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15 of the most Popular Japanese Actors

*Originally published by Charity N on August 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R on May 2023

The cinema in Japan has a history that spans more than 100 years. Japan has one of the world’s oldest and largest film industries; as of 2021, it was the fourth largest in several feature films produced. In 2011 Japan produced 411 feature films that earned 54.9% of a box office total of US$2.338 billion. Films have been produced in Japan since 1897 when the first foreign cameramen arrived.

The Japanese market has gained vigour over the last five to ten years, with domestic films occupying more than half of the box office. This is in contrast to Europe, where Hollywood movies tend to dominate the box office despite large numbers of locally produced films.

1. Hiroyuki Sanada

Hiroyuki Sanada. Photo by Keith McDuffee –

Hiroyuki is a Japanese Actor born on October 12^th, 1960 in the city of Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan.

Hiroyuki Sanada gained prominence when he starred alongside Tom Cruise, in The Last Samurai. It opened the gates of Hollywood for him. This was followed by various television shows and films. He bagged the Japanese Academy Award for Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai).

2. Ken Watanabe

Ken Wanatabe. Photo by Eric Ishii Eckhardt –

Ken is a Japanese Actor born on October 21^st, 1959 in Koide, Japan.

He was brought to fame by mainly playing tragic heroes. He is recognized for his roles in The Last Samurai and Godzilla.

He started his career as a stage actor. He is however known for playing Samurai roles in Japanese films. He was also cast in the lead role in The King and I staged on Broadway.

3. Kento Yamazaki

Kento Yamazaki. Photo by Girlmaking – Own work-

Kento is a Japanese Actor and model. He was born on September 7^th, 1994 in Itabashi, Tokyo.

He is best known for his performance in the series Death Note and Good Doctor, with the latter winning him a Television Drama Academy Award. He also appeared in films such as Orange and previously modeled for Pichi Lemon magazine.

4. Brian Tee

Brian Tee at the Premiere of “Blood Out”. Photo by Alex Black-

Tee is a Japanese American actor. He was born on March 15^th, in Okinawa, Japan.

He is best known for playing Dr. Ethan Choi in the popular medical drama TV series; Chicago Med. Tee has reprised his role as Ethan in spin-off series, such as Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. He has also appeared in popular films like The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Jurassic World.

5. Tadanobu Asano

Tadanobu Asano at the world premiere of “Thor”. Photo by Mingle MediaTV-

Tadanobu is a Japanese Actor, Guitarist. Musician, Singer, Film Director, and Model.

He began his acting career at 16 years, with the show Kimpachi Sensei, at his father鈥檚 insistence. He later gained critical acclaim with roles in films such as Maborosi and Fried Dragon Fish.

He has also sung for the band Mach 1.67.

6. Masi Oka

Masi Oka. Photo by Gage Skidmore-

Masi is a Japanese Actor. He was born on December 27^th, 1974 in Hibiya City, Tokyo, Japan.

Masi Oka soared to fame with his Emmy-nominated and Saturn Award-winning role of Hiro Nakamura in the superhero series Heroes.

The Hawaii Five-0 star is a black belt in Japanese fencing and an avid chess player. He is also multilingual and has been a translator at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

7. Mamoru Miyano

Miyano Mamoru. Photo by Dick Thomas Johnson-

Mamoru is a Japanese Actor, Singer, and  Child Actor. He was born on June 8^th, 1983 in Saitama Prefecture.

He is best known for his award-winning voice role of Light Yagami in the manga series Death Note.

He is also an anime artist who has also released singles such as Kuon and Discovery. The artist, who is also known as Mamo, or Mamo-chan, is also a skilled harmonica/harp player.

8. Takeshi Kitano

Tekashi is a Japanese comedian, TV presenter, Author, Actor, and Filmmaker. He was born on January 18^th, 1947 in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan.

He gained international fame in the 1970s as one-half of the comedy duo Two Beat. He later pursued a solo act and became one of the top comedians in Japan. He then ventured into acting and directing as well. He won the Golden Lion award in 1997.  

9. Daisuke Ono

Daisuke Ono is a Japanese Voice Actor. He was born on May 4^th, 1978 in Sakawa, Takaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, Japan.

He initially wished to build a career in TV broadcasting, but criticism from one of his art institute professors made his move toward acting. The Seiyu Award-winning voice actor is now known for his performances in manga series such as Black Butler and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

10. Antonio Inoki

Antonio Inoki. Photo by Ogiyoshisan –

Antonio Inoki is a Japanese Actor, Politician, Professional Wrestler, and Writer. He was born on February 20^th, 1943 in Yokohama.

He is a reputed Japanese martial artist and wrestler. He grew up in Brazil. Growing up he won several contests of shot put, discus, and javelin. At 17, he went to the Japanese Wrestling Association and was mentored by Rikid艒zan. He later established the New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Japanese Cinema has been the major influence on the later development of cinematic techniques in all Asian countries. Japanese directors such as Akira Kurosawa were considered some of the world’s most important and influential filmmakers by Japanese and Western standards. Kurosawa’s work inspired many American films.

11. Takeru Satoh

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Actor Takeru Satoh is best known for playing Ryotaro Nogami, the show’s hero, in the Kamen Rider Den-O series. He began his professional life in 2007 with the release of “Kamen Rider Den-O: I’m Born!” in Japan. His many well films include Belle and Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021). Takeru Satoh, a handsome man, is thought to have a net worth of $12 million.

12. Keita Machida

A highly well-known actor and model from Japan is Keita Machida. In 2011, he launched his career with the premiere of his TV series “Rokudenashi Blues.” In many extremely successful Japanese television dramas and films, he is known for his powerful performance. Cherry Magic! the Movie (2022) and Your Eyes Tell, two of his most recognized films (2020). Keita Machida, is a handsome man, with a $6 million estimated net worth.

13. Kentaro Sakaguchi

, , via Wikimedia Commons

In 2014, Kentaro started his career with “My Love Story!” as his new movie. In many hugely successful Japanese television dramas and films, he is known for his powerful performance. Hell Dogs (2022) and The Final 10 Years, are two of his most well-liked films (2022). The handsome man Kentaro Sakaguchi’s estimated net worth is $5 million.

14. Sota Fukushi

Japanese actor Sota Fukushi is well-known for playing Gentaro Kisaragi in Kamen Rider Fourze, he went on to star in the television shows Koinaka and My Lover’s Secret. Furthermore, he has been voted as one of the most handsome men in Japan.  His two most appreciated films, The Fable and Kaiji: Final Game.

15. Akira Kurosawa

Kurosawa, one of the most famous directors of all time, was a master of Japanese cinema. He is probably most known for his samurai films, including Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, which are generally based on actual or literary events.

Rashomon, a timeless movie that is regarded as one of the best ever filmed, was another movie he directed.

In recent years, more and more Japanese films have made an impact in the West. Cinema is the preeminent narrative form of the twentieth and early twenty-first century, and Japanese cinema has played a significant role around the world.