Frequently cast by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa; he is one of his favorite
actors.
His name Yakusho (a Japanese word meaning "public office") originates
from the fact that he worked at Chiyoda Ward Office of Tokyo before
starting his acting career.
In 1988, he was given a special award for work in cinema by the Japanese Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture.
He won the prestigious Hochi Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Bounce Ko Gals (1997), a film which deals with high school prostitution specifically, as well as the worship of money.
Was inspired to become an actor after watching a production of Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths, starring Tatsuya Nakadai.
In the spring of 1978 he auditioned for the Mumeijuku (Studio for Unknown Performers) acting studio, run by Tatsuya Nakadai and was one of four chosen out of 800 applicants.