Japanese movie stars born in 1974
Here are 20 famous actors from Japan were born in 1974:
Masi Oka
Masi Oka (December 27, 1974 Shibuya-) a.k.a. Masayori Oka, Masayori "Masi" Oka, Oka Masayori or 岡 政偉 is a Japanese actor and digital effects artist.
He is best known for his role as Hiro Nakamura on the TV series Heroes, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Oka first gained Hollywood's attention as the VFX artist behind the time-bending effects on The Perfect Storm. He went on to work on films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. In addition to acting, he has also produced and directed a number of short films and web series. Oka is a graduate of Brown University with degrees in mathematics and computer science. He is also a fluent speaker of Japanese, English, and Spanish.
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Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui (June 12, 1974 Neagari, Ishikawa-) also known as Shemp or Godzilla is a Japanese baseball player, athlete and actor.
Matsui started his baseball career in Japan, playing for the Yomiuri Giants for ten seasons before being signed by the New York Yankees in 2003. He spent seven seasons with the Yankees, winning a World Series championship in 2009 and being named the MVP of the series. He also played for the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, and the Tampa Bay Rays before retiring in 2013.
In addition to his successful baseball career, Matsui is also known for his charitable work and his love for golf. After retiring from baseball, he became a special advisor to the Yankees and a commentator for Japanese baseball broadcasts. He has also made appearances in Japanese films and television shows.
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Ryo Kase
Ryo Kase (November 9, 1974 Yokohama-) also known as Ryô Kase, Kase Ryō or Ryō Kase is a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1999 and quickly gained recognition for his talent, appearing in a number of Japanese and international films. Kase is known for his versatile acting skills, often taking on complex and challenging roles. He has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, including Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and Gus Van Sant. In addition to his acting career, Kase is also a talented musician and has released multiple albums. He continues to be celebrated both in Japan and internationally for his contributions to film and music.
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Arata Iura
Arata Iura (September 15, 1974 Hino-) also known as いうら あらた, Iura Arata, Arata or 井浦 新 is a Japanese actor, fashion designer and model.
He first gained prominence in the entertainment industry as a fashion model in the late 1990s. In 2000, he made his acting debut in the Japanese drama series, "Psychometrer Eiji". Since then, he has appeared in numerous popular Japanese dramas, films, and stage plays, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
In addition to acting, Arata is also a well-known fashion designer, having launched his own clothing brand, "ARATAs". His brand features unique designs that combine elements of traditional Japanese fashion with modern street style. He has also collaborated with various Japanese designers and artists, including Yohji Yamamoto and Takashi Murakami.
Arata's talent and contributions to both the entertainment and fashion industries have garnered him numerous accolades and recognition in Japan. He continues to be a sought-after actor and fashion icon, inspiring and entertaining fans with his creativity and artistry.
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Showtaro Morikubo
Showtaro Morikubo (February 25, 1974 Hachioji-) also known as Shotaro Morikubo, Syoutarou Morikubo, Morikubo Shōtarō, Shoutarou Morikubo, Syotarou Morikubo, Morikubo Showtaro or Morikubo, Shoutarou is a Japanese actor, singer and voice actor.
He started his career in the entertainment industry as a member of the popular boy band, "B. B. Boys". Morikubo made his voice acting debut in 1995 in the anime series "Slam Dunk" as the character, Akira Sendoh. He has since voiced a wide range of characters in numerous anime series, video games and dramas. Some of his notable roles include Shikamaru Nara in "Naruto", Griffith in "Berserk", and Hisoka in "Hunter x Hunter". Morikubo has also released several singles and albums as a solo artist and has held numerous live concerts throughout Japan. In addition to his entertainment career, he is also known for his philanthropic work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF Japan.
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Hiroki Takahashi
Hiroki Takahashi (September 7, 1974 Adachi-) a.k.a. Takahashi Hiroki, Takahashi, Hiroki or Nihon (Takahashi, Hiroki) is a Japanese voice actor, actor and singer.
He is most well-known for his voice acting roles in popular anime series such as "Gakuen Alice," "Initial D," and "Fullmetal Alchemist." Takahashi has also provided the voice for various video game characters, including Kenjiro Hato in "Genshiken 2" and Ryo Kurokiba in "Shokugeki no Soma." In addition to his voice acting career, Takahashi has pursued acting on stage and screen, as well as releasing music albums. He is a graduate of the Nihon University College of Art.
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Kentarō Itō
Kentarō Itō (January 3, 1974 Hachioji-) also known as Kentaro Itou, Kentarô Itô, Itō Kentarō, Ito Kentaro, Kentarou Itou, Ito, Kentaro, Kentarō Itō or Kentaro Ito is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He is best known for his roles in anime, including Renji Abarai in the popular series Bleach, Chōno in Tokyo Ghoul, and Katsuki Bakugo in My Hero Academia. Itō has also acted in live-action films and dramas, such as as the lead role in the film 8000 Miles and a supporting role in the popular drama Hanzawa Naoki. In addition to his acting work, Itō has also released music as a solo artist and as the lead vocalist of the band "B-Pass." He is represented by the talent agency Ken Production.
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Taro Yamamoto
Taro Yamamoto (November 24, 1974 Takarazuka-) also known as Yamamoto Tarō or Tarô Yamamoto is a Japanese actor and politician.
He began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1990s as a stage actor before transitioning into film and television. Some of his notable acting roles include the films "Battle Royale" and "Ichi the Killer" and the TV series "JIN", for which he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 45th Television Drama Academy Awards.
In 2013, Yamamoto announced his candidacy for the House of Councillors, the upper house of the Japanese Diet, as an independent. He won the election, becoming the first independent to do so in over a decade. In his political career, he has been a vocal advocate for anti-nuclear power and has criticized the Japanese government's handling of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Yamamoto is also a supporter of same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.
Yamamoto has faced controversy in his political career, including accusations of ties to radical left-wing groups and protests against his statements on Japan's imperial family. Despite this, he has remained an active figure in Japanese politics, often using his celebrity status to bring attention to social and political issues.
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Setsuji Satō
Setsuji Satō (December 16, 1974 Tokyo-) also known as Setsuji Sato, 佐藤 せつじ or Satō Setsuji is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He began his career as a child actor in the 1980s and has since appeared in a variety of films and television dramas, including "Like Asura" and "NHK Taiga drama: Gunshi Kanbei". Satō is also a well-known voice actor in Japan, lending his voice to numerous anime characters such as Tadashi Yamaguchi in "Haikyu!!", Kashiwagi in "Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn", and Kensei Muguruma in "Bleach". In addition to his acting work, Satō has also been involved in theater productions, including starring in the stage play adaptation of the popular manga series "Kimi ni Todoke".
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Shōei
Shōei (April 4, 1974 Kounosu-) also known as Teruhide Takahashi is a Japanese actor.
He is best known for his roles in movies such as "Crows Zero" and "13 Assassins". Shōei began his acting career in 1994 and has since appeared in numerous Japanese television dramas and films. He also became a popular voice actor, lending his voice to characters in anime series such as "Naruto" and "Bleach". In addition to his acting career, Shōei is also a musician, playing guitar and singing in the rock band RIZE. He has been awarded several accolades for his acting, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 31st Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in "13 Assassins".
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Takanori Ōyama
Takanori Ōyama (March 8, 1974 Aichi Prefecture-) also known as Ōyama Takanori is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He is affiliated with Talent Brains and has provided his voice for several anime shows and video games. Some of his notable roles include Ushijima Wakatoshi in "Haikyuu!!", Isami Enomoto in "Kokkoku", and Baji Keisuke in "Tokyo Revengers". In addition to his voice acting work, he has also appeared in several live-action dramas and movies, such as "Kamen Rider 555", "Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger", and "Battle Royale II: Requiem". He has won several awards for his voice acting, including the Dubbing Actor Award at the 16th Seiyu Awards in 2022. Outside of his entertainment career, he is also known for his love of fishing and often shares pictures and stories of his fishing adventures on his social media accounts.
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Naru Kawamoto
Naru Kawamoto (July 13, 1974 Tottori-) a.k.a. Kawamoto Naru or 川本 成 is a Japanese voice actor, comedian, actor and singer.
He first gained popularity as a comedian, and later pursued a career in voice acting. Kawamoto has lent his voice to numerous anime characters, including Miroku in "Inuyasha" and Shigeno Daigo in "Major". He has also appeared on stage in various productions, such as "The Boy Friend" and "The Gypsy Baron". In addition to his successful career in show business, Kawamoto is also known for his philanthropy and has been involved in various charity activities over the years.
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Shigenori Yamazaki
Shigenori Yamazaki (February 26, 1974 Adachi-) otherwise known as 山崎樹範, Yamazaki Shigenori or やまざき しげのり is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He is best known for his roles as Genki Sakura in the anime series "Monster Rancher," Yusuke Makishima in "Yowamushi Pedal," and Shinjirō Hayashida in "Robotics;Notes." In addition to his voice acting work, Yamazaki has also appeared in several TV dramas and stage plays. He got his start in the industry after being scouted by a talent agency while working at a bookstore. Yamazaki has stated in interviews that he enjoys playing characters who are "cool" and "mysterious." Outside of acting, he is also a skilled basketball player and has played on a number of teams throughout his life.
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Daisuke Kishio
Daisuke Kishio (March 28, 1974 Matsusaka-) also known as Kishio Daisuke, Kishio, Daisuke, Daisaku Sensei, Dai-chan or Ganbi Daisaku is a Japanese voice actor, actor and singer.
He started his career as a voice actor in 2001 with the anime series "Kaze no Yojimbo" and has since voiced various characters in popular anime and video games, including Itoshiki Nozomu in "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei," Tsukumo in "Karneval," and Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu in "Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair."
Aside from voice acting, Kishio has also appeared in live-action TV dramas and stage plays. He is also a skilled singer, having released several singles and albums throughout his career.
In 2013, Kishio formed a unit called DISACODE with fellow voice actor Tatsuhisa Suzuki. They have released multiple singles and albums together, and have performed at various live events in Japan.
Throughout his career, Kishio has won several awards for his voice acting work, including Best Supporting Actor at the 4th Seiyu Awards in 2010.
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Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (July 9, 1974 Seiyo-) also known as Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, 초난강 or Chonan Gang is a Japanese actor, singer and voice actor.
He rose to fame as a member of the Japanese boy band SMAP, which was active from 1988 to 2016. As part of SMAP, Kusanagi released numerous hit singles and albums and made a name for himself as a leading figure in Japan's entertainment industry.
In addition to his music career, Kusanagi has also pursued a successful acting career, starring in numerous television dramas, films, and stage productions. Some of his most notable roles include the lead in the hit drama series "Love Generation," as well as appearances in films such as "Yomigaeri" and "11.25 Jiketsu no Hi: Mishima Yukio to Wakamono-tachi."
Kusanagi is also known for his voice acting work, having lent his voice to numerous anime and video game characters over the years. He has received critical acclaim for his performances and has won several awards for his work in the industry.
Despite the dissolution of SMAP in 2016, Kusanagi has continued to be a prominent figure in Japan's entertainment industry, and remains a beloved and respected performer.
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Ryo Fukawa
Ryo Fukawa (August 19, 1974 Yokohama-) a.k.a. Fukawa Ryō, Ryō Fukawa or Ryô Fukawa is a Japanese actor and musician.
Ryo Fukawa is widely regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation, having starred in a variety of films and television dramas throughout his career. He made his acting debut in 1997 in the film "Sleeping Man" and went on to appear in numerous popular Japanese TV dramas, including "Great Teacher Onizuka" and "Last Christmas". In addition to acting, Fukawa is also a talented musician, having released several albums and performed as a vocalist and guitarist for various bands. He is known for his unique blend of rock, pop and experimental music, and has gained a loyal following for his high-energy live performances. Despite his success as both an actor and musician, Fukawa remains humble and committed to his craft, continuing to push himself creatively with each new project.
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Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (September 1, 1974 Obihiro-) is a Japanese film director, film editor, screenwriter, actor, cinematographer and film producer.
Kumakiri graduated from the Film School of Tokyo (now Japan Academy of Moving Images) and began his career as a filmmaker in 1997. He is known for his daring and bold approach to filmmaking, with his films often exploring dark and controversial subject matter centered around the emotional complexities of human relationships. He has directed over a dozen feature films, including "Kichiku: Banquet of the Beasts" (1997), "Hole in the Sky" (2001), and "My Man" (2014), which won the Special Jury Prize at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival. In addition to his work as a director, Kumakiri has also served as an editor, screenwriter, actor, and cinematographer, demonstrating his versatility and breadth of artistic talent. He continues to be an important figure in the Japanese independent film scene, and his films have been screened at numerous international film festivals.
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Takehiro Hira
Takehiro Hira (July 27, 1974 Setagaya-) also known as 平 岳大, ひら たけひろ or Hira Takehiro is a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career at the age of 19, making his debut in the TV drama "Aishiteiru to Ittekure" in 1994. He has since appeared in numerous TV dramas, stage productions, and films. Hira is best known for his role as Joichiro Nishi in the Japanese thriller film "Lesson of the Evil" (2012), which earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 36th Japan Academy Prize ceremony. He has also won critical acclaim for his performances in "Asako I & II" (2018) and "Under the Open Sky" (2020). In addition to his acting career, Hira is also a singer and has released several singles and albums.
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Taichi Kokubun
Taichi Kokubun (September 2, 1974 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Kokubun Taich is a Japanese actor, keyboard player and presenter.
He is best known as a member of the Japanese pop group Tokio, which he joined in 1994. In addition to his music career, Kokubun has appeared in numerous TV dramas and movies, including the popular Japanese drama series "Doctor X." He has also worked as a presenter for various TV programs and events, showcasing his talent for entertainment and comedy. Despite some controversy surrounding his band in recent years, Kokubun remains an influential figure in Japanese pop culture and music. Outside of his entertainment career, Kokubun has also been active in social and humanitarian causes, working with organizations such as UNICEF and the Japan Foundation for AIDS Prevention.
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Hiroiki Ariyoshi
Hiroiki Ariyoshi (May 31, 1974 Aki District, Hiroshima-) is a Japanese comedian, singer and actor.
He began his career in show business in the late 1990s as part of a comedic duo before going solo as a television personality. Ariyoshi is best known for his work in the comedy troupe "London Boots 1-2" and his popular variety show "Ariyoshi Hiroiki no Sukatto Japan." Along with his comedic career, he has also released several singles and albums as a singer and has had roles in various TV dramas and movies. Ariyoshi is recognized for his quick wit and sharp tongue, making him one of the most beloved and respected comedians in Japan. Outside of his entertainment work, Ariyoshi has been involved in various charitable activities and has been recognized for his efforts in promoting awareness of social issues.
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