The gossip magazine Friday has exposed an extra-marital affair between rock guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu (42) and actress Takaoka Yuki (31). The pair have been working together on the movie “Yokubou” (Desire), to be released next spring, and seem to have been true to the title. They were spotted in a restaurant and bars Tokyo’s Roppongi district in a series of very compromising clinches. Rumors have abounded for years about infidelities on both sides between Takaoka and her husband, actor Hosaka Naoki (36), though the couple often appeared as doting parents in TV commercials. Meanwhile, Hotei has been busy working on the latest “best hits” album by his wife, singer Imai Miki (41). He laughed off the latest revealtion saying his wife knew about it and it was no big deal.
• Some details of Utada Hikaru’s (21) upcoming U.S. debut album were released by Island Records this week. The album will be titled “Exodus” and is a mix of Alternative, Pop, Dance & Funk/Groove.” It’s set to go on sale in the autumn.