Keiko Kitagawa

Keiko Kitagawa (北川 景子, Kitagawa Keiko) was born on August 22, 1986, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. She grew up in Kobe. Her family experienced the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995, during which she lost many friends.

During her childhood, Kitagawa aspired to become a doctor. By high school, her future career plans were uncertain. She was scouted by a talent agency at this time, leading her to consider entering the entertainment industry. Her parents initially opposed her decision but ultimately agreed on two conditions: that she would discontinue if no progress was made within a year, and that she would prioritize her education and graduate from university.

She graduated from Meiji University in Tokyo in March 2009.

Her career began shortly after joining her agency. Within a week, she was selected as a model and actress. In 2003, she was named Miss Seventeen, which resulted in her working as a model for the Japanese magazine Seventeen until September 2006. During her tenure, she featured regularly in a segment titled "Keiko's Beauty Honey."

Her acting debut was in the live-action television series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003–2004), in which she played the role of Sailor Mars (Rei Hino). Her first significant film appearance was in Mamiya Kyōdai. Following the influence of director Yoshimitsu Morita, she shifted her focus from modeling to acting.

Kitagawa's early film work includes roles in films such as Mizu ni Sumu Hana (2006), Cherry Pie (2006), and Dear Friends (2007), where she took on leading roles. She appeared in Hollywood's The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), for which she traveled to California. She also undertook English studies there for several months in early 2006.

Her television work expanded with her first leading role in the late-night drama Mop Girl (2007). In 2008, she played the heroine in the Fuji Television drama Homeroom on the Beachside, a Monday 9 pm summer series.

Throughout her career, she has played in various films and TV dramas, including Buzzer Beat (2009), Lady Saigo no Hanzai Profile (2011), Akumu-chan (2012), Hero (2014), and Detective versus Detectives (2015).

In addition to acting, Kitagawa authored several books, including fashion photo books and behind-the-scenes works related to her acting career. She also contributed to music with a CD single in 2004, playing the role of Rei Hino in "Sakura Fubuki" / "Hoshi Furu Yoake."

Han her personal life, Kitagawa married singer-songwriter Daigo in 2016. The same year, she received the Japanese Television Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Ie Uru Onna.

On April 22, 2020, Kitagawa announced her pregnancy. She gave birth to her daughter on September 7, 2020. On September 25, 2023, her agency announced she was expecting her second child, and on January 31, 2024, she gave birth to a son.

She is managed by Stardust Promotion.