Pathetic Facts

Japanese movie stars born in 1972

Here are 28 famous actors from Japan were born in 1972:

Takashi Shimizu

Takashi Shimizu (July 27, 1972 Maebashi-) a.k.a. Shimizu Takashi is a Japanese film director, film producer, screenwriter, television director and actor.

He is best known for creating the "Ju-On" horror movie franchise, which has had successful remakes in many countries, including the United States. Shimizu directed several versions of the "Ju-On" movies, including the original 1998 version, its sequel, and its American remake, "The Grudge". Besides horror films, Shimizu has directed dramas and comedies, and has won numerous awards for his work in the film industry, including the Best Director award at the 46th Asia Pacific Film Festival. In addition to film, he has also produced and directed several television dramas, including a Japanese remake of the popular American series "Criminal Minds". Shimizu continues to be an influential figure in the Japanese film industry and has inspired a new generation of horror filmmakers worldwide.

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Junichi Suwabe

Junichi Suwabe (March 29, 1972 Tokyo-) also known as Suwabe Junichi, Jyunichi Suwabe, Suwabe Jun'ichi, Jun'ich Suwabe, Suwabe Jyunichi or Suwabe, Jun'ichi is a Japanese actor, singer and voice actor.

He is affiliated with Haikyō. Suwabe is known for his deep, smooth voice, which has landed him many roles in anime, video games, and dubbing. Some of his most notable roles include Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in Bleach, Archer in Fate/stay night, Takashi Komuro in Highschool of the Dead, Freed Justine in Fairy Tail, and Ren Jinguji in Uta no Prince-sama. In addition to his voice acting work, Suwabe has also appeared in numerous live-action dramas and stage productions. He has also released multiple singles and albums as a singer.

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Tetsu Shiratori

Tetsu Shiratori (March 21, 1972 Tokyo-) is a Japanese voice actor, actor and film director.

Shiratori started his career as a voice actor in 1993, and has since then been involved in the dubbing of foreign films and TV shows. Some of his most notable roles include voicing the character of Tsubasa Oozora in the popular soccer anime series Captain Tsubasa, Simon in the anime film Garzey's Wing, and Dustin Hoffman's character Ben Fogle in the Japanese dub of the movie Little Fockers.

In addition to his work as a voice actor, Shiratori has also worked as an actor on stage and screen. He made his film debut in 1998 in the movie Hi wa mata noboru, and has since appeared in several other films, including Man, Woman and the Wall and The Mamiya Brothers. As a director, Shiratori has directed several short films and music videos, as well as the feature films Time Slipper (2005) and Ameyori (2010).

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Nakamura Shidō II

Nakamura Shidō II (September 14, 1972 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Shidou Nakamura, Mikihiro Ogawa, Nidaime Nakamura Shidō, Mikihiko Ogawa, Ogawa Mikihiro, Shudo Nakamura, Shidō Nakamura or Shidô Nakamura is a Japanese actor and voice acting in japan.

He was born into a family of Kabuki actors and is a member of the renowned Nakamura family, which has a long history of producing kabuki performers. Nakamura Shidō II made his debut on stage at the age of five in Kabuki theater, and he has continued to perform in the traditional Japanese theatrical art form, earning acclaim and recognition for his performances. In addition to kabuki, Nakamura Shidō II has appeared in numerous films, television dramas, and stage productions, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He has also lent his voice to various anime and video game characters, showcasing his talent as a voice actor. Nakamura Shidō II is known for his charismatic presence on stage and his ability to draw audiences into his performances.

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Toshinori Yonekura

Toshinori Yonekura (October 21, 1972 Toyonaka-) is a Japanese singer, actor, composer, songwriter and record producer.

He became popular in the late 1990s as the lead vocalist of the rock band, "Do As Infinity." The band's single "Fukai Mori" was used as the second ending theme for the anime series, Inuyasha, which gained them huge international success. In addition to his music career, Yonekura has also acted in television dramas, such as "O.G. Kagetora" and "Last Money ~Ai no Nedan~." He has also composed and written songs for other artists, including Ayumi Hamasaki and AAA.

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Naohito Fujiki

Naohito Fujiki (July 19, 1972 Kurashiki-) also known as Fujiki Naohito or Nao is a Japanese singer and actor.

He first became known as a member of the J-pop group, Hikaru Genji in the late 1980s. After the group disbanded, he began acting in TV dramas and films. Some of his notable roles include "Kyosuke Munakata" in the "Tokyo Detective Duo" series and "Kyoichi Takayama" in "Hotman." He has also appeared in several stage productions and hosted his own radio show. In addition to his entertainment career, Fujiki is known for his philanthropic work, particularly in the area of disaster relief.

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Takayuki Sakazume

Takayuki Sakazume (September 3, 1972 Chiba Prefecture-) a.k.a. さかづめたかゆき, Sakazume Takayuki or 坂詰貴之 is a Japanese voice actor and actor.

He is affiliated with Aoni Production and has voiced various characters in anime, video games, and dramas. Some of his notable roles include Tatsuhiro Satou in Welcome to the NHK, Johnny Joestar in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle, Shinichi Tamaki in Kimi to Boku, and Tokiomi Tohsaka in Fate/Zero. Sakazume has also appeared in live-action dramas and films, such as Kamen Rider Ryuki and Yakuza Weapon. In addition to his acting career, he is also known for his work as a narrator for TV commercials and documentaries. Outside of his professional work, Sakazume is a big fan of baseball and enjoys watching games in his free time.

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Hiroaki Morishima

Hiroaki Morishima (April 30, 1972 Hiroshima-) is a Japanese actor.

He is best known for his roles in popular Japanese TV dramas such as "Doctor-X" and "Kaseifu no Mita". Morishima also has appeared in a number of films including "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" and "Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac". In addition to his acting career, Morishima is also known for his work as a voice actor in Japanese anime. Some of his notable roles include Takasu in "Clannad" and Hachimaki in "Planetes". Morishima has also done voice work for video games such as "Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles" and "Ryū ga Gotoku 3".

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Shōsuke Tanihara

Shōsuke Tanihara (July 8, 1972 Naka-ku, Yokohama-) also known as Shosuke Tanihara, Shôsuke Tanihara, Harasho or Tanihara Shōsuke is a Japanese actor, model and voice actor.

He gained popularity through his roles in popular Japanese dramas such as "Hotelier" and "Jikō keisatsu". Tanihara also starred in various films such as "Sukiyaki Western Django", "Gantz", and "Rebirth". In addition to his acting career, Tanihara has also lent his voice to numerous anime series, video games and commercials. He is known for his versatile range and has played a variety of roles in his career, including serious and comedic roles. Tanihara has won several awards for his performances, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 26th Japanese Academy Awards for his role in the film "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish". He is married to actress Miho Shiraishi and has two children.

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Nao Ōmori

Nao Ōmori (February 19, 1972 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Nao Omori, Nao Ohmori, Nao Oomori, Nao Ômori or Ōmori Nao is a Japanese actor and voice actor.

He initially gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his roles in a number of popular Japanese TV dramas such as "The Queen of Lunchtime Cuisine" and "Shinsengumi!". He later transitioned into film and became known for his role as Ichi in the cult film "Ichi the Killer" in 2001. He has since starred in numerous Japanese and international films, including "Memories of Matsuko", "Mr. Baseball", "Cold Fish", and "Silence". In addition to his work on screen, Ōmori has also lent his voice to characters in anime series such as "Naruto" and "Bleach". Ōmori has received critical acclaim for his performances and has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career.

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Gori

Gori (May 22, 1972 Naha-) a.k.a. Gorie Matsuura, Matsuura Gorie, Garage Sale, Toshiyuki Teruya or Teruya Toshiyuki is a Japanese film director, musician, comedian, actor and voice actor.

He began his career as a comedian and musician in the 1990s, performing under various stage names. In 2001, he made his directorial debut with the film "Shibuya Kaidan," which was a box office success in Japan. Gori has since directed several films, including "Shibuya Kaidan 2" and "Hard Romanticker," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2011. He has also acted in numerous films and television dramas, including the hit series "Nobuta wo Produce" and the film "NANA." In addition to his work in entertainment, Gori is known for his philanthropic and environmental activism, and has been involved in various charities and initiatives to promote sustainability and protect the environment.

Hiroshi Tsuchida

Hiroshi Tsuchida (February 8, 1972 Tokyo-) also known as Tsuchida Hiroshi is a Japanese actor and voice actor.

He graduated from Waseda University's School of Education and was employed by the Tokyo Broadcasting System before making his debut as a voice actor in 1997. He has since worked on a number of popular anime and game titles, voicing characters such as Hiroshi Nohara from Crayon Shin-chan, Kunimitsu Tezuka from The Prince of Tennis, and Kuma Hermit from Naruto. In addition to his voice acting work, Tsuchida has also appeared in live-action films, dramas, and stage shows, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Outside of his acting career, he is known for his love of rock music and has performed in several music events as a vocalist.

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Takuya Kimura

Takuya Kimura (November 13, 1972 Tokyo-) also known as Kimura Takuya, 키무라 타쿠야 or Kimutaku is a Japanese actor and singer. He has two children, Kokomi Kimura and Mitsuki Kimura.

Takuya Kimura first gained fame as a member of the popular J-pop group SMAP, which was active from 1988 to 2016. After the group disbanded, he continued to pursue a successful solo career in both music and acting. Kimura has appeared in numerous TV dramas, films, and commercials, and is considered one of Japan's most iconic stars. He has won several awards for his acting, including the prestigious Television Drama Academy Award for Best Actor. In addition to his entertainment career, Kimura is known for his philanthropic work, and has been appointed as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Despite his celebrity status, he has maintained a reputation as a private individual and values his time with his family.

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Musashi

Musashi (October 17, 1972 Sakai-) a.k.a. Akio Mori is a Japanese actor.

He is best known for his roles in Japanese dramas and films such as "Waterboys" and "Casshern". Musashi began his acting career in the early 2000s and quickly gained popularity due to his good looks and acting talent. He has since appeared in numerous television dramas and movies, earning critical acclaim for his performances. In addition to his acting career, Musashi is also a trained martial artist and has served as a stuntman and action coordinator on several productions. Despite his success, he remains humble and dedicated to his craft, constantly pushing himself to improve as an actor and performer.

Magy

Magy (May 12, 1972 Hyōgo Prefecture-) otherwise known as Yūichi Kojima, Kojima Yūichi, Magī or Yuichi Kojima is a Japanese actor and screenwriter.

He began his acting career in the mid-1990s, appearing in minor roles in various Japanese films and television dramas. In 2003, he gained recognition for his role in the film "Shinobi: Heart Under Blade," which led to more prominent roles in both film and television. Magy has also worked as a screenwriter, contributing to the scripts of several popular Japanese dramas. In addition to his acting and writing work, Magy is also a musician and has released several albums and singles over the years. He continues to be a widely recognized and respected figure in Japanese entertainment.

Tomokazu Seki

Tomokazu Seki (September 8, 1972 Koto, Tokyo-) a.k.a. Seki Tomokazu is a Japanese voice actor, singer and actor.

He is known for his versatile voice range and has provided the voice for many popular anime characters such as Domon Kasshu in Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Sagara Sousuke in Full Metal Panic!, Kyo Sohma in Fruits Basket, Gilgamesh in Fate/stay night and Rau Le Creuset in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, among many others.

In addition to his voice acting roles, Seki has also appeared in several TV dramas and stage productions. He is also a skilled singer and has released several albums and singles throughout his career. Seki has won numerous awards for his voice acting work, including the "Best Supporting Actor" award at the 4th Seiyu Awards and the "Overseas Fan Award" at the 13th Seiyu Awards.

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Masakazu Morita

Masakazu Morita (October 21, 1972 Sumida, Tokyo-) a.k.a. Seiichi Morita or Morita Masakazu is a Japanese actor and voice actor.

He is affiliated with Aoni Production and has been active in the entertainment industry since 1996. Morita is best known for his roles in various anime series, such as Ichigo Kurosaki in "Bleach," Tidus in "Final Fantasy X," and Barnaby Brooks Jr. in "Tiger & Bunny." He has won several awards for his voice acting performances, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 4th Seiyu Awards in 2010. In addition to his voice acting career, Morita has appeared in numerous live-action films and TV dramas, and has also lent his voice to video game characters. Outside of his entertainment work, Morita is known for his love of cars and motorsports, having competed in various racing events.

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Masaru Hamaguchi

Masaru Hamaguchi (January 29, 1972-) a.k.a. Hamaguchi Masaru, Massaru, Hamaguche, Gucchyon, Hamaguchyon or Masaru-san is a Japanese actor and comedian.

He was born in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, and began his career in the entertainment industry in the mid-1990s as a member of the comedy duo "Koremasa" alongside Masayuki Shida. Hamaguchi is known for his high-energy performances and humorous facial expressions. In addition to acting and comedy, he has also worked as a voice actor and television presenter. Some of his notable works include roles in the television drama "Mare" and the film "Yokai Watch: The Movie." He has also appeared in numerous television commercials for brands such as Kirin and SECOM. Hamaguchi is married and has one son.

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Koriki Choshu

Koriki Choshu (February 5, 1972 Suginami-) also known as Koriki Choushuu, コリッキー or Korikkii is a Japanese actor and stand-up comedian.

He began his entertainment career in the mid-90s as a member of the comedy duo "Bakusho Mondai". Since then, he has appeared in a variety of television dramas and movies, including "Gachinko Kenka Joto" and "Tokyo Tower". In addition to his acting career, Koriki is also known for his talent in rakugo, a traditional form of storytelling in Japan. He has won several awards for his rakugo performances and has even released a CD of his storytelling. Outside of entertainment, Koriki is also active in charity work and has volunteered in disaster relief efforts.

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Claude Maki

Claude Maki (October 3, 1972 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo-) also known as Aktion, Kurôdo Maki, Maki Kurōdo or 真木蔵人 is a Japanese actor, singer, master of ceremonies and surfer.

He is of Japanese and French-Canadian descent and grew up in both Canada and Japan. Maki began his acting career in the late 90s, appearing in various Japanese TV dramas, films and theater productions. He is known for his roles in popular Japanese dramas such as "Long Vacation" and "Love Generation". Maki is also a talented singer and has released several albums and singles. In addition to his acting and music career, Maki is a passionate surfer and has participated in surfing competitions. He often incorporates his love for surfing into his performances and events.

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Tatsuya Yamaguchi

Tatsuya Yamaguchi (January 10, 1972 Soka-) also known as Yamaguchi Tatsuya is a Japanese actor and bassist.

He is best known as the bassist of the popular visual kei rock band, MUCC. Yamaguchi joined the band in 1997, shortly after it was formed, and has been an integral member ever since. He is known for his distinctive bass playing style and deep, resonant voice. In addition to his musical career, Yamaguchi has also appeared in several Japanese television dramas and films, showcasing his talent as an actor. He is admired by fans for his versatile skill set, unique personality, and unwavering dedication to his craft. Despite being one of the most recognizable faces in the Japanese entertainment industry, Yamaguchi remains humble and continues to push himself creatively with each new project.

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Shinji Takeda

Shinji Takeda (December 18, 1972 Sapporo-) also known as Takeda Shinji is a Japanese actor, saxophone player and tarento.

Born and raised in Sapporo, Japan, Shinji Takeda began his career in entertainment as a saxophone player, performing in various jazz bands throughout Japan. He later transitioned to acting, making his debut in the 1994 film "Bayside Shakedown."

Over the years, Takeda has become a well-known actor in Japan, having appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. He is best known for his roles in the films "Waterboys" and "Hana and Alice," as well as the television dramas "Kamisama mou sukoshi dake" and "Water Boys."

In addition to his acting career, Takeda is also a popular tarento, or media personality, in Japan. He frequently appears on talk shows, variety shows, and commercials, showcasing his comedic skills and likable personality.

Despite his busy schedule, Takeda continues to pursue his passion for music and occasionally performs as a saxophone player. He is also actively involved in charity work, particularly in support of children's causes.

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Hiroshi Nagano

Hiroshi Nagano (October 9, 1972 Yamato-) also known as Nagano, Hiroshi or Nagano Hiroshi is a Japanese actor and singer.

He is best known for his role as Nanjiro Echizen in the live-action adaptation of the popular sports manga and anime series "The Prince of Tennis".

Nagano began his career in the entertainment industry as a member of the Japanese pop group V6, which was formed in 1995. As part of the group, Nagano has released numerous albums and singles, as well as performed in concerts both in Japan and internationally.

Aside from his music career, Nagano has also established himself as an actor in various Japanese dramas and films, including "Koinu no Waltz" (2004) and "Kamen Rider Build" (2017).

In addition to his acting and music career, Nagano is also known for his philanthropic work. He has been an advocate for organizations working to eliminate poverty in developing countries and has traveled to various parts of the world to raise awareness about their causes.

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Masahiro Nakai

Masahiro Nakai (August 18, 1972 Fujisawa-) a.k.a. Nakai Masahiro or Nakai, Masahiro is a Japanese actor, singer and television presenter.

He rose to fame as a member of the Japanese boy band SMAP, which disbanded in 2016. In addition to his music career, Nakai also has a successful television career as a host and personality, and has appeared in various dramas and films. He has won multiple awards for his work in the entertainment industry, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 43rd Television Drama Academy Awards for his role in the drama "Soredemo, Ikite Yuku" in 2012. Outside of his entertainment work, Nakai is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly his support for the victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

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Kōki Miyata

Kōki Miyata (October 9, 1972 Yokohama-) also known as Koki Miyata, Kouki Miyata, Harunori Miyata, Miyata, Kouki, Hajimenori Miyata or Kohki Miyata is a Japanese voice actor and actor.

He began his career as a voice actor in 1995, providing the voice for the character "Rokusuke" in the anime series "Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne". Since then, he has voiced many popular characters such as Ulquiorra Cifer in "Bleach", Shuichiro Oishi in "The Prince of Tennis", and Shingo Komoi in "Kuroko's Basketball". In addition to his voice acting work, Miyata has also acted in live-action films and television dramas in Japan. He has won several awards for his voice acting work, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 7th Seiyu Awards in 2013. Outside of his work as an actor, Miyata is also a skilled soccer player and often participates in charity soccer matches.

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Daisuke Suzuki

Daisuke Suzuki (June 17, 1972 Hamamatsu-) is a Japanese voice actor and actor.

He started his career in voice acting in the anime series "Mobile Fighter G Gundam" in 1994 where he voiced George de Sand. He has since voiced many other characters in various anime, including Ginji Amano in "GetBackers", Otohime Ryugu in "Nagasarete Airantou", and Creshion in "Tales of the Abyss". Suzuki has also worked as an actor in live-action dramas and movies, such as "Hero" and "Engine Sentai Go-onger". In addition to his voice acting and acting work, he is also a singer and has released several albums and singles.

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Takashi Fujii

Takashi Fujii (March 10, 1972 Toyonaka-) also known as Matthew Minami, Fujii Takashi, Takashi Fujii, Fujii, Takashi or Mathew Minami is a Japanese singer, comedian and actor.

He first gained fame in the 1990s as a member of the boy band "The BOOM". In addition to his music career, Fujii is also known for his comedic talents, appearing on numerous variety shows and hosting his own radio show. He has also appeared in several TV dramas and films, including "Kamisama no Karute" and "Shitsuren Hoken". In recent years, Fujii has focused more on his acting career, but still occasionally performs with The BOOM for special events and concerts.

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Hiroshi

Hiroshi (February 14, 1972 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Ken'ichi Saitō or Saito Kenichi is a Japanese stand-up comedian, bassist and actor.

He is best known as a member of the popular comedy duo, Downtown, alongside Masatoshi Hamada. Hiroshi began his career in show business as a musician, playing bass guitar for the band Hard & Loose in the early 1990s. He later transitioned to comedy and formed Downtown in 1993 with Hamada. The duo rose to fame with their unique brand of physical and slapstick comedy, and have remained popular in Japan for over 25 years. In addition to his successful career in comedy, Hiroshi has also acted in numerous films and television dramas.