The mystery/comedy drama "Jikou Keisatsu," which aired last winter, will return for a second season this spring. The series will run in the same time slot as the original, Fridays at 11:15pm on TV Asahi. The main cast will return, including Joe Odagiri and Kumiko Aso.

Hinako Ashihara's manga "Sunadokei" is being adapted into a drama series. The series will run in TBS's "Ai no Gekijo" time slot (weekdays 1:00-1:30pm) starting on March 12.

The story follows the life of a girl named An, who lives with her mother in Shimane after her parents divorce. An will be played by three actresses as she passes through different stages in her life: Karen Miyama (grade school), Ryoko Kobayashi (middle school to age 20), and Megumi Sato (age 20 and on). Similarly, other key characters, such as An's love interest Daigo, will be played by three people over the course of the story.

Comedian Monkikki and idol/talento Erika Yamakawa will soon be married. They plan to register their marriage on February 2, which is seen by some as "Couple's Day." Afterwards, they will hold a press conference at a Tokyo hotel. The two began dating last year.

Technopop band Yellow Magic Orchestra will be temporarily reuniting for a new commercial by Kirin Brewery Company. The commercial will use a new recording of their 1979 single, "Rydeen," and will feature the three members performing in various outfits ranging from ancient to modern times.

Yellow Magic Orchestra formed in 1978 and disbanded in 1983. They reunited briefly in 1993. This campaign will be their first activity together in 14 years.

Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa has been announced as the image character for Asahi's new product, Go Nen Jukusei Shita Umeshu Sodawari (five-year aged umeshu soda). Commercials begin airing on February 6, the day the beverage goes on sale.