Michirō Minami

Biography

Michirō Minami was a Japanese actor and comedian born on September 25, 1926. He gained popularity in the post-war era for his portrayal of villainous characters in films like "The Tale of Zatoichi" (1962) and "Dokuritsu gurentai" (1959). A pioneer of Tokyo's new wave comedy, Minami was also known for his military service as a naval aviator and later became an advocate for the Self-Defense Forces through his association with the Japan Self-Defense Forces Friendship Association. He passed away on November 13, 2007, at the age of 81.