They first met while filming for 2009 spring drama 'Atashinchi no Danshi' and he said he was taken in by her mental strength although she was only 20 or 21 years old at the time. He asked for her number and got it, but it was the number for her agency.
In 2010, they played husband and wife in 'Wagaya no Rekishi'. He was impressed with her strong skills as an actress and also charmed by how reserved she can be at times. On the last day of filming, he invited her out for drinks with everyone but she declined.