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The Hollywood movie “Babel” received at 12-minute standing ovation at the Cannes International Film Festival yesterday. The movie stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett and features one of Japan’s finest actors in Yakusho Koji (50). It was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, who was in tears as the applause and handshakes from the audience of 2,500 just kept coming. The movie is set in Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico and Japan, and the story begins with a tragedy striking a married couple on vacation. It is entered in the competition section and is considered a strong candidate for the Palme d’Or. Yakusho has experienced the big prize before, winning in 1997 with “Unagi.” Other Japanese appearing at Cannes this year include actor Odagiri Jo (30), making his third trip to the festival, and director Nishikawa Miwa (31).

• Also at Cannes, the movie version of the manga “Death Note” has been receiving lots of interest from international distributors. More than 50 companies are said to have expressed interest, and deals have been tied up for eight countries in Asia. The hugely popular manga, which has sold over 14 million copies, has been translated into several languages and has been popular throughout the Far East. The first of two movies, directed by Kaneko and starring Fujiwara Tatsuya, is set to open in Japan on June 17. The second movie is scheduled to open in October.

• Olympic gold medallist Arakawa Shizuka (24) is to make her dramatic debut. The winner of the figure skating gold, Japan’s only medal at the recent Turin Winter Olympics, will appear in the June 1 episode of the TV Asahi legal drama series “Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi.” She will play a prosecutor battling in the courtroom and on the ice rink against series star Shaku Yumiko (27).

• Popular fortune teller Hosoki Kazuko (68) has written a letter of complaint to Fuji TV. She was unhappy that a “bad guy” character in the May 1 episode of the Fuji drama series “Top Caster” was clearly based on her. Hosoki’s huge popularity as a writer – her phenomenal book sales put her in the Guinness Book of Records – and sharp-shooting granny has spawned a whole new genre of variety show.

Hollywood-based actor Watanabe Ken (46) reveals in his newly published autobiography “Dare? – Who Am I?” that he has hepatitis C. At a PR event held yesterday in Tokyo’s Ginza district, he said he is in good condition at the moment, but is still undergoing treatment. Since June of last year, he has been having weekly injections of Interferon and takes medicine twice daily. In February, the virus took a turn for the better, and if that condition continues for a year or so, the treatment will be considered successful. Like many hepatitis sufferers, he contracted the disease as a result of receiving infected blood. He had blood transfusions as part of his treatment for leukemia, which developed in 1989 at a time when his acting career was really taking off. The hepatitis was discovered shortly before he started filming the 2002 Tom Cruise movie “The Last Samurai”. The huge debts incurred by his wife during his years of medical care was a major factor in their acrimonious divorce, which was finalized last year. Watanabe got remarried to the actress Minami Kaho (42) in December. He is currently appearing in, and is executive producer of, the movie “Ashita no Kioku” (Tomorrow’s Memories) about a middle aged man who develops early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It is now obvious why he has been able to bring such passion to the project as he has battled not once but twice with life-threatening disease.

A bit of a TV coincidence last night. On “Gowan Coaching!” on TV Tokyo, Itoda Jun (33) was one of two comedians given ten days to learn to play the sax. The husband of actress Adachi Yumi (24) managed a very respectable rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon”, under the tuition of top female sax player Asamoto Chika. Itoda dedicated the song to his wife and new baby. Meanwhile, over on Yomiuri TV’s “Geikoi Real”, actor Kuroda Arthur (45) was professing his love for Korean talento Yoon Sona (30). The show, presented by Yoon and comedian Shimada Shinsuke, features TV personalities who have a secret love or admiration for a fellow geinojin. Yoon was clearly shocked that this time she was the one with the secret admirer. Both she and Kuroda are known as very “majime” (serious) types who don’t open up their hearts easily. She ended up in tears as she thanked Kuroda for his love letter but declined to accept his offer of a relationship. The coincidence is that just a year ago, the media was counting the days until Kuroda would marry Adachi. Shimada mentioned that Yoon came from a “serious” family, slyly adding that her mother was unlikely to publish a book of nude photos – a thinly veiled reference to that very stunt by Adachi’s mother.

• Nigerian talento Bobby Ologun (40) announced yesterday that he is leaving his management agency. He was questioned by prosecutors earlier this year after starting a brawl at the Tokyo office of R & A Production. In response to the announcement, the agency said that Ologun is under contract until the end of 2007 and can’t work on TV until then. A spokesman for his new company, Aremuco Production, said, “It’s true that one or two legal matters remain unresolved, but Bobby is serious about his decision. He will never work for R & A again.”

• TBS announcer Kimura Ikumi (33) and former pro tennis player Sugisawa Shuichi (38) announced yesterday that they got married last Friday. The two first met at a party just four months ago. They plan to hold a wedding ceremony in the autumn. Sugisawa is president of the sports management company Team Scandinavia.

Comedian Matsumoto Kouta (photo left, 27) was serious for once when he proposed to his girlfriend on stage yesterday. One half of the popular duo Regular, known for their “Aru Aru Tankentai” routine, Matsumoto was appearing in the final show of the stage production “Ninja Illusion Naruto” in Osaka. He introduced his girlfriend’s parents, who were sitting in the audience, and promptly asked them, “Kanojo wo boku ni kudasai!” (Please give me your daughter’s hand). She then appeared on stage and he said, “Shiawase ni shimasu node, kekkon shite kudasai.” (I’ll make you happy. Marry me, please), to which she could hardly refuse! The couple have been going out for more than two years, though their relationship was only discovered by the media in March.

• Over 1,000 fans, and not all of them screaming teenage girls, turned out for the first fan event held by popular actor Shimizu Mokomichi (21). The event was held at the Studio Dream maker in Tokyo’s Odaiba. Mokomichi talked about his first movie starring role in “Rafu” (Rough), set to open on August 26, and the upcoming TV Asahi drama series “Regatta”. Rough, which also satrs Nagasawa Masami (18), is described as a “poolside love story” and is sure to be a summer hit. Mokomichi’s fan base varies from high schol girls to young mothers and the fan event even attracted a number of young men.

Today’s other stories: Mokomichi’s First Fan Event

Singer Yoshimura Yumi (photo left, 31) of the pop duo Puffy is living with actor Omori Nao (34), according to today’s issue of the weekly gossip magazine Friday. Starting out as friends, the pair are said to have become romantically involved at the beginning of this year. Spokespeople at the management agencies of both celebrities declined to comment on what they said was a private matter. Yoshimura divorced singer Nishikawa Takanori (35), better known as TM Revolution, in 2002 and was later linked with Awanokoji Sho of the rock group Kishiden. But conflicting performance schedules put paid to their romance and they split at the end of last year. Yoshimura, together with Onuki Ami, has enjoyed great success in the US, where they are known as Puffy AmiYumi and have their own show on the Cartoon Network. Omori, son of the actor Maro Akaji (63), is currently appearing in the Fuji TV series “Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru”.

• Singer Fukuyama Masaharu (37) is to make his first variety show appearance in 14 years. He will appear on tonight’s edition of the TBS late show “Koisuru Hamikami!”. He will no doubt be promoting his new single “Milk Tea”, due for release on May 24, which is used as the show’s theme song. Comedienne Hisamoto Masami (45), one of the presenters, is a huge Fukuyama fan. The hugely popular singer is set for a busy day today, appearing on four different networks.

• Popular actor Uchino Masaaki (37) and former top Takarazuka star Ichiro Maki (41) are engaged to be married. Ichiro left the all-female troupe in 1996 and has performed on stages around the world. She and Uchino met when they played together in the musical “Elizabeth” in 2000. Ichiro appeared in the 1997 NHK taiga historical drama series, while Uchino is to play the lead role in next year’s production.

Rock trio Remioromen have topped the charts for the first time. Formed in 2000, the band released their first single in May, 2003. They’ve grown into one of the hottest acts of the moment, and their previous album “Ether” and singles have done well but never got past the No.2 spot. But following the long-term success of last November’s single “Konayuki”, the new album “Horizon” was by far the best seller on Tuesday’s daily chart. It’s a good example of the power of media tie-ups. Konayuki appeared in the popular Fuji TV series “1littoru no Namida”, while “Taiyo no Shita” was used as a movie theme song. Two other songs from the album have been used in TV commercials. Check samples from the album at the official Remioromen website. Meanwhile, the album knocked Def Tech’s “Catch the Wave” into the No.2 spot, while the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are down at No.3 with “Stadium Arcadium”. Veteran rocker Yazawa Eikichi takes up the No.4 to No.6 spots with the three volumes of his greatest hits, “Your Songs 1 – 3”.

Enka singer Mori Shinichi (58) used a press conference yesterday to take a few digs at his ex-wife. The event was held to promote his new single, due for release on May . But he clearly had another agenda. He and former pop idol Masako (47) divorced in March of last year, but this was the first time for him to speak about it in public. He denied claims made in Masako’s recent autobiography that he had been stingy in refusing to share his assets, estimated at about ¥750 million, or pay alimony. He pays ¥400,000 a month in child suppport for their three sons, quite a bit more than the average worker’s salary. He added that he had discussed the amount with lawyers and tried not to base it on common sense rather than the fact that his children have showbiz parents. He complained that Masako and Hori Takeo (73), founder of the Hori Pro management agency, were too obsessed with money and business and that the matter should have been discussed only within the family. After also taking a jab at another Hori Pro singer, Wada Akiko (56), for supporting his ex on her weekend show, Shinichi said he would probably watch Masako’s live appearance on last night’s “Kayou Concert” on NHK. Masako has just recently made her singing comeback, with the single “Barairo no Mirai” (Rose-colored Future), saying that she was forced to do so for financial reasons.

• Toyokawa Etsushi (44) and Terashima Shinobu (33) are to bare all for the camera. The pair have been cast as adulterous lovers in the movie “Ai no Rukeichi” due for release this winter. Like the 1997 hit movie “Shitsurakuen”, the movie’s main talking point is likely to be its sex scenes, so the producers were concerned about getting “serious” actors for the lead roles. “Toyoetsu” and Terashima are both award winners and sure to bring class to the racy story. The novel was serialized in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun business newspaper from November 2004 till this January and became popular among company employees, many of whom got their pulses racing reading it on their way to work.

Comedian Fujimori Shingo (photo right, 23) and actress Ueno Juri (19) are the hot young couple of the moment. The pair were recently spotted leaving Fujimori’s home by photographers from the women’s weekly Josei Jishin. Today’s issue of the magazine reveals they have been dating for about five months. Fujimori and partner Nakata Atsuhiko (23) make up the Yoshimoto Kogyo comedy duo Oriental Radio, who have stormed onto the variety scene in the last year. Their high-paced Buyuuden routine (the word means “martial story”) has shot them to the top of the comedy ranks far quicker than most. Event though the term “wakate geinin” (young celebrities) is used to describe the current ranks of comedians, most have spent years honing their skills on the theater circuit and are in their 30s by the time they become regulars on TV. And “OriRaji”, as they are known to fans, have hardly pursued fame at the expense of their education – Fujimori is a graduate of the prestigious Meiji University, while Nakata is still studying at the equally elite Keio University. Ueno had her breakthrough in the 2004 hit movie “Swing Girls”.

• Today’s issue of another women’s weekly, Shuukan Josei, reveals that two members of the rock trio Remioromen are married. Vocalist Fujimaki Ryota (26) married his university sweetheart in 2004 and they had a son last year, while bassist Maeda Keisuke (26) is also a married man. Hardly groundbreaking news but the revelation comes as a surprise for the many female fans of the popular group.

• Orange Range have topped the Oricon charts with their latest single “Champione”, the first time a World Cup theme song has managed the feat. But for the Okinawan group it is their 9th consecutive No.1. They have reached 11 million CDs sold in a career still a month shy of three years. Two of the members, brother Ryo (20) and Yoh (22), still play soccer in Okinawa.

• Actress Yonekura Ryoko (30) has taken sick leave from the shooting of her upcoming TV series. The star of Fuji’s July series provisionally titled “Woman Wars” developed a fever and lost her voice but is expected to be back at work in a matter of days.

Johnny’s boy band KAT-TUN played to another packed house at Tokyo Dome yesterday. It was the third night at the 55,000-seat venue and finished off their successful debut tour. Their first single, “Real Face” is on the verge of becoming a million sller. But while the show marked the end of a very big first step for the band, the media had another question for them. They wanted more details of the rumored romance between Kamenashi Kazuya (20) and veteran pop idol/actress and divorcee Koizumi Kyoko (40). Koizumi has been silent about the affair, so no comment was really expected. Kamenashi simply said “I’m sorry” and bowed to the cameras. He was much more animated on stage, as the six members belted out a 28-song set with two encores, all ending up in tears.

• Also in tears was actor Watanabe Ken (46). The Hollywood-based star was in Tokyo on Saturday to greet the audience at the premiere of his latest domestic film. “Ashita no Kioku” (Tomorrow’s Memories) is a heart-wrenching drama about a man who develop’s Alzheimer’s Disease in middle age. Watanabe, who not only stars but is executive producer, has obviously invested a lot of emotion in the project and is often moved to tears when he talks about it. He himself battled with leukemia just when his career was reaching a peak in the early 90s.

• Pop duo Puffy finished off their national tour in the rain on Saturday. They played to 3,000 fans in Hibiya Park in Tokyo to round off the tour, which is to mark the 10th anniversary of their 1996 debut, “Asia no Junshin”. They will release a new album, “Splurge” on June 24 and embark on a US tour from July 8.

• Among the celebrities giving thanks to their mamas yesterday was actress Ueto Aya (20). The young star was promoting Lotte’s Ghana chocolate brand and Bic Camera at a Haha no Hi (Mother’s Day) PR event in Tokyo. The young star says she wants to become a mother herself as soon as possible, and there’s sure to be no shortage of takers.

Former Dreams Come True member Nishikawa Takahiro (41) was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment yesterday at the Tokyo District Court. The former DCT keyboard player was discovered in possession of stimulant drugs by police in February. This followed a previous arrest in 2002, for which he received a suspended sentence. This time around, prosecutors had sought a 2-year prison term for the two-time offender. Nishikawa’s brother presented a plea for clemency, suggesting that he would take part in anti-drugs campaigns. But the judge replied that he should do so after having served his time. Nishikawa left DCT in early 2002 to pursue a solo career, which never took off.

• Soul singer Kubota Toshinobu (43) has been forced to postpone two weeks of shows on his his nationwide tour. He was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease after suffering dizziness and hearing loss following a show on May 4, and was told to take two weeks’ rest. He hopes to be back on the road for the May 19 show in Hiroshima.

• Hip hop unit Black Eyed Peas are to play the Nippon Budokan. The chart-topping US group, whose worldwide album sales have topped 18 million, will be making their fourth trip to Japan but this will be the first time for them to play arena shows here. They’re scheduled to play the Budokan on July 13 and 14, after a July 11 show at Osaka Castle Hall.