Actor, comedian and director Kitano “Beat” Takeshi (photo, 58) became a grand-father yesterday when his daughter Shouko (22) gave birth to a baby girl. Somewhat embarrassed by his new elderly status, Takeshi says he wants the child to call him “Beat-kun” rather than “ojii-san” (Grandad), adding that he now really is an “ero-jijii” (dirty old man).
• Another comedian celebrating a birth is Nanbara Kiyotaka (40) of the duo U-chan Nan-chan. His wife Shizuko (34) gave birth to their first child, a baby boy, at a Tokyo hospital yesterday. The couple, who have been married for 12 years, have named their son Yuusei.
• Former NHK TV producer Isono Katsumi (48) admitted in court yesterday that he had embezzled ¥160 million from his former employer. He said his criminal activity started in the early 1990s when an affair with a fellow NHK employee became expensive. He conspired with a former university classmate, who was president of an entertainment company, and others to pay for fictional TV programs. He used the money to take overseas trips and buy luxury goods and gifts for his girlfriend.