Popular actor Yamada Takayuki (photo, 22) is the father of an illegitimate child, it was revealed this week. The star of the current TBS drama “Byaku Yakou” and the 2003 Fuji TV hit “Waterboys” became a father last October. The 22-year-old mother of the “kakushigo” (hidden child) is said to be raising the baby at her family home. Yamada is providing full financial support for the child.
• The Johnny’s Jimusho management agency is planning to sue women’s weekly magazine Shuukan Josei for libel. The magazine published an article in its February 14 issue claiming that Kat-Tun member Kamenashi Kazuya (19) was photographed drinking beer though he is under the legal age of 20. Johnnys claim that the photo was taken by his uncle in 2003 at a relative’s house, and that the beer was his grandfather’s. The uncle took the photo with his mobile phone and sent it to a friend, who still has the original file. The magazine article comes at a sensitive time, as two young members of Johnnys group News have been in trouble for drinking in the past year.
• Talento Mister Chin (42) is to marry a beautiful 27-year-old company employee. The former member of comedy trio B-21 Special and his new bride, who is ten weeks pregnant, will hold a wedding ceremony in Tokyo on May 20. Real name Miyake Yasutoshi, Chin formed B-21 in 1986 with Hiromi (41) and David Itoh (39), both of whom are still active on the variety show circuit. Hiromi married former idol singer Matsumoto Iyo in 1993 and Itoh married in 2003.