Toru Takahashi joined AP in Tokyo as an editorial assistant, running errands for photographers and reporters. He is originally from Kumamoto in southern Japan.

Senior staff members taught him English and photography, and he eventually got a job editing and taking images.

While on assignment and preparing colleagues’ images for publication, Takahashi was recognized for his sarcastic sense of humour and his unwavering attention to detail.

“On the (editing) desk, Toru was the consummate professional, never cutting corners, always telling you where and when you went wrong, but always in a polite manner,” said Mark Baker, the Associated Press’ photo editor for Australia and New Zealand.

“He was concerned about the picture service, and he has left a legacy of tone and caption photographers in the region.”

Takahashi once begged his then-boss, Chikako Yatabe, to send him to cover a Formula One event in central Japan, claiming that the Associated Press would not be disappointed.

“He proved to be an exceptional photojournalist at many sporting events as well as general news coverage, just as he promised,” Yatabe stated.

As an editor and photographer for the Associated Press, Takahashi covered a variety of major international events, including Hong Kong’s 1997 reversion to China and the 2002 South Korean presidential election, as well as two Olympics the Sydney Games in 2000 and the Beijing Games in 2008 and seven Formula One races.

Many of Yatabe’s coworkers said he impressed them not only with his work ethic but also with his wit. “He was constantly surrounded by laughter.”

 Is Toru Takahashi A Millionaire?

Toru Takahashi’s net worth has not been listed so we can’t state for sure if he was a millionaire. He made some good money out of his profession.