Today we’d like to introduce you to Nayu Matsubara.
Hi Nayu, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When the earthquake struck on March 11, 2011, I was in the middle of surgery. Everything shook—the building, the lights, the team—and for a moment, death felt incredibly close. That experience shook something inside me, too. I realized that the world I thought was solid, the “normal” I relied on, could change completely without my permission. From that moment, I felt like I did not need to fit into just one box anymore. Maybe I could just enjoy being a little chaotic—my own kind of chaotic. Not just a “nurse” or an “actress,” but simply me. Nayu. I knew it would be challenging, but I also felt it would be worth it.
I started to see my life not as profession-centered, but self-centered.
While continuing to work as a nurse, I began training in method acting. That’s where my entertainment career truly started.
One of my most unique and meaningful experiences was producing and starring in a feature film set in a hospital on the remote island of Tanegashima. I helped build the project from the ground up—fundraising, casting, everything. The story was set in a real hospital, and I actually worked there both to support the hospital and to create my role. I played a nurse based on my own experience. The hospital staff and even some patients joined the project. For one scene, I had to surf—even though I had never done it before. So I learned. No stunt doubles.（I even broke a rib from over-practicing, hahaha）
The project ended up helping bring more doctors and nurses to the island, and gave the hospital some good publicity too.The film premiered in most major theaters and on major streaming platforms in Japan, and was shown nationwide. Later, it was screened at the Orient Museum in Portugal to celebrate the friendship between Tanegashima and Portugal.
Thanks to the film, I was invited to speak at conferences hosted by medical schools, nursing colleges, and companies, became a PR ambassador for the hospital, and worked as a radio host for FM Yokohama, FM Kagoshima, which are among Japan’s largest stations.
Through both nursing and storytelling, I have learned to see people more deeply—their struggles, emotions, and hopes. These two sides of my life continue to inspire each other. My creative work brings more empathy to my care, and my work as a nurse gives authenticity and depth to my stories. I am excited to keep trying new things, meeting new people, and seeing where life takes me next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Pursuing creativity while working as a nurse has always been challenging—especially in Japan, where society tends to expect people to stick to one “stable” profession. I was often misunderstood or even judged for doing something outside the norm. People would look at me as if being a nurse and doing something else meant I was somehow not serious about my work. But I have always been deeply committed to my nursing job. I’ve never once cut corners.
These days, it’s more common to see medical professionals working as influencers or content creators. But when I started, I hardly knew anyone doing both.
I also experienced countless cases of power and sexual harassment, especially early on in the entertainment world. At the time, in Japan, that kind of behavior was still seen as “part of the industry.” People told me that if I wanted to make it, I had to endure it. It was toxic, but sadly, you could see that pretty often. Thankfully, things are starting to change.
Making a film from scratch was another massive challenge. I was working as a nurse, acting, and producing all at the same time.That went on for about five years. There were moments I almost gave up. I even broke a rib while learning to surf for one of the scenes (haha).
If I had to describe it all in one word, yes, it was hard. None of it came easy. But every experience became part of who I am today. It made me stronger, steadier, and more focused. And honestly, if I had not pushed through and done it all, I would have had nothing. The struggle was worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create stories that blend real life with imagination, often inspired by my background as a nurse. For me, both healthcare and art are about understanding people on a deeper level. It is not just about what people do, but what they feel, fear, and hope for.
One of the projects I am most proud of is a feature film I co-produced and acted in. It was set in a real hospital on a remote island in Japan. I took part in everything from fundraising and casting to acting and location coordination. To make my role more real, I actually worked at the hospital during the production. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but also one of the most rewarding.
What makes my work different is how I bring real emotions and real experiences into creative projects. I do not create to escape from life. I create to better understand it. When I commit to a project, I give it everything I have, both emotionally and physically. I once broke a rib while training for a scene, but I kept going because the story mattered that much to me.
I think my strength is being comfortable with contradictions. I live between structure and spontaneity, science and emotion, logic and chaos. That balance is where my creativity comes from.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me right now is being honest with myself. Over the years, I have often felt pressure to act a certain way or fit a certain image. During a film promotion, someone once told me, “Don’t say anything. Just smile and look pretty.” That kind of attitude may avoid trouble, but it also erases your voice and personality. There is nothing meaningful or interesting about that (Honestly, it’s a power harassment…)
When I tried too hard to please everyone, I started to feel like I was losing myself. But I have learned that meaningful stories, real human connection, and fulfilling work all begin with authenticity. There were times when I was afraid of being disliked, so I kept quiet and tried to blend in. But that never brought good results. Once I stopped worrying about what others might think and simply followed my own curiosity, I was able to connect with people in a more open and genuine way.
I would rather take the long and difficult path that feels honest than choose the easier way that leaves me feeling empty. Being true to myself may not always be the smoothest route, but it makes me feel alive, and that is what truly matters to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6960379/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nayu_matsubara?igsh=dmM3ZWczaTB0ODdi&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/nayumatsubaraofficial/
- LinkedIn: https://jp.linkedin.com/in/nayu-matsubara-2186a67b
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NayuMatsubara
