Min Tanaka

Min Tanaka (born March 10, 1945, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese screen artist celebrated for blending a dancer’s physical expressiveness with quietly commanding acting. Also known as たなか みん, 田中 泯, and مین تاناکا, he has built a career that moves fluidly between experimental performance and acclaimed film work.

Tanaka first gained wide recognition through his groundbreaking stage practice, including The Unnameable Dance, before becoming a distinctive presence on screen. His transition to cinema was marked by critical praise, culminating in a major milestone when he received the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor for The Twilight Samurai.

Over the years, he has taken on an eclectic range of roles across Japanese and international productions. His notable credits include 47 Ronin (as Lord Asano), Map of the Sounds of Tokyo (Narrator), Heaven's Door (Henmi), and the anime feature Tekkonkinkreet (voice of Suzuki). He also appeared in Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken, Four Women Living in That House (as 山田一郎), and Perfect Days (as Homeless).

Whether leading with movement or stillness, Tanaka’s performances are defined by precision, restraint, and a singular artistic identity that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.