Actor Kashiwabara Takashi (27) and former TV personality Hatano Hiroko (photo, 28) are said to be on the verge of getting hitched. Their parents were recently seen dining together, a common sign that nuptials are being planned. The couple met while appearing together in the TBS drama “Koi no Kamisama” four years ago. Hatano retired from showbusiness a year and a half ago, the first sign of an impending marriage. They are currently living together in Tokyo.
• Actress Sugita Kaoru (39) is to release a cover of her own 1981 hit “Tori no Uta”, her first new single in 23 years. Sugita has been a variety show regular over the last couple of years, her “selling point” being her image as a straight-talking woman who’s fond of a drink, and destined never to find true love. She started her acting career at the tender age of 8 and had her breakthrough at 15 on the hugely popular TV series “3-nen B-kumi Kimpachi Sensei”.