Yuriko Hirooka, born in Tokyo on March 4, 1965, is a Japanese actress. She began her career in theater, joining the renowned Tokyo Kandenchi company, founded by Akira Emoto. Since the 1990s, she has established herself as one of the most prolific and versatile character actresses in Japanese cinema and television, capable of effortlessly moving between comedic and dramatic roles. Her numerous film credits include internationally acclaimed films such as *Shall We Dance?* (1996), *Waterboys* (2001), the Academy Award-winning *Departures* (2008), and *Our Little Sister* (2015), collaborating with directors like Masayuki Suo, Shinobu Yaguchi, and Hirokazu Kore'eda. Her acting ability has earned her several awards, including the Best Supporting Actress award at the 33rd Yokohama Film Festival for her performance in the film *Postcard* (2011). She continues to be a constant and appreciated presence in film and television, known for her ability to enrich every production with her talent.