Mao Kobayashi to Marry

Beautiful and sexy Japanese TV announcer/newscaster Mao Kobayashi dropped a bombshell yesterday by admitting her romantic relationship with Japanese kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa.  At the end of a press conference for a fashion line yesterday the NTV announcer  suddenly said, “Regarding reports by the media this morning, Ebizo Ichikawa and I are having a serious relationship.  I will provide more information later today.”

Later in the evening the 27 year old Mao Kobayashi (小林麻央) and Ebizo Ichikawa (市川海老蔵), age 31 jointly faxed a letter to the media stating that they have been dating with marriage in mind and will marry in the near future.  The Cent Force (セント・フォース) freelance reporter has also put up similar announcement on her personal blog.

Mao, a Sophia University graduate met the rock star like Ebizo back in January of this year for a special interview she was doing for NTV’s prime time News Zero program.  Ebizo carries a playboy reputation with him, having dated high profile actresses / models such as Ryoko Yonekura, Eriko Sato and Saki Takaoka in the past with not so great endings.  I hope he’ll change his ways and cherish this special girl.

Mao Kobayashi Dating Ebizo Ichikawa with Marriage in Mind

Akiko Yada Dumps Hubby

We here at SleepyJohn.com always strive to give you Japan lovers the latest, juiciest and most scandalous news & gossip in Japanese showbiz!  As if yesterday’s reporting on Noriko Sakai wasn’t enough, I’ve got another hot one for ya:

Just like I previously speculated, Japanese actress and former gravure model Akiko Yada (矢田亜希子) couldn’t take her playboy husband Manabu Oshio’s shenanigans anymore and finally fired his ass.  If you recall in my post on Tuesday the 31 year old J-pop rocker was arrested on drug charges as well as connection in the death of a female companion he was with while under the influence.  The Kanagawa Prefecture native faxed an official statement to major Japanese media outlet late on Friday announcing the marriage between she and Manabu have ended.

Akiko Yada Files For Divorce

Akiko Yada (L) and Manabu Oshio (R)

In the statement Akiko wrote, “I, Akiko Yada have divorced Manabu Oshio.  Just like some of the reports said, we were in separation due to his relationship with other women and our different views on value.  I didn’t think the separation would lead to divorce.  However, due to this incident, in consideration of my son and the people around me I made the decision.  At any rate, I’m really sorry my ex-husband caused so much trouble and I deeply apologize.”

Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the dead woman at the condo of the lead singer of Japanese rock band LIV is a 31 year old former Ginza hostess.  Manabu had been carrying on an affair with her for about 6 months.  Cocaine turned up after police searched the deceased woman’s apartment.

Here’s an interesting tidbit: the 1 bedroom condo located in Roppongi Hills luxury high rise complex where the former hostess died costs $4000 per month.  Manabu Oshio’s name isn’t on the lease agreement.  Instead, it’s under Mika Noguchi (野口美佳), president of popular Japanese lingerie brand Peach John.  According to industry insiders Ms. Noguchi rented out this condo as a “pleasure suite” and lets her friends use it too.

Akiko Yada’s ex-hubby told police that his slender and beautiful girlfriend was already under the influence and appeared excited when she showed up at his condo.  At her recommendation they then took one pill each.  The woman lost consciousness after she took the second pill.  He tried to resuscitate her but to no avail.  Manabu now also claims that it was his first time taking the Ecstasy pill.

I feel like we hit the scandal jackpot this past week.  It’s as if Noriko Sakai was trying to outdo Manabu Oshio!  You can count on SleepyJohn.com to keep you updated if any juicy development takes place.

Akiko Yada has much brighter things to look forward to now that she’s divorced Manabu Oshio

Akiko Yada’s Man in Big Trouble

The guy Japanese actress and former fashion model Akiko Yada (矢田亜希子) calls husband has been arrested by Japanese police on Monday.  Japanese actor and musican Manabu Oshio (押尾学), age 31 was arrested in Tokyo over drug use and possible connection to the uneventful death of a female companion.

Manabu Oshio (L) and wife Akiko Yada (R)

Last Sunday night police showed up at Roppongi Hills luxury condo complex responding to a 911 call that a person had died.  Upon entering the unit they found a naked female who had been dead for at least 10 hours and Manabu Oshio present, showing signs of being under the influence of illegal substance.  The toxicology report later showed that Akiko Yada’s man had taken Ecstasy.

Manabu Oshio Arrested For Drugs and OD Death

Til this day fans of Akiko Yada, the sexy 30 year old from Kawasaki (just southwest of Tokyo) still don’t understand what she saw in this trainwreck and prompted her to marry him.  To most Japanese Manabu Oshio comes off rather brash and ill tempered, not to mention his reputation as a womanizer.  The two met on the set of TBS drama Yume de Aimasho (夢で逢いましょう) back in ‘05 and apparently sparks flew right away between the two.  Akiko withdrew from Japanese showbiz and married the dude in November of the following year.

Akiko Yada still is the object of desire for many Japanese men

It should be noted that the beautiful former fashion & gravure model was at the height of her success when she began dating Manabu.  Due to the negative image her hubby carries with him, Akiko gradually lost many chances at leading roles and commercial endorsement.  You can say she flushed her career down the toilet for this douche.  Many people let out a sigh of relief when reports came out recently that the couple has been in separation for about half a year.

During police interrogation the bad boy husband of Akiko Yada, who’s also the lead vocal of Japanese rock band LIV confessed that he did indeed take the substance that proved to be X.  However, he claimed it was given to him by an acquaintence at some point and he had no idea the substance was illegal (yeah, SURE).  AVEX, the record label Manabu’s signed with has announced that it has dissolved their contract.

Dubbed “black sheep & pure princess”, the couple departing for a romantic getaway in December of ‘05

Manabu Oshio and his bad ass rocker days are definitely over.  I’m not even sure how he’s going to manage to live on let alone save his band (pun intended).  Everyone in Japanese media right now is speculating if this fiasco is the final straw that would finally make Akiko Yada ditch this loser husband of hers.

Tadanobu Asano and Chara Divorced

Japanese actor model Tadanobu Asano (浅野忠信) of Ichi the Killer fame and Japanese indie singer & actress CHARA ended their marriage in splitsville, it was announced on his website last Saturday.  The odd couple have 1 daughter age 14 and 1 son age 9.  Tadanobu met CHARA who is 6 years his senior on the movie set of PiCNiC back in ‘94 when he was only 22 years old and proceeded to knock her up.  They promptly got married in March of the following year and their first child was born in July.

Tadanobu Asano (L) and CHARA (R) are no more

CHARA began her singing career in ‘91 and shot to fame with the No. 1 single Swallowtail Butterfly~Ai no Uta~ (Ｓｗａｌｌｏｗｔａｉｌ　Ｂｕｔｔｅｒｆｌｙ～あいのうた～) in 1996.  I actually remember that song well…damn I’m old!

On his website, the quarter native American explained that after having a deep discussion, he and his eccentric spouse decided to divorce in order keep the respect they have for each other.  In the official statement it was revealed that the bearded actor whom many Japanese women consider manly spends almost 70% of his time away from home while CHARA is also often busy with her music.  This led to the meltdown of their marriage.

I’m sure there could be several reasons that led to their divorce but here’s a clear one: Tadanobu Asano got tied down way too young when he was just a budding star.  He could’ve enjoyed his life and had plenty of other girls that was taken away from him.  He  simply got tired after 14 years of the same vagina that most likely gave him plenty of attitude.

While his ex-wife will retain custody of their children Tadanobu won’t have to pay any alimony and has unlimited visitation right.  I want to give a high five to the dude.

Tadanobu Asano and CHARA Call It Quits

Misako Yasuda Cheating On Boyfriend?

The truth has been revealed…or so the person in question claims.

Misako Yasuda (R) and boyfriend Yu Shirota (L)

Japanese gravure idol and talent Misako Yasuda (安田美沙子) has recently been implicated by a Japanese weekly that she has cheated on her boyfriend by spending the night at another guy’s house.  To clear her name, the 27 year old Kyoto Prefecture native wrote in her blog this past Monday that this was all false.

Misako Yasuda Explains In Blog About Alleged Affair

In the blog titled “The Truth”, Misako explained that the person she was with is a good friend of hers and they’ve known each other since 7 years ago.  However, the sexy Japanese pin-up was contrite by saying she shouldn’t have done such a careless act and she really regrets it.  “I acted hastily and ended up being misunderstood.  I’m sorry.”

This past January the sexy Japanese gravure veteran revealed also on her blog that she was dating Japanese actor Yu Shirota (城田優), 4 years her junior and that everything’s going well.

In Misako’s explanation she added that this “good friend” of hers understands a girl’s feelings and he’s always helped her in times of need, so she really trusts him.  “I plan on having lots of contact with him in the future.  I’ll always keep watch over him.  He’s a dear friend.”, wrote Misako.

I’m not sure what the Japanese media or her fans will make of this.  But if I were her boyfriend, somehow I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy about this “platonic” relationship.