мэдээ

Idol chatter

By Chris Betros

TOKYO —

It’s fitting that Akina Minami does TV commercials for an energy drink. The 20-year-old gravure idol, model, actress and all-round tarento needs as much energy as she can to keep up with her schedule some weeks.
Recently, in the space of seven days, Minami appeared in the popular Tokyo Girls Collection fashion extravaganza, introduced outfits she helped design for clothing chain g.u., was named goodwill ambassador for next year’s Taipei International Flora Exposition, helped Hello Kitty celebrate her 35th anniversary and suited up for the “au Smart Sports Run & Walk” by cell phone provider KDDI. Plus, she can be seen on a poster warning against shoplifting in retail outlets and convenience stores in her home prefecture of Kanagawa.