A product of Tokyo's Himawari Theatre Group, he began performing while still in kindergarten and entered the film world at thirteen with Kon Ichikawa's adaptation of Hi no Tori. His first leading part arrived two years later in Shinji Somai's Tonda Couple, and he quickly gained recognition by starring in Nobuhiko Obayashi's Tenkosei, which earned him the Japan Academy Prize for best newcomer. Thro…
