Rumors of a split between Hosaka Naoki (photo, 35) and his wife Takaoka Yuki (30) have been circulating for several years. This in spite of his winning a Best Father award, their No.1 ranking as an Ideal Couple, and their appearing together as doting parents in a regular TV commercial. The latest is that Hosaka is said to have a mistress living in a “love nest.” He has denied that there is any truth to the rumor.
• Super pop group SMAP are taking their summer concert tour to a new level this year. They will play 19 dates at soccer stadiums, including Yokohama International Stadium, which hosted last year’s World Cup final, as well as Fukuoka and Osaka Domes. Last year’s tour was watched by more than 1.1 million fans at eleven venues, including the country’s five major dome stadiums.
• Watanabe Minayo (33), a former member of the 80s idol group O-Nyanko Club, is expecting her second child in October. Watanabe married businessman Yajima Masaki (38) in 1996.