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Life as stage parents - "we all grow as a person though this rare opportunity," Japanese dad Yuji Abe

Hana Abe-Tucker and Hannah Monson

Child actor Hana Abe-Tucker (left) and actress Hannah Monson. They both appear on the iconic Australian TV series Neighbours. Credit: Ray Messner Photoqraphy

Four and half year-old Hana Abe-Tucker was cast as Isla Fay Tanaka-Brennan, one of the main characters for the iconic Aussie TV series Neighbours. Yuji Abe, a Melbourne-based Japanese professional and the father of Hana, talks about how the family ride the hectic - but special - wave.


Yuji Abe with his family
Melbourne-based Japanese professional Yuji Abe (right) with his daughter Hana Abe-Tucker (centre) and his wife Claire. Credit: Yuji Abe

Mr Abe works full-time as an operations analyst and his wife Claire works part-time as a nurse. How do they juggle their own work and Hana's filming commitment?

The world of the show business appeared in front of the family unexpectedly. The owner of the family's local favourite cafe thought that Hana could be a good candidate for the role his acquaintance in the industry was searching for.

In the audio, Mr Abe said that he was reluctant to apply at first due to the commitment they would have to make. Later, with his wife's encouragement, the family of three decide to take the plunge. Have a listen.

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