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| Japanese Stars Ito Kentaro and Deguchi Natsuki Spark Buzz With Reported Overnight Dates. (Credits: Josei Seven) |
Japanese entertainment circles woke up to fresh romance buzz this week after reports claimed actor Ito Kentaro is now dating actress Deguchi Natsuki, with the pair allegedly spending nights together at his Tokyo apartment following months of growing closer behind the scenes. And honestly, judging from the way fans immediately turned into part-time detectives online, this story was always going to explode the second someone spotted matching car rides and grocery bags.
According to Josei Seven reports on 20 May 2026, the two actors were seen together in mid-May returning to Ito Kentaro’s apartment after what appeared to be a very domestic supermarket run. Forget luxury date rumours or dramatic celebrity entrances — apparently the true sign of modern romance is carrying cardboard boxes and plastic shopping bags while looking mildly exhausted in a parking lot. Very grounded. Very adult. Very “we definitely live in the same tax bracket now.”
The reports described Ito Kentaro, 28, dressed casually in a black cap, checked shirt and denim, while Deguchi Natsuki, 24, reportedly arrived in an almost entirely black outfit from cap to shoes, perhaps unknowingly activating the universal celebrity stealth mode that somehow only makes photographers more interested.
Witnesses claimed the pair headed directly into Ito’s apartment together before leaving again the next morning, with Deguchi once again seated in the passenger seat as Ito drove away.
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Industry insiders cited in Japanese media alleged the relationship has been developing for around six months. Reports suggest Ito Kentaro approached Deguchi Natsuki quite persistently sometime after his previous relationship ended last autumn, eventually turning their connection into a serious romance.
In entertainment terms, “persistent approach” usually translates to either heartfelt sincerity or sending way too many messages at 2am. Fans, naturally, are already debating which category this falls into.
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The timing of the romance reports has caught attention partly because the pair previously worked together on the successful film ‘Ano Hana ga Saku Oka de, Kimi to Mata Deaetara.’
Their on-screen chemistry was already widely discussed at the time, and now many viewers are revisiting old interviews and promotional clips with the energy of conspiracy theorists analysing blurry CCTV footage.
A sequel to the film is also scheduled for release this August, meaning interest around the pair was already building long before romance rumours arrived to completely hijack the conversation.
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For Ito Kentaro, the relationship marks another major chapter in his gradual return to mainstream popularity. The actor, known for projects including ‘Kyou Kara Ore Wa!!’ and NHK drama ‘Scarlet,’ faced intense public scrutiny following his 2020 traffic incident, which temporarily halted his career.
Though prosecutors later decided not to pursue charges, the controversy heavily impacted his public image at the time. Since returning to acting, however, Ito Kentaro has steadily rebuilt industry trust, culminating in recognition at the 47th Japan Academy Film Prize for his supporting role performance in 2024. In other words, the comeback arc has been quietly working overtime.
Meanwhile, Deguchi Natsuki continues rising at frightening speed within Japan’s younger acting generation.
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Born in China and raised in Japan from the age of five, she first gained major attention after being selected for Miss Seventeen in 2018 before successfully transitioning into acting.
Recent appearances in dramas including ‘Blue Moment’ and current Monday-night Fuji TV series ‘Sabakan, Uchuu e Iku’ have only strengthened her reputation as one of the most visible young actresses among Gen Z audiences.
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Entertainment insiders have repeatedly described Deguchi Natsuki as socially confident, approachable, and widely liked across the industry, leading Japanese tabloids to label her a “strongly admired actress” among male celebrities.
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Which, translated from entertainment-media language, basically means half the internet assumes every man standing within three metres of her is secretly in love with her. Fame really does sound exhausting sometimes.
What makes this reported relationship particularly interesting for fans is how unusually relaxed both actors appear about hiding it.
Sources claim Ito Kentaro has never been the type to completely conceal relationships and is reportedly comfortable introducing partners to his favourite places and close circles.
Natsuki Deguchi also reportedly showed little concern about openly riding in his car despite growing media attention surrounding them. Either they are incredibly confident, completely unbothered, or simply underestimated how quickly celebrity parking-lot sightings become national news in Japan.
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Some fans called the pairing visually “too powerful,” joking that Japanese dramas may lose two leads every time a romance script needs casting chemistry now. Others admitted they were surprised by the reports but found the pairing oddly believable after remembering the actors’ natural interactions during film promotions.
A few longtime followers of Ito expressed cautious support, saying they were happy to see him appearing stable and focused after several difficult years publicly.
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Of course, not everyone reacted calmly. Some fans immediately entered full emotional damage mode, while others began dissecting old social media posts, interviews, and public schedules like unpaid investigative journalists chasing a national scandal.
Standard celebrity-couple internet behaviour, really. Somewhere in Tokyo, a publicist is probably staring at a trending hashtag while reconsidering every life decision that led to this career.
Neither actor’s agency has officially commented on the reports so far, which has only intensified speculation further. Silence in celebrity culture often functions like petrol poured directly onto a fire. The less anyone says, the louder the internet becomes.
Ito Kentaro and Deguchi Natsuki have instantly become one of the most talked-about possible celebrity pairings in Japanese entertainment right now.