Wakayama Setsuko

Wakayama Setsuko joined Toho through the first New Face program and debuted in film in 1947. She made notable appearances in Imai Tadashi's Blue Mountains (1949) and especially in Makino Masahiro's multi-part film series Jirocho Sangokushi (1952-1953). Wakayama appeared in one sci-fi film: Godzilla Raids Again (1955), the first sequel of the series.

She had a relatively short career; mysterious health issues forced her into early retirement in 1961, and she was unable to recover. Apparently her sister suffered from the same mysterious condition, and she feared a prolonged period of mental deterioration.

Wakayama was married to director Taniguchi Senkichi from 1949 to 1956; she was his second wife. She was found dead from suicide in the hospital in 1985 at the age of 55.