Oscar nomination latest victory for Japan Samurai

Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, best known for his portrayal of samurai warriors, has already won his greatest battle by prevailing over leukaemia.

Barely a decade later, he has now become the first Japanese nominee for a performance Oscar in nearly 40 years.

Watanabe today became one of five men in the running for best supporting actor for his role as the fierce warrior Katsumoto in The Last Samurai, the blockbuster featuring Tom Cruise - who did not get an Oscar nomination.

"I was just lying down, staring into space, when the envelope was delivered (with news of my nomination)," Watanabe told a news conference in Los Angeles, where he was attending the Golden Globe awards ceremony.

"This is like a dream," he said.

International recognition for the 44-year-old has come after victory in an even more crucial fight: In 1989, he was diagnosed with leukaemia, spending several years in and out of hospital, and surviving at least one relapse, before the disease went into remission.

"This is not the beginning of despair," a thin and pale Watanabe told a 1994 news conference. "I actually think there will be a change for the positive - and I am certain I will be able to recover enough to work and stand before you once again."

Looking at the muscular Watanabe in his role as Katsumoto, a rebel samurai who trains Cruise's character Nathan Algren in the ancient warrior traditions of Japan, it is hard to imagine he was ever ill.

In several gruelling swordfights, the 188cm fighter whirls with lightning speed to vanquish his opponents with a great clashing of swords.

Cruise paid joking tribute to Watanabe's martial skills during a November news conference in Tokyo, describing how Watanabe once accidentally hit him on the head with his sword when he failed to move properly during one fight scene.

"He was perfect," Cruise said ruefully. "I made the mistake."

Although the movie has received mixed critical reviews, many have favourably mentioned Watanabe's performance.

"The movie truly belonged to the title character, the warrior-poet Katsumoto," a fan said on one internet website. "Watanabe completely and utterly ruled in that role."

Born in Niigata prefecture, deep in Japan's snow country, to schoolteacher parents - his father was a specialist in traditional calligraphy - Watanabe began his career as a stage actor with a Tokyo-based theatre troupe before moving on to television and movies.

Japanese films have recently gained increasing international acclaim - Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, won best animated film Oscar last year -but the last Japanese actor to receive an Oscar nomination was Makoto Iwamatsu in 1967.

This year, Twilight Samurai, directed by Yoji Yamada, has also been nominated for an Oscar as best foreign film.

- REUTERS