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| Seven-Month Relationship Unveiled: Tanaka Kei and Nagano Mei’s Hidden Affection Comes to Light (Bunshun) |
Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun has revealed a series of private LINE messages exchanged between actor Tanaka Kei (40) and actress Nagano Mei (25), unveiling a deeply personal and emotional chapter in the lives of the two stars.
The messages, reportedly spanning several months, suggest that the pair had been involved in a secret romantic relationship for around seven months before its quiet end earlier this year.
Among the messages released, one particular exchange shows Mei shyly asking if her bed is the “right size”, to which Tanaka lovingly replies that he adores it because it “smells like her”.
Mei then expresses her affection, saying she loves him dearly. Tanaka responds with a heartfelt confession:
“We've been together for seven months now, but it's still so intense every day. I've always loved you.”
However, behind the tender words lies a complicated emotional struggle.
According to the report, Tanaka faced considerable inner conflict about the relationship, particularly in April.
He acknowledged that their connection felt “wrong”, possibly alluding to the age gap or their differing life stages, but confessed that he was unable to resist the deepening feelings he had for Nagano Mei.
In a message sent during that time, Tanaka made the painful decision to encourage Mei to move on and consider finding new love.
Despite the heartbreak, his intention was to support her future happiness—driven by what he described as his overwhelming love for her.
“I like her so much,” he wrote. “My motivation for living now is—I want to be with Mei.”
Yet even after choosing to keep his distance, Tanaka could not stay away.
He reportedly sent multiple LINE messages in succession, hoping for a response. After a period of silence, Nagano Mei finally replied with bittersweet honesty:
“I don't plan to enter a new relationship. I like you so much, what can I do? But since we have broken up, I don't think I can continue to like you.”
The release of these messages has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, not only for their deeply intimate nature but also for the quiet vulnerability they reveal in both parties.
While neither Tanaka Kei nor Nagano Mei has made an official comment, fans and observers alike are reflecting on the complexities of love, timing, and public scrutiny that shadow relationships in the spotlight.
Bunshun added, at the end of January, Tanaka was in a semi-cohabiting arrangement at Nagano’s residence.
After Bunshun released their article on April 23, both Tanaka and Mei panicked and began coordinating their stories.
Tanaka proposed that they could explain to the media that they were simply friends who often drank together. However, Mei countered, recalling that on April 7, they had visited a tempura restaurant together, and later, both Tanaka's and her own homes. (An earlier article had mentioned that Tanaka had once invited Mei to his home and even introduced her to his wife.)
The situation became more tense when the reporter inquired about the spare key, and it was revealed that they had been together almost every day in March.
When their agency approached them for clarification regarding the report, Tanaka asked Mei if he should tell the truth to the agency.
Mei replied that she had already lied to her agency, unsure whether she should now tell the truth or simply state that they had started dating this year, realised it was wrong, and subsequently broke up.
Tanaka suggested that they could explain that they had simply been drinking together, or perhaps tell the entire truth. However, he remained hesitant about how to approach the agency president.
"But if I tell the truth," he expressed, "there will be no Mei in my future, and that's what I fear most."
Mei responded by saying, "Even if they have been following us for a long time, it doesn't necessarily mean they know we're in a relationship, right? We only met at home, and it’s impossible for them to have taken a photo of us."
In the end, their decision, as concluded through their LINE conversation, was to present themselves as merely friends who shared drinks, denying any romantic involvement.
Tanaka Kei’s wife has become a trending topic in Japan. Many Japanese netizens suspect that the messages may have been leaked by his wife.
However, some believe the source could instead be one of Tanaka’s drinking companions, as he is known to drink frequently, which might have made it easier for someone to access his phone without his knowledge.
More LINE Messages Between Mei Nagano and Kei Tanaka from Shukan Bunshun. (Maybe not in order)
Nagano: “My bed suits you quite well, doesn’t it? (laughs)”
Tanaka: “It’s you who suits me, Mei.” “Your scent...”
Nagano: “We’ve always loved each other, haven’t we? It’s almost too mutual.”
Tanaka: “Absolutely.” “(It’s been) seven months (of dating). It may not seem long, but every day feels intense.” “I’ve loved you all along.”
Nagano: “I’m the only one who’s your angel, Kei-san.”
Nagano: “Even if people have been suspicious for a long time, isn’t it possible they still wouldn’t realise we’re having an affair?”
Tanaka: “I’m not sure what to tell the agency…” “What I’m really afraid of is a future without you, Mei. Even now. That’s all it is—for me.”
Tanaka: “I’m debating whether or not to tell the agency the truth about our relationship. Whether to lie to them or not.”
Nagano: “Right now, I’m lying.”
Tanaka: “Well, I haven’t exactly told them the truth out of the blue either.”
Nagano: “Do you plan to be honest with the agency?”
Tanaka: “That’s the thing...”
Tanaka: “Even yesterday, I was wearing that fluffy matching outfit with you while rehearsing lines. I thought to myself, ‘This is bad. Seriously.’”
Nagano: “What? That’s so cute.”
Tanaka: “It’s like we’re Orihime and Hikoboshi.” (Note: Reference to the lovers in the Tanabata legend, who can only meet once a year.)
Nagano: “I got sad and did the laundry, then put your clothes away in the back too.”
Nagano: “I don’t intend to move on to another love.”
“Because if I love you this much, what am I supposed to do?”
“But since we’ve separated, I guess it’s not right for me to keep loving you as a man forever.”
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Tanaka: "I used to drink with you a lot, didn't I? It might be okay to just end things here, though. But it's forced."
Nagano: "But on April 7th, we went to (the name of the tempura restaurant), and after the radio show, we met at Kei-san’s house, then went to my house together. Isn't that strange?"
Nagano calmly advises Tanaka. Regarding the response to the agency.
Tanaka: "You have the key and the shutter key, right?" (when asked)
Nagano: "That's dangerous. We were together almost every day in March."
Tanaka: "Yeah, but the question is whether we tell the agency about the relationship. It's whether we lie to the agency or not... but still."
Nagano: "I’m lying right now, but..."
Tanaka: "I haven't said the full truth suddenly either."
Nagano: "Will you tell the agency honestly?"
Tanaka: "Well, there’s that..."
Nagano: "From this year, you mean, with that kind of attitude?" But, I knew it was wrong, so I gave up quickly."
Tanaka: "If you're talking about this year, well, it could have been a little earlier, I guess. But no, right? We understood each other and separated right away. But well, it's okay to drink. We were drinking. Should we just talk openly about everything? But, I'm wondering what to say to the chairman of the agency."
Nagano: "Even if we’ve been chased for a long time, it doesn’t mean it’s obvious we’re in an affair, does it?"
“We only met at home, right?"
“And when entering the house, we were never caught on camera."
Tanaka: "Also, I made sure the taxi was proper."
Nagano: "Well, even if we were photographed, you can’t tell who we are, so you can deny it, right?"
Tanaka: "I’m just thinking about what to say to the agency."
"But if I do that, I’m scared Mei will disappear from my future... That’s all. That’s the only thing I’m worried about right now."
Nagano: "The truth is, we don’t really know, do we? Let’s think about the future in the future."
Tanaka: "If it were me, I could just say I was really drunk, and it would pass, but still."