Born in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Hagiwara was a graduate of the Tokai University in Tokyo.
He started his racing career at age 21, driving a Nissan Sunny, and eventually progressed to the Japanese Formula 3 championship finishing fourth in 1980 and runner-up in 1981.
Piloting a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V operated by Leyton House Racing, Hagiwara crashed in Turn 2 (now called Rainbow Corner).
Hagiwara thus changed his schedule and headed for Sportsland SUGO which led to the fateful testing session.
After his death, Aguri Suzuki was chosen to replace Hagiwara for the 1986 24 Hours of Le Mans in the #23 Nissan R86V entry.