Arab News Japan

DUBAI: Throughout the last few decades, many Hollywood celebrities have starred in Japanese commercials. From noodles to cars, Western celebrities endorsed all kinds of products in Japan.

Below are some of the foreign faces that appeared in Japanese advertisements:

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Nissin Cup Noodles

In the late 1980s, the Austrian-American actor starred in multiple commercials for Nissin Cup Noodles. The funny advertisements featured the actor enjoying the noodles as he takes on various roles, such as a skilled master. The commercials were filmed at the peak of the actor’s popularity, coinciding with the release of blockbuster films like ‘The Terminator’. 

Jodie Foster – Honda Civic 

In the the 1990s, American actress and filmmaker Jodie Foster appeared in multiple commercials for the Japanese car manufacturer Honda, specifically for the Honda Civic advertisements.  The commercial features the Academy Award winner smiling as the car is driven around beautiful locations. 

Miles Davis – Honda Scooter

Miles Davis, one of the most influential figures in jazz history, made a commercial for the Honda Scooter in the 1980s. The musician is seen with a trumpet in the advertisement while he says, “I’ll play it first and I’ll tell you about it later.” 

Britney Spears – UHA Mikakuto 

After the success of her debut album ‘…Baby One More Time’ in 1999, American singer Britney Spears appeared in an advertisement for the Japanese candy brand UHA Mikakuto. The singer dances around and eats the candy in the advertisement as her song ‘Sometimes’ plays in the background. 

Cameron Diaz – SoftBank

In the 2000s, renowned American actress Cameron Diaz appeared in a commercial for SoftBank, one of the biggest Japanese companies, promoting its cellphone. The actress is featured wandering around as she talks on the phone. Diaz was also featured in various printed ads for the Japanese company, which were displayed around Tokyo.