is a Japanese actress.
Early life Sawaguchi was born in Sakai, Osaka on June 11, 1965. In early 1984, the Japanese movie studio Toho Company Ltd. held their first "Toho Cinderella Audition", and Yasuko, almost 19 at the time, was chosen as the first Toho Cinderella, beating out the other 30,000 contestants.
Career Shortly after, she made her film debut in the film Karate Cop III: Song of the Sea, before co-starring as the heroine Naoko Okumura in The Return of Godzilla, which was the grand comeback film for the famous movie monster Godzilla. She appeared in the next Godzilla film 5 years later, 1989's Godzilla vs. Biollante, but as another character (Erika Shiragami, who later becomes Godzilla's titular adversary). At the Toho Cinderella beauty contest that same year, she took place with the 2nd Toho Cinderella, 1987 winner Megumi Odaka (who was also in Biollante, starting her Miki Saegusa character).
She has since appeared in numerous movies and television (her TV show debut was in 1985), and is considered one of Japan's most beautiful and talented actresses. She has played scientific criminal investigator Mariko Sakaki, the lead role in the television show Kasōken no Onna (and its successor Shin Kasōken no Onna), which have aired on TV Asahi since 1999. In NHK Taiga dramas she has portrayed Iroha-hime in the Dokuganryū Masamune (1987), Akahashi Tōko in Taiheiki (1991), and Nene in Hideyoshi (1996). She starred as Rui in the jidaigeki Shin On'yado Kawasemi (TV Asahi, 1997). She has also played the villain in one episode of Furuhata Ninzaburo in 1996.
She also voiced Chihiro's mother in the original Japanese version of Spirited Away. This involved her sounding as though she was talking with her mouth full, so she initially tried biting her finger while acting. When this didn't create the desired effect, some KFC chicken was ordered into the recording studio.
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes Ref.1985MiotsukushiKaoruLead role; Asadora1987Dokuganryū MasamuneIrohahimeTaiga drama1989Sayonara Ri KōranRi Kōran (Yoshiko Yamaguchi)Lead role; miniseries1991TaiheikiAkahashi Tōko (Tōshi)Taiga drama1996HideyoshiOneTaiga dramaFuruhata NinzaburōYorie UsamiEpisode 151999–2024Mariko SakakiLead role; 24 seasons2004Shinsengumi!Okita MitsuTaiga drama2019Crayon Shin-chanMariko Sakaki (voice)Episode 10092026The Woman of S.R.I. the FinalMariko SakakiLead role; television film
Film Year Title Role Notes Ref.1984Karate Cop 3: Song of the SeaUmiko MatsumuraThe Return of GodzillaNaoko Okumura1985Four SistersAnne KitazawaLead role1987Film ActressSeiko KawashimaPrincess from the MoonKayaLead role1989Godzilla vs. BiollanteErika Shiragami2001Spirited AwayYūko Ogino (voice)2021The Woman of S.R.I. the MovieMariko SakakiLead role2026Samurai VengeanceIno Tae
Awards Year Award Category Work(s) Result Ref. 198610th Elan d'or AwardsNewcomer of the YearHerself9th Japan Academy Film PrizeNewcomer of the YearThe Return of Godzilla
References
External links Yasuko Sawaguchi at Toho Entertainment