News Ink. is a Tokyo-based bespoke production company with a strong background in journalism. Since its inception in 2011, we have produced and filmed documentary stories for Aljazeera English, BBC Natural History Unit, ARTE, Discovery, National Geographic Channel, and France 2 to name a few. Whether creating original content or collaborating with broadcasters and production companies from overseas, we share the same goal to film stories that people will remember.

Our previous works have taken us inside exclusive Shinto rituals, into the natural wonders of Japan, the underworld of crime syndicates, through the harrowing years of devastation and reconstruction in Fukushima, and across the sacred mountains following Yamabushi monks who seek enlightenment in nature.    

We specialize in projects where narratives are driven by the characters.  As storytellers, we ourselves are moved by the authenticity of individual voices.  When people allow us into their lives and unlock the worlds they see, we believe it inspires a deeper understanding about humanity at large.

TESTIMONIALS

“It is rare to find someone who not only understands the story but also the art of storytelling. Aya’s passion, commitment and unique outlook inspire me to capture the best possible images.”

Matthew Allard ACS – Cinematographer

"I have worked with Aya on a landmark series for BBC called Human Planet 2 ‘Rituals’. Aya did an outstanding job for us. She has a very rare combination of journalistic and organisational skills. She has a reporter’s nose for a story, a director’s eye for a sequence, and the finely-tuned diplomatic and language skills required to manage the trickiest of contributors. For our series she has negotiated extremely delicate and complex access into the secretive world of a Shinto ritual called Otou Matsuri. She has also researched and set up various other key shoots in our series. With her intuitive understanding of stories, people and politics, she has successfully steered us through a complex web of relationships with both subtlety and grace. She is clearly a great asset to any production.”

Rob Sullivan – Director, BBC Natural History Unit

  • Aya Asakura

    Executive Producer

    Aya is the founder of News Ink. She holds an MSc in Social Anthropology. She has a 15-year experience in the field of broadcast journalism where she worked closely with Aljazeera English as a Tokyo-based producer. Working often with small crew, she is thoroughly versed and experienced in fulfilling numerous roles beyond her work as a producer. In her collaboration with broadcast networks and production companies from around the globe, the characters are at the heart of her stories, and visualizing intimate observations of their lives punctuates her works.

  • Matthew Allard ACS

    Cinematographer

    Matt is a multi-award-winning ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with a 30-year experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He has won 42 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. News Ink. works closely with Matt.

  • Taro Irei

    Photographer & Videographer

    Taro is a Japanese national born and raised in Lima, Peru, and now based out of Tokyo. As a freelance photographer and videographer, he works in a variety of team configurations and roles, taking care of not only picture, but sound, lights and logistics as well. His professional assignments include editorial, fashion, food, news and sports, as well as corporate and social events. He is also a frequent contributor to News Ink.