is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, and model. He was a member of Tokio, a Johnny & Associates musical group. He was the primary vocalist, in addition to playing the guitar alongside Tokio's leader, Shigeru Joshima.
Career
As an artist He was inspired by bands Hikaru Genji and SMAP to answer a recruiting call of Johnny & Associates and was accepted in 1990. In 1992, he played several stage plays (Playzone and Mask) together with other Tokio members. He first played tambourine during Tokio's early performances as SMAP's background dancers. Just prior to Tokio's debut, the band's rhythm guitarist, Hiromu Kojima, left the band and was replaced by Tomoya Nagase.
In 1997, Nagase collaborated with American R&B group 3T to record the Japanese version of Eternal Flame, which was used as the theme song for the Japanese drama D×D, in which he starred. The single was released under the artist name "Tomoya with 3T" and reached number 12 on the Oricon charts. Nagase lists Guns N' Roses as his favorite band.
In July 2020 it was announced that Nagase will be leaving Johnny & Associates in 2021.
On June 6, 2023, Nagase released an album with his new band, Kode Talkers, through Challenger Records. The album is titled the same as the band name. Nagase is the lead vocalist and guitarist along with Kotaro Kubota, who also does chorus/back vocals. An artist named Fire does the bass and back vocals; Kiyohide Ura on keyboard; and Daiki Nakahata on drums are the rest of the band. On the album, there are nine songs: 情熱のグルーブ; 例のモノ; When I; ハンディキャンディマン; Wonder; どっかに置いといて; 脱力の法則; 帯電Youthful; Free Wheelers.
As an actor Nagase has had parts in over 40 dramas. His first lead role was in Hakusen Nagashi (1996). More lead roles followed including Ikebukuro West Gate Park, My Husband, Unubore Deka, and Tiger & Dragon. Mukodono! was his first comedic role. In My Boss My Hero he had another comedic role. He received an "Yūjirō Ishihara Newcomer Award" in 2002 as "The Best Newcomer" for his role in the movie Seoul.
Endorsements Nagase has endorsed many various brands with the band Tokio and by himself. He is currently a brand ambassador for Fujicolor and Lotte Toppo. With Tokio, he has endorsed among others Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Eneos, a brand for Nippon Oil. As an actor, he has also endorsed UFO Nissin noodles, Lotte Coolish drinks, Subaru, Morinaga, Suntory Dry beer, Mazda, All Nippon Airways, NTT Docomo, Hitachi Wooo, and Uniqlo.
Filmography Film Year Title RoleNotes2002 Seoul Yutaro Hayase Lead role2005Yaji and Kita: The Midnight Pilgrims Yaji Lead role2007Sword of the Stranger Nanashi (voice) Lead role2009Heaven's Door Masato Aoyama Lead role2016 Too Young to Die! Killer K Lead role2018 Recall Tokuro Akamatsu Lead role
Television Year Title RoleNotes1996 Hakusen Nagashi Wataru Ookouchi Lead role1997 Hakusen Nagashi: Spring at Age 19 Wataru Ookouchi Lead role; television film1999 Hakusen Nagashi: The Wind at Age 20 Wataru Ookouchi Lead role; television film2000 Ikebukuro West Gate Park Makoto Majima Lead role2001 Hakusen Nagashi: The Poem of Travels Wataru Ookouchi Lead role; television film2003 Hakusen Nagashi: Age 25 Wataru Ookouchi Lead role; television film2004 Otouto Shintaro Ishihara 2005 Hakusen Nagashi: The Final – Even as the Times of Dreaming Have Passed Wataru Ookouchi Lead role; television filmTiger & Dragon Kotora Yamazaki Lead role2006 My Boss My Hero Makio Sakaki Lead role2013 Kurokochi Keita Kurokochi Lead role2016 Fragile Keiichirō Kishi Lead role2021 Story of My Family!!! Juichi Miyama Lead role
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work(s) Result 200215th Nikkan Sports Film AwardsYūjirō Ishihara Newcomer AwardSeoul
References
External links Tokio Official Website
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work(s) Result 200215th Nikkan Sports Film AwardsYūjirō Ishihara Newcomer AwardSeoul