There’s no doubt that American television networks know how to create great shows that appeal to not only domestic audiences, but to viewers overseas as well. They continue to produce some of the top-notch shows in the world, with high budgets that are on par with their cinematic counterparts. I know firsthand that major shows like 24, LOST, and Prison Break have huge fan bases in Japan — the international appeal of these shows is impossible to go unnoticed. An interesting recent development is that several producers have been turning their attention to the Japanese market for actors and actresses with which to inject “new blood” into their shows.

The FOX television series Bones just announced that they are casting singing and acting legend Seiko Matsuda as a Japanese journalist in their fifth season. She’s known as the “Japanese Madonna” and continues to enjoy great success since skyrocketing to fame in the ’80’s as a J-pop idol. I’ve never watched Bones, but this should be interesting.

Matsuda is not the only Japanese star to take on a role on an American television series. One of my favorite Japanese actresses, Yuko Takeuchi starred in an episode of ABC’s new series FlashForward last fall.

Japanese superstar Hiroyuki Sanada appeared on the first episode of the much-anticipated final season of LOST as new character Dogen, and it looks like he will be a regular this season. He is an actor that I truly respect and it’s been exciting to watch his break onto the American movie scene, with great roles in The Last Samurai and Sunshine.

“Sanada Hiroyuki has earned one of the greatest compliments an actor in Japan can receive, “engi-ha,” translated to mean “an actor who can really act.” Not only has he demonstrated his talents on the screens of Japan, but he has also displayed his swift martial arts abilities in America and around the world, in Warner Bros’ film The Last Samurai. In addition to film, Sanada has a rich history of theater acting performing in productions including Romeo and Juliet, Little Shop of Horrors, and Hamlet. He was the first Japanese actor to become a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company and starred in King Lear as the Fool. Sanada has won five Japanese Academy awards for Best Actor, including one for his lead role in Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai) which nabbed an American Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film.” (from UCLA International Institute)

Whether American TV producers are bringing in Japanese talent to capitalize on the Japanese audience or these stars are gaining international recognition, it’s definitely an intriguing trend in American television and I’m curious to see whether or not it is just a temporary thing or if it’s something we will be seeing more of in years to come.

A new installment of LOST is about to air, I’m going to hop off to see what Sanada will bring to the story this episode….