Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ayako Ishizu majored in English and earned a BA at Dokkyo University. She finished the certified film production program at New York University and has been working as a journalist since 1999. She writes mainly on entertainment for Weekly Bunshun, CREA web, ELLE Japan, Banger!!! and occasionally appears on TV and Radio programs. She has been attending the Cannes Film Festival since 2004.