Making his on-screen debut in Daigo Matsui's multistranded, disorderly and, at times, moving film "Japanese Girls Never Die" ("Azumi Harako wa Yukie Fumei"), singer Huwie Ishizaki admits that he was nervous prior to stepping in front of the cameras. The 32-year-old solo artist is used to putting on intense shows for his fans, but appearing in a movie alongside one of the country's leading actresses, Yu Aoi, was a whole new kind of pressure.

"I've been interested in acting since I was a child so when Matsui offered me the role I was really excited," Ishizaki says. "Soon after he mentioned my scenes would be with Yu Aoi, and I was just shocked. I mean she's a massive name who has won numerous awards and is known by everyone.

"Before we started, my heart was pounding, then when things got underway I found it quite easy. Aoi was aware it was my first time on set and made a big effort to help me. Having watched her films, I thought she'd be serious and intimidating, but she was anything but. We'd go to izakaya (Japanese pubs) where she'd drink lots and act quite boisterous like a little old man — I mean that in a positive way (laughs). Mi-chan (Mitsuki Takahata) was similar."