Japan’s film industry is among the oldest in the world. And while it take a lot of hard work and good luck, this article provides much information for aspiring foreign actors and actresses on how to become an actor or actress in Japan.
First Published: 2021-10-13
Updated: 2023-12-06
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Japan’s Film Industry
- Famous and Current-to-Watch Japanese Actors and Actresses
- How to Become an Actor/Actress in Japan
- Tips for Aspiring Actors/Actresses in Japan
- How much do actors earn in Japan?
Are you having any issues with job-hunting in Japan?
Introduction to Japan’s Film Industry
Japanese cinema is one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world. As reported by Statista, in 2022 last year, 634 Japanese movies were released in Japanese theaters, an increase of 490 from the previous year. In comparison, 449 movies were released in the United States and Canada in 2022, that’s 185 less than Japan!
※ Statista, “Number of Japanese movies released to cinemas in Japan from 2013 to 2022”, “Number of movies released in the United States and Canada from 2000 to 2022”
With the large number of Japanese films being released, naturally, many people would be involved in the making of these various films. A film crew includes the director, producer, art crew, camera and lighting crew, script writers, casting crew, costume and make-up crew, digital crew, sound crew, set designers and builders, etc. and of course a cast of actors and actresses.
As life and the populace of Japan becomes more diverse, foreign representation in Japanese films, theater, and dramas becomes ever more important to accurately reflect the current image of society. Other factors that require foreign representation include the story’s plot and location. Therefore, it can be said that there is a growing opportunity for foreign nationals to become an actor/actress in Japan.
You’ll be glad that there are no restrictions per se for foreign nationals to become an actor in Japan as there is always a need for foreign representation on screen. However, as for any job in Japan, you will need the right visa type (more on this below).
Acting jobs are not limited to film acting, but also includes theater, commercials, dramas and television shows, as well as modeling for marketing and promotion purposes. Actors in Japan are often involved in all the above, and thus you would be expected to as well - if you plan to make it big in your career.
Also, you might be doing work as a 外国人タレント (Gaikokujin Tarento), aka “Foreigner Talent”, rather than or in addition to being an actor - which means being on variety shows on TV as the “foreigner”. This may mean embracing that you are not Japanese and exaggerating how much you love Japan - which may be difficult and tiring to do if that’s not what you want but can be successful if you completely embrace it as part of the job - see Dave Spector, one of the most successful 外国人タレント in Japan.
Getting a big break as an actor will be a long process because of the competition and limitations in acting positions. Therefore, many actors work multiple jobs simultaneously. You may not be able to support yourself as just an actor, especially at first. After all, while foreign representation is needed in Japanese media, those roles are hardly the main character. Thus, it’s important to set realistic expectations.
Writer's Pick
Famous and Current-to-Watch Japanese Actors and Actresses
Let’s have a look at some of the most popular Japanese actors and actresses, past and present, and get some inspiration from them. You may have seen or heard of them from their appearances in English movies.
Famous Japanese Actors
Kento Yamazaki is a Japanese actor and model who is best known for his roles as:
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Xin in the live-action movie adaptations of Kingdom (2019), Kingdom 2 (2022), Kingdom 3 (2023), and upcoming Kingdom 4 (TBA).
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Ryohei Arisu in Netflix series Alice in Borderland (2020~present).
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Shusei Kugayama in movie live-action movie adaptations of shoujo manga L DK (2014).
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L in TV drama series Death Note (2015)
and more. Fans are also excited to see his performance as Shigeaki Kubo in the upcoming live-action movie adaptation of Golden Kamuy set to release in 2024.
Other famous Japanese actors include Ken Watanabe, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hiroshi Abe, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Sato Takeru, and Kimura Takuya.
Famous Japanese Actresses
Tao Tsuchiya is a Japanese actress, model, dancer and singer. Her notable roles in the acting field include:
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Makimachi Misao in live-action movie adaptations of Rurouni Kenshin (2014, 2014, 2021).
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Mai in the The 8-Year Engagement (2017)
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Koharu Fukuura in The Cinderella Addiction (2021)
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Yuzuha Usagi in Netflix series Alice in Borderland (2020~present).
and more.
Other famous Japanese actresses include Yui Aragaki, Kitagawa Keiko, Rinko Kikuchi, Amami Yuki, Matsushima Nanako, and Masami Nagasawa.
Current-to-Watch Japanese Actors and Actresses
Who are the most promising Japanese actors and actresses?
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These are the winners for the rookie awards in this year’s Japan Academy Film Prize.
- Ono Karin
- Arioka Daiki
- Banka Ichiro
- Kikuchi Hinako
- Matsumura Hokuto
- Nukumi Meru
- Meguro Ren
- Fukumoto Riko
How to Become an Actor/Actress in Japan
Now that you’ve been inspired, let’s discover exactly how one can become an actor or actress in Japan.
The Importance of Networking
Do not underestimate the power of networking in the entertainment industry. An aspiring actor/actress must network with fellow actors, producers, and directors. This can be done by building up a profile across social media sites and maintaining a personal website to show your portfolio of performance reels and photographs, and your biography. Make yourself approachable for job enquiries and opportunities.
Take Acting Courses in Japan
Though no formal education is required for going into acting as a career, a degree in theater arts, drama, acting or performing will be most helpful in learning technical skills. It will put you a cut above the rest, and may even lead directly to opportunities in the future. If you are considering joining an acting school, why not do so in Japan?
There are various universities with acting courses and drama schools in Japan. Here are 3 great options (note that a high level of Japanese proficiency is required in most cases to be eligible for admission and to understand classes):
1. Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music (桐朋学園芸術短期大学)
Established in 1964, Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music has a two-year drama course. Students will choose to focus on plays or musicals. For the especially talented, upon completion of the course, they can continue on to the diploma course for an additional two years for extra professional training. The campus is located in Chofu City of Tokyo.
2. Tama Art University (多摩美術大学)
Tama Art University was founded in 1935, and is known as one of the top private art schools in Japan. Their motto is “Freedom and Will” - the pursuit of freedom and art, and personal strong will and dedication in that pursuit. Tama Art University’s Department of Scenography Design, Drama and Dance offers two 4 year undergraduate courses for "Scenography Design” and “"Drama and Dance”. They have two campuses located in Tokyo.
3. Osaka University of Arts (大阪芸術大学)
Osaka University of Arts is located in Kanan, Osaka. It is a large facility with 15 departments covering education in all aspects of art. For acting, their Theatrical Arts Department offers various courses including “Acting and Directing”, “Musical”, ”Dance”, “Popular Dance”, “Stage Art”, “Stage Sound Effect”, and “Stage Lighting”.
Talent and Acting Agencies in Japan for Foreigners
The majority of actors find work via an agency, or work for an agency. Some even sign-up with several agencies as it increases their job options, chances of getting auditions and being hired. While it is not necessary to have an agent, having one will make things easier for new actors and actresses.
These agents will be responsible for completing most of the business-related tasks such as resume and portfolio sharing, scheduling auditions, contract confirmation, and negotiating, etc. They will also have your actor’s profile on their website for potential clients to browse for an actor or actress that fits their requirements. Another advantage is that an agent usually has a good network with casting directors and people in the industry.
A piece of caution. Before submitting your personal information and portfolio to any agent, do your own due diligence to make sure that the agent is one that treats their talents right and is the best fit for you.
Here are some reputed talent and acting agencies that work with foreign actors and actresses to get you started:
Yoshino Pro
Yoshino Pro is an agency that specializes in international talent ranging from actors, models, and musicians from adults to children. .
Yamada Pro
Another agency that specializes in international talent is Yamada Pro that has a reputation as being the best within the industry for foreign talent. They work with foreign models, actors, extras, talents and narrators.
Freewave
Freewave is a rather large agency that works with well-known bigger brands. They work with actors, models, dancers, narrators, performers, and musicians.
Avocado
They manage foreign models and actors. The people listed in their agency have been in music videos, tv shows, tv ads and so on.
Other
With the current variety of social media platforms, people become famous in a variety of ways. For example, the reality show Terrace House has launched the careers of several young people. YouTubers and Tiktokers have landed cameos and acting jobs. While it’s hard to say that this is a sure-fire way to become an actor or actress, being active and pursuing visibility on several platforms is a great way to become more recognizable, gain more fans, and perhaps catch the eye of the right people.
Tips for Aspiring Actors/Actresses in Japan
Here are some tips to help you on your journey of becoming a foreign actor in Japan.
Permission for Actors to Work in Japan, aka Actor Visa in Japan
A work visa is required for foreign nationals to work in Japan. In most cases, it requires a Japanese company, school, etc to sponsor your visa, depending on what you will be doing in Japan. Thus, if you are looking into an agency, see if they will sponsor your visa. If not, you will need to have your own working visa.
What many people do is that they will come to Japan, be a student or do other types of work before registering at a talent agency. Once they have steady enough acting work, they will then apply for the “Entertainment (興行 Kougyou)” Visa, which actors of foreign nationalities would fall under, but will be required to prove that their acting gig is something that will consistently earn a steady income.
Note that students must apply for permission to work and can only work for 28 hours a week. It may be difficult to schedule as acting work can be quite irregular.
Being Able to Speak Japanese is Important
Many foreign talents have been living in Japan for a while and can speak quite a bit of Japanese. While it’s not always required to get started, you will definitely be better off learning the language so you can get better roles in the future, and just for overall smoother communication.
How much do actors earn in Japan?
According to the Economic Research Institute, the average annual salary range for an actor is around 10 million yen, which calculates to about 5,000 yen or so an hour in Tokyo.
However, this takes into account all actors in Japan and not just foreign ones. As a foreign actor, the average pay one will make a year is usually much lower as there are close to none that have made it big in Japan or have a steady acting job. And roles for foreign actors are limited and often smaller than their Japanese counterparts, especially in major productions. And as we mentioned before, your salary will also more than likely be a mix of acting jobs, tv appearances, modeling gigs, etc.
※Economic Research Institute, ”Actor Salary in Tokyo Japan”
And that's all that you need to know about how to become an actor or actress in Japan. We hope this article helps you out. All the best!
