Actress Kiki Kirin Dies at 75

Actress Kiki Kirin, known for memorable roles in both film and television, died of cancer on September 15 at her Tokyo home. She was 75.

Kiki appeared in several films directed by Koreeda Hirokazu, receiving the award for Best Actress at the Three Continents Festival held in Nantes for the 2008 Aruite mo aruite mo (Still Walking). Most recently, she played the grandmother in Manbiki kazoku (Shoplifters), which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May. She traveled with Koreeda and other cast members to walk the red carpet in France.

Her film work was also recognized by the Japan Academy as she won the Prize for an Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for both Tōkyō Tawā: Okan to boku to, tokidoki, oton (Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad) and Waga haha no ki (Chronicle of My Mother). Her small-screen parts included a role in Terauchi Kantarō ikka (The Family of Terauchi Kantarō). (© Jiji)