Horikita Maki & Yamamoto Koji expecting their first child

Horikita Maki announced through her agency on 20 June that she is currently pregnant with her first child and due to give birth in January next year. Rumours of her pregnancy first surfaced in the 21 June issue of "Josei Jishin" where she was caught seeing a famous gynecologist in early June. As such, in response to the report, her agency confirmed the news but called upon the media not to disturb Horikita at the moment as she is in the early stage of her pregnancy.

Horikita got married to actor Yamamoto Koji in August last year and has always expressed her wish to be a mother soon. Soon after the filming for NTV Winter 2016 drama "Higanbana ~ Keishicho Sousa Nanaka ~" wrapped up in March 2016, Horikita has been taking time off work to prepare for pregnancy. At present, she can only be seen in CMs from three companies and rumours of her planning a retirement from showbiz were rife as she did not renew the contracts for more than 10 CM deals which she had been holding. There are also no plans for her to appear in any dramas, movies or stage plays for now.

Sources: Yomiuri Hochi / Sponichi