Tsunehiko Kamijô

Tsunehiko Kamijō (上條 恒彦, Kamijō Tsunehiko; March 7, 1940 – July 22, 2025) was a prolific Japanese singer, actor, and voice actor whose career spanned more than six decades, leaving an indelible mark on film, television, stage, and animation. Born in Nagano, Japan, Kamijō began his entertainment journey in 1962, initially gaining recognition as a vocalist with a string of popular singles such as “Ame yo Fure” (1969) and “Sayonara no Sekai” (1974), which showcased his smooth baritone and charismatic stage presence.

His transition to acting proved equally successful; Kamijō appeared in several notable live‑action films, including Tora‑san’s Lullaby (1974) and Death of a Tea Master (1989), while also becoming a familiar face in NHK’s prestigious Taiga dramas, portraying historical figures like Torii Suneemon and Uesugi Kagekatsu. On television, he earned long‑term acclaim as Hajime Hattori in the beloved series Kinpachi‑sensei, a role he inhabited for over three decades. In the realm of animation, Kamijō lent his distinctive voice to iconic Studio Ghibli productions, playing the gang boss in Porco Rosso (1992), Gonza in Princess Mononoke (1997), and Chichiyaku in Spirited Away (2001). His stage credentials were equally impressive, with standout performances as the Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha and Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, roles he sustained for years on Japan’s theatrical circuit. Beyond performance, he contributed to dubbing Western works, notably voicing Sebastian in the Japanese version of The Little Mermaid. Married to Etsuko Kamijō from 1983 until his passing, Tsunehiko Kamijō’s artistic legacy endures through an extensive body of work that continues to inspire new generations of performers.