Akira Kawashima Biography: Wife, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Awards, Instagram

Akira Kawashima is a multi-talented Japanese entertainer who rose to prominence as one half of the manzai comedy duo Kirin.

He first gained significant popularity after the duo reached the finals of the prestigious M-1 Grand Prix in 2001, a feat they repeated several times, showcasing his deep, resonant voice and sharp comedic writing.

Beyond the comedy stage, he has become a staple of Japanese television as a versatile host, most notably for the daily variety show LOVE it! since 2021.

His career also includes voice acting for major franchises like Thomas & Friends and Kinnikuman, as well as acting roles in television dramas and films.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Akira Kawashima
• Date of Birth: February 3, 1979
• Age: 47 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Profession: Comedian, Actor, Television Presenter, Voice Actor
• Height: 1.79 m
• Eye Color: Black
• Hair Color: Black
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Married
• Children: A daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2020
• Relationship Status: Married
• Religion: Shinto
• Ethnicity: Japanese
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Akira Kawashima is now at the age of 47 and was born on February 3, 1979, in Uji, Kyoto.

He was raised in the Kyoto region, where he attended local schools including Todō Elementary School, Uji Junior High School, and Kyoto Prefectural Todoh Senior High School.

His interest in entertainment began during his school years, though he formally pursued his career by enrolling in the 20th class of the Yoshimoto NSC Osaka in 1997.

He graduated from the training school and subsequently formed the comedy duo Kirin with Hiroshi Tamura in 1999.

Personal Life

Akira Kawashima is known for being relatively private about his family.

He married a non-celebrity woman in 2015; the couple held a ceremony in early 2016 attended by fellow entertainers.

They have two children together: a daughter born in September 2017 and a son born in August 2020.

Before his marriage, he was involved in a highly publicized relationship with fellow comedian and talent Mitsuura Yasuko, though they eventually parted ways.

Career

Akira Kawashima’s career began in the late 1990s as a member of the comedy duo Kirin, where he acts as the boke and writes the duo’s original material.

Their breakthrough at the M-1 Grand Prix led to a surge in television appearances across both the Kansai and Tokyo regions.

In the 2010s and 2020s, he successfully transitioned into a primary host and television personality, leading programs such as Keiba Beat and LOVE it!.

He has also established himself as a voice actor, lending his distinctive voice to characters like Zebra in Jungle Emperor Leo and characters in the Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc.

Awards

• M-1 Grand Prix Finalist (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
• ABC Comedy Grand Prix Winner (2002)

Net Worth

Akira Kawashima has an estimated net Worth of $5 million.

He has built this fortune through a long-standing career in Japanese television, commanding high appearance fees as a regular MC on major networks.

Social Media

• Instagram: @kawashima_akira
• X: @akira5423

Filmography

• Hashiriya ZERO 1 & 2 Street densetsu (2009)
• Nichijô – koi no koe (2007)
• Genge (2014)
• Natsuzora (2019)
• Thomas & Friends: Digs and Discoveries (2019)
• The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed By Light (2021)
• Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc (2024)

Books

• Utsumuki-kun (2014)
• Keikaku keizai no junkan to seichō (Japanese Edition) (2008)