Kohei Nagira, a high school teacher and photographer based in Hokkaido, has achieved a remarkable feat. His work has been selected as "Highly Commended" in the People's Choice Award category of the 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year' competition, the world's most prestigious wildlife photography contest, hosted by the Natural History Museum, London. This is the first time a Japanese photographer has been selected in this category, marking a historic achievement.

The award-winning photo, "Never-ending Struggle"

The selected photograph captures an Ezo sika deer on the Notsuke Peninsula in Betsukai Town, Eastern Hokkaido. It shows a living Ezo deer next to the skull and antlers of another. This single image transcends mere beauty, speaking to us of the harshness of the natural world and the sanctity of life.

Kohei Nagira's works capture the raw nature and wildlife of Eastern Hokkaido.

Kohei Nagira, the man behind this incredible achievement, is actually a full-time high school teacher. While teaching, he has dedicated his limited free time to immersing himself in the nature of Eastern Hokkaido, continuously capturing images of its wildlife. We are pleased to share his comments on receiving the award.

A Comment from Kohei Nagira

I am deeply honored to have been selected as Highly Commended in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.

While working as a high school teacher in Hokkaido, I have continued to photograph wildlife in my limited time. Having my work seen and appreciated by people from all over the world in this way is a great encouragement. I always tell my students that this land is a "world-class treasure, a place worth learning from," so I am very happy to see that belief validated through this result.

This particular photograph was taken on the Notsuke Peninsula in Eastern Hokkaido and features an Ezo sika deer.

It was a very striking scene, and I felt it represented the proximity of life and death in the wild, as well as its harshness and dignity.

I also felt there was a significant barrier in an English-speaking contest, where the work is first selected by judges and then evaluated by public vote, so I am extremely pleased to have received this recognition.

Through this experience, I have once again felt the potential of sharing work from Japan with the world. I hope this encourages more people from Japan to take on such challenges and that a trend of recognition for their work will grow.

Mr. Nagira actively shares photos of the wildlife living in Eastern Hokkaido on his social media.

Mr. Nagira's award is a testament to the overwhelming reality of the wild that the nature of Eastern Hokkaido offers to the world. The award-winning work will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum in London, UK. As both an artist and an educator, Kohei Nagira's photographs of Hokkaido's wildlife will surely continue to convey many powerful messages.