[2] Between 1942 and 1945 he contributed to Front, the propaganda photo journal of the Tōhō-sha company.

[4] By 1955 one of Hiroshi Hamaya's photographs, a high-angle view of kimono-clad springtime dancers led by his wife, was included by curator Edward Steichen in the world-touring Museum of Modern Art exhibition The Family of Man that was seen by more than 9 million visitors.

In 1956, Hamaya published his acclaimed photobook "Snow Country" (Yukiguni) featuring photographs of Japan's frigid northeastern Tōhoku region in winter.

[citation needed] In 1960, Hamaya took part in the massive Anpo protests against revision of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, and published a book of his photographs of the protesters titled "A Record of Anger and Sadness" (Ikari to kanashimi no kiroku), reflecting Hamaya's disappointment that the protests failed to stop the treaty.

[3] Hamaya was the first Japanese photographer to join Magnum Photos: in 1960, as an associate member.