It has been 10 years since Yui Aragaki made her debut as an actress — first as a teen in the sci-fi TV series "Sh15uya" ("Shibuya 15"), and then in a breakthrough role as high school student Yoshino in the dramatic series "Dragon Zakura."

Now the 26-year-old actress is headed back to school, this time as a teacher, in the film "Kuchibiru ni Uta wo" ("Have a Song on Your Lips").

"An ideal teacher for me is someone who never lacks love, even when they have to be strict," Aragaki tells The Japan Times. "I find it heartwarming to think of teachers being able to carefully watch over each individual (student)."