Ueto Aya in drama series Zettai Reido

Ueto Aya (25) is confirmed to be returning to Fuji TV in a sequel to the 2010 drama series “Zettai Reido.” While the previous series had the subtitle “Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Sousa,” the new series is subtitled “Tokushu Hanzai Sennyuu Sousa.”

The original show starred Ueto as rookie detective Sakuragi Izumi, who worked on difficult unsolved cases as part of a Special Investigations Office (based on an actual division established by Japan in 2009). This time takes place half a year later, after Sakuragi has been transferred to a different division that deals with current crimes.

The new “Zettai Reido” series will be broadcast in the same Tuesday 9:00pm time slot, starting in July. Before it begins, Fuji TV will air a 2-hour special episode called “Zettai Reido ~Mikaiketsu Jiken Tokumei Sousa~ Special,” which is set one month after the events of the first series.

Other returning cast members include Kitaoji Kinya (68), Miyasako Hiroyuki (41), and Yamaguchi Sayaka (31).

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Ueto Aya and Abe Hiroshi in live action movie Thermae Romae

Cameras are already rolling for the live-action movie adaptation of Yamazaki Mari’s “Thermae Romae” manga, but the main cast has just been revealed. Abe Hiroshi (46) will star, while Ueto Aya (25) will play the female lead.

The manga, which won the Manga Taisho and a Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize last year, is a comedy about Lucius (Abe), an ancient Roman bath house architect who travels through time to modern Japan and finds inspiration in its bath houses. Ueto will play the part of Mami, a young Japanese woman aiming to become a manga artist.

The film is being directed by Takeuchi Hideki, who handled the live-action “Nodame Cantabile” series and other dramas such as “Densha Otoko.” The screenplay was written by Muto Shogo, who also worked on “Densha Otoko,” as well as the “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e” drama and the “Crows ZERO” movies.

Filming started in Rome on March 14 and is expected to finish in early May. Theatrical release is planned for 2012.

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Aya Ueto is dating with Exile member Hiro

Back in October, news outlets began reporting that actress Aya Ueto (25) and EXILE member HIRO (41) had started dating. In this week's issue of FRIDAY, it is now being claimed that Ueto has moved into an apartment in the same building as HIRO's, but on a different floor.

FRIDAY reports that Ueto has been frequently in and out of the apartment building where HIRO lives. According to the magazine, she recently became a tenant in that building, though she is still living separately from HIRO.

Sankei Sports followed up with Ueto's agency, Oscar Promotion, which said that the news is not exactly true. The company explained that the apartment is actually leased by Oscar Promotion and is not Ueto's private residence. The agency also said that other talents besides Ueto use the apartment. When asked about Ueto and HIRO's relationship, the company simply restated that it is leaving her private life alone.

However, Sankei Sports also contacted HIRO's management, whose comments suggest that the relationship is progressing. "Both of them are supported by many people, and they have a social responsibility in their position. When conditions are ready for a solid announcement to be made, it will be announced then, so until that time please warmly watch over them."

Based on that quote, it appears that the two could be headed for marriage, and that arrangements are perhaps already being made to prepare for such an announcement.

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Aya Ueto has broken up with V6 Go Morita

It is being reported that actress Aya Ueto (25) and V6 member Go Morita (31) have broken up, ending a romance that lasted nearly 8 years. Based on information from multiple sources, it appears that they separated in May, about a month after they first publicly acknowledged their relationship.

Rumors about Ueto and Morita started at the end of 2002, when a magazine published an article claiming that they were dating. Neither side acknowledged those rumors until April of this year, when Ueto confirmed that she was in a relationship. At that time, it was also reported that the two were getting close to marriage.

After those reports of imminent marriage, it is said that Ueto and Morita re-examined their plans for the future. Ueto apparently has a strong desire to get married, but based on the fact that Morita is part of an idol group and both of their schedules are so busy that they often cannot meet, they mutually decided to break up and focus on their careers for now. Sources assure that this is not the result of a fight, nor has either side found someone new.

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Ueto Aya in drama Still Love You in 10 years

Actress Ueto Aya, 24, will star in NHK’s time-traveling drama “Still Love You in 10 Years” (starts Tues Aug 31, 10 p.m.). Ueto plays a lovelorn heroine who is visited by her husband from 10 years into the future, a man she has never met.

Ueto appeared at a press conference with her costar Masaaki Uchino, 41, with whom she worked once before in 2004 in “Aim for the Ace!” IN that film, Uchino played her merciless tennis coach.

Ueto acknowledged that she had come of marrying age. “Naturally I could empathize with my character since I am now 24. And yes, I’m thinking about marriage,” she said wistfully.

Japan Today