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

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

The selected photograph captures 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, seeming to convey to us the harshness of the natural world and the sanctity of life.

Kohei Nagira's works capture the nature and wildlife of Eastern Hokkaido as they are.

Kohei Nagira, who achieved this remarkable feat, is actually an active high school teacher. Alongside his teaching duties, he has delved deep into the nature of Eastern Hokkaido in his limited time, 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 spare time. Having my work seen and appreciated by people around the world in this way is a great encouragement. I always tell my students that this land is 'a world-class place, worthy of learning from,' so I am very happy that this has been proven by the result.

This particular work is a photograph of an Ezo sika deer taken on the Notsuke Peninsula in Eastern Hokkaido.

It was a very striking scene, and I felt it expressed 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 the process of being selected by judges in an English-speaking competition and then being further evaluated by a public vote, so I am very 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 that more people from Japan will take on this challenge in the future, and that a trend of being recognized for it will spread.

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

Mr. Nagira's award proves to the world the overwhelming reality of the wild that the nature of Eastern Hokkaido offers. The award-winning work will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum in London. As an artist and as an educator, Kohei Nagira's photographs of Hokkaido's wildlife will surely continue to tell many stories.