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)