Actor Yamaji Soma

Realizing that we shouldn't take things for granted.

Actor Soma Santoki

■ Profile
Born on June 6, 2005. Made his acting debut in 2016 in the film "Yuzu no Ha Yurete".
In 2023, he gained attention for voicing the main character, Mahito, in Studio Ghibli's animated film "How Do You Live?". Recent appearances include the dramas "Min-Oh R" (2024) and "Chihayafuru -Meguri-" (2025), and the film "Kura no Aru Machi" (2025).

Soma Yamaji, who co-stars with Miho Kanno in the film "90 Meters," started his acting career at the age of five and is currently a university student balancing his studies with his acting career. This is driven by his strong belief that "I want to enjoy everything I do." We asked Yamaji about his reasons for continuing to act, what he values, his feelings when he was cast in the film, and anecdotes from filming.

I started my entertainment career when I was five years old, but actually, there was a time in my first year of junior high school when I wondered whether I should continue. However, I really wanted to join my current agency, so I took one last chance. The opportunity I received made me decide to face it as a job, and that's why I'm still acting today.
The appeal of acting is being able to live someone else's life. As someone who tends to get bored easily, I feel that this job, where I can experience a new life with each project, suits me very well. Therefore, I have rarely found it difficult to balance acting with my studies. If I had to say something, it was that it was a shame that I couldn't participate in school events sometimes. However, I was able to get through school life thanks to the kindness of friends who shared their notes with me, teachers, and the people around me. I don't think I could have continued this job on my own.

■ Don't forget gratitude and apologies.

In my work and as a person, the words I value most are "thank you" and "I'm sorry." It may seem obvious, but I feel like everything revolves around these words. Gratitude allows me to act, and the ability to apologize allows me to live honestly. Because these are words that I would be happy to hear myself, I make a conscious effort to use them.
What made me happiest as an actor was when I received comments like, "You saved me." When I saw comments from people who watched my dramas saying things like, "I'm in a similar situation and it cheered me up," I felt a sense of fulfillment knowing that I might be able to brighten someone's life a little. I want to continue acting, and I want to always maintain the feeling of wanting to enjoy everything I do. My goal is to one day stand on the stage of the Japan Academy Awards, and I want to take it one step at a time, starting with aiming for the Newcomer of the Year award.

■What I want you to feel from the movie "90 Meters" is "the joy of living."

When I was cast in the movie "90 Meters," I honestly felt a lot of pressure. When I read the script during the audition, I strongly felt that "this is a role I want to play as I am now, as a teenager." So, the moment I was cast, I felt like my resolve solidified at the same time.
The main character I played, Yu, is someone who loves basketball and his mother. Since I was in the basketball club for a long time myself, it was a role that I had a lot in common with. What I focused on most when acting was facial expressions. I would deliberately slouch, and in scenes without dialogue, I was always conscious of what emotions he was feeling.
On set, I received a lot of help, especially from Miho Kanno, who played my mother, and director Shun Nakagawa. Ms. Kanno was incredibly kind, and it felt like having a real mother around. I was impressed by her dedication to giving 100% in every scene, and it was a great learning experience for my future acting career. Also, there was a scene where I had to do multiple takes, and I lost sight of what I was trying to achieve. I remember feeling a great weight lifted off my shoulders when Director Nakagawa told me, "We're working as a team, so it's okay to do it as many times as you need."
When I first read the script for this work, I felt it was a bit difficult to understand, but as I actually performed it, I felt the warmth and kindness of many people. When I heard Shota Ohira, played by Taketo Tanaka, say the line, "I wanted to play basketball with you more," I burst into tears off-camera, but you don't have to take the work too seriously. I hope that you will feel the joy of being alive through your interactions with friends and the people around you.

■Message to university students

Yu was oblivious to the kindness of those around him, but perhaps there are many things that we take for granted and don't notice. Through this film, I realized that I am loved. There are many things you can only do while you're a university student. The film "90 Meters" is a work that gives you that opportunity. First of all, I hope you will cherish each day and do your best to make your school life one you won't regret.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on July 6, 2026 by Musashino University third-year student Akira Yoshimatsu

Yurie Watanabe, 2nd year student at Josai International University / Akina Yoshimatsu, 3rd year student at Musashino University / Haruna Shoji, 3rd year student at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

Stylist: Saki Nishimura / Hair & Makeup: Koichi Takahashi (Nestation)