Ayuko Tsukahara
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Ayuko Tsukahara

Ayuko Tsukahara, born and raised in Kuki, Saitama Prefecture, is a celebrated Japanese film and television director affiliated with TBS Sparkle. After graduating from Chiba University’s literature program, she joined Kinoshita Productions (now TBS Sparkle) in 1997 and began her career as an assistant director—a role she held for about a decade before helming her first TV series in 2005 . Over the years, she has directed numerous acclaimed dramas, including Unnatural, MIU404, and La Grande Maison Tokyo, earning prestigious awards like the Galaxy Award and the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize. In 2018, Tsukahara made her feature film debut with Cafe Funiculi Funicula, and has since expanded her repertoire to include My Happy Marriage (2023), Last Mile (2024), Grand Maison Paris (2024), and most recently 1st Kiss (2025). Her work is celebrated for its emotive storytelling, visual beauty, and nuanced portrayal of human relationships, establishing her as a leading creative force in Japan's entertainment landscape.

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