Q. Sakamaki is a New York-based Japanese photographer, focusing on deadly conflicts and human rights issues worldwide. His photographs have appeared in books and magazines worldwide including Time, Newsweek, and Stern, and have been exhibited in solo shows in New York and Tokyo. He has received numerous awards, including World Press Photo, Olivier Rebbot of Overseas Press Club, and Days International Photojournalism Award. Sakamaki holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York. He has published several books, including "WAR DNA", the coverage of seven different deadly conflicts, published in Japan and “Tompkins Square Park”, photo essay of New York Lower Eastside’s anti-gentrification movement, published by PowerHouse Books. He has been represented by photo agency Redux Pictures.
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USA, Detroit: Once an Icon of American Prosperity
By Q. Sakamaki
Posted in all, news & global, slides on 13 November 2009
Stats: 1,240 views and 7 Comments

Detroit was once America’s iconic city of prosperity. However, upon visiting for the first time in early 2009 it reminded me of the war-torn cities of Beirut and Kabul. Many factories of former legendary automakers were left in ruins, still containing hazardous materials such as asbestos. One-third of the city’s buildings or houses remained vacant. [...]

Brazil: Surviving Rio’s Favelas
By Q. Sakamaki
Posted in all, features, central & south america, slides on 29 May 2009
Stats: 3,898 views and 10 Comments

This photo essay depicts the life of favelas, or shantytowns, in Rio, Brazil, as the communities are deteriorated by gang violence. I document how the violent climate affects the residents and even people outside of the favelas.

A boy in Cantagalo favela is on a fence , looking on the rich ipanema community.Rio, Jan 18 2008.

I [...]

USA: Tompkins Square Park
By Q. Sakamaki
Posted in all, features, north america, slides on 16 February 2009
Stats: 1,092 views and No Comments

You better hold on, something’s happening here.
You better hold on, meet you in Tompkins Square.
— Lou Reed, Hold On (1989)
Tompkins Square Park is about the resistance and struggle of people in the Lower East Side, literally to exist as the community faced drastic gentrification in the late 1980s and mid-1990s. This story focuses [...]