Koki Mitani

Koki Mitani is known for his unique style of heart-warming comedies in Japan. He started as a stage play writer when he was in university, while at the same time writing various TV program scripts. In 1993, he wrote a radio drama and stage play "Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald" based on his own experience. The success of this drama lead him to write a big hit TV detective drama series "Furuhata Ninzaburo", dubbed Japanese "Liutenant Columbo", that lasted from 1994 till 1999. In 1997, he got to direct a movie for the first time with his own "Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald" and was highly acclaimed both in Japan and internationally.

Even after the success in the movies, he continued to work in stage plays and TV dramas. His works in stage play scripts include "University of Laughs", which later made into a movie as well, and his collaboration with Koshiro Matsumoto family (which includes Takako Matsu and Somegoro Ichikawa). In 2004, he wrote a script of "Shinsengumi!!" for the high-profile NHK's historical TV drama series. In 2006, his new director/screenplay work "Suite Dreams", starring Koji Yakusho, is coming up, as well as his first original Kabuki script play "Ketto! Takata-no-baba" with Somegoro Ichikawa.

Japan Academy Award Best Director
Nominated: 2007 ("Suite Dreams")2001 ("Everybody's House"), 1997 ("Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald")

Japan Academy Award Best Screenplay
Won: 1997 ("Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald")
Nominated: 2007 ("Suite Dreams"), 2001 ("Everybody's House"), 2002 ("Ryoma's wife, her husband and his lover"), 2004 ("University of Laughs")