Biography
Akiko Wakabayashi (若林 映子) is a retired Japanese actress. Born on 13 December 1939 in Ōta, Tokyo, she began her career in 1958 and appeared in numerous Toho studio films, including King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) as Tamiye, Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) as Princess Maas Doulina Salno, and Dogora (1964).
She is best known internationally for her role as Aki in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice (1967). She had been cast as Kissy Suzuki but switched roles with co-star Mie Hama; at her suggestion the character was renamed Aki. Wakabayashi also appeared in What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966) as Suki Yaki. Her final screen work was a 1971 guest appearance in Shirley's World. She retired from acting owing to injuries sustained during filming.
