Musician and producer Tsunku (37) is engaged to marry a 25-year old former model. The SharanQ vocalist is also the man behind Morning Musume and the many other spinoff groups spawned by the Hello!Project. He and Kanako, a native of Fukuoka Prefecture, met through a mutual friend last year. They are planning a June wedding, most likely with the Momus hit “Happy Summer Wedding” playing in the background. Tsunku said, “Having met her, I feel I have a new challenge ahead of me. I also have someone to share all my emotions with.” SharanQ are also planning to make a comeback this autumn, performing for the first time in five years.
• And returning to the big screen for the first time in five years is singer Hiro (22). The former Speed member will star in “Back Dancers” along with fellow singer Sonin (23), Saeko (19) and Hirayama Aya (22). The movie is scheduled to open in September.
• One of Japan’s biggest pop stars and the man behind the legendary anime “Akira” make quite a team. Singer/songwriter Utada Hikaru (23) has teamed up with anime director Otomo Katsuhiro (52) on Nisshin’s latest Cup Noodle TV commercial. “This Is Love” is the background to a story of freedom fighters set in the 23rd century. The commercial airs from today, while the song goes on sale as a single on June 14 and will be included in Utada’s upcoming 4th original album, “Ultra Blue”.