Makoto Hatori apprenticed to master potter Ken Fujiwara in 1969. He then earned a degree in sculpture at Nihon University, College of Arts and went on to study technology at the Gifu Prefectural Institute of Ceramics. By 1975, he had established his own studio in Ibaraki region in eastern Japan, where he still works today. Since 1978 the artist has participated in numerous exhibitions in Japan, Italy, Great Britain, New Zealand, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, U.S.A., Croatia, South Africa, Australia, Taiwan, Estonia, Korea, Spain, Hungary. 1992, he taught ceramics at Manchester Metropolitan University Department of Art and Design. 1994~1996, Makoto is member of Contemporary Applied Arts in England. 1996,98 Invited to International Ceramic Symposium by Lithuania Panevezyo City Council. 1997 Invited to "Earth and Fire" Craft Potters Association Great Britain. 2006 Invited to " Woodfiring symposium" - Organized program for 2006- by International Ceramics Studio in Hungary. 2007 Invited to International Ceramic Magazine Editors Association (ICMEA) by ICMEA and FuLe International Ceramic Art Museum, Fuping, Shaanxi, China. He has published a number of articles and reviews on ceramic art. His works are included in the collections of South African, Korean, Hungarian, UK museums.