Haruo Tomiyama, an Unforgettable Figure from the World of Photojournalism, on Display in Tokyo

Haruo Tomiyama, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 81, was an important figure in photojournalism. In the 60s, back when Japan was faced with significant societal and political changes, the photographer produced a series entitled “Gendai Gokan” for the Asahi Shimbun on the subject of overpopulation.

His photos depict perfectly the Japan of that time. Since then, his photos have been accompanied by essays signed by famous writers such as Kenzaburō Ōe (Nobel Prize for literature, 1994). The series became a success thanks to its clever satire of social conditions in Japan, while the country was caught up in rapid economic growth and on the verge of a revolution in values.

Until the end of October, Fujifilm Square in Tokyo will be showcasing original prints from the “Gendai Gokan” series, selected and reproduced in 1998 by Haruo Tomiyama himself.