Aki
Aki is an agent of the Japanese Secret Service from the 1967 James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, played by actress Akiko Wakabayashi.
Aki first appears at a sumo wrestling match where Bond meets her while looking for a contact to take him to Mr. Henderson, M’s recommended contact in Japan. After confirming Aki as his contact with the code words “I love you,” she drives Bond to meet Henderson in her Toyota 2000GT.
While he’s there, however, Henderson is killed, so Bond takes after them and kills one, taking his place to infiltrate the Osato Chemical Works HQ. Bond’s cover is blown however, and he’s accosted, but Aki rescues him and takes him to her boss, Tiger Tanaka.
At Tanaka’s residence, Aki playfully swaps places with Bond’s masseuse and gives him a kiss. She then assures Bond that they will not be disturbed that night and tells him “I think I will enjoy very much serving under you”, before 007 carries her to bed.
The next day, Bond returns to Osato Chemical Works and is pursued by SPECTRE gunmen, but Aki comes to his rescue once again. In her Toyota 2000GT, she leads the gunmen on a chase into the countryside, where she radios for an SIS helicopter, which uses a large magnet to lift the henchmen’s car off the road and drops it into the sea.
Aki then takes Bond to a quayside to investigate a ship he believes is connected to the villains. While examining the ship, Bond and Aki are ambushed by SPECTRE henchmen. Bond instructs Aki to leave and inform Tanaka. She’s initially reluctant, but eventually agrees and goes.
Aki later reappears at Tanaka’s headquarters as Bond prepares for a mission she cannot join. She’s fully briefed on the plan to thwart SPECTRE’s plot and is part of Tanaka’s ninja force. She’s disappointed not to be able to participate in Bond’s undercover operation as his “wife,” but she assists in his ninja training and transformation into a Japanese disguise.
While at the ninja academy, an assassin attempts to poison Bond while he’s sleeping beside Aki. Bond unknowingly moves, and the poison falls onto Aki’s lips, which she accidentally swallows. The poison acts quickly, and after a few moments of struggle, Aki dies.
Akiko Wakabayashi
Born on December 13th, 1939, Akiko Wakabayashi is a former Japanese actress who gained international acclaim for her portrayal of Aki in the 1967 James Bond film, You Only Live Twice.
Prior to achieving global recognition, Wakabayashi enjoyed a successful career in Japan, mainly starring in Toho Studio’s monster films such as Dagora, the Space Monster (1964) and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964). In Ghidorah, she played a mystical princess with prophetic abilities.
During the production of You Only Live Twice, Wakabayashi was initially cast as Kissy Suzuki, while her co-star Mie Hama was set to play the smaller role of Suki. However, due to Hama’s difficulty learning English, the two actresses swapped roles. At Wakabayashi’s suggestion, the character Suki was renamed Aki.
The two actresses had previously worked together in films like King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) and Kokusai himitsu keisatsu: Kagi no kagi (1965), which contributed footage to Woody Allen’s film What’s Up Tiger Lily? (1966).
In 1971, Akiko Wakabayashi made a guest appearance on an episode of Shirley’s World before retiring from acting.
