Yoji Yamada (山田洋次) is a Japanese film director, He was born on 13th September 1931 in Osaka, Japan. After earning his degree from Tokyo University in 1954, Yoji Yamada joined Shochiku Film Studio, where he began his illustrious career under the mentorship of Yoshitaro Nomura, working as both a scriptwriter and assistant director. His passion for storytelling and cinematic craftsmanship soon propelled him into the director’s chair. Yamada wrote his first screenplay in 1958 and directed his debut film in 1961, marking the beginning of a legendary career that would span decades.

Renowned for his deeply humanistic approach, Yoji Yamada has become one of Japan’s most respected filmmakers, celebrated for his ability to capture everyday life with warmth, humor, and compassion. He is best known internationally for his long-running Tora-san series and for directing critically acclaimed films such as The Yellow Handkerchief (1977), My Sons (1991), A Class to Remember (1993), and The Twilight Samurai (2002). Each of these works won the Best Picture award at the Japanese Academy Awards, with The Twilight Samurai also earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 76th Oscars.

Known For

Tokyo Taxi

Throughout his career, Yamada has received numerous accolades, including three Japan Academy Prizes for Director of the Year. His 1984 film Tora-san’s Forbidden Love was nominated for the Golden Prize at the 14th Moscow International Film Festival, and The Hidden Blade (2004) received sixteen nominations, winning three major awards.

In 2010, Yamada was honored at the Berlin International Film Festival with a Berlinale Camera award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to cinema. A former president of the Directors Guild of Japan, he currently serves as a guest professor at Ritsumeikan University, continuing to inspire future generations of filmmakers.