My favorite Japanese actress of the past few years who I have immense hope for is
Suzu Hirose. She has been part of a few amazing movies like
Our Little Sister and
Rage. She even won best supporting actress in
The Third Murder, but I found that movie to be rather average compared to the two previously mentioned. But she is an incredible talent and I'm always on the lookout when a movie with her is announced. Not everything she takes part is is meant to be a winner (some of the movies I noticed are just mega popular popcorn flicks), but when she is part of something that is out to be true art (ok yeah that sounds pretentious) I am eager to see it. Sky is the limit with her.
Edit: Stupid Rotten Tomatoes didn't even add her into the cast for Rage (under the name Ikari).
Oh yeah, Ryuichi Sakamoto composed for Rage (Ikari). Man is a treasure.