Rie Shibata

is a Japanese actress and comedian who has appeared in a number of television programmes, feature films and stage productions. She is also the special deputy mayor of Toyama, Toyama.

Biography She was born on 14 January 1959 in Toyama, Toyama (formerly Yatsuo, Nei District).

After going to Yao High School, she went to Meiji University Department of literature. After graduating from university, she joined the Gekidan Tokyo Vodovil Show, but withdrew in 1984, and launched Wahaha-Hompo with Masahiro Sato and Masami Hisamoto. Since then she has broadened her range of activities for films, television dramas, and variety shows.

In early days of her career, she appeared as a recurring role in the "Mysterious Comedy Series" produced by Fuji TV and Toei.

She made her Hollywood debut playing a high school teacher in the film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, produced by Universal Pictures in the United States in 2006.

Personal life At the age of 28, she married a stage director of Wahaha-Hompo.

She joined Soka Gakkai in 1987 and later joined the Central Committee of the Arts Department.

Filmography

Television dramas Year Title Role Network Notes Ref. 1995 Kinjirareta Asobi NTV 1997 Mōri Motonari Kiyo NHKTaiga drama

Other television Year Title Notes Ref. 2014 Chikyū no Arukikata: 35 Shūnenkinen America Ōdan! Shoku no Dai Bōken Kikō Aired on BS Asahi, traveller

Films Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2006 Brave Story Lady Yuna (voice) 2021 What Happened to Our Nest Egg!? Satsuki Kanda 2023 The Dry Spell Takeuchi 2023 Kubi Matsu 2024 Crosspoint Yuriko 2024 Touch Hashimoto-san 2025 A Pale View of Hills Fujiwara British-Japanese film

Stage Year Title Role Locations Notes Ref. 2016 Ume to Sakura to Boke no Hana Oume Hakodate Hakata-za Renewal Commemorative Performance Yukimaroge Ochika Theatre Senjyu, Theatre Creation

Radio programmes Year Title Network Notes Ref. 2016–22 Hikaru Ijūin to Radio to TBS Radio Thursday partner

Discography Wahaha-Hompo Women's Department Dennō Geisha Girls Date Title 1 Jul 1990 "Kingyo Chūihō! Gakkō Daisuki'!!" 21 Jan 1991 "Ren'ai Doremifa Musume Heisei Geisha Girls"

Guest participation Date Artist Song Notes 1 Mar 1998 George Tokoro "Bway no Bwayavy" Back chorus