Michiko Kichise announces marriage on her blog

TOKYO —
Actress Michiko Kichise, 35, reported on her blog this week that she got married on Christmas Day. Her husband is a businessman 10 years her senior.

She wrote, “We met 5 years ago when I was thinking about switching from modeling to acting. I realized he was the kind of precious person I always wanted by my side. He always watches over and protects me with a large heart and a warm smile. He’s considerate and I respect him. I don’t expect life will be without its ups and downs but if we work together, I think we can build a warm, kind household.”

Kichise was most recently seen in “Shikeidai no Elevator,” a Japanese-language remake of Louis Malle’s acclaimed debut, “Ascenseur pour l’échafaud.”

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'Single' Akina Minami wins Wedding Best Dresser Award

Akina Minami
SANKEI

TOKYO — Akina Minami, 21, was named one of three winners of the inaugural Wedding Best Dresser Awards this week, despite being single and unattached. Minami won in the category of TV personality. In the model category, the award was scooped up by Marie, 23, while 19-year-old
Tomomi Itano from AKB48 took the gong in the idol category—both of whom are also single.

At the awards ceremony, Minami appeared in a wedding dress and told attendees, “All girls long for a white wedding, so I’m pleased to have been chosen for this award.” When asked about her own wedding prospects, Minami replied, “I’d like to get married at around 24 or 25, but I don’t have a boyfriend right now and my friends tell me it’s not going to happen anytime soon. But when the day comes, my ideal ceremony would be at Disneyland with all my friends.”

In response to the news that comedian Toshifumi Fujimoto, 39, of comedy group Fujiwara, and 23-year-old TV personality Yukina Kinoshita recently tied the knot in a hotel affiliated with the Tokyo Disneyland resort, Minami responded, “I’ve been beaten to it, so it’s going to look like I’m copying them. I think I’ll scratch that idea.”

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Satomi Ishihara, other Horipro stars raise emergency relief funds

Satomi Ishihara, right, and Sei Ashina ask for earthquake relief donations in front of the Parco store in Shibuya.
SANKEI

TOKYO — Actress Satomi Ishihara, 24, and 80 other “talents” from Horipro Entertainment, gathered in front of Parco department store in Shibuya over the weekend for the “You are the one who rings the bell” emergency relief donation event, the name of which is borrowed from Akiko Wada’s 1972 famous top single.

“I wanted to contribute in some way myself,” said Ishihara, who added that she was happy to chat with everyone who donated and share their concerns about the ongoing crisis.

Fukushima-born actress and ex-model Sei Ashina, 27, and comedian duo Tanpopo’s Kumiko Shiratori, 29, also participated in the event. “I am very grateful for everyone’s help,” said Ashina, whose parents and siblings currently live in emergency shelters in Sendai.

The total amount of collected donations reached 1,643,500 yen. Some of the Horipro team also went to Shinjuku on Sunday.

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Yukina Kinoshita dispenses marriage advice

TOKYO — TV celebrity and underwear model Yukina Kinoshita, 22, was the guest of honor at the 10th Sanai Swimwear Image Girl event in Tokyo this week as one of the company’s former “image girls.”

Kinoshita, who makes up one third of idol group Pabo alongside celebrities Suzanne, 24, and Mai Satoda, 26, was asked how she felt about the recent announcement that Satoda was in a relationship with Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. She replied with a smile, “I already knew they were dating. I think they look great together.” On the subject of marriage she said, “I think we’ll leave that to them, right?”

Having recently got married to comedian Toshifumi Fujimoto, 39, Kinoshita was asked what the secret to a happy marriage was. She replied, “When you fight, the man should apologize.”

Meanwhile, Tokiko Kitagawa, 23, was chosen as this year’s 10th Sanai Swimwear Image Girl.