Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) got underway on Monday evening with stars including Fan Bingbing, Juliette Binoche, Sayuri Yoshinaga and R
Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) got underway on Monday evening with stars including Fan Bingbing, Juliette Binoche, Sayuri Yoshinaga and Rena Nonen on the red carpet; and encouraging words from a senior politician about government support for the newly resurgent domestic film industry.
The politician in question, Ino Toshiro, Japan’s State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, also let it slip during the opening ceremony that Japan has been selected as the Country of Honor at Cannes film festival’s Marche du Film in 2026.
Yoshinaga, a veteran actress who stars in TIFF’s opening film Climbing For Life, a biopic of Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony. The honor was presented by Carlo Chatrian, the former Locarno and Berlin artistic director who is heading this year’s TIFF competition jury, along with TIFF chairman Hiroyasu Ando.
Ando noted that this was the first time the festival had presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to a Japanese actress. Joining her on stage was her Climbing For Life co-star, Japanese actress Rena Nonen, who plays a younger version of Tabei, the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, in the film.
‘Mother Bhumi’ cast and crew at the 38th Tokyo film festival opening
Chinese actress Fan Bingbing stars in Mother Bhumi, directed by Malaysia’s Chong Keat Aun, which is receiving its world premiere tonight in TIFF competition. Binoche will be presenting her directorial debut, In-I In Motion, a documentary about her 2008 stage collaboration with UK dancer and choreographer Akram Khan, in the festival’s Special Screenings section.
“Go for it,” said Binoche when asked what advice she would give aspiring directors. “Being a creative is so important today, especially in the time of AI and social media; you’ve got to be independent in your task, in your passion for life and creation; that’s all I can say.”
Also on the red carpet were the cast and crew of Pen-ek Ratanaruang’s Morte Cucina, including actresses Bella Boonsang and Wendy Zhuo, and cinematographer Christopher Doyle.
‘Morte Cucina’ cast and crew at the 38th Tokyo film festival opening
U.S. filmmaker Paul Schrader, who is presenting literary biopic Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters in the festival’s Japanese Classics section, also made an appearance on the red carpet. Filmed entirely in Japan, the biopic is receiving its first ever screening in the country following a four-decade de facto ban by right-wing politicians and Mishima’s widow. When asked if he had a message for TIFF audiences, Schrader quipped “Don’t blame America for Donald Trump”.
Trump was likely the reason that Japan’s recent Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was too busy to attend TIFF’s opening ceremony, as the U.S. President arrived in Tokyo today, met with Emperor Naruhito this evening and will meet Takaichi tomorrow.
Takaichi, who has only been in the job for one week, is Japan’s first ever female prime minister. She is expected to discuss tariffs, Japan’s defense spending and Japanese investments in the U.S. with Trump.
Standing in for her at the TIFF opening ceremony, Ino Toshiro talked about how the Japanese government is supporting its local film industry and the huge success of Kokuho, which has revived interest in the classical Japanese theatrical art of Kabuki. “Our film industry is a new key industry of Japan, and we hope it will help to further establish Japanese culture,” Ino said.
Kokuho, which stars Ken Watanabe, has grossed $107m at the Japanese box office after premiering in Cannes. The film’s director, Lee Sang-il, is one of two recipients of the festival’s Kurosawa Akira Award, along with Chloe Zhao.
Ino also mentioned that Japan has been selected as the Country of Honor at Cannes Marche du Film in 2026. More details of that news will be announced at the festival tomorrow.
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