Here are some of the my favorite architects from Japan.

Kenzo Tange

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/modernarchitecture/imgs/2/3/23e8c077.JPG

http://www.tokyo.catholic.jp/images/cathedral/15s.jpg

http://www.ktaweb.com/works/image/oub/oub01.jpg

Minoru Yamazaki

http://www.lera.com/pimg/wtc/9281562_small.jpg

Do you know any more nice japanese architects?

Kenzo Tange is the best, definitely first class. :okay:

my related thread. see here
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=339545

and
some of Japanese architects well-known worldwide
(winners of world's most prestigious architectual awards)
Pritzker Architecture Prize Winners
(Pritzker Prize is always referred to as "the Nobel Prize of Architecture". )
Kenzo Tange (1987)
Fumihiko Maki (1993)
Tadao Ando (1995)

AIA Gold Medal Winners
(It is awarded by the American Institute of Architects)
Kenzo Tange (1966)
Tadao Ando (2002)

Royal Gold Medal Winners
(The prize is awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects)
Kenzo Tange (1965)
Arata Isozaki (1986)
Tadao Ando (1997)
Toyo Ito (2006. last year)

UIA Gold Medal Winners
(The prize is awarded by Union Internationale des Architectes every three years)
Fumihiko Maki (1993)
Tadao Ando (2005)

Apart from these big names , Kisho Kurokawa, Kuma Kengo, and Hiroshi Hara might be most famous currently.

Thanks for the info.

Does anybody know the process of how some of these firms have projects in other countries? Do they contacted by the foreign government or is it a private initiative?

Private firms obviously will have their own marketing and promotions. But foreign developers and governments will seek out famous/award winning architects for themselves as well.

There's probably a lot of referral action going on too, as in any business.

When doing foreign projects, they can be done in partnerships (since they will need a firm familiar with the local building laws).

Other Japanese Architects not yet listed in this thread that I like:

Hara Hiroshi (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8E%9F%E5%BA%83%E5%8F%B8)
Watanabe Makoto (http://www.makoto-architect.com/)
Suzuki Edward (http://www.edward.net/)

It is the architect whom I have observed.

LOUIS VUITTON

GINZA NAMIKI/GINZA MATSUYA
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/3780/l1kk7.jpg

NEW YORK/HONG KONG LANDMARK
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8760/l2ih4.jpg

OMOTESANDO
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6249/l3fw0.jpg

ROPPONGI HILLS
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6176/l4wt7.jpg

NAGOYA
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6374/l5cl1.jpg


Residence

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3537/l17xd1.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9383/l18bq9.jpg


http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7615/l19wf6.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3202/l20pp0.jpg


http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5683/l21zs8.jpg


http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7517/l22ci3.jpg


http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/661/l23qi4.jpg


http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9062/l24za4.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9846/l25qi8.jpg


In addition

AOMORI MUSEUM OF ART
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6256/l6yw0.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1222/l7dg2.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4632/l8kg1.jpg

FUKUSHIMA LAGOON MUSEUM
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5355/l9md8.jpg

BUREAU SHINAGAWA
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2343/l10rx0.jpg

MAMIHARA BRIDGE
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8015/l11kc7.jpg

MITSUE PRIMARY SCHOOL
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4760/l12cs1.jpg

YUSUIKAN
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2731/l13ng9.jpg

WHITE CHAPEL
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/295/l14hy9.jpg

JIN CO., LTD.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7431/l15et6.jpg

SNOW FOUNDATION
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4129/l16ye7.jpg