'The Miracles of Namiya General Store' Japanese National Actor Nishida Toshiyuki Passes Away

by Kim Jinsun

Published 17 Oct.2024 21:07(KST)

Passed Away at the Age of 76

Photo by Still image from Namiya General Store's Miracle.

Actor Nishida Toshiyuki, known for his roles in the Japanese film The Miracles of the Namiya General Store and the drama series Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, passed away on the 17th at the age of 76.

According to local media including TBS News, Nishida was found collapsed at his home in Setagaya Ward around noon by his manager.

Born in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, he dropped out of Meiji University's Faculty of Agriculture and entered the Japan Academy of Acting. After performing on stage, he began gaining popularity with his steady acting in NHK's morning drama Family Up North in 1973, standing 166 cm tall and weighing 75 kg with a plump physique.

He rose to stardom starting in 1988 by playing the role of "Hamachan" in the film series Tsuribaka Nisshi. In the films The Story of Naomi Uemura (1986) and Donk? (1988), he spent several months filming on location in extreme environments in Alaska and remote areas of China, respectively. He won the Japan Academy Award for Best Actor for Donk?. From 2001 to 2019, he hosted the variety program Detective! Night Scoop, earning recognition as a beloved national actor.

He also gave a passionate performance as Hiruma, the head of surgery who envies the protagonist Daimon Michiko (played by Yonekura Ryoko) in the drama series Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon. This series was also broadcast on cable TV in South Korea, gaining popularity. Additionally, he appeared as the grandfather Namiya in the film adaptation of mystery novelist Higashino Keigo's novel The Miracles of the Namiya General Store. He served as chairman of the Japan Actors Union and vice chairman of the Japan Academy Awards organizing committee.