Another big showbiz wedding was revealed yesterday – popular young kabuki and movie actor Nakamura Shido (32) and actress Takeuchi Yuko (25) are to get hitched before the end of the year. The romance started when the two co-starred as a couple separated by death in last year’s movie “Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu.” They are said to have made the decision and announced it to family, close friends and, of course, their agencies at the end of last month. Both are planning to continue their highly successful acting careers after marriage. The beautiful Takeuchi is said not to be pregnant, a question that seems to be standard for showbiz couples. Shido, who is one of the young kabuki generation that have drawn fans back to the traditional theater, was thought to be connected with talento Shinohara Tomoe (26) since 2003, but he has denied that they ever actually dated. Having made his kabuki debut at the age of nine, he entered the world of movies with 2002’s “Ping Pong” and has been all over the small and big screen since. Takeuchi made her TV debut in a commercial in 1995. Her break came as the heroine of the NHK morning serial “Asuka” in 1999. She was voted No.1 last year in an image poll of the most popular talentos.
• Former Luna Sea vocalist Kawamura Ryuichi (34) and guitarist Inoran (34) have teamed up with songwriter H. Hayama (30) to form the new group Tourbillon. Hayama has written hits for Amuro Namie (26) and boy band W-inds.
• Heavy metal legends Judas Priest are back in Japan for the first time in 14 years. They kicked off their 6th Japan tour at the Pacifico Yokohama arena on Sunday. With Rob Halford back on vocals, they will play eight shows in seven cities, including the equally legendary Nippon Budokan on May 19.