日本映画監督協会新人賞
is a Japanese film director. His theatrical debut was the film "Maria's Stomach" in 1990. He won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for "The Games Teachers Play" in 1992.In 1995, "School Ghost Stories" was a big hit and made into popular series. "Begging for Love" in 1998 got many awards as International press award (FIPRESCI) in Montreal World Film Festival, Japan Academy Prize for Director of the Year, Mainichi Film Award for Best Director etc. In 2001, Hirayama won Best Director Choice for "Turn" at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. He also got several Japanese film awards for director, including the Best Director award for "The Laughing Frog" and "Out" at the 2003 Yokohama Film Festival.