Popular talento Takada Junji (62) is likely to be prosecuted after causing a minor traffic accident late last night. He was turning right on a green light at an intersection in the Meguro district of Tokyo when his car hit a scooter coming the other way. His view of the scooter was obscured by another car but he is said to be entirely to blame for the accident. The young man (19) riding the scooter suffered minor injuries. Takada is a veteran of the variety show circuit and has a reputation as one of Japan’s zaniest comedians.
• Romance has bloomed between comedian Date Mikio (34) and freelance announcer Kumagai Maiko (38), according to today’s issue of weekly gossip magazine “Flash.” The pair are both natives of Sendai City in northern Japan and are said to have started dating last October. Kumagai is a presenter on such shows as Fuji TV’s “Tokudane,” while Date is one half of the manzai duo Sandwichman, who made their breakthrough last year.
• Johnny’s Jimusho (profile) idol group Arashi have seen their latest release storm to the top of the Oricon singles chart. “Believe/Kumori Nochi Kaisei” entered the chart at No.1 and has already sold over half a million copies in the week since its release. It’s the first time Arashi have managed that feat since their 1999 debut single. The last artist to do it was fellow Johnny’s group KAT-TUN three years ago.