Nakashima Tadayuki (photo right, 33) of the up-and-coming manzai duo Cunning has been in hospital for the last few weeks. His comedy partner, Takeyama Takanori (33) gave a press conference yesterday and revealed that the cause was acute leukemia. He may require a bone marrow transplant and it’s likely to be 6 months to a year before he can return to show business. Takeyama will continue to work solo until his return. Nakashima has been in a Tokyo hospital since collapsing in mid-December. The duo appeared on many New Year TV specials, all pre-recorded. Nakashima is the sickly-looking “tsukomi” or straight guy to the always ranting Takeyama. 2004 was a breakthrough year for the duo, who made their debut back in 1993, and they are one of the most popular of the many comedy acts that have ridden the wave of the recent “o-warai boom”. Privately, Nakashima married in April and became a father in September.
• Actor Kashiwabara Takashi (27) faces arrest for assaulting a 40-year old man on December 30. The fight is said to have started as an argument over the man’s car blocking a narrow street.