Oricon recently conducted a small poll among 500 high school girls, asking them which celebrity they would want as their "personal producer." The #1 answer was makeup artist IKKO, chosen for her skill in beauty techniques. On the other hand, #2 was comedian Shinsuke Shimada, who was apparently picked for his ability to develop people's inner qualities.

Popular actor Masaharu Fukuyama ranked 3rd, followed by the fashionable Kaela Kimura and pop star Ayumi Hamasaki. The rest of the top ten were Becky, Tsuyoshi Domoto, Yasutaka Nakata (the mastermind behind capsule and producer of Perfume), Shoko Nakagawa, and Karina.

The latest issue of Josei Seven reports that actress Saori Takizawa (27) is in a relationship with actor Kunito Watanabe (24). In mid-October, the two were seen leaving Takizawa's apartment and eating at a nearby ramen restaurant. After their meal, they headed back to her place while holding hands.

Takizawa has been cast in numerous supporting roles in television dramas. Since "Pride" in early 2004, she has appeared in at least one drama series during each of the last 20 seasons. Watanabe, on the other hand, has been a part of Ishihara Pro since 2002, when he was runner-up in a nationwide audition. He has been in dramas such as "Kuroi Taiyou" and "Dondo Bare."

Management for both celebrities stated that the two are just good friends.

34-year-old NTV announcer Fumi Mori is now a mother. On Monday, she gave birth to her first child, a healthy baby boy.

Mori has been married to an NTV staff member since 2002. She went on maternity leave around the start of this month, though it has not yet been decided when she will return to work.