Actor Kasumi Yamatani [Photobook "Long Distance, Now Here."]

I wanted to leave behind an unadorned version of myself at the end of my twenties.

Actress Kasumi Yamaya

■ Profile
Born on December 26, 1996, in Miyagi Prefecture. She made her acting debut in 2008 in the drama "CHANGE" (Fuji TV). In the movie "Code Blue: The Movie - Emergency Medical Helicopter," she shaved her head to portray a terminally ill cancer patient, and her overwhelming acting ability became a major topic of conversation. She won the Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film award at the 2019 Madrid International Film Festival for her starring role in the movie "Fake Plastic Planet." In recent years, she has appeared in a series of popular works such as the morning drama "Ranman," the NHK Taiga dramas "The 13 Lords of Kamakura" and "Toyotomi Brothers!" (both on NHK General and other channels), and the drama "My Best Friend is a Wicked Woman" (BS TV Tokyo), and is active in a wide range of fields including movies, dramas, and stage plays.

Kasumi Yamaya, who is releasing her photobook "Long Distance, Now Here" at the end of her twenties, chose Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture as the shooting location, where she first left home to participate in drama filming. What does she see in herself now, having revisited the place of her "roots" after 18 years? We asked her about the thoughts she put into the photobook, her 18-year acting career, her approach to work, and a message for university students.

■The "starting point" I visited at the end of my 20s

The photo book was shot on Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture. It's a special place for me, as it's where I first left home to participate in drama filming, and it's the starting point of my acting career. As I approach this milestone year of turning 30, I chose it as the location because I wanted to "return to my roots once again."
When I visited the filming location for the first time in 18 years, the desk and chair I used back then looked so small, and I realized how much I've grown.
Also, memories from that time came flooding back. More than the filming itself, the memories of our time off, like going to the candy store and playing on Angel Road, are what remain vividly in my mind.
This recent visit allowed me to experience the charm of Shodoshima's food culture and scenery. This photobook captures not only the nature and townscapes of Shodoshima, but also many expressions that only I can show now. I believe this book is a reflection of both the girl who was so engrossed in this place 18 years ago and the person I am now, in my late twenties.
The photoshoot took place in April, but it was much colder than I expected, and shooting by the sea was quite challenging (laughs). Nevertheless, the time I spent amidst the beautiful natural scenery was truly special, and I'm glad I chose Shodoshima as the place to capture my final moments in my twenties.

■18 years nurtured by encounters with people

I entered the entertainment industry when I was in the fifth grade of elementary school. When I talked about my future dreams at school, I said I wanted to "go into the world of television," and my homeroom teacher remembered that and introduced me to Avex's nationwide audition. At the time, I didn't have a strong yearning to be in the entertainment industry; I think my curiosity about "what it's like inside television" was much stronger. That small curiosity led me to take an audition, which before I knew it became the beginning of an 18-year acting career.
When I was in high school, I commuted back and forth between Miyagi and Tokyo. Because there weren't many people my age in the same situation, there were times when I struggled with how to maintain relationships. However, on the other hand, I was fortunate to have many encounters on many different sets. A particularly big turning point was my appearance in the film "Confessions." Seeing the adults seriously dedicated to making the film made me think, "I want to live in this world too." When I saw the film reach many people and receive praise, I still remember feeling, "I want to be involved in works that can be seen by even more people."

■ What is necessary for free expression

The acting profession is not something that can be done alone. A work is completed with the support of many people, including the director, staff, and fellow actors. Therefore, what I value most in my work is "thinking from the other person's perspective."
One of the things that helped me learn this way of thinking was working with Shun Oguri. When I first worked with him, he said to me, "We have the same birthday." That one sentence helped me relax and made it easier to get into character on set. Since then, I've made it a point to research people beforehand and try to get to know them before working with them for the first time.
I believe the most rewarding aspect of this job is being able to have even a small impact on someone's life through my work. I'd be happy if my work could give people energy or inspire them to think about something. I feel a particular sense of responsibility when working on socially conscious projects, because I believe that stories can convey realities that news reports often fail to fully capture.
Another appeal of acting is the opportunity to experience lives that you wouldn't otherwise encounter. Through roles, you encounter diverse values ​​and ways of life, and each time, your own world expands. Of course, there are times when things don't go as planned and you struggle, but overcoming those challenges and feeling a sense of growth is also what makes this job so interesting. I want to continue taking on challenges, keeping in mind the words I received from my respected mentor, Kotaro Yoshida: "If you want to act freely, you have to work hard."

■I wanted to preserve my unadorned self.

What I prioritized in this photobook was capturing my "natural self." In my usual work, I mostly express myself through roles, but in a photobook, I am the subject. So this time, I consciously let go of acting and tried to stand in front of the camera as my true self as possible. I also kept my makeup to a minimum, and went into the shoot almost completely barefaced.
Actually, I'm a little uncomfortable standing in front of the camera without the help of a role. Normally, the character I'm playing supports me, but in a photobook, it's just me. That's why I wanted to use this as an opportunity to confront myself.
Now that I'm in my late twenties, I realize that "you don't have to force yourself to act like an adult." I've gained more experience compared to when I was in elementary school, but I feel that the essential parts of me haven't changed that much. When I was a teenager, I was desperately running within the environment I was given. But now, I can think for myself and approach creating works with my own will. I feel that this photobook is the one that most honestly expresses who I am now.

■Message to university students

What I want to tell all the students is, "Act before you think." As you get older, you tend to overthink things before acting because you're afraid of failing. But when you're young, the ability to take that first step is a great strength in itself. I myself auditioned out of curiosity to "see what it's like to be on TV," and that led to my current job. Even if you fail, that experience will never be wasted. Everything becomes an asset to you. That's why I want you to try anything you want to do. For me, a challenge that started from a small curiosity has led to an 18-year acting career. I want all of you to believe in your own potential and take that first step.

Interview conducted by Kenhiko Yamada, first-year student at Hosei University, for Student Newspaper Online on June 5, 2026.

■Kasumi Yamatani photo collection Long distance, now here.
Author: Kasumi Yamaya
Photography: Yasushi Nishimura
Release Date: XNUM X Year X NUM X Month X NUM X Day
List price: 3,850 yen (tax included)
Specifications: A4 size
ISBN: 978-4-04-811839-2
Issued by: KADOKAWA Co., Ltd.
https://store.kadokawa.co.jp/shop/g/g322510001231/

Kaito Sato (3rd year, Hosei University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto University of the Arts) / Kyohei Nakazawa (3rd year, Waseda University) / Kenhiko Yamada (1st year, Hosei University)