Atsushi Kaneko (カネコアツシ, Kaneko Atsushi) (born 26 December 1966) is a Japanese manga artist from Sakata, Yamagata…Atsushi Kaneko (カネコアツシ, Kaneko Atsushi) (born 26 December 1966) is a Japanese manga artist from Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Two of his works, Bambi and Her Pink Gun and Soil, have been published in French. Bambi and Her Pink Gun has been published in English, with Search and Destroy published in English in May 2024. Soil has been adapted into a television drama series.
Osamu Matsuda (松田 納, Matsuda Osamu) (born April 19, 1966) is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his…Osamu Matsuda (松田 納, Matsuda Osamu) (born April 19, 1966) is a Japanese professional wrestler who is best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and is better known by his stage name El Samurai.
Munehisa Kuroiwa (黒岩 宗久, Kuroiwa Munehisa; born 19 April 1966) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at…Munehisa Kuroiwa (黒岩 宗久, Kuroiwa Munehisa; born 19 April 1966) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Jiro Kamiharako (上原子 次郎, Kamiharako Jirō; born March 19, 1966) is a Japanese former ski jumper. In the World Cup his…Jiro Kamiharako (上原子 次郎, Kamiharako Jirō; born March 19, 1966) is a Japanese former ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place was number 16 from December 1991 in Sapporo. He participated in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, where he finished 28th in the normal hill, 25th in the large hill and 4th in the team event.
Kiyomi Takahashi (高橋 清美, Takahashi Kiyomi; born 3 March 1966) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1984…Kiyomi Takahashi (高橋 清美, Takahashi Kiyomi; born 3 March 1966) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Juri Osada (長田 樹里, Osada Juri) (née Ozawa) is a Japanese figure skater who is now a coach. She won the 1983 Japan…Juri Osada (長田 樹里, Osada Juri) (née Ozawa) is a Japanese figure skater who is now a coach. She won the 1983 Japan Figure Skating Championships and 1986 Winter Asian Games, 1985 Winter Universiade.
Yasushi Kuroiwa (born 27 September 1965) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres event at the…Yasushi Kuroiwa (born 27 September 1965) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres event at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Toru Nakamura (仲村 トオル, Nakamura Tōru; born September 5, 1965) is a Japanese actor. His real name is Tōru Nakamura (中村…Toru Nakamura (仲村 トオル, Nakamura Tōru; born September 5, 1965) is a Japanese actor. His real name is Tōru Nakamura (中村 亨, Nakamura Tōru).
Hikaru Kawabata (川畑輝) (born April 29, 1965) is a Japanese professional wrestler, who wrestles as Kishin Kawabata…Hikaru Kawabata (川畑輝) (born April 29, 1965) is a Japanese professional wrestler, who wrestles as Kishin Kawabata (川畑輝鎮). He is best known for his time in Pro Wrestling Noah.
Hideyuki Ohashi (大橋 秀行, Ōhashi Hideyuki; born March 8, 1965) is a Japanese former professional boxer and two-time…Hideyuki Ohashi (大橋 秀行, Ōhashi Hideyuki; born March 8, 1965) is a Japanese former professional boxer and two-time mini-flyweight world champion having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) mini-flyweight title in 1990 and the World Boxing Association (WBA) mini-flyweight title from 1992 to 1993.
Shuichi Morita (森田 修一; born February 3, 1965) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan, who won the 1991 edition of…Shuichi Morita (森田 修一; born February 3, 1965) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan, who won the 1991 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:10:58 on December 1, 1991. The event also served as the national championship contest.
Tatsumi Une (畝 龍実, Une Tatsumi; born June 21, 1964 in Aki District, Hiroshima, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Tatsumi Une (畝 龍実, Une Tatsumi; born June 21, 1964 in Aki District, Hiroshima, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. As of November 2021 he was a coach of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Yoshifumi Matsumura (松村 祥史, Matsumura Yoshifumi; born April 22, 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yoshifumi Matsumura (松村 祥史, Matsumura Yoshifumi; born April 22, 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A graduate of Senshu University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004.
Takumi Ihara (井原 巧, Ihara Takumi; born 13 November 1963) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who…Takumi Ihara (井原 巧, Ihara Takumi; born 13 November 1963) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Kimihiro Hamaya (浜谷 公宏, Hamaya Kimihiro; born 21 March 1963) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1984 Winter…Kimihiro Hamaya (浜谷 公宏, Hamaya Kimihiro; born 21 March 1963) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics and the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Kazunari Sasaki (佐々木 一成, Sasaki Kazunari; born 25 November 1962) is a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed at the…Kazunari Sasaki (佐々木 一成, Sasaki Kazunari; born 25 November 1962) is a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed at the 1984, 1988, 1992 and the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Masuaki Kiyota (清田 益章, Kiyota Masuaki; born 1962) is a Japanese psychic known for his alleged ability of…Masuaki Kiyota (清田 益章, Kiyota Masuaki; born 1962) is a Japanese psychic known for his alleged ability of thoughtography. Kiyota was tested by investigators in London by Granada Television and the results were negative. It was discovered that with tight controls, Kiyota was unable to project mental images onto film. He could only achieve success when he had the film in his possession without any control for at least 2 hours. Kiyota feats such as metal bending were endorsed by Walter and Mary Jo Uphoff as evidence for psychokinesis. However, skeptics and magicians have written that Kiyota is a clever "trickster" who performed his feats by magic tricks. According to James Randi "Kiyota's Polaroid photos were apparently produced by preexposing the film, since it was noted that he made great efforts to obtain a film pack and spend time with it in private." In a 1984 television interview, Kiyota confessed to fraud.
Yutaka Tadokoro (田所 豊, Tadokoro Yutaka; born March 12, 1962), known professionally as Diamond Yukai (ダイアモンド✡ユカイ…Yutaka Tadokoro (田所 豊, Tadokoro Yutaka; born March 12, 1962), known professionally as Diamond Yukai (ダイアモンド✡ユカイ, Daiamondo Yukai), is a Japanese rock singer and actor. He was born in Tanashi, Tokyo, Japan. He is the vocalist for the Japanese rock band Red Warriors. He has acted in the Hollywood films Tokyo Pop and Lost in Translation and is often seen on television variety shows.
Akira Kuroiwa (黒岩 彰, Kuroiwa Akira; born 6 September 1961) is a former speed skater from Japan, who represented his…Akira Kuroiwa (黒岩 彰, Kuroiwa Akira; born 6 September 1961) is a former speed skater from Japan, who represented his native country at two consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. In 1988, he won the bronze medal in the men's 500 metres, after having captured two world titles at the Sprints Championships (1983 and 1987). At the 1984 Winter Olympics, Kuroiwa finished 10th in the men's 500 m. Kuroiwa, who was born in Tsumagoi, Gunma, was a coach for the Japanese team during the 1998 Winter Olympics. In Japan, Kuroiwa made headlines in 2000 when he tried to shield Daisuke Matsuzaka from an illegal driving charge by taking the blame for himself.
Hiroshi Hase (馳 浩, Hase Hiroshi; born 5 May 1961) is a Japanese politician and semi-retired professional wrestler who…Hiroshi Hase (馳 浩, Hase Hiroshi; born 5 May 1961) is a Japanese politician and semi-retired professional wrestler who served as the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture from 2022 to 2026. As a professional wrestler, Hase primarily worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and also for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Stampede Wrestling. During his affiliation with AJPW, he also served as the chairman for the Pacific Wrestling Federation (PWF), which is the governing body for all championships in the promotion. Among his numerous title wins, Hase held the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship once, making him a one-time world champion. From October 2015 until August 2016, Hase served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and his LDP party. Prior to his appointment in the Cabinet, he also served as a member of the House of Representatives of the National Diet, representing the 1st district of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Hiroyasu Aizawa (born 1 March 1961) is a Japanese former ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place was thirteenth…Hiroyasu Aizawa (born 1 March 1961) is a Japanese former ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place was thirteenth in December 1979 in Cortina d'Ampezzo. He also won a bronze medal at the 1979 World Junior Championships and competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Ikuzo Saito (斎藤 育造, Saitō Ikuzō; born 11 August 1960 in Matsusaka, Mie) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in…Ikuzo Saito (斎藤 育造, Saitō Ikuzō; born 11 August 1960 in Matsusaka, Mie) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Emi Catherine Watanabe (渡部 絵美, Watanabe Emi; born August 27, 1959), is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who…Emi Catherine Watanabe (渡部 絵美, Watanabe Emi; born August 27, 1959), is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who is the 1979 World bronze medalist and an eight-time Japanese national champion. She was the first skater to medal for Japan in ladies' singles at the World Championships.
Hisashi Inatsu (born 9 February 1958) is a former Japanese politician from Komeito who represented Hokkaido 10th…Hisashi Inatsu (born 9 February 1958) is a former Japanese politician from Komeito who represented Hokkaido 10th district in the House of Representatives. He served as the deputy minister of health in the Second Kishida Cabinet.
Shin Hea-sook (born 29 November 1957) is a former competitive South Korean figure skater. She is a two-time South…Shin Hea-sook (born 29 November 1957) is a former competitive South Korean figure skater. She is a two-time South Korean National champion (1979, 1980) and competed in the ladies' singles event at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Akira Ishii (born 6 May 1957 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese former politician who served as a member of the House…Akira Ishii (born 6 May 1957 in Ibaraki Prefecture) is a Japanese former politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2016 until his resignation in 2025. He represented the National proportional representation block and was a member of the Japan Innovation Party. On 1 September 2025, Ishii resigned from the House of Councillors after allegations of defrauding the government and his subsequent expulsion from the Japan Innovation Party. He was indicted on charges of fraud on 30 September.
Mitsuru Matsumura (松村 充, Matsumura Mitsuru; born on April 9, 1957, in Yokohama) is a Japanese former competitive figure…Mitsuru Matsumura (松村 充, Matsumura Mitsuru; born on April 9, 1957, in Yokohama) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He won the Japanese national title in the 1978–79 season and competed at two Winter Olympics, placing 11th in 1976 (Innsbruck) and 8th in 1980 (Lake Placid, New York). He also appeared at seven World Championships, achieving his best results, 6th, at the 1980 Worlds in Dortmund. After retiring from competition, he became a coach.
Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行, Nagashima Toshiyuki) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for Best Newcomer at the 3rd…Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行, Nagashima Toshiyuki) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for Best Newcomer at the 3rd Hochi Film Awards for Kaerazaru hibi and for Best Actor at the 6th Hochi Film Awards for Enrai.
Takayoshi Nakao (中尾 孝義, Nakao Takayoshi, born February 16, 1956) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He…Takayoshi Nakao (中尾 孝義, Nakao Takayoshi, born February 16, 1956) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was a catcher. In 1982, he was the MVP of the Central League. His career lasted 13 seasons, from 1981 to 1993.
Shinichiro Kobayashi (小林 伸一郎, Kobayashi Shin'ichirō) (born 19 October 1956) is a Japanese photographer, and "the…Shinichiro Kobayashi (小林 伸一郎, Kobayashi Shin'ichirō) (born 19 October 1956) is a Japanese photographer, and "the leading practitioner if not the founder of the ever-popular 'Ruins' or 'Urban Exploration' genre of photography".
Yasukazu Hamada (浜田 靖一, Hamada Yasukazu; born 21 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of…Yasukazu Hamada (浜田 靖一, Hamada Yasukazu; born 21 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Defense of Japan from 2008 to 2009 and from 2022 to 2023. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives, having taken office in 1993. In September 2008, under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tarō Asō, Hamada was appointed Minister of Defense. This was Hamada's first Cabinet position. He was appointed to the same position under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2022. His father, Kōichi Hamada, also served in the House of Representatives.
Akira Uchiyama (内山 晃, Uchiyama Akira; born 3 March 1954) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Akira Uchiyama (内山 晃, Uchiyama Akira; born 3 March 1954) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet national legislature.
Akira Kudo (工藤 章, born 1 January 1954 in Iwate Prefecture) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1976…Akira Kudo (工藤 章, born 1 January 1954 in Iwate Prefecture) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Hitoshi Ishigaki (石垣 仁, Ishigaki Hitoshi) (born September 25, 1953 in Yamagata) is a retired amateur boxer from Japan…Hitoshi Ishigaki (石垣 仁, Ishigaki Hitoshi) (born September 25, 1953 in Yamagata) is a retired amateur boxer from Japan, who won the gold medal at the 1974 Asian Games in the men's bantamweight (– 54 kg) division. He represented his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, falling to eventual bronze medal winner Viktor Rybakov in the third round.
Masanori Ito (伊藤 政則, Itō Masanori; born July 10, 1953) is a Japanese music critic and radio personality, also known as…Masanori Ito (伊藤 政則, Itō Masanori; born July 10, 1953) is a Japanese music critic and radio personality, also known as Seisoku Ito and Masa Ito. His work is specialized in heavy metal and hard rock, and he is known as the leading music critic of Japan. He has been quick to introduce new heavy metal bands to Japan, through writing for magazines such as Burrn! and putting them on the air. Ito wrote the initial story draft of the 2022 film Hagane Iro no Sora no Kanata he (鋼音色の空の彼方へ), based on the story of Japanese thrash metal band Outrage.
Takao Ito (伊藤 高男, Itō Takao; born 5 November 1952) is a Japanese former ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and…Takao Ito (伊藤 高男, Itō Takao; born 5 November 1952) is a Japanese former ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and large hill events at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Mitsuo Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 光雄, romanized: Yoshida Mitsuo, born Kwak Kwang-Woong [Korean: 곽광웅]; December 3, 1951)…Mitsuo Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 光雄, romanized: Yoshida Mitsuo, born Kwak Kwang-Woong [Korean: 곽광웅]; December 3, 1951), better known by his ring name Riki Choshu (長州 力, Chōshū Riki), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestler, who is best known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as both a performer and a booker. He is considered one of Japan’s most influential wrestlers for his work in the 1980s and 1990s and is known as the first wrestler to popularize the Sasori-Gatame, better known in English as the Scorpion Deathlock or Sharpshooter. A second-generation Zainichi Korean from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Choshu won titles in Freestyle wrestling at the National Sports Festival of Japan, before (under his birth name) representing South Korea at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He also won collegiate titles in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling as captain of the Senshu University team. He made his professional wrestling debut for NJPW in 1974, becoming a major star as a heel during the following decade. After leaving NJPW in 2002, he formed Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling (WJ), but eventually returned to New Japan in October 2005 as a site foreman, booker and part-time wrestler. Choshu once again left NJPW in 2010 and primarily worked in Tatsumi Fujinami’s Dradition, as well as his own self-produced Power Hall events as a freelancer.
Haruhisa Chiba (3 June 1951 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and…Haruhisa Chiba (3 June 1951 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Toshio Jingu (神宮 敏男, Jingū Toshio; born 11 June 1948) is a Japanese fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil…Toshio Jingu (神宮 敏男, Jingū Toshio; born 11 June 1948) is a Japanese fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kiyomi Kato (加藤 喜代美, Katō Kiyomi; born March 8, 1948) is a retired Japanese flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a gold…Kiyomi Kato (加藤 喜代美, Katō Kiyomi; born March 8, 1948) is a retired Japanese flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics and a silver medal at the 1970 Asian Games and placed sixth at the 1971 World Wrestling Championships. Kato lost to Mohammad Ghorbani at the 1970 Asian Games, but took revenge at the 1972 Olympics.
Hirofumi Otsuka (大塚 博文, Ōtsuka Hirofumi; born 8 October 1947) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's…Hirofumi Otsuka (大塚 博文, Ōtsuka Hirofumi; born 8 October 1947) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 10,000 metres event at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Takayuki Hida (肥田隆行, Hida Takayuki; born May 4, 1944) is a retired Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1968 and…Takayuki Hida (肥田隆行, Hida Takayuki; born May 4, 1944) is a retired Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics in the 500 m events and finished in 37th and 13th place, respectively. His best achievement in the world sprint championships was fourth place in 1971. Personal bests: 500 m – 38.4 (1971) 1000 m – 1:20.8 (1971) 1500 m – 2:07.9 (1971)
Takao Nohira (野平 孝雄, Nohira Takao) is a former international table tennis player from Japan. He won a silver medal at…Takao Nohira (野平 孝雄, Nohira Takao) is a former international table tennis player from Japan. He won a silver medal at the 1965 World Table Tennis Championships in the Swaythling Cup (men's team event) with Koji Kimura, Ken Konaka, Ichiro Ogimura and Hiroshi Takahashi.
