Olympic judoist Inoue Kosei (26) has been romantically linked with pin-up girl Higashihara Aki (photo, 21). The two met in the summer of 2003 when Inoue was a guest on the popular Fuji TV fighting sports show “SRS”, for which Higashihara is the “visual queen.” She made her debut as a campaign girl for Asahi Beer. Inoue was a hot favorite for a gold medal in the 100kg class at the Athens Olympics, but was one the few Japanese judoists to come home empty handed.
• Kano Mika (36) has made her singing debut. One half of the “gorgeous” Kano Sisters, she is now calling herself Super Beauty Mikarin and teams up with the Cutey Monsters on a CD whose title is “cute” beyond belief – or translation. She has recently been appearing in CG form on a popular kids program, from which the song originated. Her dance moves in the promo video were choreographed by Papaya Suzuki.