Courtesy of Tokyo Sonata.
At the 18th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong, veteran Japanese actor Yakusho Koji will receive the esteemed lifetime achievement honor. Yakusho, who won best actor at Cannes in 2023 for Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days“, becomes the third Japanese recipient of the AFA’s highest accolade, following director Yamada Yoji (2008) and actress Kiki Kirin (2016).
Yakusho first ventured into a long-running TV series broadcast by NHK, Taiga Drama, then he appeared Akira Kurosawa‘s films, Yakusho became a major 1990s star in Asia as a result of “Shall We Dance?,” in which he portrayed a ball room dancer, and “Lost Paradise.” He also starred in Itami Juzo’s “Tampopo.”
Yakusho’s contribution to cinema has been recognized by the honor for four decades. Having received four nominations and previously won the AFA Best Actor trophy twice for “The Blood of Wolves” (2018) and “Perfect Days” (2023), the acclaimed performer is now among the most decorated actors in the awards’ history, alongside Tony Leung and Lee Byung-Hunn.
Yakusho said, “I was truly humbled to hear the names of the past recipients and found myself in awe of such distinguished figures,”he continued “Receiving this award motivates me to strive for even better work in the remaining years of my acting career.”
On March 16, the ceremony will be held at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre, situated in the West Kowloon Cultural District, Yakusho will also be present at a screening of “Perfect Days” on March 15, where he will interact with fans in Hong Kong.