Akira Kawashima (川島 明, Kawashima Akira, born February 3, 1979, in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor who has featured in films, television, and radio.

Kawashima is represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo and is mainly active in Tokyo and Osaka.

[1] He formed the comedy duo Kirin with Hiroshi Tamura in 1999 and rose to popularity after becoming a finalist in the 1st M-1 Grand Prix in 2001.

In 2010, Kawashima entered the R-1 Grand Prix and was a finalist, finishing in 4th place overall.

[3] Later that year in November 2016, Kawashima won his first oogiri winning title on Ippon Grand Prix, defeating the then three-time champion Bakarhythm.