Tue, July 8, 2008 (2:11am EDT)
Current WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito will have his autobiography turned into a television drama. TBS plans to air the show, titled "Naito Daisuke Monogatari: Ijimerareko no Champion Belt," on July 28. Actor Atsushi Ito will star as Naito.
The drama depicts Naito's life, from being a bullied child in school and being a shut-in after graduation, to deciding to become a pro boxer and working towards his current level of success.
For the role, Ito trained at Naito's gym starting last month. However, Naito made sure not to be at the gym during Ito's practices, and the two finally faced each other in the ring for a practice match. Naturally, Naito won the fight, but the boxer said he was surprised, even saying that Ito is in better shape than himself.
The drama depicts Naito's life, from being a bullied child in school and being a shut-in after graduation, to deciding to become a pro boxer and working towards his current level of success.
For the role, Ito trained at Naito's gym starting last month. However, Naito made sure not to be at the gym during Ito's practices, and the two finally faced each other in the ring for a practice match. Naturally, Naito won the fight, but the boxer said he was surprised, even saying that Ito is in better shape than himself.
Tue, July 8, 2008 (1:47am EDT)
Actress Ai Kato and soccer player Koji Nakata have apparently broken up after several years of dating. Their relationship was first rumored in 2004. Last June, the couple was photographed by a weekly magazine, and shortly after that Kato confirmed they were dating.
Sources close to the pair say they ended the relationship, even though some in the media were reporting earlier this year that marriage was not far off.
Kato's agency has said that the actress is currently in New York, and that they have not yet heard anything from her about a breakup.
Sources close to the pair say they ended the relationship, even though some in the media were reporting earlier this year that marriage was not far off.
Kato's agency has said that the actress is currently in New York, and that they have not yet heard anything from her about a breakup.
Tue, July 8, 2008 (1:35am EDT)
Popular group Kanjani8 performed at the Tokyo Dome on Monday as part of their current nationwide tour. During the show, they announced that members Subaru Shibutani and Tadayoshi Okura will be holding solo concerts later this year.
Shibutani's concerts will take place at the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka on September 4-7, and at the special Johnnys Theater in Odaiba, Tokyo, from September 23 to October 6. Okura's shows will be at the same Odaiba venue from October 10 to October 21.
Shibutani's concerts will take place at the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka on September 4-7, and at the special Johnnys Theater in Odaiba, Tokyo, from September 23 to October 6. Okura's shows will be at the same Odaiba venue from October 10 to October 21.
Tue, July 8, 2008 (1:24am EDT)
36-year-old singer Ayumi Shigemori gave birth to her second child on Monday. She now has two sons.
Shigemori has been married since 2002 and had her first child in 2004. This past January, she announced that she was pregnant again. She plans to resume work in September, returning to NHK's educational show "Quintet."
Shigemori has been married since 2002 and had her first child in 2004. This past January, she announced that she was pregnant again. She plans to resume work in September, returning to NHK's educational show "Quintet."
