The latest collaboration by rock band Glay will feature Himuro Kyosuke (45). The former Boøwy vocalist met Glay leader and guitarist Takuro (35) on a radio show last year and the band went to visit him at his home in Los Angeles earlier this year. The resulting single “Answer”, Himuro’s first collaborative project, goes on sale August 2 and the artists will perform together at the Ajinomoto Stadium on August 5 & 6. Last year Glay teamed up with vocal/dance unit Exile and released one of the year’s biggest hits in “Scream”. It’s been more than two years since they put out an original album, and their first ‘solo’ single since December 2004, “G4”, is scheduled for release mid-July. Boøwy were one of the biggest Japanese bands of the late 80s and early 90s. It also featured legendary guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu, whose split with Himuro led to the end of the band.
• Comedienne Aoki Sayaka (33) has been chosen for this year’s “Best Swimmer Award”. Though she has released a best-selling book of nude photos, she is not the most shapely of celebrities. Her choice was due to her appearances on the TV Asahi variety show “Q-sama!!” in which she and other celebrities take part in pretty competitive swimming races. Award recipients usually turn up for the ceremony in formal wear but Aoki was true to form, arriving in a swimsuit and cap. Designed for purely PR purposes, the award is one of many handed out every year to celebrities. The list includes Best Jeanist, Best Leatherist and Megane Best Dresser, for the person who looks best in glasses, as well as more traditional titles such as Best Couple or Best Father. With Sunday being Father’s Day, the latter will no doubt be announced this weekend.