Junichi Ishida Opens Up About Facing Retirement and Embracing a New Challenge

This January, as he turned 71, Junichi Ishida embarked on a new challenge: film production. Despite building a brilliant career as an actor, he once faced the risk of retirement.

Through his distinctive way of speaking, one could sense the depth of a life that has weathered ups and downs, as well as his passion for the next chapter ahead.

The Masterpiece That Changed His Mind About Retiring as an Actor

“I was actually planning to quit acting.”

Junichi Ishida began speaking with surprising words.

“My agency asked me, ‘Would you consider quitting acting and becoming a manager instead?’ At the time, I was in my late 30s, and to be honest, I wasn’t feeling much success anymore. I had partially come to terms with the idea that maybe it was time to move on.

Then, out of the blue, a production producer called me and asked, ‘Are you available in June? Can you clear your schedule for June, July, and August?’ It was for a new drama on Fuji TV’s Thursday 10 PM slot, starring Atsuko Asano (63) and Yuko Asano (64). Hearing that, I thought, ‘Yes! This is my chance!’ Back then, the ‘Thursday 10 PM’ and ‘Monday 9 PM’ slots were the ultimate dream for actors. So, I decided to take one last shot. That was Dakishimetai!” (aired in 1988 on Fuji TV).

Dakishimetai! became a signature trendy drama of its time. The co-starring duo of the “W Asano” actresses created a buzz, and the show turned Ishida’s career around.

“I told myself, ‘If this doesn’t work out, it’s over.’ So, I went all in, breaking free from the script and giving everything I had. Until then, I had always worried about not upsetting the director or sticking to the script exactly. But since I thought it was my last chance, I let go and gave it my all.”

As he recalled that time, Ishida spoke with a hint of nostalgia.

“In the farewell scene where Atsuko Asano walks away, her back looked so cute that I couldn’t help but ad-lib. I did what’s called the ‘Cooper Pose,’ raising my fingers to my head. Then the producer rushed over and said, ‘Please don’t do that!'”

“But then, director Shunsaku Kawake (72) stepped in and said, ‘No, it’s fine.’ At that moment, I felt, ‘I can create something with this person.’ In the end, the ‘Cooper Pose’ became kind of my signature move. (laughs)”

Dakishimetai! became a social phenomenon, exceeding a 21% viewership rating and turning into a massive hit. Although Ishida decided to continue acting, he humbly reflected on the drama’s success, saying, “I was just lucky.”

“A turning point came at the very last moment. You never know if a drama will be successful or not. If it hadn’t been for that, I would have quit. So, I really think I was lucky.”

“Recently, I’ve been working on writing scripts.”

Ishida is currently focusing on film production, with screenwriting at its core. He is shaping the many expressions he has experienced as an actor into words of his own.

“I’ve always wanted to make films. I want to use my experience as an actor to express myself more freely. Right now, I’m working on a film script, aiming for release on streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime. The distribution isn’t set yet, but once the lead actor is decided, things will start moving.

But meeting deadlines is really tough (laughs). The night before a deadline, I often can’t sleep. Still, this process is exciting—shaping the stories and emotions inside me into something real.”

At the same time, Ishida has learned a lot from past hardships. Despite what appeared to be a smooth acting career, he has faced many difficulties. One of the most notable was the harsh criticism he received for non-essential outings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Honestly, that was rock bottom for me. But no matter how tough things get, I can’t just stand still. Finding ways to overcome adversity—that’s what makes life interesting for me. People love to gossip, saying things like, ‘He failed and had to move out of a luxury condo,’ but I don’t care. If I make a film so good that no one can complain, then there’s nothing left to say, right? That’s why I want to take another big shot.

Just like how a baseball player settles the score at Koshien, I want to make a comeback in the entertainment industry. That’s why I’m writing scripts and focusing on what I really want to do. That’s my goal right now.”

Using his past experiences as fuel, Ishida is stepping into a new challenge. Through screenwriting, he is carving out a new path for himself.

At the end of the interview, he smiled and said, “I’m happier now.” When asked why, he answered quietly:

“When I was younger, I was afraid of failure. But now, I can take on anything. Even at 70, I still find so many exciting things to do. I’ll keep challenging myself.”

Having hit rock bottom and survived a crisis of retirement, Junichi Ishida is now soaring freely, more than ever before.