Thu, May 22, 2008 (3:19am EDT)
Actress Tomoko Hoshino got married earlier this month, it has been announced. The 50-year-old actress, who has recently become active as an essayist, tied the knot with a 46-year-old newspaper reporter. No date for a ceremony has been scheduled yet, but the couple is considering a honeymoon in Hawaii.
The couple first met nine years ago. Hoshino said she didn't see him as a romantic possibility at first, but they continued to keep in touch as the reporter was sent on overseas assignments in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The turning point in their relationship came last May when he proposed before being sent abroad yet again. They chose to submit their marriage papers on May 12, exactly one year from that day.
Hoshino made her debut in NHK's 1980 Asadora "Nacchan no Shashinkan." Her other works include a starring role in a 1981 drama special based on the long-running cartoon "Sazae-san."
The couple first met nine years ago. Hoshino said she didn't see him as a romantic possibility at first, but they continued to keep in touch as the reporter was sent on overseas assignments in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The turning point in their relationship came last May when he proposed before being sent abroad yet again. They chose to submit their marriage papers on May 12, exactly one year from that day.
Hoshino made her debut in NHK's 1980 Asadora "Nacchan no Shashinkan." Her other works include a starring role in a 1981 drama special based on the long-running cartoon "Sazae-san."
Thu, May 22, 2008 (2:59am EDT)
Actor Naoki Hosaka (40) recently revealed that he has a new girlfriend. He and former model Kanako Ishikawa (28) have now been dating for about three years after being introduced to each other by a friend.
Hosaka was previously married to actress Saki Takaoka between 1996 and 2004. They had two sons together, who are both living with Takaoka. When asked by the media about the possibility of another marriage, Hosaka replied that he is not considering it at least until his children get a little older.
Hosaka was previously married to actress Saki Takaoka between 1996 and 2004. They had two sons together, who are both living with Takaoka. When asked by the media about the possibility of another marriage, Hosaka replied that he is not considering it at least until his children get a little older.
Thu, May 22, 2008 (2:45am EDT)
28-year-old model and jewelry designer Nanami Katsuno (also known just as NANAMI) is engaged to be married. Her fiance is a hip-hop dancer, also 28 years old. They have been dating for about 3 years.
Nanami is the daughter of talento Kathy Nakajima and actor Hiroshi Katsuno. Nanami reportedly plans to wear the same dress her mother wore 30 years ago when she holds her wedding reception this November.
Nanami is the daughter of talento Kathy Nakajima and actor Hiroshi Katsuno. Nanami reportedly plans to wear the same dress her mother wore 30 years ago when she holds her wedding reception this November.
Thu, May 22, 2008 (2:32am EDT)
NHK is planning to air a spinoff of its recent morning drama series "Chiritotechin," which starred Shihori Kanjiya as a rakugo artist. The special episode is titled "Chiritotechin Gaiden Maigo 3 Kyodai" and will apparently focus on the three siblings of Kanjiya's character.
The show is scheduled to air at 8:00pm on July 25 in the Kansai region and sometime in August for the rest of Japan.
The show is scheduled to air at 8:00pm on July 25 in the Kansai region and sometime in August for the rest of Japan.
Thu, May 22, 2008 (1:50am EDT)
Actress Saki Takaoka has found her entry into Hollywood. Her management agency Avex brought several of its stars to the Cannes Film Festival to throw a 20th anniversary party for the company, and during the event it was announced that Takaoka will star in the U.S.-Japan production "The Harimaya Bridge," directed by Aaron Woolfolk and produced by Danny Glover.
"The Harimaya Bridge" is set in the Kochi Prefecture. Bennet Guillory plays an American father whose only son died while living in Japan, and he travels there to trace his son's life. Takaoka plays the woman who was engaged to the son. She will deliver her lines in both Kochi-ben and in English, having recently finished additional studies of the latter in the U.S., as well as picking up a little from her two sons, who are both attending international school.
Glover had recommended the actress for the part after seeing some of her work. Glover himself also appears in the film, along with Misa Shimizu. According to IMDb, the cast also includes Miho Ninagawa, Honoka, and Miho Shiraishi.
The movie will be shot on location in Kochi this June, then will move to San Francisco in July. Theatrical release is set for 2009. Distribution offers have already come in from more than 20 countries.
"The Harimaya Bridge" is set in the Kochi Prefecture. Bennet Guillory plays an American father whose only son died while living in Japan, and he travels there to trace his son's life. Takaoka plays the woman who was engaged to the son. She will deliver her lines in both Kochi-ben and in English, having recently finished additional studies of the latter in the U.S., as well as picking up a little from her two sons, who are both attending international school.
Glover had recommended the actress for the part after seeing some of her work. Glover himself also appears in the film, along with Misa Shimizu. According to IMDb, the cast also includes Miho Ninagawa, Honoka, and Miho Shiraishi.
The movie will be shot on location in Kochi this June, then will move to San Francisco in July. Theatrical release is set for 2009. Distribution offers have already come in from more than 20 countries.
Thu, May 22, 2008 (1:22am EDT)
The latest issue of Fujin Koron reports that 40-year-old actress Masumi Miyazaki got divorced last November.
In 1994, Miyazaki married a TV cameraman (now 54) who was living in Los Angeles. They held their wedding in Las Vegas and registered the marriage two months later in Tokyo. Miyazaki temporarily retired from show business and gave birth to two sons in 1995 and 1997. The couple moved from Los Angeles to Hawaii in 2001, but their marriage started falling apart after Miyazaki returned to acting with a starring role in Sion Sono 2005 film "Kimyo na Circus" ("Strange Circus").
That summer, Miyazaki first broached the topic of a possible separation. Thinking of their children's education, she had planned to move the family back to Japan. However, it was at that time that Miyazaki was diagnosed with breast cancer, which pulled the family together again. But last September, the topic of divorce came up again, and they split shortly afterwards.
In 1994, Miyazaki married a TV cameraman (now 54) who was living in Los Angeles. They held their wedding in Las Vegas and registered the marriage two months later in Tokyo. Miyazaki temporarily retired from show business and gave birth to two sons in 1995 and 1997. The couple moved from Los Angeles to Hawaii in 2001, but their marriage started falling apart after Miyazaki returned to acting with a starring role in Sion Sono 2005 film "Kimyo na Circus" ("Strange Circus").
That summer, Miyazaki first broached the topic of a possible separation. Thinking of their children's education, she had planned to move the family back to Japan. However, it was at that time that Miyazaki was diagnosed with breast cancer, which pulled the family together again. But last September, the topic of divorce came up again, and they split shortly afterwards.
Thu, May 22, 2008 (1:05am EDT)
Yoshihiro Nakao, a guitarist for rock band RIZE, has left the group. The group's three remaining members announced the news on the band's official website, saying that there had been creative differences.
RIZE had already planned a nationwide tour starting on June 2. They said that they will continue with the concerts as a trio, without recruiting a support guitarist.
RIZE had already planned a nationwide tour starting on June 2. They said that they will continue with the concerts as a trio, without recruiting a support guitarist.
