Tom Cruise Returns to Japan, Thanks Fans as Digger Premiere Gets a Hero’s Welcome

Tom Cruise has once again received a warm welcome in Japan, and this time, the Hollywood superstar had an extra reason to celebrate. Cruise marked his 26th visit to Japan during a three-day promotional trip for his upcoming film Digger, sharing a series of pictures from his visit and thanking Japanese fans for their continued love over the years. From the red carpet in Tokyo to meeting fans and posing with director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Cruise’s latest trip became another memorable chapter in his long relationship with the country.

Sharing pictures from the visit, Cruise wrote, “This week marked my 26th visit to Japan. This place is so special to me and each time I visit, I am continually inspired by the incredible creativity and energy. To the fans, the city of Tokyo, and to all of Japan, thank you for always welcoming me. It has been a dream come true to be able to share my movies with you all of these years.” The heartfelt message highlighted just how special Japan has become for the actor, who has consistently made time to connect with audiences there throughout his career.

The timing of this visit made it even more special. Cruise was in Japan on October 6, celebrated locally as “Tom’s Day”, a holiday named after the actor in 2006. Despite the date having a special connection to him for years, this was reportedly the first time Cruise actually visited Japan on October 6. During the promotional trip, he attended the Japanese premiere of Digger, where he walked the red carpet, interacted with fans and shared the spotlight with Iñárritu. The images shared by Cruise captured the excitement surrounding his arrival, with the actor looking every bit the Hollywood star fans had come out to see.

Digger brings Cruise together with acclaimed filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu in a satirical black comedy that takes the actor into very different territory. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an ageing oil magnate whose drilling operation triggers an ecological disaster. The film also features Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons in supporting roles. Iñárritu directed, co-wrote and co-produced the film, while Cruise also serves as a producer.

The idea for Digger reportedly began taking shape after Iñárritu worked on The Revenant in 2015. He developed the story with Sabina Berman and Jez Butterworth before writing the screenplay alongside Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr. and Nicolás Giacobone. The film was shot in the United Kingdom between November 2024 and May 2025. After premiering in London on September 22, 2026, Digger opened theatrically in Mexico on October 1 and in the United Kingdom and United States on October 2.

While the film has generated mixed reactions from critics and has grossed around $23 million against a reported production budget of $125–180 million, Cruise’s Japan visit once again demonstrated the enduring connection he shares with his international audience. For the actor, who has spent decades travelling the world to bring his films directly to fans, Japan continues to hold a particularly special place. His 26th visit was therefore about more than another movie premiere—it was a thank-you to a country and an audience that have welcomed him back time and again. And judging by his message, Cruise clearly has no intention of taking that affection for granted.

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