News
News by Year
20s
- Masami Nagasawa
- Born on June 3, 1987, Masami Nagasawa applied for the Fifth Toho Cinderella audition, became the youngest Grand Prix winner at the age of 12, beating out 35,153 applicants, and entered into the world of show business. In 2003, she appeared in her first movie, "Robot Contest," and won Rookie of the Year in the New the 27th Annual Japanese Academy Prize in the same year. In 2004, she played the heroine of the movie "Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu (Crying out for Love, here at the Centre of the World)," which turned out to be a mega-hit and became a social phenomenon. This movie brought her a number of awards, including the 28th Annual Japanese Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actress. Following this achievement, she was awarded the 30th Annual Japanese Academy Prize for Best Actress in the movie "Nada Sousou" in 2007. Representative works on TV include "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun" (2006), "Operation Love" (2007) and "Last Friends" (2008). Recently, Masami Nagasawa appears in the movie "Magare! Spoon, " which will be released on November 21, 2009, and various other productions, including a TV drama and commercials.
- Official website: http://www.toho-ent.co.jp/index.html
30s
- Yumiko Shaku
- Born on June 12, 1978, Yumiko Shaku was selected as the winner of Miss Campus Grand Prix, which is sponsored by Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine in 1997, and rose to popularity. After building a career as a magazine model, she became an actress and appeared in a number of movies, TV dramas and commercials. Her representative works include leading roles in Fuji TV's drama "Himitsui no Hanazono (The Secret Garden)" (playing Kayo Tsukiyama), TV Asahi's "Seven Women Lawyers" (playing Maki Todo), "Sky High" (playing Izuko) and Nippon Television Network's "LOVE GAME" (playing Sae Himuro). She has also drawn the attention of young women through the publication of "Shaku Beauty!" a book in which she reveals the secret ultimate beautification techniques she has discovered through her own efforts. In addition, Yumiko Shaku is known as an action star and has appeared in such movies as "The Princess Blade," "Godzilla against Mechagozilla" and "Sky High."
- Official blog: http://shaku.fc.yahoo.co.jp/
40 and over
- Tsubasa Makoto
- Born on November 25, 1964, Tsubasa Makoto joined the Takarazuka Revue in 1985. In 1997, she acted in a male role in the Moon Troupe performance of "EL DORADO," winning a following among fans for her portrayal of the melancholy hero. She also acted as Scarlett in a production of "Gone with the Wind." In July 2001, having played the leading role in the grand reopening of the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater and performed in Beijing and Shanghai, she left the troupe. Approximately 10,000 fans gathered for the parade marking her final performance. After her career in the Takarazuka Revue, she starred in live shows, released CDs, and made a number of appearances on stage productions, radio programs, variety shows and TV infotainment. For 2009, she plans to present her Christmas dinner show, an annual event for the eight years since she left the Moon Troupe, at the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka on December 20 and at Hotel Hankyu International Osaka on December 25 together with NORU, another top Takarazuka star from the same era. Tsubasa Makoto will soon mark her 25th anniversary in show business and plans to appear in a movie for the first time, also, she will be releasing singles and CD albums, and a book of photos in addition to holding live concerts.
- Official website: http://www.f-spirit.co.jp/
Sport Category
- Satoko Urata
- Born in December 22, 1980, Satoko Urata twice won the championship as a member of the NEC Red Rockets, a premier volleyball team. In 2002, she transferred from indoor to beach volleyball. She won the first prize at Beach Volleyball Japan 2004, drawing public attention as a talented player. In 2006, she was selected as a national player for the Asian Games. Following this, she participated in the Japan Tour Odaiba Tournament and Beach Volley Japan Ladies in 2007, again winning first prize. In 2008, she participated in the JBV Champion Cup held in Roppongi Hills and broadcasted by TV Asahi, and took the second place. She paired off with Chiaki Kusuhara in 2009 and claimed victory in the Japan Tour Odaiba Tournament and Okayama Tournament. Living up to her name as a Japan's top beach volleyball player, Satoko Urata is aiming to capture the gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
