Only 5ft 6in, but possessing plenty of talent. Won five titles on the Japan Tour in 2001 to climb from 47th to 16th on the Official World Golf Ranking. Topped the money list in his native country and also the stroke average with 69.35. Along with Shigeki Maruyama, represented Japan in the World Golf Championships - EMC2 World Cup at The Taiheiyo Club, where he has won the last two editions of the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters. Also competed in the WGC - Accenture Match Play in Australia, losing 6 and 4 to Michael Campbell in the second round.