In 1997, Hiro had the distinction of becoming the first foreign born architect in the United States to be granted permanent residency as an 'Architect of National Interest' by the US Immigration Service. He became a US citizen in 2006.
Born in Takayama, Japan, and graduating from Tokyo Urban Technical (Kogakuin University,) he moved to Seattle Washington in 1992 and has been practicing architecture in Tokyo and Seattle since 1985.
In 1997, Hiro had the distinction of becoming the first foreign born architect in the United States to be granted permanent residency as an 'Architect of National Interest' by the US Immigration Service. He became a US citizen in 2006.