It looks like the brief marriage between actress Sugita Kaoru (40) and wealthy heir Ayukawa Junta (44) really is at an end. Sugita is said to have taken the case for arbitration at the domestic affairs court. Appearing on recent variety shows, she has strongly hinted that her days as a “celeb” wife are close to an end, just six months after she shocked the showbiz world with her surprise engagement. She says she has returned her wedding ring — by parcel delivery, no less — and hasn’t seen her husband since a highly publicized fight four months ago. Asked if she still loves him, she simply replied, “No, I don’t.”
• Comedian Oka Hachiro died yesterday at a hospital in Hyogo Prefecture of complications resulting from pneumonia. He was 67. One of the stars of the “golden age” of the Yoshimoto Shinkigeki comedy troupe, he was among the first young comedians to join the group in 1969. In 1990, he and other older members found themselves being displaced for younger, more telegenic comedians and were relegated from TV appearances to regional theater performances. Over the following years, Oka struggled with alcoholism and cancer as well as his wife’s suicide and the untimely death of his son. He was recently in high spirits when he appeared in his role as mentor to the popular manzai duo of All Kyojin-Hanshin, who this year celebrate 30 years in showbusiness.