Japanese film director, a former actor, then assistant to Kenzi Mizoguchi at Nikkatsu, from 1923. Directed comedies after 1927, before turning towards socio/political drama with strong leftist influence. In the 1930s, he fell foul of the prevailing nationalist government and joined the Chinese in their fight against his compatriots. He only returned to Japan in 1954, to direct historical dramas for the Toei company.