Kôji Yakusho

Kōji Yakusho (°01-01-1956) is a seasoned Japanese actor recognized internationally for his roles in movies like 'Shall We Dance?' (1996), 'Cure' (1997), '13 Assassins' (2010), 'The Third Murder' (2017), 'The Blood of Wolves' (2018), 'Under the Open Sky' (2020) and 'The Days' (2023). For his breathtaking performance in 'Perfect Days' (2023), he was presented with the Best Actor award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Yakusho's acting journey began in Isahaya, Nagasaki – where he was born the youngest of five brothers. After graduating, a stage production of Maxim Gorky's 'The Lower Depths' inspired him to immerse himself in the world of plays. Accomplishing his dream, Yakusho’s notable performance in the year-long NHK drama 'Tokugawa Ieyasu' (1983), launched him into fame. He has since featured in a string of successful film and TV shows, earning national and international acclaim. He notably sparked a domestic dance craze in Japan following the major success of 'Shall We Dance?', and his role in the jidaigeki 'Sanbiki ga Kiru!'. His continued success includes appearances in films such as 'Memoirs of a Geisha', 'Babel', and '13 Assassins'. His impressive range and skill have not only selected him as 2023 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival’s filmmaker in focus but have also allowed him to expand his creative pursuits, making his directorial debut in 'Toad's Oil' (2009).