**Yui Natsukawa** (born in Tokyo in 1968) is an acclaimed Japanese actress known for her intense dramatic performances. She has built a significant career in cinema, often portraying complex, resilient, and deeply human women.

Her collaboration with director Hirokazu Kore-eda is particularly noteworthy. She was acclaimed for her role in “Still Walking” (2008), in which she plays a daughter-in-law trying to reunite a fragmented family. Other notable performances include Kiyoshi Kurosawa's “Tokyo Sonata” (2008), in which she explores the dynamics of a family in crisis, and “The Emperor in August” (Nihon no Ichiban Nagai Hi, 2015).

Natsukawa is appreciated for her understated yet powerful acting style, capable of conveying great emotional depth with delicacy. Her ability to bring multifaceted and believable characters to the big screen has made her a respected figure in Japanese cinema, earning her several awards, including the Japan Academy Prize.