Top 10 Most Popular Japanese Actresses

Oricon Style, a company with a status similar to that of Billboard, has recently published a ranking of the most popular artists in Japan. This company regularly releases top 10 rankings covering various areas of Japan’s entertainment industry, including music, television, and other forms of art.

Through its rankings , it is possible to get a sense of who is thriving in the industry and who has won the hearts of the public. Here is a list of the top 10 most beloved Japanese actresses, all of whom are admired for their beauty, charisma, and talent.

10. Haruka Igawa

Haruka Igawa, a veteran actress in Japan, continues to enchant thousands of fans with her beauty, even at the age of 40. She is particularly beloved among women, who are amazed by her seemingly ageless appearance.

Born on June 29, 1976, in Tokyo, Haruka stands at 1.67 cm tall and has been happily married since 2006. She is also a proud mother of two children. Despite her age, Haruka’s beauty remains as captivating as ever, making her a true icon in the Japanese entertainment industry.

9. Aoi Miyazaki

Aoi Miyaki, another talented artist hailing from the Kanto region of Japan, began her acting career at a very young age, starring in commercials at just 4 years old.

At the age of 14, Aoi received recognition for her exceptional talent when she won an award at the Cannes festival in 2000. She also took home the prize for best debut actress at the Japanese Professional Movie Awards.

Throughout her career, Aoi has been recognized for her outstanding abilities and has starred in numerous commercials. In 2008, she even modeled for Armani, showcasing her beauty and elegance.

In addition to her successful career, Aoi is also a socially engaged individual, actively participating in events and supporting various noble causes. She is particularly passionate about fighting poverty, global warming, child exploitation, and childhood cancer.

8. Nozomi Sasaki

Nozomi Sasaki, an actress, model, and singer from Akita, Japan, was born on February 19, 1983.

At the young age of 14, she began her modeling career and went on to release an album in 2010. She has also starred in a number of films and television series, showcasing her impressive range of talents.

Despite her undeniable beauty and multifaceted abilities, Nozomi faced criticism early on in her modeling career for being considered “chubby.” However, she has since proven her critics wrong and has become a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry.

In her personal life, Nozomi is married to actor Ken Watanabe, known for his work in the comedy Unjash and a number of international hits, including “The Last Samurai.”

7. Kasumi Arimura

Born on February 13, 1993, in Hyogo, this young Japanese actress is the youngest on our list. She made her first television appearance in 2010 in the drama “Hagane no onna,” but it was her role in the NHK series “Ama-chan” that really catapulted her to fame.

Since then, she has gone from strength to strength, winning the Japanese Academy’s Rookie of the Year award and continuing to excel in her career. Despite her youth, she has proven to be a talented actress and a rising star in the Japanese entertainment industry.

6. Mirei Kiritani

Mirei Kiritani, a talented actress, model, and presenter, was born on December 16, 1989, in Chiba. She graduated from Ferris University with a degree in communication and is not only an accomplished actress, but also a skilled pianist. In addition to her acting work in numerous dramas, she also serves as an anchor for the newspaper NTV.

Mirei’s face is widely considered to be one of the most asymmetrical among Japanese artists, but her beauty is still widely admired, particularly among other female performers in the industry. Her multifaceted talent and stunning appearance have made her a beloved figure in the world of Japanese entertainment.

5. Kyoko Fukada

Kyoko Fukada, affectionately known as Fukakyon, is a talented actress and singer hailing from Tokyo, born on November 2, 1982. She first gained recognition for her role in the Japanese horror film “Ring 2” in 1999 and has since become a highly regarded figure in the entertainment industry.

Kyoko has received several awards for her work, including multiple Supporting Actress awards from the Japanese Television Drama Academy for her roles in “To Heart” and “Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake.” In addition to her acting and singing talents, she is also a skilled pianist and clarinet player, as well as an expert in calligraphy. Kyoko’s many talents and accomplishments have earned her a dedicated following of fans both in Japan and around the world.

4. Haruka Ayase

Haruka Ayase, born on March 24, 1985, in Hiroshima, was already a popular high school athlete, playing basketball and competing in long-distance marathons. In her teenage years, she auditioned for a talent group and, with her parents’ permission, moved to Tokyo to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.

Starting with small roles in dramas, Ayase’s breakthrough role came in 2004 when she was selected out of 700 actresses to play Hirose Aki in “Crying Out Love in the Center of the World.” Since then, she has won several awards for Best Actress in a Drama Series and has also launched a successful singing career, with her single “Period” reaching eighth position on the Oricon chart.

Despite her success, Ayase remains grounded and dedicated to her craft, continuing to challenge herself with diverse roles and performances.

3. Yui Aragaki

Yui Aragaki began her career as a model after winning a contest held by the Nicola magazine. Later, she appeared in several commercials and then ventured into acting in drama series, while also releasing an album in 2008.

Born on June 11, 1988, in Okinawa, she won several awards for her roles as a newcomer and as the most popular actress.

She landed a leading role in the film production “Sky of Love Memories,” which had a production cost of over 3 billion yen.

2. Keiko Kitagawa

Keiko Kitagawa rose to fame after portraying the role of Sailor Mars in the television series in 2003. She was scouted by a talent agency when she was unsure about which college to attend. To pursue her career in the entertainment industry, her parents had one condition: she had to complete her college education. Kitagawa studied commerce at Meiji University and worked as a model for Seventeen magazine until 2006. She has acted in numerous Japanese drama series and also appeared in the Hollywood film Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.

1. Satomi Ishihara

Satomi Ishihara, born Kuniko Ishigami on December 24, 1986, is a Japanese actress known for her stunning beauty and talent. In 2016, she was recognized as one of the 100 women with the most beautiful faces in the world, earning the 6th spot on the list.

Ishihara began her acting career in 2002, starring in various television series and earning widespread recognition. She has also been featured in magazines and commercials, and is a frequent guest on television programs.

In 2016, Ishihara starred in the film Shin Godzilla, which grossed over $1 million in the US box office. She received the Rookie of the Year award from the Japanese Academy and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, cementing her status as a talented actress in the industry.