Singer Namie Amuro will appear in her first commercial in two years, promoting Lipton's Limone tea drink. Amuro's new single, "FUNKY TOWN," will also be used. Broadcast begins on the 20th.

Talento Mari Sekine has been chosen as the program navigator for NHK's new music show "MUSIC JAPAN." The show is targeted at a young audience and will feature news and artist performances.

Chief producer Makoto Ishihara selected Sekine for her English ability, which will allow her to conduct interviews with overseas artists. Sekine recently graduated from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.

"MUSIC JAPAN" is replacing the long-running "POP JAM," which ends its broadcast this month. The new show will air on Friday nights at 12:40am, starting on April 6.

Photo tabloid FRIDAY reports that actress Rinko Kikuchi is currently living together with Argentinian talento Federico Aletta.

Kikuchi, who recently shot to fame for her Oscar-nominated performance in "Babel," is currently in Europe for the filming of her next picture, "The Brothers Bloom." Her agency commented that the two are adults, so it will not interfere.

Aletta's agency had more to say. The two started dating after working together on a television drama, before Kikuchi became a recognized actress. They began living together more than a year ago.

Aletta is described as very good-looking. He is also proficient in Japanese, English, Spanish, and Italian - an appropriate match for the newly international actress Kikuchi.

Fuji TV has announced a sequel to the popular "Kiseki no Doubutsuen" drama special that aired last May.

The new special takes place at the same Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido as the original drama. Tomomitsu Yamaguchi returns as the main character, and actress Ryoko Hirosue joins the cast as an idealistic veterinarian.

Fuji TV will broadcast the drama this May.

20-year-old Riyo Mori has been named Miss Universe Japan 2007. She was selected from almost 4,000 entrants to become Japan's representative at the Miss Universe competition this May. Last year's representative, Kurara Chibana, presented Mori with the tiara.

Mori, a Shizuoka native, began dancing at the age of 4 and is now a dance teacher.

Tsunku has announced that Morning Musume is adding two new members, both from China.

19-year-old Jun Jun (real name: Li Chun) was discovered at an audition held last year in Beijing. She plays the piano and enjoys singing and acting. She can also speak basic English.

16-year-old Lin Lin (real name: Qian Lin) is currently active in show business in China. She has appeared in dramas and has hosted television shows. She also can play the piano and guitar.

The two new additions will reportedly debut on May 6 at the Saitama Super Arena, when current group leader Hitomi Yoshizawa graduates.

Former J League soccer player Tetsuo Nakanishi and actress Fumina Hara sent out a fax on Thursday announcing their marriage. They plan to register on the 20th, and a ceremony is expected by the end of the year.

The two first met in 2002 when they appeared together on a soccer show, but they didn't start dating until January last year.

Lotte has chosen Yukie Nakama to promote its Xylitol Gum, which has reached its 10th year of production. The commercial will also feature a song by the new musical group sunny-side up. Broadcast begins on the 19th.

The second artist announcement for the 2007 Fuji Rock Festival (July 27-29) has arrived:

AKAINU, clammbon, G. Love & Special Sauce, Kula Shaker, Railroad Earth, Switches, Yo La Tengo, YOUR SONG IS GOOD

Anna Tsuchiya has been appointed as the commercial character for a new line of karaoke equipment produced by Daiichikosho, also known as DK Karaoke. The new line, called "Premier DAM," goes on sale on April 19, while Tsuchiya's commercials begin airing on April 2.

Actor Shosuke Tanihara and talento Emi Miyake have officially tied the knot. They announced in January that Miyake was pregnant and that they were planning to get married. They finally registered their marriage on the 14th of this month, which is White Day in Japan.

Miyake is now four months pregnant. She also has a three-year-old son from her previous marriage with actor Issei Ishida.