Yoshiko Kuga - Actor Profile

Yoshiko Kuga

Acting
Updated: May 10, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 21, 1931
Birth Place: Ushigome, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

About Yoshiko Kuga

Yoshiko Kuga (久我 美子, Kuga Yoshiko, 21 January 1931 – 9 June 2024) was a Japanese actress. Kuga was born in Tokyo, Japan. In 1946, while still attending Gakushuin Junior High School, she became an actress for Toho studios. In 1947, she made her debut as one of the lead actresses in the omnibus movie Four Love Stories (四つの恋の物語, Yottsu no Koi no Monogatari). In the 1950s, she started working independently and starred in many productions of the Shochiku studios under the direction of Keisuke Kinoshita. Other important directors include Kenji Mizoguchi (The Woman in the Rumor), Yasujirō Ozu (Equinox Flower), and Tadashi Imai (An Inlet of Muddy Water). Since the 1970s, she appeared mainly on television and on stage. Kuga was married to actor Akihiko Hirata from 1961 until his death in 1984. She died from aspiration pneumonia on 9 June 2024, at the age of 93.

Yoshiko Kuga Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Yoshiko Kuga reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Yoshiko Kuga's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 88% of Yoshiko Kuga's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Mune yori mune ni, which stands out as a key performance.

Advertisement

Best Yoshiko Kuga Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Yoshiko Kuga's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Yoshiko Kuga has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2000 As the River Flows Yuki Shiokawa Super Hit Similar →
1997 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Michie Yoshiyama Super Hit Similar →
1997 Tokyo Fair Weather - Hit Similar →
1994 119 - Average Similar →
1993 Sky Cannot Be This Blue Fumi Kobayshi Super Hit Similar →
1991 Nowhere Man Lady who walks Average Similar →
1989 Godzilla vs. Biollante Prime Minister's Wife Hit Similar →
1989 Four Days of Snow and Blood Suzuko Watanabe Hit Similar →
1969 Through Days and Months Matsuko's Mother Super Hit Similar →
1969 Samurai Banners - Hit Similar →
1964 Whirlwind Kikusato Hit Similar →
1962 Mother Country - Hit Similar →
1961 Haitoku no mesu Nobuko Sato Hit Similar →
1961 Moonlight in the Rain - Super Hit Similar →
1961 Zero Focus Teiko Uhara Average Similar →
1961 Daredevil in the Castle Kobue Hit Similar →
1960 Cruel Story of Youth Yuki Hit Similar →
1959 Good Morning Setsuko Arita Super Hit Similar →
1959 The Snow Flurry Sakura Hit Similar →
1958 The Eternal Rainbow Chie Hit Similar →
1958 Equinox Flower Fumiko Mikami Hit Similar →
1958 Beyond the Seasonal Wind - Super Hit Similar →
1958 Woman Unveiled - Super Hit Similar →
1957 Yagyu Secret Scrolls Yuhime Hit Similar →
1957 Yellow Crow Yasuko Ashihara Hit Similar →
1956 Farewell to Dream Yôichi's older sister, Toyoko Hit Similar →
1955 Mune yori mune ni Harue Kawazoe Super Hit Similar →
1955 Tomorrow I'll Be a Fire-Tree Reiko Super Hit Similar →
1955 Taira Clan Saga Tokiko Hit Similar →
1955 If Indeed One Loves Yumiko (segment 3) Super Hit Similar →
1955 Beautiful Days Sakurako Hit Similar →
1954 Somewhere Beneath the Wide Sky Hiroko, Ryoichi's wife Hit Similar →
1954 A Billionaire Sute Kagami Hit Similar →
1954 The Woman in the Rumor Yukiko Mabuchi Hit Similar →
1954 The Garden of Women Akiko Hayashino Hit Similar →
1953 Love Letter Michiko Kubota Hit Similar →
1953 An Inlet of Muddy Water - Average Similar →
1953 Brother and Sister San Average Similar →
1952 This Way, That Way - Super Hit Similar →
1951 The Bitch Yukiko Super Hit Similar →
1951 The Idiot Ayako Hit Similar →
1950 Portrait of Madame Yuki Hamako Abe Hit Similar →
1950 Guntō nanban-sen - Super Hit Similar →
1950 The Angry Street - Hit Similar →
1950 Till We Meet Again Keiko Ono Hit Similar →
1949 Jakoman and Tetsu Girl at church Super Hit Similar →
1949 Delinquent Girl - Hit Similar →
1948 Drunken Angel Schoolgirl Super Hit Similar →
1947 Spring Awakens Kumiko Hirobe Hit Similar →
1947 Four Love Stories - Average Similar →

Yoshiko Kuga - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Yoshiko Kuga?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Yoshiko Kuga is "Mune yori mune ni" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Yoshiko Kuga acted in?

Yoshiko Kuga has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Yoshiko Kuga?

Other notable films include "If Indeed One Loves", "Jakoman and Tetsu", and "As the River Flows".

Advertisement