Actress Adachi Yumi (photo, 23) may have a new love in her life. Just weeks after the public split from boyfriend Kuroda Arthur (44), Adachi is now seeing Itoda Jun (32) of the comedy duo Speed Wagon, according to the weekly magazine Josei Seven. At a PR event yesterday for an autumn Fuji TV drama series, Adachi described Itoda as a friend, someone she occasionally meets for dinner. In the new drama, she will play a “yankee” (delinquent girl) who battles her father and domestic violence.
• Also rumored to be romantically involved is singer BoA (18). The weekly magazine Friday reports that the Japan-based Korean singer is going out with a 26-year old stylist, and published photos of the couple kissing in Odaiba, a popular waterfront date spot. It is her first romance made public. The popular singer is in the 4th year of a successful career, though she only recently had her first No.1 on the Oricon chart with “Do the Motion”. She is currently in Korea recording her new album, due for release in June.
• Uchi Hiroki (18), a member of the pop groups News and Kan Johnny 8, was admitted to hospital on Monday. The cause is said to be pneumothorax, a condition in which air escapes from the lungs into the chest cavity and compresses the lungs. He has undergone surgery and will need about three weeks to recover. according to the Johnny’s Jimusho agency, he experienced chest pains during his performance in a musical in Osaka on Sunday and went to hospital the following morning. As is the Japanese style, he apologized to his fans for worrying and inconveniencing them.
• Talento Nakayama Hideaki (37) is a father for the third time. His agency announced this week that his wife, former Takarazuka star and talento Shiraki Ayaka (37), gave birth to their third son, whom they’ve named Keigo, on May 6.
• Father and son Tokumitsu Kazuo (63), an announcer, and talento Masayuki (33) are currently making their first TV appearance together. The pair are in the TV commercial for the new album by Kawashima Ai (19). The elder Tokumitsu, a veteran Giants fan known for his ability to cry, is said to be a big fan. He and his son say they have been moved to tears by Kawashima’s latest album, “12-ko no Uta” (12 Songs), which goes on sale today. The singer-songwriter recently played her 1,000th “rojo raibu” (street performance).