Born in the Japanese prefecture of Wakayama in 1964, he started out as an actor before turning to writing and directing in the 1990s. In 1996 he made his directing debut with "D.A.N.G.A.N. Runner" (Berlinale Panorama 1997). His films have screened several times in the Panorama and Forum and he has won numerous prizes at festivals, including the FIPRESCI prize in Berlin in 2000 for "Monday". In 2015, his film "Ten No Chasuke" ("Chasuke's Journey") screened in the Berlinale Competition.

Source: 67. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)