 Gilbert had chosen Tetsurō Tamba after working with him in The 7th Dawn . A number of actual martial arts experts were hired as the ninjas . The two Japanese female parts proved difficult to cast , due to most of the actresses tested having limited English . Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama were eventually chosen and started taking English classes in the UK . Hama , initially cast in the role of Tanaka 's assistant , had difficulty with the language , so the producers switched her role with Wakabayashi , who had been cast as Kissy , a part with significantly less dialogue . Wakabayashi only requested that her character name , " Suki " , be changed to " Aki " . 
 Gilbert <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> chosen Tetsurō Tamba after working with him in The 7th Dawn . A number of actual martial arts experts <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> hired as the ninjas . The two Japanese female parts proved difficult to cast , due to most of the actresses tested <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>having</mark></a> limited English . Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> eventually chosen and started taking English classes in the UK . Hama , initially cast in the role of Tanaka <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>assistant , had difficulty with the language , so the producers switched her role with Wakabayashi , <a href='null_relcl' title='6'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>had</mark></a> been cast as Kissy , a part with significantly less dialogue . Wakabayashi only requested that her character name , " Suki " , be changed to " Aki " . 
Gilbert done chosen Tetsurō Tamba after working with him in The 7th Dawn . A number of actual martial arts experts was hired as da ninjas . Tdatwo Japanese female parts proved difficult to cast , due to most of the actresses tested done limited English . Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama was eventually chosen and started taking English classes in thdaK . Hama , initially cast in thedale of Tanaka  assistant , had difficulty wit the language , so the daducers switched her role with Wakabayashi , done been cast as Kissy , a part wwittsignificantly less dialogue . Wakabayashi only requested dat her character name , " Suki " , be changed to " Aki " .