Kazuko Yoshiyuki
Known for
Kazuko Yoshiyuki is, by now, a veteran Japanese actress with a career measured in decades rather than seasons. The start came early, at 20. Casting directors have gone to her for drama more than for anything else. Measured end to end, the working life on screen runs about 71 years. For much of the audience, Kazuko Yoshiyuki is Toki from 'Ponyo', whatever else the credits say. 'When Marnie Was There' counts among the more visible credits.
Kazuko Yoshiyuki
66 Movies
12 Series
Kazuko Yoshiyuki is, by now, a veteran Japanese actress with a career measured in decades rather than seasons. The start came early, at 20. Casting directors have gone to her for drama more than for anything else. Measured end to end, the working life on screen runs about 71 years. For much of the audience, Kazuko Yoshiyuki is Toki from 'Ponyo', whatever else the credits say. 'When Marnie Was There' counts among the more visible credits.
Movies
Plays Toki (voice)
Ponyo
2008
Plays Nanny (voice)
When Marnie Was There
2014
Plays Masao's Grandmother
Kikujiro
1999
Plays Tsuyako Yamashita
Departures
2008
Plays Michi - Etsuko's Supervisor
Juvenile Wife
1980
Plays Seki
Empire of Passion
1978
Plays Kenzo's mother
Amagi Pass
1983
Plays Jiro's grandma
Cyborg She
2008
Plays Yuko Seto
Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura
2017
Plays Woman in Bar
Double Bed
1983
Plays Kiku
Leonie
2010
Plays Satoko Mikoshiba
Premonition
2004
Plays Hideyo Tamura
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
2017
Plays Tomiko Hirata
What a Wonderful Family! 3
2018
Plays Aya Tokunaga
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
1974
Plays Tomiko Hirayama
Tokyo Family
2013
Plays Mrs. Konaka
The Little House
2014
Plays Tomiko Hirata
What a Wonderful Family! 2
2017
Plays Kame
Wool 100%
2006
Plays Kiyo Tomura
The Forest of Wool and Steel
2018
Plays Mariko's Mother
Chizuko's Younger Sister
1991
Plays Trainer
The Hidden Trail of the Beasts
1981
Plays Tomiko Hirata
What a Wonderful Family!
2016
Plays Hotel owner Kikue
Snowland Revisited
2002
Plays Wife
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
1970
Plays Toshie
The Mosquito on the Tenth Floor
1983
Plays Takako Horii
Yudo
2023
Plays Bar Mama
Kidnapping Blues
1982
Plays Maid
Glory to the Filmmaker!
2007
Plays Rie Miyano
Lily Festival
2001
Plays Haruo's mother
Going Home
2004
Plays Shino
Sosuke Loses His Lover
1992
Plays Ba-chan
Granny Gabai
2006
Plays Woman Worker
Foundry Town
1962
Plays Keiko Ueki
The Sleeping Beast Within
1960
Plays Kariya Sensei
Kamataki
2005
Plays Mrs. Yamaoki
Remembrance
1988
Plays Schizophrenic
A Japanese Demon
1973
TV Shows
Plays Maako Nemoto
Leave It to the Nurses
1996
Plays Mihoko Kawamoto
The Mirror of Janus
1985
Plays Sunada Yuko
The End of the World
1994
Plays Sayo Matsui
Bewitched In Tokyo
2004
Plays Haru Tanaka
Tanaka Express 3
2007
Plays Toshiko Tsuboi
Going My Home
2012
Plays Sakurai Masako
Dollhouse
2004
Plays Miyo Kashiwara
Starman: A Love Story
2013
Plays Akiko Kitazawa
Hyōheki
2006
Plays Michiko Takagi
Life of St. Blue Eyes
1984
Plays Katta Fumie
Red Soul
1980
Plays Ume
The Story of Yamada Taro
2007
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Diamonds in the Sand
Full Filmography
Diamonds in the Sand
Natsuko Kimura
2025
Film
Brighter Days
Sae's friend
2025
Film
Yudo
Takako Horii
2023
Film
A World Without Cherry Blossoms
Keizo's wife
2022
Film
Cinematic Liars of Asahi-za
Hideko Matsuyama
2021
Film
The Landlady
Yukiko Kawashima
2019
Film
The Forest of Wool and Steel
Kiyo Tomura
2018
Film
What a Wonderful Family! 3
Tomiko Hirata
2018
Film
Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura
Yuko Seto
2017
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kazuko Yoshiyuki still alive?
Kazuko Yoshiyuki passed away on September 2, 2025 at age 90.
What are the most famous roles of Kazuko Yoshiyuki?
Kazuko Yoshiyuki is best known for roles in Ponyo, When Marnie Was There, Departures.
How many movies has Kazuko Yoshiyuki been in?
Over a 70-year career (since 1955), Kazuko Yoshiyuki has appeared in 66 movies and 12 TV shows.
What was Kazuko Yoshiyuki's first movie?
The career of Kazuko Yoshiyuki began with Yukiko (1955).
What is Kazuko Yoshiyuki's most recent movie or series?
Kazuko Yoshiyuki's most recent release is Kaneko Fumiko, which premiered on February 28, 2026.
What TV shows has Kazuko Yoshiyuki appeared in?
On television, Kazuko Yoshiyuki has appeared in Going My Home, Leave It to the Nurses, Shinigami-kun, The Story of Yamada Taro.
Kazuko Yoshiyuki
1935-08-09 · Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Kazuko Yoshiyuki is, by now, a veteran Japanese actress with a career measured in decades rather than seasons. The start came early, at 20. Casting directors have gone to her for drama more than for anything else. Measured end to end, the working life on screen runs about 71 years. For much of the audience, Kazuko Yoshiyuki is Toki from 'Ponyo', whatever else the credits say. 'When Marnie Was There' counts among the more visible credits.