Press Release

TV Celebrity Image Survey results of August 2005
Sanma Akashiya, DREAMS COME TRUE rank first

October 14, 2005

We have been conducting our proprietary survey called the "TV Celebrity Image Survey" twice a year. At this time, we would like to briefly introduce you to the results of the 66th survey (the survey has been conducted in February and August since 1973).

From the Survey Findings:

Male celebrities

Sanma Akashiya made a comeback to top position after being second in the previous survey. In second place was Hideki Matsui (previously fifth) and third was Hidehiko Ishizuka/Keisuke Kuwata (a tie). A wide range of viewers showing their support with many other comedians (or celebrities who started their career as comedians) in the top 20, such as George Tokoro, Bakusho Mondai, Beat Takeshi (Takeshi Kitano) and Naoto Takenaka.

Female celebrities

DREAMS COME TRUE became number one after being fourth in the previous two surveys. In second place was Yukie Nakama (previously third), and third was Hitomi Kuroki (previously top). Also, some who improved their positions significantly from the previous survey were Yuki Amami (28th to 9th) and Eri Fukatsu (20th to 7th).

This survey systematically collects data on 1,000 celebrities who are performing on TV and is widely used as basic data for casting celebrities in TV programs and commercials.

* In this survey, groups are evaluated as an entire group, but their gender category is based on the gender of the lead singer.

Survey Outline

Method: Direct visit & self-completion
Survey area: 30 km radius from Tokyo station
Respondents: 10-59 years old, male and female
Number of samples: Two-series survey (600 samples x 2 = 1,200 samples)
Response rate: 80.2% (962 samples)
Sampling method: Random two-stage sampling
Survey period: 1 Aug 2005 (Mon) - 7 Aug 2005 (Sun)

Top 20 popular celebrities: August 2005 issue

% %
Men's celebrities Top 20
1 Sanma Akashiya 57.6
2 Hideki Matsui 52.8
3 Hidehiko Ishizuka 52.4
3 Keisuke Kuwata 52.4
5 Ichiro 49.9
6 George Tokoro 48.9
6 Bakusho Mondai 48.9
8 Beat Takeshi 47.4
9 Shingo Katori 46.6
10 Mr.Children 46.2
11 Naoto Takenaka 45.5
12 Ninety nine 45.1
13 Ken Shimura 44.3
13 Shigeo Nagashima 44.3
15 Hiroshi Abe 43.9
16 Tsuyoshi Kusanagi 43.5
17 Masaharu Fukuyama 43.0
18 Senichi Hoshino 42.0
19 Atsuya Furuta 41.8
20 Yamaguchi Tomomitsu 41.6
Women's celebrities Top 20
1 DREAMS COME TRUE 51.8
2 Yukie Nakama 46.8
3 Hitomi Kuroki 46.2
4 Nanako Matsushima 44.5
5 Miho Kanno 44.1
6 Yuko Takeuchi 43.2
7 Tomoko Yamaguchi 42.8
7 Eri Fukatsu 42.8
9 Yuki Amami 42.6
10 Masami Hisamoto 42.4
11 Akiko Yada 40.1
12 Kirin Kiki 39.9
13 Takako Tokiwa 39.7
14 Shigeru Muroi 38.5
15 Marina Watanabe 38.0
16 Yuki Matsushita 37.2
17 YOU 36.8
17 Sayuri Yoshinaga 36.8
19 Satomi Kobayashi 36.6
20 Manami Konishi 34.1