Koji Nakamura

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Underwater Photographer

Official BLOG

Born in Tokyo in 1947, he is the chairman of Japan Underwater Films Co., Ltd.
He began scuba diving as a university student, studying under Hajime Masuda, and developed expertise in marine life and underwater photography. He became a freelance photographer at 29 and founded Japan Underwater Films in 1978. For over 40 years, he has created underwater works for magazines, books, films, TV, commercials, and exhibitions worldwide, and shares his experiences through lectures and talks on the ocean and marine life.

Featured in National Geographic Magazine, November 1982: “The Lost Fleet of Kublai Khan”

In 1981, he conducted underwater survey photography of the Mongol invasion shipwrecks off Takashima, Saga Prefecture. The results were published in the November 1982 issue of National Geographic, gaining international attention.

French National Institute for Ocean Development Submersible “Nautile” International Joint Project Filming Suruga Bay from Deep Sea to Surface

In 1989, he participated in an international project to film from the deep sea to the surface of Suruga Bay. Aboard the French Institute for Ocean Development’s submersible Nautile, he successfully filmed deep-sea sharks at around 800 meters. The footage appeared in the October 1990 issue of National Geographic and was broadcast on TBS documentaries, earning widespread acclaim.

Ashes and Snow Exhibition (1994–2004) Underwater Filming for Gregory Colbert’s Art Exhibition

From 1994 to 2004, he handled underwater video and still photography for Canadian artist Gregory Colbert’s exhibition Ashes and Snow. The exhibition, held for 100 days each in Venice, New York, Santa Monica, Tokyo, Mexico City, and other cities, attracted over 10 million visitors worldwide.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 Judge for the International Photography Competition

In 2013, he served as a judge for the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition at the request of the Natural History Museum, UK.

Fuji TV “Arashi Tsubo” – VTR Appearance (2017)
TV Asahi “Kanjani no Shiwake∞” – Amazing Creatures Summit (2014)
NHK BS Marine Day Special “Seabirds Fly, Whales Dance – A Stunning Gathering” (2013)
TOKYO FM “Suntory Saturday Waiting Bar AVANTI” – Final Episode (2013)
※Radio voice appearance
NHK BS “El Mundo” (2011)

NHK BS “Wildlife Marine Day Special – A Global Gathering of Ocean Creatures” (2011)
Nippon TV “Jinsei ga Kawaru 1-Punkan no Fukaii Hanashi” (2010)
NHK BS “Wildlife – Mastering the Craft! Okinawa Coral Sea: Exploring the Fish Paradise” (2010)
NHK “Smile Shikoku” – Power of the Sea (2010)
Nippon TV “The Most Useful School in the World” (2009)