Fri, February 6, 2009 (2:59am EST)
A PR event for the Port of Yokohama's 150th birthday was held on Thursday. During the event, it was announced that Hayato Ichihara and Aya Ueto have both been cast in the movie "Baton," which was revealed last month. Commissioned for Yokohama's anniversary expo, the film is an animated collaboration involving director Ryuhei Kitamura and producer Shunji Iwai.
Ichihara was presented with a surprise bouquet and cake in celebration of his 22nd birthday on Friday. He also commented on his love life, as it was discovered last June that he has had a girlfriend for about eight years. Reporters asked him about the possibility of marriage by the end of this year, but he gave a noncommittal answer, saying, "You don't know what will happen in life."
Ichihara was presented with a surprise bouquet and cake in celebration of his 22nd birthday on Friday. He also commented on his love life, as it was discovered last June that he has had a girlfriend for about eight years. Reporters asked him about the possibility of marriage by the end of this year, but he gave a noncommittal answer, saying, "You don't know what will happen in life."
Fri, February 6, 2009 (2:37am EST)
This week's issue of FRIDAY magazine has uncovered another celebrity romance. Popular comedian Yoshimi Tokui (33) of the duo Tutorial is currently in a relationship with actress Yui Natsukawa (40). They were seen a couple times at Natsukawa's apartment within the past few weeks.
Their romance reportedly developed after they both appeared in the Fuji TV drama series "Muri na Renai" last spring. In September, rumors surfaced after they were seen together at a yakiniku restaurant, but Tokui was thought to still be in a relationship with badminton player Reiko Shiota (25). However, Tokui only recently revealed that although he asked Shiota out around two years ago, she turned him down due to her training for the Beijing Olympics.
Unlike Tokui's rumored romances in the past, this time his agency Yoshimoto Kogyo confirmed the story. Natsukawa's management has also confirmed that they are dating.
Their romance reportedly developed after they both appeared in the Fuji TV drama series "Muri na Renai" last spring. In September, rumors surfaced after they were seen together at a yakiniku restaurant, but Tokui was thought to still be in a relationship with badminton player Reiko Shiota (25). However, Tokui only recently revealed that although he asked Shiota out around two years ago, she turned him down due to her training for the Beijing Olympics.
Unlike Tokui's rumored romances in the past, this time his agency Yoshimoto Kogyo confirmed the story. Natsukawa's management has also confirmed that they are dating.
Fri, February 6, 2009 (1:51am EST)
Popular director Takashi Miike is set to make his debut as a television drama actor. He will appear in NHK's taiga drama "Tenchijin," which features several stars he has worked with before, such as lead actor Satoshi Tsumabuki, Shun Oguri, and Kyoko Fukada.
Miike will have a semi-regular role in the series, starting with the 6th episode on February 8. He plays a retainer to Uesugi Kagetora (Tetsuji Tamayama). It is said that he will have a sword fight scene with Tsumabuki during the series.
Miike will have a semi-regular role in the series, starting with the 6th episode on February 8. He plays a retainer to Uesugi Kagetora (Tetsuji Tamayama). It is said that he will have a sword fight scene with Tsumabuki during the series.
Fri, February 6, 2009 (1:18am EST)
The 2009 Elan d'or Awards, sponsored by the All Nippon Producers Association, were presented in Tokyo on Thursday. The highlight of the ceremony was the newcomer awards, given to six young celebrities: Eita, Meisa Kuroki, Erika Toda, Shota Matsuda, Haruma Miura, and Aoi Miyazaki.
"Okuribito" won the prize for best film, while "Atsuhime" was chosen as best drama. The respective producers of those works, Toshiaki Nakazawa and Motohiko Sano, earned Best Producer honors. Producers Masaaki Wakasugi, Junichi Kozuki, and Motohiro Matsumoto received honorable mention awards.
Special prizes were given to the late director Kon Ichikawa and the late actor Ken Ogata.
"Okuribito" won the prize for best film, while "Atsuhime" was chosen as best drama. The respective producers of those works, Toshiaki Nakazawa and Motohiko Sano, earned Best Producer honors. Producers Masaaki Wakasugi, Junichi Kozuki, and Motohiro Matsumoto received honorable mention awards.
Special prizes were given to the late director Kon Ichikawa and the late actor Ken Ogata.
