The big news over the weekend was the announcement by actress Miyazawa Rie (35, profile) that she is expecting a baby and engaged to be married. Six months pregnant, she plans to continue in her current role in a theatrical production until it ends its run on February 28. She is appearing in the play “Piper” at the Bunkamura Theater Cocoon in Shibuya, Tokyo. The play is being produced by Noda Hideki (53) and Miyazawa faxed her announcement to the media via Noda’s production company. The fax didn’t give her fiance’s name but he is said to be a business entrepreneur who she first met in 2007. Miyazawa has been romantically connected with many celebrities over the years, including retired soccer star Nakata Hidetoshi (32, profile) and kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo (31). Most recently, she was in a serious relationship with jewelry designer Mikita Takashi (37), though last September she was photographed in a clinch with British director David Leveaux, who directed her in a Tokyo production of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.” But her most famous relationship was her engagement at the age of 19, and the peak of her popularity, to rising sumo star Takahanada (now Takanohana Oyakata, 36). That engagement sent the media into a frenzy, which was only worsened when the marriage was called off. Miyazawa’s career went off the rails for a few years, but she has since built a solid career as a stage and movie actress. She has won awards for her roles in such movies as “Tasogare Seibei” (Twilight Samurai, 2002).
