Actress Mayu Tsuruta Reflects on Her Acting Career: “Why I Lost Myself in Trendy Dramas”

The Beginning of His Acting Career

When the camera is pointed at her, she strikes natural, fluid poses in response to requests. When asked a question, she pauses to think for a moment before answering slowly and thoughtfully—

Actress Mayu Tsuruta (56) is clearly someone who values the art of expression. This isn’t limited to interviews; no matter the role, she delivers performances that put viewers at ease.In the NHK Taiga drama *Toyotomi Brothers!*, she gave a fine performance as the enigmatic proprietress of a brothel, and in the drama *Sayonara Noir* (Fuji TV), airing on August 25, she plays a former member of the Diet with a stern demeanor. Tsuruta shares her thoughts.

“I enjoy playing any role I’m given. However, since I’m not good with horror, anything that’s too graphic or scary might be a bit challenging for me…”

What kind of acting career has she had? Let’s hear it in her own words.

“I joined a talent agency when I was a senior in high school. Thanks to 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, who was just about to open a talent agency.It just so happened that he was looking for someone at the time, asking, ‘Is there anyone who might be interested in joining an agency?’ And that’s how I ended up joining his agency.”

Tsuruta has been working tirelessly in TV dramas, movies, and commercials. Her turning point as an actress came in her mid-20s. She landed a role in a “trendy drama”—the kind she had always admired—and was cast as the heroine.

“Appearing in a ‘trendy drama’ and playing the heroine had been my goals since my debut, so I was thrilled. On the other hand, once I achieved those goals, I lost sight of what I really wanted to do. I lost myself. I think that was the moment I was forced to confront the essence of acting and creative work.”

Encouraged to Set Out on a Journey

Tsuruta had been going about her days feeling a bit unsettled. It was then that a female stylist she admired gave her some advice that would serve as a guiding principle for her future actions.

“She was telling me about her trip to India back then.Struggling with my own worries at the time, I thought that if I went to India now, I might be able to take in all sorts of new experiences, so I asked her, ‘Please take me with you.’ But she told me, ‘Don’t wait for me—go now.’ However, setting off on a solo trip to India out of the blue felt like too big a challenge. So, I went to Yakushima (Kagoshima), a place she had also visited.

Walking through the majestic, quiet forests of Yakushima, my current worries seemed trivial.

I thought, “How beautiful it all is”—from the green of the rain-soaked trees to the kindness of the islanders. I felt that perhaps that was where the roots of my creative work and acting lay.”

Having discovered the appeal of travel as a way to reflect on himself, Tsuruta began traveling around the world whenever his work schedule allowed. On one TV program, he even spent two months living in a tent in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“When you’re immersed in the hectic pace of life in Tokyo, your perspective inevitably narrows. For me, travel may serve the purpose of resetting the sense of disorientation I feel in the city. I hope the insights I gain from my travels will add depth to my lines.”

Tsuruta is honing his acting skills through the valuable experiences he gains while traveling.

In the September 4 issue of *FRIDAY*, on sale August 20, and in the paid version *FRIDAY GOLD*, Tsuruta opens up about the struggles he faced during his college years and his passion for travel. The issue also features exclusive photos, including some from his early days right after his debut.

Click here to view more details and additional photos ↓

From the September 4, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*