The Japanese Entertainment industry is considered one big family by their fan-followings. Fans always like feeling close to their idols and familiarising them is one of the ways these celebrities seem more human like the rest of us. Fans use nicknames to refer to their favorite stars and heroes. Sometimes these nicknames are adopted by their idols, other times they seem a little too inappropriate and the idea is rejected by these stars. Either way, Japanese celebrities go by stage names or nicknames to satiate their fans. Here we present a list of the Top 10 Most Popular Nick Names Of Japanese Celebrities.
1. Tomohisa Yamashita - Yamapi
Tomohisa Yamashita is a popular Japanese actor and host who debuted with NHK's Shonentachi. Being one of Japan's most followed celebrities on social media, Tomohisa is fondly called Yamapi by doting fans. His notable works include dramas such as Kurosagi, Nobuta Wo Produce, Proposal Daisakusen, Code Blue series, Buzzer Beat, and From Five To Nine 5-Ji Kara 9-Ji Made: Watashi ni Koi Shita Obōsan.
2. Hideto Takarai - Hyde
Hideto Takarai is a famous rock band vocalist of the rock bands Vamps and L'Arc-en-Ciel. L'Arc-en-Ciel went on to become the first Japanese band to a solo show at Madison Square Garden. May 31 was declared "L'Arc-en-Ciel Day" in Hawaii in order to commemorate them. Hideto is lovingly nicknamed Hyde by his fan following.
3. Ken Matsudaira - Matsuken
Ken Matsudaira's real name is Sueshichi Suzuki. He is an actor and musician who debuted with the series Zatoichi as a guest star. His famous nickname Matsuken is linked to his most famous song Matsuken Samba II which became a smash hit internationally and made its way into the Oricon Top 100 for a whole year.
4. Kazunari Ninomiya - Nino
Kazunari is a member of the idol group Arashi. Also a voice presenter, voice actor, and radio host, he entered the film industry when he played Chris in the stage play Stand by me. He has won many awards such as the 62nd Japan Broadcast Film Arts Award Excellence Best Actor. He is famously called Nino by his fans.
5. Satoshi Ohno - Leader
Satoshi Ohno is a radio host, choreographer, singer, and also a member of the pop band Arashi. He is nicknamed Leader since he is the lead vocalist of his band. Ohno is also a recipient of GQ Japan's Men of the Year Award 2012 and became the only artist from Johnny's and Associates talent agency to hold his own solo art exhibition.
6. Kyoko Fukada - Fukakyon
Kyoka is an illustrious Japanese actress known for her role in Kamikaze Girls for which she recieved a Best Actress award at the illustrious Yokohama Film Festival. Her name in Japanese is contracted to Fukakyon, hence the nickname. She has starred in several movies like Mission Impossible: Samurai, Daughter of Lupin the Movie, Dolls, and Tenchi.
7. Kuniko Ishigami - Satomi
Kuniko Ishigami is a celebrated Japanese actress, also referred to as Satomi by her fanbase. She has recieved many awards for her work in My Grandpa, Shitsuren Chocolatier, Kimi wa Petto among others. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she was appointed by her nation as one of the torch relay ambassadors.
8. Satsuki Shimabukuro - Meisa Kuroki
Satsuki Shimabukuro is the current Japanese representative for Giorgio Armani and Epson. She is nicknamed Meisa Kuroki and is one of the top models of Japan, having modeled for illustrious magazines like JJ. She is the recipient of the Shogakukan Dime Trend Woman of the Year Prize.
9. Taisho Sugo - Masaki Suda
Taisho Sugo is a celebrated singer and actor who has received several accolades for his work, including the prestigious Japanese Academy Award. His music career kick-started with the song "Mita Koto mo Nai Keshiki". He married his costar in the films Drowning Love and Threads – Our Tapestry of Love, Nana Komatsu.
10. Jun Matsumoto - MatsuJun
A member and producer of the idol group Arashi, he is celebrated for his role as Dōmyōuji Tsukasa in the series Hana Yori Dango, for which he was awarded GQ Japan's Man of the Year Award. He is nicknamed MatsuJun by his team members and fans. He won the Best Actor Award for starring in Bambino!.
