Otsuka Ai pregnant, due to give birth in April 2011

On Saturday, singer Otsuka Ai (28) held a live performance in Yokohama, her first concert since announcing her marriage to RIP SLYME rapper SU (36) in June. During the concert's encore, right before her final song, she revealed to her fans that she is currently pregnant and is expected to give birth in spring of next year.
Otsuka said that she learned she was pregnant this summer. Newspapers are reporting that she is now in her third month, with a due date in April.
She stated that after her concert on the following day, she will likely not do any more live performances until after the baby is born. However, she plans to keep doing her other work as much as possible, including television and radio appearances. She will also continue with her musical activities even after the childbirth. (Tokyograph)

Pictures - KAT-TUN purikura, Yamada Ryosuke and his sis as kids, etc.

A KAT-TUN purikura from happier days. From top to bottom, Taguchi Junnosuke, Akanishi Jin, Nakamaru Yuichi.

Yamada Ryosuke and his sister as kids.

Akanishi Jin as a kid, though I think this photo looks too well taken to be true.

Nino, looking cool. NOT.

Sources: KAT-TUN purikura - Janimoe; kawaii Yamada Ryosuke and sis - Janimoe; Akanishi as a kid - Janimoe; Nino sunglasses - Janimoe

For those who might be wondering, different photos come from different posts, hence the need to list down the links separately when they are from the same site.

Hotaru no Hikari 2 interviews - NG Queen, getting the name of the drama wrong!

There's been a lack of interesting news, so at the moment I'm just translating some articles I find. These two are on Hotaru no Hikari 2. :D

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is set to be the champion for this year's summer rankings. Since the show is airing in Taiwan as well , here some excerpts from an interview with the lead actors of the show, Ayase Hauka, Naohito Fujiki and Osamu Mukai.

When told that the show was doing well in Taiwan, Ayase Haruka exclaimed, "What will happen if everyone thinks that Japan is made out of himono onna!" She spoke of cast member Itaya Yuka going to Taiwan to promote the drama, "How lucky! We want to go to Taiwan to eat xiao long bao (dumplings) too! As the Taiwanese and Japanese names of the show are different, the absent-minded Ayase asked, "Isn't the Taiwanese name 'Himono onna in China'?", causing everyone to burst out in peals of laughter. After being corrected by a staff on the site, she blushingly apologised.

Osamu Mukai, who is very good in cooking, made fun of the himono onna Ayase acts as in the drama (Ameimiya Hotaru), saying that the character is too exaggerated. He pointed out "Look at her trackpants, the area at the knee is all worn out and she continues to wear them!" (yule)

"Hotaru no Hikari 2" is going to have some Taiwanese flavour! It is currently being broadcast in both Japan and Taiwan. According to the staff behing the drama, there will be something related to Taiwan in the 9th episode of the drama. Taiwanese viewers are all hoping that there will be a filming in Taiwan if there is a third series.

The three co-stars Ayase Haruka, Fujiki Naohito and Osamu Mukai have become good friends during the filming of this drama, and Fujiki and Osamu talked about how Ayase is an NG queen, complaining that she often laughs when filming. Though she was busy denying this, Osamu told her, "Do you know how many times you NG in one day? Someimes even I don't know what I can do to save you.". (yule)

Oda Yuji's wife is Noda Maiko

Late last month, it was announced that actor Oda Yuji (42) had gotten married to a 30-year-old woman. No other information was given at that time, arousing the curiousity of many. Today's edition of Tokyo Sports has announced that his wife is a beauty by the name of Noda Maiko.

Noda Maiko was born in Ashiya, Hyogo. Her mother was a model and her father is a heavyweight in the fashion industry. When Noda was studying in university, she was chosen to model for some magazines. After her graduation, she specialised in makeup and beauty, and often appeared in the beauty columns of magazines. She was a guest on the show "NINETY-NINE SIZE". Though she is not so well-known as a beauty specialist, her family is very well-regarded.

Earlier, Oda Yuji had confirmed that he will be acting in a drama that will be aired in January 2011. The filming for this drama will take him to San Fransisco after his ongoing honeymoon, but his wife will be going back to Japan instead of accompanying him to the filming site. The Japanese media is pretty disappointed about this, since they have been waiting eagerly to get a two-shot of the couple! (YNET)

Arashi is the Overall Favourite Artist of 2010! (Ori★Suta)

According to 20,000 music fans, popular JE group Arashi now deserves to be called the “Favorite Artist” for 2010.


Since 2004, Ori★Suta has been conducting this poll annually. The survey records the opinions of both male and female participants, from varying age groups. It was only last year that Arashi made it to the list, earning the respectable 4th place – yet today, they already bagged the No. 1 spot.

The poll revealed that not only did Arashi achieve the overall top rank, but also placed 1st in 7 out of 14 categories. These results demonstrate that the group is well-liked by many, regardless of sex or age.

The latest issue of Ori★Suta will be released on the 10th and will contain the polls conducted.
OVERALL FAVORITE ARTIST
1. Arashi
2. Ikimonogakari
3. Mr. Children
4. Kimura Kaela
5. aiko
6. Fukuyama Masaharu
7. Utada Hikaru
8. B’z
9. Spitz
10. YUI

FAVORITE ARTIST, AS VOTED BY WOMEN
1. Arashi
2. aiko
3. Ikimonogakari
4. Fukuyama Masaharu
5. Kimura Kaela
6. Mr. Childrean
7. Kobukuro
8. Utada Hikaru
9. Spitz
10. Ayaka
FAVORITE ARTIST, AS VOTED BY MEN
1. Mr. Children
2. Ikimonogakari
3. Kimura Kaela
4. B’z
5. YUI
6. Southern All Stars
7. Utada Hikaru
8. aiko
9. Spitz
10. Fukuyama Masaharu
(tokyohive)

Mizushima Hiro takes such good care of Ayaka that she has put on weight

Currently, singer Ayaka Iida (22) has been taking a break due to her suffering from Graves' Disease. Her devoted husband, Mizushima Hiro (26), although busy with the production and promotion of the movie "BECK", seems to be finding time to take care of her.

In "BECK", Mizushima plays the role of a genius guitarist in a band. However, in real life, he does not have any experience with playing the guitar. A person involved in the production of the movie said, "To improve his guitar-playing for the movie, Mizushima cut back on sleep to train. But after filmings, when we go out to drink, he does not participate much and goes home before midnight. Undoubtedly, he goes home early is to take care of his wife.".

On September 2, Ayaka was in Ginza, wearing a dress and sunglasses. She had short hair and her ring was shining brilliantly. Though she was more plump, she looked like she was in good health. She went into a salon for two hours and then came out, looking radiant.

Some say that Ayaka might be pregnant, since she and Mizushima had mentioned wanting to have children. However, I jus googled Graves' Disease, and it seems like it might affect pregnancy.

The magazine that reported this has pictures of Ayaka in Ginza, but I can't find them right now. It is good that Ayaka is putting on weight anyway, since she was is sick. (Entame)

I'm so glad they're both doing so well.

Sakurai Sho and Horikita Maki dating?

This January, Sakurai Sho and Horikita Maki played rivals in the TBS drama 'Tokujo Kabachi!!'. It seems that their relationship has gone beyond than just being co-stars in a drama.

According to a restaurant manager in Shinjuku, "I don't have the slightest idea why, but somehow Sakurai-kun and Maki-chan have been appearing frequently at a gay bar, and it's also curious that Endo Kenichi is also with them. It's just a combination that's unheard of. With bodies touching, Sakurai-kun and Maki-chan seemed like a pair of lovers. Looking over them from a distant was Kenichi-san, it's like he was their guardian."

Sakurai and Horikita are around the same age, enthusiastic about their jobs and also serious, perhaps these factors make them understand each other well. While filming for Tokujo Kabachi!!, Horikita said "Keeping in mind that we're rivals at loggerheads, I always try to hate him even when there's no filming." Sakurai countered this, replying, "That doesn't happen at all, the smiles actually never stop!"

Of course, Johnny's are fussy about relationships. Sakurai might be using a third person to avoid media scrutiny. Up till now, he hasn't been involved in any big scandals with the ladies. He must be really good at being discreet.

With Arashi's popularity now going beyond SMAP's, it's natural that Sakurai would be careful regarding his relations with women. Being with both an intimate friend and a drinking mate at the same time seems like a sensible method for crisis management. If this relationship turns into love, perhaps Endo will be known as the Cupid with a gentle heart. (unleashthegeek; Japanese source - Cyzowoman)