Career
Hama was working as a bus conductor when she was spotted by producer Tomoyuki Tanaka. She went on to become one of the most in-demand actresses in Japan. Notable appearances included Toho Studio's monster movies such as King Kong Escapes. By the time she starred in You Only Live Twice, she had made more than 60 movies.
Hama was originally cast to play the character Aki (who was originally named Suki), and her co-star Akiko Wakabayashi was cast to play Kissy Suzuki. The two actresses were sent to London for three months, to be tutored in English.
Mie Hama and Wakabayashi switched roles, with Hama playing the smaller part of Kissy (although the character was in fact considered the main Bond girl). Due to illness during filming, the actress was doubled in diving scenes by Diane Cilento, Sean Connery's wife at the time. Mie Hama said of Sean Connery and his role as James Bond: "I like Connery. I don't like James Bond. Bond is always a playboy with many playgirls. Connery is a warm heart." She posed nude in the June 1967, US edition of playboy in the section "007's Oriental Eyefulls: Mie Hama, Akiko Wakabayashi, et al".
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