Noémie Nakai

Noémie Nakai was born on December 2, 1990 in Tokyo, Japan to a French mother and a Japanese father, giving her a multicultural upbringing that would later define her artistic voice. From a very young age she attended acting lessons in France, where her bilingual household allowed her to move fluidly between French and Japanese cultures. She completed her secondary education at the Lycée International de Saint-Germain‑en‑Laye before returning to Japan to study at Keio University, and also spent time at the University of Nottingham in England, broadening her academic perspective. Her first foray into the public eye came through modeling, when she began shooting advertisements to accompany friends who were already in the industry; this experience taught her the nuances of visual storytelling and camera presence. In 2013 she landed her inaugural acting role in the Japanese drama Shûden Bye Bye, marking the official start of her professional career and establishing her as a versatile performer capable of navigating both Japanese and international projects. Over the following years she amassed a diverse portfolio that includes film, television, music videos, and voice work for video games, all while maintaining a reputation for disciplined preparation and a willingness to explore unconventional roles.  In addition to acting, Nakai cultivated a deep interest in directing, enrolling in artistic programs such as Cours Simon in Paris and studying music production on the Isle of Wight, which refined her sense of rhythm and narrative pacing. Her directorial talent was recognized at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2019, where she received the Busan Award for her project Topography of Solitude in the Asian Project Market. Her ten‑minute documentary Tears Teacher was selected for Hot Docs, acquired by The New York Times Op‑Docs, and later screened in the short documentary category at Sundance 2021, highlighting her ability to tackle socially resonant topics with sensitivity. In 2022 she reached a broader audience by portraying Luna in HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice, a series directed in part by Michael Mann, solidifying her position as a cross‑cultural bridge in contemporary media. Since moving to London in 2018, Nakai splits her time between England and Japan, pursuing directing opportunities while continuing to act, thereby embodying the modern, globally mobile artist.