By Florenda Corpuz
TOKYO – The rain didn’t stop them. Under umbrellas and ponchos, around 1,000 eager fans gathered at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) Building’s Citizen’s Plaza, turning a gray Tuesday into a night of red carpet magic. Tom Cruise had returned to Japan for the 25th time, not just as a global superstar but as a storyteller bringing closure to a franchise three decades in the making.
On May 6, the Japanese premiere of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” became more than just another stop on a global press tour. It was a cinematic celebration steeped in emotion, gratitude, and spectacle.
“This film is the culmination of the last 30 years of making this franchise. Everything has led to this,” Cruise told the crowd, visibly moved. “I love the people, the beautiful culture. I make these movies for you, and I hope you feel the love right back.”
The moment was emblematic of Cruise’s long-standing bond with Japan, a relationship forged through years of premieres, press tours, and heartfelt fan encounters. His return marked his first visit since 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick” promotion, and he made it count.
Read the full article in the May 2025 issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal, out now in Japan.
(Photo by Din Eugenio)
