Manami Higa Opens Up in Her First Essay Collection: “I Put My Most Important Self Into These Pages”

The feedback became a birthday present

— On June 10, just before your 40th birthday, you released your first essay collection. What made you decide to publish it?

“Whenever I reach a milestone where my age changes by a decade, I’ve always taken on some kind of new challenge. This time, I wanted people to get to know me not only as an actor but also as a person. I also wanted to preserve my memories and thoughts in the form of essays while reflecting on who I was in the past and who I am now. That’s why I decided to create this book.”

— When did you begin writing?

“The project itself began about a year ago, but I actually started writing this year. Since these are my own words, I don’t think there’s necessarily a right or wrong answer. Even so, I was most careful about choosing my words and how I expressed myself so that no one who reads them would be hurt.”

— Was there anything that particularly left an impression on you as you wrote?

“Being able to confront myself as a child and during what I would call my dark period. At the time, of course, but even now, there were still some emotional wounds that remained. Once I put those feelings into words, I had the sense that they were gradually becoming lighter. I think it was only after so many years had passed that I was finally able to face them head-on and, in my own way, heal from them.”

— Have you received any feedback from people who have read the essays?

“A dear acquaintance who has known me since my days in Okinawa said, ‘It was good to learn things about you that even I didn’t know. I’m proud to have been part of a turning point in your life.’ In the essays, I wrote many words that I wanted to share with a lot of people, including my fans. But hearing the thoughts of the important people close to me has been especially moving.”

— So in a way, that itself became a kind of birthday present.

“Exactly! It became a wonderful birthday present. Before the release, I couldn’t stop feeling restless. It wasn’t quite nervousness—it was an emotion I’d never experienced before—so I was really happy.”

— What made you feel that way?

“I poured all my personal quirks and things I’m particular about into the essays. There’s also a lot of my private life in them, which made me wonder, ‘Will people really accept a book that feels like it was made entirely for me?’ Of course, how people interpret it is up to them. But I realized that revealing my ‘unfiltered self’ to the public is actually a very frightening thing.

I’ve packed the most important, innermost parts of myself into this book—my honest feelings without any pretense. So I feel that I simply have to leave it up to the readers to decide how they interpret what I’ve written. It’s such a straightforward and sincere book that it’s actually difficult for me to recommend it with sales-pitch-like words such as, ‘This is how I want you to read it.’”

The true protagonist

— You star in the drama “First Cry: Emergency Maternal and Child Care Unit” (Nippon TV), which began airing on July 8. As the lead actor and head of the cast, how are you approaching the filming?

“I’m really getting to experience the joys of being the lead. We have such a great team. The cast and staff place great importance on harmony, and we communicate closely with one another. Since I have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to coordination, I can simply focus on doing my job as an actor. I’m burning with passion for the role as I deeply feel Akki Mitsui’s sense of mission as an obstetrician-gynecologist and her dedication to childbirth.”

— Have you discovered anything new through this role?

“It’s really made me realize once again that the birth of a life is anything but something ordinary. A baby can only cry out for the first time thanks to the help of medical professionals and so many other people. Every one of us is born with the support of others. Playing a character who stands on the front lines of that process has made me feel very strongly about how we should face life and how precious it is. I may be playing the lead, but I don’t actually think I’m the true protagonist.”

— Who is the true protagonist?

“The babies. When it’s time to start filming, an actual baby comes onto the set, and the atmosphere instantly changes. It’s as if everything is suddenly purified—the distractions and anything unnecessary just disappear. You can feel everyone’s hearts being filled with compassion.

At the same time, everyone becomes motivated by the thought, ‘This is what we’re doing all this for—for this little life.’ The atmosphere is completely different. The first production I’m appearing in during my 40s is ‘First Cry,’ and every day I find myself thinking, ‘How incredibly fortunate I am.’”

— What kind of actress do you want to be as “Aimi Higashihara in her 40s”?

“Just as I have until now, I want to remain an actress who continues to evolve while maintaining a spirit of curiosity and exploration. It’s because of all the effort I’ve built up over the years that I’m able to continue doing the work I love today. I’ve finally become able to acknowledge myself, even if only a little, and say, ‘I’ve really worked hard.’

Outside of acting, I’m also exploring whether there are more ways I can contribute to society. I’ve devoted myself entirely to acting until now, but going forward, I want to actively learn about other fields and expand the range of things I can do.”

MANAMI HIGA, 40
Born in Okinawa Prefecture in 1986. She began working as a model in 2003 and made her acting debut in 2005.
On June 10 this year, she released her first essay collection, “Mata ne.” (“See You.”), published by Kodansha.
In the drama “First Cry: Maternal and Child Emergency Care Unit” (Nippon TV), she stars as an obstetrician-gynecologist.

My Recent Favorite “QUEST”: Visiting Secluded Hot Springs

I’ve always loved traveling, but lately I’ve become particularly hooked on visiting secluded hot springs. Whenever I hear about a place that’s supposed to be good, I make time to visit, no matter how far away it is. Soaking in a hot spring and spending a leisurely time surrounded by nature is the perfect way to recharge. It really reminds me how important it is to make time to heal both the mind and body.

From the July 31, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”