Popular young enka singer Hikawa Kiyoshi (27) has entered the Oricon chart at No. 1 with his latest single “Hatsukoi Ressha” (First Love Train). It is the first enka song in 18 years to go striaght to the top of the charts, and only the third ever to do so. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “It’s thanks to the support of my fans.” Duh! Hikawa’s highest chart showing to date was last summer, when he reached No. 2 with the single “Banba no Chutaro”.
• The management offices of actress Yoshinaga Sayuri (59) and actor Nakai Kiichi (43) were recently broken into. According to the Shibuya police station, Yoshinaga’s office on the 6th-floor of an apartment building was found to have been broken into on the evening of February 10. Meanwhile, on February 13, Nakai was walking his dog near his Setagaya ward home when he noticed the door of his office was open. He contacted his manager, who notified the police. Nothing was reported stolen in either case.