20 of the biggest Japanese actors that you will love to watch in 2024

20 of the biggest Japanese actors that you will love to watch in 2024

Over the years, Japanese actors have provided the world with incredible films, putting their country into the spotlight. They have used their films to enlighten and notify the broader populace about their belief systems, customs, and heritage so that the rest of the world knows who they are and their daily activities.

Japanese actors
Biggest Japanese actors. Photo: Steve Granitz, Arnold Jerocki, Suhaimi Abdullah (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Japanese film industry has steadily evolved into the premier origin of romantic drama, action-thriller, and science fiction films. Because of the global acclaim for their films, many famous Japanese actors are now working in Hollywood on massive projects.

20 of the most significant Japanese actors

Japanese films have consistently been distinct, and their actors have become big stars worldwide due to their skills and incredibly impactful activities. So, who are the most famous Japanese actors?

1. Ken Watanabe

Japanese actors
Ken Watanabe attends the premiere of Warner Bros at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Photo: Axelle
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 21 October 1959
  • Place of birth: Koide in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
  • Debut year: 1983
  • Debut TV show: Mibu no Koiuta

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He is one of the Japanese actors in Hollywood who debuted on television in 1983 in the TV series Mibu no koiuta. His big break arose after being cast as the lead in the 1987 Dokugan Ryu Masamune, a Japanese national television drama series. He became well-known in Japan for his portrayal of a samurai leader hero.

2. Tatsuya Nakadai

Japanese actors
Tatsuya Nakadai attends the 'RAN' stage appearance during the Tokyo International Film Festival 2015 at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Ken Ishii
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 13 December 1932
  • Place of birth: Japan
  • Debut year: 1954
  • Debut film: Seven Samurai

He appeared in 11 Masaki Kobayashi films, along with The Human Condition series, in which he portrayed the main character Kaji, in addition to Harakiri (1962), Kwaidan (1964) and Samurai Rebellion (1967).

3. Brian Tee

Japanese actors
In this screengrab released on 10 April, Brian Tee speaks at the 25th Annual Art Directors Guild Awards, streamed. Photo: Art Directors Guild
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 15 March 1977
  • Place of birth: Okinawa Prefecture
  • Debut year: 2000
  • Debut TV show: The Pretender

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He is a Japanese actor who has appeared in films and on television. Tee is best recognised for his role as Dr Ethan Choi on the NBC drama series Chicago Med (2015-2022) and its derivatives. He has also appeared in other films and TV series such as The Chronicle (2001), The Good Guys (2010) and Jurassic World (2015).

4. Hiroyuki Sanada

Japanese actors
Hiroyuki Sanada attends the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center's Screening at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Unique Nicole
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 12 October 1960
  • Place of birth: Tokyo
  • Debut year: 1965
  • Debut film: Rokyoku komori-uta

He is a martial artist and actor from Japan. At five, he made his acting debut in 1965 in the film Rokyoku Komori-Uta. He has since been in several other movies and TV shows, such as The Twilight Samurai (2002), The Wolverine (2013) and Mortal Kombat (2021).

5. Tadanobu Asano

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Japanese actors
Actor Tadanobu Asano attends the 'Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani?' Talk Show during the 2022 Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Jun Sato
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 27 November 1973
  • Place of birth: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
  • Debut year: 1979
  • Debut TV show: Mr Kinpachi in Class 3B

He is a Japanese actor who made his acting debut in 1979 in the TV series Mr Kinpachi in Class 3B. Asano is known for his roles in Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007), Thor (2011), Battleship (2012) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017).

6. Takeshi Kaneshiro

Japanese actors
Actor Takeshi Kaneshiro attends the press conference of the film "This is Not What I Expected" in Shanghai, China. Photo: Visual China Group
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 11 October 1973
  • Place of birth: Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Debut year: 1988
  • Debut TV show: Tian Xia

He is a famous singer and actor of Japanese and Taiwanese descent. He began his profession as a pop idol before transitioning to the film sector, where he accomplished both commercial and critical achievements. Takeshi is known for his roles in films such as House of Flying Daggers (2004) and Red Cliff (2008).

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7. Mamoru Miyano

Japanese actors
Voice Actor Mamoru Miyano attends the opening of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Ken Ishii
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 8 June 1983
  • Place of birth: Ōmiya, Saitama
  • Debut year: 1992
  • Debut TV show: Tokusou ekushiidorafuto

He is a singer and actor from Japan. Mamoru started his acting debut in 1992 in the TV series Tokusou ekushiidorafuto and is known for his roles in Wolf's Rain (2003-2004), Death Note (2006-2007) and Steins; Gate (2011-2015).

8. Masi Oka

Japanese actors
Masi Oka attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Bullet Train" at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Axelle
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 27 December 1974
  • Place of birth: Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
  • Debut year: 2001
  • Debut TV show: Dharma & Greg

He is a Japanese producer, actor, and digital effects artist best recognised for his roles as Hiro Nakamura on NBC's Heroes (2006-2010) and Doctor Max Bergman on CBS's Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2019).

9. Kento Yamazaki

Japanese actors
Japanese actor Kento Yamazaki attends the press conference for 'Kingdom' Singapore premiere at the Sands Theatre, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Photo: Suhaimi Abdullah
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 7 September 1994
  • Place of birth: Itabashi City, Tokyo, Japan
  • Debut year: 2010
  • Debut TV show: Atami no Sôsakan

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He is an actor and famous model from Japan. Kento started his acting career in 2010 in the TV series Atami no Sôsakan (2010) and is widely recognised for his roles in Orange (2015), Jojo's Bizzare Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable –Chapter 1 (2017) and Theater (2020).

10. Daisuke Ono

  • Date of birth: 4 May 1978
  • Place of birth: Sakawa, Kochi, Japan
  • Debut year: 1997
  • Debut Video Game: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers

He is one of the Japanese voice actors and singer who garnered best lead actor in the 9th and 4th Seiyu Awards for his roles as Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler (2008-2010), Jotaro Kujo in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2015) and Shukuro Tsukishima in Bleach (2005-2012), in addition to Best Personalities in the 9th Seiyu Awards.

11. Hiroshi Abe

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Japanese actors
Actor Hiroshi Abe attends the opening ceremony of the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival at Ex Theater Roppongi in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Jun Sato
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 22 June 1964
  • Place of birth: Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
  • Debut year: 1989
  • Debut movie: Yawara!

He is a Japanese actor and model. Hiroshi started his acting career in 1989 in the film Yowara! He is widely recognised for his roles in Still Walking (2008), Downtown Rocket (2015-2018), and After the Storm (2016).

12. Takeshi Kitano

Japanese actors
Takeshi Kitano walks the red carpet ahead of the Award Ceremony of the 74th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande in Venice, Italy. Photo: Laurent KOFFEE
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 18 January 1947
  • Place of birth: Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan
  • Debut year: 1980
  • Debut movie: Makoto-chan

He is an actor, filmmaker and famous comedian from Japan. He started his acting career in 1980 in the film Makoto-chan, and he has since been featured in several other films and TV shows, such as Tokyo Eyes (1998) and Red Medaka (2015).

13. Junichi Suwabe

  • Date of birth: 29 March 1972
  • Place of birth: Tokyo, Japan
  • Debut year: 1992
  • Debut movie: Tenchi Muyo!

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He is a voice actor from Japan. He started his acting career in 1992 in the TV series Tenchi Muyo! He has since been featured in several other films and TV shows, such as Kaleido Star (2003), Fullmetal Alchemist (2004) and Kamen Rider Ex-Aid (2016-2017).

14. Takuya Kimura

Japanese actors
Actor Takuya Kimura attended the "Blade Of The Immortal (Mugen No Junin)" press conference during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Photo: Andreas Rentz
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 13 November 1972
  • Place of birth: Tokyo, Japan
  • Debut year: 1990
  • Debut movie: About Her Brother

He is a Japanese radio personality, singer, and actor. He started his acting career in 1990 in the TV movie About Her Brother. He has since been featured in many other TV series and movies, such as Beautiful Life (2000), Mr Brain (2009) and Lost Judgment (2021).

15. Takeru Satoh

Japanese actors
Actor Takeru Satoh attends the 76th Mainichi Film Awards at Meguro Persimmon Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Jun Sato
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 21 March 1989
  • Place of birth: Iwatsuki, Saitama
  • Debut year: 2006
  • Debut movie: Purinsesu purinsesu D

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He is one of the Japanese male actors best recognised for his roles in the Kamen Rider Den-O franchise as Ryotaro Nogami and the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film series as Himura Kenshin and its spin-offs. He has also been featured in other films, such as Goemon (2009) and Bakuman (2015).

16. Tomohisa Yamashita

Japanese actors
Japanese actor and singer Tomohisa Yamashita attends the film 'Reborn' roadshow in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China. Photo: Visual China Group
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 9 April 1985
  • Place of birth: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
  • Debut year: 1999
  • Debut TV show: Dangerous Relationship

He is an actor, TV host and famous singer from Japan. He started his acting career in 1999 in the TV series Dangerous Relationship. He has since been featured in several other films and TV series, such as Operation Proposal Special (2008), Monsters (2012) and The Man from Toronto (2022).

17. Tsutomu Yamazaki

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  • Date of birth: 2 December 1936
  • Place of birth: Matsudo, Chiba, Japan
  • Debut year: 1960
  • Debut film: Matsudo, Chiba, Japan

He started his acting career in 1960 in the film Daigaku no sanzôkutachi. He has since been featured in several other movies and television series, such as High and Low (1963), Okappiki dobu (1972) and Space Battleship Yamato (2010).

18. Takahiro Sakurai

Japanese actors
Japanese actor Takahiro Sakurai appears at the photocall for "Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children" during the 62nd Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. Photo: Chris Jackson
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 13 June 1974
  • Place of birth: Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
  • Debut year: 1999
  • Debut TV show: Master Keaton

He is an Aichi Prefecture, Japan-based voice actor, radio personality and narrator. He has 496 acting credits and is widely recognised for films such as Zatch Bell! (2003-2006), Code Geass (2006-2012) and Project X Zone (2012).

19. Yuji Okumoto

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  • Date of birth: 20 April 1959
  • Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Debut year: 1984
  • Debut film: I Do Mind Dying

He is one of the Japanese American actors. Yuji started his acting career in 1984 in the short film I Do Mind Dying and is widely recognised for his roles in The Karate Kid Part II (1986), Johnny Tsunami (1999) and Inception (2010).

20. Shun Oguri

Japanese actors
Actor Shun Oguri arrives at Hammer Museum Gala in the Garden in Westwood, California. Photo: Axelle
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 26 December 1982
  • Place of birth: Tokyo, Japan
  • Debut year: 1995
  • Debut TV show: Hachidai shôgun Yôshimune

He is one of the Japanese voice actors who speak English. Shun started his acting career in 1995 in the TV series Hachidai shôgun Yôshimune. He has since been featured in some other films and TV series, such as True Horror Stories (2004), Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) and Space Brothers (2012).

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FAQs

  1. Who is the most popular actor in Japan? Takuya Kimura. He is one of Japan's and Asia's most popular singers, entertainers and actors. Most of the TV dramas he appeared in received high rankings in Japan.
  2. Who is the most handsome actor in Japan? Osamu Mukai is ranked as one of the most handsome Japanese actors.
  3. Can foreigners become actors in Japan? They can become actors in the country without restrictions, and all that is needed is the proper visa.
  4. How much do Japanese actors get paid? In Tokyo, Japan, the average salary for an actor is JPY 10,552,661 per year and JPY 5,073 per hour.
  5. What is Japan's most popular show? Japan has a diverse range of popular shows, and it can be difficult to determine the single most popular one as it can depend on the period and the audience you are looking at. Nonetheless, these are some of the popular ones; Kōhaku Uta Gassen, Terrace House, Sazae-san, and Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende.
  6. What are the three most popular forms of drama in Japan? Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku are Japan's three major traditional cinemas. These types of performances are UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages.
  7. Why is Japan so famous? It is an enthralling nation with a long, rich heritage and intriguing social customs. It offers something to suit everyone, from its rich gastronomic culture and mesmerising natural features.

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Above are some of the most prominent Japanese actors. However, the list is non-exhaustive. Their films have been continuously distinct. Most of them have become global celebrities due to their abilities.

Biggest Japanese actors that you will love to watch
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Tatiana Thiga (Lifestyle writer) Tatiana Thiga is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She is an English literature graduate from Kenyatta University. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on a variety of topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Tatiana finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at tatianathiga@gmail.com