Yoshihiko Inohara (Japanese: 井ノ原快彦, Hepburn: Inohara Yoshihiko) is a Japanese actor, singer, host, and businessman. He is a former member of boy bandV6 and a member of 20th Century. His nickname is "Inocchi".[1]
As a child, he lived in Asakusa, Tokyo, and grew up in an apartment complex in Shinagawa Ward.[2]
His entry into the entertainment industry began when he watched the popular detective drama Seibu Keisatsu as a child and wished to work for Ishihara Promotions, to which the lead actor belonged.[4] However, Ishihara Promotion was famous for making its actors eat a large meal,[5][6] and he gave up Ishihara Promotion because he “thought I couldn't eat a large meal,” and chose to join Johnny & Associates.[4]
In 1988, at the age of 12, he entered Johnny & Associates and made his CD debut on November 1, 1995 as a member of V6 with the single Music for the people.
After his debut, in addition to being a member of the boy band V6, he personally hosted, mainly for the public broadcaster NHK and acted in detective dramas such as TV Asahi's Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9 Series and Special investigation department 9 Series.
On September 28, 2007, he announced his marriage to Asaka Seto, an actress with whom he had been dating for some time.[7] On November 1, 2021, V6 disbanded, leaving him only as a member of 20th Century and as a solo performer.[8]
On November 1, 2022, following Hideaki Takizawa's retirement as representative director of Johnny's Island (later Annex), it was announced that he had been appointed president of the company as of September 26, 2022.[9] Johnny's Island is a company that produces stage and live performances for trainees before their debut, and discovers and trains new talent.[10] After that, he worked as a playing manager to nurture talent and trainees (junior) at the same time.[11][12]
On October 2, 2023, at a press conference regarding the new structure of Johnny & Associates, he announced that he had been appointed vice president of Smile-Up.[13] He also decided to continue his subsequent talent activities.[14]
On December 8, 2023, it was announced that he was appointed COO (Chief operating officer) of the newly established company Starto Entertainment.[15][16] In conjunction with his appointment as COO, he also resigned as vice president of Smile-Up. (formerly Johnny & Associates) on the same date,[17] and it was announced that his position was changed from director COO to director CMO (chief marketing officer) as of April 10, 2024.[3]
With the launch of Starto, it was announced that a new division for the training of young people would be established, and trainees formerly affiliated with Annex would also be affiliated with Starto.[18] Annex is being prepared for closure, and Inohara, who was president of the company, had reportedly already resigned at the end of March 2024.[19]
Major Appearances
TV drama
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9 Series - as Naoki Asawa (TV Asahi)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9 SP(Special)(2006)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9 season 2 (2007)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, Season 3 (2008)
New Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9 (2009)
New Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, season 2 (2010)
New Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, season 3 (2011)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, Season 7 (2012)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, Season 8 (2013)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, 9th series (2014)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, 10th series (2015)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, 11th series (2016)
Metropolitan Police Department Investigation Section 9, 12th series (2017)
Special investigation department 9 series - Starring Naoki Asawa (TV Asahi)
Special investigation department 9 (2018)
Special investigation department 9 season 2 (2019)
Special investigation department 9 season 3 (2020)
Special investigation department 9 season 4 (2021)
Special investigation department 9 season5 (2022)
Special investigation department 9 season6 (2023)
Special investigation department 9 season7 (2024)
Film
Heaven Can Wait (2007) - Starring Hiroki Nishioka
461 Pieces of Bento (2020) - Starring Kazuki Suzumoto