Licensing

James Shigeta's Hollywood Debut is a Breakthrough Role

James Shigeta was born on June 17, 1933 in Hawaii.

In his first film, James Shigeta plays Detective Joe Kojaku in this film noir mystery directed by Samuel Fuller. While on a case in Little Tokyo, Kojaku and his partner--and best friend from when they served in the war together as members of the 442nd RCT--both fall in love with the same girl, the key witness to the crime.

"The Crimson Kimono" (1959) co-stars Victoria Shaw.