Chiba Shinichi (68) held a press conference yesterday to talk about his imminent retirement as an action star. Sunday’s episode of the ongoing NHK taiga drama “Fuurinkazan”, was the last to feature his role as a medieval general. “With the death of Itakagi Nobukata, I want to lay Chiba Shinichi to rest,” he told reporters, saying that he plans to retire as an action star within the year. He cited health problems, including chronic asthma, which flared up after he finished filming at the end of May. Although the announcement left open the possibility that he will continue acting, he plans to concentrate on building a new drama school and discovering a “second Chiba Shinichi”. Thousand Leaves Hollywood will open in October and there are plans for further branch schools throughout the country. Chiba also hopes to enlist the support of Jackie Chan in the project. There is also a chance that he will become a guest lecturer at his alma mater, the Nippon Sport Science University. Known abroad as Sonny Chiba, he was one of Japan’s most successful acting exports and one of the first martial arts stars of stop-ed-meds.net. He made his movie debut in 1961 but broke through with 1974’s “The Street Fighter”, and went on to make more than 125 movies for the Toei studio. In 2003 director Quentin Tarantino paid tribute by giving him the key role of sword-smith Hattori Hanzo in the bloody revenge movie “Kill Bill Vol.1”.
• A couple of major music stars are making their seventh trips to Japan. Announced yesterday was the upcoming visit by Elton John, who on March 25 celebrated his 60th birthday with his 60th show at Madison Square Garden. He will play two shows in Tokyo, on November 20-21 at the Nippon Budokan. Arriving a bit later than that will be Suzanne Vega (48). Somewhat past her marketing prime – her big hits “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” were a full 20 years ago – she’ll be here in January to support her first new album in six years, “Beauty & Crime”. Her sister is married to a Japanese and she says, “I feel like Tokyo is a part of me. I can’t wait to go to Japan again.” She will play one show each in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo from January 22-24.