Father unhappy over golfer Riko Higashio's engagement to actor Junichi Ishida　

Media recently have been reporting that Osamu Higashio, 59, former manager of Seibu Lions, is concerned about his daughter’s engagement to actor Junichi Ishida, 55. His prospective son-in-law is only four years younger than himself, and twice divorced.

Ishida proposed to Riko, 33, in Greece last month and has already visited her father to ask for approval. Apparently, he didn’t give his blessings.

A family friend comments, “He’s not so much concerned about the actor’s past relationships as he is about the way the privacy of the courtship is being advertised on TV. The marriage proposal was aired as part of a TV variety show. That his daughter, a professional golfer, is being subjected to such scrutiny by the media, he finds unacceptable.”

Higashio has been facing difficulties in her golf career, and has performed poorly since her shoulder surgery in 2006. Of the eight tournaments held this year, she qualified only for two. Some suggest that she is aware of the end of her professional career, which could have had something to do with her engagement to Ishida.

However, other pro golfers and the golfing association seem to feel that the timing of the engagement announcement, made during the week of the prestigious Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship, was a poor choice.

Despite all the hoopla, Riko seems unaffected and is looking forward to her marriage. The wedding is planned for April next year in Hawaii, while her father may, by then, be appointed as manager of Rakuten.

In which case, the wedding will take place without his attendance.

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Latest 15 of 22 Total Comments Show All

isthistheend at 12:50 PM JST - 9th October

Just ask Greg after his 100 Million dollar split to marry Chris......for a year and a half.......... Fool me once and shame on you, fool me twice and shame on me, fool me a third time and.....sounds like Miki Ando story all over again...and they're not even married yet.
biglittleman at 02:42 PM JST - 9th October

Seems like the ladies are getting desperate and are trying to latch on to any man who will have them. A woman's worth apparently seems to measured in whether you can get a husband or not.

Hopefully, they sign a pre-nuptial contract and Riko comes out of it a rich women.

Usually the purpose of a pre-nuptial is to protect your assets. If she signs one then probably she won't get any richer unless they somehow create new wealth together during the marriage.
MythosXIV at 03:17 PM JST - 9th October

Do you guys really need to be sooooo negative? Whose business is it if she fall in love with a guy almost twice her age? Must she live by your rules? Does it matter if he have divorced before? Is it not possible that they might find happiness in each others arm? God! Humans are just unbelievably..... She is 33, for Pete's sake! Isn't she old enough to make her own decision or know what she want out of life?
kp123 at 03:41 PM JST - 9th October

May-September romances generally work out pretty well according recent statistics as long as the couples are sure about their relationship. I speak on my behalf as my wife is 26 years younger than I am. It was embarassing at first as my in-laws are younger than I am, but it all passed as time went on.
Miyaratmosphere at 04:03 PM JST - 9th October

yep, my husband is way younger than myself too. Cheers kp123;-)
Monoflow at 04:29 PM JST - 9th October

I'm not into golfing, for me it's annoying. And women & golf = no sport. Just my thoughts... Although it will be obviously a fault for Riko, to marry this old fart, with 33 it should be her decision to make mistakes and face it later... @biglittleman... I agree.
LoveUSA at 10:38 PM JST - 9th October

I admit he is one very handsome charismatic man but he chenges women so often...because of his fatal charm he attracts women and falls for them and I hope Riko will be his last woman.
stealth_one at 10:46 PM JST - 9th October

Her marrying him is a last attempt to keep her 15 minutes,cuz her game stinks as it is.I predict with April so far off,they will break up. What is it? Three's the charm with Ishida.Ha ha.
LoveUSA at 10:51 PM JST - 9th October

Do not forget that even he is divorced several times, his relationships are long lasting, for example he spent 8 years with his last girlfriend so most probably he won't be separated from Riko soon.
stealth_one at 11:41 PM JST - 9th October

Messing around with the frequency that Ishida does,whilst in a long term relationship, does not pass the sniff test as he being credible.
dolphingirl at 12:32 AM JST - 10th October

MythosXIV: I agree. She's a grown woman. Let her make her choices; good or bad as they may be.

'the way the privacy of the courtship is being advertised on TV' --which one was it private or public!!
stirfry at 02:07 PM JST - 10th October

who are these people ?
cwhite at 11:58 PM JST - 10th October

Why must everyone think marriage has to be forever in this day and age. If they are married for a couple months and then divorce I would be more upset about the waste of paperwork, using tax money for all the processing and no offspring to off set the ever aging population (haha). Mind you why can't they just be happy living together under one roof.
InTheKnow at 12:30 PM JST - 13th October

Relax, Dad, they'll be divorced within three years. You've had bottles of shochu longer than you'll have this non-sock-wearing, triangle-faced sum bitch son-in-law.
bdiego at 06:43 AM JST - 15th October

Please, read the actual article before you comment. In particular, "The marriage proposal was aired as part of a TV variety show."