Kuchikomi Dec. 27, 2009 - 03:28AM JST ( 25 )

TOKYO —

A bit of a headache for Mao Kobayashi, 27, newscaster for Nippon TV’s “News ZERO”?

Over a month has passed since her engagement to kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa, 32, was announced to the media. Kobayashi’s tour of the banquet hall of an upscale hotel in Tokyo with her parents has already been reported in the news, and preparations for the grand wedding seem to be well under way. 

But some are concerned about the marriage of the kabuki “prince,” known also as a ladies’ man, who had been reportedly involved with a number of women such as actresses Ryoko Yonekura, Ryoko Hirosue and Eriko Sato. In addition, those in the entertainment industry feel uneasy about his drinking habits, described as being far worse than his disposition to philander.

One comedian comments that his first encounter with Ichikawa wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. He had been at a bar one night with fellow comedians when a familiar looking face stepped inside. “Ebizo looked like he already had a few rounds, and after recognizing some of us, he decided to meddle.”

The kabuki actor apparently selected the best known of the comedians present and began to provoke him. “He said, “I know you’re involved in combat sports, aren’t you? You think you can beat me? Come on, show me,” and the rest of us had to literally wrestle to stop the two from getting into a serious fistfight. If he carries on with that kind of behavior, sooner or later something’s bound to happen.”

A staff at a beer joint in Shibuya where Ichikawa frequents explains, “He really is the coolest guy around but so long as he doesn’t drink. Once the binging begins, he just can’t keep his hands to himself and starts making moves on any woman who happens to be sitting near him.”

Apparently, the actor’s drinking habit worsens his womanizing nature – a potential source of anxiety for the bride-to-be, although Kobayashi is also known to be a big drinker. According to a TV station insider, the newscaster can handle all-nighters quite well, despite her innocent claims that she only drinks non-alcoholic beverages.

The couple will be tying the knot in the year of the tiger. Perhaps a tigerish marital spat should be expected in the not too distant future.