Amuro Namie (25), who was by far the biggest trend setter and leading lady of J-Pop in the late 1990s, is on the comeback trail. Though she become a mother in 1998, her divorce last year from TRF dancer Sam hinted that she was thinking of her career rather than her family. This week came the announcement of a new TV commercial for Lucido-L cosmetics, which will feature Amuro and her new single “Shine More.” Amuro started the trend for dyed hair and deep suntans among high school girls in the 90s.
Monthly Archives: February 2003
Yamada Goes For Berlin Gold
Movie director Yamada Yoji’s first period drama “Twilight Samurai” (Tasogare Seibei) has been entered in the Berlin Film Festival. The movie stars Sanada Hiroyuki, who plays a samurai who rescues an abused wife, another strong role for the resurgent Miyazawa Rie. Yamada (71) is best known as the director of the “Tora-san” series, the longest-running series ever.
Sanma Busted Again
Comedian Akashiya Sanma (47) has once again featured in a mini scandal. The divorcee and most popular star in Japan for the past five years running is often paired up with young starlets by the gossip magazines. As with many such cases, this latest is seen as an attempt to create publicity for an up and coming “talento.” This time he was said to have been drawn by the 100cm bust of Saito Masumi (24). Both have denied anything other than friendship, but Sanma added with a smile “If I invite a young woman over in future, it sems I might as well sleep with her.”
Mizuno Maki to Wed?
Actress Mizuno Maki (32) hinted that she may be getting hitched before too long. When asked about marriage plans she said “It’s all up to my agency…”, taken to mean that she is waiting for a suitable time in her busy work schedule. She is currently seeing an advertising agency executive.