Hidetoshi Nishijima is known for his energetic acting in action-packed, hard-boiled films and TV shows. He also charmed female fans of TV dramas by playing one half of a cute gay couple with Seiyo Uchino in "Kino Nani Tabeta?" (What Did You Eat Yesterday?), which was broadcast this spring.
His latest film is the heartwarming yakuza comedy "Ninkyo Gakuen," which opened in theaters in late September. Nishijima plays a good-natured gangster who represents a big departure from typical yakuza film roles.
So what are the origins of this dedicated actor with many faces?
"Excuse me, may I have some sweets? I'm starving," Nishijima said politely during the interview. The sweet-toothed actor smiled happily as he put sweets into his mouth.
The man he plays in the new film is also courteous and has a soft heart. Seiji Himura is the No. 2 man in a yakuza criminal syndicate called Akimoto-gumi. Under his gang boss (played by Toshiyuki Nishida), who has the pet phrase "Because we're underground folks, we must contribute to society," Himura sets about rebuilding the finances of a debt-ridden high school.
This leads to clashes between the old-fashioned gangsters and the hip high schoolers, who otherwise would not have met each other.
"To give flesh and blood to an inconceivable story, the actors must stay serious even if it's fiction," Nishijima said.
On a film set, the actors and crew throw their feelings at each other. Nishijima said he found it fun despite all the difficulties.
Himura has found his place in the yakuza world, but the students are still in the process of finding their own places.
"I suspect that there are many people out there today who have fallen out from society and are struggling in pain. I hope people who think they have no place in society will come and watch this film," he said.
In one scene, Himura encourages an unenthusiastic student, saying: "Take one step forward, and the world around you will change. You're only left with nothing when you haven't fought."
Nishijima said that's his favorite scene.
"I also had a hard time with my job for a long time, so those lines feel very close to my heart. Even if you seem to be making no progress, everything has its use in life," he said.
Inspired by the classics
Born in 1971, Nishijima comes from Tokyo and won popularity in the 1993 TV drama "Asunaro Hakusho." In 2002, he starred in "Dolls" directed by Takeshi Kitano, and he's also a model for Giorgio Armani's tailor-made clothing.
Nishijima's first experience with cinema was watching old Western films on TV.
"TV used to show many great movies with commentaries by [the late film critic] Nagaharu Yodogawa. I'd watch them with my parents, who taped them," Nishijima recalled.
He became fascinated by the world of films created by Alfred Hitchcock and Charlie Chaplin.
Nishijima majored in engineering at Yokohama National University, aspiring to become an engineer, but he increasingly felt "this isn't it." He wondered whether there was another way of life that wouldn't make him regret quitting university. Film was the first thing that came to his mind. He thought he would be content to just scrape by if he could work on a film set.
An older alumnus of his high school suggested that he audition to be a trainee actor, saying, "Bring your resume." Nishijima passed the audition and made his acting debut in 1992 as a young police detective on the TV show "Hagure Keiji Junjoha" starring the late veteran actor Makoto Fujita.
Fujita told Nishijima that even newcomers should have their own opinions and that Nishijima should tell him if there were things he found strange in the script, which Fujita would pass on to the crew on behalf of the younger actor.
Fujita also gave Nishijima acting lessons in between takes. Nishijima's time onscreen, which was very short to start with, gradually increased.
"By working hard, you start finding your own place, so to speak. Mr. Fujita taught me that's how you go forward," Nishijima said.
He made his film debut in the 1994 movie "Izakaya Yurei" (Ghost Pub).
"I was one of the regulars at the izakaya bar. It was a very small role. But the costume person took me into town to find my clothes. We chatted about many things on the way, like that I should have my hair dyed blonde. It really made me happy to learn that it's such fun to create a character," he said.
Shooting the film was tense, strenuous work.
"It almost gave me stomachaches every day. But I dug into it," he said, recalling fond memories.
Taking his time
However, Nishijima subsequently had a period when he did not get opportunities to appear in films. When he had to kill time, he went to cinemas.
"I went to several theaters every day because I wasn't alone in front of the screen. I could laugh and cry with other audience members," Nishijima said, recalling how the films helped him.
"It's difficult for me to watch that many films now. Recently, I often reminisce about those days thinking what a rich, fulfilling time it was," he said.
Around the time he first worked with Fujita shortly after his debut, Nishijima was interviewed by The Yomiuri Shimbun. "Mr. Fujita is the real deal," he said during that interview. "I want to take like 20 years to become a real actor myself."
"I'm not a quick learner. So I probably knew I needed more time than other people," Nishijima said of his past remarks.
At the end of filming the TV show, Fujita gave him a shikishi card with a handwritten message: "Take your time to pursue your profession."
"I think he saw through my clumsiness," Nishijima said.
Now he is extremely popular, praised for his acting skills, but Nishijima said modestly, "No, I'm not there yet." On the day of the interview, he was headed to a film set.
"I'll do anything I can for acting, until my roles quietly fill me up inside."
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