Mon, February 18, 2008 (11:13pm EST)
According to the newest issue of FLASH, comedian Nozomu Iwao (of Football Hour) is currently dating AV actress and gravure idol Mei Itoya.
The magazine reports that earlier this month, the two went on a date, then spent the night together at Iwao's apartment. They went for a drive the next day, and Itoya again slept over.
The pair first met last year. Yoshimoto Kogyo launched a project to have 100 of its comedians direct a short film, and Iwao participated with an entry titled "Switch." Itoya was cast in the movie, and the relationship started after that.
Yoshimoto Kogyo and Itoya's agency, however, have stated that the report is untrue. According to the two companies, both celebrities have said that they are just good friends.
The magazine reports that earlier this month, the two went on a date, then spent the night together at Iwao's apartment. They went for a drive the next day, and Itoya again slept over.
The pair first met last year. Yoshimoto Kogyo launched a project to have 100 of its comedians direct a short film, and Iwao participated with an entry titled "Switch." Itoya was cast in the movie, and the relationship started after that.
Yoshimoto Kogyo and Itoya's agency, however, have stated that the report is untrue. According to the two companies, both celebrities have said that they are just good friends.
Mon, February 18, 2008 (10:02pm EST)
Horikoshi High School, which is known for its many alumni in show business, held its graduation ceremony on Monday.
This year's class includes actress Tantan Hayashi, who transferred there in September to make it easier to focus on her entertainment career, which launched in 2006 after she won the All-Japan National Young Beauty Contest.
Other graduates are Tomoka Kurokawa (who begins studying at Asia University in Tokyo this April), Ryoko Kobayashi (who will enter Seijo University), and Rakuto Tochihara (who is said to be devoting himself to his acting career).
This year's class includes actress Tantan Hayashi, who transferred there in September to make it easier to focus on her entertainment career, which launched in 2006 after she won the All-Japan National Young Beauty Contest.
Other graduates are Tomoka Kurokawa (who begins studying at Asia University in Tokyo this April), Ryoko Kobayashi (who will enter Seijo University), and Rakuto Tochihara (who is said to be devoting himself to his acting career).
Mon, February 18, 2008 (9:51pm EST)
Next season, Fuji TV's Monday night drama will star the ever-popular Takuya Kimura. He plays an elementary school teacher who, due to some circumstances, gets involved in the world of politics and eventually becomes the Prime Minister of Japan.
The show, which is currently untitled, is being produced by Hiroyuki Goto. The script is being handled by Yasushi Fukuda, who has written for popular dramas such as "HERO" and "Galileo." Kensaku Sawada ("Saiyuki," "Hero Special") is directing.
Eri Fukatsu co-stars as Kimura's secretary, an ambitious woman aiming to reform the country. She and Kimura last appeared together in the 2002 drama series "Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi."
The drama starts shooting next month and will begin airing in April.
The show, which is currently untitled, is being produced by Hiroyuki Goto. The script is being handled by Yasushi Fukuda, who has written for popular dramas such as "HERO" and "Galileo." Kensaku Sawada ("Saiyuki," "Hero Special") is directing.
Eri Fukatsu co-stars as Kimura's secretary, an ambitious woman aiming to reform the country. She and Kimura last appeared together in the 2002 drama series "Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi."
The drama starts shooting next month and will begin airing in April.
Mon, February 18, 2008 (4:45am EST)
The 2008 Tokyo Marathon took place on Sunday. It was won by Switzerland's Viktor Rothlin, whose time of 2:07:23 is a new Swiss record. Arata Fujiwara of Japan finished second at 2:08:40, beating Kenya's Julius Gitahi by 17 seconds.
Many celebrities also ran in the marathon. Actor Masato Wada (of D-BOYS) fared the best, finishing in under three hours (2:57:59). Hiroshi Neko also did well (3:48:57), while Miyazaki governor Hideo Higashikokubaru completed the race in 4:42:27. Of the several NTV announcers who participated, Takashi Suzuki was the first to finish, clocking in at 4:27:33.
More results can be seen in the forum.
Many celebrities also ran in the marathon. Actor Masato Wada (of D-BOYS) fared the best, finishing in under three hours (2:57:59). Hiroshi Neko also did well (3:48:57), while Miyazaki governor Hideo Higashikokubaru completed the race in 4:42:27. Of the several NTV announcers who participated, Takashi Suzuki was the first to finish, clocking in at 4:27:33.
More results can be seen in the forum.
Source: Mainichi Shinbun, Sankei Sports | Comments (1)
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Mon, February 18, 2008 (4:27am EST)
Singer and actor Mickey Curtis has married again, it was learned on Sunday. His partner is a 36-year-old piano teacher who has never been married before. This is the third wedding for Curtis, who turns 70 in July.
The pair met by chance in May of last year, as they live in the same neighborhood. With many common interests, they got along very well, and Curtis proposed around Christmastime. They formally registered their marriage last month and have already started living together.
Curtis previously married talento Mari Yoshimura in 1961, but they divorced three years later. In 1971 he had his second marriage, which lasted until 2002.
The pair met by chance in May of last year, as they live in the same neighborhood. With many common interests, they got along very well, and Curtis proposed around Christmastime. They formally registered their marriage last month and have already started living together.
Curtis previously married talento Mari Yoshimura in 1961, but they divorced three years later. In 1971 he had his second marriage, which lasted until 2002.
Mon, February 18, 2008 (4:10am EST)
On Sunday, comedian Takeshi Nadagi (of The Plan 9) emerged victorious in the R-1 Grand Prix, making him the only back-to-back champion in the event's six-year history.
The field started with a record 2,731 contestants, and it was whittled down to only 8 for the final round. In the end, only Nadagi and Kazumasa Kora (using the name Imoaraizaka Kakaricho) were left, but Kora failed to prevent Nadagi's second consecutive win.
As the champion, Nadagi once again won 5 million yen in prize money.
This year was the first time that the final round was broadcast live. According to Video Research Ltd., ratings exceeded those of previous years, with a 15.7% average and a peak of 19.5%.
The field started with a record 2,731 contestants, and it was whittled down to only 8 for the final round. In the end, only Nadagi and Kazumasa Kora (using the name Imoaraizaka Kakaricho) were left, but Kora failed to prevent Nadagi's second consecutive win.
As the champion, Nadagi once again won 5 million yen in prize money.
This year was the first time that the final round was broadcast live. According to Video Research Ltd., ratings exceeded those of previous years, with a 15.7% average and a peak of 19.5%.
Mon, February 18, 2008 (3:52am EST)
The theme song for Kwak Jae-Yong's "Cyborg Girl" (also known as "Boku no Kanojo wa Cyborg") is being sung by MISIA. The song, titled "Yakusoku no Tsubasa," is a love ballad similar to her 2000 hit "Everything."
"Cyborg Girl" is a romantic comedy in the same vein as the director's previous hits, "My Sassy Girl" and "Windstruck." Mataichiro Yamamoto is producing, and the all-Japanese cast is led by Haruka Ayase and Keisuke Koide.
The movie is being released in Japan this May.
"Cyborg Girl" is a romantic comedy in the same vein as the director's previous hits, "My Sassy Girl" and "Windstruck." Mataichiro Yamamoto is producing, and the all-Japanese cast is led by Haruka Ayase and Keisuke Koide.
The movie is being released in Japan this May.
