The hottest rising star at the moment goes by the name Hanawa (photo, 26) and calls himself the world’s first bass-playing stand-up comic. Until recently, he was best known for his uncanny impersonations of baseball player Matsui Hideki. But his debut CD has caught the popular imagination, in particular the first single “Saga Ken”, which parodies his roots in the rural Saga Prefecture.
• Actress Yasuda Narumi (37), wife of comedian Kinashi Noritake (41) of the comedy duo Tunnels, has had a baby girl, their third child.