Masahiro Nakai (中居 正広, Nakai Masahiro, born August 18, 1972) is a Japanese television host, actor, news presenter, radio personality. He was the leader of the now defunct boy band SMAP,[1] which had been the best-selling boy band in Asia.[2] While working as a member of a boy band, he worked extensively as a television presenter, hosting many of his own talk shows, variety shows, music shows, news programs, and several Olympic games as a sportscaster. His conversational method and technique has been critically praised, establishing himself as one of the most well-respected, iconic hosts in the Japanese entertainment industry. He is the host of six weekly television programs and one radio program.
Masahiro Nakai 中居 正広 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 18, 1972 Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor, television host, song-writer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Victor Entertainment |
| Formerly of | SMAP |
Since his first major role in the drama television series, Aji Ichimonme (1995), he has had a successful acting career, both in television and film. He has starred in many high-rated television series such as, Densetsu no Kyoushi (2000), Shiroi Kage (2001), Suna no Utsuwa (2004), and Ataru (2012), and a blockbuster film, Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai (2008).
He is credited for changing the Japanese entertainment industry, becoming the first non-comedian celebrity to have a career as a television host and expanding the capacity of a boy band. He is one of the wealthiest and highest-paid celebrities in Japan, identified as the highest tax payer in the Japanese entertainment industry by the Japanese National Tax Bureau in 2003.[3]
Early life
editNakai was born in Kugenuma, Fujisawa, Kanagawa as the youngest of three brothers. He is a big fan of baseball.[4]
In March 2017, he was rumored to be in a relationship with Maika Takeda, a 32-year-old choreographer by the tabloid, Josei Seven.[5]
Career
editMusic
editIn 1986, at age 14, Nakai auditioned to enter Johnny & Associates, a Japanese talent agency that recruits and trains young boys, preteens to teens, to become singers and members of boy bands. After five of the other band members auditioning individually the following year, in autumn 1987, twenty boys, from ages ten to seventeen, were put together into a group called The Skate Boys, which was initially created as backup dancers for a famous boy band, Hikaru Genji.[6] In April 1988, producer Johnny Kitagawa chose six out of the twenty boys to create a new boy band and named them "SMAP".[7] Nakai, being the oldest of the group, was chosen to become the leader.
Acting
editIn 1988, he made his acting debut in a television series, Abunai Shonen III, along with his band members. After several supporting roles, in 1995, he landed his first major role in a drama television series, Aji Ichimonme. Following its success, he established himself as a leading man, starring in many high-rated television series such as, Densetsu no Kyoushi (2000), Shiroi Kage (2001), Suna no Utsuwa (2004), and Ataru (2012). In 2008, he starred in a blockbuster film, Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai (2008).[8][9]
Television
editAt age 16, he decided that he wanted a professional career as a television presenter while working as a member of a boy band and started to actively participate in variety programs with popular comedians. In 1996, he launched his first self-titled television program, Nakai-kun Onsen. In 1997, he became the youngest male presenter to host the Kohaku Uta Gassen, at age 25. He hosts three weekly prime-time television programs three late-night programs and one radio program, as of 2016; SMAPxSMAP since 1996, The Sekai Gyoten News and Kinyoubi no Sma tachi e since 2001, Nakai no Mado since 2012, Mi ni Naru Toshokan since 2013, and Momm since 2015. He occasionally hosts TV specials, such as Kohaku Uta Gassen, 27 Hour Television, and a ten-hour long music program, Ongaku no Hi.
Sportscaster
editFrom 1995, he started utilizing his knowledge on sports, serving as a sports commentator on Sunday Jungle, from 1995 to 2000. In 2004, he officially launched his career as a sportscaster, after becoming the host of the 2004 Summer Olympics and has hosted seven Olympic games during their television coverage on TBS.[10] He has also served as the play-by-play commentator for several baseball tournaments, such as the World Baseball Classics.
Other ventures
editPhilanthropy
editProduct endorsement
edit- Nissin Foods "Hyoe Don" (2004–2015)
- Nippon TV
- Mitsubishi Motors Mirage, Mirage Asti, RVR
- Coca-Cola Zero (2015–2016)
- The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls: Starlight Stage (2015–)
Filmography
editTelevision (as personality)
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–2014 | Waratte Iitomo! | Himself | |
| 1995–2000 | Sunday Jungle | Himself (sports commentator) | |
| 1996–1998 | Nakai kun Onsen | Himself (host) | |
| 1996–2010 | Utaban | Himself (host) | |
| 1996–2016 | SMAPxSMAP | Himself (host, performer) | |
| 27 Hour Television | Himself (host) | TV special; 10 episodes | |
| 1996–2018 | Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! | Himself (host) | TV special |
| 1997–1998 | D-1 Grand Prix | Himself (host) | TV special; 3 episodes |
| 1997–2009 | Kouhaku Uta Gassen | Himself (host) | TV special; 6 episodes |
| 1998–2002 | SataSma | Himself (host) | |
| 2000–present | Konya mo Nemurenai | Himself (host) | TV special; 17 episodes |
| 2001–present | The! Sekai Gyoten News | Himself (moderator) | Documentary-style variety show (NTV)[11] |
| Kinyoubi no Smiletachi e | Himself (host) | Information variety show (TBS)[12] | |
| 2002 | DeliSma | Himself (host) | |
| 2002–2003 | VS Nihon TV | Himself (host) | TV special; 2 episodes |
| 2002–2004 | Wakachuki | Himself (host) | |
| 2003 | Smao | Himself (host) | |
| 2004–2013 | Black Variety | Himself (host) | |
| 2004–present | Olympic Games | Himself (host, newscaster) | |
| 2006–2009 | Super Drama Festival | Himself (host) | TV special; 7 episodes |
| 2007–present | Baby Smap | Himself (host) | |
| World Baseball Entertainment Tamacchi | Himself (host) | TV special | |
| 2008–2012 | The Dainenpyou | Himself (host) | TV special; 7 episodes |
| 2008–present | Nanaban Shoubu | Himself (host) | TV special; 8 episodes |
| 2010 | The Music Hour | Himself (host) | |
| 2010–2013 | Sekai wa Sugee Koko made Shirabemashita | Himself (host) | TV special; 5 episodes |
| 2010–present | CDTV Special | Himself (host, performer) | TV special: 6 episodes |
| Draft Kinkyu Namatokuban Okasan Arigato | Himself (host) | TV special; 6 episodes | |
| Baseball Chin-play Ko-play Taisho | Himself (host) | TV special: 6 episodes | |
| 2011–2012 | Coming Soon | Himself (host) | |
| Dramatic Living Room | Himself (host) | TV special; 3 episodes | |
| 2011–2013 | Ayashii Uwasa no Atsumaru Toshokan | Himself (host) | |
| 2011–present | Ongaku no Hi | Himself (host, performer) | TV special; 5 episodes |
| Nakai no Kakezan | Himself (host) | TV special; 6 episodes | |
| 2012–2013 | Kayoukyoku | Himself (host) | |
| 2012–present | Ashita e Concert | Himself (host, performer) | TV special; 5 episodes |
| Nakai no Mado | Himself (host) | ||
| Nodojiman The World | Himself (host) | TV special; 13 episodes | |
| 2013–2014 | Sound Room | Himself (host) | |
| 2013–present | Mi ni Naru Toshokan | Himself (host) | |
| Wide Na Show | Himself (commentator) | ||
| 2014–2015 | UTAGE! | Himself (host, performer) | Music variety show (TBS)[13] |
| SmaShip | Himself (host) | TV special; 2 episodes | |
| 2014- | Sports! Gogai Scoop Neraimasu (2014-2019, 2021 (Olympics special)) | Himself (host) | TV special (TV Asahi)[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] |
| 2015 | NHK Nodojiman | Himself (host) | |
| 2015–2017 | Momm!! | Himself (host) | Music variety show (TBS)[24] |
| Nakai Masahiro no Kami Sense Shio Sense | Himself (host) | TV special; 6 episodes (Fuji)[25] | |
| 2016-2022 | Utage Special | Himself (host) | Music variety show specials (Spring (1), Summer (4), Autumn (2), Summer and Autumn (1), New Year's (2), Valentine's (1) and non-seasonal (2)) (TBS)[26] |
| 2019 | Nakai Masahiro no doyōbina kai | Himself (host) | News program (TV Asahi)[27] |
| 2020 | Matsumoto Nakai | Himself (host) | Variety (Fuji TV) (to be renamed "Dareka to Nakai" on 4 February 2024)[28] |
Television (as actor)
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1989 | Abunai Shonen III | Himself | Main role |
| 1989 | Jikan Desuyo Heisei Gannen | Hiroshi Takarada | |
| 1991 | Gakkou e Ikou | Katsumi Matsuda | |
| 1992 | Motto, Tokimeki wo | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 1993 | Aiyo Nemuranaide | Mamoru Koga | |
| Ude ni Oboeari 3 | Yunosuke Shibutani | ||
| 1995 | Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari | Kazuyuki Oida | Main role |
| 1995–2013 | Aji Ichimonme | Satoru Ibashi | Main role |
| 1995 | Kagayaku Kisetsu no Naka de | Shinichi Higuchi | |
| Kagayake Rintaro | Himself | Cameo; 2 episodes | |
| 1996 | Dareka ga Dareka ni Koishiteru | Kentaro Ishida | Main role |
| Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari | Okada | Main role | |
| Shori no Megami | Kohei Yoshimoto | Main role | |
| 1996–2015 | Naniwa Kinyudo | Tatsuyuki Haibara | Main role |
| 1997 | Boku ga Boku de Arutame ni | Hayato Narise | Main role |
| Ii Hito | Himself | Cameo appearance | |
| Saigo no Koi | Toru Natsume | Main role | |
| 1998 | Brothers | Shinjin Fujiwara | Main role |
| 1999 | Furuhata Ninzaburo vs SMAP | Himself | Main role |
| Good News | Bunichi Kurosawa | Main role | |
| 2000 | Densetsu no Kyoushi | Daisuke Kazama | Main role |
| Sazae-san | Man (voice) | Cameo appearance; episode 4550 | |
| 2001 | Yonimo Kimyo na Monogatari | Yoji Sagara | Main role |
| 2001–2003 | Shiroi Kage | Yosuke Naoe | Main role |
| 2004 | Suna no Utsuwa | Eiryo Waga | Main role |
| X’smap | Jyunsa | Main role | |
| Sazae-san | Man at hospital (voice) | Cameo appearance; episode 5456 | |
| 2009 | Konkatsu | Kuniyuki Amamiya | Main role |
| 2010 | Dokutomato Satsujin Jiken | Himself | Main role |
| 2011 | Sazae-san | Himself (voice) | Cameo appearance |
| 2012–2013 | Ataru | Ataru "Chokozai" Inoguchi | Main role |
| 2013 | Furuhata vs SMAP The Aftermath | Himself | Main role |
| 2014 | Oretachi ni Asu wa aru | Himself | Main role |
| Sazae-san | Himself (voice) | Cameo appearance; episode 7148 | |
| 2015 | Zeni no Sensou | Tatsuyuki Haibara | Guest appearance; 1 episode |
| Sazae-san | Himself (voice) | Cameo appearance; episode 7323 |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Private Lesson | Koji Kaneko | Guest appearance |
| 1994 | Shoot | Toshihiko Tanaka | Main role |
| 2002 | Mohō Han | Koichi Amikawa | Main role |
| 2008 | Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai | Toyomatsu Shimizu | Main role |
| 2010 | Ototo | Himself | Cameo |
| 2013 | Ataru The First Love & The Last Kill | Zai Inoguchi | Main role |
| 2016 | Te wo Tsunaide Kaerouyo | Koji Soga | Guest appearance |
Radio
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–2009 | Ohayo SMAP | Himself | |
| 1993–1994 | All Night Nippon | Himself | |
| 1995–present | Some Girl' SMAP | Himself |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Saint Seiya | Pegasus Seiya | Main role |
| 1992 | Dragon Quest | Main role | |
| 1993 | Another | Main role |
Discography
editAwards and nominations
edit| Year | Organization | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 4th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Aji Ichimonme | Won[29] |
| Best Newcomer | Won[29] | |||
| 5th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Kagayaku Kisetsu no Naka de | Nominated | |
| 1996 | 8th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Aji Ichimonme 2 | Nominated |
| 1997 | 14th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Saigo no Koi | Won[29] |
| 1998 | 17th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Brothers | Nominated |
| 2001 | 28th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Shiroi Kage | Nominated |
| 2003 | 7th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix | Best Actor | Suna no Utsuwa | Won[30] |
| 2004 | 40th Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Won[29] | |
| 14th TV Life Annual Drama Grand Prix | Best Actor | Won | ||
| 1st TV Navi Drama of the Year | Best performance (Leading role) | Won | ||
| 2008 | 21st Nikkan Sports Film Awards | Best Actor | Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai | Won[31] |
| 2012 | 73rd Television Drama Academy Awards | Best Actor | Ataru | Nominated |
Publications
edit- Music Clamp: SMAP MIND Vol.1 (1997) ISBN 978-4-87728-151-9
- Music Clamp: SMAP MIND Vol.2 (1997) ISBN 978-4-87728-160-1
- Music Clamp: SMAP MIND Vol.3 (1997) ISBN 978-4-87728-176-2
- Music Clamp: SMAP MIND Vol.4 (1997) ISBN 978-4-87728-177-9
- Shifuku Darake no Nakai Masahiro Zokango Kagayaite (August 18, 2009) ISBN 978-4594060183
- Shifuku Darake no Nakai Masahiro Zokango Kagayaite Part2 (December 11, 2012) ISBN 978-4594067335
- Shifuku Darake no Nakai Masahiro Zokango Kagayaite Part3 (January 15, 2013) ISBN 978-4594067403
- Shifuku Darake no Nakai Masahiro Zokango Kagayaite Part4 (April 18, 2014) ISBN 978-4594070342
References
edit- ^ Kikuchi, Daisuke (December 25, 2016). "Love 'em or hate 'em, the end of SMAP marks the end of an era". Japan Times. The Japan Times Ltd. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
- ^ "SMAP". Japan-Zone. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "The Boy Bachelor". Japan Times. May 25, 2003. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
- ^ "Nakai designated 'support captain' for Olympic baseball team". Tokyograph. March 21, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Nakai Masahiro is reported to be in a relationship with a 32-year-old choreographer". tokyohive. 6Theory Media, LLC. March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ "SMAP". Japan-Zone. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
- ^ "SMAPの前身「スケートボーイズ」に所属していた豪華メンバーたち". Excite News. Nikkan Taishu. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ "Masahiro Nakai chosen for 'Shellfish' remake". Tokyograph. May 22, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ Schilling, Mark (November 21, 2008). "Making a case for a 'war criminal'". Japan Times. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "中居正広、7大会連続五輪キャスター就任 テーマソングはSMAP名曲「ありがとう」". Oricon Style. July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "ザ!世界仰天ニュース". The Television (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "『金スマ』突如番組名変更 TBS「笑顔があふれる番組に…」". Oricon (in Japanese). February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居&まゆゆ、新音楽番組司会で初タッグ". Oricon (in Japanese). April 16, 2014. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "[2014年4月8日放送]ミになる図書館特別編 未公開スクープＳＰ 『中居正広の超一流スポーツ選手20人が自分でスポーツ界のスクープ話しちゃいますＳＰ』". TV Asahi "Mi ni naru toshokan" official page (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広も興味津々!?世界の錦織＆浅田姉妹のスクープ！". The Television (in Japanese). February 3, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "SMAP中居、カープ黒田と「2日に1回はスーパーに行く」で意気投合". Oricon (in Japanese). May 24, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広がスポーツ界の(秘)スクープ情報に迫る！". The Television (in Japanese). November 2, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広、日本シリーズの名場面の裏側をスクープ". Oricon (in Japanese). November 28, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "マニアックすぎ!! ネタの「狭さ」で勝負をかけるNHK『球辞苑』とフジ『スポーツの神様たち』". Nikkan Cyzo. December 9, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "『中居正広のスポーツ!号外スクープ狙います!』羽生結弦の秘蔵映像公開". Oricon (in Japanese). March 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "スポーツ選手たちの知られざるお金の苦労を"号外スクープ"". Oricon (in Japanese). April 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広のスポーツ！ 号外スクープ狙います!東京オリンピックsp". The Television (in Japanese). August 15, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広、フジテレビの年末特番を任された？ 画策するは「新しい地図」との再会か". Nikkan Cyzo (in Japanese). September 6, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広、音楽番組に対する特別な思い MCとしての歩みから読み解く". Real Sound (in Japanese). October 8, 2017. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "中居正広の司会の極意「自分からいく」「次はない」". Cinema Today (in Japanese). June 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "『UTAGE! 2022新春4時間スペシャル』が、初アーティスト＋芸人によるの合体スペシャルに". The First Times (in Japanese). January 5, 2022. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "「中居正広のキャスターな会」番組名変更を発表 放送時間も変更し、年明けは１３日１１時３０分から". Sanspo (in Japanese). December 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "『だれかtoなかい』二宮和也がレギュラー出演「不安は、中居くんの中にもあったんじゃないでしょうか」". Oricon (in Japanese). January 31, 2024. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Drama Academy Awards". Tokyograph. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
- ^ "Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix". Tokyograph. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
- ^ "21st Nikkan Sports Film Awards". Tokyograph. December 4, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2010.