Popular veteran actress and singer Asaoka Ruriko (63) has been romantically linked with stage actor Matsui Makoto (44). It’s probably no coincidence that the story broke at the same time that a new single, a duet between the pair, was announced. According to women’s magazine Josei Jishin, Matsui was a fan of Asaoka and the relationship escalated from there. Both are divorcees, Asaoka having split from actor Ishizaka Koji in 2000 after 29 years of marriage.
• Matsumoto Tak (43) guitarist of Japan’s top rock unit B’z has been named as the man to do the music for next year’s Ultraman movie. A fan of the superhero since childhood, Matsumoto said he was “truly honored” to have been chosen.
• Super idol Matsuura Aya (17) will provide the theme song for the upcoming Nippon TV drama series “Aijo Ippon”, in which she will also star. The single is “Your Song – Seishun Sensei”. In what will be Ayaya’s first leading role, she will play the daughter of a judoist, to coincide with the Summer Olympics.