J-WAVE radio navigator Chris Peppler and talento Yukari Kimishima announced that they got married last October. Peppler, who is 49, has been in charge of the radio program "TOKIO HOT 100" ever since the station started in 1988. He and Kimishima met when Kimishima, who is now 27, served as an assistant navigator on the show from October 2002 to September 2004. They began dating right after she left the program.

The couple has not yet scheduled a wedding ceremony.

In March, Fuji TV will broadcast two drama specials about relationships between humans and animals. Each of the two-hour specials is based on a true story.

The first will air on March 16 at 9:00pm, in the Kinyo Prestige time slot. Titled "Kaijoken Musashi ~Gakkou e Ikou~," the drama tells the story of a young girl named Kumiko (Riko Narumi) who is diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, which eventually makes her unable to even walk. She falls into despair, but with the help of a service dog named Musashi, she is able to regain her courage and happiness.

The second special will air on March 17 at 9:00pm, in the Doyo Premium time slot. It is titled "Taro and Jiro ~Hansei Zaru to Boku no Yume~" and is based on the real Taro and Jiro. Taro Murasaki (played by Kenji Sakaguchi) is an entertainer who performs with a monkey named Jiro. The drama will focus on their friendship and the hardships they have faced, including the death of the original Jiro. The cast will include Tetsuya Takeda, Tsurube Shofukutei, Junichi Komoto, and Yuika Motokariya.

FUNimation has opened its iTunes USA store. Initial offerings include all episodes of "Desert Punk," all episodes of "Samurai 7," and almost all episodes of "Speed Grapher." The videos are dubbed in English.

The winners of the 15th Hashida Awards, organized by the Hashida Cultural Foundation, were announced on Tuesday. 13-year-old actress Mirai Shida got the most attention as she became the youngest recipient of the Newcomer Award for her performance in last season's drama series, "14-year-old Mother." She was chosen unanimously by the 12-person judging committee. The previous youngest winner was Aya Ueto, who won the award at the age of 17.

Other award winners this year include Yoko Nogiwa, Mitsugoro Bando, Aoi Miyazaki, and Kazunari Ninomiya. The formal ceremony will be held on April 2.

Popular singer Kumi Koda will be appearing a new commercial for Gillette's Venus line of women's razors. The commercial begins airing on March 1.

Mika Nakashima is scheduled to release both a new single and a new album on March 14. The single, titled "Sunao na Mama," is a ballad composed and produced by RYOJI of hip-hop group Ketsumeishi. The song will be used in a commercial for NTT DoCoMo's Spring Campaign, beginning on February 17.

Nakashima's fourth album, "YES," will contain 14 tracks, including "Mienai Hoshi." The album also contains collaborations with Tamio Okuda, Kazufumi Miyazawa, and Kaori Mochida.

A nationwide tour is scheduled to start on April 6, with 36 performances planned.

Singer Kaela Kimura announced that her first photobook, titled "Cheeky," will go on sale on February 14. The book contains pictures from her two tours last year, as well as some photos of her in London last November, where she recorded part of her new album "Scratch."

"Scratch" went on sale last Wednesday, and it now sits at the top of the album charts for the week. This is Kimura's first #1 album.

Mangaka Emiko Sugi died of stomach cancer in a Yokohama hospital on February 10. She was 47.

Sugi debuted as a mangaka in 1977. She authored several successful series, such as "The Adam and Eve Equation." According to publisher Shogakukan, Sugi sold approximately 18 million tankobons.

Former K-1 MAX world champion Masato and talento Shin Yazawa announced on Tuesday that they have officially registered their marriage. The two started dating six years ago, on February 13.