Nomura Yojuro (photo, 38) will become the new head of the traditional kyogen family of Nomura Manzo next January. The role had been designated for his elder brother Mannojo, who passed away last month at the age of 44. Their father Nomura Man (74) announced the new successor during a funeral service for Mannojo in Tokyo. Yojuro will become the ninth actor to take on the Manzo name.
• Pop diva Matsuda Seiko (42) sang the national anthem at a stadium for the first time to open the second Sanyo All-Star baseball game yesterday. Accompanied by comedian Ishibashi Takaaki (42), she was clearly very nervous and couldn’t hold back the tears after her rendition of “Kimigayo.”