Born February 16, 1931, in Fukuoka, Japan, he became one of Japan's most iconic actors, renowned for his stoic roles in yakuza and action films. He rose to fame in the 1960s and 70s with performances in movies like "Abashiri Prison" and "The Yellow Handkerchief." His work gained international attention with Ridley Scott's "Black Rain" in 1989. Known for his intense presence and subtle expressiveness, he remained a beloved figure in Japanese cinema until his passing in 2014.