J-Pop Queen Namie Amuro's career may be soaring, but her marriage seems to be heading for the rocks. According to recent news from Japan, Namie is currently discussing the custody of her son with her hubby, singer-dancer Masaharu Maruyama, hinting that the couple may well file their divorce papers soon. In October 1997, Namie caused a media frenzy when she announced out of the blue that she was three months pregnant and marrying Maruyama, or Sam, a member of the popular group TRF.

She was obviously in love and happy then, so what has gone wrong? It would appear that Namie, 24, cannot tolerate her 39-year-old husband's playboy lifestyle, which apparently did not change after their marriage. Just last year, he had an affair with a 19-year-old girl. And more recently, Sam had been using Namie's money to go gallivanting, reportedd Hong Kong's The Sun. But that's not the only problem.

Her in-laws, a conservative family of doctors, are not pleased with Namie's public image - dyed hair and short sexy dresses. Moreover when arguments erupted between Namie and the in-laws, Sam apparently didn't stand by her, isolating her even further. So it would seem that Namie has had it with him and his family, and is prepared to fight for custody of her son and raise him alone.

Her mother, Emiko Taira, whom Namie used to rely on, was murdered by her brother-in-law in 1999. So it'll be a hard and lonely road ahead for Namie - what with taking care of her son and holding on to her crown as J-Pop Queen.