A native of Ashiya Hyogo, Japan, Akira developed his love of objects and his astute tactile sense at an early age, as he fell in love with his grandparents' collection of antique Japanese lacquered furniture, kimonos, porcelain, and earthenware. Having developed a keen interest in both Eastern and Western design and material culture, Akira chose to pursue his design education in the United States.

He received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1999, and has given design lectures there, as well as having been a guest critic at both RISD and Parsons. Akira lives in New York City where he takes constant inspiration from the art, architecture, and design that surround him every day.Akira established his design studio in New York City in 2007. He strives to create a wide range of products that create unexpected experiences in the realm of daily life. By designing uncommon solutions to common problems, he aims to promote conversation and interaction between people and the objects they use. Akira’s designs have been featured at MoMA Design Store in New York City and Tokyo.

In 2019, Akira began a collaboration with a manufacturer in Toyama prefecture. Their products include an aluminum whale butter dish funded by the city of Takaoka, and a series of bronze paperweights, “View Point,” which won the Mayor’s Award in the 2021 Craft Competition in Takaoka.