It was announced yesterday that the “world’s sexiest man” George Clooney (46) will be coming to Japan in August. He’ll be visiting to promote his latest movie, “Ocean’s 13”. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the third movie in the popular con-man series opens in theaters on August 10, but Clooney will be in Tokyo from July 29 until the movie’s Japan premiere on August 1. He and producer Jerry Weintraub will hold a press conference on July 31. Like most Hollywood blockbuster premieres, it will be held in the Toho Cinemas complex in Tokyo’s upmarket Roppongi Hills. In keeping with the movie series location of Las Vegas, the event will feature a giant slot machine. It will be Clooney’s fourth trip to Japan, and the first since coming to plug “Ocean’s 12” along with fellow cast members Matt Damon (36) and Brad Pitt (43) in 2005.
• Comedian Hide (36), one half of the duo Penalty, announced yesterday that he got married to a 30-year-old Tokyo music industry worker on July 7, the date of the romantic Tanabata star festival. With this year being 2007, the 7/7/7 date resulted in a major rush on weddings nationwide. The couple have no plans for a wedding ceremony or reception. The marriage announcement came through the Yoshimoto Kogyo agency, which represents the majority of Japan’s top comedy acts.
• Actress Sato Eriko (25) has denied rumors in a recent issue of women’s magazine “Josei Seven” that she is dating actor Yamamoto Koji (30). Asked about the story at a PR event yesterday, she said, “It’s just not true. We’ve never even been alone, just the two of us.” There has been almost non-stop speculation about her emotional state since the breakup of her short relationship with kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo (29) a few months ago. She also announced yesterday the publication of her serial novel “Trois” in the first issue of the magazine “Feel Love”.