Gravure idol Asuka Kinbara (19) has already retired from show business, reports this week's issue of Shukan Bunshun. Two months ago, another magazine published an article claiming that Kinbara was having an affair with actor Sousuke Takaoka (27), and in the aftermath Kinbara had to quit.

Takaoka is married to actress Aoi Miyazaki (23). In February, Josei Seven ran its claim of an affair, saying that Kinbara and Takaoka were seen together after a party, holding hands while entering Takaoka's apartment. The rumor was flatly denied by both sides, but it seems that the incident still heavily impacted Kinbara's career.

According to Shukan Bunshun, immediately after the rumor surfaced, Kinbara met with her parents in Hokkaido, and they decided that she should withdraw from show business. Last month, the idol informed her agency, Sun Music Brain, of her intention to quit. Kinbara is no longer listed on the company's website, and her last blog entry was posted just before the initial article appeared in Josei Seven.

Shukan Bunshun also notes that the incident had cost Kinbara her role as the image model of prep school Sundai Yobiko, resulting in 1 million yen wasted on posters that had already been printed.