Shibasaki Kou (26) may yet be the next Japanese female action star. The popular star of TV dramas like “Good Luck” and movies such as “Dororo” was in Hong Kong yesterday for the premiere of her latest movie “Shorin Shojo” (Shaolin Girl). Shibasaki spent the best part of two years preparing for and filming the role of a woman who returns from her 3000-day training at the famous Shaolin Temple in China to take over her grandfather’s dojo in Japan, only to find it in ruins. She ends up combining her martial arts training with the teamwork of lacrosse as a member of a university club team. The theater in the recently opened Grand Cinema complex was packed with 300 moviegoers. After the premiere, audience members said they were impressed with Shibasaki’s performance, some comparing it favorably with the action-comedy style of Jackie Chan. The cast also includes Eguchi Yosuke and Nakamura Toru, as well as Kai Man Tin and Chi Chung Lam. Directed by Motohiro Katsuyuki, the movie has reportedly received interest for distribution in more than 30 countries. It opens in Japan during the Golden Week holidays in May.
• Moody actress Sawajiri Erika (22) is getting away from the media glare again in London. She and her video director boyfriend Takashiro Tsuyoshi (43) headed off on a private trip to the U.K. yesterday after just two weeks in Japan. At Narita Airport, “Erika-sama” refused to respond to reporters questions or even give a smile as she did when the couple returned recently from their 3-month stay in London. During her brief time back in Japan, Sawajiri filmed a TV commercial and celebrated her birthday with friends. She hasn’t made any public appearances since she came in for criticism for her temperamental and unprofessional behavior last autumn.
• The Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization (BPO) issued a statement at the weekend urging public and private networks not to show young boys’ genitals in scenes such as bathing or even changing diapers, saying such scenes are used in child pornography. It is still common to see young children playing naked in Japan, particularly in parks during the hot summer weather.
• Actor Takashima Masanobu (41) is engaged to a former Miss Universe Japan runner-up. He and actress Mion (28), half-Korean on her mother’s side, met on the set of a Fuji TV drama last December. Takashima is to make a formal announcement at a press conference this week, but the wedding is said to be planned for August. Elder brother Masahiro married half-Swiss stage actress Sylvia Grab (33) in 2005.
• Koda Kumi (25) is back after a more than 2-month leave of absence. The hugely successful J-pop star started her nationwide concert tour in Shizuoka Prefecture on Saturday, her first public appearance in ten weeks following intense criticism of a flippant comment on the radio at the end of January. The intended joke about women’s wombs rotting after the age of 35 led to her confining herself to her home and not promoting her latest album. She made a videotaped apology on Fuji TV in February.
• Veteran actor Fujita Makoto (74) is resting from exhaustion. The last three months have seen him on a heavy schedule promoting the movie “Ashita he no Yuigon” (Best Wishes for Tomorrow), which is currently doing well in theaters. He has been advised by doctors to take at least two weeks rest, and has canceled a planned talk show appearance for June.
• Actress Nishida Naomi (38) gave birth to her first child last week, her agency reported over the weekend. She married in 2005.