Actor Watanabe determined to offer long-term support to quake-hit areas

[AsahinaKimi]

ISHINOMAKI —

Actor Ken Watanabe said Thursday he is determined to engage in long-term support for the victims of the massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami after visiting hard-hit areas in northeastern Japan.

The 51-year-old actor, who visited evacuation centers in Onagawa, Ayukawa and Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture with aid supplies earlier in the day, said during an Ishinomaki community radio program that he was struck by the sight of both the horrible destruction in coastal communities and how local people are ‘‘putting forth all their vitality,’’ in spite of it.

‘‘For actors, the best help we can offer is to provide emotional support,’’ he said, adding that the use of mass media would be effective in conveying various supportive messages to people afflicted by the twin disasters.

Watanabe, who was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in the 2003 film ‘‘The Last Samurai,’’ was among the central figures who established an online message project called ‘‘Kizuna 311’’ four days after the disaster. Letters and video messages from actors and actresses, including Clint Eastwood, have been uploaded there.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/actor-watanabe-determined-to-offer-long-term-support-to-quake-hit-areas

[virgogal]

1. I'm old enough to be his mother but damn,he's good looking.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. I had re-read the headline three times before I realized it didn't say "actor wannabe".

Good on him by the way.

[DeeJay]

3. Thanks for the laugh

lol

[thelordofhell]

4. Unitl I clicked the article I thought it was this guy..........

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913797/

[mackerel]

7. Me too!

[marmar]

5. He's a really good actor.....and obviously a good man.

nt

[Forkboy]

6. Great actor. Many of his movies are unknown over here.

People remember him from Inception or The Dark knight, but he's done some great work in his home country.

Having read about the man previously, this news doesn't surprise me at all.