Kazuya Kamenashi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kazuya Kamenashi
Kamenashi in 2023
Background information
Native name	亀梨 和也
Also known as	Kame, Kame-chan, Kazu
Born	(1986-02-23) February 23, 1986 (age 39)
Origin	Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan
Genres	J-pop
Occupation(s)	Singer actor TV and radio host TV producer magazine model
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	J Storm

Kazuya Kamenashi (亀梨 和也, Kamenashi Kazuya, born February 23, 1986) is a famous Japanese singer, actor, and TV host. He is a member of the popular J-pop group KAT-TUN.

Kazuya was born and grew up in Edogawa, Tokyo. When he was 12 years old, he joined a big Japanese talent agency called Johnny & Associates. In 2001, he became a main singer for the group KAT-TUN. He was also part of a special group called Shūji to Akira. Their song "Seishun Amigo" was the best-selling song in Japan in 2005. Kazuya is also a well-known actor, playing lead roles in many TV shows.

Early Life and Hobbies

Kazuya Kamenashi was born in Edogawa, Tokyo, on February 23, 1986. He is the third of four brothers. His older brothers are Yūichirō and Kōji, and his younger brother is Yūya.

His first name, Kazuya, comes from a character in a Japanese comic book called Touch. This comic was written by a famous Japanese manga artist, Mitsuru Adachi. It's a fun coincidence that his bandmate Tatsuya Ueda was also named after a character from the same comic!

Kazuya loved baseball, just like the character he was named after. He was a very good player and even played for his country in a junior world league as a shortstop. However, he had to stop playing baseball professionally. This was because he joined Johnny's Entertainment and didn't have enough time for both. Even though the agency's president, Johnny Kitagawa, supported him, Kazuya chose to focus on his entertainment career.

Acting Career Highlights

Kazuya Kamenashi has starred in many popular TV shows and movies.

Early Acting Success

In 2009, Kazuya played the main role in a TV show called Kami no Shizuku. This show was based on a comic book about wine. He and his co-stars won many awards for their work in this drama. He also appeared in a movie called Gokusen The Movie. This was his first movie role. The film was very successful, earning a lot of money at the box office.

In 2010, Kazuya took on another main role in the TV show Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. This show was also based on a popular comic book. It was named the Best Drama by voters, and Kazuya won the Best Actor award.

Continued Success and Awards

In 2011, he played Bem in the TV show Yokai Ningen Bem. He won Best Actor awards for this role. Because the show was so popular, a movie version of Yōkai Ningen Bem was made in 2012. The movie also did very well.

Kazuya starred in the movie It's Me, It's Me in 2013. This movie was shown at a film festival in Italy, where Kazuya won an audience award. In 2016, he played the main character, Yamaneko, in the drama The Mysterious Thief Yamaneko.

Recent Acting Projects

In 2017, Kazuya worked with his former co-star, Tomohisa Yamashita, in the drama Boku unmei no hito desu. He also appeared in two movies that year: Policeman and Me and A Beautiful Star.

He continued acting in TV dramas in 2018, taking the lead in "Final Cut." He also appeared in a TV movie based on a popular novel called "Tegami." In 2019, he starred in a remake of "Strawberry Night" called "Strawberry Night Saga." Kazuya keeps taking on new and exciting roles in both TV and film.

Other Activities

Kazuya Kamenashi is not just a singer and actor; he's also involved in many other interesting projects.

Modeling and Fashion

Kazuya has a strong presence in the fashion world. In 2008, he walked the runway for a famous fashion brand, Hermès, in Tokyo. He has also won the "Best Jeanist" award many times. This award is given to people who look great in jeans. Kazuya won it five years in a row, which means he is now in the "hall of fame" for this award!

Baseball Commentary

Kazuya's love for baseball continues even after he stopped playing professionally. He has thrown the first pitch at major baseball games in Japan. He also played in a special fan event for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team.

Today, Kazuya is a commentator and host for sports shows. He works on programs like Going! Sports&News and Dramatic Game, sharing his knowledge of baseball with fans.

Social Media Presence

In 2023, Kazuya joined Instagram, a popular social media platform. He was the first member of KAT-TUN to open a social media account. His first post featured a stuffed turtle, which is a fun symbol linked to him because of his last name. This allows him to connect directly with his fans.

Discography

Kazuya Kamenashi has released several solo songs and singles.

• His singles "Sayonara Arigato" (2013), "Rain" (2019), and "Cross" (2023) all reached number one on the Japanese music charts.
• He has also recorded many solo songs that have been featured in his group's albums or on DVDs.

Filmography

Kazuya Kamenashi has appeared in many films and TV dramas.

Films

TV Dramas

TV Programs

Live Performances

Kazuya Kamenashi has performed in many live shows and concerts.

Stage Shows

Concerts

Awards and Recognition

Kazuya Kamenashi has won many awards for his acting and style.