Actress Maiko Ito (44) got married earlier this year, it was learned on Monday. On January 20, she tied the knot with a salaryman five years younger than her.

The couple apparently met nearly 10 years ago, when they were part of a neighborhood group of dog owners. After Ito's golden retriever died 6 years ago, she left the group, but three years later she reunited with the man and their romance began.

The pair mutually decided to get married on January 17, and they formally registered the marriage three days later. After that, they bought a new apartment in Tokyo and have been living together.