Josei Seven reports in its latest issue that actress Kyoko Koizumi and KAT-TUN member Kazuya Kamenashi are no longer dating. Late last month, Koizumi was at a drinking party, and she reportedly stated that they have already broken up. It is not clear when the breakup happened.

The two first made headlines as a rumored couple in April 2006. Due to Kamenashi's status as a young Johnny's star and the 20-year age difference between the two celebrities, the news attracted a lot of attention. However, neither of their agencies have ever confirmed the relationship.

Actress Akemi Negishi died of ovarian cancer on March 11, it was learned on Wednesday. She would have turned 74 later this month.

Negishi was born in 1934. She dropped out of high school and joined the Nichigeki Dancing Team. In 1952, she started acting, and she soon gained international recognition when she was cast as the star of the 1953 Japan-U.S. collaboration "Anatahan," directed by Josef von Sternberg. She went on to appear in many more films, including Akira Kurosawa's "Donzoko" (1957) and "Akahige" (1965).

Negishi was also active in television and theater. Her recent performances include Yukio Ninagawa's 2001 production of "Chikamatsu Shinju Monogatari" and a 2005 short film called "Barameraba," directed by Ninagawa's niece, Yuki Ninagawa.

Ayaka will be singing the theme song for Fuji TV's live-action "Zettai Kareshi" series. The romantic comedy is adapted from Yuu Watase's manga of the same name, also known by the English title "Absolute Boyfriend."

Ayaka's song is described as a medium-tempo love ballad, titled "Okaeri." The single is scheduled to go on sale sometime after mid-May.

"Zettai Kareshi," which stars Mocomichi Hayami, Saki Aibu, and Hiro Mizushima, premieres on April 8.

SMAP's latest single, "Sonomama / White Message," took the #1 spot on the charts this week with 115,000 in sales. All 42 of the group's singles have debuted in the top ten, which ties them with Southern All Stars for the record of "most Top 10 singles." At the same time, it puts them one ahead of B'z for the record of "most consecutive Top 10 singles." However, they are now tied with B'z for "most consecutive years with a Top 10 single" (18).

ORANGE RANGE came in at #2 with "Kimi station." Ayaka's newest ranked #7, while TVXQ and GReeeeN charted at #9 and #10, respectively.

"World World World," the newest album from Asian Kung-fu Generation, sold 100,000 copies to pick up #1 on the album charts. Also in the Top 10 were Every Little Thing (#2), Yo Hitoto (#3), AAA (#5), and Hitomi Yaida (#10). The LISMO commercial tie-in compilation, featuring several popular artists, ranked in at #7.

HAIR COLORING SPLASH 2008 took place in Tokyo on Tuesday. Sponsored by dye manufacturer Hoyu, it is one of the major events for hair fashion.

This year's grand prize in the event's Hair Coloring Awards went to actress Naomi Kawashima. Other prizes went to Ayako Nishikawa (culture category), Mai Satoda (actress category), Hiroki Narimiya (actor category), and table tennis pro Naomi Yotsumoto (sports category).

Free announcer Junko Kubo is currently pregnant, it was learned on Tuesday. She is expected to give birth in mid-August.

Kubo has been married to an advertising firm employee since 2000, and they had their first child, a daughter, in 2002.

The winter drama season is not yet over, but Nikkan Sports has already conducted voting for its Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix, in preparation for the overall 2007 awards. A total of 3,675 ballots were cast, and in the end, "Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi" was the biggest winner.

The series was named Best Drama, beating out "Bara no nai Hanaya" by several hundred votes. The show repeated that scenario in the categories for Best Actor (Hiroshi Tamaki over Shingo Katori) and Best Supporting Actress (Haruka Ayase over Yuko Takeuchi).

Karina won Best Actress, while Toma Ikuta took Best Supporting Actor.

The complete winter results can be found in the forums.