Nozomi Tsuji and Taiyo Sugiura held their wedding ceremony on the 19th at a church in Karuizawa, Nagano. They also held a reception at a nearby hotel. The events were limited to only family and close friends.

One highlight of the reception was a celebratory song performed by Taiyo's brother Takao, along with some bandmates.

Singer JONTE, who was chosen as a finalist in EXILE's Vocal Battle Audition last year, is set to release his debut single. "Yureru" will go on sale August 22. It will also be used two days later as the theme song for NTV's drama special, "Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai," which stars Shido Nakamura.

JONTE is also releasing a mini album (titled "JONTE is...") on the same day as the single. The album will launch not only in Japan, but also simultaneously in Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Popular model Yuri Ebihara will appear in posters and commercials for the Wii version of the "Puyo Puyo" puzzle game franchise (produced by Sega). The TV spot begins airing on Wednesday. Some clips are available on the official website.

In September, Fuji TV will broadcast a special documentary on the late Princess Diana, who passed away 10 years ago. Actress Ryoko Yonekura has been chosen to serve as the program's navigator. She was sent to London and Paris in June to interview people and to visit various sites, such as St. Paul's Cathedral (where Princess Diana and Prince Charles married) and the Pont de l'Alma tunnel (where the fatal car accident took place).

NHK has announced a 3-night drama series titled "Kaikyo" (meaning "strait"). Kyoko Hasegawa will star in the international love story, involving a Japanese woman and a Korean man who meet in Busan at the end of World War II. They fall in love, but circumstances force them to live in their respective countries. Though separated by distance, they choose not to give up on their love.

The screenplay is an original work by writer James Miki. Filming begins on the 27th, with locations including Kyushu and Korea. The drama is scheduled to air in November.

In April, Nikkatsu Corporation announced that a film adaptation of the manga "Naoko" (written by Nobuhiro Sakata and illustrated by Yu Nakahara) was in the works. It was mentioned then that Juri Ueno would play the starring role, but a few more details have been revealed now that filming has begun.

The comic, which was serialized in Big Comic Spirits from 1993 to 2001, tells the story of a gifted young runner named Yusuke Iki. When he was a child, his father died trying to save a girl, Naoko Shinomiya. The two meet again unexpectedly, as Naoko has become a track and field club manager.

Although Haruma Miura will play the central role of Yusuke, Ueno is being billed as the film's lead, taking on the part of the title character. Interestingly, it has been noted that Ueno was herself a member of the track and field club until she entered show business in junior high; this film marks her "return" to the track after seven years.

Other cast members include Tsurube Shofukutei. Director Tomoyuki Furumaya ("Robocon") is helming the pic. The movie is scheduled to open next spring.