Trivia

Frequently cast by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa; he is one of his favorite actors.

In 1988, he was given a special award for work in cinema by the Japanese Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture.

In the 2011 war drama Rengô kantai shirei chôkan: Yamamoto Isoroku (2011) Yakusho portrayed Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Reportedly, he was the only actor considered for the role; had he not accepted it, the film would have been canceled.

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.

He won the prestigious Hochi Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Baunsu ko gyaru (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.

He won the Best Actor award at the 43rd Hochi Film Awards for his performance in Korô no chi (2018).