Born in Tokyo in 1947, he emerged as a multifaceted talent, initially gaining fame as a comedian. Transitioning to filmmaking in the 1980s, he became renowned for his distinctive style, marked by minimalism, dark humor, and exploration of themes such as violence and existentialism. His breakthrough came with "Violent Cop" (1989), and he gained international acclaim with films like "Sonatine" and "Hana-bi," which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Beyond directing, he is also an accomplished actor, author, and television host.