On Thursday, it was announced that actor Jun Murakami has been given his first starring movie role in two years. He will appear in next winter's "Wakuraba Nagarete," directed by Toru Kamei.

It was also revealed that Murakami was hospitalized for half a month last summer, due to liver problems caused by excessive drinking. It was around that time that he and singer UA divorced after ten years of marriage. Murakami mentioned that he was forced to rethink his life while in the hospital, and he is now ready for a new start after several months of not working.