My weekend digest of Johnny’s news while I was away…

Hey everyone,

Back safe and sound in muggy Tokyo, so forgive me for only doing a short summary of what happened over the last 48 hours:

The Chinese Premier meets SMAP in Tokyo (photo thanks to Jiji Press)

• SMAP will hold a concert in Beijing, China on September 16, reports Jiji Press.  Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had met the group at a hotel in Tokyo on May 21 while on a visit to Japan and said he hopes the group will strengthen friendship ties between Japan and China.

Ryusei Ikuta (centre) in Fuji TV campaign (photo thanks to Daily Sports Online)

• Johnny’s talent Toma Ikuta’s little brother Ryusei Ikuta has made his debut as a Fuji TV announcer, reports Sports Hochi and Daily Sports Online.  Ryusei’s first job was to be a part of the TV station’s latest campaign “ミトカナイト フジ! (Mitokanaito Fuji!)” wearing in a Meerkat-shaped hat.  Ryusei Ikuta facts: Born June 13, 1988 in Kanagawa prefecture.  Graduated from Chuo University.  Blood type A.

Nozomi Sasaki (photo thanks to Sasaki's official blog website)

• Rumours have surfaced that Arashi’s Kazunari Ninomiya and Nozomi Sasaki have been dating since April 2010, reports News24 and Asahi Shimbun.  However, representatives from both stars’ agencies have said the two are friends.  It has been reported the two had started going out after meeting one another during a TV show, and had been having dates at Sasaki’s house, away from the public’s eye.  Sasaki has already gained some credit internationally, being named the 33rd most beautiful person in the world in 2010 according to American website TC Candler.

Links: Nozomi Sasaki’s official blog, TC Candler’s Most Beautiful Faces 2010 (Sasaki is No.33)