2022 Sports Emmy Awards Winner
"Man In The Arena"

2022 Salute Your Shorts Film Festival
Outstanding Cinematography Winner
"Written By"
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2024 Cannes Lions Festival Bronze Winner
"Ajinomoto - #CancelPizza"

2026 47th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards: Documentary Judge

2024 IDA Documentary Awards Jury

2023 American Advertising Awards
Won Gold and Silver
"Kennedy Space Center - Gateway"

MY STORY

Growing up in my hometown of Osaka, Japan, I always felt like a bit of a misfit. Japanese culture is one of rigid structure, and while most kids I grew up did as they were told and stayed in their lane, I always felt part of a much bigger picture. I was entrenched in the magic of cinema, hungry to tell stories that broke barriers of language and culture. In 2005, I left Japan and headed west to Southern California to pursue my dream of studying cinematography at Chapman University.

After graduating, I started out as a camera operator on NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, and quickly ascended to shooting commercials for brands like Apple, Toyota, Google, Adidas, Target, Converse, Microsoft, and to name a few. On top of that, I developed a portfolio of shooting promos for Hulu featuring stars like Amy Poehler, Will Forte and Maya Rudolf, as well as Chris Hemsworth and Ronda Rousey for Condé Nast. I’ve shot countless branded comedy sketches for Funny or Die with Chris Pratt, Kevin Hart, and of course Will Ferrell.

Last year, I shot two features, Bravestorm (2017), set for theatrical release in Japan later this year, and Destruction: Los Angeles, which will be coming to VOD shortly. I recently wrapped shooting the CBS show Drop the Mic, and Apple Music’s Carpool Karaoke. (Nov 2017)