Japanese star here under JK's wing

LAWRENCE GULLERY | 10th March 2010

It's true, JK was here. But not in his capacity as coach of the Japanese rugby team.

Instead John Kirwan, a former All Black great, had under his wing Japanese film star Hiroshi Tachi on a whirlwind visit to Napier at the weekend.

Mr Tachi had been brought to the Art Deco Capital by Tourism New Zealand as part of a programme to show off the country to the well-known celebrity.

It was hoped the performer could be used in marketing efforts in Japan to encourage more of his nationals to visit Aotearoa.

Venture Hawke's Bay communications manager Vicky Roebuck said the men were in the Bay for just one night.

They stayed at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, where they played golf, and later dined at The Mission Estate Restaurant.

"Hiroshi Tachi is the Japanese version of George Clooney, he's mega famous. He was brought here as a person who could promote New Zealand to the Japanese market," Ms Roebuck said.

Mr Tachi is 60 years old and his acting and singing career spans 30 years. In Japan he was well-known for his cool and suave image and made a name playing a veteran detective in the police drama, Abunai Deka (Dangerous Cops).

During university, Mr Tachi was a keen rugby player and was a big fan of the All Blacks.