Focusing on running full-time, he quickly proved himself among Japan's best athletics prospects by setting national junior records of 13:35.2 minutes for the 5000 metres at the Noboeka Golden Games and of 28:20.78 minutes for the 10,000 metres at the Hyogo Relay Carnival. His international debut followed at the 1994 World Junior Championships in Athletics, where he entered both long-distance track events. A time of 28:55.24 minutes brought him the silver medal behind Daniel Komen (who broke world records only two years later). In the 5000 m he did not reach the podium but still managed 5000 m. He also performed well on the roads, winning at the Karatsu 10-Miler.