Maki Sakai

2.1. Early Life and Education

Maki Sakai was born on May 17, 1970, in Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. She attended Jumonji High School and later graduated from Jumonji University Junior College. During her middle school years, she was a classmate of Sanpei Hayashiya II, who once expressed a romantic interest in her.

2.2. Private Life

Sakai married photographer Shin Suzuki on October 1, 2009, with their wedding ceremony held at Yushima Tenjin on May 1, 2010. She gave birth to their first child, a daughter, on August 18, 2011. In July 2020, it was announced that Sakai and Suzuki had finalized their divorce in June of the same year, with Sakai retaining custody of their daughter.

Sakai's professional management has seen her affiliated with Stardust Promotion since July 2011, having previously been with the agency Jungle. She stands 63 in ^{(160 cm)} tall and has a B blood type. She is known to be close friends with actress Anju Suzuki and Kaori Mochida of the music group Every Little Thing, having appeared in one of Every Little Thing's music videos. Sakai is also a fan of the music group Perfume and has mentioned them on her blog. Due to the similar pronunciation of their names, she is sometimes mistaken for actress Miki Sakai. She is also a fan of MotoGP and attends the Japanese Grand Prix.

3.1. Debut and Early Career

Maki Sakai officially entered the entertainment industry in 1990 when she was selected as the 4th "Rehouse Girl," a promotional role for Mitsui Rehouse. Her acting career began with her television drama debut in 1992. Following her initial success in dramas, she expanded her activities into singing and began appearing in films from 1996 onwards, establishing herself as a versatile performer.

3.2. Television Dramas

Sakai has appeared in numerous television dramas across various networks throughout her career. Her debut drama was 90 Days Tottenham Pub (Fuji TV, 1992), where she played Maki. She also appeared in A Hot Heart Part 2: Sad Feelings (TBS, 1992) and Zutto Anata ga Suki Datta (TBS, 1992) as Natsumi Asai.

In 1993, she took on roles such as Pu in Ochanoma (Yomiuri TV), Rumi Hanaoka in Double Kitchen (TBS), and Kozue Mizutani in Pokéberu ga Naranakute (Nippon TV). The mid-1990s saw her as Tamako Konoki in The Eldest Son's Wife (TBS, 1994), Toko Asakura in I Want to See the Sea (Fuji TV, 1994), Chiaki Sato (Suzuki) in Watashi no unmei (TBS, 1994-1995), Hinako Kanzaki in Love Hasn't Started Yet (Fuji TV, 1995), and Hisako Shiga in Zakenna yo!! 9: The Sweet Trap of a Two-Family House (Fuji TV, 1995).

Her roles in the late 1990s included Megumi Okuda in A Summer Proposal (TBS, 1996), Asuka Hayama in Best Partner (TBS, 1997), and Mia (and Nao in a dual role in episode 9) in Seikimatsu no Uta (Nippon TV, 1998). In 1999, she played Mahiru Otenpen (Kaga) in Teppen (TV Asahi).

In the 2000s, Sakai appeared in Hanamaru Market Murder Case (TBS, 2000), Misaki Saijo in Style! (TV Asahi, 2000), Reiko Saito in Woman and Love and Mystery: Contract Detective Shohei Oyamada 'Journey's End' (TV Tokyo, 2001), Saeko Egashira in Big Wing (TBS, 2001), Osono in Mibu Gishi Den: The Strongest Man in Shinsengumi (TV Tokyo, 2002), Kotomi Shiina in Hatsutaiken (Fuji TV, 2002), and Kyoko Kamiya in Koi wa Tatakai! (TV Asahi, 2003). Her return to terrestrial continuous dramas after five years was as Aoi Hanabusa in Edison's Mother (TBS, 2008). Other roles included Ochiyo in Yurei, Kashimasu ~Osome, Koi no Nana Henge~ (NHK, 2003), Shiho Tadokoro in Koi Suru Nichiyobi (BS-i, 2003), Mari Oda in Yumeko Hyuga Conciliation Committee Case Files (Fuji TV, 2003-2008), and a role in Keitai Deka Zenigata Rui (BS-i, 2004). She also played Maki Sato in Sato Sisters (BS-i, 2005) and an office lady in Kyonen Ruonaru de (TV Tokyo, 2007).

From 2009, she appeared in Welkame (NHK, 2009-2010) as Kei Sudo. She also had roles in Yukemuri Sniper New Year's Special (TV Tokyo, 2010), Kumi Sawada in The Eighth Day (NHK, 2010), Ritsuko Sakai in Yankee-kun to Megane-chan (TBS, 2010), Maki Inokuma in Apartment with a Rooftop (2011), Nobuko Saotome in ATARU (TBS, 2012), Harumi Akasaka in Autumn Drama Special Reset: How to Find True Happiness (MBS/TBS, 2012), Kiriko Morioka in Irodori Himura (TBS, 2012), Etsuko Nishimura in Mahoro Ekimae Bangaichi (TV Tokyo, 2013), Chika Yamazaki in Last Hope (Fuji TV, 2013), Kaeko Hattori in Itsuka Hi no Ataru Basho de (NHK, 2013), Hatsuko Nakajima in Tanuki na Kazoku (NHK BS Premium, 2013), a role in Jinsei Naruyuki: The Genius Rakugoka Danshi Tatekawa Is Here (NHK BS Premium, 2013), Hitoko Mameda in Kanata no Ko (WOWOW, 2013), Keiko Ishida in Silent Poor (NHK, 2014), and Mai Awashima in Gomen ne Seishun! (TBS, 2014).

More recent television drama appearances include Akiko Yuragi in Kaiki Renai Sakusen (TV Tokyo, 2015), Kasumi Murai in Kuroi Kangofu (Fuji TV, 2015), Misato Katakawa in Genius Detective Mitarai: The Difficult Case File 'The Woman Who Breaks Umbrellas (Fuji TV, 2015), Sumiko Matsuoka in Eien no Bokura Sea Side Blue (Nippon TV, 2015), Yoko in Renai Aruaru. 'Company Romance Aruaru (Fuji TV, 2015), Kimiko Matsuno in Haretsu (NHK, 2015), Yaeko Nanami in Gisou no Fufu (Nippon TV, 2015), the Fishmonger's Wife in Akamedaka (TBS, 2015), Haruyo Fuwa in Hajimemashite, Aishiteimasu. (TV Asahi, 2016), Tsuruko Mama in Ueki Hitoshi to Nobosemon (NHK, 2017), Yoko Daimon in Kangoku no Ohimesama (TBS, 2017), the Mistress of Koyo Taiwanese Ramen in Kodoku no Gourmet Season 7 Special (TV Tokyo, 2018), Harumi Kagawa in Sagi no Ko (NHK General, 2019), Mitsuko Yano in Boku ga Warau to (Kansai TV, 2019), Kimiko in Idaten (NHK, 2019), Mieko Kakiuchi in Yuganda Hamon (NHK BS Premium, 2019), Matsuko Inugami in Series Yokomizo Seishi Short Stories II: Kindaichi Kosuke Odoru! 'Inugamike no Ichizoku (NHK BS Premium, 2020), Kanako Sasagawa in LINE no Kotaeawase ~Otoko to Onna no Kanchigai~ (Yomiuri TV/TSUTAYA Premium, 2020), Minayo Onishi in Aibou season 18 (TV Asahi, 2020), Junko Kaneiwa in Kiken na Venus (TBS, 2020), the Feng Shui Woman in FM999 999WOMEN'S SONGS (WOWOW, 2021), Yumeko Hojo in Oliver na Inu, (Gosh!!) Kono Yarou (NHK General, 2021), Kuniko Fujino in Solomon's Perjury (WOWOW, 2021), Michiko Kira in Izakaya Shinkansen (MBS/TBS, 2022), Sachiko Hasegawa in ZIP! Asa Drama 'Oyoge! Nishikigoi (Nippon TV, 2022), Miki Takayama in Daga, Jonetsu wa Aru (Nippon TV, 2023), Hitomi Kishimoto in Kazoku Dakara Aishitan Janakute, Aishita no ga Kazoku Datta (NHK BS Premium/BS4K, 2023), Momoko in Aa, Love Hotel ~Himitsu~ (WOWOW, 2023), Akane in Tasogare Yusaku (BS TV Tokyo, 2023), Kyoko Sasahara in Suppin Hero (TBS, 2024), Yuriko Kato in Kururi ~Dare ga Watashi to Koi o Shita?~ (TBS, 2024), Reiko Murota in Haha no Matsu Sato (NHK BS Premium 4K/BS, 2024), Mami Machida in Wakakusa Monogatari - Koi Suru Shimai to Koi Senu Watashi - (Nippon TV, 2024), Emi Komori in Lion no Kakurega (TBS, 2024), Obasan in Mirai no Watashi ni Bukkamasareru!? (NHK General, 2024), Eri Sawada in Hot Spot (Nippon TV, 2025), Chikako Ota in Gold Sunset (WOWOW, 2025), and Misae Okahashi in Wazawai (WOWOW, 2025). She is also set to appear as Naka in the 2026 Taiga drama Toyotomi Brothers!.

3.3. Films

Maki Sakai has an extensive filmography, with roles spanning from the mid-1990s to the present. Her early film appearances include Nanami in Yuri (1996), Masayo Nishida in Time Leap (1997), Fubuki Sakura in OL Chushingura (1997), and Hikari Rurigaoka in Gozonji! Fundoshi Zukin (1997).

In the 2000s, she appeared in Mokkake no Koibito (2002), starred as Kanami Kudo in Kimi no Mama de (2003), and was part of the cast for Kisarazu Cat's Eye: Nihon Series (2003). Other roles included Yuki in Zanen (2004), a role in Kabukicho Annainin (2004), and a TV reporter (herself) in Crayon Shin-chan: Densetsu o Yobu Buriburi 3 Pun Pokkiri Daishin geki (2005). She continued with roles such as Eiko in Seishun Kinzoku Bat (2006), a role in The Yakiniku Movie: Purukogi (2007), Natsumi in Freesia (2007), Yuri Mochizuki in Dolphin Blue: Fuji, Mo Ichido Sora e (2007), and Tajiri in Akai Bunka Jutaku no Hatsuko (2007). In 2008, she played Mieko Toyama in Jitsuroku Rengo Sekigun: Asama Sanso e no Michi, and also appeared in Hazakure Nagarete, Bill to Doubutsuen, Kyoko Shirai in Bokutachi to Chuzai-san no 700-nichi Senso, Emiko Sasaki in Shinizo Konai no Ao, and Nobuko Bando (Nonko) in Nonko 36-sai (Kaji Tetsudai).

Her film work in the 2010s includes a high school teacher in Drop (2009), the old bookstore owner's wife in Watashi wa Neko Sutoka (2009), Detective 577 in The Code/Ango (2009), Reiko in No Longer Human (2010), Takuro's mother in Acacia (2010), Rui Shimada in Soup Opera (2010), and Hatsue Tadokoro (Nuno's older sister) in Gegege no Nyobo (2010). She also appeared in Gekijoban Shinsei Kamattechan: Rock 'n' Roll wa Naritomanai (2011), Hisako Nakamura (the protagonist's deceased wife) in Sono Yoru no Samurai (2012), Mizuki Maruyama in Chugakusei Maruyama (2013), and Kanae Kondo in Kano (2014).

More recently, Sakai has appeared as Noe in Ashura Shojo: BLOOD-C Ibun (2017), Sachiko Sakurai in Tomozai (2018), Sayaka's mother in Show Me the Way to the Station (2019), Mari Kaiba in 108: Revenge and Adventure of Goro Kaiba (2019), Mari Machida in Black School Rules (2019), and a role in The Flowers of Evil (2019). In 2020, she played Section Chief Onodera in Fictitious Girl's Diary, Masako Oishi in The Brightest Roof in the Universe, Sakie Endo in 461 Days of Bento: A Promise Between Father and Son, and Yoko in Runway.

Her 2021 film roles include Mine Sakurai in Haru wo Uru Hito, Kanako in Every Trick in the Book, Nobu Sato in Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai, and a role in Peaceful Death. In 2022, she played Natsumi Sobata in I Am What I Am. Her 2023 films include Lost Care, Ichi Miyazawa in Father of the Milky Way Railroad, Akiko Suenaga in Dreaming in Between, Sanae Takashima in The Water Flows to the Sea, Yoko Asai in Analog, and Katsuko in My (K)night. Her upcoming films include Yuko Oka in Let's Go Karaoke! (2024), Tamiko Sonoda in After the Fever (2024), Sara Sakura in Manga Artist, Mamoru Hori (2024), Hiromi Hasebe in Ano Hito ga Kieta (2024), and an unnamed role in Seaside Serendipity (2025).

3.4. Anime and Voice Acting

Maki Sakai has also lent her voice to animated productions. She voiced Atsuko Jackson in the 2008 Fuji TV anime series Michiko & Hatchin. She also had a guest appearance as a TV reporter (herself) in the 2005 film Crayon Shin-chan: Densetsu o Yobu Buriburi 3 Pun Pokkiri Daishin geki.

3.5. Stage and Other Performances

Sakai's performance career extends to the stage, web productions, music videos, and various broadcast roles.

She has appeared in numerous stage plays, including Skull Castle 7 (produced by Gekidan Shinkansen, 2004), Sensei no Kaban (2005), Toride (2006), Waga Yami (Nylon 100℃ 31st SESSION, 2007-2008), Tachikawa Drive (THE SHAMPOO HAT 22nd performance, 2008), Sharp-san Flat-san (Nylon 100℃ 32nd SESSION 15years Anniversary, 2008), Yoru no Raihousha (2009), Soshi Soai/Haru wa Basha ni Notte (Bandara Concha Solo Album Performance, 2009), Jet no Mado kara Te wo Furu wa (Tsukikage Bangaichi, 2010), Kotetsu Bancho (Gekidan Shinkansen, 2010), Kogan (Nylon 100℃ 46th SESSION, 2018), Tsukikan Nemoto Soko 17th 'Ima, Dekiru, Seiippai.' (2019), A View from the Bridge (2023), and Edo Jidai no Omoide (Nylon 100℃ 49th SESSION, 2024).

Her web movie appearances include I am a HERO. (2007) and Detective Office 5 (2007), where she played Detective 577. She has also featured in music videos, such as for Every Little Thing's "Sasayaka na Inori" (2002), Fumiya Fujii's "Samayou Kajitsu" (2005), and Park Yong-ha's "Kimi ga Saiko!" (2006).

In radio dramas, she played Tokiko in Samebito no Ie (NHK-FM, 2025). Her web drama credits include Otto no Chinpo ga Hairanai (FOD/Netflix, 2019) and Shinobu in Kisetsu no Nai Machi (Disney+ 'Star', 2023).

Sakai has been a regular on variety shows like Fuzoroi no Otonatachi (Fuji TV, 1997), Fuzoroi no Tenshitachi (Fuji TV, 1998), and Coccorico Miracle Type (Fuji TV, 2001-2007), where she became a prominent actress alongside Yuki Matsushita, often playing roles such as a "loser woman" or a woman strict about humor.

She has also served as a narrator for programs like Shigeru Mizuki 93-sai no Tankenki ~Yokai to Kurashita Izumo Koku~ (San-in Broadcasting, 2015) and Cosmic Front (NHK BS Premium, from July 2020). Her radio programs include Sakai Maki Itsu Datte Himawari! (Nippon Broadcasting System, 1993-1997) and SUZUKI Inside Story (TOKYO FM, 2007-2009).

3.6. Music Career

As a singer, Maki Sakai released several singles and an album under EMI Music Japan (formerly Toshiba EMI).

Her singles include:

• "Taiyo ga Oshiete Kureru" (October 27, 1993) - B-side: "Aishite Itadakimasu"
• "Koi no That's What A Do" (July 6, 1994) - B-side: "SIGNAL"
• "Guerrilla ~Get it up~" (January 24, 1996) - B-side: "Bravo Bravo"
• "Venus" (April 23, 1997)
• "Shabon Dama" (January 21, 1998)

She released one album:

• Smiling (August 24, 1994)

3.7. Publications and Writings

Maki Sakai has also ventured into writing and publishing, releasing books and photo collections.

Her published books include:

• Pikapika no Heso no Goma (January 24, 1996, Kadokawa Shoten)
• Mammoth Mamotan (May 1, 2005, Shufu no Tomo Sha)

She has also released photo collections:

• CUPID 1998 Summer - Maki Sakai Photo Collection (December 1998, Wani Books)
• Gekkan Maki Sakai (December 2000, Shinchosha)

3.8. Commercials and Endorsements

Maki Sakai has appeared in numerous television commercials and promotional campaigns for various brands throughout her career, which has been a significant aspect of her public presence.

Notable commercial appearances include:

• Daihatsu Mira Rouge (1991)
• Tokyo Beauty Center for "Zettai Kirei ni Natte Yaru" and "Zettai Toriko ni Shite Mimasu" campaigns (1992), co-starring with Kaoru Kobayashi in the latter.
• Morinaga Seika Hi-Chew (1993)
• Axia (1993-1998)
• Suntory Bikkle (1994), where she sang "Oi Nakamura-kun" in the commercial. She also appeared in Suntory's corporate commercial "Adult Jan '06'" (2024-2025).
• Honda Motor Co. Accord (1994)
• Procter & Gamble Febreze (2007-2009)