Program
Deaf Actors in Japan - Present and Future
Sign language theater has a rich history in Japan, with Katsuzo Fukagawa establishing the Deaf Theater "Tosenza" in 1950 and Akihiro Yoneuchiyama founding the "Japan Deaf Theatre" in 1971. However, in mainstream film and theater for hearing audiences, it was long common for hearing actors to portray Deaf characters. In 1999, Akiko Oshidari gained prominence as the first Deaf lead actress in the Japanese film "I Love You". In theater, Hiroe Ohashi starred in "Children of a Lesser God" and received the Yomiuri Theater Award for Best Actress. After a period of decreased activity for Deaf actors, Atom Sunada has once again drawn attention with his supporting role in the 2022 film "LOVE LIFE". This panel discussion brings together actors who have shaped history and young actors who will lead the future, to discuss the possibilities for Deaf actors.
Panel Discussion
Panelist: Akiko Oshidari / Atom Sunada / Akito Imai / Eri Nagai
Moderator: Shizue Sazawa
90 min
Language: Japanese Sign Language
Interpretation: International Sign, Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (Spoken/Text), English (Text)
Moderator: Shizue Sazawa
90 min
Language: Japanese Sign Language
Interpretation: International Sign, Japanese Sign Language, Japanese (Spoken/Text), English (Text)
Date
Sun, Nov 9, 1:00 PM
Location
ZA-KOENJI | Awaodori Hall
Admission
Free (Tickets at the door)
Free Admission (Tickets at the door)
Akiko Oshidari
Actor
Born in Hokkaido in 1970, Akiko made her acting debut in 1999 after being selected through an audition as Japan's first Deaf lead actress for the film "I Love You". Since then she has been active in a wide range of fields, including films and stage productions, giving lectures, holding sign language classes, and writing. In the film "My Two Worlds", released in September 2024, she received numerous "Best Supporting Actress" awards at various film festivals.
Born in Hokkaido in 1970, Akiko made her acting debut in 1999 after being selected through an audition as Japan's first Deaf lead actress for the film "I Love You". Since then she has been active in a wide range of fields, including films and stage productions, giving lectures, holding sign language classes, and writing. In the film "My Two Worlds", released in September 2024, she received numerous "Best Supporting Actress" awards at various film festivals.
Atom Sunada
Actor
Born in Ehime Prefecture, Atom developed an interest in theater and stage performance from a young age, influenced by his father during his elementary school years at Ehime Prefectural Matsuyama School for the Deaf. He has performed on stages across Japan, including with the Japan Deaf Theatre. In 1999, he appeared in the film "I Love You" and in skits for NHK ETV's "Minna no Shuwa" (Everyone's Sign Language). In 2022, he appeared in "LOVE LIFE" (directed by Koji Fukada), which was screened at the 79th Venice International Film Festival where he appeared on the red carpet. Currently, he is busy with sign language plays, sign language-related illustrations, paintings, and sign language instruction.
HP／http://www.deaf-atom.com
Born in Ehime Prefecture, Atom developed an interest in theater and stage performance from a young age, influenced by his father during his elementary school years at Ehime Prefectural Matsuyama School for the Deaf. He has performed on stages across Japan, including with the Japan Deaf Theatre. In 1999, he appeared in the film "I Love You" and in skits for NHK ETV's "Minna no Shuwa" (Everyone's Sign Language). In 2022, he appeared in "LOVE LIFE" (directed by Koji Fukada), which was screened at the 79th Venice International Film Festival where he appeared on the red carpet. Currently, he is busy with sign language plays, sign language-related illustrations, paintings, and sign language instruction.
HP／http://www.deaf-atom.com
Akito Imai
Actor
Akito joined the Japan Deaf Theatre in 2009. Under the guidance of Mr. Yoneuchiyama, he made his acting debut with a starring role in the stage play "Elephant Man" (2010). His credits include: "LISTEN" (2016), co-directed by Eri Makihara and Shizuka; starring in KAAT short film "The Man of Dreams" (2022); "MY LIFE IN THE BUSH OF GHOSTS" (2024), directed by Daisuke Miyazaki; "My Two Worlds" (2024), directed by Miho Hazama; "Don't Be Silent, Move, Breathe" (2025), general supervision by Katsuhiko Hibino, composition/direction by Eri Makihara; and "The Chatterboxes" (2025), directed by Ken Kawai. He is active in a wide range of roles including actor, supervisor, and director.
Akito joined the Japan Deaf Theatre in 2009. Under the guidance of Mr. Yoneuchiyama, he made his acting debut with a starring role in the stage play "Elephant Man" (2010). His credits include: "LISTEN" (2016), co-directed by Eri Makihara and Shizuka; starring in KAAT short film "The Man of Dreams" (2022); "MY LIFE IN THE BUSH OF GHOSTS" (2024), directed by Daisuke Miyazaki; "My Two Worlds" (2024), directed by Miho Hazama; "Don't Be Silent, Move, Breathe" (2025), general supervision by Katsuhiko Hibino, composition/direction by Eri Makihara; and "The Chatterboxes" (2025), directed by Ken Kawai. He is active in a wide range of roles including actor, supervisor, and director.
Eri Nagai
Actress
Born February 27, 1996, in Tokushima Prefecture, Eri is a first-generation graduate of the "Deaf Actors Course," an acting training program for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. She made her film debut and starring role in "Until Rainbow Dawn followed" (2018), and starred in "The Tanakaʼs" (2021), a film selected for the Tokyo International Deaf Film Festival. Major appearances include "Small, Slow But Steady" (2022), "Tsuki" (2023), "Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court" (2023), "My Two Worlds" (2024), and "Eleven Rogue Warriors" (2024). She also works as a sign language performer, including as a navigator for NHK's "Minna no Terebi: Enjoy with Sign Language."
Born February 27, 1996, in Tokushima Prefecture, Eri is a first-generation graduate of the "Deaf Actors Course," an acting training program for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. She made her film debut and starring role in "Until Rainbow Dawn followed" (2018), and starred in "The Tanakaʼs" (2021), a film selected for the Tokyo International Deaf Film Festival. Major appearances include "Small, Slow But Steady" (2022), "Tsuki" (2023), "Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court" (2023), "My Two Worlds" (2024), and "Eleven Rogue Warriors" (2024). She also works as a sign language performer, including as a navigator for NHK's "Minna no Terebi: Enjoy with Sign Language."
