Inside Mayu Tsuruta’s Acting Journey—and Why Trendy Dramas Left Her LostInside Mayu Tsuruta’s Acting Journey—and Why Trendy Dramas Left Her Lost

The beginning of her acting career

When a camera is pointed at her, she naturally and fluidly poses according to the photographer’s requests. When asked a question, she takes some time to think before answering slowly and thoughtfully.

Actress Mayu Tsuruta (56) must be someone who places great importance on how she expresses herself. This applies not only to interviews. No matter what role she plays, she gives performances that make viewers feel at ease. In the NHK historical drama “The Toyotomi Brothers!,” she gives a compelling performance as the enigmatic proprietress of a brothel, while in the drama “Sayonara Noir” (Fuji TV), airing August 25, she plays a former Diet member with a stern image. Tsuruta says:

“I enjoy playing every kind of role. However, I’m not good with horror, so something vividly frightening might be a little difficult for me.”

What kind of acting career has she had? We would like to introduce it in her own words.

“I got my start in the entertainment industry when I was a third-year high school student. Through my cousin, who worked at an advertising agency, I appeared as an extra in a Glico commercial. At the time, my cousin’s boss happened to know the current president of the agency, who was just about to start an entertainment company. It was right when they were looking for someone, saying, ‘Isn’t there some girl who might join the agency?’ That’s how I ended up joining his agency.”

Tsuruta worked energetically in dramas, films, and commercials. A turning point in her career as an actress came in her mid-20s, when she landed appearances in the trendy dramas she had long admired, as well as heroine roles.

“Appearing in trendy dramas and playing heroines had been my goals since I made my debut, so I was very happy. At the same time, after achieving those goals, I no longer knew what it was that I truly wanted to do. I lost sight of myself. I think it was a moment when I was forced to confront the essence of acting and creating.”

Encouraged to take a journey

Tsuruta spent her days carrying a sense of unease and uncertainty. During that time, a female stylist whom she deeply respected gave her some advice that would later guide her actions.

“Around that time, she had been telling me about a trip she took to India. As someone who was struggling with my own worries back then, I thought that if I went to India, I might be able to absorb all kinds of things, so I asked her, ‘Please take me with you.’ But she told me, ‘Don’t wait for me. Go now.’ However, suddenly traveling alone to India seemed like too much of a challenge. So instead, I went to Yakushima (Kagoshima), a place she had also visited.

As I walked through Yakushima’s majestic and tranquil forests, I realized that the worries I had at the time were insignificant.

I thought, ‘How beautiful,’ when I saw the greenery of the rain-soaked forest and experienced the kindness of the island’s people. I began to feel that perhaps the roots of creating things and acting could be found there.”

After discovering the appeal of traveling as a way to face herself, Tsuruta began traveling around the world whenever her work schedule settled down. For one television program, she even spent two months living in tents in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“When you become immersed in the hectic life of Tokyo, your perspective inevitably becomes narrower. For me, perhaps traveling serves to reset the senses that have become misaligned while living in the city. I hope that the insights I gain from traveling will eventually add greater depth to my lines.”

Tsuruta has continued to hone her acting skills through the valuable experiences she has gained from her travels.

The September 4 issue of “FRIDAY,” released on August 20, and the paid edition “FRIDAY GOLD” feature Tsuruta opening up about the struggles she faced during her university years and her passion for traveling. They also include exclusive photos, including youthful images taken shortly after her debut.

For those who would like to see the full details and multiple photos, click here↓

From the September 4, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”