In June, Oricon conducted a small survey of 350 high school girls, asking them which young actresses have most caught their attention. Now the results have been published, and 21-year-old Yuriko Yoshitaka tops the list.

Yoshitaka made her acting debut in 2006, and she won multiple awards last year for her role in the movie "Snakes and Earrings." It was recently revealed that she is in a relationship with actor Hiroshi Tamaki (29).

1. Yuriko Yoshitaka
2. Yui Aragaki
3. Maki Horikita
4. Erika Toda
5. Umika Kawashima
6. Haruka Ayase
7. Kie Kitano
7. Mikako Tabe
9. Nana Eikura
10. Kaho

Arashi member Masaki Aiba (26) is set to take on his first lead role in a drama series this fall. He will star in TV Asahi's "My Girl," his first series since "Yankee Bokou ni Kaeru" in 2003.

Aiba, who is more known for appearing in variety shows than in dramas, said that he wants to show his fans a "completely different Masaki Aiba" from his usual self.

"My Girl" is based on a manga by Mizu Sahara (an alternate pen name of mangaka Sumomo Yumeka), currently being serialized in Shinchosha's Weekly Comic Bunch. The comic is described as an "ultimate love story" about a young man named Masamune Kazama (Aiba). During high school, he had a girlfriend four years older than him, but she suddenly left one day. Six years later, he receives news that she has passed away. In addition, she secretly gave birth to Masamune's child, whom he finally meets and decides to raise.

TV Asahi will broadcast "My Girl" in its Friday 11:15pm time slot, starting in October.

Hello! Project artist Erina Mano (18) has been chosen to play a role based on the iconic Sanrio character Hello Kitty in an upcoming theatrical production. This will be Mano's first time acting and starring in a play.

Titled "Koisuru Hello Kitty," the play is described as a "school love comedy" that deals with romance and friendship. The main character is a Hello Kitty doll that turns into a human, portrayed by Mano.

"Koisuru Hello Kitty" will be performed at the Aoyama Round Theatre in Tokyo this November.

Idol group SKE48 will release their first major label single "Tsuyokimono yo" on August 5, but for Team S member Tsukina Takai (14), it will also be her last. The group announced on Thursday that Takai will be leaving the group at the end of August.

Takai decided that school is her priority, and she felt that she would be unable to continue her activities with SKE48 while focusing on her studies.

Takai's graduation ceremony will take place during SKE48's concert on August 26.

18-year-old °C-ute member Erika Umeda has decided to graduate from the group, and she will also be leaving Hello! Project at the same time. Combined with Kanna Arihara's resignation last month, Umeda's departure will reduce °C-ute to only five members.

According to the group's official website, Umeda is aiming to become a fashion model. Her last concert will be on October 25 in Osaka, at the end of °C-ute's upcoming tour that starts on August 15.