Second-Generation Actors with Famous Parents: Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Kazuki Sawamura, and Kazutoshi Sakurai

“I thought it was Sanada-san in his younger days.”

The year 2024 was remarkable for the accomplishments of Japanese individuals overseas. Among them, one of the most talked-about was actor Hiroyuki Sanada (64), who achieved several remarkable feats. His starring role in the streaming drama SHOGUN earned him an unprecedented 18 nominations at the Emmy Awards, where he won Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, and Best Drama, among other awards. In 2025, he went on to win four Golden Globe Awards, bringing immense joy to the entire nation.

Thanks to Sanada’s tremendous success, a young actor has garnered attention. Entertainment reporter Kaoru Shimada explains:

“His father is Hiroyuki Sanada, and his mother is Rimi Tezuka (63), a thoroughbred. This is Hinato Tezuka (29), who gained attention when he shared a mother-son photo on Tetsuko’s Room (TV Asahi) in May last year. The photo, posted on his Instagram, went viral due to his wild, untamed expression, leading people to say, ‘He looks like a young Hiroyuki Sanada.’ His wild yet refined looks are definitely inherited from his father, and there’s a kindness that comes through in his demeanor as well. Apparently, he worked as a nature guide in Hokkaido, and he’s the type of person who steadily pursues what he wants to do.”

Hinato Tezuka, influenced by the screenwriter Sō Kuramoto (90), chose to pursue a career as an actor. In 2023, despite failing to pass the audition for Kuramoto’s play Hibetsu 2023, he joined the production as a behind-the-scenes crew member. It was through this involvement that he was given a role, marking his debut as an actor at the age of 27. Shimada continues:

“Hinato Tezuka made his musical debut last year. Starting in January, he appeared in a stage production directed by Eri Watanabe (70), where he has been working hard, juggling acting and playing musical instruments. I’ve heard that he has other stage performances lined up as well.”

In addition to Hinato, second-generation actors with famous parents are beginning to rise in prominence. Let’s introduce a few of them, with Shimada’s insights. 

Co-starring with father and sister.

Tadano Asano (51), who won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in SHOGUN, has a son, Himi Sato (25), who has also made his debut as an actor.

“In 2017, when Himi made his modeling debut alongside his father, Tadano Asano, and his sister, SUMIRE (29), in a campaign for Laforet Harajuku, it generated quite a buzz. In 2018, he made his acting debut in the stage production Sho wo Sute Yo Machi e Deyo (Throw Away the Books, Let’s Go Into the Streets), and last year, he appeared in the Sunday night drama Sayōnara Maestro: Father and My Appassionato (TBS). He’s been fortunate to land some great roles.

His father, Asano, recently made history by winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, becoming the first Japanese actor to do so. His natural, charismatic speech was praised, and he continues to exude charm. Himi, who learned from his father that you should find things for yourself, feel them, and cherish them, must have been greatly inspired by him.” (Shimada)

Kōta Nomura (21), who inherited the tall genes of his father, Kazuki Sawamura (57), was already 175 cm tall in the 6th grade. After dedicating himself to basketball at the prestigious Maebashi Ikuei High School, he chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue a career in acting.

“In 2022, he made his acting debut in the drama Shin Nobunaga Kōki: Classmates are Warring States Generals (NTV). The following year, he was selected as the runner-up in the audition for Men’s Non-no, the fashion magazine where his father once modeled.

Last year, he played a compelling role in the popular drama The Man Who Destroys His Family (TV Tokyo), portraying the son of the protagonist’s (played by Marika Matsumoto) husband’s lover, a young man who gradually becomes attracted to Matsumoto’s character. This year, he appeared in Peacock Dance, Who Saw It? (TBS). He is a handsome, classic leading man, and his acting is becoming increasingly sophisticated. His future is definitely something to look forward to.” (Shimada)

Father’s popularity rekindled

Kaito Sakurai (23), the son of Kazutoshi Sakurai (54) of Mr. Children and former Giri Giri Girls member Mika Yoshino (53), initially pursued a career as the drummer for the rock band Inner Journey. However, in 2020, he made his acting debut in the NHK morning drama Yell.

“He played the drummer of Akira’s band, portrayed by Hiroo Miyazawa (30), and stood out with his refreshing looks and boldness. He gained attention for his role as the young version of Masato Sakai (51) in the mega-hit Sunday night drama VIVANT (TBS). Last year, he starred in the live-action movie adaptation of the popular anime Oshi no Ko, and in the January 2025 season, he appeared as a main cast member in the Sunday drama Omiya-sensei (TBS). His career is really taking off. While his music career is also highly anticipated, I believe his acting opportunities will continue to grow.” (Shimada)

Another second-generation actor appearing in the current season’s Sunday drama is Airu Kubozuka (21), the son of Yosuke Kubozuka (45). Growing up surrounded by many influential figures, including his father, he was drawn to the entertainment industry from a young age. His debut work was the movie Naki-mushi Shottan no Kiseki at the age of 14, where he portrayed the young version of Ryūhei Matsuda (41).

“When I first saw him up close, I was amazed by his incredible physique. His face is small, with long arms and legs, and his body is slender. He has an otherworldly level of good looks. While his image is cool, when you talk to him, you can sense a pure, boyish quality. His dedication to taking on roles with contrasting personalities is very endearing. While his father has a reputation for being quite rebellious in the public eye, Airu sees him as a figure of admiration. Thanks to Airu, his father’s popularity has been reignited.” (Shimada)

The eldest son of the first Kamen Rider actor Hiroshi Fujioka (78), Mai Fujioka (21), appeared alongside his father in the 2020 SEGA commercial “Segata Sanshiro” as his son. He then joined the cast of the movie Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations, playing the role of Takeshi Hongō, which was originally portrayed by his father. Last year, he also starred in the live-action drama adaptation of the popular manga Wingman (aired on TV Tokyo).

The rise of second-generation celebrities is becoming increasingly prominent, but just being a second-generation isn’t enough to win over viewers. Some, like Kōichi Fujioka (78)’s son, Maitō Fujioka (21), had to go through a phase where their parentage was kept under wraps. Maitō starred with his father in the 2020 SEGA commercial “Segata Sanshiro” and appeared in the movie Kamen Rider Beyond Generations, where he took on the role his father had once portrayed, that of Takeshi Hongo. Later, he starred in the live-action TV drama Wingman based on the popular manga.

The approach to second-generation actors is shifting. While it’s undeniable that having famous parents gives them an initial advantage, failing to be recognized for their own talent can result in comparisons to their parents, leading to the stigma of being just another child of a star. It takes time to break free from the “shine of the parent” and to be judged based on individual merit. Historically, many second-generation actors tried to hide their famous parentage, but there’s a trend now where younger stars openly express gratitude and respect for their parents, embracing their individuality. This marks the shift in the second-generation entertainment scene in the Reiwa era.

Now, these second-generation stars are beginning to leverage their parents’ fame as a platform to step into the international stage.