Nike SB Japan Diaries

For the first time in history, skateboarding was recognized as an official category for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. This presented the perfect opportunity for Japan Diaries to gain maximum exposure by being released globally across @NikeSB @NikeWomens, @Nike and @NikeTokyo. The film chronicles Azusa “Nigo” Adachi, Sara Hirayama, Rio Maehata, and Ari Marie Angeles, four women in Tokyo who are breaking down "skater girl" stereotypes by upholding their own personal style and simply being themselves.

Azusa "Nigo" is also the founder of Skate Girls Snap, a platform to document the women she met in Tokyo’s evolving skate scene. In Japan Diaries, Karen wanted to capture Azusa’s passion for not only how she expresses herself as a skater, but also her passion to tell stories of the women forging new paths and unique styles within the sport and their community.

“Women who skate, not skater girls. Women who do things their way, regardless of what traditions or society expects.” - Azusa Nigo

Japan Diaries was created by Japanese female skaters in front and behind the lens. The full production was all female-led and made possible due to the close collaboration-come-friendship built between the 4 women on camera and those behind it.

Compiled from both the lens of the director and protagonist’s own footage from her Skate Girl Snap platform, the documentary has a Mixed Media look and feel that gave a real, raw mood to the real stories being told through different voices and lenses, literally and figuratively.