) will star as the afro-haired protagonist, while model Sasaki Nozomi (23) will play the heroine of the story.
The “Afro Tanaka” series, which runs in Big Comic Spirits, started with “Koukou Afro Tanaka” in 2002-2004 and was followed by “Chuutai Afro Tanaka,” “Joukyou Afro Tanaka,” and the current “Sasurai Afro Tanaka.”
The manga revolves around Tanaka Hiroshi, an afro-haired boy who transfers to a high school in a fictional city in Saitama, and his everyday life with his friends. The various series followed him as he left school, moved to Tokyo, and began working. It is not yet known which time period the movie will focus on, but filming is said to already be close to done.
“Afro Tanaka” is being directed by the young Matsui Daigo (25), who debuted as a screenwriter a couple years ago, when he became the youngest ever to write for an NHK drama series (“Futatsu no Spica”). He then directed part of the Fuji TV drama series “0 Go Shitsu no Kyaku.”
The script for the movie is written by Nishida Masafumi (“Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora”).
Theatrical release is scheduled for 2012.
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Today it was announced that popular South Korean multi-entertainment group SUPER JUNIOR will make their first appearance in a Japanese commercial in addition to news that they’re releasing a Japanese version of “BONAMANA” in June.
Their commercial will be for the popular convenience store chain “Circle K Sunkus” that currently operates 6,257 stores throughout Japan. The members are going to promote the chain’s “South Korea Fair” that will be held in all stores from May 17th to June 13th. During that time you will be able to purchase various special products such as onigiri filled with bulgogi and other Korean dishes. The commercial will start airing on the 17th.
SUPER JUNIOR will also provide the theme song for the commercial, “Bijin“, a Japanese version of their hit song “BONAMANA”. That song will also become the first Japanese single that is going to become available in digital form on May 18. The CD release is going to follow on June 8th.
It is said that the recording with the Japanese lyrics back in March wasn’t much of a problem for the members and the commercial, that was actually already filmed in February, was almost done in one take, underling the professionalism and versatility of the group.
The group commented, “We hope that you will get to know as a bit more through our appearance in the commercial and our song ‘Bijin (BONAMANA)’.”
The group is also going to participate in the “The 4th K-Pop Super Live” concert in Chiba on May 15th.
Source: Sanspo, tokyohive
Posted by elf101586 (www.sup3rjunior.wordpress.com)
Multiple sources reported today that actor Matsuyama Kenichi (26) and actress Koyuki (34) have officially married. At least one source claims that Matsuyama will hold a press conference by himself later today (April 20).
Sources from both of their management agencies revealed that the couple registered their marriage on April 1, an auspicious day (“taian”) according to the rokuyo calendar, but they delayed the public announcement in consideration of those affected by the March 11 earthquake.
Matsuyama and Koyuki were dating for almost three years. They first met in 2008 when they worked together on the movie “Kamui Gaiden” (2009), as Koyuki replaced Kikuchi Rinko after Kikuchi suffered a serious injury during filming. News of Matsuyama and Koyuki’s romance publicly came out in April 2009, and Matsuyama personally confirmed it for the first time in January 2010.
The two are reportedly living together already. It is said that Koyuki plans to continue with her acting career.
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According to the Sankei Sports newspaper, actress Nagasawa Masami (23) and EXILE member AKIRA (29) are currently in a romantic relationship.
A source with knowledge of the situation explained that both of them are originally from Iwata, Shizuoka, and their parents were acquaintances. They both went to the same elementary school and middle school, though several years apart. They later met again after they had both entered the entertainment industry. Nagasawa began turning to AKIRA for advice about work and life, and that developed into romance. It is said that they have been dating for more than a year now, and they frequently visit each other at their homes.
AKIRA reportedly invited Nagasawa to EXILE’s concert in Yokohama on September 12 of last year. The two have also been seen together at a restaurant in Tokyo.
AKIRA’s management office said that it would not comment on his private life. Nagasawa’s side has not yet been reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Sankei Sports also reported today that the rumored relationship between EXILE member HIRO and actress Ueto Aya still seems to be going strong.
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