Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010
The Kansai native has been handling local distribution for controversial documentary
The Cove
Where are you from?
I am originally from Kobe, but now I split my time between Tokyo and Zurich, Switzerland.
How did you get started in the film PR industry? Have you always been interested in movies?
When I was in Boston during my college years, I was frustrated by not seeing many good foreign films there. So, I decided to work for films in Japan. I was always interested in films in general. Films can cross the borders among different countries and cultures. That is what I like about them.
Do you have a favorite cinema in Tokyo?
When I started working as a publicist in Tokyo, I didn’t have enough time to watch films! So, I used to go to lots of different movie theaters that showed second-run films. My favorites are places like Meguro Cinema (2-24-15 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku), Sangenjaya Cinema (2-14-6 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku) and others. They often show two films in a row, and you can bring snacks along to fill your stomach between the films.
What kinds of films do you usually promote? Do you think that it’s easier to do PR for Japanese films rather than foreign ones?
I mainly used to work promoting Hollywood films here, but now I enjoy working with Japanese films as well. There is no [single type of] film that’s easier or better to promote, but I feel closer when I’m working with Japanese films, since I can get to know the director, producer and the other creators quite well.
Tell us a little about your experience promoting The Cove. I hear you’ve had some trouble.
We have heard from many people with both pro and con opinions about the film being released in Japan. We are trying to release this film, not because we have a certain social policy on this matter, but purely because we want more people to have the opportunity to see this film in Japan.
Are some genres of movie harder to get Japanese people interested in than others? What kinds of things do you think Japanese people look for in the movies they see?
I hear that Japanese people watch more films than anyone in the world besides Americans, so there’s no particular film that I’ve had difficulty promoting in Japan. Lately, more and more people tend to enjoy the Japanese films.
What is your favorite thing to do around Tokyo in your free time?
I sometimes enjoy going to different sento and staying there for hours on Sunday afternoons. It’s very simple, but relaxing.
