I'm not really interested in politics, because I think it's just too removed from my own life. If there's a war, though, or a disaster, I want to know what's happening.

There's nothing in Chinese culture that is an equivalent of the geisha. It's so different, so special to Japan.

I don't care if you love me or not. I'll love you anyway.

When I watch a movie for the first few times I'm usually thinking about where I was in a given scene, who was next to me, what we were doing etc. But after I've gotten through all of this, when I'm really watching the film itself, then I get moved.

I enjoy being an actress a lot, because I can feel different women's lives. I have the chance to feel like a geisha one day, and on another day maybe a scientist. That's the interesting part for me. My profession has helped me to grow up.

I suspect people always thought I had a boyfriend, so nobody came after me.

Whatever you see - any good results - are all from the pressure.