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Kazuya Kamenashi
Kamenashi Kazuya from "Lumberjack the Monster" at Red Carpet of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2023 (53348319728).jpg
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

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Gokusen: The Movie Ryū Odagiri
2012 Yokai Ningen Bem: The Movie Bem Lead role
2013 It's Me, It's Me Hitoshi Nagano Lead role
2014 The Vancouver Asahi Roy Naganishi
2015 Joker Game Jiro Katou Lead role
2017 A Beautiful Star Kazuo Osugi
Policeman and Me Kōta Sagano Lead role
2020 Stigmatized Properties Yamame Yamano Lead role
2023 Lumberjack the Monster Akira Ninomiya Lead role

TV Dramas

Year Broadcast Title Role
1999 TBS 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi-sensei 5 Akihiko Fukagawa
2000 NTV Shijou Saiaku no Date Toru (Episode 16)
2001 TBS 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi-sensei 5 Special Akihiko Fukagawa
2005 NTV Gokusen 2 Ryū Odagiri
NTV Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo Hajime Kindaichi
NTV Nobuta wo Produce Shūji Kiritani
2006 Fuji TV Sapuri Yūya Ishida
NTV Yuuki Yūki Sanda
NTV Kuitan SP Hiroto Kanzaki (Cameo appearance)
NTV Tatta Hitotsu no Koi Hiroto Kanzaki
2007 TBS Tokkyu Tanaka San Go Toru Shibahara (Guest; Episode 9)
2008 NTV 1 Pound no Fukuin Kōsaku Hatanaka
2009 NTV Kami no Shizuku Shizuku Kanzaki
TBS Mr. Brain Dr. Masakazu Wakui (Guest; Episode 3)
2010 TBS Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge Kyohei Takano
2011 TBS 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi-sensei Final Akihiko Fukagawa (Guest)
NTV Yokai Ningen Bem Bem
2012 TBS Dragon Seinendan Nazo no Sōsai (Guest; Episode 9)
2013 NTV Tokyo Bandwagon~Shitamachi daikazoku Monogatari Ao Hotta
2015 TV Asahi Second Love Kei Taira
2016 NTV Kaitō Yamaneko Yamaneko
2017 NTV Boku Unmei no Hito Desu Makoto Masaki
NTV Jidai wo Tsukutta Otoko Aku Yu Monogatari Yū Aku
2018 Fuji TV FINAL CUT Keisuke Nakamura / Keisuke Hayakawa
TV Tokyo Tegami: Keigo Higashino Naoki Takeshima
2019 Fuji TV Strawberry Night Saga Kazuo Kikuta
2021 NTV Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousahan Kyosuke Fushimi
NHK Seigi no Tenbin Kazuya Takano
2022 WOWOW Shoutai Keiichi Kaburagi
2023 NHK Seigi no Tenbin Season 2 Kazuya Takano
2024 Fuji TV Ōoku Tokugawa Ieharu
TV Asahi Destiny Masaki Nogi

TV Programs

Year Program Role
Occasional event Zoomin!!!Saturday Producer
2010–present Going Sports & News Baseball reporter/MC
2008 - 2011 Radio: Ks by Ks Host
2011–present Radio: Hang Out Host
2010–present Dramatic Game Game commentator

Live Performances

Kazuya Kamenashi has performed in many live shows and concerts.

Stage Shows

Year Title Role
2002 SHOCK Dancer
2004 DREAM BOY Supporting role/dancer
2004 SUMMARY of Johnnys World with NEWS Lead role
2005 Hey!Say! Dream boy! with Kanjani8 Lead role
2006 DREAM BOYS with Kanjani8 Lead role
2007 DREAM BOYS 2007 Lead role
2008 DREAM BOYS 2008 Lead role
2009 DREAM BOYS 2009 Lead role
2011 DREAM BOYS 2011 Lead role
2012 DREAM BOYS 2012 Lead role
2015 Aoi Shushi wa Taiyo no Naka ni Aru Lead role
2020 Maigo no Jikan -Kataru Shitsu- Lead role

Concerts

Year Title Role
2001 Kinki Kids First Concert Boku no Senaka ni wa Hane ga Aru Backup dancer
2001 Sugao 3 Backup dancer
2003–present Johnnys Countdown Concert Johnny's Entertainment performer
2017 KAT-TUN KAZUYA KAMENASHI CONCERT TOUR 2017 Theー ~Follow Me~ Main performer

Awards and Recognition

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

Years Awards
2005
  • 44th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor - "Gokusen 2"
  • 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Best Supporting Actor - "Gokusen 2"
2006
  • 47th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor - "Nobuta wo Produce"
  • Japan Gold Disc Awards: Song Of The Year - "Seishun Amigo"
  • 23rd Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist
2007
  • 24th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist
  • 1st Astar TV Drama Awards: Best New Asian Star of 2007 for Japan
2008
  • 25th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist
2009
  • 26th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist
  • 12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter): Best Actor - "Kami no Shizuku"
2010
  • 13th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter): Best Actor - "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge"
  • 13th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Annual): Best Actor - "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge"
  • 27th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist
  • TV Navi Drama Awards (January–March) : Best Actor - "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge"
2011
  • 15th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall): Best Actor - Yokai Ningen Bem
  • 15th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Annual): Best Actor - Yokai Ningen Bem
  • 71st Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor - Yokai Ningen Bem
2013
  • 15th Udine Far East Film Festival, Italy - My Movie Audience Award (It's Me, It's Me)
2016
  • 19th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter): Best Actor - Kaito Yamaneko
2017
  • Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Spring): Best Actor - Boku, Unmei no hito desu
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