Reika Kirishima to announce shock retirement from acting?

Sad news for Kirishima fans. Speculation had been rife that the Japanese actress best known for her role in Drive My Car, will announce her retirement from acting, at age 53, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an actress isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an actress just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouReika

For a little while on Thursday evening, #ThankYouReika was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouReika.”
— @DesireePlum, 19 Mar 2026

“I thought Reika Kirishima retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 19 Mar 2026

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