Ramping up the glitz and glamour from last year’s launch shindig, The Hollywood Reporter Japan turned on the style once more for its Trailblazer Award Gala Party, held Wednesday night at The Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
Held during the Tokyo International Film Festival, this year’s THR Japan gala event was an even hotter ticket than in 2023, with a veritable who’s who of Japan’s film industry, as well as sprinkling of sports legends and local celebs, who all graced the red carpet to join the celebrations to honor Shogun star Tadanobu Asano, the first Japanese recipient of THR’s Trailblazer Award.
The Trailblazer Award is given to artists whose work and careers illuminate stories and characters who have been traditionally marginalized in Hollywood. Since his debut on Japanese television as a 16-year-old, Asano’s career has taken him from Hirokazu Koreeda’s Maborosi to Takashi Miike’s notorious Ichi the Killer, through the Marvel universe and most recently in FX’s all-conquering Shogun, which made history at the 2024 Emmys by winning the most awards by any show in a single year by bagging 18 trophies, including best drama series, best actress in a drama series for Anna Sawai, best actor in a drama series for Hiroyuki Sanada and best drama directing for Frederick E.O. Toye. Asano himself was nominated in the best-supporting actor for his scene-stealing performance as the sly samurai, Kashigi Yabushige (late in the night at THR‘s Tokyo party, Asano’s Shogun co-star Moeka Hoshi said from the stage that she had grown used to fans everywhere telling her that Asano’s Yabushige was their favorite character from the show).
On hand to raise a toast to Asano were a clutch of Shogun cast members, including Tokuma Nishioka, Hiroto Kanai, Yuka Kouri, Yuki Kedoin and Hoshi.
Joining the Shogun stars at the stylish Peter Bar on the 28th floor of The Peninsula, were senior executives, top directors, leading casting agents, international producers and a host of famous faces from the entertainment world and beyond. Some of those in attendance included J-pop star Mary J., actor Shogen, pop idol Genki Iwahashi, TV personality Dewi Fujin, social media influencer Kimono Mom, and execs from Disney, Amazon, several major Japanese film companies.
Unmissable was the huge presence of Konishiki, the Hawaii-born sumo wrestler — an icon in Japan —who became the first foreigner to be promoted to the second-highest rank of Ozeki in Japan’s national sport (some believe he would have reached the rarefied heights of Yokozuna had he been Japanese). Alex ‘Rami-chan’ Ramirez, a legend of Japan’s unofficial national sport of baseball, was also in attendance and as approachable as ever, chatting and smiling with the stream of people wanting pictures with him.
A smart team-up with Aston Martin saw guests posing with two of its luxury sportscars in the showroom on the first floor of The Peninsula. The Aston Martin team reminded guests that it has been 60 years since the iconic ‘Bond car’ was first seen in Goldfinger.
But the main event was Asano, and when the prize-giving ceremony arrived, the actor bounced on to the stage brimming with his trademark energy, quipping loudly, “I hired a publicist and everything in America, and still didn’t win,” referring to him missing out on the best supporting actor gong at the Emmys. He was effusive in sharing his appreciation for the moment, though, offering sincere thanks to a parade of well-wishers throughout the night.
Star video messages congratulating him on the Trailblazer Award came in from Shogun breakout Anna Sawai, series creator, producer and writer Justin Marks, as well as Liam Neeson and Casey Affleck — all of whom praised Asano on his infectious camaraderie and chameleonic gifts on screen.
Shortly before receiving the Trailblazer Award, Asano hailed the importance of legendary Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who starred and worked as a producer on Shogun, saying that he did everything from teach people how to hold a samurai sword properly to reassuring and inspiring other actors with his huge presence and experience.
“I am truly happy to receive the Trailblazer Award. To trail blaze is to open up new ground; it felt as if Shogun opened new ground and I hope it will lead to new challenges for me,” Asano had told THR before the ceremony.
English (US) ·