The Tokyo High Court has dismissed a civil suit appeal filed by the wife of actor Watanabe Ken (45). Watanabe filed for divorce from his wife Yumiko (45) in September of last year, which she refused to accept. The divorce was granted by the Tokyo District Court. Watanabe battled with leukemia during the 1990s and entrusted his financial dealings to his wife, who proceeded to run up huge debts. The marriage was said to be in trouble in 2002. Watanabe is currently working on his next movie in Los Angeles.
• The cast has been announced for the US version of hit anime film “Howl’s Moving Castle.” The movie will feature the stellar voice talents of Christian Bale (31), Jean Simmons (76), Lauren Bacall (80), Billy Crystal (58), and Blythe Danner (62). The film is scheduled to open in the US in mid-June. It is still showing in Japan and curently holds the all-time No.2 spot in box office receipts.
• Hoshi Ruisu, of the popular 1980’s manzai duo Sento Ruisu (Saint Louis), died on Wednesday. He was 57. His comedy partner, Hoshi Sento died just last year, at the age of 56, of lung cancer.