Japanese Actress who won several awards including 2 Japan Academy Awards for her roles in the films Christmas Apocalypse, and Sennen no Koi: Hikaru Genji Monogatari.
She started her career when she joined Takarazuka Revue in 1987 and was the first female Actress in the company to be cast in a male role.
She also appeared in musicals including Gone With the Wind as Rhett Butler.
She was the second-born of three siblings.
Another Japan Academy Award winner is Aya Ueto.
