 Keisuke Nishi

 Shortly after 11 p.m. in early June, a man and a woman entered a Chinese-style izakaya in the city center one after another. They were Kento Nagao of “Naniwa Danshi” and Rio Inagaki, a former member of “E-girls.” Our magazine captured exclusive photos of the two on their “late-night date and overnight stay.”

Naniwa Danshi&#8217;s Kento Nagao Photographed on Late-Night Date and Overnight Stay With Former E-girls Beauty Rio Inagaki

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 Chikage Koga, a member of the House of Councillors for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is facing a massive backlash after stating, “Children who join the Self-Defense Forces are those facing financial hardship.” One might expect comedian Yasuko—a former member of the Self-Defense Forces—to have something to say in response to such remarks…

&#8220;Kids Who Join the Self-Defense Forces Come from Financially Struggling Families&#8221;: Comedian Yasuko, a Former SDF Member, Reacts to Constitutional Democratic Party’s Koga’s “Controversial Remarks”

 Keisuke Nishi, Junsei Todoroki, Takahiro Kagawa

 “If Ms. Takaichi had been there, it would have been an incredible sight…”

 Surrounded by lush greenery, the Meiji Memorial Hall (Minato Ward) was quiet and serene. On June 6, this venue—which has ties to the Imperial Family—hosted the “First Celebration of Kinjiro Tamabukuro’s 40th Anniversary in Show Business.”

[Incredibly Impressive] From Renowned Actors to LDP Lawmakers… The “Heavyweights” Who Attended “Kintaro Tamabukuro’s 40th Anniversary in Show Business Party”

 Aika Kanda

 [Series No. 119] Me, Pink, and Sometimes NY

 Have any of you watched that popular drama available on streaming services? For my generation, Kazuko Hosoki is a figure who has left a powerful impression. It was after I checked to see if I was in a “Great Killing Period” that I became interested in fortune-telling in general.

Should You See a Fortune Teller? Aika Kanda Shares Her Thoughts

 Yoshito Murata (Nagao)

 Reports have surfaced of a romantic relationship between Naniwa Danshi’s Kento Nagao and former “E-girls” member and influencer Rio Inagaki. With the group marking its fifth anniversary—a crucial milestone—leader Kazuya Ohashi has…

Kento Nagao’s Romance Rumors Revive Old Wounds for Naniwa Danshi

 Ryo Sakamoto (Former Head of the Culture and Society Department, Tokyo Sports Newspaper)

 Sports Hochi/Aflo (1st photo), Kojiro Yamada (2nd photo)

 Actress Tamao Nakamura passed away on June 9. When one thinks of Tamao, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the “marital” anecdotes involving Shintaro Katsu, who died in 1997. Here is the untold story of the love shared by this couple, who overcame many hardships…

Farewell to Tamao Nakamura: Her Passionate and Tumultuous Life with Shintaro Katsu

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 A premiere stage greeting was held for the movie *April’s Margin*, set for nationwide release on June 26. Alongside lead actor Wataru Ichinose, the film’s heroine, Kaho, took the stage. The audience gasped in awe at her ethereal appearance in a white dress.

Kaho Brings Both Elegance and Mischief to New Film Preview Stage

 Takahiro Kagawa

 Kyoko Koizumi completed her 60th-birthday tour this past May and announced she would be “taking a break sometime in 2026.” A few days later, reports surfaced that she had broken up with actor Kosuke Toyohara, her partner of approximately 11 years. Let’s look back at the couple’s journey, as observed by this magazine!

Kyoko Koizumi Hit by Breakup Reports—Revisiting Her Serious Romance with Kosuke Toyohara

 Takayuki Ogawachi

 Staff Witnessed It! Behind the Scenes of Weekly TV

 Prompted by Kuruma Takahira’s departure, Yoshimoto has introduced new rules. Contracts will be terminated if an artist cannot be contacted for four weeks, and the agency will take a 20% cut of TikTok earnings. Some young talents are even considering going independent. Amid a string of social media controversies, agencies are tightening their oversight.

“New Yoshimoto Rule?” Agencies Consider 20% Cut of TikTok Earnings as SNS Controls Tighten

 On June 16, the wake for actress Tamao Nakamura (aged 86) was held at the Kirigaya Funeral Hall in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. What did the big-name celebrities who attended reveal about the true nature of this beloved national actress during her lifetime?

Akashiya Sanma, Akiko Wada Among Mourners Sharing Memories of Tamao Nakamura

 On June 13, the awards ceremony for the international music awards “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026” (MAJ) was held, bringing together artists from Japan and abroad. HANA, MISAMO, and Mrs. made surprise appearances.

HANA Steals the Show, Mrs. GREEN APPLE Shocks with Surprise Appearance at “MAJ” Awards

 Sota Shima

  Unthinkable in the SMAP Days! Enjoying Yakitori and High-End Clubs…

 Goro Inagaki appeared in Ginza in the evening—even with a hat on and his eyes hidden behind sunglasses, he couldn’t quite hide his star power. Enjoying yakitori and high-end clubs… something unthinkable during his SMAP days: a tipsy bar-hopping spree lasting a total of 6 hours!

Gorō Inagaki Seen in High Spirits on Six-Hour Ginza Bar Crawl, Embracing Bachelor Life

 Michio Kurose

 Special Interview

 Actress Akiko Sendō has appeared in numerous hit dramas, including *Tokyo Love Story* and *If I Look Back, There He Is*. Once known as the “Queen of School Festivals” and a “trendy actress,” she has now moved her base to Hokkaido, where she continues her career.

35 Years After Tokyo Love Story, Akiko Sendō Is Thriving as a Trendy Auntie in Hokkaido

 Yuri Adachi

 Special Entertainment Research Project [Part 2]

 Power struggles unfold in every kind of organization, from private companies to the political arena. But which dramas based on these power struggles are truly worth watching? From politics and business to police organizations... we introduce the masterpieces selected by experts!

Inside the Battle for Power: The Best Dramas About Ambition, Loyalty, and Survival

 Jiji Press (2nd photo) Sota Shima (3rd photo)

 Special Entertainment Research Feature [Part 1]

 Power struggles unfold in every kind of organization, from private companies to the political arena. But which dramas based on these power struggles are truly worth watching? We interviewed six drama experts to select their top recommendations.

Their Greatest Enemy Isn&#8217;t the Competition—It&#8217;s the Organization Itself

 Takahiko Kohiyama

 Kotaro Yoshida stars in the film *License Return?!*, set for release on June 19. From behind-the-scenes stories with co-star and silver-screen legend Hiroshi Tachi to the roots of his acting career—we take a closer look at the true face of a man who continues to thrive as both an actor and a director.

&#8220;Stage and Screen Are Completely Different&#8221;—Kotaro Yoshida Reflects on 50 Years of Acting

 Breaking New Ground as an “Adulterous Wife” in a Series of Explicit Love Scenes

 "I actually wanted to be a classic idol," reveals Mariko Shinoda, who was a core member of AKB48. She spoke to us about her "burnout syndrome," the turning points she faced, and her current state of mind as she breaks new ground as an actress following her graduation.

&#8220;Mariko-sama Never Felt Like Me&#8221;—Mariko Shinoda Opens Up About Life as an AKB48 Icon

 The trial of a Chinese man accused of pickpocketing on a JR Yamanote Line train was held on June 4 at the Tokyo District Court. Police have recently been monitoring a Chinese pickpocketing ring that comes to Japan posing as tourists to commit crimes. The man had visited Japan four times previously.

Was a Pickpocket Ring Behind It? The Bizarre Courtroom Behavior of a Chinese Defendant

 Koichiro Umeki

 Yasuhisa Kikuchi

 My Personal Commitment to Gravure... My 3rd Photo Book, Brimming with the "Mature Allure" of My 30s, Is Coming Soon! We Reveal the True Face of the Super-Popular M-League Player Who Continues to Captivate Fans as a TV Personality and Professional Mahjong Player

 We reveal the true face of Kana Nakata, the ultra-popular M-League player who continues to captivate fans as both a TV personality and professional mahjong player! Her third photo book, brimming with the “mature allure” befitting her 30s, is set for release. She expressed her hope that fans will see her “personal commitment to gravure.”

&#8220;I Want People to See My New Curves&#8221;—Kana Nakada Talks About Her Latest Photo Shoot

 While WEST.'s Junta Nakama's fan meeting in Taiwan and Terushi Kiriyama's work at a café have been making headlines, some fans are expressing confusion, saying that "their idol-like qualities have faded."

Confusion Surrounds &#8216;WEST.&#8217; for Becoming &#8216;Idols You Can Meet&#8217;&#8230; Why Fans Are So Reluctant to Take &#8216;Two-Shot Photos&#8217;

 Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1962. He is active as part of the comedy duo "Honjama-ka" with Toshiaki Megumi. In addition to variety shows such as "Genso! Debuya" (TV TOKYO network), he is also active as an actor and voice actor. Currently, he appears as the Friday MC on "Yojigoji Days" (TV TOKYO network) and is also focusing on YouTube and Instagram.

 Hidehiko Ishizuka

 "Honjama-ka" Hidehiko Ishizuka's "Maiu~" Days Vol. 51

 "Honjama-ka" Hidehiko Ishizuka's "Maiu~" Days Vol. 51. This time, we hear stories about Ishizuka's location work. Starting with visits to mansions, Ishizuka has experienced a wide variety of shoots, including gourmet tours and travel shows. Here are some entertaining anecdotes!

It all started with a visit to a mansion&#8230; Before I knew it, &#8220;Wow!&#8221; had become my catchphrase: &#8220;Field Work and Me&#8221; by Hidehiko Ishizuka of &#8220;Honjama-ka&#8221;

 Ippei Hara

 Shinji Saito, a former member of “Jungle Pocket,” is on trial for charges including indecent assault and non-consensual sexual intercourse. Although his reputation within the industry was not bad, none of his colleagues have appeared in court as character witnesses. Furthermore, his wife, Saori Seto…

&#8220;It Wasn&#8217;t One-Sided&#8221;: The &#8220;Distance&#8221; Between Former Janpoke Member Shinji Saito and His Wife, Saori Seto, Who &#8220;Defended&#8221; Him

 Shortly after 11 p.m. in early June, a man and a woman entered a Chinese izakaya tucked away in a back alley in the city center one after another. They were Kento Nagao of "Naniwa Danshi" and Rio Inagaki, formerly of "E-girls." Their demeanor suggested an extraordinary level of intimacy—!

Love Scoop! Kento Nagao and Former E-girls Star Rio Inagaki Enjoy Low-Key Izakaya Date

 [Series No. 118] Me, Pink, and Sometimes NY

 The first time I truly felt like I was becoming an adult was during the winter of my senior year of high school. “Let’s go on a graduation trip!” I said, and visited Sapporo with my classmates. Early last month, I walked the streets of Sapporo for the first time in 27 years. I wonder what kind of person I’ll be the next time I visit.

Entertainment

Naniwa Danshi’s Kento Nagao Photographed on Late-Night Date and Overnight Stay With Former E-girls Beauty Rio Inagaki

“Kids Who Join the Self-Defense Forces Come from Financially Struggling Families”: Comedian Yasuko, a Former SDF Member, Reacts to Constitutional Democratic Party’s Koga’s “Controversial Remarks”

[Incredibly Impressive] From Renowned Actors to LDP Lawmakers… The “Heavyweights” Who Attended “Kintaro Tamabukuro’s 40th Anniversary in Show Business Party”

Should You See a Fortune Teller? Aika Kanda Shares Her Thoughts

Kento Nagao’s Romance Rumors Revive Old Wounds for Naniwa Danshi

Farewell to Tamao Nakamura: Her Passionate and Tumultuous Life with Shintaro Katsu

Kaho Brings Both Elegance and Mischief to New Film Preview Stage

Kyoko Koizumi Hit by Breakup Reports—Revisiting Her Serious Romance with Kosuke Toyohara

“New Yoshimoto Rule?” Agencies Consider 20% Cut of TikTok Earnings as SNS Controls Tighten

Akashiya Sanma, Akiko Wada Among Mourners Sharing Memories of Tamao Nakamura

HANA Steals the Show, Mrs. GREEN APPLE Shocks with Surprise Appearance at “MAJ” Awards

Gorō Inagaki Seen in High Spirits on Six-Hour Ginza Bar Crawl, Embracing Bachelor Life

35 Years After Tokyo Love Story, Akiko Sendō Is Thriving as a Trendy Auntie in Hokkaido

Inside the Battle for Power: The Best Dramas About Ambition, Loyalty, and Survival

Their Greatest Enemy Isn’t the Competition—It’s the Organization Itself

“Stage and Screen Are Completely Different”—Kotaro Yoshida Reflects on 50 Years of Acting

“Mariko-sama Never Felt Like Me”—Mariko Shinoda Opens Up About Life as an AKB48 Icon

Was a Pickpocket Ring Behind It? The Bizarre Courtroom Behavior of a Chinese Defendant

“I Want People to See My New Curves”—Kana Nakada Talks About Her Latest Photo Shoot

Confusion Surrounds ‘WEST.’ for Becoming ‘Idols You Can Meet’… Why Fans Are So Reluctant to Take ‘Two-Shot Photos’

It all started with a visit to a mansion… Before I knew it, “Wow!” had become my catchphrase: “Field Work and Me” by Hidehiko Ishizuka of “Honjama-ka”

“It Wasn’t One-Sided”: The “Distance” Between Former Janpoke Member Shinji Saito and His Wife, Saori Seto, Who “Defended” Him

Love Scoop! Kento Nagao and Former E-girls Star Rio Inagaki Enjoy Low-Key Izakaya Date

“Sapporo Links Who I Was at 18 and Who I Am Today”—Ai Kanda Reflects on a Lifelong Connection