is a Japanese actress, singer, and former idol.
Biography
She was born in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan, into a fisherman's family, the youngest of five siblings.
At the start of her career she was a gravure idol and singer (her debut single "Moonlight to Daybreak" was released in 1996), and appeared in bit roles until her career breakthrough playing Sadako Yamamura in ' (2000).
In 2000, Nakama demonstrated her talent for comedy with her lead role in the Japanese television drama Trick which proved so popular that it had two more seasons and four film versions, but it was the top-rating 2002 TV series Gokusen, a live-action version of the popular manga, that established her as one of Japan's most popular and bankable actresses. Gokusen continued on for 3 seasons, which had many cameo appearances by actors who were on previous seasons. She is also known for her role in the drama, Saki, which Co-starred Shohei Miura.
Nakama has featured in commercials for companies such as Nissin Foods, Glico, Lotte, Asahi, Shiseido, au by KDDI, and has served as a spokesperson for Japan Railways and the Japanese Tax Agency. She is managed by Production Ogi.
Personal life
Nakama married actor Tetsushi Tanaka who is thirteen years older than her, on September 18, 2014, after a six-year relationship. Nakama was revealed to be 4 months pregnant in February 2018. She gave birth to twin sons in June 2018.
Filmography
TV series
- ' (1996)
- Itazura na Kiss (1996)
- Tomoko no Baai (1996)
- MokuyÃ
 no Kaidan 15 (1997)
- Dangerous Angel x Death Hunter (1997) (Episode 4 guest star)
- Shiawase Iro Shashinkan (1997)
- Odoru DaisÃ
Âsasen Saimatsu Tokubetsu Keikai (1997)
- Kamisama mÃ
 Sukoshi dake (1998)
- Hashire KÃ
Âmuin! (1998)
- Kimi to Ita Mirai no Tame ni: I'll be Back (1999)
- P.S. Genki desu, Shunpei (1999)
- Aoi Tokugawa Sandai (2000)
- Nisennen no Koi / Love 2000 (2000)
- Trick (2000)
- Face: Mishiranu Koibito (2001)
- Ashita ga Arusa (2001)
- Uso Koi (2001)
- Trick 2 (2002)
- Gokusen (2002)
- Night Hospital ByÃ
Âki wa Nemuranai (2002)
- Musashi (2003)
- Gokusen Special Sayonara 3-nen D-gumi ... Yankumi Namida no Sotsugyoshiki (2003)
- Kao (2003)
- Trick 3 (2003)
- Ranpo R (2004) (Episode 3 guest star)
- Tokyo Wankei (2004)
- Otouto (2004)
- Gokusen 2 (2005)
- Haru to Natsu (2005)
- Trick TV Special (2005)
- KÃ
ÂmyÃ
 ga Tsuji (2006) as Yamauchi Chiyo
- Satomi Hakkenden (2006)
- Erai Tokoro ni Totsuide Shimatta! (2007)
- Himawari: Natsume Masako 27-nen no ShÃ
Âgai to Haha no Ai (2007) as Masako Natsume
- Joshi Deka (2007)
- Gokusen 3 (2008)
- Arifureta Kiseki (2009)
- Mr. Brain (Episode 6 guest actress) (2009)
- ' (2009)
- Untouchable as Narumi Ryoko (TV Asahi, 2009)
- Japanese Americans (2010) as Hiramatsu (Matsusawa) Shinobu
- Utsukushii Rinjin (2011)
- Tempest (2011)
- ' (2012)
- Ghost Mama Sosasen (2012)
- Saki (2013)
- Island's Teacher (2013)
- Jinsei ga Tokimeku Katazuke no Mahou (2013)
- Hanako and Anne (2014)
- Beauty And The Fellow / Beauty And The Man (2015)
- (2016)
- Rakuen (2017)
- School Counselor (2017)
- Ã
Âoku the Final (2019)
- 24 Japan as Urara Asakura (2020)
- AibÃ
Â: season 19 (2020)
- Chimudondon (2022) as YÃ
«ko Higa
- ' (2023) as Harusada Hitotsubashi
- The Laughing Salesman (2025)
- When I was a Child Everything Was Fine (2025) as Anne Ogura
- The Scent of the Wind (2026) as Chikako Izumi
Films
Anime
Video games
- Rockman X4, theme song performances, "Makenai Ai ga kitto aru" & "One More Chance" (1997)
Dubbing
Discography
Singles
Albums
Awards
- Japanese Drama Academy Awards:
- Spring 2002: Best Actress for Gokusen
- Spring 2003: Best Actress for Kao
- Fall 2003: Best Actress for Trick 3
- Summer 2004: Best Dresser for Tokyo Wankei
- Winter 2005: Best Actress for Gokusen 2
- Japan Academy Prize (film)
- 2009: Nominated Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai
- Elan d'or Awards
- 2003: Newcomer of the Year
References
External links