Only a few weeks after joining, Oscar-winner Hayao Miyazaki has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, VARIETY reports.
A spokesman for Studio Ghibli stated the reason the director resigned was his desire to "concentrate on his creative activities." Miyazaki is in pre-production on his next feature and does not want to be distracted by Academy duties.
Miyazaki received an Oscar for his film SPIRITED AWAY and was nominated this year for HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE.
Only two other Japanese natives are or have been members of the Academy Oscar-nominated actor Ken Watanabe and the legendary, late filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
Rick DeMott
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