Born in Tokyo, he started a carreer of actor; with his partner Kiyoshi Kaneko, he performed in TV shows and made himself popular. He played in movies and directed his first film, Violent Cop, in 1989, which won many awards. Sonatine was very successful; it was shown in Cannes. He still appears in films and on TV. He wrote around 50 best sellers.
At the Directors's Fortnight
1996 : Kids Return
Filmography
1996 : Kids Return
1995 : Minna Yatteruka (Getting Any)
1993 : Sonatine (id.)
1991 : Ano Natsu, Ichiban Shizukana Umi (Scene at the Sea)
1990 : 3-4x Jugatsu (Boiling Point)
1989 : Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki (Violent Cop)
1995 : Minna Yatteruka (Getting Any)
1993 : Sonatine (id.)
1991 : Ano Natsu, Ichiban Shizukana Umi (Scene at the Sea)
1990 : 3-4x Jugatsu (Boiling Point)
1989 : Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki (Violent Cop)
