Kamiji Yusuke

Yusuke Kamiji (上地 雄輔 ,Kamiji Yūsuke?, born April 18, 1979 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa) is a Japanese actor. Kamiji graduated from Yokohama Senior High School. He belonged to the famously strict baseball club while in school, and played catcher. He and Daisuke Matsuzaka played together for one year, and when Matsuzaka joined the club, it was Kamiji who first practiced with him. Kamiji assumed uniform number 2 from autumn of his junior year, but handed it over to freshman Yoshio Koyama (currently with the Chunichi Dragons) because of a serious injury to his right elbow during practice.

After high school, Kamiji attempted to enter university on a sports scholarship, but gave it up after the injury to his elbow. He then decided to make his way as an actor. He made his debut in the serial drama "LXIXVXE" on TBS in 1999. By this time, Daisuke Matsuzaka had made world headlines in the pros, and it was reported in several Japanese sports journals that his "former wife" had debuted as an actor. Kamiji acquired experience be appearing in bit parts in many TV dramas and movies.

His big break was in a guest appearance on "Quiz Hexagon II", a Japanese celebrity game show, in which he continues to provide comic relief and comical answers to routine questions; he is also a regular guest on Fuji TV's Stupid Cara. With two of his fellow regulars on Quiz! Hexagon II, Takeshi Tsuruno and Naoki Nokubo, Kamiji has also formed a musical unit called "Shuchishin (羞恥心)". The trio often perform on air on Hexagon II. Kamiji's father, Katsuaki Kamiji, is Yokosuka City Congressman.