Actor Shiina Kippei (41) refuses to comment on speculation that he and his wife, actress Yamamoto Mirai (30) are on the verge of divorce. Appearing at a PR event in Tokyo for an upcoming stage production, Shiina passed the buck, leaving a spokesperson for his management agency to say that the couple are doing just fine and had recently got back from a trip together to San Francisco. Then again, trips abroad are often used by showbiz couples to take a serious look at their relationships outside of the Japanese media glare. Yamamoto is the daughter of famous fashion designer Yamamoto Kansai (61), a pioneer of Japanese design on the international stage. She spent several years growing up in the US and attended the international American School in Tokyo. She and Shiina married in 2003 after going out for 8 years (story) and held a lavish wedding ceremony last year (story). A difference in values is said to be a main reason for the couple’s rumored split.