>>> Item number 7703 from WRITERS LOG9301D --- (32 records) ------ <<< Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 20:08:13 JST Reply-To: WRITERS Sender: WRITERS From: Mike Barker Subject: RE: Star-Crossed Lovers in Japan (Part 3) (just after 8 pm, Jan. 27 here in Japan) Today (Jan. 27) was the day of the formal ceremony for Takahanada-san to become Ozeki (second rank in Sumo). Late this afternoon, after the ceremony, Rie-chan held a news conference by herself. She came out to the flashing cameras without smiling, and quietly announced that the engagement is over. She said she loved him, but that she thinks he was not a good partner for her. She added that she hoped he would keep on with his career, and be very sucessful at it. She then turned and left, ignoring all attempts to question her. The media is trying hard to wring extra meanings out of the few minutes she stood in the cameras, or to find someone who can (or will) add to this. At present, though, that seems to be the end of the plot. Not very satisfying to this reporter, but at least it raised a lot of hard questions here in Japan, and it may take a while for them to be forgotten again. Maybe I'll watch my Wizard of Oz tape again tonight. I know the good guys win in it. [cultural reporter on duty but rather down, sah! but we'll fight the good fight again tomorrow, won't we, sah?] mike