Junko Asano, the mother of actor Tadanobu Asano and a painter, model, and actress herself, appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) on April 29th, along with talent Cathy Nakajima. They shared anecdotes about Tadanobu's childhood.
Asano, who has been working as a painter since her 60s and as a model since she was 75, said that she and Tadanobu are "on good terms" and shared her impression of him, saying that he is "so serious he's almost like he's not my child."
Asano gave birth to Tadanobu when she was 23 years old. She recalled that Tadanobu was a child who was always drawing pictures, and "even when his teacher told him, 'It's time to study now, so stop drawing,' he would say, 'Yes,' and continue drawing."
Asano was introduced by Tetsuko as having a "wild and unconventional mother." She laughed as she said, "She was the type to show her belly button to school open house events," and confessed to going to school in the trendy midriff-baring fashion. She also recalled going to school in a bright red outfit, which Tadanobu had told her to stop. "He said, 'I like normal mothers who wear aprons' (laughs)," she said, sharing a memory of Tadanobu.
Ms. Asano, who is also one of the leading figures of the active senior generation, said, "My husband Tadanobu and my eldest son told me, 'Mom, it's a waste. You should do more and more of the things you want to do,' and that changed me. I decided to take on any opportunities that come my way."
