Celebrities today hold the world in the palm of their hand. They can decide the latest trends in fashion and music, they can also influence their fans into making decisions if they want to. It is not uncommon to see actors and actresses taking a stand against injustice and rallying for a political cause. This influence on a huge following should always be used in a positive way, in order to strike a difference in the hearts and lives of many and to spread awareness about many stigmatized topics. Without any further ado, here is a list of the Top 10 Most Influential Japanese Actresses.
1. Haruka Ayase
Initially beginning her career as a gravure model, she is now a reputed actress in the entertainment industry. She starred as the oldest sister in the Hirokazu Koreeda film Our Little Sister. She has also appeared in several major commercials like Coca-cola and KFC. This actress was dubbed "The Japanese version of Anne Hathaway" by Japan Times.
2. Kyoka Fukada
Kyoka Fukada, also known as Fukakyon, is a pop idol and celebrated actress best known for her roles in Tokyo Zansu and Kamikaze Girls for which she won a Best Actress award at the Manichi awards. She is also known as the dubbing voice of Anne Hathaway in the Alice in Wonderland movie series. Shisha no Gakuensai won her Best Newcomer and Best Leading Actress Academy awards in 2000.
3. Erika Toda
Erika Toda rose to fame for her role as Misa Amane in the live-action adaptation of the celebrated manga Death Note. Now she is one of the most successful and influential actresses in Japan. She is currently married to her costar in the film April Fools, actor Tori Matsuzaka. Her dramas include Gal Circle, Boss, Ryusei no Kizuna, and Code Blue among others.
4. Masami Nagasawa
Masami Nagasawa began her acting debut as Kaori Kurata in the 2000 film Pyrokinesis. Her notable works include Say Hello for Me, Cobalt Blue, From Up on Poppy Hill, Wood Job!, 50 First Kisses, and countless others. She was dubbed as The Best Beauty of The Year by VoCE Beauty Awards in 2012.
5. Suzu Hirose
Dubbed one of the most promising actresses of this generation, Suzu Hirose was born on 19 June 1998. She has acted in commercials for Fujifilm, Nippon, Universal Studios Japan, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Shiseido, and Softbank among others. She has starred in movies like The Boy and the Beast and Our Little Sister.
6. Sakura Ando
This phenomenal actress has won two Academy Awards for her performances in 100 Yen Love and Shoplifters. She is also the recipient of the CUT ABOVE Award, New York, for Outstanding Performance. Her works include A Crowd of Three, The Samurai that Night, Penance, and Our Homeland.
7. Kiko Mizuhara
American-born Kiko, born on October 15, 1990, was raised in Japan and debuted with the famous drama Shitsuren Chocolatier. She has acted in several films like Norwegian Wood among others. A celebrated designer, popular pop icons like Beyonce and Rihanna have adorned her creations.
8. Yui Aragaki
Dubbed the most desirable actress and most desirable girlfriend multiple times by yearly surveys, Yui Aragaki is easily one of the most adored celebrities of Japan. Her debut audition at Nicola won her the Grand Prix award. She was also the host of Girls Locks, a radio show for a short period of time.
9. Mirei Kiritani
A former news anchor for the NTV program News Zero live every Tuesday, this reputed actress and model plays the lead role in Atelier, a Netflix Original. She has starred in movies like Gene Waltz, Classmates, Gymnasium baby, Arakawa Under the Bridge, I Have to Buy New Shoes among others.
10. Kinoshita Yukina
Kinoshita Yukina, a starrer in popular commercials for Kirin Brewery Company, Pizza Hut, and fashion magazines Vivi and Pinky, is a celebrated television personality. She is also famous for starring in Quiz! Hexagon II, a trivia show. She began her career as a gravure model at the young age of 19.
