Shohei Hino: The Veteran Entertainment Reporter Reflects on the Playboy of the Showa Era and His Legendary Charms

Beyond Mochizuki, rumors of relationships with actresses such as Emi Shindo, Miki Kojika, Yuki Horn, Hiroko Kibi, Riri, Mineko Nisshikawa, Noriko Higuchi, Masami Someya, and even the manager of a former Takarazuka star, have surfaced. There seemed to be countless encounters and breakups throughout his life.

 

“I love you” and “I’m in love with you.”

Even so, none of the women Hino had relationships with spoke ill of him or harbored any resentment. Perhaps it was because he always expressed his feelings honestly, saying “I like you” and “I love you,” which led to relationships, cohabitation, and ultimately, clean breakups.

When I first met Hino, he seemed irritated by the media attention that came with his scandals. But after being repeatedly interviewed about his romantic entanglements, he seemed to evolve into a figure of wisdom, almost like a transcendent sage, and I think that’s when his distinctive demeanor took shape.

There were times when he was sidelined in the entertainment industry because of his many relationship scandals, but he would laugh and say in interviews:

“It’s something I created myself.”

On “Kokoro Tabi,” Hino was loved not only by the elderly and children but even by dogs and cats. His gentle, shy, and charming nature was captured on screen.

It’s truly sad that we can no longer see him in his natural state, loved by everyone. Ah, rest in peace.