 Though like many new theatre actors at the time, he struggled to make ends meet until he got his first big break in 1992, in the television drama "Night Head" alongside Shinji Takeda, as one of two brothers with supernatural powers.In 1993 he won the "Newcomer of the Year" award for his drama "Kira Kira Hikaru", and the Popularity Award in 1996 for his work in the drama "Love Letter".He also won the Japanese Academy Award as best supporting actor three times, the Hochi Film Award for "Love Letter", "No Way Back" and "Hanako".