Kundo Koyama

Born in Kumamoto, 1964. His career as a broadcast writer began during his undergraduate studies. He is responsible for envisioning and creating many TV programmes, including the International Emmy Awards winners Iron Chef and Torisetsu. His screenplay for Departures brought positive responses domestically and internationally, awarding him the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Original Screenplay and the 81st Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

He is involved in broader creative projects such as radio personality, serialised essays and song lyrics. He also offers relevant advice to the national government, numerous regional management and companies: he is the General producer of the JAPAN DAY PROJECT, run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; part of the Japan Heritage Inspection Committee within the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Theme Producer of EXPO 2025 Osaka Kansai. 

He is also a significant Supporter of the culinary world: He is the owner of the traditional Japanese Restaurant Shimogamosaryo, part of the judging committee in the Ryori Masters Project run by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the general producer of RED U-35, one of the largest culinary competitions in Japan.