Japanese movie stars died in 2009
Here are 10 famous actors from Japan died in 2009:
Kan Ishii
Kan Ishii (March 30, 1921 Tokyo-November 24, 2009 Yokohama) also known as Ishii Kan was a Japanese actor and film score composer.
He began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor and appeared in numerous films and television dramas in the 1950s and 1960s. He then transitioned into composing film scores and created music for over 200 films.
Ishii's music often incorporated traditional Japanese instrumentation and he was known for his ability to meld traditional and modern styles. He won numerous awards for his film scores including the Japan Academy Prize, the highest honor for filmmaking in Japan.
In addition to his work in film, Ishii composed music for theatrical productions and television commercials. He also taught music composition at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Ishii passed away in 2009 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as one of Japan's most revered film score composers.
Read more about Kan Ishii on Wikipedia »
Hisaya Morishige
Hisaya Morishige (May 4, 1913 Hirakata-November 10, 2009 Tokyo) also known as Suganuma Hisaya, Hisaya Suganuma, Morishige Hisaya, Jiji, Jijiya, Zachō, Za, Morishige or Shige-san was a Japanese announcer, composer, lyricist, actor and comedian. He had two children, Izumi Morishige and Tatsuru Morishige.
Hisaya Morishige began his career as a broadcaster in 1933 at the Osaka branch of the NHK, one of the largest public broadcasting organizations in the world. He became famous for his unique sense of humor and his ability to captivate audiences with his performances. Morishige's career took off in the 1950s when he started appearing on TV variety shows and began composing his own music. He went on to star in several popular TV dramas and films, including the popular "Detective Kindaichi" series. Morishige continued to perform well into his 90s and was widely regarded as one of the most beloved entertainers in Japan. In recognition of his contributions to Japanese culture, he was awarded numerous accolades throughout his long and storied career.
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Yoshifumi Tajima
Yoshifumi Tajima (August 4, 1918 Kobe-September 10, 2009) a.k.a. Yoshibumi Tajima was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1941 and appeared in over 200 films during his lifetime. Tajima was known for his roles in jidaigeki, or historical drama films, and yakuza movies. Some of his notable appearances include "Sword for Hire" (1952), "The Human Condition" (1959-1961), and "Yojimbo" (1961). He also appeared in several American films such as "The Yakuza" (1974) and "Black Rain" (1989). Tajima was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class in 1998, for his contributions to Japanese cinema.
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Kazuhiko Kato
Kazuhiko Kato (March 21, 1947 Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-October 16, 2009 Karuizawa) otherwise known as Kazuhiko Katoh, Tonovan or Kato Kazuhiko was a Japanese actor, composer and musician.
Kazuhiko Kato rose to prominence in the 1970s, as a member of the musical group Sadistic Mika Band. He was known for his distinctive voice and musical style, which blended elements of Japanese pop, rock, and funk. Kato was also a prolific composer, and wrote music for a variety of films, television shows, and commercials. In addition to his musical career, Kato was also an accomplished actor, and appeared in several films and television dramas. He continued to record and perform music throughout his career, collaborating with a wide range of other artists both in Japan and internationally. Kato's contributions to Japanese music and culture have made him a beloved and influential figure in Japanese popular music. He died in 2009 at the age of 62, but his music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world.
Read more about Kazuhiko Kato on Wikipedia »
Tatsuo Yamada
Tatsuo Yamada (January 10, 1956 Toyama-July 26, 2009 Akiruno) a.k.a. 山田 辰夫 or Yamada Tatsuo was a Japanese film director and actor.
He began his career in the film industry as a director's assistant at Toei Company. One of his most notable works was his directorial debut in 1983 with the film "Death Powder" which gained a cult following. He also worked on numerous other films such as "Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Peril" and "Lupin III: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon". Along with his work in film, Yamada was also known for his acting roles in films such as "Tokyo Zombie" and "Golgo 13: Kowloon Assignment". Yamada passed away in 2009 at the age of 53 due to lung cancer.
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Takahiro Itō
Takahiro Itō (June 25, 1987 Funabashi-March 8, 2009 Sagamihara) a.k.a. Itō Takahiro was a Japanese actor and voice acting in japan.
He began his acting career at the age of three, appearing in various commercials and television dramas. Itō Takahiro was best known for his voice acting roles, particularly as Hiroshi Nohara in the popular anime series Crayon Shin-chan. He also lent his voice to characters in other notable anime series such as Naruto and Yu-Gi-Oh! Itō Takahiro's promising career was tragically cut short when he passed away at the young age of 21 due to an acute heart failure.
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San'yūtei Enraku V
San'yūtei Enraku V (December 29, 1932 Tokyo City-October 29, 2009 Nakano, Tokyo) a.k.a. Hiromi Yoshikawa, Enraku San-yūtei V, Godaime San-yūtei Enraku or Enraku Sanyûtei was a Japanese comedian and actor.
He was the fifth generation of the San'yūtei Enraku rakugo storytelling tradition. Enraku V began his career as a rakugo performer, but also performed in films, television dramas, and variety shows. He was known for his mastery of the art of rakugo, which involves the telling of comic and sometimes bawdy stories in a traditional Japanese style. Enraku V was also an accomplished actor, appearing in a number of films and television dramas during his career. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1993 for his contributions to Japanese culture. Enraku V continued to perform rakugo until his death in 2009 at the age of 76.
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Shingo Yamashiro
Shingo Yamashiro (November 10, 1938 Kyoto Prefecture-August 12, 2009 Machida) also known as Yasuji Watanabe or Watanabe Yasuji was a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career when he joined the Bungakuza theater group in 1960. He later became a reputed actor, appearing in various television dramas, stage productions, and films. His notable appearances in Japanese television dramas include "Taiyō ni Hoero!" and "Shiroi Kyotō".
In 1991, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in the film "Freeze Me". He also received recognition for his excellent acting skills in the theater productions of "Caligula" and "The Threepenny Opera".
Aside from his acting career, Yamashiro was also a skilled singer and musician. In 1983, he formed the band "Yamashiro Shingo no Tamashii no Uta" and released several singles and albums.
He passed away in 2009 at the age of 70 due to respiratory failure brought about by heart failure. His contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry have left a significant mark and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors and musicians in Japan.
Read more about Shingo Yamashiro on Wikipedia »
Kiyoshiro Imawano
Kiyoshiro Imawano (April 2, 1951 Nakano, Tokyo-May 2, 2009 Tokyo) also known as Kiyoshirou Imawano, KIYOSHIRO , Imawano, Kiyoshiro or Kiyoshirô Imawano was a Japanese singer, musician and actor. He had one child, Tappei Kurihara.
Imawano was a highly influential figure in the Japanese music industry, known for his bold personality and unique voice. He began his career in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the rock band RC Succession, which became one of the most popular Japanese bands of its time. After the band disbanded in the 1980s, Imawano continued to pursue a successful solo career, releasing a number of highly acclaimed albums and singles throughout his career.
Aside from his music career, Imawano also appeared in a number of films and television dramas. He was known for his unpredictable behavior and often controversial comments, which cemented his status as a popular cultural icon in Japan. Imawano was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2006, and after a long battle with the disease, he passed away in 2009 at the age of 58. Though he is no longer with us, his music and legacy continue to inspire new generations of Japanese artists.
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Hiroshi Oguchi
Hiroshi Oguchi (November 28, 1950 Saitama-January 25, 2009 Tokyo) also known as Hiroshi Ôguchi was a Japanese actor, musician, drummer and fashion designer.
He began his music career as a drummer in the band Pyg and later went on to form his own band called New Roze. In addition to his musical talents, Oguchi also worked as a fashion designer and owned his own boutique in Tokyo called "Hiroshi House". Throughout his career, he appeared in many films and television shows, including the popular Japanese drama "Tokyo Love Story". In 2009, Oguchi passed away at the age of 58 due to pneumonia. He is remembered as a multitalented artist who contributed greatly to the Japanese entertainment industry.
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