Junpei Mizobata, left, and Hiroiki Ariyoshi, right, stand with special guest Tsubasa Masuwaka.

Junpei Mizobata named 'Face of the Year'

Tuesday 03rd November, 04:31 PM JST

TOKYO —

Popular actor Junpei Mizobata, 20, has been selected as Nikkei Trendy Magazine’s “Face of the Year.” Mizobata was chosen for his future potential, having already appeared in numerous TV dramas, variety shows and movies, but the star himself was much more humble. “This is really an honor. I’d like to retie my ‘fundoshi’ (belt) and work hard to live up to everyone’s expectations,” he commented with an old but eloquent saying.

When asked if anything has changed since he became famous, he laughed, “I get told by the older women around my neighborhood, ‘I’m glad I got to see someone who’s on TV before I die.’”

Hiroiki Ariyoshi, 35, who is currently enjoying a second wave of popularity, was chosen as “Celeb with the sharpest tongue,” and smirked as he revealed to the press his secret to not becoming a one-hit wonder: currying favor with the media.

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9 Comments

PepinGalarga at 09:08 PM JST - 3rd November

the girl in the center looks blue... with red hair, nice combo.
thepro at 09:37 PM JST - 3rd November

That chick is really short
betterdays at 09:03 AM JST - 4th November

FACIST would sound better
Altria at 09:44 AM JST - 4th November

Face like an angel.
eigonosensei at 10:59 AM JST - 4th November

"“I get told by the older women around my neighborhood, ‘I’m glad I got to see someone who’s on TV before I die.’”

What sad, pathetic lives these women have.
Makun at 12:09 PM JST - 4th November

Tsubasa Masuwaka is terrifying. She looks like a cyborg that would consume puppies for energy.
chotto at 03:55 PM JST - 4th November

Pretty slow year.
stirfry at 04:06 PM JST - 4th November

and what the hell is that thing in the middle ?
thomyorke at 04:11 PM JST - 4th November

That thing in the middle would be considered a midgit in most nations.

And yeah, 2009 must have been a slow year for er, new faces.