Japanese cinema has produced incredible talents over the past 100 years. From directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu to actors like Toshiro Mifune and Rinko Kikuchi.
One of the standout names to come out of Japan over the past 20 years is actor and martial arts expert Hiroyuki Sanada.
He has appeared in dozens of films – from J-horror flicks to the biggest superhero epics from Marvel. Most recently, he starred as the lead in the new FX show, Shogun, winning best lead actor in a drama series at the 2024 Emmys.
Here, we look at the actor’s career evolution and the notable films and television shows he has featured in.
Early start and Hong Kong cinema
Born in Tokyo’s Shinagawa province, Sanada began acting at a very young age. His first film, Game of Chance, was released in 1966, and it was a yakuza (or gangster) thriller starring Sonny Chiba. Sanada was only six years old at the time, and he also starred in two of the film’s sequels.
In the 1980s, Sanada moved to Hong Kong to appear in martial arts films, working alongside titans of the genre, including Corey Yuen and Michelle Yeoh.
During his time in Hong Kong, Sanada formed a close friendship with martial arts cinema star Jackie Chan. The two later worked together on Rush Hour 3 in 2007.
The Ring and Shakespeare
Sanada was becoming a familiar face in Japan by the late 1990s, and in 1998, he starred in a film that kicked off the J-horror phenomenon around the world, Ringu.
The film was a smash hit in Japan, and it quickly became a cult favourite among horror fans around the world. It also inspired the trend of remaking Japanese horror in Hollywood, starting with the hit 2002 film The Ring.
In 1999, Sanada joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for a production of King Lear. He was awarded an MBE, or Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire, for his role in the production.
The Last Samurai
While Ringu grew in popularity gradually, it was Sanada’s role in the Tom Cruise-fronted historical epic The Last Samurai that cemented his international breakthrough.
The 2003 film was a major hit worldwide, with many critics praising Sanada’s performance as Ujio, a master swordsman who is at odds with Cruise’s character, Captain Nathan Algren.
Directed by Edward Zwick, the film, which was made on a budget of $140 million, earned $456 million.
Hollywood beckons
After The Last Samurai, Sanada was approached to play several roles. In 2007, he appeared in the science fiction film Sunshine directed by Danny Boyle. The film reunited Sanada with Yeoh and also featured Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans.
The Japanese actor also appeared on hit television shows such as Lost and Revenge.
In 2013, he starred in The Wolverine with Hugh Jackman, and also appeared in films such as 47 Ronin, Bullet Train and Avengers: Endgame.
With his acting range, Sanada could play quiet and dramatic roles as well as the big action set pieces. His ability to appear calm and in an instant burst with emotion showcased his capability to adapt to whichever role he took on.
John Wick, Mortal Kombat and Shogun
During recent years, Sanada was able to fully showcase his martial arts abilities. In 2021, he starred in Mortal Kombat as Scorpion, a character beloved by fans of the video game the film is adapted from.
Last year, he appeared in the fourth instalment of the John Wick film series. The series has become one of the most action-packed and exciting film franchises, earning praise from viewers and critics alike.
His most recent work is FX show Shogun, a historical drama based on the 1975 book of the same name by James Clavell, in which he plays Lord Yoshii Toranaga. Shogun is loosely based on the true story of English navigator William Adams, who in 1600 became the first Englishman to reach Japan.
First Japanese Emmy winner
During the 2024 Emmy Awards, Sanada became the first Japanese actor to win best lead in a drama series. During his speech, he said: “This was an East-meets-West dream project with respect, and Shogun taught me that when people work together we can make miracles, we can create a better future together.”
Shogun won 18 Emmys overall, breaking the awards record for a single season of television. Sanada's co-star, Anna Sawai, also won best lead actress in a drama series. Speaking on stage after the show took home the Emmy for best drama, Sanada said in Japanese: “The passion and dreams that we have inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders.”
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Spec%20sheet
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
