Japanese actor

A high-profile Japanese anime voice actor has taken TikTok to court, alleging the platform hosted videos featuring an artificial intelligence clone of his voice without his consent. The case highlights growing tension between voice performers and AI companies over unauthorised replication of their voices, and could set a precedent for how Japanese law treats voice rights in the age of generative AI.

Japanese actress Kaoru Yachigusa is being widely searched following news that screenwriter So Kuramoto has died. Kuramoto wrote 'Kita no Kuni kara' and 'Yasuragi no Sato', in which Yachigusa starred, and tributes have poured in from actors and former Furano Juku students remembering his influence. Japanese media are running retrospectives on his career and the performers he worked with.

A prominent Japanese anime voice actor has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming the platform hosts videos that use an AI-generated clone of his distinctive baritone voice without his consent. The case is drawing attention to the use of voice actors' voices in AI training and generation, a growing concern in Japan's anime industry, and could set a precedent for performers' rights over their vocal likeness.

Japanese actor Ryusei Ryo has announced he is joining Office Ninomiya, the agency founded by Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya. The two are currently co-starring in the drama VIVANT. In a statement, Ryusei described the move as "a new start to attack, not to defend," and Japanese media widely covered his full comment.

Japanese actor Meguro Ren has quietly returned home after finishing roughly eight months of overseas filming for 'Shogun 2', which ran from January this year. He was photographed arriving with long, samurai-style hair grown for his role in the series, a look quickly dubbed 'shogun hair' by Japanese media and fans.

Milan Fashion Week has come to an end, with Japanese celebrities among the attendees drawing attention. Actor Keiko Kitagawa and Snow Man members Shota Watanabe and Sho Sakurai-associated figures Shota Watanabe and Shota... specifically Watanabe Shota and Iwamoto Hikaru appeared at shows alongside Kitagawa, reflecting the strong Japanese presence at Milan's runway events. Italian fashion week coverage in Japanese media highlights growing interest in Japanese stars as guests at major European houses.

Milan Fashion Week has come to a close, with Japanese celebrities among the attendees drawing attention. Actors and performers including Shota Watanabe, Sho Hirano-era group colleague Shota Watanabe and Hikaru Iwamoto of Snow Man, along with actress Keiko Kitagawa, appeared at the event, according to Asahi Shimbun coverage. Their appearances highlighted the growing Japanese presence at major European fashion shows.

Japanese actor Taiga Nakano, who stars as the lead in the NHK historical drama, spoke about how deeply he immersed himself in the role, saying he came to feel like an actual staff member while making daily weekday visits to the set over many months. With the drama's run approaching its finale, he described mixed feelings as that routine comes to a close.

Japanese actor Takeuchi Ryoma is drawing attention for his work with Suntory's Kinmugi brand, which held a press event to promote its shift to a full beer formulation from October 1, when revised alcohol tax rules took effect in Japan. The campaign marks a notable change for the long-running low-malt beverage, and Takeuchi's involvement has put the actor among the day's most searched names in Japan.

Japanese actor Gaku Hamada is trending after a retrospective programme looking back at the first half of the hit drama VIVANT was made available on TVer. The tenth recap instalment reviews key moments from the series and teases the announcement of a new revenge plan, prompting fans to revisit the show ahead of its next episodes.

The long-running Japanese talk show Tetsuko's Room has announced a sudden change to its broadcast schedule. A memorial episode honoring screenwriter Kuromoto Sō, who recently died, will air on the 29th, replacing the previously scheduled episode featuring actor Ken Tanaka, which has been pushed back. The program is paying tribute to one of Japan's most celebrated drama writers.

Japanese actor Hidekazu Mashima was injured during filming of the TV Tokyo drama 'Borders', fracturing the head of his left fibula. He had to withdraw from the production mid-shoot, and a different cast member will take over the role from episode five onward. Fans are discussing the sudden departure and wishing him a recovery.

Japanese comedian and actor Shiro Ito has announced he will retire from the entertainment industry when he turns 90. His long-running show, which has aired for 30 years, will end with his departure. In a released comment, Ito thanked fans and colleagues, and reactions across Japanese media and social networks have been largely ones of gratitude and respect for his decades-long career.

The new Japanese drama 'Doubt' (ダウト) begins airing tonight, with a first episode in which lead actors Sawa Niimura and Daiki Sato become entangled in an explosion incident. Entertainment outlet Oricon published a synopsis of the premiere episode, and the story is circulating on Japanese entertainment news feeds ahead of the broadcast.

Japanese actor Hidekazu Mashima is leaving TV Tokyo's drama 'Borders' after fracturing his left knee, according to Nikkan Sports. The broadcaster says a replacement actor for episodes five onward is 'being arranged right now', and production details are still being worked out as the series continues without him.

Japanese women's magazine Josei Jishin has published a fan ranking of actors considered the hidden MVP of the current NHK morning drama 'Kaze, Kaoru'. Miki Mizuno placed third and Naoko Ken second, with the top spot going to another cast member named in the article. Morning dramas attract devoted weekly followings, and rankings of supporting performers often spark debate among viewers about who quietly carries each show.

Japanese actor Sato Takeru is the subject of a short-form clip in which a fortune teller assesses his realistic marriageable age, with the reading described as surprising or 'dangerous'. The clip is set around Shinjuku's Kabukicho entertainment district and tagged with host-club and celebrity content. Little verified detail is available beyond the reading itself.

Japanese actor Hiroshi Yamamoto has announced his marriage on an ABEMA program, explaining his reason for the public reveal with the words 'I just had to'. He also addressed his critics, saying he had previously intended to avoid engaging with detractors but chose to speak out. The announcement is drawing attention among Japanese entertainment fans.

A new 2026 survey ranking Japanese women actors of the Showa era by acting skill has placed Shizuka Ishida in second place, with the top spot going to another unnamed performer. The ranking, published by All About News, is drawing attention among fans of classic Japanese cinema and television, who are debating whether the results reflect the enduring reputations of Showa-era stars.

A Tokyo court has ruled that an AI tool that replicated the distinctive voice of Japanese actor Kenjiro Tsuda, described as 'lustrous', violated his rights. The case is seen as a significant test for voice protection in the age of generative AI, with observers watching closely for how it shapes disputes between performers and AI developers in Japan and beyond.

Japanese actor Takayuki Yamada serves as a judge on the acting audition programme THE OPEN CALL, and Jin Akanishi, Ko Shibasaki and Kazunari Ninomiya have been confirmed as new guest partners. The casting announcement, reported by Japanese film news outlets, highlights the high-profile industry backing the talent search has attracted. No further details on dates or format were given in the report.

The long-running Japanese talk show 'Tetsuko no Heya' (Tetsuko's Room) made a last-minute change to its broadcast content on the day of airing. Actor Ken Tanaka, who had originally been scheduled as the guest, was moved to a later episode. Japanese media, including Oricon News, reported the sudden switch, and viewers have been commenting on the change.

Japanese actor Masaki Higashide has spoken about a field outside acting that he had long hoped to enter, saying that once his name became well known, "things would be easier to sell." The remarks, reported by Sponichi Annex, have drawn attention from fans curious about the actor's plans, especially given his recent move away from mainstream entertainment work.

A Tokyo court has ruled that an AI tool which copied the distinctive, 'lustrous' voice of Japanese actor Kenjiro Tsuda violated his rights. The decision is being closely watched as one of the clearest legal statements yet on voice cloning, suggesting companies may need consent before training or deploying AI that reproduces a performer's voice.