Meisa and Meisa enjoy a Kit Kat

Thursday 23rd September, 05:48 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Meisa Kuroki, 22, this week attended a launch event for a new ad announcing the first significant change in the flavor of Nestle’s Kit Kat snack in 37 years. She appeared onstage alongside a projected video of her Meisa Akagi, her fictional character in the commercials. Kuroki, who claims to “love black” and Akagi, clad in red, have become the faces of the new “adult” Kit Kat, with its crunchier texture and new black packaging.
When reporters asked Kuroki about her “relationship” with Akagi, she said, “When people tell me she’s cute, I feel like it’s a compliment to me too. We’re often told we look alike, but we’re not twins. She’s my protege.”

Aya Ueto becomes Tomei Expressway PR spokeswoman

Friday 24th September, 03:19 AM JST

TOKYO —

Singer Aya Ueto has been named 2010 Tomei Expressway Maintenance PR character and will appear in TV commercials and on posters to inform the public about the maintenance work.

Child commercial star Seishiro Kato, 9, will act alongside Ueto in the campaign. “I was very excited to act with Seishiro. He’s my hero,” gushed Ueto.

Sugimoto, Tomochika, Michibata dispense advice on relationships

Sunday 19th September, 06:47 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Aya Sugimoto, “talent” Tomochika and model Karen Michibata came together recently to promote the Japanese release of the DVD box set of the American television drama, “Lipstick Jungle.”
The trio took part in a talk show. When the conversation came to love and relationships, Michibata exclaimed, “I think cheating is unforgivable.” Sugimoto offered a different opinion, however. “If it’s a truly trusting relationship, I don’t think it has to be completely exclusive.”
Tomochika, meanwhile, commented, “No one meets my standards at the moment anyway.”

Emiri Henmi: 'Dating's going well'

Saturday 18th September, 07:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Emiri Henmi was the special guest at a launch event for Chinese appliance maker Haier’s new washing machine designed for duvets. Naturally, the media were more interested in the 33-year-old’s relationship with fellow actor Kenji Matsuda, 38, which came to the public’s attention in August.
When asked about her love life, Henmi replied, “It’s going well. Right now I’m happy.”
Asked about doing housework, Henmi said: “To be honest, when it comes to housework I prefer cooking rather than doing the washing. My specialty is hamburgers. My other half says he likes them too.” 

Kano sisters keep it behind closed doors

Thursday 16th September, 04:25 AM JST

TOKYO — Kyoko Kano, the older of the Kano sisters, has made her directorial debut with the steamy movie “Butterflista Subete Wa, Ai no Koi.” She and her sister Mika attended a preview screening for the movie, which explores such risque themes as homosexuality, S&M, sex toys and threesomes.

The movie is a compilation of six audacious and daring works on the idea of love without boundaries. “There are no taboos or limits when it comes to what we are prepared to do in the name of love,” explained Kyoko.

Politics, on the other hand, is a far more serious taboo for the sisters. When asked about the Democratic Party leadership vote that saw Prime Minister Naoto Kan retain his job, Kyoko refused to comment, saying, “We all have different tastes and preferences but that stuff should be kept behind closed doors, as far as celebrities are concerned. Mika and I talk about politics at home but we certainly don’t want to touch on it in public.”

The movie opens on Sept 23