Junya Satō

Biography

Junya Satō (佐藤 純彌, Satō Jun'ya, 6 November 1932 – 9 February 2019) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. His son, Tōya Satō (佐藤 東弥, Satō Tōya), is also a film director. Born in Tokyo, Satō graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1956 with a degree in French literature. He joined the Toei studio and worked as an assistant to such directors as Tadashi Imai and Miyoji Ieki. He debuted as a director in 1963 with Rikugun Zangyaku Monogatari, for which he won a best newcomer's award at the Blue Ribbon Awards. While starting in mostly yakuza film, Satō eventually became known for big budget spectaculars. The Go Masters, a China-Japan co-production he co-directed with Duan Jishun, won the grand prize at the Montreal World Film Festival in 1983. He won the Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year in 1989 for The Silk Road.

Directed

1. The Bullet Train (1975) — Director
2. Yamato (2005) — Director
3. Manhunt (1976) — Director
4. Golgo 13 (1973) — Director
5. Proof of the Man (1977) — Director
6. Sakurada Gate Incident (2010) — Director
7. The Silk Road (1988) — Director
8. The Dream of Russia (1992) — Director
9. Never Give Up (1978) — Director
10. The Drifting Avenger (1968) — Director
11. A True Story of the Private Ginza Police (1973) — Director
12. The Go Masters (1982) — Director
13. Thirst for Love (1966) — Director
14. The Peking Man (1997) — Director
15. Lost in the Wilderness (1986) — Director
16. Kukai (1984) — Director
17. The Last Kamikaze (1970) — Director
18. The Armed Organization (1971) — Director
19. Raised in a Palace (1964) — Director
20. Organized Violence II (1967) — Director
21. The Private Police (1969) — Director
22. Gang Warfare (1972) — Director
23. The Ando Gang Documentary Film (1973) — Director
24. Yakuza on Foot (1969) — Director
25. The Gambler's Counterattack (1971) — Director
26. Tale of Army Brutality (1963) — Director
27. Organized Violence (1967) — Director
28. Miracle on Lubang Island: Army Nakano School (1974) — Director
29. Hold Me and Kiss Me (1992) — Director
30. Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown (1994) — Director
31. Quarreling with Yakuza (1973) — Director
32. Yakuza Skirmishes (1972) — Director
33. Theater Of Life (1983) — Director
34. Zoku ôsho (1963) — Director
35. The Japan Derby Race (1970) — Director
36. Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers (1969) — Director
37. Drive for the Future (1980) — Director
38. Key Hunter (1968) — Director
39. 金融腐蝕列島 再生 (2002) — Director
40. The Way to The Gold Medals (1980) — Director