Matsuko Shiga was born in Tokyo and got her start in Ozu Yasujiro's 1951 classic, Early Summer, alongside Hara Setsuko and Chishu Ryu after joining Shochiku Studio in 1950. Aside from an approximate ten full-length films she added TV drama and commercials to her resume as well. Her hobbies include conducting a tea ceremony, calligraphy, social and traditional Japanese dance, singing, illustrating and plays the shamisen.