Masuwaka, at Nail Queen Awards, says she isn't getting a divorce

This year's Nail Queens (and king) from left: Ai Haruna, Tsubasa Masuwaka, Pink Lady's Mii and Kei, Kana Nishino, Yusuke Yamamoto and LiLiCo.Japan Nailist Association

TOKYO —Model Tsubasa Masuwaka apologized for divorce rumors and emphasized that she is still happy during an appearance at the Nail Queen Awards this week.

The awards are an annual event at the Japan Nail Expo which attracted more than 50,000 people to Makuhari Messe on Sunday and Monday.

Reporters were more interested in the state of Masuwaka’s marriage to actor Naoki Umeda, 28, than in the state of her nails. Masuwaka admitted that she and Umeda were living separately but said there were no plans for a divorce. She said that he even helped prepare her nails.

Joining Masuwaka on the award podium this year were singing duo Pink Lady, “talent” Ai Haruna, actor Yusuke Yamamoto (as the Nail King), singer Kana Nishino and TV personality LiLiCo.

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KARA appear in fried chicken ad campaign for FamilyMart

KARA appear in a FamilyMart commercial.

TOKYO —Popular South Korean all-girl group KARA is appearing in a TV and poster ad campaign for convenience store chain FamilyMart’s fried chicken for the Christmas season.

In the “KARA Christmas version” ad, the five girls, known for their sexy dance style, perform an original “chicken dance.” The girls said the dance can only be seen in the ad.

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AKB48 singer Atsuko Maeda demonstrates 'snow karate' in g.u. commercial

TOKYO —AKB48 singer Atsuko Maeda, 20, shows a few karate moves in the new TV commercial for fashion brand “g.u.” In the commercial, which airs from Monday, Maeda—wearing the brand’s winter line—karate chops snowflakes and says “I, Atsuko Maeda, am going to warm the Japanese winter.”

Speaking to reporters at an event to launch the ad campaign, Maeda said: “When I become 20 years old, I would like to be g.u. (a pun on the Japanese word ‘jiyu’ which means free in English). I’ll be an adult and be able to do things at my pace without bothering other people and being thought of as naive.”

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Lady Gaga's photo book to be released on Nov 22

Copyright © 2011 by Ate My Heart, Inc. and American International Productions LLC.

TOKYO —Lady Gaga’s photo book, titled “LADY GAGA × TERRY RICHARDSON,” will go on sale in Japan on Nov 22. The photos were shot by American fashion photographer Terry Richard over a 10-month period.

Photos include Lady Gaga’s attendance at the American rock festival Lollapalooza, the Grammy awards and scenes from her “Monster Ball” world tour, including her private life, backstage, bedroom, bathroom and so on.

The book is 360 pages, and sells for 3,990 yen.

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Chiaki Kuriyama shows her pole-dancer form

TOKYO —Actress-singer Chiaki Kuriyama, 27, is showing a new side to herself for her new song. Kuriyama can be seen as a pole dancer on the CD jacket and also adorns the side of a big van that has been driving around Tokyo, promoting her song, “Portrait of moonlight night.”

Appearing at Laqua Garden Stage in Tokyo Dome City, Kuriyama declined to give a pole dancing exhibition for the media. “I might end up showing something which I shouldn’t,” she said.

But she did sing three songs for the 300 fans and media in attendance.

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Video of the week: Tokyo Metro

If you’ve been riding in Tokyo’s subways recently, you have probably seen this video playing in the trains and on displays at stations.

Tokyo Metro is showing it to provide convenient information about the subway system to smartphone users.

Click here to see video.

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Aya Ueto wins Fur of the Year award

Aya Ueto holds her award.Japan Fur Association

TOKYO —Actress Aya Ueto, 26, is the 2011 winner of Fur of the Year, an award given by the Japan Fur Association to the celebrity whose image best matches fur. The award has been given seven times before.

A beaming Ueto appeared wearing a Chinchilla fur coat worth 5 million yen. “I hope my image is good for fur,” she said. “I like wearing fur casually.”

Ueto, who is dating EXILE lead singer HIRO, 42, was asked if she would wear her fur and dress ensemble out on a date, but she continued her policy of not talking about her relationship.

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