Conversation so far:
Who was the casting director for the film?
Takita.
Why was Takita hired as the casting director?
in his early 40s and having built a reputation as a realist.
Who were some of the actors and actresses that were cast in the film?
Veteran actor Tsutomu Yamazaki was selected for the role of Sasaki.
Who else?
pop singer Ryoko Hirosue.

Question: Anyone else?
Self-contained rewrite: Anyone else besides Tsutomu Yamazaki and Ryoko Hirosue that was cast in the film Departures?