On March 14, 2025, the 48th Japan Academy Film Awards unfolded at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo, celebrating remarkable achievements within the Japanese film industry over the past year. The event, which serves as 'a festival for filmmakers by filmmakers,' was hosted by the talented Sakura Ando, winner of the previous year's award for Best Leading Actress, alongside co-host Shingo Haneoka. A highlight of the evening included the standout performances from the year, with awards being presented to both established and new talents within the cinema world.
Among the noteworthy winners was actress Hana Ashida, who received the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in the film 'Hataraku Saibo.' This marked Ashida's return to the Japan Academy Awards since she won the Newcomer of the Year award at the young age of six back in 2011. Reflecting on her nostalgic return, Ashida expressed her surprise at being back on such a grand stage, saying, "I really feel it strongly; I was surrounded by wonderful actors then, and I can return here again." Her recognition exemplifies the evolution of her career, much to the delight of her fans.
It was also during this eventful night where Ashida shared her fond memories from 'Hataraku Saibo'—specifically, her experience filming at an aquarium. She excitedly recounted, "We went on a date to the aquarium to see the orca show, and I was told I might get splashed, but I was completely surprised by how much water they splashed! It ended up being so much fun during the shoot."
Another notable recipient at the ceremony was actor Takayuki Yamada, honored with the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in 'The Silent Service.' Yamada, who previously admitted to never receiving this prestigious award, expressed his joy for finally being acknowledged among his peers. He humorously described his preparations before the talk show, casually stretching, adjusting his chair height, and appearing entirely relaxed to the audience.
During the talk show segment, Yamada discussed the intricacies of his role—a detective struggling with his position within the police force and his pursuit of the truth, which led to great stress. He remarked, "It was genuinely hard on me. It felt like the stress was so great I was almost going bald. I kept asking my makeup artist, 'Do I look haggard?' It was overwhelming at times." His candor about the toll the character took on him entertained the audience and fellow actors alike.
When the conversation turned to his tense scenes with lead actor Ryohei Yokohama, who played the main character, Yamada described the intense pressure felt during the filming, noting, "Yokohama was younger and stronger—there were moments where I genuinely felt overpowered during our confrontations on set." Yokohama reciprocated Yamada's feelings, explaining how the intensity of their performances lent itself to forming genuine emotions during their scenes together, saying, "When I was up against Yamada-san, I felt this strange sense of intimidation. It was wonderful and yet oddly intimidating at the same time."
During the ceremony, the awards presented included significant accolades beyond acting roles. The Outstanding Film award saw honors go to 'Kingdom: Return of the Great General,' 'Godzilla Minus One,' 'The Silent Service,' 'All the Light We Cannot See,' and 'Last Mile.' The Outstanding Animation Film prize was claimed by 'Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka,' highlighting the vibrancy of Japanese animation and cinema.
Shinya Sato won the award for Outstanding Director for his work on 'Kingdom: Return of the Great General,' showcasing the quality of storytelling within Japanese films this past year. Remarkably, the Outstanding Leading Actor award was presented to Tsuyoshi Kusanagi for his role in 'Transistor Head,' and the Outstanding Leading Actress award went to Satomi Ishihara for 'Missing.'
This year's Japan Academy Awards has sparked discussions not only among industry professionals but also on social media, with many praising the performances showcased throughout the year. The anticipation leading up to the ceremony was amplified by the red carpet events, which were livestreamed earlier in the day via TVer, giving fans and followers the chance to see their favorite stars arriving for the glittering occasion. Viewers eagerly awaited updates starting from the welcome reception at 1:50 PM, followed by the red carpet experience at 2:45 PM, leading up to the main event which broadcasted from 9 PM to 10:54 PM.
The evening was filled with joy, camaraderie, and shared experiences, encapsulating the spirit of the film industry which thrives on collaboration and creative expression. The success of this year's awards has set the stage for exciting forthcoming productions, and many are already speculating about the potential nominees for next year's event.
The 48th Japan Academy Film Awards serves as yet another reminder of the impact and artistry of film, reflecting the growth of cinema and the relentless pursuit of excellence by its creators.