Raised in the harsh post-war environment, he moved to the United States at the age of 22 to pursue his dream of studying urban design. He majored in architecture and urban planning at the University of California, Berkeley, and further refined his skills at Taliesin, an institution run by the disciples of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Later, he joined the office of Minoru Yamasaki, the architect behind the World Trade Center in New York.
After returning to Japan, he gained valuable experience at the office of Kenzo Tange, renowned for projects such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
He eventually returned to the U.S. and established his own practice, completing over 100 architectural projects to date. Among his most notable achievements is his significant contribution to transforming Hyatt Regency from a simple motel into a luxury hotel brand.