As a second-generation Japanese-American working in Hollywood, Shintaro Shimosawa stands out. Take his name for example, he prefers Shintaro over his given "American name," Edward.
"I just think Shintaro sounds really cool," he tells The Japan Times during a recent promotional tour for his debut feature, "Misconduct" ("Black File: Yashin no Daisho" in Japan). He adds that this preference has sparked unusual reactions in the past, most recently from "Misconduct" actress Malin Akerman.
"She said to me, 'I'm not racist or anything but I saw your name on the script and was expecting a Japanese man who didn't speak any English.' This sort of thing happens sometimes, but I still prefer (to use) my Japanese name."