TOKYO (January 15, 2013)--Nagisa Oshima, a Japanese director known for the internationally acclaimed films "Empire of Passion" and "In the Realm of the Senses," has died of pneumonia at the age of 80.

Oshima died Tuesday afternoon at a hospital near Tokyo, his office said.

A former student activist from Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto, Oshima debuted as a director in 1959, often depicting social issues.

Oshima quickly rose to fame as a leading Japanese "new wave" director.

Oshima stirred public indecency debate in Japan when he released "In the Realm of the Senses" in 1976.

Two years later, Oshima won best director award at the Canne International Film Festival with "Empire of Passion."

Despite a stroke in 1996, Oshima briefly returned to filmmaking in 1999 with "Taboo," which became his last work.