Biografie

Frequently cast by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa; he is one of his favorite actors.

In 1988, he was given a special award for work in cinema by the Japanese Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture.

In the 2011 war drama Rengô kantai shirei chôkan: Yamamoto Isoroku (2011) Yakusho portrayed Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Reportedly, he was the only actor considered for the role; had he not accepted it, the film would have been canceled.

His name Yakusho (a Japanese word meaning "public office") originates from the fact that he worked at Chiyoda Ward Office of Tokyo before starting his acting career.

He won the prestigious Hochi Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Baunsu ko gaurusu (1997), a film which deals with high school prostitution specifically, as well as the worship of money.

When people who have fallen into despair meet by chance, what does it take to find hope for life?

I come from Nagasaki, and growing up in those rural areas, smalltown areas, everyone dreams of living in the big city, Tokyo. So that was the initial motivation. I worked as a civil servant for about four years and I would probably have gone home in the end, if I hadn't encountered this thing called acting and decided to pursue it, which I am still doing now.

In Japan we have a saying. We say that fulfilment is to be satisfied with the situation you're put in and to feel grateful for every second you have. If you can manage that, you're fulfilled. You have a rich, full life. So yes, I'd like to live like that.

Overall, in a film, whether there's incredible violence that happens or if there's a strained family dynamic ... there's always something beautiful to be found. When I sense that in a story, in a film, that's when I feel like I can jump on board, and even if I'm not a beautiful character, for instance, if the story is beautiful or overall the film is beautiful, then there's a role there for me.

With samurai dramas, they're challenging because their whole way of life was different - from eating to greetings - it takes a lot of work to get that right and be realistic. However, it's an important part of Japanese film that we have to preserve. I'd like to see more of them made. There's a place for those based on reality and fictional ones.