Comedian Hayashi Nobuyuki (34) of the duo Sakamichi Columbus has been arrested for molesting a junior high school student in Kyoto. The second-tier manzai duo are with the major HoriPro talent agency, who issued a statement saying they were looking into the case. “If it’s true, it’s unforgiveable.” But they declined to comment on whether the duo would be broken up. Hayashi and Matsuoka Shingo (34) formed Sakamichi Corocoro in 1998 and changed the name in 2001.
• Actress and model Koyuki (photo, 27) has refused to comment on rumors of a romance with popular actor Sakaguchi Kenji (28). The two are reported to have taken a trip to Bali together in August. Koyuki starred in the hit movie The Last Samurai.