Mari Yamamoto

Mari Yamamoto (born February 4, 1986) is a Japanese actress and journalist whose transnational upbringing has deeply informed both her reporting and her performances. Raised initially in Japan, she moved with her family to London at the age of five, an experience she later described as feeling “very Japanese everywhere in the world” while simultaneously being “not quite Japanese enough” upon her return to Tokyo at eight; this dual sense of belonging and otherness would become a recurring theme in her artistic work. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in international relations at International Christian University in Tokyo, Yamamoto pursued method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, where she also joined The Bats acting company at The Flea Theater, sharpening her craft alongside a diverse community of performers.

Returning to Tokyo, Yamamoto transitioned into journalism, contributing investigative pieces to The Daily Beast and collaborating closely with renowned American journalist Jake Adelstein. Her insider perspective on Japanese society proved invaluable when she was recruited to the writing staff of HBO Max’s adaptation of Adelstein’s Tokyo Vice, eventually ascending to the role of producer for the series’ second season. In parallel, her acting career gained momentum with a recurring role as Hana in Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed series Pachinko (2022) and a part in the cinematic universe project Monarch: Legacy of Monsters the same year. In March 2024 she secured a high‑profile leading role opposite Brendan Fraser in the upcoming film Rental Family. Yamamoto’s unique blend of journalistic insight and emotive performance continues to set her apart as a multifaceted talent bridging East and West in contemporary media.