Actor Tomita Mio

Express honestly what you feel at that moment.

Actor Miu Tomita

■ Profile
She made her film debut in the movie "Solomon's Perjury" (2015), where she was selected for a major role in the largest audition in Japanese film history, with 1 participants. She has appeared in numerous other works, including the NHK serial drama "Natsuzora."

■Drama 24 "Mame to Mugi"Please tell me about the highlights of the place.

This work depicts human change and growth by likening it to "fermentation." Inspired by various fermented foods, I think the charm of this work lies in how the story progresses as people and food pass a baton to each other, with the message being, "If this rice ferments like this, then I want to ferment like this too."
The character I play, Mame Yoneda, is a girl who is straightforward about what she likes. I haven't had much experience playing a character who can so confidently say, "I like this." In the original manga, the hand and body movements were very impressive, so I made sure to express joy not only through my voice tone and words, but also using my whole body.

■Please tell us about your approach to self-expression.

Being an actor is also about conveying what's inside you to someone else. And what I value most in that is "not forcing my opinions on others."
When reading a script, I sometimes feel like, "This is a scene where the emotions are going to escalate." While I can express things like crying, getting angry, or laughing as a technique, if I start thinking about "how will the audience feel when they see this?" during filming, I feel like I'm imposing my own ego. That's why I try to cherish the connection of intentions that arises in the moment with my co-stars and the exchange of ideas with the director, while honestly expressing what I feel in that moment.

■Message to students

I encourage you to try things you like and things you feel like you want to try. I myself get bored easily, and I've tried various things like lessons and studying, but I couldn't stick with them for long (laughs). The only thing I've been able to continue is acting. If you try something and realize it's not for you, you can just try something else that interests you.
When you enter the workforce, you might feel like things are going smoothly in your first year, but then suddenly lose momentum in your second year, or you might have moments of anxiety where you think, "Maybe I can't do anything." I felt the same way when I was 20, but as soon as I turned 21, I felt like I was less capable than I was last year.
There was a time when I was jealous of my 20-year-old self. When that happens, eat something delicious and warm both your head and your heart.
If you face your work without enduring hardship and while acknowledging your own shortcomings, you'll surely be able to "ferment" and grow without becoming discouraged.

Student Newspaper, October 2026 Issue: Yurie Watanabe, 10rd Year Student, Josai International University

Ryo Ishikawa (3rd year, Kansai Gaidai University) / Emari Oike (1st year, Japan Women's University) / Momofuku Kano (2nd year, Kaetsu Ariake Junior High School) / Yurie Watanabe (3rd year, Josai International University) / Haruna Shoji (4th year, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences) / Natsune Koga (1st year, Keio University) / Mio Ozawa (2nd year, Seijo University)