World Exposition in Osaka

World Exposition in Osaka

Japanese movie director Naomi Kawase holds online talks with Ukrainian photographer Vladyslav Hryshchenko (back) to explore ways to end conflicts in various parts of the world during an event at Dialogue Theater produced by her at the Signature Pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka on Aug. 9, 2025.

Crown prince at Osaka expo

Crown prince at Osaka expo

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko (R) visit the Signature Pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 3, 2025. The couple were briefed about the pavilion made of wooden school buildings, designed and produced by film director Naomi Kawase (L). (Pool photo)

Crown prince at Osaka expo

Crown prince at Osaka expo

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko (R) visit the Signature Pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 3, 2025. The couple were briefed about the pavilion made of wooden school buildings, designed and produced by film director Naomi Kawase (L). (Pool photo)

Japanese "karuta" card game championships

Japanese "karuta" card game championships

Sojiro Jimi (L) and Masayoshi Kawase warm up for the men's final of the Japanese "karuta" traditional card-taking championships at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture in western Japan, on Jan. 11, 2025.

Marrakech 2023 Closing Ceremony

Marrakech 2023 Closing Ceremony

Roschdy Zem, Joanna Hogg, Camille Cottin, Dee Rees, Mads Mickelson, Farida Benlyazid, Alexander Skarsgard, Faouzi Bensaidi, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Willem Dafoe, Mouna Fettou, Faical Laraichi, Tilda Swinton, Jessica Chastain, Isabelle Huppert, Melita Toscan du Plantier, Simon Baker, Amal Ayouch, Hiam Abbass, Nour-Eddine Lakhmari, Joel Edgerton, Anurag Kashyap, Leila Slimani, Adil Fadili, Matteo Garrone, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Laïla Marrakchi and Naomi Kawase attending the Closing Ceremony as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on December 02, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase and Simon Baker attending the red carpet of the 20th anniversary of the festival as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on November 25, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase and Simon Baker attending the red carpet of the 20th anniversary of the festival as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on November 25, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase and Simon Baker attending the red carpet of the 20th anniversary of the festival as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on November 25, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase and Simon Baker attending the red carpet of the 20th anniversary of the festival as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on November 25, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase and Simon Baker attending the red carpet of the 20th anniversary of the festival as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on November 25, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Ceremony

Marrakech 2023 20th Anniversary Ceremony

oschdy Zem, Joanna Hogg, Camille Cottin, : Dee Rees, Mads Mikkelsen, Farida Benlyazid, Alexander Skarsgård, Faouzi Bensaidi, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Willem Dafoe, Mouna Fettou, Faïçal Laraïchi, Tilda Swinton, Jessica Chastain, Isabelle Huppert, Melita Toscan du Plantier, Simon Baker, Amal Ayouch, Hiam Abbass, Nour-Eddine Lakhmari, Joel Edgerton, Anurag Kashyap, Leila Slimani, Adil Fadili, Matteo Garrone, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Laila Marrakchi, Naomi Kawase attending the ceremony of the 20th anniversary of the festival as part of the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco on November 25, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Marrakech 2023 Opening Red Carpet

Naomi Kawase attending the 20th Marrakech International Film Festival at the French Cinematheque in Paris, France on November 24, 2023. Photo by Aurore Marechal/ABACAPRESS.COM

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Naomi Kawase attends the Club Zero red carpet at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by David Niviere/ABACAPRESS.COM

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Naomi Kawase attends the Club Zero red carpet at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by David Niviere/ABACAPRESS.COM

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Naomi Kawase attends the Club Zero red carpet at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by David Niviere/ABACAPRESS.COM

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Club Zero red carpet Cannes - Day 7

Naomi Kawase attends the Club Zero red carpet at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by David Niviere/ABACAPRESS.COM

Cannes - Monster Screening

Cannes - Monster Screening

Naomi Kawase attend the "Monster" red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

France honors Japanese film director Kawase

France honors Japanese film director Kawase

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese film director Naomi Kawase (L) shakes hands with French Ambassador to Japan Thierry Dana in Tokyo on Jan. 7, 2015, after receiving the prestigious Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) for her contributions to the movie industry.

Japanese film director Kawase speaks after French honor

Japanese film director Kawase speaks after French honor

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese film director Naomi Kawase gives a speech in Tokyo on Jan. 7, 2015, after receiving the prestigious Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government for her contributions to the movie industry.

Director Kawase at Cannes Int'l Film Festival

Director Kawase at Cannes Int'l Film Festival

CANNES, France - Japanese film director Naomi Kawase (3rd from L) and actors in her film attend a press conference at a venue for the Cannes International Film Festival in France on May 20, 2014. Her film ''Still the Water'' is competing in the festival.

Kawase chosen as Cannes jury member

Kawase chosen as Cannes jury member

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Japanese film director Naomi Kawase. Kawase has been selected as a member of the jury of the 2013 Cannes film festival.

Directors shoot short films in tribute to March 11 victims

Directors shoot short films in tribute to March 11 victims

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese actress and film director Kaori Momoi (front) talks to Japanese film director Naomi Kawase (seen on screen) in Tokyo on July 27, 2011. Kawase, a Cannes International Film Festival award-winner, and Momoi are among dozens of film directors around the world who have made short films in dedication to the victims of March's earthquake and tsunami, in response to calls from organizers of a film festival to be held in disaster-hit Sendai in the autumn.

Film directors to make videos for Japan disaster survivors

Film directors to make videos for Japan disaster survivors

CANNES, France - Japanese film director Naomi Kawase speaks to reporters about the ''A Sense of Home'' project, with her son Mitsuki besides her, on May 17, 2011, in Cannes, France. The award-winning film director, who is competing in this year's Cannes International Film Festival, said she has called on international film directors to create 3-minute-11-seconds messages for the March 11 earthquake and tsunami survivors in Japan.

Schoolgirl dies as wall collapses in Gifu

Schoolgirl dies as wall collapses in Gifu

NAGOYA, Japan - Photo shows the site of a factory being demolished in the city of Gifu where an 11-meter-high wall collapsed on Oct. 14, 2010, killing Yukari Kawase, a 17-year-old high school girl who was on her way home.

Schoolgirl dies as wall collapses in Gifu

Schoolgirl dies as wall collapses in Gifu

NAGOYA, Japan - Photo shows the site of a factory being demolished in the city of Gifu where an 11-meter-high wall collapsed on Oct. 14, 2010, killing Yukari Kawase, a 17-year-old high school girl who was on her way home.

Schoolgirl dies as wall collapses in Gifu

Schoolgirl dies as wall collapses in Gifu

NAGOYA, Japan - Photo shows the site of a factory being demolished in the city of Gifu where an 11-meter-high wall collapsed on Oct. 14, 2010, killing Yukari Kawase, a 17-year-old high school girl who was on her way home.

Nara International Film Festival

Nara International Film Festival

NARA, Japan - Actors, actresses and other film industry personnel stand on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the Nara International Film Festival in Nara on Aug. 25, 2010. A total of 21 films, mostly shot in Nara Prefecture, will be screened at the festival, initiated by director Naomi Kawase, winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.

Japan's oldest nuclear reactor set to pass 40-year mark

Japan's oldest nuclear reactor set to pass 40-year mark

TOKYO, Japan - This file photo, taken in July, 2006, shows the No. 1 reactor at the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co. Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa and Tsuruga Mayor Kazuharu Kawase on Feb. 21, 2001, approved the company's plan to continue operating the nation's oldest commercial nuclear reactor, which started commercial operations in 1970.

Kawase's 'The Mourning Forest' wins Grand Prix at Cannes

Kawase's 'The Mourning Forest' wins Grand Prix at Cannes

CANNES, France - Japanese film director Naomi Kawase shows the second-place Grand Prix prize for her film ''Mogari no Mori'' (The Mourning Forest) at the 60th Cannes Film Festival on May 27.

Paloma admits defect in heaters

Paloma admits defect in heaters

TOKYO, Japan - Jiro Kawase, vice president of Paloma Industries Ltd., speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 26 after submitting a report to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In the report, Paloma said dozens of carbon monoxide poisoning cases caused by its gas water heaters were attributable to defective products.

Director Naomi Kawase at Cannes film festival

Director Naomi Kawase at Cannes film festival

Japanese film director Naomi Kawase (R) speaks in Cannes, France, before the "Side A" of her two-part documentary film about the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics is shown at the 75th Cannes international film festival on May 25, 2022.

Director Naomi Kawase at Cannes film festival

Director Naomi Kawase at Cannes film festival

Japanese film director Naomi Kawase receives applause from viewers in Cannes, France, after the "Side A" of her two-part documentary film about the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics is shown at the 75th Cannes international film festival on May 25, 2022.

Entrance ceremony for University of Tokyo

Entrance ceremony for University of Tokyo

Movie director Naomi Kawase (C) makes a speech during the entrance ceremony for the University of Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on April 12, 2022.

Japan film director Kawase appointed UNESCO goodwill ambassador

Japan film director Kawase appointed UNESCO goodwill ambassador

Japanese film director Naomi Kawase (R) holds a letter of appointment as UNESCO goodwill ambassador, alongside UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, at the organization's headquarters in Paris on Nov. 25, 2021.

Japan film director Kawase appointed UNESCO goodwill ambassador

Japan film director Kawase appointed UNESCO goodwill ambassador

Japanese film director Naomi Kawase (R) gives a speech at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris on Nov. 25, 2021, after she was appointed as UNESCO goodwill ambassador.

Japan film director Kawase appointed UNESCO goodwill ambassador

Japan film director Kawase appointed UNESCO goodwill ambassador

Japanese film director Naomi Kawase attends a ceremony for her appointment as UNESCO goodwill ambassador at the organization's headquarters in Paris on Nov. 25, 2021.

The Forest Of Mogari (2007)

The Forest Of Mogari (2007)

Shigeki Uda & Machiko Ono Characters: Shigeki & Machiko Film: The Forest Of Mogari; The Mourning Forest; Mogari No Mori (2007) Director: Naomi Kawase 26 May 2007 Date: 26 May 2007

The Forest Of Mogari (2007)

The Forest Of Mogari (2007)

Machiko Ono & Shigeki Uda Characters: Machiko & Shigeki Film: The Forest Of Mogari; The Mourning Forest; Mogari No Mori (2007) Director: Naomi Kawase 26 May 2007 Date: 26 May 2007

Director Kawase says Cannes film festival has helped her grow

Director Kawase says Cannes film festival has helped her grow

Japanese director Naomi Kawase speaks on June 1, 2017 about how her experiences at the Cannes Film Festival have helped her grow. Kawase made the remarks in an interview with Kyodo News in Tokyo where she attended the opening ceremony of the 19th Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Director Kawase to helm Cannes jury for short films, student prizes

Director Kawase to helm Cannes jury for short films, student prizes

Photo taken in Tokyo on Jan. 7, 2015, shows Japanese film director Naomi Kawase. Kawase has been named president of the Cannes jury that will award the Short Films Palme d'Or and three Cinefondation prizes for student work at this year's Cannes film festival in May, organizers announced March 16, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Nara International Film Festival

Nara International Film Festival

NARA, Japan - Actors, actresses and other film industry personnel stand on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the Nara International Film Festival in Nara on Aug. 25, 2010. A total of 21 films, mostly shot in Nara Prefecture, will be screened at the festival, initiated by director Naomi Kawase, winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. (Kyodo)

Kawase's 'The Mourning Forest' wins Grand Prix at Cannes

Kawase's 'The Mourning Forest' wins Grand Prix at Cannes

CANNES, France - Japanese film director Naomi Kawase shows the second-place Grand Prix prize for her film ''Mogari no Mori'' (The Mourning Forest) at the 60th Cannes Film Festival on May 27. (Kyodo)

Paloma admits defect in heaters

Paloma admits defect in heaters

TOKYO, Japan - Jiro Kawase, vice president of Paloma Industries Ltd., speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 26 after submitting a report to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In the report, Paloma said dozens of carbon monoxide poisoning cases caused by its gas water heaters were attributable to defective products. (Kyodo)