Ryoko versus Ryoko in battle of TV tax inspectors

TOKYO —
This seems to be the season for TV dramas about tax investigators with Ryoko Shinohara and Ryoko Yonekura competing in prime time. Shinohara stars in the new Nihon TV drama series, “Ogon no Buta,” which premieres Oct 20 at 10 p.m., while Yonekura is appearing in “Nasake no Onna” on Thursdays at 9 p.m. on TV Asahi.

In “Ogon no Buta,” Shinohara plays a former con artist who is now a tax inspector investigating various tax evasion schemes and other scams. In her drama, Yonekura plays a similar character—a government investigator tracking down tax cheats.

Asked if her role would spark a rivalry with Yonekura, Shinohara said: “I had no idea about her series. I haven’t seen it. I’ve been so absorbed in ‘Ogon no Buta.’ I better have a look and see what she’s doing.”

This is Shinohara’s first appearance in a TV series since giving birth in 2008. Her father also passed away recently.

Kazuya Kamenashi and Kumi Koda win 'Best Jeanist' awards

TOKYO —
The winners of the “Best Jeanist 2010” awards were announced this week by the Japan Jeans Association. The annual awards are given to celebrities who look cool in jeans. This year’s popular vote winners were Kazuya Kamenashi, 24, of pop band KAT-TUN and singer Kumi Koda, 27, who both won awards last year, too.
Kamenashi said: “I feel like I just got 200 hits,” referring to Ichiro’s recent record-breaking achievement of 10 straight 200-hit seasons. Koda echoed his sentiments, saying, “This is a very special prize to me. I’m really happy.”
The Best Jeanist Association votes went to actor Kenta Kiritani, 30, AKB48’s Tomomi Itano, 19, and all-round celebrity Ai Haruna, 38. The International Best Jeanist award went to 24-year-old Japanese soccer star Keisuke Honda.

Aya Ueto finds new love in EXILE

TOKYO —
Actress and singer Aya Ueto, 25, and EXILE frontman Hiro, 41, have been dating, according to media reports. The couple first met while Ueto was taking dance lessons around the time she broke into the mainstream in 1997.
They have been dating under the press radar since before Hiro was designated EXILE’s new lead, and apparently became seriously involved this summer, according to the tabloids.
Ueto, who ended her eight-year relationship with “boy band” V6 member Go Morita, 31, in August, told the media recently that her preferred type was, “a muscular, strong-willed guy,”—a description believed to be a veiled hint at her involvement with Hiro.

Kaori Manabe, Higashios turn out for Audi

TOKYO —
TV celebrity Kaori Manabe, who is embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with her talent management agency, said this week that it was going smoothly. “We’re making slow but steady progress,” Manabe said at a commemorative event in Yoyogi marking the anniversary of the launch of the iconic Audi R8 Spyder. She was joined by baseball commentator Osamu Higashio and his pro golfer daughter Riko Higashio.
As Manabe stood in front of the legendary luxury sports car, somebody asked her about relationships. “I think they should be intensely passionate,” said Manabe. When asked if there was currently a special someone in her life, she replied mysteriously, “I wonder. Even I’m not entirely sure.”
As the Higashios stood in front of the 20 million yen car, a reporter asked if they were thinking of buying one themselves. “Convertibles don’t really suit dad,” Riko said. When asked if she and husband Junichi Ishida were considering parenthood, Riko replied, “For now I’d like to concentrate on golf.”