Heart-throb actor Takenouchi Yutaka (photo, 33) is romantically involved with Hawaiian beauty Brenda (31). And who can blame him – the stunning Japanese-Korean is a top model, who was scouted as a 17-year old. She regularly graces magazine covers, and is perhaps best remembered as Wacoal’s “Good Up Bra” girl. She has one marriage behind her, having divorced her model husband thre years ago. She and Takenouchi have been friends since he himself was a model in his early 20s. His agency says the pair have no plans for marriage at the moment.
• The jury is back with its verdict on the New Year TV ratings – Kohaku had its worst showing ever. The NHK song spectacle pulled less than 50% for the fourth year running, and was even overtaken momentarily by the all-too-brief Akebono-Bob Sapp fight on TBS (43%). As soon as the fight was over, the ratings were reversed.