Kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI reportedly has a new girlfriend, but it's not actress Saki Takaoka as was rumored last month. The woman, who is two years older than Ichikawa, was a TV Asahi employee until she resigned in March 2005, and she is now studying to take the bar exam later this month. It is also rumored that she once dated a "Hills-zoku" company president several years ago.

This latest romance is a change of pace for Ichikawa, who is known for his past relationships with female celebrities. He dated actress Ryoko Yonekura before breaking up with her at the end of 2005. This past February, he ended a 3-month relationship with talento Eriko Sato. And just last month, he was seen holding hands with Takaoka.

The new couple met through a mutual friend after Ichikawa returned from a performance in Paris in March. They are said to have started dating last month, and they have been spotted frequently on dates.