Jun Ichikawa, a Japanese film,
theatre and television actress who has been living and working
in Italy for years, will be among Italy's Ambassadors at Expo
2025 Osaka.
The actress will bring her precious experience in acting and art
to the Italy Pavilion, with the creation of projects capable of
strengthening the artistic and cultural dialogue between Italy
and Japan.
Currently on tour with "Iliad - the game of gods" with Alessio
Boni, Jun Ichikawa has placed the relationship between
mythology, current affairs and the language of spirituality at
the centre of her artistic path: universal themes that spark
dialogue between cultures such as Italy's and Japan's.
"It is a great honour to be able to be an Ambassador of the
Italy Pavilion and I hope I can give my contribution so the
exchange between Italy and Japan can widen through reciprocal
knowledge in the world of art and show business", said Jun
Ichikawa.
"I have always dreamed that I could be a messenger, a bridge
between Italy and Japan.
"I have been studying human beings for years in their complexity
and beauty in order to be able to interpret them in all their
countless masks.
"It is of great inspiration to be able to be part of two such
rich cultures, close but also so far, like Italy and Japan".
Ambassador Mario Vattani, the Commissioner General for Italy at
Expo 2025 Osaka, said that "being able to count on Jun Ichikawa
as Ambassador of the Italy Pavilion is a reason of great
satisfaction for us.
"Her career, an example of the deep connection between Italy and
Japan, is an inspiration for young generations," he continued.
"Ahead of Expo 2025 Osaka, whose theme is 'Designing Future
Society for Our Lives', the role of Ambassador aims not only to
be an invitation to get close to art and culture, but also be an
incentive to deepen and develop curiosity".
Jun Ichikawa, an internationally-renowned Japanese actress,
dancer and voice actress, grew up in Japan and Italy, where she
started her artistic career, cooperating with great theatre
actors including Anna Maria Guarnieri, Max Tortora and Paolo
Rossi.
In 2003, she obtained a lead role in the film "Singing behind
screens", directed by Ermanno Olmi, and was subsequently starred
in TV series including "R.I.S. imperfect crimes", "The pupil"
and "Citadel: Diana" which made her popular.
Since then, she has worked with world renowned directors such as
Ridley Scott, Dario Argento and Giuseppe Tornatore.
She also worked with Dustin Hoffman and Peter Greenaway in the
director's latest movie.
Respected as a voice actress too, she has done voiceovers for
the Harry Potter saga, "The Karate Kid", "Lost in Translation",
the Disney film "Raya the last Dragon" and the Marvel movie
"Eternals".
She has also worked in Japan and recently acted in a Japanese
movie, "Taverna de Gaga", which was filmed in Tropea.
Thanks to her versatility and talent, Jun Ichikawa has won
several best actress awards, consolidating her position in the
film industry and in theatre both in Italy and abroad.
Jun Ichikawa joins a list of prestigious names in Japanese
culture and business who have accepted to become Ambassadors of
the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
They include: the designer Junko Koshino, industrial designer
Ken Okuyama, designer Toshyuki Kita, orchestra conductor Tomomi
Nishimoto, sculptor Susumu Shingu, entrepreneur and
philanthropist Yuzo Yagi - who funded the restoration of the
Pyramid of Caius Cestius in Rome - illustrator and character
designer Yoshitaka Amano, sommelier Takuma Yamada and soprano
Yasko Fujii.
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