Yôko Kita
Yôko Kita is an actress, known for Yukue fumei (2012), 1+1=11 (2012) and Warau kyotou (2013).
Yôko Maki
At her young age, Yoko Maki is already a well-rounded actress. 2001 proved to be a busy year for the young actress, beginning with her film debut at the age of 19, in the film Drug, directed by Hiroshi Sugawara. This was quickly followed by Pelican Road. More attention was then garnered with her role as Aya in the highly modernized remake of the Japanese vengeance film Lady Snowblood, re-titled as The Princess Blade. Not one to be confined solely to the screen, Maki spent 2002 acting on stage: first in her highly acclaimed performance in "Cross", produced by the Asagaya Spiders and directed by Keishi Nagatsuka, and second in the November 2002 Third Stage Show series production of "This Time It's Real", directed by Kyoichi Itagaki. 2003 saw a return to form for Maki, as she appeared in the sequel to the groundbreaking cult hit Battle Royale, Battle Royale II, as the member of one of the "Wild Seven." With her fan-base and critical acclaim growing, Maki continued to live up to such praise by keeping busy in 2004 with roles in films such as Shimotsuma Monogatari, Ren-ai Shousetsu, Koibumi Biyori, and Kansen. 2004 would also be the year of three great accomplishments for the then 22 year old. First, there was her role in the short film, Do Androids Dream of Electric Santa? directed by Hirohisa Sasaki, which saw its debut at the American Film Market. Second, was her work as an on location reporter in Thailand for the television documentary, Ururun-Taizaiki. Third and most exciting of all, was her role in Takashi Shimizu's big budget Hollywood film The Grudge, which was a remake of his original Ju-On: The Grudge, the third of the Japanese Ju-On horror film series. Starring American actors Sarah Michelle Gellar and Bill Pullman, The Grudge was at the top of the U.S. film box office for two weeks straight upon its release. Maki stood out amongst the cast in her first film introduction to American audiences as the doomed caretaker/nurse, Yoko, whose grim fate has left an indelible impression. Come 2005, more film opportunities opened up to Maki as she starred in more principal roles, starting with Pattchigi!, which garnered awards such as the 9th Pusan International Film Festival "A window on Asian cinema" and the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival Official Invitation. More roles followed in the films In the Pool, The Summer Time Machine Blues, and A Rain Town. When not appearing on the screen and stage, Maki keeps busy with work on numerous television dramas such as "The Tokyo Friends" among others, and appearances in commercials. An avid film fan herself, Maki enjoys watching films in her spare time, as well as keeping active in track and field sports and wire action. As time marches on, Maki continues to keep busy as more and more prospective film and television work opens up to her. And with such a strong work ethic and dedication to perfecting her craft in all mediums, Yoko Maki has a bright, promising, future ahead of her.
Yôko Minamino
Yôko Minamino was born on 23 June 1967 in Itami, Japan. She is an actress, known for Sukeban deka (1987), Watashi o daite soshite kisu shite (1992) and Kantsubaki (1992).
Yôko Mitsuya
Yôko Mitsuya was born on November 8, 1984 in Saitama, Japan. She is an actress, known for Kamen raidâ Dikeido (2009), Gekijôban kamen raidâ Bureido: Misshingu êsu (2004) and Tôkyô Daigaku monogatari (2006).
Yôko Nakajima
Yôko Nakajima is known for Rokugatsu no hebi (2002), Sayonara itsuka (2010) and Sûpâ no onna (1996).
Yôko Ren
Yôko Ren is known for Kaubôi bibappu (1998).
Yôko Shimada
Kumamoto City-born Shimada Yoko is best known in the west as Mariko from the 1980 mini-series Shogun. The lady-in-waiting role created an interest in Japan and its culture overseas and introduced Japanese history to foreign audiences. She won the Golden Globe For Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Drama category and was nominated for a Prime-time Emmy Award for her work on the serial in 1981. Shimada, who spoke some English for the serial, had been acting for years prior to Shogun however. She began learning ballet since age three and wanted to become a ballerina until her high high school days. Her family had moved to Tokyo when she was eight. She obtained an agent and began acting while in junior high school. The TV serial Zoku Hyouten made her famous beginning 1970. She released a nude photo book, called Kir Royal, in 1992. She was 39 and the photo book became a bestseller shifting half a million copies. At 57 she starred in an 'AV' pornography video called Mikkai in 2011. This was a tribute to her body even at that age. Shimada has a reservation for a space burial.
Yôko Sômi
Yôko Sômi was born on May 31, 1965 in Niigata, Japan. She is known for Kurenai no buta (1992), Hagane no renkinjutsushi (2009) and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (2012). She was previously married to Akio Ôtsuka.
Yôko Wong
Yôko Wong was born in Bhutan.
Yôko Yamamoto
Yoko Yamamoto was born on March 17, 1942 in the Nakano ward of Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from Kokugakuin High School, she started working for Nomura Shoken (a major stock brokerage firm in Japan), but in 1963, one of her colleagues entered her in Nikkatsu Studio's audition. She was selected and started her career for Nikkatsu Studio and made her screen debut on movie "Hana to Dotou" in 1964. She is perhaps best known in the west in her role as Itoko Koyanagi in the movie Daikyojyu Gappa a.k.a. Monster from a Prehistoric Planet (1967). Yamamoto's career took off when she started to star in TV dramas such as "Shirobanba", "Shichinin no mago", "Shiroi Kage" and "Shiroi Kassouro". The TV program she stars in usually had high ratings, and she was in demand throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s. In 1980, she started to branch out into stage acting, and has been active to this day.
