Entertainment · Film · 15 hrs ago
Tsutomu Yamazaki says he has no plans to quit acting at 89
Actor Tsutomu Yamazaki, 89, says he has no plans to quit acting after about 70 years in the profession.
He spoke at the Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo, where a documentary about him had its world premiere.
The film, directed by Isshin Inudo, follows Yamazaki as he reflects on acting, ageing and his experience of cancer.
Yamazaki said he had hoped the film might become a farewell message after he nearly died during his illness.
Actor Ken Watanabe, who appeared in the documentary and joined the event as a surprise guest, praised the film’s portrait of Yamazaki’s life and work.
Yamazaki says each day still feels new, and the event gave no indication that he plans to step away from acting.
Actor Tsutomu Yamazaki, 89, said he has no plans to stop acting at a Tokyo International Film Festival event on November 2.
He was speaking at a presentation and question-and-answer session for a documentary about his life and work.
Yamazaki said he had no real sense of having acted for 70 years, adding that each day felt new.
He said he had hoped the film might serve as a farewell message after he nearly died from illness.
Actor Ken Watanabe made a surprise appearance and praised the documentary.
- Who
- Actor Tsutomu Yamazaki, 89, spoke at the event. Actor Ken Watanabe also appeared as a surprise guest.
- What
- Yamazaki said he had no plans to quit acting at an event for a documentary about him.
- When
- November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo.
- Why
- The event was a presentation and Q&A for the documentary “Yamazaki Riverside: Over the Shoulder of an Actor.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yamazaki disclosed that he had been treated for stage 4 esophageal cancer.
Yamazaki took part in filming the documentary, saying he hoped it might become a farewell message.
Yamazaki and director Isshin Inudo appeared at the Tokyo International Film Festival event for the documentary, with Watanabe joining as a surprise guest.
- Age
- 89
- Acting career
- About 70 years
- Film festival
- 39th Tokyo International Film Festival
- Documentary
- Yamazaki Riverside: Over the Shoulder of an Actor
- Cancer
- Stage 4 esophageal cancer, disclosed in 2025
5 sources
山﨑努 89歳「実感もないし、辞める気もない」 俳優人生を振り返る（日テレNEWS NNN）
ステージ4・食道がん公表【山﨑努（89）】「お別れのメッセージがこの映画になればいいな」 渡辺謙サプライズ登壇〝山さんの門下生として かなり感動させていただきました〟
89歳・山崎努、俳優生活70年…「やめる気もない」発言に割れんばかりの拍手：第39回東京国際映画祭
オリコンニュース：山﨑努、久々の公の場で観客と対話 俳優の覚悟は「見る価値のある恥をかく」
What people are saying
I have no intention of quitting.
I nearly died from illness, and somewhere in my heart I hoped this would become a farewell message to everyone in this world.
You have to be ashamed in a way that is worth watching.
I think it was a film with his life and the way he has worked as an actor scattered throughout it like jewels.