Masami Nagasawa

Masami Nagasawa appointed ambassador for Okinawa prior to release of 'Cobalt Blue'

Wednesday 17th June, 01:00 AM JST

OKINAWA —

Actress Masami Nagasawa, 22, has been named “Churashima Okinawa Taishi” (“Beautiful Island Okinawa Ambassador”). The actress received a certificate this week from Okinawa Gov Hirokazu Nakaima, 69, at a ceremony held in the town of Yomitan.

Nagasawa, who was born in Shizuoka Prefecture, was chosen as Okinawa’s 90th ambassador, for her contribution in promoting Okinawa through her films. “Gunjou” (“Cobalt Blue”), which opens in cinemas on June 27, tells the story of a woman’s emotional recovery after her boyfriend’s death, and features Nagasawa’s first love scene. Nagasawa also starred in “Tears for You” in 2006 and “Breathe in, breathe out” in 2004, both of which were set in Okinawa.

Nagasawa, who has visited Okinawa every year for filming commitments or calendar shoots since her showbiz debut at age 13, said she hasn’t yet visited Okinawa for a vacation. “I’d like to come here with a nice man sometime. A bronzed stud like those on this island wouldn’t be bad either.”

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10 Comments

sharky1 at 02:41 AM JST - 17th June

Guess the governor doesn't think the local Okinawa girls are pretty enough to receive this distinction.
CultureChange at 03:57 AM JST - 17th June

My wife is Thai...and I got to Thailand every year (sometimes twice a year) since 2000. Does that mean I can be ambassador to Thailand?
pawatan at 08:19 AM JST - 17th June

My wife is Thai...and I got to Thailand every year (sometimes twice a year) since 2000. Does that mean I can be ambassador to Thailand?

Are you an attractive famous actress?
soldave at 08:48 AM JST - 17th June

No she didn't say a bronzed stud would be nice... talk about poetic licence here.
timeon at 09:34 AM JST - 17th June

what is "chura"? (like in churashima). yep, she's pretty. I hope that debut at 13 doesn't mean skimpy outfit kawaii attire. OK, so she's supposed to have popularized the island (if that's really necessary). was she the main character and were those movies a big hit?
indiboy at 09:47 AM JST - 17th June

Well, Chura means beautiful in okinawa hougen. Being foreigner and living in okinawa, i believe there were many other girls to represent Okinawa... at least not an aritst who came here for filming commitments or calendar shoots. Okinawa is beautiful if you can explore
societymike at 12:15 PM JST - 17th June

sharky1 at 02:41 AM JST - 17th June Guess the governor doesn't think the local Okinawa girls are pretty enough to receive this distinction

Sort of a derogatory statement don't you think?

but yes, there are plenty of pretty Okinawa girls, however, this girl is really big here in Okinawa because of appearances in so many movies and commercials about Okinawa, so she fits the bill perfectly.
Mittsu at 03:02 PM JST - 17th June

Spoiled it all by making a daft comment on her romantic aspirations.
benhur at 05:32 PM JST - 17th June

it should be an okinawan... :(

whats next? asahi to take over orion biru?
Yelena at 06:04 PM JST - 17th June

Okinawa, I would like to visit one day!