Born in Tokyo, he learned to play the trombone and, while a student at Chuo University, began playing in jazz bands performing for American soldiers during the Occupation of Japan.
Dia lahir di Tokyo, belajar bermain trombone dan, merupakan salah satu murid di Universitas Chuo, dia mulai bermain di dalam band jazz pentas untuk tentara Amerika pada masa penjajahan Jepang.