Sakura Ando

Biography

Sakura Ando, born on February 18, 1986, into a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, is a celebrated Japanese actress. The daughter of actor-director Okuda Eiji and celebrity Kazu Ando, she comes from a lineage of notable figures, including her great-grandfather, former Prime Minister Tsuyoshi. Her sister, Ando Momoko, is also a director, showcasing the family's artistic legacy.

Sakura's passion for acting ignited at the young age of five after witnessing her father perform on stage. However, her childhood was marred by health issues that caused dizziness and imbalance, complicating her early years. Professionally, she adopted her mother's maiden name, Ando, which she believed would carve her own identity in the industry.

Her breakthrough role came in Sono Sion’s film *Love Exposure*, which earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival. Before this, she had appeared in her father's film *Kaze No Sotogawa* alongside family members. Over the years, she established a prolific career, gaining recognition for her diverse roles, including her portrayal of a boxer in *100 Yen Love*.

In 2012, she married actor Emoto Tasuku, having met him on a train in 2008 and received her father's blessing to date. Following the birth of her daughter in 2017, she was awarded Best Actress at the 42nd Japan Academy Prize for her role in *Shoplifters*. A graduate of Gakushuin Women’s College, Sakura Ando is regarded as one of Japan's leading young actresses, alongside Yu Aoi and Miyazaki Aoi.