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.