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Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972 in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and singer who belongs to the Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo and is the popular host of Matthew's Best Hit TV (as the character Matthew Minami (マシュー南, Mashū Minami), and various other related shows on TV Asahi, a major television network in Japan. In 2022, he was the co-host of Love is Blind: Japan.

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Takashi Fujii
Born	(1972-03-10) March 10, 1972 (age 50) Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
Occupation	Comedian, singer
Years active	1992–present
Notes
Same year/generation as: Cocorico Tomonori Jinnai Kendo Kobayashi Nakagawake

On May 7, 2005, he officially announced his intention to marry Otoha (乙葉), a Japanese idol, and they were married on July 30, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo, with an audience of 340 guests including many famous Japanese personalities and celebrities.

On May 7, 2007, he and his wife Otoha announced that they are expecting a child.

Acting career

An established celebrity among Japanese television,^{[citation needed]} Takashi Fujii is most active as an actor and a comedic host.

In the western world, and particularly the United States, he is perhaps best known for his appearance as Matthew Minami, hosting his own show, with Bill Murray's character Bob Harris in the 2003 movie Lost in Translation. As Matthew, his trademark blonde wig and garish suits complement his effeminate but wacky personality.

Although Bill Murray has never been a guest, Fujii (as Matthew Minami) actually hosted such a program, now called Matthew's Best Hit UV, largely consisting of musicians and popular Japanese celebrities, the show's guests are often subject to fierce competition by Matthew Minami himself. The character Matthew Minami also appears in a handful of programs and shorts related to Best Hit TV.

Takashi Fujii is also a popular talent himself and appears frequently on many Japanese variety shows. He is considerably less flamboyant while appearing as himself, but his frequent seemingly random comments and odd gestures are all part of his signature performances. He has even made appearances in the US and China showing off both his comedy and music. Takashi Fujii is currently featured on the following programs (titles are loose translations):

• 発見!仰天!!プレミアもん!!! 土曜はダメよ! (Hakken! Gyōten!! Puremia mon!!! Doyō wa Dame yo!) on YTV
• ベリーベリーサタデー (Very Very Saturday, Berī Berī Saturday) on KTV
• 上海大腕 (Shanghai Daiwan) on TX as a travelling host
• Matthew's Best Hit TV+ on TV Asahi as Matthew Minami
• サルヂエ ("Monkey Wisdom", Sarujie) on CTV as a monkey (host)
• 藤井隆のスカパー110BANG! ("Takashi Fujii's SkyPerfect 110BANG!") on SkyPerfecTV

Past appearances

• 1999 Heaven's Kiss/Tokyo Ghost Story (天国のkiss, Tengoku no Kiss) (Drama)[1]
• 2001 There's Always Tomorrow (明日があるさ, Ashita-ga arusa) (Drama)[2]
• 2001 There's Always Tomorrow (明日があるさ, Ashita ga arusa) (Movie)
• 2001 Beauty 7) (Drama)[3]
• 2002 Manten (Drama)[4]
• 2006 The School of Water Business (Drama)
• 2016 Sanada Maru (Drama) – Sasuke
• 2016 Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (Drama)
• 2017 Warotenka (Drama)
• 2018 Kamen Rider Build: The Movie – Be the One (Movie) – Mitsuomi Gohara/Zebra Lost Smash
• 2020 Mio's Cookbook (Movie)
• 2021 Will I Be Single Forever? (Movie)[5]
• 2022 My Small Land (Movie)[6]
• 2022 Love is Blind: Japan[7]

Takashi Fujii has also made numerous other minor appearances, as well as contributing his voice talent on various animated movies, including 2004's Mind Game.

Music career

Although Fujii is less active as a musician, his style has transferred successfully into the world of J-pop. His single, "Oh My Juliet!", was produced by popular J-pop artist Tommy February6. The song was subsequently featured in the soundtrack to the film Babel.

Along with Tomoko Kawase, he has also worked with well-known artists such as Daisuke Asakura, Tetsuya Komuro, Seiko Matsuda, and Fayray.

In 2004, he did a "World Tour" concert in Los Angeles, U.S. and Shanghai, China.

Discography

Singles

• She is my new town/I just want to hold you (June 5, 2013)

1. She is my new town
2. I just want to hold you

• Manatsu no Yo no Yume (August 1, 2007)

1. Manatsu no Yo no Yume Duet with Seiko Matsuda
2. Futari Naraba

• Oh My Juliet! (October 19, 2005)

1. Oh My Juliet!
2. Star Bright Love
3. Rain Rain Rain…
4. I Hold You Tight

• Watashi no Aoi Sora (July 7, 2004)

1. Watashi no Aoi Sora
2. Aru Yoru, Boku wa Nigedashitanda

• Mikakunin Hikoutai (February 14, 2002)

1. Mikakunin Hikoutai

• Zetsubō Good Bye (December 12, 2001)

1. Zetsubō Good Bye
2. Zetsubō Good Bye (Karaoke)

• Ai mo Kawarazu (November 1, 2000)

1. Ai mo Kawarazu
2. Ai mo Kawarazu ~ deep Autumn extended mix

• Nanda Kanda (March 8, 2000)

1. Nanda Kanda
2. Nanda Kanda [Anta Nanda Tsugi no Ban wa]

Albums

• Light Showers (September 13, 2017)
• Coffee Bar Cowboy (June 17, 2015)
• Shanghai Ta-wan (April 26, 2006) (CD+DVD set)

1. Amai Kaori
2. *: Asterisk
3. Vestige
4. Me ga Kirai
5. No More Cry
6. Rirura Riruha
7. T&T
8. Oh My Juliet!
9. Get Down
10. T&T Remix Version

• All by My Self (July 28, 2004)

1. Watashi no Aoi Sora
2. Aru Yoru Boku wa Nige Dashitanda
3. Aka to Kuro
4. Sa Ra Sa
5. Ka-ra-su
6. Socket
7. TAMEIKI
8. Mirai: Sex
9. Utsukushii Wakare
10. Tsuki no Sabaku to
11. ½ no Kodoku

• Romeo Michiyuki (February 14, 2002)

1. Mikakunin Hikōtai
2. Kyūkyoku Cute
3. Chikyū ni Dakarete
4. Suhada ni Sweater
5. Koufuku Interview
6. Zetsubō Good Bye
7. Taikanyama Elegy
8. Moscow no Yoru
9. Ranhansha
10. Relax
11. Nanda Kanda

References

External links

• Takashi Fujii Official Fan Club
• Official website for Matthew's Best Hit UV on TV Asahi
• Takashi Fujii at IMDb
• R&C official page
• Sony Music official page

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