Ken Watanabe

Stage Jun 16, 2018

Ken Watanabe: Japan's flag-bearer in the world of entertainment

by Shaun Curran

Ahead of the opening of 'The King and I' in London on June 21, the award-winning actor calls on young Japanese to step outside their comfort zone.

National / Media | MEDIA MIX Sep 16, 2017

There's no business like a star's personal business

by Philip Brasor

If you've got a Twitter account in Japan, you've probably seen the promoted tweets for Netflix featuring comedian Sanma Akashiya. In these video spots, Sanma compares working for a streaming service to working for a commercial broadcaster, but doesn't mention the context for his ...

Film Apr 27, 2016

Van Sant plots a bleak hike through Aokigahara

by Kaori Shoji

At least Arthur Brennan didn't want sushi, an AKB48 concert or a night out on the town with a maiko (trainee geisha) on his arm. As Japan's ranking soars on the international travelers' destination lists, the more cliched their itineraries seem to get. But ...

Entertainment News Feb 12, 2016

Ken Watanabe to return to NY staging of 'The King and I' in March after recovery from cancer

Ken Watanabe will return to his royal robes on Broadway in "The King and I" starting March 17 after he recovers from stomach cancer treatment. Lincoln Center Theater said Thursday that the Tony- and Oscar-nominated actor will take over the role from Hoon Lee. Watanabe, the ...

Entertainment News Feb 10, 2016

Actor Ken Watanabe diagnosed with early stage stomach cancer

Actor Ken Watanabe has been diagnosed with early stage stomach cancer and has undergone endoscopic surgery to remove it, according to his agent. The 56-year-old actor released a comment Tuesday seeking understanding for the postponement of his return to the musical "The King and I" ...

National / Media | MEDIA MIX Jan 2, 2016

Seeing 2015 through a fragmented media lens

by Philip Brasor

Media literacy means understanding that objective reality is impossible to comprehend, and that the best you can do to make sense of the world is to know how to interpret signals. Part of that process is identifying what's at stake: Newspapers and broadcasters have ...

Entertainment News Dec 8, 2015

Conductor Ozawa's recording, Watanabe's musical nominated for Grammys

An opera recording by conductor Seiji Ozawa and the album from a Broadway musical in which actor Ken Watanabe starred are among the works nominated for the 58th Grammy Awards. Ozawa's recording is of Ravel's "L'Enfant et Les Sortileges" ("The Child and the Spells") performed ...

People | 20 QUESTIONS Sep 12, 2015

Dante Carver: 'Dream big, love bigger and do what you love'

SoftBank's Yoso Guy on games, design and what it's really like to be a part of the White family

Entertainment News Jun 8, 2015

'King and I' musical starring Ken Watanabe bags four Tony Awards

The Broadway musical "The King and I," starring Japanese actor Ken Watanabe and veteran American actress Kelli O'Hara, on Sunday received four of this year's Tony Awards, the most revered prizes in American theater, including best musical revival. The best musical actress went to O'Hara, ...

Stage May 26, 2015

Will 'King' Watanabe be the first Japanese actor to win a Tony?

by Natsume Date

When this year's nominees for the top honors in U.S. theater, the annual Tony Awards, were announced on April 28, the new musicals "An American in Paris" and "Fun Home" led the field after each being listed in 12 categories. In total and absurd contrast, ...