Joe Hatano, born and raised in Tokyo Japan, made his screen debut in Jitsuroku Juku no tsura: Shinjuku gurentai monogatari (1997) as 'Young Kanou', the lead character played by Kôji Matoba. At the beginning of his career, he was largely inspired by his father Ryûji Katagiri and he slowly stepped into his career by having professional training at Toei Academy. While he continued to train there, he played a significant role as 'Wada' in popular video series 'Be-Bop High School' in 1998. After a-year spell at Toei Academy, he went onto train action and movement for films at Urban Actors which was established and organized by action director Tatsumi Nikamoto. While he was there, he got another significant role in Gunro no keifu 3 (1999) as 'Young Komoro', the lead character played by Kiyoshi Nakajoe. Then he made some odd appearances in Maitresse (2000) and Enko no kizuna (2002) respectively before he left Japan.In order to pursue his dream, he decided to come to New York. After spending some time studying the language, he went to "HB Studio" where he had the theatrical training of Uta Hagen method from the likes of Lorraine Serabian and the others, finishing "2-Year Full-Time Student Program". After finishing the school, he wrote himself a short play "After Six Years ..." in the production of "Wasabi Night" where he also conducted himself as an actor and a director.Following year, he signed with management company 'Cinematic Management'. Since then he's been working in many films, TV's and Commercials as an actor and a model.His recent credits include a Co-Staring role on CBS's new cop show NYC 22 (2012), "Grand Street", We Are the Hartmans (2011) and a nationally televised commercial "Voice Rockrz". Show less «