Morning Musume leader Yaguchi Mari (22) dramatically announced yesterday that she is going to quit the hugely successful pop group. The latest issue of the weekly gossip magazine Friday published compromising photos of Yaguchi with actor Oguri Shun (22). She issued a statement yesterday saying she was not fit to lead the group and was quitting immediately and going solo. She became the third member to take on the role of leader just two months ago, after the departure of Iida Kaori. She is of course an adult, but with Momus being an “idol” group, Yaguchi in particular is considered a role model for their many young fans and her behaviour is taken very seriously. She confessed her relationship to her agency the morning after they were spotted by paprazzi, and considered quitting showbusiness altogether. But with her popularity and potential as a growing star, the agency decided to put her on the path to a solo career. Yoshizawa Hitomi (20) will take over as Momus leader.
• TBS “News no Mori” presenter Ogura Hiroko (30) married former J-Leaguer Mizuuchi Takeshi (32). The couple met in the summer of 2003, while Ogura was working as a sports announcer on the “News 23” show. Mizuuchi started as a forward for the Urawa Reds in the inaugural J-League season and retired in 1997. He now works as a sportscaster on the Fuji TV show “Suporuto.”