- 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.
- I don't really like films with a lot of dialogue. Words are important, of course, but I think films are expressed most powerfully in those moments that don't have the words. It's the sort of emotions that well up from within, I think, that are the most important.
- I choose scripts that I can imagine will become the kind of film I'd want to watch. Sometimes you have to trust the director and scriptwriter. When I was younger I had a strong desire to face the challenge of working with lots of directors and writers. But these days I wonder how many more years I can keep on doing lead roles, so I want to choose my projects more carefully.
- Realizing people from other countries also watch my films makes me feel both wonder and gratitude. It makes me glad I've been able to do what I do.
- One thing I can say for sure is that humans don't laugh or cry just when they're feeling happy or when they're feeling sad. It can be the other way around.
- There is also this idea that God resides in everything. And if God lives in everything, that of course includes a toilet. That's what we're told and it is a good way to think. If you go to the toilet, God lives there. And if you believe that, then you respect his presence. That way you're considerate of the next person who will be using the toilet.
- The motivation that continues to work in my case is when I see other incredible works created by other incredible peers in this industry. And then I had this feeling that, "Oh, but I'm in the same profession with these wonderful people." So, that galvanizes me. It gives me great courage to go forward. For me, it's not about my work, but I'm more inspired by the incredible work that the others are creating.
- I always think I haven't got it quite right, but in the next film I'll finally nail it. I guess that's the drug of this business for me, which has kept me going for 40 years. When I was younger I wanted to appear in the films of lots of directors and see how they would make use of me. As my career has continued, one of the things I've enjoyed is the interactions you can have with your fellow performers that really create drama. That makes me glad I was able to be an actor.
- I had never gone to a film where the audience went as crazy as they did when I saw 'Enter the Dragon'. Most of the young people who left that movie walked out and started kicking telephone poles, including myself! As an action film, it totally astounded me.
- Films have a tremendous power not only to move people but to also be a form of foreign diplomacy. They can introduce viewers to new cultures and worlds.
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