 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

 Depas, which is widely prescribed in Japan, has been designated a controlled substance in the U.S. It’s surprising to learn that it falls into the same category as heroin and MDMA. Experts explain the differences in perspective between Japan and the U.S., as well as the underlying risks.

Prescribed for Insomnia, Headaches, and Stiff Shoulders—But How Dangerous Is Depas?

 Daisuke Takahashi

 Mayumi Abe (Reporting), Kyodo News (First Photo)

 Japan is in the midst of a debate over “middle-aged men’s leg hair.” At a cosmetic clinic where half the clients are now men, a reporter in his 40s tries medical hair removal for “nose and ear hair”! We take a close look at the latest trends in unwanted hair care for middle-aged and older adults—which can make or break a person’s appearance—and the reality of the procedures.

Are Middle-Aged Men in Shorts a Turn-Off? A 40-Something Reporter Tries Medical Hair Removal for Nose and Ear Hair

 Born in 1970.After graduating from college, he joined a mass-market clothing retail chain and became a reporter for a textile industry newspaper in 1997. After resigning in 2003, he worked in public relations for a T-shirt apparel manufacturer, as a magazine editor, in sales for a major trade show organizer, and in public relations for a fashion vocational school before becoming independent. He currently works as a freelance textile industry writer and public relations advisor.

 Mitsuhiro Minami

 Kyodo News (first photo), Afro (second photo)

 If you’ve been feeling like “my Airism isn’t working lately,” you need to check this out! Could the real cause of performance decline be “fabric softener”—not the product’s lifespan? A pro explains the washing mistakes to avoid and thoroughly breaks down the “true time to replace” your Airism when its cooling and odor-eliminating functions start to fade.

Think Your AIRism Still Works? This Laundry Mistake May Have Ruined It

 Kyodo News

 Nippon-Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo has set his sights on a “runaway championship,” but the team is struggling mightily against first-place SoftBank, with a record of 2 wins and 12 losses. Kohei Arihara’s slump and defensive lapses have also taken their toll, and for the team to stage a comeback and win the title, Kotaro Kiyomiya’s resurgence and a rally from the pitching staff are essential.

Why Can’t Nippon-Ham Beat SoftBank? Shinjo Faces a Growing Arihara Problem

 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

 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

 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

 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

 Ichiro Takatsuka

 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

 Money writer and financial planner. After working as a market analyst at a securities firm, he became independent in 1996. He writes articles on finance and asset management, primarily for business and economic magazines.His books include *The First-Year Guide to Robo-Advisor Investing* and *Easy to Understand with Plenty of Illustrations! The Definitive Guide to Maximizing Benefits from Cashless Payments*. ■X (formerly Twitter) → @1847mattsuu

 Kenji Matsuoka

 Mayumi Abe

 The Journey of a Mom on Maternity Leave Who Built 500 Million Yen from an Initial Investment of 2.4 Million! We Explore Her Indomitable Trading Strategy and Frugality Rules—How She Rebounded from the Despair of Losing 24 Million in a Single Day by Going All-In on High-Dividend Stocks.

How a Mom of Two Turned High-Dividend Stocks Into a ¥500 Million Fortune—All From Her Smartphone

 Money writer and financial planner. After working as a market analyst at a securities firm, he became independent in 1996. He writes articles on finance and asset management, primarily for business and economic magazines.His books include *The First-Year Guide to Robo-Advisor Investing* and *Easy to Understand with Plenty of Illustrations! The Definitive Guide to Making Money with Cashless Payments*. ■X (formerly Twitter) → @1847mattsuu

 Choruko, a mom investor who reached 100 million yen through day trading while on maternity leave, only to suffer a massive loss of 24 million yen in a single day. We delve into the secrets of her ultra-reliable “large-cap swing trading” strategy—the method that allowed her, after going through hell, to surpass 500 million yen in assets.

From ¥500,000-a-Day Gains to Crushing Losses: How a Mom Investor Built a ¥500 Million Fortune

 In September 2024, defendant Shōtarō Sakaida applied for an illegal part-time job and conspired with accomplices to break into a residence in Nerima Ward, Tokyo. He is currently on trial at the Tokyo District Court on charges of robbery resulting in injury for causing injury to a resident. The defendant’s mother appeared in court and testified.

Former Sumo Wrestler’s Mother Blames His Kind Nature—But His Extensive Alleged Crimes Undercut the Defense

 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?

 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

 Hiroto Kato

 As a result of Tokyo becoming “the city where you can buy a Tesla for the lowest price in the world,” sales have surged to four times the pace of recent years

 Tesla forced through a massive, unauthorized vehicle delivery at a public parking lot in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Although sales surged to over 12,000 units in the first half of the year—fueled by subsidies of up to 2.37 million yen—the delivery system couldn’t keep up and collapsed. Here’s an inside look at the chaotic reality of Tesla Japan.

Trouble Mounts as Tesla Takes Over Daikoku Pier After Selling 12,000+ Cars in Just Six Months

 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!

 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

 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?

 C2/Yuji Arakawa, Takashi Kurosawa

 For the first time in three years, the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is operating at full capacity as a two-way player. As a pitcher, he has a 1.79 ERA, and as a hitter, he has an OPS of .930, with his WAR on pace to reach a career high. Let’s look back at Ohtani’s outstanding performance alongside the decisive moments captured on camera.

Shohei Ohtani Makes a &#8220;Full Comeback as a Two-Way Player&#8221; for the First Time in Three Years… The Magnificence of a Historic Season, as Shown by His Career-High WAR Pace

 For the first time in three years, Shohei Ohtani is operating at full capacity as a two-way player. As a pitcher, he has evolved with a diverse array of breaking balls and skillful pitch selection, while also making his presence felt as a team leader. He has even been seen urging young catchers on, cementing his status as an indispensable player.

Shohei Ohtani Has Finally “Reached His Full Potential as a Pitcher”… Experts Provide an In-Depth Analysis of His “Evolved Pitching Style” and Emergence as a Leader

 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”

 Naoki Kandatsu

 [Playback] looks back at what this magazine reported 10, 20, and 30 years ago. This time, we focus on Hideki Yokoi, the former president of Hotel New Japan, who was released from prison in ’96. After his release, this magazine witnessed his shocking appearance.

[Playback &#8217;96] Uttering sounds beyond words… Hideki Yokoi of “Hotel New Japan” and His “Ecstatic” Final Years

 Kyodo News / AFLO

 [Part 1] Just Adjust Your Air Conditioner Settings and Move Your Refrigerator!

 Air conditioners, refrigerators, and lighting account for 60% of household electricity consumption during the summer! By rethinking how you use these appliances, you can save money without any hassle. Other effective options—though they require an initial investment—include LED lighting and dishwashers.

Put These into Practice Right Away! “Midsummer Money-Saving Tips” to Get Through the Heat Wave “On a Budget” by Reevaluating How You Use Your Appliances

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