Haruka Ayase’s new commercial for “BifiX Yogurt Drink” will start airing from August 26th.

Haruka Ayase (real name: Aya Tademaru, born March 24, 1985, in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress, singer, and model. She is known as one of Japan’s top actresses, admired for her approachable personality and her ability to portray a wide range of roles, from comedy to serious drama. She is represented by Horipro.
Career Beginnings
Haruka Ayase entered the entertainment industry in 2000 after receiving the Special Jury Prize at the 25th Horipro Talent Scout Caravan. Initially, she worked as a gravure idol, but in 2001, she made her drama debut and gradually established her career as an actress.
Major Roles
Television Dramas
Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World (2004, TBS)
Role: Aki Hirose
Overview: In this touching love story centered around tragedy, Haruka Ayase played the heroine, gaining widespread attention for her pure and innocent performance. This drama marked her breakthrough as an actress.
Hotaru no Hikari (2007, 2010, NTV)
Role: Hotaru Amemiya
Overview: Haruka Ayase played the role of a “dried-up woman” who is indifferent to romance in this romantic comedy. Her comedic talents were fully displayed, and she received strong support from viewers.
JIN (2009, 2011, TBS)
Role: Saki Tachibana
Overview: This popular drama, which depicts a modern doctor who time travels to the Edo period, featured Haruka Ayase as the heroine. Her earnest performance added depth to the drama, which achieved high viewership ratings.
Stepmom and Daughter Blues (2018, TBS)
Role: Akiko Iwaki
Overview: In this comedy-drama about a career woman who suddenly becomes a mother and struggles to build a family, Haruka Ayase’s performance brought both laughter and tears to viewers.
Movies
Oppai Volleyball (2009)
Role: Chie Hayakawa
Overview: Set in a school in the 1970s, Haruka Ayase played the role of a female teacher in charge of the volleyball club. The movie, filled with humor and emotion, showcased her impressive acting.
Our Little Sister (2015)
Role: Sachi Koda
Overview: Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, this film explores the bonds between sisters. Haruka Ayase played the eldest sister, skillfully portraying leadership and kindness within the family.
Tonight, at the Movies (2018)
Role: Miyuki
Overview: In this romantic fantasy where the heroine steps out of a movie into reality, Haruka Ayase brilliantly portrayed a fantastical character.
Characteristics and Style
Versatile Acting: Haruka Ayase is active across a wide range of genres, from comedy to serious drama. Her acting is natural, capable of evoking deep empathy from the audience.
Approachable Personality: Her bright and somewhat innocent character has endeared her to many fans. Her cheerful smile in commercials and on TV has made her a beloved figure across generations.
Awards
Japan Academy Prize for Best Actress (2015):
Awarded for her performance in Our Little Sister.
Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actress (2009):
Recognized for her role in Oppai Volleyball.
Tokyo Drama Award for Best Actress (2018):
Received for her performance in Stepmom and Daughter Blues.
Hobbies and Special Skills
Hobbies: Cooking, Music Appreciation, Reading
Cooking: Haruka enjoys cooking at home, focusing mainly on Japanese cuisine, and she is known to experiment with new recipes.
Music Appreciation: She finds relaxation in listening to various genres of music.
Reading: She enjoys reading novels and essays, and she occasionally discusses her favorite books in interviews.
Special Skills: Sports, Action
Sports: Haruka is particularly skilled in swimming and is confident in her athletic abilities.
Action: She excels in physically demanding roles, often performing action scenes in films and dramas.

Takaya Sakoda (born April 6, 1977, in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actor. He is active across various media, including theater, film, and television dramas, and is known for his unique presence and reliable acting skills. He is represented by Horipro.
Career Beginnings
After graduating from Meiji University, Takaya Sakoda moved to Tokyo to pursue an acting career. He joined a theater company, where he honed his acting skills and began his career primarily on stage. Over time, he gained experience in theater and began appearing in television dramas and films from the 2000s, becoming active in a wide range of genres.
Major Roles
Television Dramas
Sanada Maru (2016, NHK Taiga Drama)
Role: Mogi
Overview: In this drama set in the Sengoku period, Sakoda played Mogi, a retainer of Sanada Yukimura (played by Masato Sakai), playing a significant role in the story. His performance was noted for its realism and depth, leaving a strong impression on viewers.
Okaeri Mone (2021, NHK Asadora)
Role: Koichi Hayasaka
Overview: In this morning drama about young people aspiring to become weather forecasters, Sakoda portrayed a warm-hearted character who supports the protagonist, adding warmth to the story.
What Will You Do, Ieyasu? (2023, NHK Taiga Drama)
Role: Moritsuna Watanabe
Overview: In this drama depicting the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, Sakoda played the role of Watanabe Moritsuna. He skillfully expressed the bravery of a Sengoku-era warrior, once again showcasing his presence in historical dramas.
Movies
Nobunaga Concerto (2016)
Role: Nagahide Niwa
Overview: In this time-travel story set in the Sengoku period, Sakoda played an important role as one of Nobunaga’s retainers. His adaptability to historical roles was highly praised in this work as well.
Just Remembering (2022)
Role: Protagonist – Koichi Seki
Overview: In this film, where Sakoda starred as the lead, he portrayed a middle-aged man who struggles through a series of unfortunate events. His performance, filled with humor and warmth, captivated many audiences.
Characteristics and Style
Versatility as a Character Actor: Takaya Sakoda is an actor who can completely immerse himself in any role. He has portrayed a wide range of characters, from Sengoku-era warriors to ordinary modern-day citizens, earning high praise for his acting abilities.
Unique Presence: While his acting is natural, Sakoda commands a strong presence on screen. In historical dramas and films, particularly when portraying historical figures, he brings realism and depth to his roles.
Awards
Elan d’Or Award for Newcomer (2017):
Awarded for his performance in the Taiga drama Sanada Maru.
Japanese Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor (2022):
Recognized for his performance in the film Just Remembering.
Hobbies and Special Skills
Hobbies: Music, Fishing, Sauna
Music: Sakoda enjoys listening to a wide variety of music, regardless of genre.
Fishing: He finds relaxation in nature and enjoys fishing as a hobby.
Sauna: He frequently visits saunas to refresh and rejuvenate.
Special Skills: Sword Fighting, Judo
Sword Fighting: With experience in period dramas, Sakoda is skilled in stage combat and excels at performing realistic action scenes.
Judo: Sakoda has experience in judo, which he incorporates into his physical performances.