 Ichiro Takatsuka (Ryotaro), Shinji Hasuo (Akira Shimizu)

 It has been revealed that Ryotaro Shimizu, a TV personality and the third son of Akira Shimizu (72), was found dead in his apartment in Tokyo. What were the “SOS signals” he had frequently sent to his friends…?

He Thought He’d Escaped Rock Bottom—But Ryotaro Shimizu Had Already Shown Signs of an SOS

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 Over 4 Hours at a Sake Izakaya, 8 Hours at an Italian Restaurant! After a Long Date, They Head to Their Love Nest Together

 Over 4 hours at an izakaya, 8 hours at an Italian restaurant! After a long date, they head back to their love nest together. TV Asahi announcer Tsumugi Mitani and her “tall, handsome boyfriend who resembles actor Shota Someya” have been in a relationship for five and a half years, and things are going smoothly. It looks like they’re headed straight for the altar…

[Photos] TV Asahi’s Tsumugi Mitani and Her Half-Live-In Boyfriend Enjoy a Happy Long Date

 The popular actor, who made a strong impression in the drama “Gas Human”—which topped the Japanese charts on Netflix—has a new girlfriend who’s even been approved by his dog

 Walking alongside actor Shuhei Nomura, who is accompanied by his dog, is Yumi Ishida, a model active on the global stage. The dog’s affectionate behavior suggests the couple has been dating for some time. It seems “walking and café dates” are a regular part of their routine, as they appeared relaxed and were clearly enjoying themselves.

Caught on a Date! Shuhei Nomura and His New, 7-Years-Younger UNIQLO Model Girlfriend

 Despite being confronted by *Bunshun*, Ryoki Miyama and former Takarazuka actress Maria Hanano have had their lovey-dovey text messages leaked. While this image blow might seem career-ending in the entertainment industry, for some reason, Hanano is more popular than ever…


A New Celebrity Power Couple Emerges—But What’s Behind RYOKI Miyama’s Unapologetic Messages?

 On August 2, his agency announced on its official website that Ryotaro Shimizu had passed away. The news of his death came just as he was steadily making his way back to the entertainment industry after stepping away following a scandal. Our magazine had witnessed him in action four months earlier—.

The Final Customers Came First: Remembering Ryotaro Shimizu’s Extraordinary Gesture at the Theater

 Kumatarō Arai (Photos 1–4), Sōta Shima (Photo 5)

 Haruna Kawaguchi announced her marriage to Japanese national soccer team defender Ko Itakura and her pregnancy on August 2. In late July, she was spotted filming a movie. She appeared slightly fuller-figured, and there was a rather unusual scene during the shoot...

【Exclusive】Haruna Kawaguchi Announces Marriage and Pregnancy—Another Woman Steps In for Her Film’s Action Scenes

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 In July, “DOMOTO” (formerly “KinKi Kids”) held a dome tour in Tokyo and Osaka. While the performances featured a collaboration with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, it appears there were complex circumstances behind the scenes.

Contract Over, Songs at Risk? DOMOTO Faces a Major Music Rights Battle After Leaving STARTO

 Akinori Nakagawa

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Yutaka Mizutani boasts a 60-year career in the entertainment industry. In recent years, he has been actively working as a film director, and his fourth film, *Piccola felicità: A Little Happiness*, is currently in theaters. What are his roots as a director, and what does the future hold for him?

“Don’t Come Into Show Business”: Yutaka Mizutani’s Warning to Daughter Shuri About the Industry’s Brutal Highs and Lows

 Kyodo (Ito), Kumatarō Arai (Shuri)

 It was reported that Ryoki Miyama and former Takarazuka Revue actress Maria Hanano were exchanging lovey-dovey text messages immediately after an exclusive interview. While the scandal shows no signs of dying down, amid all this, Miyama’s mother-in-law, Ran Ito, has…

Shuri Left Heartbroken by Ryoki Miyama Scandal—What It Means for Ran Ito, Who Celebrated Their Marriage

 Kumatarō Arai

 The Staff Saw It! Behind the Scenes of Weekly TV

 Variety shows are shifting from comedian-led programs to “idol-hosted shows.” With “fandom activities” becoming mainstream, the focus is on idols who can drive merchandise sales. As the influence of the former Johnny's agency wanes, other agencies are entering the market. Thanks to the “Banana Man effect” with Nogizaka46, the role of co-host has become a stepping stone to stardom.

Golden SixTONES Tops Gyōretsu in the Ratings—Can Idols Save Free-to-Air TV?

 Kazuhiko Nakamura (Ayase, Nagasawa, Hirose, Yokohama, Oguri)

 Latest Commercial Fee List: “The Prices of 125 People” [Part 2]

 FRIDAY reveals the “Latest Commercial Fee List” for famous athletes and celebrities, compiled based on advertising industry data and interviews with industry insiders! Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa, Suzu Hirose, Kanna Hashimoto, Sairi Ito… Who will be this year’s “Commercial Queen”?

Who’s Cashing In—and Who’s Fading Away? Japan’s Latest Celebrity and Athlete CM Fee Rankings

 Kazuhiko Nakamura (Ohtani)

 Latest Commercial Fee List: “Fees for 125 People” [Part 1]

 Based on top-secret data held by executives at major advertising agencies, FRIDAY interviewed industry insiders to compile the “Latest Commercial Fee List” for famous athletes and entertainers. Just how incredible is the “out-of-this-world” Shohei Ohtani…

Shohei Ohtani Is in a League of His Own—Even His Commercial Fees and Agent Are Next-Level!

 Hirotsuru Fujiyama

 Yu Tomono

 The pair photo shoot fans have been waiting for is finally here! From behind-the-scenes stories of their much-talked-about collaboration on “Love Kin” to their honest feelings about each other, this is a candid interview with these best friends

 Mariya Nagao & Yume Hayashi, who are always affectionate with each other even in private, have finally delivered the duo photo shoot fans have been waiting for! From behind-the-scenes stories about their much-talked-about co-starring roles on the dating reality show “Love Kin 2” to their honest feelings about each other—an unfiltered interview with these best friends.

“We Were So Embarrassed!” Best Friends Mariya Nagao &#038; Yume Hayashi Get Close for This Week’s Cover

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

 Backgrid/Aflo

 Although Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce has already been finalized, it seems their “dispute” is still ongoing. Amid this, attention across the U.S. is focused on the decisions made by their children…

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Youngest Child Also Drops the “Pitt” Surname; Behind All Their Children “Leaving the Pitt Name” Lies a “Plan to Move to Cambodia”

 The scandal surrounding Ryoki Miyama and former Takarazuka actress Maria Hanano—allegations of a “mutual affair”—shows no signs of dying down. In Bunshun’s second report, emails exchanged between the two after they were confronted by reporters were leaked…

&#8220;This Pattern&#8230;&#8221; The &#8220;Divorce Flag&#8221; Looming Over Ryoki Miyama and Maria Hanano: &#8220;Similarities&#8221; to Becky and Ryoko Hirosue

 Aika Kanda

 [Series No. 123] Me, Pink, and Sometimes NY

 I went to Nikko Toshogu Shrine with my mother. There’s the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu there, and for the first time in a long while, my mother and I had a conversation about which type of warlord we liked best in cuckoo haiku. It’s been almost a quarter-century since I entered the workforce… all my various experiences have led to new insights!

“Let It Sing—or Let It Be?” Aika Kanda’s Curious Cuckoo Question

 Takahiro Yokoi

 She’s causing a sensation in the latest issue of FRIDAY! We took an in-depth look at the overwhelming radiance of rising star Tamaki Sakuramoto

 No. 1 in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the National Sports Festival! We’ve Got the Exclusive Scoop on the First Swimsuit Photo Spread of Tamaki Sakuramoto—the “Real-Life Minami Asakura” Who’s Finally Emerged‼︎

National Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion Makes Her Swimsuit Debut—Meet the Real-Life Minami Asakura!

 REX/Aflo

 The new season of the drama series “VIVANT” premiered on July 26. While Masato Sakai’s “mesmerizing performance” has been the talk of the town, another figure whose reputation within the industry is rising just as much as Sakai’s is Mana Ashida, who has been popular since her days as a child actress…

Mana Ashida Shows Her True Acting Power—Industry Insiders Compare Her to Masato Sakai

 We spotted Hokuto Matsumura of “SixTONES,” the lead actor in the currently airing drama *Confession: The Secret of the 25th Year*, on the set! Matsumura was acting out a scene where he was walking with a pained expression after injuring his lower back and shoulder—but even that looked cool.

Cool Even When He’s Clumsy! Hokuto Matsumura’s Scene-Stealing Performance Has Fans Hooked

 Staff Members Reveal! Behind the Scenes of Weekly TV

 Chinatsu Wakatsuki (42) has launched her own show, *Sashihara Chinatsu*, and is making a comeback after a 10-year hiatus. Audrey’s Wakabayashi has also praised her, saying, “She’s just too good at talking,” and she’s now in high demand in the TV industry.

Chinatsu Wakatsuki Is Back in a Big Way—And Her Sharp Talk Has Finally Won Her a Show of Her Own

 Kenji Sugawara (1st and 2nd photos), Kumatarō Arai (3rd and 4th photos)

 We spotted Nozomi Sasaki filming scenes for the currently airing drama *Confession: The Secret of the 25th Year*! Although filming took place amid the sweltering heat, Sasaki looked cool and composed. She’s said to be playing a “straightforward” woman in this drama—but is this close to her “true self”?

Nozomi Sasaki Keeps Smiling Through the Heat as Her Husband Faces Trouble

 On July 17, the trial of a man who orchestrated a “proxy sexual assault” against his ex-girlfriend through an underground job took place at the Tokyo District Court. Although the man admitted to the charges, he lashed out at the victim, his ex-girlfriend. The content of his statement—which could be described as “madness”—was as follows...

A Shocking 10 Minutes in Court: Alleged Sexual-Assault Scheme Organizer Attacks the Victim’s Character

 Ryoki Miyama and former Takarazuka actress Maria Hanano—whose reported affair came to light after they co-starred in a musical—have seen “a certain sentence” in their apology statement spark controversy within the industry, even as both agencies have acknowledged the fact of their secret meetings…

“Why Was This Even Included?” The One Line in Ryoki Miyama and Maria Kano’s Apology That Has Everyone Talking

 Kojiro Yamada

 Actor Shotaro Mamiya was spotted in a shopping district near one of Tokyo’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods. Our magazine witnessed him enjoying a happy shopping trip with his wife, Ms. A, whom he announced his marriage to in ’24. It seems Ms. A’s presence is having a positive impact on his career as well…?

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