Makiko Watanabe is a Japanese actress born in Tokyo on September 14, 1968. She began her career in the 1990s, becoming a recurring face in Japanese arthouse cinema. Her long and prolific collaboration with director Sion Sono has been fundamental, leading her to play memorable roles in films such as *Love Exposure* (2008). Over the years, she has worked with some of the country's most prominent filmmakers, including Hirokazu Kore-eda (*Maborosi*, *Like Father, Like Son*) and Koji Fukada. Acclaimed for her versatility and acting intensity, Watanabe has received numerous accolades. For her performance in *Love Exposure*, she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Yokohama Film Festival. She has received additional awards, including the prestigious Mainichi Film Award for her role in the film *37 Seconds* (2019), cementing her status as one of the most respected and talented character actresses in contemporary Japanese cinema.