Actress Saki Takaoka is joining Avex's new talent management agency, it was learned on Sunday. She had left From First in late November, which prompted rumors that she was retiring from show business. In reality, she is in the final stages of negotiating a contract with Avex.

The record label started its management division in June of this year and is currently in charge of celebrities such as Shido Nakamura and Koyuki.

Takaoka is expected to be officially tied to Avex at the start of next year, and may begin filming for a movie as early as the beginning of January.