Yukie Nakama is a Japanese actress, singer, and former idol. She was born on October 30, 1979.

Biography

She was born in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan, into an Okinawan family. She is the daughter of a fisherman and the youngest of five siblings.

At the beginning of her career, she worked as a gravure idol and singer. Her first single, titled "Moonlight to Daybreak," was released in 1996. She had small roles in movies and television until she became famous for playing Sadako Yamamura in the film Ring 0: Birthday (2000).

In 2000, Nakama showed her ability in comedy by starring in the Japanese television drama Trick. The show was very popular and led to two more seasons and four film versions. However, it was the highly rated 2002 television series Gokusen, a live-action adaptation of a popular manga, that made her one of Japan’s most well-known and trusted actresses. Gokusen ran for three seasons, and many actors from earlier seasons made short appearances. She is also known for her role in the drama Saki, which featured actor Shohei Miura.

Nakama has appeared in advertisements for companies such as Nissin Foods, Glico, Lotte, Asahi, Shiseido, and au by KDDI. She has also worked as a spokesperson for Japan Railways and the Japanese Tax Agency. She is managed by Production Ogi.

Personal life

Nakama married actor Tetsushi Tanaka, who is thirteen years older than her, on September 18, 2014. They had been in a relationship for six years before getting married. In February 2018, it was revealed that Nakama was four months pregnant. She gave birth to twin sons in June 2018.

Filmography

• Haunted Junction, theme songs performed: "Kokoro ni watashi ga futari iru" & "Tremolo" (1997)
• The Prince of Darkness (Nadesico) (1998)

• Rockman X4, theme songs performed: "Makenai Ai ga kitto aru" & "One More Chance" (1997)

• Jurassic World (2017 NTV edition), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard)
• PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023), Victoria Vance

Discography

• "Moonlight to Daybreak" (1996)
• "True Love Story (Koi no Yō ni Bokutachi wa)" ( トゥルー・ラブストーリー〜恋のように僕たちは〜 ) (1996) Theme song for the True Love Story
• "Kokoro ni Watashi ga Futari iru/Tremolo" ( 心に私がふたりいる／トレモロ ) (1997)
• "Makenai Ai ga Kitto aru/One More Chance" ( 負けない愛がきっとある/One More Chance ) (1997) Opening and ending themes for Mega Man X4 and ending theme for Don't Leave Me Alone, Daisy
• "Tōi Hi no Melody/Viola no Yume" ( 遠い日のメロディー／ヴィオラの夢 ) (1997) Theme song for Haunted Junction
• "Aoi Tori/Hareta Hi to Nichiyōbi no Asa wa" ( 青い鳥／晴れた日と日曜日の朝は ) (1998)
• "Birthday/I Feel You" (2000) Song used in the Ring 0: Birthday video game
• "Aishiteru" ( 愛してる ) (2001)
• "Koi no Download" ( 恋のダウンロード ) (2006) [by Yukie with Downloads]

• "Tōi Hi no Melody" ( 遠い日のメロディー ) (1998)

Awards

• Japanese Drama Academy Awards: In Spring 2002, she won Best Actress for the show Gokusen. In Spring 2003, she won Best Actress for Kao. In Fall 2003, she won Best Actress for Trick 3. In Summer 2004, she won Best Dresser for Tokyo Wankei. In Winter 2005, she won Best Actress for Gokusen 2.
• Japan Academy Prize (film) 2009: She was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for the film Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai.
• Elan d'or Awards 2003: She was named Newcomer of the Year.