Veteran actress Kirin Kiki, acclaimed for her warm presence in films and TV dramas, died early Saturday. She was 75.
After joining the Bungakuza theater troupe in 1961, Kiki debuted under the stage name Chiho Yuki. She appeared in many TBS home dramas in the 1970s, including "Jikandesuyo" (It's time) and "Terauchi Kantaro Ikka" (The Kantaro Terauchi family). She distinguished herself with unique performances in supporting roles. Her comical appearances in TV commercials, including ads for Fujifilm Corp., earned her wide popularity.
Kiki also appeared in films by Japan's leading directors, including Hirokazu Koreeda and Naomi Kawase. In 2008, she won a Japan Academy award for best actress for the film "Tokyo Tawa: Okan to Boku to, Tokidoki, Oton" (Tokyo Tower: Mom & Me, and Sometimes Dad). In 2011, she took home the best supporting actress award for the film "Akunin" (Villain).
In 2018, Kiki played the grandmother in Koreeda's film "Manbiki Kazoku" (Shoplifters), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
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