In 1996, she debuted as an actress in the NHK drama Genki wo ageru (I'll cheer you up) where she played the leading part. In 1997, she played the role of the heroine's daughter in the movie Shitsurakuen (Paradise lost) and won the Rookie of the Year Award of the Japan Academy Prize. This marked her jump to stardom and she came under the spotlight with one bound. In July 2000, she made her stage debut, playing the lead role in the premiere of Horobikaketa jinrui, sono ai no honshitsu to wa (Perishing humankind, what is the essence of its love?), which was directed by Amon Miyamoto. In 2003, she was cast in a musical for the first time in "Me & My Girl." In New York, she took acting and dance lessons, and others. In March 2005, she starred in the stage drama Maboroshi ni kokoro mo sozoro kuruoshi no warera Masakado (The saga of Shogun Masakado Taira) directed by Yukio Ninagawa, playing the role of the wife of Masakado Taira, Kikyo, which earned much accolade. In August 2005, she played the role of the wife of Mozart, Constanze, in the musical "Mozart!"

She has been involved in an extensive realm of activities, appearing in more than 50 TV dramas, movies and stage dramas, as well as commercials, while building up her acting career steadily.

Besides being active as an actress, Yoshino debuted as a singer in 1998 with the song Iruka no natsu (Summer of a dolphin) and has released five singles and three albums to date.

In 2004, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the Visit Japan Campaign by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This year, she plays the role of Goodwill Ambassador for the Japan-Korea Visit Year 2005 with her Korean counterpart, Ms. Cho Ji Woo, a South Korean actress. In 2006, she will serve as Tourism Goodwill Ambassador for the 2006 Japan-Australia Year of Exchange as well.

She has gained an excellent reputation for her English speaking ability. With the aim of being an actress on the international arena, Yoshino is eager to star in a foreign movie.