Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun Why the leaks now?

An industry insider comments on why after several years of a rumoured relationship, media outlets have only recently begun to report on them, with even photos being published.

"Inoue is playing the lead role in NHK Taiga drama Hana Moyu which starts next year. To avoid scandals while it is on-air, the marriage will have to wait for a year at the very least. Being the main breadwinner of the agency, they will not give her the green light so easily either. On the other side, Matsumoto is in Johnny's leading group, Arashi, and marriage is out of the question for the moment. A definitive photo that cannot be explained away though has already been taken by a weekly magazine and using that as a bargaining chip, it has led to to the situation now where to a certain extent the media is allowed to report some news. The two of them though are twisting this to their advantage. As the flow of information little by little becomes established fact, they hope to convince their respective agencies. When it comes to marriage, essentially doing it by force via a shotgun marriage is the most effective way. However the two of them are professionals and will not resort to that. The time for marriage will probably come as they watch the response from fans and the media."

This week in Shukan Bunshun :- What does Inoue Mao like about Matsujun?

Shukan Bunshun (28 Aug 2014 issue) reports on a conversation that supposedly happened at a gathering among acquaintances, between Inoue Mao and an actress she looks up as an older sister.

Mao: At first I was actually closer to Ikuta-san.
Senpai: (Matsumoto and Ikuta) Both of them are good-looking, so how did you end up with the imakare?
Mao: *Blushing* Imakare... He was persistent.
Senpai: What do you like about him?
Mao: That he's smarter than me.

The film insider who recollected this conversation said that Matsujun's name was left out so as not to tip the other people around but Mao's amusing reaction to the term 'imakare' (イマカレ commonly used to mean a current boyfriend as opposed to motokare, an ex) was cute. The insider went on to mention that it was charming to find that Mao, who herself is sensible and intelligent, looking up to him. Then the topic of marriage came up, and the senpai, who is married, asked about Mao.

Senpai: You're not getting married?
Mao: I've been told by the people around me that I can play more roles precisely because I'm not, so it's better this way. But I think it's great that Yu-chan is having a baby. It sure is nice how she's getting on to have that mama look.

Shukan Bunshun has a chat with Inoue Mao's mother

Shukan Bunshun has a chat with Inoue Mao's mother in its 14 Aug issue.

Reporter: Plans for marriage soon?
Mom : No. Anything to report? Not at all (*laughs*) She's filming for a Taiga drama and has to be in Kyushu for a long while.

Reporter: 2 years more to when she's supposed to be married, at 29 years old.
Mom : That would be ideal but I don't think she has thought that far yet. I'm not the one to decide this and that so I leave it up to her.

Reporter: Does Matsumoto-san drop by your house?
Mom: Of course not! That would be too obvious and there will be a big fuss (*laughs*)

In an interview in Shukan Bunshun's Genshoku Bishojo Zukan (29 Nov 2012 issue), Inoue Mao had said jokingly,"When I went to see fortune tellers in Hong Kong and the Masai tribe, both said I would get married when I'm 29. That can't be a coincidence so I think I will be at 29."

Friday catches Inoue Mao on a late night date with Matsujun

After the stage greet of her movie 'Shirayuki Hime Satsujin Jiken', Inoue Mao went back to her home in a quiet residential area in Tokyo where she lives with her parents. Three hours later, at about half past 10, Inoue Mao, clad in a hat, mask and glasses left again. Looking about around her, she got into a taxi. A few minutes later, she got off. It seems like she had abruptly received a call. Maybe she was looking for her destination, but as she looked at her phone, she was walking this way and that. She finally ended up at an exclusive yakiniku restaurant that came with private rooms. It was close to time for last orders, but she went in without hesitation. There was a reason for her to be vigilant although she was out late at night with hardly anyone around and this was because it was none other than Matsumoto Jun that was waiting for her inside.

At 2 am, it was two hours past closing time and the entrance was already locked for the night. The lights were already switched off. From the exit used by staff, out came Inoue Mao. Beckoned by an employee who was keeping a lookout, she got into a taxi by herself and headed home.

Five minutes later, out came Matsujun in sunglasses. With him was Ikuta Toma. Likewise, they got into a taxi and headed to residential areas.

Happy New Year! Maotsujun's first story for 2014

Shukan Bunshun (16th January issue) reports that a magazine had snapped shots that definitively proved a romance between Matsumoto Jun and Inoue Mao last November but the article was not published and replaced by an Arashi spread. A weekly magazine writer commented that with Mao starring in next year's NHK Taiga drama, it was her side that was more concerned with its publication and under pressure from Johnny's Jimusho, the story never made it to print. As a result Mao's agency now owes a big favour to Johnny's.

This article from Shukan Bunshun was Jun's part of its Arashi secrets. The others are Sho being irritable during Kouhaku because he couldn't smoke, Nino's miserly lifestyle despite living in a luxury apartment and Aiba's Porsche plate number having something to do with his girlfriend. No mention of Ohno.

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The alleged Maotsujun couple ring.

This surfaced sometime back but I had time to look it up a little more today.

Might be similar rings. Looks like a ring from the Boucheron Bridal Collection.

There is a Japanese Boucheron website as well, and it costs  ¥143,850 (US$1466). In its description - 明るい輝きで永遠の愛を祝福するリングです。 Akarui kagayaki de eien no ai o shukufuku suru ringu desu. A ring that celebrates eternal love with its radiance.

Maybe Shukan Josei had this in mind when they allegedly had the scoop of a super popular idol getting married.

By the way, the first episode of Hana Yori Dango aired 8 years ago today, 21st October 2005  ( •ᴗ•)

Matsumoto Jun spotted at Inoue Mao's stage play 'Miwa'.

Shukan Josei (which will probably sponsor their marriage when the time comes) reports that Matsumoto Jun attended the opening day of 'Miwa', a stage play which Inoue Mao is in. The play opened on 4th October at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.

He was wearing a black hat, glasses and a cardigan, seated in the section reserved for officials and staff members. Next to him was actor Kasahara Hideyuki.

A little about Kasahara Hideyuki. Kasahara is Oguri Shun's junior in talent agency Tristone Entertainment. Matsujun and Kasahara grew closer after co-starring in 2010 drama 'Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku'. Before that, they had actually at times met at Oguri's home but Matsujun had no idea that he was an actor until they were cast together. Kasahara has been close friends with Mao since she was in junior high. They have co-starred in dramas Juui Dolittle & Tokkan and the movie Shazai no Ousama. It seems he often gets teased by Mao during filming. Looking up recent entries in his blog, a staff member posted a photo of him and Mao on 7th October but it's probably a shot from the time of Shazai no Ousama as there's no mention of 'Miwa' at all.

Shukan Josei went on to say that after the performance, Matsujun went backstage to meet with the actors including Eita, who he co-starred with in 'Lucky Seven'. On seeing Mao, Matsujun said "Here are the cakes," and handed over a paper bag with enough for the 40 or so staff members and actors. Mao said,"Yeah, thanks" and proceeded to give them out. The article highlighted how familiar they are together, like they are a married couple already. And that's about it.

And here is the cover of the hotly anticipated Shukan Josei!

...   ʅ(´◔౪◔)ʃ
There's no mention anywhere of the word 'marriage'. The only mention of Arashi is how the 5 trees in Hokkaido where they filmed their JAL CM has become a tourist attraction.

   

And in the fuller table of contents, still zilch, nada, zero.
A week of nervous anticipation and nothing... or maybe the almighty Johnny got the entire thing scrubbed clean after all.

Maotsujun outed by a blog post?

On the 12th of August, Kagaya Mari, a fashion consultant and Vice President of Ralph Lauren Japan Marketing & Communication PR posted an entry in her blog titled 'Oguri Residence'. Here's a translation.

 ✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀

August 12, 2013
Oguri Residence (or Oguri Family?)
Theme: Celebrity

The wife, Yu-chan
No matter how many times I meet her, her looks and personality are super cute~
I love her

And then the husband Shun-kun
Such a lovely husband
Rather than calling him cool, I'd say he's handsome!
He gives off this feeling of manliness

I was also introduced to the mother and elder sister
We had a great time~

Above all, the two of them were so lovey-dovey
it even made me happy

In addition, I was introduced to Inoue Mao-chan and Matsujun-kun... the two of them are such lovely people, it made me really happy

Yu-chan, Shun-kun, thank you
Let's meet again!

LOVE MARI

✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀✿❀

The blog post has since been deleted although you might still find a cache of it here. The tweet she posted about the entry is still up on her Twitter account.

This is a snapshot of the cached blog entry.

The post is also being circulated on Twitter.

Ranking Actors who fit the 'rich guy' role

In many dramas, viewers get immersed in the fantasy world of rich, handsome men and beautiful women, letting them forget reality for a moment as a way to unwind. This time, goo asks its readers which actor they think fits well into the 'rich guy' role. The scores are weighted relative to the top vote-getter.

Actors who fit the 'rich guy' role

1. Matsumoto Jun 100

(Hana Yori Dango)

 2. Oguri Shun 76.9

(Hana Yori Dango)

 3. Tamaki Hiroshi 63.5

(Nodame Cantabile)

 4. Azuma Mikihisa 61.2

(Yamato Nadeshiko)

 5. Matsuda Shota 55.8

(Hana Yori Dango)

Matsujun sends Shun his congratulations

Matsumoto Jun (28) of Arashi has given his blessings to the news of Oguri Shun getting married. "When I heard the news, I saw you in a glittering light. Oguri Shun is so cool!! I felt really happy when I heard it. May the days the two of you spend together from now on be filled with joy... Your good friends will watch over you closely. Let's celebrate soon!! Oguri Shun-san, Yu-san, congratulations from the bottom of my heart."

Matsumoto Jun and Oguri Shun developed a close relationship after filming the 'Hana Yori Dango' series together.

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