Takehiro Hira Talks About Learning English, Overseas Challenges, and Moving to Hawaii
Academia Language School, the oldest language school in Hawaii, founded in 1969, is honored to welcome Hollywood actor Takehiro Hira as its brand ambassador.
Despite being born and raised in Tokyo, Takehiro Hira has achieved international success through his dedication to learning English and embracing new cultural experiences. Recently, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role in SHOGUN, which also won four Golden Globe® Awards, including Best Television Series.
In this interview, he shares his thoughts on learning English, taking on global challenges, and his decision to relocate to Hawaii.
Takehiro Hira was born on July 27, 1974, in Tokyo, Japan. Coming from a distinguished family of actors—his father, Mikijiro Hira, and his mother, Ryoko Sakuma—he initially pursued a different path. After graduating from the prestigious Brown University in the United States, he continued his studies at Columbia University for graduate school and later worked for an international company. However, at the age of 27, he decided to follow his passion and transitioned into acting.
His career took off with his first lead role in the 2008 stage play Genghis Khan and his notable portrayal of Yoshinobu Tokugawa in NHK’s historical drama Atsuhime. In 2020, he moved to Hawaii with his wife and child, expanding his career internationally. He starred in the Netflix original series Giri/Haji, earning a nomination for Best Actor at the BAFTA TV Awards. In July 2024, he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards for SHOGUN, which went on to win a record-breaking 18 Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe® Awards, capturing worldwide attention.
Interview Highlights
- From High School Exchange Student to Hollywood Actor
Takehiro Hira discusses his journey from studying abroad in high school to attending Brown University, working in the corporate world, and ultimately transitioning into acting. He shares his experiences moving from Japan to Hollywood. - Why He Chose to Move to Hawaii & His Child’s Education
Hira explains why he and his family chose Hawaii as their home and how its multicultural environment benefits their lifestyle and child’s education. - His Journey to Mastering English & Overcoming Challenges
He shares his methods for learning English and the mindset required to use language skills to pursue dreams and goals.