, known professionally as , is a Japanese TV personality, actor, director, writer, columnist, and politician. He named himself after his high school Japanese La Salle Academy. His best-known anime role is Kankichi Ryotsu the lead character in Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo which ran from 1999 to 2004 for 373 episodes.
In 2025, he ran in the House of Councillors election in the proportional representation district as a member of the Social Democratic Party, winning a seat.
On September 24 the same year, the managerial committee of SDP announced it approved his inauguration as its Vice-Chairman.
Filmography TV programs Ore-tachi Hyokin Zoku (1981–1989, Fuji Television) Quiz!! Hirameki Password (1986–1990, Mainichi Broadcasting System, TBS) JanJan Saturday (1987–1990, Shizuoka Daiichi Television) Takeshi Itsumi no Heisei Kyoiku Iinkai (1991–1997, Fuji Television) Mokugeki! Dokyun (1994–2002, TV Asahi) Burari Tochu Gesha no Tabi (1994, Nippon Television) Watch! (2004–2005, TBS) Evening 5 (2005–2006, TBS)
TV drama Yoni mo Kimyo na Monogatari (1991, Fuji Television) Teru Teru Kazoku (2003, NHK) Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo (2009, TBS), Ginji Ryotsu
Anime television series Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo, Kankichi Ryotsu Gintama (Mayuzon (Special guest appearance)) G-Saviour (Gano)
Video games Rasāru Ishii no Childs Quest (Nintendo Family Computer, Namco) June 23, 1989 LaSalle Ishii no Quiz! Kyōiku Iinkai (Mega Drive, unknown publisher) 1994; exclusive to Sega Channel in Japan
Films Baby Elephant Story: The Angel Who Descended to Earth (1986), Genji Oshima Romance (1992) Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), oil research employee Gamera 2: Attack of Legion (1996), Nazaki transmission staff member About Her Brother (2010) Wiseguy (2020) The Devil Wears Jūnihitoe (2020) We Couldn't Become Adults (2021)
Theater Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo (1999) Kankichi Ryotsu Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo Again (2001) Kankichi Ryotsu Seven Souls in the Skull Castle (2004) Mamiana Jirouemon Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo: Detective Kaipan Strikes Back (2003) Kankichi Ryotsu Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo 30th Anniversary! (2006) Kankichi Ryotsu
References
External links Agency profile Official blog