Kenji Kazama

Biography

Martial arts Kazama was born Minoru Tsutsui in Aichi Prefecture in 1943. That same year, he began competing professionally in kickboxing, and won the Oriental Middleweight title in South Korea. He subsequently competed in Muay Thai in Thailand, and was the first Japanese fighter to compete at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. and Return of the Street Fighter (1976), as well as assisting with fight choreography.

He played a villain in the Fred Williamson vehicle That Man Bolt (1973). That same year he played the Japanese main villain Yokohama in When Taekwondo Strikes, for Hong Kong's Golden Harvest, which is notable for being the only acting role of "the Father of American Taekwondo" Jhoon Rhee.

In 1976 he had the lead role in another Hong Kong film called Karate From Shaolin Temple.

Also in the 70s, Kazama recorded a song, "Forever Bruce Lee" and released on a 45 RPM single, Tam YT-1081.

Other activities In 1998, Kazama was appointed advisor to the Kokushikan University Martial Arts and Moral Education Research Institute. During the 2000s, he resided in Mongolia, where he was a visiting professor at Otgontenger University in Ulaanbaatar and an executive of the Japan-Mongolia Friendship Committee.

Filmography

Film

Television + Year Title Episode Role Notes 1978 Daitokai - Tatakai no hibi #2.52