I know I've been missing out on a lot of Japanese entertainment news but I saw this yesterday and I knew I had to talk about it. On August 8, actress/singer Chieko Kawabe filed for marriage with television producer Masato Ochi. Now, this normally wouldn't be a big deal. However, Kawabe is 21 and Ochi is double her age at 42. My jaw dropped at this news. I've watched Kawabe when she was Sailor Mercury in the Sailor Moon stage musicals; I watched her when she was Naru in the live action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon drama; I enjoy her music immensely and have been awaiting more from her. And now she married a man twice her age. Well, I still wish her happiness and I hope that there isn't something (read: pregnancy) that forced her into the marriage.
Married Johnnys and Melty Bananas
On Friday, September 28, Inohara Yoshihiko of V6 announced his engagement to actress Seto Asaka. At a V6 concert the very next say, Inohara announced that they couldn't wait to get married and registered their marriage that day. Rumor has it that they had been carrying around a filled-in registration form and once they saw the reaction to the engagement announcement, they decided the time was right. Japanese rock band Melt Banana has announced their US tour. They will be performing just about every day from October 17 through December 8. You can find their schedule on their official website.
Arashi member Sakurai Sho has been chosen as the main announcer for Fuji TV's broadcast of the 2007 Volleyball World Cup. The competition will last from November 2 through December 2.
Entertainment news from Japan
Actress Miyazaki Aoi (Hachi in the first live action NANA movie) married actor Takaoka Sousuke (Shinobu in Tokyo Love Cinema) on July 25 at a shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Only close family members attended the small ceremony. Yesterday, actress Matsushima Nanako (Domyouji Tsubaki in Hana Yori Dango) revealed that she is currently pregnant with her second child. She is married to her GTO co-star Sorimachi Takashi. Their first child was born in 2004.
Singer Hamasaki Ayumi recently announced the end of her romantic relationship with TOKIO vocalist Nagase Tomoya. While no specific reason was given for the break-up, rumors are definitely flying. One rumor claims Ayumi had an abortion; another claims their egos got in the way; while yet another blames Ayumi's dogs. I doubt the public will ever find out why the 7-year relationship ended.