Idol Yuko Ogura appeared at an event for the opening of DVD rental vending machines in Tokyo. During an interview, a reporter began asking her questions about her love life. But at the mention of Masaru Hamaguchi, male staff members rushed in and declared the interview over. Ogura was forcibly escorted away.

A weekly magazine recently reported that Ogura and Hamaguchi (of the owarai combo Yoiko) are romantically involved. However, the claim has been officially denied.

On Thursday, a press conference was held to announce the reunion of Sadistic Mika Band and their upcoming album Narkissos, to be released on October 25. The last album they released was in 1989. Providing guest vocals will be singer Kaela Kimura. She first teamed up with them earlier this year to record a live version of their hit "Time Machine ni Onegai" that was used for a Kirin Lager commercial. A documentary of the band's reunion, directed by Kazuyuki Izutsu, is scheduled for next spring.