Nagasawa Masami is dating with Exile Akira

According to the Sankei Sports newspaper, actress Nagasawa Masami (23) and EXILE member AKIRA (29) are currently in a romantic relationship.

A source with knowledge of the situation explained that both of them are originally from Iwata, Shizuoka, and their parents were acquaintances. They both went to the same elementary school and middle school, though several years apart. They later met again after they had both entered the entertainment industry. Nagasawa began turning to AKIRA for advice about work and life, and that developed into romance. It is said that they have been dating for more than a year now, and they frequently visit each other at their homes.

AKIRA reportedly invited Nagasawa to EXILE’s concert in Yokohama on September 12 of last year. The two have also been seen together at a restaurant in Tokyo.

AKIRA’s management office said that it would not comment on his private life. Nagasawa’s side has not yet been reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Sankei Sports also reported today that the rumored relationship between EXILE member HIRO and actress Ueto Aya still seems to be going strong.

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Masami Nagasawa in TBS drama Okujo no Aru Apato

TBS plans to broadcast a drama special titled "Okujo no Aru Apato" ("apartment with a rooftop") on March 21, starring actress Masami Nagasawa (23).

The story was originally a novel by Sawako Agawa, modeled after her experiences while she was living in an apartment in the United States. For the drama, the novel was adapted by screenwriter Noriko Yoshida ("Hanamizuki," "Nada Sousou").

Nagasawa plays a single 27-year-old woman named Asako, who begins working at an advertising firm after her previous company goes bankrupt. The drama focuses on this turning point in her life, as she deals with unemployment, job-hunting, and independence. The show's title refers to the apartment where Asako begins living on her own, surrounded by odd neighbors.

There is also said to be an element of romance between her and two older men, a company president played by Eisaku Yoshida (42) and an employee at a foreign company played by Haruhiko Kato (35).

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Masami Nagasawa and Katsumi Takahashi in drama Tare Yori mo Kimi wo Aisu

Katsumi Takahashi (49) and Masami Nagasawa (23) will co-star as father and daughter in a Fuji TV drama special this April. The show is tentatively titled "Tare Yori mo Kimi wo Aisu."

Set in Shizuoka, the show is a comedy about the owner of an unagi shop (Takahashi) whose daughter (Nagasawa) comes back home with her child, and their attempt to rebuild their bond as family. The screenplay was written by Yuki Fujimoto ("Chiritotechin"), based on a classic rakugo story.

Takahashi and Nagasawa have actually played father and daughter before in commercials, but this will be their first time doing so in a drama. Their supporting cast includes Shota Shunputei (51), a rakugo storyteller from Shizuoka.

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Actress Masami Nagasawa in stage play by Yukiko Motoya

Actress Masami Nagasawa (23) has been cast in her first stage play, scheduled to be performed next summer. The play is a new work by author and playwright Yukiko Motoya (31), who wrote the original novels behind the movies "Ranbou to Taiki" and "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero."

Nagasawa has been in show business since she won the Toho Cinderella Audition in 2000, though she got her big break in 2004 when she played the heroine in the movie "Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu." She has never performed in a stage production before this.

Motoya has won and been nominated for several awards with her previous plays and novels. Her new work is still being written, so the title and plot details have not yet been finalized. However, the story will be based on some of Motoya's own personal experiences. The main character, played by Nagasawa, is a writer who has only managed to release one successful book.

The play will be performed at the PARCO Theater in Shibuya in August 2011, with performances in other cities scheduled to follow in September.

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