Today is the Culture Day (Bunka no Hi) national holiday.
• Among the 19 winners of this autumn’s Purple Ribbon Medal are actor Watari Tetsuya (63) and actress Ootori Ran (59). The medals are awarded by the government twice annually to those who excel in the arts, academia and sports. The always humble Watari expressed his pride and also embarrassment at receiving the award, saying he owed his success to the staff and fellow cast members of his many movies and TV dramas. He also mentioned his indebtedness to the late Ishihara Yujiro, whose management agency he now runs. Ootori dedicated her award to her mother, who is currently in hospital. Other recipients included composer Miki Takashi and lyricist Araki Toyohisa.
• It was revealed this week that actress Henmi Mari (55) recently divorced her second husband. She divorced the 41-year jewellery designer on October 28, bringing an end to their 4-year marriage. According to the husband, Henmi told him in early October that she wanted him out of their home. He returned home to pick up his belongings and found a divorce application waiting for him. He put his seal on it in mid-October. Henmi’s daughter from her first marriage is popular actress Henmi Emiri (28).