In a survey that asked people to name the celebrity who was their ideal home tutor, actress Kikukawa Rei (26) came out on top, ahead of actress Matsushima Nanako (30) and comedian/director Kitano “Beat” Takeshi (47). Topping the list of worst home tutors were celebrity – and perennial least popular man in Japan – Degawa Tetsuro, simpering actress Sato Tamao and, surprise, Kikukawa Rei.
• Pop duo Chage & Aska played their first outdoor gig in 16 years in Tokyo at the weekend. Celebrating their 25th aniversary, they played live versions of their early hits for the first time in 15 years as well as new songs for a crowd of 20,000. The duo, who enjoyed their biggest success in the late 1980s and early 90s, postponed the second half of a nationwide tour to rehearse for this event. They’ll finish the tour between erly September and mid-December.