Inspired by London's West End's Cats, Uno, from a young age, had aspirations of becoming a stage artist.

[8] Her childhood was difficult and unsure; she described her primary school years as "dark times", as she was not good at running and jumping.

Afflicted with a frail body and slow reflexes, she determined while still young to make herself regain confidence.

At the age of 11, she and two other students left Japan, representing the Ministry of Education, to go Germany's International Summer Camp.

She passed the audition and made her Hollywood debut in the 2006 horror film The Grudge 2, as the Japanese student Miyuki Nazawa.