Here are 16 famous actors from Japan were born in 1978:
Kotaro Koizumi (July 10, 1978 Yokosuka-) is a Japanese actor.
He is best known for his performances in popular Japanese dramas such as "Nodame Cantabile" and "Good Luck!!". Kotaro Koizumi began his acting career in 2000, starting with small roles in TV dramas and movies. He gained recognition as a versatile actor who could seamlessly switch between comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to his acting career, Kotaro Koizumi is also a talented musician and has released several singles and albums. He has won multiple awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry in Japan, and is often praised for his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
Read more about Kotaro Koizumi on Wikipedia »
Koen Kondo (October 11, 1978 Nishio-) a.k.a. Kôen Kondô or 近藤公園 is a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career in 2001 on the stage, and later transitioned to television and films. Kondo has appeared in popular Japanese dramas such as "Hanzawa Naoki" and "Doctor X". He is also known for his roles in movies like "Everest: The Summit of the Gods" and "The Fable". In addition to acting, Kondo is a bilingual MC and has hosted various events and programs in both Japanese and English. He is recognized for his talented performances and charming personality, making him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Read more about Koen Kondo on Wikipedia »
Takatoshi Kaneko (January 17, 1978 Meguro-) also known as Kaneko Takatoshi is a Japanese actor, voice actor and tarento. He has one child, Soura Kaneko.
Kaneko began his career in the entertainment industry as a fashion model before transitioning into acting. He made his acting debut in 1999 in the TV drama "Kira Kira Hikaru" and has since appeared in numerous TV dramas, films and stage plays.
In addition to his acting career, Kaneko is also a voice actor and has lent his voice to various anime and video games. He is particularly known for his roles in the anime series "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "The Seven Deadly Sins".
Kaneko is also a popular tarento, a Japanese term for a celebrity who appears on numerous TV shows and in commercials. He has been a regular guest on the variety shows "Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ" and "Waratte Iitomo!".
Despite his busy schedule, Kaneko is known for his close relationship with his family, particularly his wife and child.
Read more about Takatoshi Kaneko on Wikipedia »
Kei Horie (October 4, 1978 Tokyo-) is a Japanese film director, actor, screenwriter and theatre director.
Horie began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor, appearing in several television dramas and films. He later transitioned into directing, making his debut with the film "Samurai Hustle" in 2014. The film was a commercial success and earned him critical acclaim.
Since then, Horie has directed several other films, including "Samurai Hustle Returns" and "The Magnificent Nine." He is known for his unique approach to historical fiction, often infusing humor and satire into his films.
In addition to his work in film, Horie is also an accomplished theatre director. He has directed several productions, ranging from classic plays to contemporary works.
Overall, Horie is a versatile and talented artist, with a passion for storytelling and a dedication to his craft.
Read more about Kei Horie on Wikipedia »
Shuji Kashiwabara (December 23, 1978 Kofu-) also known as Shûji Kashiwabara, Shuuji Kashiwabara or Kashiwabara Shūji is a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1996 and has since appeared in numerous television dramas, films, and theatrical productions. Some of his notable roles include Kira Yoshikage in the live-action adaptation of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable" and Tatsuo Suzuki in "Nodame Cantabile." Kashiwabara is also a trained classical ballet dancer and has incorporated his dance skills into some of his performances. In addition to acting, he has also dabbled in music and released an album in 2007.
Read more about Shuji Kashiwabara on Wikipedia »
Kazuki Namioka (August 2, 1978 Osaka Prefecture-) also known as Namioka Kazuki or Ikki Namioka is a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 2002 with a small role in the TV drama "Gokusen." Namioka is known for his roles in popular Japanese dramas such as "Hana Yori Dango," "Boys Over Flowers," and "Ikemen desu ne." He has also appeared in several Japanese films, including "Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler" and "Morisaki Shoten no Hibi." In addition to acting, Namioka is also a talented musician and has released several singles and albums. He is also a member of the Japanese rock band "WaT" with his friend and fellow actor Teppei Koike.
Read more about Kazuki Namioka on Wikipedia »
Tomoya Nagase (November 7, 1978 Kanagawa Prefecture-) also known as Nagase Tomoya or Nagase, Tomoya is a Japanese actor and singer.
He is best known as a member of the highly popular J-pop group Tokio, and has also had a successful solo music career. Nagase began his acting career in 1998 and has appeared in numerous television dramas and movies. Some of his notable acting roles include playing the lead in the drama series "My Boss, My Hero" and "Mukodono!" and appearing in the movies "Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World" and "Shinobi: Heart Under Blade." Outside of his entertainment career, Nagase is also involved in various philanthropic activities and has served as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2016, advocating for the rights and welfare of refugees.
Read more about Tomoya Nagase on Wikipedia »
Takashi Nagayama (November 16, 1978 Kanagawa Prefecture-) otherwise known as Nagayama Takashi or Nagayan is a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1996 after winning the third edition of a talent audition show called "Junon Superboy Contest." His debut was in the drama "If You Were Me." He then played various roles in TV dramas such as "GTO" and "Long Love Letter," as well as in movies like "Ju-on" and "L Change the World." Nagayama is also a musician and has released several singles and albums.
Read more about Takashi Nagayama on Wikipedia »
Hassei Takano (January 9, 1978 Chiba Prefecture-) also known as Mitsuhiro Tsuda is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He is best known for his roles in various Japanese dramas, such as "Kamen Rider Agito" and "Ultraman Nexus," as well as lending his voice to numerous anime series including "Attack on Titan," "One Piece," and "Kuroko's Basketball." Takano started his acting career in 2000, and has since become a prolific actor and voice actor in Japan. He is also known for his work as a narrator and radio personality. In his free time, Takano enjoys playing sports, particularly basketball and baseball.
Read more about Hassei Takano on Wikipedia »
Genki Sudo (March 8, 1978 Koto, Tokyo-) is a Japanese musician, singer, actor, choreography and mixed martial artist.
He is best known for his successful career as a professional mixed martial artist, having competed in organizations such as the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships. Sudo was known for his eclectic style and unorthodox approach to fighting, incorporating elements of breakdancing and acrobatics into his performances.
After retiring from MMA in 2006, Sudo began pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. He formed a music group called World Order, which gained popularity for their unique sound and visually stunning music videos. Sudo also appeared in several films and television shows, showcasing his acting talents.
In addition to his entertainment career, Sudo has also been involved in humanitarian and philanthropic work. He founded the organization PEACEFUL PLANET in 2016, which is dedicated to providing aid and support to underprivileged communities around the world.
Sudo is widely respected both in Japan and internationally for his talent and dedication to various fields of endeavor.
Read more about Genki Sudo on Wikipedia »
Minoru Shiraishi (October 18, 1978 Kawanoe, Ehime-) a.k.a. Shiraishi, Minoru (Shiraishi, Minoru) is a Japanese voice actor, singer-songwriter and actor.
He is affiliated with the talent agency, B-Box. Shiraishi made his debut in voice acting in 2006 and has since voiced many popular characters in anime and video games, including Kaneshiro Shingo in "The iDOLM@STER", Tetsunosuke Ichimura in "Peace Maker Kurogane", and Ryota Watari in "Your Lie in April".
Aside from voice acting, Shiraishi is also a talented musician who has released several singles and albums throughout his career. He has also made appearances in various TV dramas, movies, and stage productions. Shiraishi is known for his unique vocal range and has won several awards for his work as a voice actor and singer.
Read more about Minoru Shiraishi on Wikipedia »
Kôsei Amano (April 9, 1978 Kasugai-) a.k.a. Kousei Amano or Hironari Amano is a Japanese actor.
He made his debut in the entertainment industry in 1999 as a model for popular men's fashion magazines. Amano subsequently transitioned to acting and quickly gained recognition for his versatility in portraying a diverse range of character roles. He has appeared in numerous television dramas, movies, and stage productions, earning critical acclaim for his performances. Some of his notable works include the drama series "Byakuyakō," the film "Shin Godzilla," and the stage production "Les Misérables." In addition to his acting career, Amano is also a keen musician, playing the guitar and piano. He often incorporates music into his performances, adding an extra dimension to his acting.
Read more about Kôsei Amano on Wikipedia »
DAIGO (April 8, 1978 Tokyo-) also known as Daigo Naito, Naito Daigo, Daigo, Daigo☆Stardust or Daigo Stardust is a Japanese singer, songwriter, voice acting in japan, singer-songwriter and actor.
He began his career as a member of the visual kei rock band, Jzeil, in 2004 before moving onto a solo career in 2006. Daigo's music style is inspired by various genres including pop, rock, and electronic dance music. In addition to his music career, Daigo is also known for his acting roles in Japanese TV dramas and films. He has won several awards both for his music and acting, and is considered to be one of the most successful and popular entertainers in Japan. Daigo is also known for his flamboyant fashion sense and is often seen sporting bold and colorful outfits.
Read more about DAIGO on Wikipedia »
Ken Takeuchi (February 20, 1978 Tokyo-) also known as Tsutomu Narita is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
Ken Takeuchi began his career as a voice actor in 1999 and gained popularity for his performance in the anime "One Piece" as the character "Kumadori". He has since voiced many notable characters in a variety of popular anime and video games, such as "Keigo Atobe" in "Prince of Tennis", "George Koizumi" in "Paradise Kiss", and "Riki Nendou" in "Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan". In addition to his voice acting work, Ken has also appeared in a number of TV dramas and stage productions, showcasing his talent as an actor. He has won several awards for his voice acting performances, including the Best Supporting Actor in the 11th Seiyu Awards in 2017. Outside of his work as a voice actor and actor, Ken is also known for his skills as a rapper, having released several albums under the name Tsutomu Narita.
Read more about Ken Takeuchi on Wikipedia »
Manabu Oshio (May 6, 1978 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Oshio Manabu or LIV is a Japanese actor and singer-songwriter.
He is known for his roles in popular Japanese TV dramas such as "Great Teacher Onizuka" and "Dragon Zakura." Oshio also has a successful music career in Japan, with several hit singles and albums. He began playing guitar at a young age and was inspired by artists such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. Oshio's music is a blend of pop, rock, and acoustic guitar, and he often incorporates his own unique style of fingerpicking. In addition to his acting and music career, Oshio is also known for his philanthropic work and supports various charitable organizations in Japan.
Read more about Manabu Oshio on Wikipedia »
Lyoto Machida (May 30, 1978 Salvador-) also known as Lyoto Carvalho Machida, The Dragon, The Last Samurai or Lyoto is a Japanese mixed martial artist and actor. His child is called Taiyo Machida.
Lyoto Machida is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and has competed in various MMA promotions such as Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation. He is known for his elusive fighting style, which incorporates his Shotokan karate background, and has earned him a reputation as one of the most unique and unpredictable fighters in the sport.
Aside from his MMA career, Machida has also dabbled in acting and has appeared in several movies and TV shows. He starred in the Brazilian action film "Nocaute" and had a cameo in the Hollywood blockbuster "The Expendables".
In addition to his accomplishments in the martial arts world, Machida is also a trained medical doctor and has a degree in physical education. He is also fluent in Japanese, Portuguese, and English.
Read more about Lyoto Machida on Wikipedia »