Japan’s Koji Yakusho Wins Best Actor Award for ‘Perfect Days’ at Cannes
11:32 JST, May 28, 2023
Koji Yakusho won the Best Actor award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his role in “Perfect Days,” directed by Wim Wenders.
It was the first time for a Japanese actor to scoop the prestigious award since Yuya Yagira claimed the prize in 2004 for his work in “Nobody Knows.”
“Perfect Days” tells the tale of Hirayama, a janitor in a public bathroom in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Upon receiving the trophy, a smiling Yakusho said: “I love awards. However, I’m not particularly fond of giving speeches at such glamorous events as the Cannes Film Festival.”
Yakusho went on to express his gratitude to others involved in the film, saying: “On the set, the director [Wim Wenders] and cinematographer Franz [Lustig] guided me into the character of Hirayama. I’m truly thankful. I’d also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the staff and cast, and the office staff who took great care in looking after me and my wife.”
"Culture" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Precious Literary Manuscript Found in Antique Wooden Box; Written Kamakura-Period Poet Teika in His Own Hand
-
Crafts Featuring Pokémon on Display in Shiga Prefecture
-
Pop Idol Koichi Domoto’s Musical ‘Shock’ Rewrites Japan Record
-
World of Sumi Ink Artist Toko Shinoda Recreated
-
Japan Director Hirokazu Koreeda Selected to be on Cannes Film Festival Jury; ‘Barbie’ Director Greta Gerwig to Preside
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Weakening Yen Adds Complexity to BOJ’s Rate Hike Decisions; Rising Commodity Prices may Impact ‘Virtuous Cycle’ Efforts
- Japanese Seafood Exports to China Sink 57% in FY23; U.S. Becomes Largest Seafood Export Destination
- 70% of Japan Companies to Raise Pay Scales in FY 2024
- 48.6% of Global Patent Applications Related to All-Solid-State Batteries Came from Japanese Firms; Panasonic Tops List
- Core Consumer Prices Rise 2.8% in Fiscal 2023