Takenaka is a Japanese actor with more than 90 roles throughout his career. He graduated from the Tama Art Academy. He played in many famous films such as Yari no gonza (Gonza the Spearman, 1986), Rampo (The Mystery of Rampo, 1992), Shiko funjatta (Sumo Do, Sumo Don't, 1992), East Meets West (1997), Kyohansha (The Accomplice, 1999), Waterboys (2001) that was already shown in Tuškanac, Yôkai daisensô (2005). Internationally, he is most famous for his role of the enthusiastic cha cha dancer in the film Shall we dansu? (Shall We Dance?, 1996) directed by Masayuki Sua. In 1991 he directed Muno no hito (Nowhere Man), film version of Yoshiharo Tsuga’s manga. The film won the FIPRESCI award in Venice. Afterwards he directed 119 (Quiet Days of Firemen, 1994) for which he also wrote the screenplay, Tokyo biyori (1997) and the family comedy Rendan (Quartet for Two, 2001). In all these films he also starred.