# Kazuya Kamenashi

Kazuya Kamenashi (亀梨 和也, Kamenashi Kazuya, born February 23, 1986) is a Japanese singer, actor, host, producer, magazine model and a member of KAT-TUN, under Starto Entertainment. Born and raised in Edogawa, Tokyo, he joined the Japanese talent agency, Johnny & Associates, at the age of 12.
He was drafted as a member and co-lead vocalist of the popular J-pop group KAT-TUN in 2001. He is also one half of the temporary group, Shūji to Akira, whose only single "Seishun Amigo" became the best-selling single of 2005 in Japan. Individually, he is a popular actor who has played the lead role in several television dramas.
Kamenashi has announced that he will leave Starto in March 2025, when his contract expires.

## Early life

Born in Edogawa, Tokyo on February 23, 1986, Kamenashi is the third child of his parents. He has two older brothers, Yūichirō and Kōji, and one younger brother, Yūya. He also has two sisters-in-law and a niece from his second brother's marriage and a nephew from his first brother's marriage. His given name comes from a character from the manga, Touch, written by a Japanese manga artist, Mitsuru Adachi. Coincidentally, bandmate Tatsuya Ueda was also named after the twin brother of Kamenashi's namesake.
An avid baseball fan and player like the character he was named after, Kamenashi once represented his country in the junior world league as shortstop though he had to give up the sport professionally due to lack of spare time after he was accepted into Johnny's Entertainment despite having the support of Johnny Kitagawa, the agency's president, to pursue both careers.

## Career

According to an entertainment insider, Kamenashi has considered leaving both KAT-TUN and Starto. A date has not been revealed yet. He has concentrated in building an individual career. The last time he participated with KAT-TUN was in 2022. The news was confirmed on February 12, 2025. KAT-TUN is to disband on March 31, 2025, and Kamenashi will leave that same day.

### Acting career

In 2009, Kamenashi was cast in a live-action adaptation of a wine-themed manga, Kami no Shizuku, as the leading actor. Voters awarded him, his co-stars (Riisa Naka and Seiichi Tanabe) and the drama a near clean sweep of the winter edition of the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Awards in March 2009. He made a guest appearance as a doctor on the third episode of TBS drama series, Mr. Brain, opposite his talent agency senior Takuya Kimura. Kamenashi also made his film debut on July 11, 2009, reprising his role of Ryū Odagiri, now a trainee teacher in Gokusen The Movie. The movie earned half a billion yen in its opening weekend landing at the top spot of the box office and stayed in the top ten for six consecutive weeks. It later ranked at number 16 on Japan's 2009 yearly box office results raking in US$33,963,369 at the end of its run.
In 2010, he was cast in the leading role of Kyohei Takano for a live-action adaptation of popular manga, Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, which aired on NTV. It was named Best Drama by voters of the 13th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Awards in March 2010 while Kamenashi and his co-star, Aya Omasa, were also awarded Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively.
In 2011, he took on a role as Bem from the adaptation of anime Yōkai Ningen Bem. He received Best Actor award from Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix and Television Drama Academy Awards that year. Following the success of the drama, Yōkai Ningen Bem was made into film in 2012. At the end of its run, the film had grossed US$12,628,578 gross.
In 2013, Kamenashi starred in the movie It's Me, It's Me. The movie premiered in 15th Udine Far East Film Festival Italy in April, and Kamenashi won the My Movie Audience Award.
In 2016, Kamenashi was cast in the drama, The Mysterious Thief Yamaneko, which was based on the novel "Kaito Tantei Yamaneko Series" by Manabu Kaminaga as Yamaneko.
In 2017, he appeared in the drama Boku unmei no hito desu alongside his former co-star from Nobuta wo produce, Tomohisa Yamashita. In March 2017 Kamenashi together with Tao Tsuchiya in Live Action Film popular Japanese shojo manga PとJK, Also in May 2017 he co-starring Lily Franky as supporting actor, in an independent film A Beautiful Star (美しい).
In 2018, he was back in filming drama series, taking the lead of Final Cut, (Fuji TV), He also appeared in TV Movie Tegami: Keigo Higashino (東野圭吾 手紙) Based on the popular novel Tegami by Keigo Higashino.
In 2019, he was cast alongside Fumi Nikaido as main in a re-make of a masterpiece Strawberry Night into Strawberry Night Saga (Fuji TV).

## Other endeavors
### Modeling and fashion

Kamenashi walked the runway in 2008 for Hermès' men's autumn/winter 2008 collection in Tokyo. In 2010, Kamenashi won the annual Best Jeanist award with more than 29,000 votes in the men's category, almost triple that of the second runner-up, Masaki Aiba. This is his fifth consecutive win and is thus promoted into the hall of fame, making him Eternal Best Jeanist and ineligible for future runs.

### Baseball

Kamenashi threw the first pitch at the Pacific League opening ceremony for the 2009 baseball season at a match in Chiba City featuring the Chiba Lotte Marines against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on July 19, 2009.
Kamenashi participated in the Central League's Yomiuri Giants 23rd FanFiesta 2009 on November 23, 2009, and led his team to victory. He participated during the 1st inning as shortstop and for the 2nd and 3rd innings as pitcher. He belonged to the Black Rose Variety Team led by SMAP's Nakai Masahiro against the Giants Select Members Team.
In 2012, he was given the opportunity to do live coverage of Major League Baseball between Oakland Athletics and Yomiuri Giants. He also threw the ceremonial pitch against Jemile Weeks.
Kamenashi is a commentator and host on the sports shows Going! Sports&News and Dramatic Game.

### Social networking

2023 started with a New Year's greeting from Kamenashi on his newly opened Instagram. In the post, a stuffed turtle, a classic image linked to him because of the kanji in his last name, invites fans to follow him. Kamenashi was the first in KAT-TUN to open SNS.

## Discography
### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and sales :
| Title | Release date | Peaks | Sales |
| Title | Release date | JPN | Sales |
| "Sayonara Arigato" | November 6, 2013 | 1 | JPN: 100,206 |
| "Rain" | May 15, 2019 | 1 | JPN: 153,179 |
| "Cross" | August 18, 2023 | 1 | JPN: 103,244 |

### Solo songs

| Year | Title | Details |
| 2002 | Hanasanaide Ai (離さないで愛) | Featured in DVD Kyakusama wa Kamisama |
| 2005 | Natsu no Owari (夏の終わり) | Performed during program Shounen Club |
| 2005 | Kizuna (絆) | Featured in single Seishūn Amigo |
| 2006 | 00'00'16 | Featured in DVD Real Face Concert |
| 2006 | Special Happiness | Duet with KAT-TUN member, Junnosuke Taguchi. Featured in album Best of KAT-TUN |
| 2007 | Someday for Somebody | Featured in album Cartoon KAT-TUN II You |
| 2008 | w/o notice?? | Featured in single "Don't U Ever Stop" |
| 2009 | 1582 | Featured in album Break the Records: By You & for You |
| 2010 | Aishiteiru Kara (愛しているから) | Featured in single Love Yourself (Kimi ga Kirai na Kimi ga Suki) |
| 2010 | Into Mine | Performed during stage show Dream Boys |
| 2010 | Plastic Tears | Performed during program Shounen Club |
| 2010 | Sweet | Featured in album No More Pain |
| 2011 | Lost My Way | Performed during stage show Dream Boys |
| 2012 | Bad dream | Performed during stage show Dream Boys |
| 2012 | Zutto (ずっと) | Featured in album Chain |
| 2014 | Emerald | Featured in album Come Here |
| 2015 | Arigatou (ありがとう) | Duet with KAT-TUN member, Tatsuya Ueda. Featured in single KISS KISS KISS |
| 2015 | Hanasanaide Ai (離さないで愛) | Featured in single Dead or Alive |
| 2016 | Vanilla Kiss | Featured in "Bijoude" Jewelry commercial |
| 2017 | ~Follow Me~ | Featured in single Senaka goshi no Chance |
| 2018 | Wonderful World | Featured in single Ask Yourself |
| 2018 | One way love | Featured in album CAST |
| 2019 | CAN'T CRY | Featured in album IGNITE |
| 2021 | Pure Ice | Featured in single Roar |
| 2022 | Yoru wa Aiteru (夜は空いてる) | Featured in album Honey |
| 2023 | Mikansei na (未完成な) | Featured in album Fantasia |

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Gokusen: The Movie | Ryū Odagiri | |
| 2012 | Yokai Ningen Bem: The Movie | Bem | Lead |
| 2013 | It's Me, It's Me | Hitoshi Nagano | Lead |
| 2014 | The Vancouver Asahi | Roy Naganishi | |
| 2015 | Joker Game | Jiro Katou | Lead |
| 2017 | A Beautiful Star | Kazuo Osugi | |
| 2017 | Policeman and Me | Kōta Sagano | Lead |
| 2020 | Stigmatized Properties | Yamame Yamano | Lead |
| 2023 | Lumberjack the Monster | Akira Ninomiya | Lead |

### TV dramas

| Year | Broadcast | Title | Role |
| 1999 | TBS | 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi-sensei 5 | Akihiko Fukagawa |
| 2000 | NTV | Shijou Saiaku no Date | Toru (Episode 16) |
| 2001 | TBS | 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi-sensei 5 Special | Akihiko Fukagawa |
| 2005 | NTV | Gokusen 2 | Ryū Odagiri |
| 2005 | NTV | Kindaichi Shōnen no Jikenbo | Hajime Kindaichi |
| 2005 | NTV | Nobuta wo Produce | Shūji Kiritani |
| 2006 | Fuji TV | Sapuri | Yūya Ishida |
| 2006 | NTV | Yuuki | Yūki Sanda |
| 2006 | NTV | Kuitan SP | Hiroto Kanzaki (Cameo appearance) |
| 2006 | NTV | Tatta Hitotsu no Koi | Hiroto Kanzaki |
| 2007 | TBS | Tokkyu Tanaka San Go | Toru Shibahara (Guest; Episode 9) |
| 2008 | NTV | 1 Pound no Fukuin | Kōsaku Hatanaka |
| 2009 | NTV | Kami no Shizuku | Shizuku Kanzaki |
| 2009 | TBS | Mr. Brain | Dr. Masakazu Wakui (Guest; Episode 3) |
| 2010 | TBS | Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge | Kyohei Takano |
| 2011 | TBS | 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi-sensei Final | Akihiko Fukagawa (Guest) |
| 2011 | NTV | Yokai Ningen Bem | Bem |
| 2012 | TBS | Dragon Seinendan | Nazo no Sōsai (Guest; Episode 9) |
| 2013 | NTV | Tokyo Bandwagon~Shitamachi daikazoku Monogatari | Ao Hotta |
| 2015 | TV Asahi | Second Love | Kei Taira |
| 2016 | NTV | Kaitō Yamaneko | Yamaneko |
| 2017 | NTV | Boku Unmei no Hito Desu | Makoto Masaki |
| 2017 | NTV | Jidai wo Tsukutta Otoko Aku Yu Monogatari | Yū Aku |
| 2018 | Fuji TV | FINAL CUT | Keisuke Nakamura / Keisuke Hayakawa |
| 2018 | TV Tokyo | Tegami: Keigo Higashino | Naoki Takeshima |
| 2019 | Fuji TV | Strawberry Night Saga | Kazuo Kikuta |
| 2021 | NTV | Red Eyes: Kanshi Sousahan | Kyosuke Fushimi |
| 2021 | NHK | Seigi no Tenbin | Kazuya Takano |
| 2022 | WOWOW | Shoutai | Keiichi Kaburagi |
| 2023 | NHK | Seigi no Tenbin Season 2 | Kazuya Takano |
| 2024 | Fuji TV | Ōoku | Tokugawa Ieharu |
| 2024 | TV Asahi | Destiny | Masaki Nogi |

### TV programs

| Year | Program | Role |
| Occasional event | Zoomin!!!Saturday | Producer |
| 2010–present | Going Sports & News | Baseball reporter/MC |
| 2008 - 2011 | Radio: Ks by Ks | Host |
| 2011–present | Radio: Hang Out | Host |
| 2010–present | Dramatic Game | Game commentator |

## Live performances
### Stage shows

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2002 | SHOCK | Dancer |
| 2004 | DREAM BOY | Supporting role/dancer |
| 2004 | SUMMARY of Johnnys World with NEWS | Lead role |
| 2005 | Hey!Say! Dream boy! with Kanjani8 | Lead role |
| 2006 | DREAM BOYS with Kanjani8 | Lead role |
| 2007 | DREAM BOYS 2007 | Lead role |
| 2008 | DREAM BOYS 2008 | Lead role |
| 2009 | DREAM BOYS 2009 | Lead role |
| 2011 | DREAM BOYS 2011 | Lead role |
| 2012 | DREAM BOYS 2012 | Lead role |
| 2015 | Aoi Shushi wa Taiyo no Naka ni Aru | Lead role |
| 2020 | Maigo no Jikan -Kataru Shitsu- | Lead role |

### Concerts

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2001 | Kinki Kids First Concert Boku no Senaka ni wa Hane ga Aru | Backup dancer |
| 2001 | Sugao 3 | Backup dancer |
| 2003–present | Johnnys Countdown Concert | Johnny's Entertainment performer |
| 2017 | KAT-TUN KAZUYA KAMENASHI CONCERT TOUR 2017 Theー ~Follow Me~ | Main performer |

## Awards

| Years | Awards |
| 2005 | 44th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor - "Gokusen 2" 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Best Supporting Actor - "Gokusen 2" |
| 2006 | 47th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor - "Nobuta wo Produce" Japan Gold Disc Awards: Song Of The Year - "Seishun Amigo" 23rd Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist |
| 2007 | 24th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist 1st Astar TV Drama Awards: Best New Asian Star of 2007 for Japan |
| 2008 | 25th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist |
| 2009 | 26th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist 12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter): Best Actor - "Kami no Shizuku" |
| 2010 | 13th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter): Best Actor - "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge" 13th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Annual): Best Actor - "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge" 27th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist TV Navi Drama Awards (January–March) : Best Actor - "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge" |
| 2011 | 15th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall): Best Actor - Yokai Ningen Bem 15th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Annual): Best Actor - Yokai Ningen Bem 71st Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor - Yokai Ningen Bem |
| 2013 | 15th Udine Far East Film Festival, Italy - My Movie Audience Award (It's Me, It's Me) |
| 2016 | 19th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Winter): Best Actor - Kaito Yamaneko |
| 2017 | Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Spring): Best Actor - Boku, Unmei no hito desu |