Photo: Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Nanako Matsushima, born on October 13, 1973 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a fashion model and film actor. That puts Nanako Matsushima at 52 years old in 2026. Listed accolades include Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year (1999). Credited works include Great Teacher Onizuka, Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji and Terms for a Witch.
My Take
Nanako Matsushima is, to me, the gold standard of dignified Japanese screen presence. Whether it was the chilling Ring, the runaway charm of Yamato Nadeshiko, or I'm Mita, Your Housekeeper hitting that legendary 40 percent finale rating, she has never simply decorated a story, she has carried it. Winning a newcomer award in 1999 and then staying at the very top for decades speaks to discipline, not trend-chasing. What I admire most is her quiet authority, the sense that the camera trusts her completely. She bends eras toward her rather than chasing them, and that steadiness earns lasting respect.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Nanako Matsushima
- Name (Japanese)
- 松嶋菜々子
- Reading
- まつしま ななこ
- Born
- October 13, 1973 (age 52)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Ox
- Origin
- Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Occupation
- fashion model / model / film actor / actor
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1999 Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Great Teacher Onizuka | — | |
| Notable work | Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji | — | |
| Notable work | Terms for a Witch | — | |
| Notable work | Yamato Nadeshiko | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttps://www.7th-avenue.co.jp/profile/detail.php?id=matsushima
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanako%20Matsushima
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%BE%E5%B6%8B%E8%8F%9C%E3%80%85%E5%AD%90
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q253909
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Nanako Matsushima born?
Born October 13, 1973 (age 52).
Where is Nanako Matsushima from?
Nanako Matsushima is from Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
What does Nanako Matsushima do?
Nanako Matsushima works as fashion model, model, film actor, actor.
What is Nanako Matsushima known for?
Notable works include Great Teacher Onizuka, Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji, Terms for a Witch.
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