Film director Yasuharu Hasebe died of pneumonia on June 14, a film distributor said Saturday. He was 77.

Hasebe, a Tokyo native, mainly filmed action movies, such as "Nora Neko Rock" ("Stray Cats Rock") during his days at film studio Nikkatsu Corp.

After turning independent in 1980, Hasebe expanded his scope by directing for television, including the popular police drama "Abunai Deka" ("Dangerous Detectives") in the late 1980s.