Actress Miyaji Mao (photo, 20), star of the current NHK morning drama series “Manten,” is head over heels in love. Her hearththrob is described in today’s Friday magazine as a “wild, long-haired” 27-year old musician. The couple are said to have been dating since July of last year and spend most of their time together at Miyaji’s Tokyo apartment.
• The Mainichi Broadcasting Saturday morning show “Shinju no Kobako” is to end its record-setting 45-year run. The show started in March 1959 and introduced the sights and history along the routes covered by the Kintetsu Railway Company in western Japan. It has been hosted by a huge range of TV personalities, musicians, and academics. The final show, set to air on March 27, will be the 2,314th.