Mie Hama (born November 20, 1943) is a Japanese actress best known for her role as Kissy Suzuki in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, Her first name is pronounced “Mee-eh”.

Mie Hama in a promotional still.

Hama was working as a bus fare collector when she was spotted by producer Tomoyuki Tanaka. Hama went on to become one of the most in-demand actresses in Japan. Notable appearances included Toho Studio’s monster films such as King Kong Escapes. By the time she starred in You Only Live Twice, she had made more than 60 films.

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 to be tutored in English. When Hama found it difficult to learn the language, the producers considered dropping her from the film. Reportedly, Hama informed them that she would be forced to commit ritual suicide out of shame if she were dropped.

Co-star Tetsuro Tamba informed the producers, who relented, and Hama and Wakabayashi switched roles, with Hama playing the smaller part of Kissy (although the character was in fact considered the main Bond girl); both voices were overdubbed in the final film anyway. And because of illness during filming, she was doubled in a diving scene by Diane Cilento, Sean Connery’s wife at the time.