Masato Hagiwara

Dear Friends,

I would like to update you that we will host Masato’s memorial at the SGI-USA Seattle Buddhist Center (835 S Fidalgo St, Seattle, WA 98108), on Saturday, May 16, 4 pm in Seattle time. The memorial will also be available via Zoom for our many friends around the world. The link will be available a few days before the memorial.

Please let us know if you will be attending by completing this form: https://forms.gle/mArad28JVkjJnT6s7

Masato’s obituary can be found below. Thanks to all for the kind words, generosity and support over the three years.

1. Sincerely,

Xiaoling (Lynn)

Obituary for Masato Hagiwara

Masato Hagiwara passed away at the age of 43, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, brilliance, and quiet strength that touched people across the world.

Masato was born in Tokawa, Aichi, Japan on May 12, 1982. From an early age, he was endlessly curious, a trait deeply inspired by his father, whose simple belief, “If it’s something other people can understand, why can’t I understand it?” became a guiding principle throughout his life. He loved music and once dreamed of studying it in college, while his father nurtured his curiosity in other ways, giving him his first word processor and access to MS-DOS when he was still in elementary school. Masato would spend hours exploring and experimenting, often so absorbed that he had to be reminded to go outside and play. This blend of creativity and curiosity shaped his path, as he became not only an engineer and researcher, but a deeply curious and creative thinker.

Professionally, Masato made lasting contributions to the field of natural language processing. As a founding member of his research team at Earth, he helped pioneer what he called “animal language processing,” contributing to the development of the world’s first foundation models in this emerging field. His work led to tools such as AVES and NatureLM-audio, and to early roadmaps for decoding animal communication, along with benchmarks that continue to guide research in bioacoustics. Even as his condition progressed, he remained deeply engaged with his work and community, grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Masato was a person of deep humanity. He encouraged others, especially those just beginning their journeys, offering support without expectation. Many remember his words at pivotal moments in their lives, words that brought clarity, confidence, and hope.

Masato faced his illness with remarkable courage and grace. Living with stage IV lung cancer for nearly three years after his diagnosis in March 2023, he approached his journey with resilience and intention. He continued to write and reflect, offering insight not only into illness, but into life itself—encouraging others to move thoughtfully in times of fear and to focus on what truly matters. In November 2023, he completed the full marathon walk course at the Seattle Marathon, and he continued walking whenever he could until he was no longer able to do so near the end of his life. During his final days, he found deep comfort and peace through his Buddhist practice.

He cherished his family above all else. A devoted husband and loving father, Masato created a home filled with warmth, curiosity, and joy. Whether sharing music, cooking together, solving puzzles, or simply spending time together, he built moments that will be remembered always. His wife and children were his greatest source of strength, purpose, and love.

Masato’s presence reached far beyond geography. Friends and colleagues across countries remember conversations at conferences, shared meals, and small but unforgettable acts of kindness. From Seattle to Tokyo, from Canada to China and beyond, his life formed a web of connection that endures.

Even in his final reflections, Masato did not frame his passing as an end, but as a continuation:

“I do not think of this as a ‘goodbye.’ If anything, this is a continuation—just in a different form… I hope the conversation continues.”

Though his passing came far too soon, Masato’s influence remains deeply felt, in his work, in the memories he created, and in the lives he shaped. He will be remembered not only for what he accomplished, but for who he was: deeply curious, kind, thoughtful, and full of quiet strength.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Xiaoling Mo, and their daughters, Daphne and Laurel, along with a global community of family, friends, and colleagues who will continue to honor his memory.

Masato will be deeply missed, and forever remembered.