Makiko Esumi

One-time volleyball player, model, television personality and actress the Shimane-born Esumi Makiko retired at age 50 in 2017 citing a desire to concentrate on her family in general and children in particular, but magazines reported that the decision came amidst news of an extramarital affair and estrangement from her second husband from whom she was living apart. She denied the allegations and described her companion as a business associate. Reports also had it that she was negotiating a restitution on a bad deal from the businessman. She was no stranger to controversy however. She was once associated to a manager caught vandalizing a celebrity's house and also accused of not paying into her own public pension before the turn of the century while being the advertising face for the plan. She sustained an arm injury playing volleyball and instead became a fashion model, reportedly inspired by singer Miki Imai, which in turn lead to a life in acting, music, writing, nude photo books, commercials and product endorsement. Having played prolifically in many series and films, like Koreeda Hirokazu's Maborishi and Suzuki Seijun's Pistol Opera, it was probably her depiction of an OL (Office Lady) with attractive legs in fashionable miniskirts in the TV serial Shomuni that made her most famous. Being considered talented, attractive and youthful her retirement disappointed observers and fans. She had also won Best Actress and Rookie Of The Year awards. Esumi has two children, married, divorced once and lost a brother to cancer.