JAPAN: Japan ecstatic over Oscar nominations of Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi and Iwo Jima film

Newcomer Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi rose to the rank of Oscar nominee on Wednesday (January 23) for her performance in the film "Babel". Kikuchi, who was almost unknown not only in the United States but also in Japan, was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Oscar nominated film. She became the first Japanese actress to be nominated in 50 years after Miyoshi (Nancy) Umeki won the award for her role in "Sayonara" in 1957. The news made national headlines on many local newspapers on Wednesday (January 24) and most Japanese were very happy to hear it. "I think she has done a great job. I saw her being interviewed on a TV programme," said 60-year-old Yoko Yamazaki who like many other Japanese never saw the film as it will open here in April. "I expect her to win the race, though I know how difficult it is," added 31-year-old Naohito Yokoyama. "It is a great thing considering her acting skills were highly evaluated," said Hidehiro Takahashi, 27-year-old. Most Japanese are also paying close attention to American director Clint Eastwood's film "Letters from Iwo Jima" which has been nominated for the best motion picture of the year. The Japanese-language-film features mostly Japanese actors including Ken Watanabe. "Starting with Ken Watanabe, there has been a lot of Japanese actors and actresses acting in Hollywood movies. I am very glad that their presence compares substantially to foreign stars," said 25-year-old Chikako Ishizuka. The Oscars, which are awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are the US film industries' top honours and will be given out in a gala ceremony in Los Angeles on February 24.

ITN Source | January 31, 2007

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