Kanaya has been committed to the public media for over thirty years as TV producer. She constantly searches for talent, innovative program ideas, and co-production opportunities. She has been the driving force behind deals brokered with numerous international partners of NHK.
Kanaya’s burgeoning interest in technology, art, and design led to a year in Boston in 2016-17 as a visiting scientist at MIT Media Lab, where she worked closely with the Center for Civic Media. In 2021 she became the first woman to lead the 8K production office, which advises and trains Japanese and international creators undertaking 8K productions ranging from sports broadcasts to dramas. As well as conducting presentations at MIP and Ars Electronica, she has promoted the NHK brand at SXSW and other major conferences.
Currently based in Tokyo, she works as the executive director of NHK Educational.