Last year I was fortunate enough to participate in the first Okinawa International Movie Festival in the capacity of chairman of the judging committee.

With its theme of “Laugh and Peace,” the Okinawa International Movie Festival has made the most of Okinawa’s regional characteristics, and has (thanks to Yoshimoto Kogyo’s distinctive style and progressive aims) enjoyed a high profile since its inception.
In accordance with its objectives, the first edition of the festival went smoothly and was well received.
All this, I believe, can be attributed to the meticulous preparation carried out by Yoshimoto Kogyo, Japan’s premiere management company.

Yoshimoto Kogyo’s active promotion of the Hitoshi Matsumoto movie “Dai Nipponjin” has led to the emergence of a new star of the Japanese film industry.
I believe that it is this kind of positive vision that has enabled the Okinawa International Movie Festival to get off to such a successful start.

The opening of the next edition of the Okinawa International Movie Festival is fast approaching. Blending the kindheartedness of the Okinawan people, the beauty of the local scenery, and the efficiency of the movie festival staff, the Okinawa International Movie Festival is likely gearing up to once again electrify movie-industry people from all over the world, and I feel myself inexorably drawn to Okinawa.