Japanese movie stars born in 1978
Here are 19 famous actresses from Japan were born in 1978:
Ayumi Hamasaki
Ayumi Hamasaki (October 2, 1978 Fukuoka-) also known as Ayumi Hamazaki, Hamasaki Ayumi, Ayu, CREA, Hamasaki, Ayumi, Kurumi Hamasaki, Hamasaki Kurumi or ayumi hamasaki is a Japanese singer, model, record producer, songwriter, composer, actor, spokesperson, gravure idol, businessperson, singer-songwriter, lyricist, artist, musician and music artist.
Born and raised in Fukuoka, Japan, Ayumi Hamasaki began her music career in 1998 with the release of her first single, "Poker Face." Her unique style of music, which combines elements of pop, rock, and trance, quickly gained popularity and she became one of the most successful female solo artists in Japan.
Over the course of her career, Ayumi Hamasaki has released over 50 singles and numerous albums, selling over 50 million records in Japan and throughout Asia. She has won several awards for her work, including the Japan Record Award and World Music Award.
Aside from her music career, Ayumi Hamasaki has also ventured into acting and modeling, appearing in several Japanese dramas and fashion magazines. She is also known for her philanthropic work, supporting causes such as UNICEF and the Red Cross.
Despite facing several personal challenges, including hearing loss and a divorce, Ayumi Hamasaki has continued to produce music and maintain a loyal fan base. She is considered a cultural icon in Japan and throughout Asia.
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Kumiko Aso
Kumiko Aso (June 17, 1978 Sanmu-) also known as Kumiko Hiramaru, Kumiko Asou, Kumiko Asô, Hiramaru Kumiko or Asō Kumiko is a Japanese actor, voice actor and model.
She started her career as a model and made her acting debut in 1995. She gained recognition for her roles in the films "Shimotsuma Monogatari" (Kamikaze Girls) and "Paco and the Magical Book". Aso has won several awards, including the Best Supporting Actress award at the Yokohama Film Festival for her role in "Brightness". Besides acting, she has also lent her voice to anime characters, such as Nagisa Saito in "NieA Under 7" and Kiyomi Takada in "Death Note". Aso is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for the rights and well-being of children around the world.
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Sachie Hara
Sachie Hara (May 1, 1978 Kagoshima Prefecture-) is a Japanese actor.
She began her career as a model before transitioning into acting in 2003. Hara is best known for her roles in hit Japanese television dramas such as "I'm Mita, Your Housekeeper" and "The Empress's Chef." She has also appeared in several films including "Strawberry Shortcakes" and "Dyed-Brown Wife." In addition to her acting career, Hara is also known for her philanthropy, having supported causes such as disaster relief efforts and animal welfare organizations. Hara is married to fellow actor Yuichi Haba and the couple has two children together.
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Miho Fujima
Miho Fujima (November 29, 1978 Nagano Prefecture-) a.k.a. Fujima Miho is a Japanese actor.
She started her career in the entertainment industry as a model, appearing in various magazines and advertisements. She then made her debut as an actress in 2000, playing a supporting role in the TV drama series "Cherry". She has since appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and stage plays.
In 2003, Fujima received critical acclaim for her performance in the film "Shibuya Kaidan", which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Japanese Academy Awards. She also won the best actress award at the Yokohama Film Festival for her role in the film "Wild Berries".
In addition to her acting career, Fujima is also a singer and has released several singles and albums. She has also appeared in numerous TV commercials and is known for her beauty and fashion sense.
Fujima is considered as one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation in Japan, and continues to be active in the entertainment industry.
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Kyōko Hasegawa
Kyōko Hasegawa (July 22, 1978 Funabashi-) also known as Hasegawa Kyōko, Hasekyo or Kyoko Hasegawa is a Japanese actor, model and tarento.
She began her career in the entertainment industry as a model, working for several magazines and appearing in commercials. Hasegawa made her acting debut in 1998 with a role in the television drama "Sekai de Ichiban Papa ga Suki," and has since appeared in numerous other dramas and films. Some of her notable roles include the lead in the 2002 film "Trick," and a supporting role in the 2014 drama "N no Tame ni."
Hasegawa has also worked as a television host and variety show personality, known for her bubbly personality and quick wit. She has hosted several shows, including "The! Tetsuwan! DASH!!" and "Ariyoshi Hanseikai." In addition, she has released several photobooks and has been a frequent participant in fashion shows and events.
Throughout her career, Hasegawa has received numerous awards and nominations for her work in the entertainment industry, including the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2009 Japan Academy Prize for her role in the film "Kansen Retto." She is widely regarded as one of Japan's most popular and talented actresses, and continues to work actively in the industry today.
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Rei Kikukawa
Rei Kikukawa (February 28, 1978 Urawa-) also known as Kikukawa Rei is a Japanese model, actor and presenter.
She started her career in the entertainment industry as a model and gained recognition for her stunning looks and charming personality. Kikukawa then transitioned into acting and appeared in several popular Japanese dramas, including "Love Revolution" and "Beautiful Life". She also ventured into the world of presenting and hosted the travel program "Journeys in Japan". Outside of her entertainment career, Kikukawa is known for her philanthropic work and has supported various causes, including disaster relief efforts and the fight against tuberculosis.
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Yasue Sato
Yasue Sato (December 7, 1978 Saitama Prefecture-) a.k.a. Sato Yasue, 佐藤 康恵, さとうやすえ or Kasue Saito is a Japanese model and actor.
Sato began her modeling career in the late 1990s and has since become a popular face in the Japanese fashion industry. She has been featured in numerous magazines and advertisements, and has worked with several high-profile brands. In addition to her work as a model, Sato has also appeared in several Japanese films and television dramas. Some of her notable acting roles include appearances in the films "Kyō Kara Hitman" and "Helter Skelter," as well as in the popular TV series "Kamen Rider W." Sato is known for her striking beauty and her versatile acting abilities, and is considered to be one of Japan's most talented and beloved actresses. Off screen, Sato is active in several charitable organizations and is known for her philanthropic work.
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Mikako Ichikawa
Mikako Ichikawa (June 13, 1978 Ōta, Tokyo-) is a Japanese model and actor.
She began her career as a fashion model in the late 1990s and later transitioned to acting. She made her acting debut in 1999 in the film "Tokyo Eyes" and has since appeared in numerous films and television dramas. Some of her notable roles include the film "Memories of Matsuko" and the drama series "Nodame Cantabile". In addition to her acting career, Ichikawa is also a singer and has released several singles and albums. She has won several awards for her acting, including the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2012 Japan Academy Prize.
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Kotomi Kyono
Kotomi Kyono (October 18, 1978 Fukuyama-) also known as Kyōno Kotomi, Kotomi Kyôno or 京野ことみ is a Japanese singer and actor.
She began her career as a singer in 1999, debuting with the song "Shiosai no Memory" under the record label Victor Entertainment. Throughout her music career, she released several singles and albums and performed in various concerts and events.
In addition to her music career, Kyono also appeared as an actress in various TV dramas and films. Some of her notable works include the film "Train Man: Densha Otoko" and the TV dramas "Gokusen" and "1 Litre of Tears". She also lent her voice to several anime series, such as "Excel Saga" and "Papuwa".
Kyono is known for her unique and versatile voice, as well as her energetic and lively personality. She continues to pursue her music and acting careers to this day.
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Kazumi Murata
Kazumi Murata (December 25, 1978 Isehara-) is a Japanese actor and tarento.
He started his career in the entertainment industry in 2002 as a member of the performing arts group, D-BOYS. Kazumi gained popularity for his role in the TV drama "Water Boys 2" which aired in 2004. He then went on to star in numerous TV dramas, such as "Hana Yori Dango 2" and "Kamen Rider 555". Kazumi also made his film debut in 2005 with the movie "Ame to Yume no Ato ni". He is known for his versatility as an actor and has played a variety of roles in his career. In addition to his acting career, Kazumi is also a popular tarento and has appeared on many variety shows.
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Miho Shiraishi
Miho Shiraishi (August 8, 1978 Hitachi-Omiya-) also known as Shiraishi Miho is a Japanese actor.
Miho Shiraishi began her career in the entertainment industry as a model before transitioning to acting. She made her acting debut in the TV drama "Omae no yukichi ga naiteiru" in 1993. Over the years, she has appeared in many popular Japanese TV dramas such as "Itoshi Kimi e" and "Nodame Cantabile". She has also appeared in movies such as "Nihon igai zenbu chinbotsu" and "Nobody to Watch Over Me". In addition to her acting work, Shiraishi has also served as a TV host and commentator for several TV programs. She has won several awards including the Best Actress award at the 19th Japan Film Professional Awards for her performance in "Nobody to Watch Over Me".
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Yumiko Shaku
Yumiko Shaku (June 12, 1978 Kiyose-) also known as Shaku Yumiko is a Japanese fashion model, actor, gravure idol and tarento.
She first began her career in entertainment as a fashion model, appearing in numerous fashion magazines and advertisements. From there, she transitioned into acting and has appeared in several movies and TV dramas. Some of her notable roles include playing the character of Takagi Yumiko in the 2002 film, "Yomigaeri," and portraying the role of Asakura Minami in the 2008 drama series, "Taiyou to Umi no Kyoushitsu." Along with her acting career, Shaku has also made appearances as a gravure idol, including in the popular magazine, Weekly Playboy. She has won several awards for her work in the entertainment industry, including the Newcomer of the Year Award at the 2002 Japan Academy Prize ceremony.
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Kanako Mitsuhashi
Kanako Mitsuhashi (January 10, 1978 Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama-) a.k.a. Mitsuhashi Kanako is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
She began her career as a voice actor in 1997, with her debut role being Tomomi Matsunaga in the anime series "Eat-Man '98". She went on to voice many significant characters in various anime and video games, such as Suzuha Amane in "Steins;Gate", Honoka Yukishiro/Cure White in "Futari wa Pretty Cure", and Yoko Littner in "Gurren Lagann".
Aside from voice acting, Mitsuhashi has also acted in live-action dramas and movies, including the popular drama series "Hana Yori Dango". She has also provided the Japanese dub voice for several international films, such as Emma Stone's character in "Easy A" and Chloe Grace Moretz's character in "Let Me In".
Mitsuhashi has been nominated for and won several awards for her voice acting work, including the Best Supporting Actress Award in the 2nd Seiyu Awards. She is known for her unique voice and versatile range, making her a highly sought-after voice actor in the industry.
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Akiko Hinagata
Akiko Hinagata (January 27, 1978 Edogawa, Tokyo-) also known as Hinagata Akiko is a Japanese actor and tarento.
She first gained popularity as a model, appearing in magazines such as Non-no and CanCam. In 1997, she made her acting debut in the drama "Shounentachi" and continued to appear in various TV dramas, movies, and stage productions throughout her career. Hinagata has also been active as a TV personality, hosting and appearing on a variety of shows. In 2005, she won the Best Newcomer Award at the Japan Academy Awards for her role in the film "Pacchigi!". Despite taking a break from her entertainment career to focus on her family in recent years, Hinagata remains a beloved figure in Japanese show business.
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Maria Takagi
Maria Takagi (October 25, 1978 Chiba Prefecture-) also known as Yukiko Hara or Rika Inoue is a Japanese actor, model and pornographic film actor.
Maria Takagi began her career in the entertainment industry as a gravure model, appearing in various men's magazines. She then transitioned into mainstream acting, appearing on TV dramas and even in a music video for the J-pop group, SMAP. However, she gained the most attention for her work in the adult film industry, where she became one of the most popular and recognizable faces. She has won several awards for her performances and has become somewhat of a cultural icon in Japan. In 2002, she also starred in the Hong Kong film, "Naked Weapon." Although she retired from the adult film industry in 2004, Maria Takagi remains a prominent figure in Japanese popular culture.
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Chigusa Takaku
Chigusa Takaku (August 11, 1978 Tokyo-) also known as 高久 ちぐさ or Takaku Chigusa is a Japanese actor.
She started her acting career in 2000 and gained popularity for her role in the TV drama "Water Boys". Takaku has since appeared in numerous TV dramas, films, and stage productions in Japan. In 2006, she received the Best Actress award at the Tokyo International Film Festival for her role in the film "Love and Honor". She is known for her versatile acting range and has played roles in a variety of genres, including romantic comedies, dramas, and action films. Outside of acting, Takaku is also a talented pianist and has performed piano concerts for charity.
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Vanilla Yamazaki
Vanilla Yamazaki (January 15, 1978 Shiroishi-) otherwise known as Yamazaki Banira or Yamazaki Masami is a Japanese actor, voice actor, tarento and benshi.
He began his career in 2001 as a voice actor, voicing a number of characters in anime series such as "Fullmetal Alchemist," "One Piece," and "Naruto." In 2006, he made his acting debut in a TV drama called "Kekkon Dekinai Otoko." He gained popularity for his roles in the dramas "Liar Game" and "Last Friends." In addition to his acting and voice acting work, Vanilla Yamazaki is also a tarento, which is a Japanese term for a celebrity who appears frequently in the media, and a benshi, which involves narrating silent films. He has won several awards for his work as a voice actor and for his performances in dramas.
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Akiko Yada
Akiko Yada (December 23, 1978 Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-) also known as Yada Akiko is a Japanese actor.
She started her acting career in 1999, appearing in the TV drama "Namida wo Fuite" and the film "GTO". Yada has since appeared in numerous popular Japanese dramas, including "Hotman", "Dr. Koto Shinryojo", and "Saito-san". She has also acted in a number of films, such as "Chakushin Ari", "Ju-on: The Grudge", and "My Darling Is a Foreigner". In addition to her acting career, Yada has also done voice work for anime and video games. She is married to actor Manabu Oshio and they have two children together.
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Yuka Komatsu
Yuka Komatsu (March 8, 1978 Tokyo-) is a Japanese voice actor, actor and narrator.
She is best known for her voice acting roles in popular anime series such as "K-On!" where she portrayed the character of Nodoka Manabe, and "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" where she voiced the character of Kyoko Sakura. Komatsu has also lent her voice to numerous video games, drama CDs, and audio books. In addition to her voice acting work, she has appeared in various TV dramas, movies, and stage productions. Komatsu has won several awards for her voice acting performances, including the Best Supporting Actress category at the 4th Seiyu Awards in 2010. She is represented by the talent agency, Sigma Seven.
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