This week's major scoop of the infamous weekly pictorial magazine 'FRIDAY' eventually made it into the newspapers again, unlike last week's controversial story. This week they are claiming that actor Asano Tadanobu (38) and actress Naka Riisa (22) have been spotted dating quite openly in Osaka.

The tabloid backed up their story with pictures of the two embracing each other tightly in a taxi and enjoying a date in broad daylight. They even witnessed them kissing in public while waiting for the traffic light to become green, which seems to make it a sure case that they are more than just friends. Asano and Naka are 16 years apart, but that doesn't seem to be an obstacle for the two.

According to 'FRIDAY', the two of them went on a date at Osaka Minami, one of Japan's largest shopping districts, around the end of January. They went shopping with joined hands and relaxed at a coffee lounge. Aside from hugging each other on the street and in a taxi, it was even witnessed how they kissed each other while waiting at a traffic light. 'FRIDAY' also picked out two pictures from Naka's twitter that must have been taken during her Osaka date with Asano.

[caption id="attachment_218710" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="The mentioned pictures tweeted by Naka Riisa."][/caption]

Asano is currently filming "Ougon wo Daite Tobe" in Osaka and Naka seems to have come to visit him all the way from Tokyo, where she's currently busy filming for the Fuji TV drama 'Lucky Seven'.

Apparently they must have felt more at ease in Osaka, since they openly dated like that on the street in broad daylight just past noon without caring too much about the people around them. Both actors haven't yet had the chance to work together, therefore it's hard to speculate when they first met, but according to 'FRIDAY' they have been dating since the end of 2011.

Something the two have in common is the fact that they have at least one non-Japanese as a grandparent. Asano's grandfather on his mother's side is American, while Naka's grandfather on her father's side is Swedish.

Regarding their past relationships, Asano was married to singer Chara from 1995 until 2009. After that he was reported to be in a relationship with model Diana Chiaki, but in January it was reported that he was seeing a young actress instead. This young actress turned out to be Naka, who was rumored to be together with model/actor CHIKARA, but that doesn't seem to be true anymore either.

The agencies of both actors already commented on the matter. Asano's agency doesn't meddle with his private life, therefore they can't really say anything, which is basically exactly the same thing that was said by Naka's agency.

What do you think about this possible couple?

Source: Sanspo