‘Perfect Days’ Star Yakusho Koji to Receive Asian Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Honor – Global Bulletin

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Veteran Japanese actor Yakusho Koji will be feted with the prestigious lifetime achievement honor at the 18th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong.

Yakusho, who won best actor at Cannes in 2023 for Wim Wenders‘ “Perfect Days,” becomes the third Japanese recipient of the AFA’s highest accolade, following director Yamada Yoji (2008) and actress Kiki Kirin (2016).

A former civil servant who first ventured into Taiga drama (long-running TV series broadcast by NHK), then played in several films by Kurosawa Akira, Yakusho became a major 1990s star in Asia as a result of “Shall We Dance?,” in which he portrayed a ball room dancer, and “Lost Paradise.” He also starred in Itami Juzo’s “Tampopo.” The honor recognizes Yakusho’s four decades of contributions to cinema.

The acclaimed performer was nominated four times and has previously nabbed the AFA best actor trophy twice — for “The Blood of Wolves” (2018) and “Perfect Days” (2023) — making him one of the most decorated actors in the awards’ history alongside Tony Leung and Lee Byung-hun. “I was truly humbled to hear the names of the past recipients and found myself in awe of such distinguished figures,” Yakusho said. “Receiving this award motivates me to strive for even better work in the remaining years of my acting career.” The ceremony is set for March 16 at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District.