Mari Hoshino (星野 真里 Hoshino Mari, born July 27, 1981 in Kamifukuoka, Saitama) is a Japanese actress and singer. Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Kamifukuoka (上福岡市 was the name of a city located in Saitama, Japan, before it merged with the town of Ōi on October 1 2005 WikipediaWikiProject Japanese prefectures for guidelines --> is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū. She graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University. Most well-known for her lead role as Otome Sakamoto in TBS drama, Kinpachi-sensei, Hoshino has starred in several dramas in recent years. is a Japanese television drama. Kinpachi-sensei is the story of an 3rd year junior high school class in Japan its teacher is Kinpachi Sakamoto (坂本金八 Sakamoto Her main role in Platonic Sex was somewhat controversial as it was rather contrary to her image as one possessing pure values. She has also published two photo books as well as about half a dozen CDs. Of the Japanese dramas shown in Los Angeles, a substantial fraction of them has Mari in the cast.