New Faces: Hanayo Oya

Compiled by Conor Youhei Hustedde, Communication Specialist Student Assistant

The College of Arts and Humanities welcomes Hanayo Oya to the Department of Media, Communications and Journalism as a new tenure-track assistant professor. Oya is a multi-award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and producer from Japan. She received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Meiji Gakuin University, a master’s degree in Journalism from Waseda University, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in communication at the University of North Dakota. She has won many awards and accolades, including Japan’s most prestigious film award, the Kinema Junpo Award in 2018. 

Tell me a little about yourself. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? What schools/universities did you attend?

I am a journalist, documentary filmmaker and producer from Japan. I have spent the past decade dedicated to unveiling the stories of our society’s most vulnerable members. I have built a global audience through traditional and new multimedia outlets, including broadcasting, radio, film, online media, Internet TV, books, magazines, newspapers and photography. My portfolio encompasses a diverse range of stories, including the transgenerational effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam, the struggles of North Korean refugees, survivors of the Battle of Okinawa, military crimes and jurisdiction matters related to the U.S. military overseas, African-American communities impacted by police violence, and the challenges faced by U.S. veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

I am passionate about creating documentaries by capturing people’s stories and using investigative journalism. My documentary film “Boy Soldiers: The Secret War in Okinawa” (2018) has earned numerous accolades, including the Kinema Junpo Award for Best Documentary Film of the Year 2018, Japan’s most prestigious film award. It has been showcased at five international film festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, the largest in Asia. I’m currently working on a new documentary series to be released on Netflix. 

Educational Journey

My path to academia has been a winding one. I began as an English major, then transitioned to become a journalism and documentary graduate student. Subsequently, I worked as a TV reporter and director and later had the privilege of serving as a Fulbright scholar at UC Berkeley before taking on the role of a professor.

My academic journey began with a dream of becoming an English teacher, leading me to study TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) at college. I earned my teaching certificate and a BA in English Literature at Meijigakuin University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. It was during my time as an exchange student at UC Santa Barbara that I became increasingly aware of social and international issues, inspiring my career as a journalist. This led to my academic endeavors at the Graduate School of Journalism, Waseda University, where I completed my MA in Journalism.

During my master’s studies in Journalism at Waseda University (2009-2012), I delved into documentary theory and practice. I completed a master’s thesis titled “Preserving the Memories of Wartime Malaria in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945,” which uncovered the untold history of local Okinawan people forcibly evacuated to malaria-contaminated areas by the Imperial Japanese Army, leading to the tragic deaths of 3,600 innocent civilians.

I first encountered Okinawa and its indigenous Ryukyu people while filming wartime malaria footage. Gaining the trust of survivors proved challenging, given my Japanese background and their PTSD from wartime experience. In response, I relocated to Hateruma Island, an island in Okinawa, where I lived with a local family for eight months to establish personal connections and acquire the cultural understanding necessary to represent their voices in my work. This included learning their language, Besuma-muni, classified as severely endangered by UNESCO and practicing the Sanshin, a traditional Ryukyu musical instrument. This journey captured the gradual opening of hearts and the sharing of stories regarding the wartime malaria atrocities.

These experiences culminated in my master’s project and my first documentary, “The Southernmost Coral Reef” (2012). Subsequently, I expanded upon this foundation, producing the award-winning documentary film “Boy Soldiers” (2018) and publishing the acclaimed non-fiction book, “Okinawa Wartime Malaria: The Enforced Relocation and Death of 3,600 Civilians” (2020). Throughout the past decade, my work has been guided by the enduring value I learned from filming the survivors of wartime malaria: the significance of uncovering truth and sharing the lessons of history to prevent the recurrence of past mistakes.

From Industry to Academia

I began my career in journalism as a TV reporter and director in Okinawa. My primary focus was on issues related to the U.S. military presence in the area, including crimes and environmental damage to the local community. In 2018, I came to the U.S. as a Fulbright scholar at UC Berkeley, where I spent three years producing an investigative story on military crimes and jurisdiction issues surrounding the U.S. military overseas. Prior to joining Fresno State this year, I held a tenure-track Assistant Professor position at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. My passion for learning has led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Communication at the University of North Dakota, which has been a lifelong dream of mine. 

What do you love about journalism?

 I love journalism for its ability to hold those in power accountable and amplify underrepresented voices. 

Why is journalism important?

Journalism is essential because it allows us to uncover hidden truths, share stories of real people, and hold those in power accountable for their actions. It serves as a bridge to connect people and cultures, promoting understanding and empathy. Through my work, I strive to be a storyteller who accommodates and shares the narratives of underrepresented communities, like the people of Hateruma Island who survived wartime malaria.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the people I meet and the stories they share. Specifically, my journey on Hateruma Island, learning about wartime malaria and witnessing the resilience of its survivors, has been a profound source of inspiration. Their strength and the healing power of storytelling motivate me to continue my work. 

What are you most looking forward to teaching at Fresno State?

At Fresno State, I look forward to helping students find their voice to tell stories, their passion for storytelling and journalism, and discovering great stories in our community with students. I look forward to fostering an environment where creativity, diversity, inclusion, and journalistic integrity flourish. I want to channel the valuable lessons I learned from my unique experience to my students and inspire them to become compassionate storytellers and journalists who make a positive impact.

You’ve received multiple awards, including Japan’s most prestigious film award, the Kinema Junpo. From your experience, what do you believe is the key to great storytelling?

Through my experience in creating documentary films and conducting interviews with war survivors, I have come to understand that empathy and curiosity are the fundamental elements of great storytelling. To become a skilled storyteller, you must first become an attentive listener and connect with your subjects. It is crucial to empathize with their experiences and genuinely care about their stories. Additionally, curiosity is the driving force behind investigating truths and uncovering facts, particularly in investigative reporting. Only then can you craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences and inspire positive action.

How do you hope your background will elevate the Media, Communication and Journalism Department’s offerings at Fresno State? As a new instructor who will be teaching journalism, what’s your biggest wish for undergraduates as they learn to explore the intersections of cultures, identities, and geographies over time?

I hope that my background and experiences as an international faculty who has worked both in industry and academia, both in the U.S. and internationally, will enhance the educational programs of the Media, Communication, and Journalism Department at Fresno State. As the only Asian and one of the few international faculty members in the MCJ department, I am passionate about creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where students from all backgrounds feel safe and empowered to aim high. I aim to bring a unique perspective, emphasizing the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of underrepresented communities and inspiring students to become storytellers with professionalism and integrity. Just like my students look forward to learning from my classes, I look forward to learning from my students to become a better educator and mentor to help their academic success. 

What is a book you think everyone should read, and why?

“Another Country” by James Baldwin (1962). This novel is a powerful exploration of human struggles and identity that resonates with readers on multiple levels. It delves into the complexities of race, identity, love, and societal expectations. In essence, this is more than just a novel; it’s a mirror of our own lives and society. I believe that reading this book can be a transformative experience, and I recommend it to all college students at Fresno State and beyond.

What are your fall 2023 office hours?

My fall 2023 office hours are Tuesdays (2-4 p.m.) and Wednesdays (2:45-4:45 p.m.). Feel free to contact me at oya@csufresno.edu or swing by my office at SA 140I. I welcome students of all majors to my office–I am looking forward to meeting you!