How popular is singer/songwriter Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi? Popular enough to create the biggest event Kagoshima has ever seen. Nagabuchi (47) is headlining a concert in his hometown on August 21 that is estimated will bring ¥5 billion to the region. About 70,000 will be sold for the show, and the effect on the local economy is expected to be greater than that of the 2002 World Cup or professional baseball spring training camps.
• Actress and model Tsuchiya Anna (photo, 20) revealed this week that she recently married and is expecting a baby at the end of the year. Her new hubby is model Joshua (21), younger brother of US-born TV personality Kozue Rin (24). Tsuchiya is currently getting a lot of attention as Fukuda Kyoko’s (22) co-star in the pop culture movie “Shitazuma Monogatari.” She plays a tough “yankee” type who establishes a friendship with a sweet “lolita” girl. Both images are common as rebellious types in contrast to the mainstream youth culture.