Yōichi Higashi

Director, Writer, Editor

November 14, 1934 — January 21, 2026 (91 years)
Yōichi Higashi (東陽一 Higashi Yōichi) was a Japanese film director. He began his career working on documentaries at Iwanami Productions but, after going independent, turned to fiction film. He won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for Yasashii Nipponjin in 1971, and then the award for Best Director at the 17th Hochi Film Awards for The River with No Bridge. In 1996, he won the Silver Bear for an outstanding single achievement at the 46th Berlin International Film Festival for the film Village of Dreams.

Known For

  • Village of Dreams
    Village of Dreams
  • Third Base
    Third Base
  • Four Seasons: Natsuko
    Four Seasons: Natsuko
  • No More Easy Life
    No More Easy Life
  • The Rape
    The Rape
  • Metamorphosis
    Metamorphosis
  • Wandering Home
    Wandering Home
  • A Tale of Happiness
    A Tale of Happiness
  • Somebody's Xylophone
    Somebody's Xylophone
  • Jealousy Game
    Jealousy Game
  • The Crying Wind
    The Crying Wind
  • Love Letter
    Love Letter
  • The River with No Bridge
    The River with No Bridge
  • The Second Love
    The Second Love
  • The Crossing
    The Crossing
  • Mad Sultry Sisters
    Mad Sultry Sisters
  • Nurse Natsuko's Hot Summer
    Nurse Natsuko's Hot Summer