Little known actor Ishibashi Masataka (27) is staying mum on his romantic relationship with divorcee singer Koyanagi Rumiko (photo, 53). Yesterday he made his first public appearance, at a PR event for the German fountain pen maker Mont Blanc, since news of the relationship broke. He refused to give a comment to the gathered reporters. Koyanagi had a very public and messy divorce from her former backing dancer, Osumi Kenya (40), in 2000 after the press got word of his extra-marital affairs. The former Takarazuka star has a clear preference for younger men. She married Osumi in 1989, when he was 23 and she was still in her 30s and looking good. Even now in her 50s she does still have the legs of a Japanese Tina Turner, but Ishibashi is generally thought to be looking for a bit of free publicity.
• Comedian Matsumoto Kouta (27) of the popular duo Regular is set to get married at the end of the month. He will marry Kitamura Megumi (29) – described as a “home helper” – to whom he proposed on stage at the end of May. Regular are best known for their lively “Aru Aru Tankentai” routine.
• Popular Korean group Shinhwa performed their first song in Japanese for fans at three events across the country yesterday. Split into three pairs, they attended events in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. “Bokura no Kokoro ni wa Taiyo ga Aru” (The Sun is in Our Hearts) will be released on June 14. They also predicted a successful World Cup for the South Korean team. The group are in the middle of a 5-nation Asian tour. They will play the Nippon Budokan on September 24 and Osaka Castle Hall on the 26th.