Kōji Yakusho

Kōji Yakusho is a highly acclaimed Japanese actor renowned for his versatile and compelling performances across a wide spectrum of film genres. With a career spanning over four decades, he has become a central figure in both Japanese and international cinema, frequently collaborating with many of the industry's most distinguished directors. His nuanced portrayals have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actor and international recognition at festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival.

Early life and education

Born Kōji Hashimoto in Isahaya, Nagasaki, he was raised in a working-class family. After graduating from high school, he initially took a civil service job at the Chiyoda Ward office in Tokyo, a position he held for several years. His interest in acting was sparked after watching a performance by the Shiki Theatre Company, leading him to enroll in the Mumeijuku acting school, founded by renowned actor and director Hisashi Igawa. It was during this period of training that he adopted the stage name "Yakusho," a decision that marked the beginning of his professional journey into the performing arts.

Career

Yakusho began his career on stage and made his film debut in the 1979 pink film *The Last Doctor*. His breakthrough came with a supporting role in Juzo Itami's acclaimed 1985 satire *The Funeral*, which established him as a promising talent. He gained widespread fame and his first major award for his leading role in Masayuki Suo's 1996 hit *Shall We Dance?*, which won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Film. His international profile rose significantly through collaborations with director Shohei Imamura, starring in the Palme d'Or-winning *The Eel* (1997) and the critically lauded *Warm Water Under a Red Bridge* (2001). Further global recognition came with his chilling performance in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's psychological horror film *Cure* (1997) and his role in the multinational production *Memoirs of a Geisha* (2005). In recent years, he has delivered celebrated performances in films like Kore-eda Hirokazu's *The Third Murder* (2017) and won the Best Actor award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival for his role in Wim Wenders' *Perfect Days*.

Filmography

A selective list of his notable film works includes *Tampopo* (1985), *A Taxing Woman* (1987), *The Last Dance* (1993), *Shall We Dance?* (1996), *Cure* (1997), *The Eel* (1997), *Warm Water Under a Red Bridge* (2001), *The Choice of Hercules* (2002), *Memoirs of a Geisha* (2005), *Babel* (2006), *13 Assassins* (2010), *The Third Murder* (2017), *The Blood of Wolves* (2018), *The Great Yokai War: Guardians* (2021), and *Perfect Days* (2023). On television, he is known for the popular NHK drama series *Karei-naru Ichizoku* (2007).

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, he has received extensive critical acclaim and major awards. He has won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actor twice, for *Shall We Dance?* and *The Eel*, and has been nominated numerous other times. His international honors include the Best Actor award at the 2009 Moscow International Film Festival for *The Last Ronin* and, most notably, the Best Actor award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival for *Perfect Days*. He has also been recognized at the Mainichi Film Awards, the Kinema Junpo Awards, and the Asian Film Awards, solidifying his status as one of Japan's most decorated actors.

Personal life

He has been married to actress Saeko Kawatsu since 1994, and the couple has one son. Known for being intensely private, he maintains a low profile outside of his work, rarely giving interviews about his family life. His hobbies include playing the guitar and a well-documented passion for baseball, often attending games of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He continues to be based in Tokyo, where he remains active in both film and select stage productions.

Category:Japanese film actors Category:Japanese television actors Category:1956 births Category:Living people