Yamasato will be a presenter in the Creative Leadership Seminar at the College of Image Arts and Sciences at Ritsumeikan University on Sept. 27 and participate in the Uzumasa Cinema Festival on Sept. 29 and 30. Uzumasa often is called "the Hollywood of Japan."

"What a cool way to represent Hawai'i!," Yamasato said in a statement. "It shows the Japanese have a deep appreciation and understanding on how Hawai'i is a cultural bridge between Asian and the U.S."

Yamasato, a Kaua'i native, developed a cult following with his original "Blood of the Samurai" film, which won the Best Hawaii-Made Film Award in the 2001 Hawaii International Film Festival.

The new film is a sequel, and the "Ninja" title is a spin-off of the original "Samurai."