Japan’s entertainment industry is bursting at the seams with part-Japanese and part-foreign talent. There are dozens of models, actors and singers who’ve made it big largely due to their exotic looks. But, there are many truly deserving of fame and fortune (*cough* me *cough*).
Here is my list of the top 10 mixed-race Japanese celebrities. Not all are half-half, but they are mixed Japanese and foreign. In order of fantasticness:
1. Namie Amuro
Not the most obvious mixed-race Japanese celebrity, Amuro is quarter-Italian and three-quarters Japanese (from Okinawa). Some combinations seem really interesting. I’m trying to imagine a big Italian mamma fitting in with a little Japanese family. Ah well, stereotypes aside, Amuro’s at #1 because of how prolific she is and what an impact she’s had on Japan; she’s been credited with inspiring gyaru and also for popularising R&B in Japan. Plus, she has some pretty good music.
Check out Want Me, Want Me for one of my favourite songs of hers. (First person who can tell me how many half-Japanese back-up dancers there are, wins!)
NB. It’s come to light that apparently Namie Amuro is not part-Italian and that is was just a rumour started by her record company. It’d be hard to confirm, but don’t start writing any fanmail to her in Italian anytime soon.
2. Angela Aki
She grew up in Japan. Then she popped over to the USA for high school and university. She dabbled in music and was successful as an indie artist, but didn’t really make it big. So she came back to Japan, started writing in Japanese, and is now huge! Playing the piano and singing, this girl is talented. I’m still waiting for her to start tap-dancing though. I’ve been told more than once that I look like her. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: actors, celebrities, half Japanese, Japan, models, singers, tarento, top 10
