This Week’s Cover Girl: Wakana Sakai “Even as an adult, you can always change the way you live your life.

I will continue performing for 30 years no matter what happens.”

–What was the idea behind the release of your first photo book in 13 years on the occasion of your 30th anniversary in the entertainment industry?

When I was 22 to 23 years old, I made a resolution to continue performing for 30 years no matter what happens, so I am very happy to have reached this milestone without incident. When I thought that I wanted to deliver something that would please my long-time fans, I thought that a “photo book,” which I had stayed away from, was a possibility. Another reason was that the editor in charge of the book suggested to me that I could go abroad (laughs). (Laughs) My only condition was that the photographer be Masashi Sanai. The shooting location, Taiwan, was one of the candidates that Mr. Sanai mentioned during our meeting, and it just so happened to be the country I wanted to visit the most.

–That’s amazing!　How was your time on set and in Taiwan?

Mr. Sanai never takes a picture at the exact moment I want him to take a picture of me, he takes it at the exact moment I let out a breath. As a subject, I was worried that I wouldn’t get a good response, but I trusted her and left everything to her.

The Taiwanese people were really kind, and the food was the best I have had in all my travels around the world. It seems that Mr. Sanai and the local staff had prepared their “must-try” favorites for us. It seems that Mr. Sanai and the local staff had prepared the best dishes for us. When I tried them, I found that all the dishes were truly exquisite. Even the greens were so delicious that I was very impressed.

–Did you feel any resistance to wearing a bathing suit or underwear in the film?

Of course I did. When I talked about it with my friends of the same generation, they told me, ‘It would be cool to wear a swimsuit now. It would be a positive thing.

–I feel that your “innocence” is similar to the determination you had when you made the complete shift from gravure to acting.

You may be right. At the time, there were no precedents for a gravure idol transitioning to acting, and the public perception was very strong. I was called “Mr. Gravure” instead of my character’s name on set, told not to return to the dressing room while waiting for my turn, and even told behind my back, “You’re not an actor, so don’t go backstage and stand. It was an environment that would never be tolerated in this day and age.

But I had a sense of mission to pave the way …… that even a quiet type like me could become an actor. At the time, I saw dozens of my friends who had talent as actors but couldn’t step up to the next level and quit. I thought, “If I persevere for 10 years, I will be recognized as an actor. I think that encountering the works of Kudo Kankuro (55), such as “Ikebukuro West Gate Park” (TBS, 2000) and “Kisarazu Cat’s Eye” (TBS, 2002), was a major turning point in my recognition as an actor.

–Kudo-kan’s films were a time of friendly competition with other actors of the same generation. Do you have any close friends in the industry?

I met Ryuta Sato (46) when I was 19, and we often talk about how lucky we are to be able to eat in this world from our teens to our 40s. If he is still in the entertainment industry, I think this world is not abandoned (laughs). We both feel that way, so even though we haven’t seen each other for a few years, our presence is a quiet support for each other.”

To others and to myself.

-It is impressive that you have recently been sending out messages on YouTube and NOTE to support those who have “difficulty in living”.

Rather than addressing the public at large, I deliver my words only to those who are having difficulty living or who are ill. When I was younger, I myself felt that it would have been nice to have someone to listen to me, so I wanted to be in that position that I was looking for. I sometimes receive messages from fans saying, ‘You gave me hope for life,’ and I feel that what I am doing has meaning.

–I heard that when you were 40 years old, you had a chance to rethink your way of life.

Yes, I did. I had spent the first 40 years of my life putting myself second, so I decided to give up the second half of my life. Until then, I would stay up until 5:30 a.m. listening to my friends when they called me for advice, even if I had to leave for work at 6:00 a.m. But I thought, ‘I have to take care of myself first,'” he said. But once I decided to “take care of myself first,” I was able to say no to things that were impossible, and life became much easier. I realized that even as an adult, I can change my way of life at any time.

–Lastly, after this major milestone of your photo book, what are your future challenges and goals?

This year I am in the world of the deadly killer, so I am staying quiet (laughs). In a few years, I am planning to launch a project that will support adult women in their second and third careers. I hope you can look forward to it along with my photo book.”

Wakana Sakai
Born in Tochigi Prefecture. Sakai made her debut in the entertainment industry in 1995, and became popular by appearing on the cover of FRIDAY and many other magazines. He later appeared in “Ikebukuro West Gate Park” and “Kisarazu Cat’s Eye”. He is currently active as an actor and writer.

My best recent work “ROUTINE
Walking

I have always loved taking walks, but during the pollen season, it is difficult for me to go out for a walk. …… Recently, the pollen has finally calmed down, so I am happy to get back to my routine of walking while listening to my favorite music!

From “FRIDAY” May 15 and 22, 2026