was a Japanese

Japanese people

The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...

 actor. He was the leader of the comic jazz band The Crazy Cats, which featured such talent as Hitoshi Ueki

Hitoshi Ueki

was a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and guitarist. He won six awards for acting. His film credits stretch from 1960 to 1995.Ueki came to fame through the comic jazz-band The Crazy Cats led by Hajime Hana...

 and Kei Tani

Kei Tani

was a Japanese comedian, actor and musician. Born in Tokyo, he learned to play the trombone and, while a student at Chuo University, began playing in jazz bands performing for American soldiers during the Occupation of Japan. He quit university and joined the City Slickers with Frankie Sakai in 1953...

, and which starred in a series of film comedies (such as the "Irresponsible" (Musekinin) series at Toho

Toho

is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...

) and in TV variety shows such as "Shabondama Holiday." He won the award for best actor at the 31st Blue Ribbon Awards

Blue Ribbon Awards

The are film-specific prizes awarded solely by movie critics and writers in Tokyo, Japan.The awards were established in 1950 by which is composed of film correspondents from seven Tokyo-based sports newspapers...

 for Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You

Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You

is a 1988 Japanese film directed by Jun Ichikawa.-Awards and nominations:31st Blue Ribbon Awards* Won: Best Actor - Hajime Hana...

.

Filmography

• Alone on the Pacific
  Alone on the Pacific
  is a 1963 color Japanese adventure film directed by Kon Ichikawa. It was entered into the 1964 Cannes Film Festival.The film is based on the book and 1962 first solo voyage across the Pacific by Kenichi Horie.-Cast:* Yujiro Ishihara - The Youth...
  
  (1963)
• Graveyard of Honor
  Graveyard of Honor (1975 film)
  Graveyard of Honor is a yakuza film directed by Kinji Fukasaku.-Cast:*Tetsuya Watari as Rikio Ishikawa*Tatsuo Umemiya as Kozaburo Imai*Yumi Takigawa as Chieko Ishikawa*Eiji Go as Makoto Sugiura...
  
  (1975)
• Hokuriku Proxy War
  Hokuriku Proxy War
  Hokuriku Proxy War is a 1977 film directed by Kinji Fukasaku and starring is Sonny Chiba and Hiroki Matsukata-Cast:*Sonny Chiba*Hiroki Matsukata*Yumiko Nogawa*Mikio Narita*Yôko Takahashi*Takeo Chii*Tatsuo Endo...
  
  (1977)
• Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You
  Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You
  is a 1988 Japanese film directed by Jun Ichikawa.-Awards and nominations:31st Blue Ribbon Awards* Won: Best Actor - Hajime Hana...
  
  (1988)