Welcome to the first installment of Voyapon’s new series, Living Japan, where we explore the real stories of high-profile residents who are shaping their lives and careers across the country.
To kick things off, I sat down with Shizuka Anderson—a Canadian-Japanese actress, television presenter, and model—to uncover the realities of navigating Tokyo’s fast-paced entertainment world. Her story is a must-read for anyone pursuing a creative or freelance career in Japan.
“I still have a long way to go before I feel like a truly successful career person,” Anderson begins, reflecting with quiet humility on her dazzling trajectory. Born in Canada to a Japanese mother and fluent in English, Japanese (JLPT N1), and French, she has built a multifaceted career as a TV and YouTube host, actress, and MC. A finalist and titleholder for “Japanese Traditional Culture” at Miss World Japan 2020, she has worked with major broadcasters including NHK World, CS Kids Station, and TBS, and regularly hosts the popular YouTube channel Japan by Food and several JIBTV mini-series. Her professional network stretches beyond borders, reflected in her recent guest appearance on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil Season 7 in Kyoto alongside American actresses Fran Drescher and Monica Horan. When we met at a quiet Tokyo café, she had just arrived from Osaka after emceeing the closing night of the 2025 Expo—heading next to another event in Harajuku.
“But I think part of why I don’t see myself as a ‘career woman,’” she adds with a smile, “is because I don’t fit neatly into any one ‘career category.’ As a freelancer, I’m constantly finding my own path.”
From there, our conversation unfolded like a warm fireside chat, filled with embers of insight for young creatives who are finding their own paths in Japan.
Train Confidence as you Would a Muscle
“I was so shy,” Anderson says of her childhood in rural Canada. “The only reason I survived school was because I made a few friends early on who stuck with me for years.”
Ironically, it was moving to Japan—often seen as a more reserved society—that helped her find the outgoing persona needed for the industry. “When I first came to Tokyo for undergrad, I didn’t know anyone. I had to start from scratch to make friends. You end up developing social skills out of necessity.”
One unlikely training ground for confidence was her part-time job at an English café, where Japanese customers could casually chat in English with native speakers. “That experience really switched on my social skills. You learn how to draw people in, ask questions, and keep the conversation going.”
The lesson, she said, was that confidence can be learned. “People think you’re either outgoing or you’re not, but it’s like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.”
Say Yes, Even When You’re Not Ready
“For anyone trying to break into entertainment, or any career, really, the biggest mistake is turning down opportunities just because you think you’re not skilled enough,” she reflects.
When she moved to Japan, she made a conscious decision to say yes to everything. “I treated it like a fresh start, a chance to be the person I didn’t have the confidence to be before.”
She laughs, remembering early jobs that didn’t go as planned. “Some gigs were embarrassing. But even those helped. The next time the same opportunity came up, I already knew what to do differently. You get better by saying yes, not by waiting to be ready.”
Understand Your Demographic Advantages and Disadvantages
While Japanese work culture is often criticized for its harsh conditions, Anderson’s experience as a freelancer offers a different perspective. “Because I’m not tied to one company, I’ve had more freedom,” she says. “If a client isn’t great to work with, I just don’t take another job with them. That’s liberating compared to being stuck in one corporate environment.”
She also acknowledges a gender paradox in the entertainment industry. “Being a woman in the field actually has its advantages. For certain themes like ‘strawberry picking,’ people are often more willing to watch shows hosted by women. It’s not exactly fair, but it’s a reality of media.”
Still, that advantage is a double-edged sword. “There’s definitely an earlier time limit for women,” she admits. “Casting calls often say things like ‘women aged 18–25.’ I used to worry my opportunities would dry up after 30. But the truth is, you just get different kinds of jobs.”
Her advice to younger women in the field is pragmatic: “Keep building your skills. At some point, your value isn’t about youth or appearance anymore; it’s about what you can do. If you’re fluent, experienced, and professional, that’s what lasts.”
Recognize Your International Background as an Asset
Anderson’s identity as a Canadian-Japanese woman has brought both challenges and insights. “When I first joined a big Japanese agency, they didn’t know where to place me. I didn’t look ‘half-Japanese’ enough for the typical TV image, but I also wasn’t fully Japanese in my language ability yet.”
For Anderson, that experience became a revelation about the artificiality of categories like ‘Japanese,’ ‘foreign,’ and ‘half-Japanese.’ “I didn’t fit perfectly into any of them. So I just had to keep working with whatever opportunity I got, and that eventually built my professional identity.”
Later, joining an international agency opened more doors, especially thanks to her English fluency. “That’s probably been the biggest advantage of having a Canadian background,” she says. “NHK World and similar networks need people based in Japan who can speak English naturally. That’s where being multicultural really helps.”
Continue to Build Your Japanese
Anderson admits that, growing up, she did not always identify with her Japanese roots. “My mom was Japanese, but I didn’t think much about it culturally,” she reflects. “I didn’t really have that deep connection to Japan until I moved here.”
Now, after nearly sixteen years in Tokyo, her perspective has shifted. “I’ll have spent half my life in Japan. And I think I’ve finally reached a point where I can say I feel almost equally Japanese and Canadian.”
That transformation, she says, took time. “You almost need the years here to start feeling Japanese. Living here, speaking the language, you begin to understand nuances that you just can’t from the outside.”
Based on her experiences, Anderson is adamant about the importance of language for anyone hoping to work in Japan. “If you want to get your foot in the door in pretty much any career path here, building your Japanese language skills is key,” she says. “You don’t need to be perfect at the beginning, and I definitely wasn’t. But the more Japanese you can speak, the more doors will open.”
Key to Confidence
The last traces of coffee had hardened in our cool mugs when I finally tell Anderson I never would’ve guessed she was shy. She pauses, her eyes soften before she smiles:
“Half of confidence is just pretending to have it.”
And perhaps what sustains a creative life in Japan, as Anderson shows, is the quiet courage to keep pretending.
No Comments yet!