A monument was unveiled yesterday to rock star Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi (49). In August 2004, the singer/songwriter drew more than 75,000 fans to an all-night rock concert in his home town of Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture. The town showed their appreciation for the economic benefits they gleaned from that event by commissioning a 50-ton stone statue of their favorite son at a cost of ¥35 million. 15,000 people turned out for the unveiling and Nagbuchi gave them a six-song performance in the 130,000 sq.m. space where the concert was held.
• Pin-up girl Yasu Megumi (24) has denied rumors that she is dating writer Lili Frankie (42), despite photos of the two published in a weekly magazine. She was appearing at the launch event for her latest photo book, shot on location in Hawaii.
• Also releasing a new photo book soon is Kano Mika (38), the younger of the “Gorgeous Kano Sisters”. It reveals officially for the first time the 1989 Miss Japan’s wholesome proportions, given as: bust-95cm, waist-57cm, waist-90cm. The book will feature “hair nudes”, meaning photos that show pubic hair. Not a rarity these days but a first for the Kano-shimai, who have been fading a little from the limelight lately. The book is being publicized as one product to mark the sisters’ tenth year as celebrities.