Jaheru Ryuto Yamauchi (Japanese: 山内 ジャヘル琉人; born 5 December 2002), also known as Jaheru Yamauchi, is a Japanese…Jaheru Ryuto Yamauchi (Japanese: 山内 ジャヘル琉人; born 5 December 2002), also known as Jaheru Yamauchi, is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders of the B.League. He plays as a shooting guard and has represented Japan internationally. Yamauchi won a silver medal with Japan at the 2026 Asian Games.
Shinji Takashima (Japanese: 高島 紳司; born 13 October 2000) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya…Shinji Takashima (Japanese: 高島 紳司; born 13 October 2000) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex of the B.League. A shooting guard, he has represented Japan at senior international level and won a silver medal in the men's tournament at the 2026 Asian Games.
Rikako Fukase (Japanese: 深瀬 理香子; born August 12, 1997) is a Japanese and Canadian figure and synchro skater. She…Rikako Fukase (Japanese: 深瀬 理香子; born August 12, 1997) is a Japanese and Canadian figure and synchro skater. She formerly represented Japan in ice dancing, skating with Aru Tateno and Eichu Cho (Oliver Zhang) at a total of four ISU Championships. With Cho, she is the 2020 NHK Trophy silver medalist and a two-time Japanese national medalist. Fukase has also competed in synchronized skating. In the 2022–23 season, she skated for Canada as a member of Les Suprêmes, winning gold at the 2023 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships.
Remi Tsuruta (鶴田 玲美, born 18 April 1997) is a Japanese athlete. She competed in the women's 4 × 100 metres relay event…Remi Tsuruta (鶴田 玲美, born 18 April 1997) is a Japanese athlete. She competed in the women's 4 × 100 metres relay event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Leon Niihama (新浜レオン, Niihama Reon), birth name Yūki Takajō (高城 勇貴), born May 11, 1996, in Shiroi, Chiba, Japan, is a…Leon Niihama (新浜レオン, Niihama Reon), birth name Yūki Takajō (高城 勇貴), born May 11, 1996, in Shiroi, Chiba, Japan, is a Japanese enka and kayōkyoku singer, who debuted on the first day of Reiwa, May 1, 2019, and is currently signed to Kaikyo Record label, a subsidiary of B Zone. His alma mater is Daito Bunka University.
Sergio Suzuki (born 9 October 1994) is a Japanese male taekwondo practitioner of Bolivian descent who mainly competes…Sergio Suzuki (born 9 October 1994) is a Japanese male taekwondo practitioner of Bolivian descent who mainly competes in flyweight category. He represented Japan at the 2018 Asian Games and claimed a bronze medal in the men's 58kg flyweight event.
Miyu Yamada (山田美諭, Yamada Miyu; born December 13, 1993) is a Japanese taekwondo competitor. Competing in the 49 kg…Miyu Yamada (山田美諭, Yamada Miyu; born December 13, 1993) is a Japanese taekwondo competitor. Competing in the 49 kg category she won a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games and placed fifth in 2014. Her elder brother Yuma Yamada won a bronze medal in taekwondo at the 2014 Asian Games.
Masaki Nashimoto (梨本 真輝, Nashimoto Masaki; born December 12, 1993) is a Japanese sprinter. Nashimoto competed in the…Masaki Nashimoto (梨本 真輝, Nashimoto Masaki; born December 12, 1993) is a Japanese sprinter. Nashimoto competed in the 100 metre sprint at the 2009 Asian Youth Games and 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, both held in Singapore, winning gold and silver respectively. In the latter, Nashimoto lost out to Odean Skeen but beat favourite David Bolarinwa to silver in a photo finish. His personal best in the 100 metres is 10.38 seconds set in 2011.
Haruka Imai (今井 遥, Imai Haruka; born August 31, 1993) is a Japanese former figure skater. She has won nine senior…Haruka Imai (今井 遥, Imai Haruka; born August 31, 1993) is a Japanese former figure skater. She has won nine senior international medals and competed at three Four Continents Championships, placing as high as fourth. She is the 2008 Japanese Junior national champion.
Yōsuke Takahashi (高橋 洋丞, born 6 August 1991 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player, currently…Yōsuke Takahashi (高橋 洋丞, born 6 August 1991 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player, currently playing with Top League side Toyota Verblitz. He usually plays as a tighthead prop.
Kaito Shigeno (茂野海人, Shigeno Kaito; born 21 November 1990) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays in…Kaito Shigeno (茂野海人, Shigeno Kaito; born 21 November 1990) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays in the scrum-half position. He captains Toyota Verblitz in Japan's domestic Japan Rugby League One.
Erika Kasahara (笠原 江梨香, Kasahara Erika; born October 3, 1990) is a female Japanese taekwondo practitioner, born in…Erika Kasahara (笠原 江梨香, Kasahara Erika; born October 3, 1990) is a female Japanese taekwondo practitioner, born in Daito. She won the silver medal in the women's flyweight (-49 kg) class at the 2010 Asian Taekwondo Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan. She competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals, where she lost to eventual gold medallist Wu Jingyu.
Takeshi Nomoto (野元 勇志, Nomoto Takeshi; born August 20, 1989), nicknamed Ta-bo, is a Japanese former professional…Takeshi Nomoto (野元 勇志, Nomoto Takeshi; born August 20, 1989), nicknamed Ta-bo, is a Japanese former professional basketball player who played for Tokyo Cinq Reves of the bj League in Japan. He also played for Japan men's national 3x3 team.
Edward Yamamoto (山本 エドワード, Yamamoto Edowādo; born December 2, 1986) is a Philippine-born Japanese professional…Edward Yamamoto (山本 エドワード, Yamamoto Edowādo; born December 2, 1986) is a Philippine-born Japanese professional basketball player who last played for the Kagawa Five Arrows in Japan. He moved to Yonago, Tottori, Japan at the age of seven. He was selected by the Shimane Susanoo Magic with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 bj League draft. He also plays for the 3storm Hiroshima.Exe.
Akitomo Takeno (竹野 明倫, Takeno Akitomo; born November 23, 1985), nicknamed AT, is a current professional basketball…Akitomo Takeno (竹野 明倫, Takeno Akitomo; born November 23, 1985), nicknamed AT, is a current professional basketball assistant coach for Osaka Evessa in Japan. He was selected by the Niigata Albirex BB with the fifth overall pick in the 2008 bj League draft. He shortened his career due to a torn ACL in his left knee in 2015.
Satoru Sasaki (Japanese: 佐々木悟; born 16 October 1985) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specialises in marathon…Satoru Sasaki (Japanese: 佐々木悟; born 16 October 1985) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specialises in marathon running. Sasaki finished 3rd at the 2015 Fukuoka Marathon in 2:08:56, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race. He was the highest finishing runner from Japan in this race. He achieved this without being an invited runner for the race. This finish earned him selection for the 2016 Olympics, where he finished 16th.
Hiromitsu Miura (Japanese: 三浦 広光, Miura Hiromitsu; September 22, 1981 – October 26, 2024) was a Japanese mixed martial…Hiromitsu Miura (Japanese: 三浦 広光, Miura Hiromitsu; September 22, 1981 – October 26, 2024) was a Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division. He was also a former boxer who competed in the light heavyweight division.
Kenzō Katō (加藤 賢三, Katō Kenzō; born September 26, 1980 in Aichi Prefecture) is an amateur Japanese Greco-Roman…Kenzō Katō (加藤 賢三, Katō Kenzō; born September 26, 1980 in Aichi Prefecture) is an amateur Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler, who played for the men's heavyweight category. Katō represented Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics, where he competed for the men's 96 kg class. He lost the qualifying round match to Italy's Daigoro Timoncini, who was able to score eight points in two straight periods, leaving Kato without a single point.
Yudai Kawai (川井 雄太, Kawai Yudai; born June 17, 1980 in Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan) is a retired professional…Yudai Kawai (川井 雄太, Kawai Yudai; born June 17, 1980 in Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan) is a retired professional Japanese baseball player. He played pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons. Kawai announced his retirement on 23 September 2016, and played his final game for the Dragons against the Hanshin Tigers at Nagoya Dome pitching 5 straight deliveries in a row to retire the pinch hitting Shunsuke Fujikawa.
Kohei Sato (佐藤 耕平, Satō Kōhei; born September 21, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently contracted…Kohei Sato (佐藤 耕平, Satō Kōhei; born September 21, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently contracted with Pro Wrestling Zero1. He also makes appearances on the Japanese independent circuit. Sato is also a former mixed martial artist.
Tomohiko Hashimoto (橋本友彦, Hashimoto Tomohiko; August 16, 1977 – August 5, 2025) was a Japanese professional wrestler…Tomohiko Hashimoto (橋本友彦, Hashimoto Tomohiko; August 16, 1977 – August 5, 2025) was a Japanese professional wrestler, judoka and mixed martial artist, best known for his time with Dramatic Dream Team (DDT), where he competed as a mainstay from 2000 to 2006. After working as a freelancer on the Japanese independent circuit for many years, mostly at Apache Pro-Wrestling Army, in 2017 he began promoting its successor promotion, Pro-Wrestling A-Team.
Bushūyama Takashi (武州山 隆士; born May 21, 1976) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Aomori Prefecture. He…Bushūyama Takashi (武州山 隆士; born May 21, 1976) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Aomori Prefecture. He made his professional debut in January 1999. At the age of 32, he was promoted to the top makuuchi division in the November 2008 tournament. His highest rank was maegashira 3. He is now a sumo coach.
Tsukasa Akimoto (秋元 司, Akimoto Tsukasa; born October 23, 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Tsukasa Akimoto (秋元 司, Akimoto Tsukasa; born October 23, 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served in the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives. A native of Adachi, Tokyo, he graduated from Daito Bunka University.
Ko Izawa (井沢航, Izawa Kō), known also as Ko Nakamura (中村 航, Nakamura Kō) or Kozo Nakamura (中村航三, Nakamura Kōzō) (born…Ko Izawa (井沢航, Izawa Kō), known also as Ko Nakamura (中村 航, Nakamura Kō) or Kozo Nakamura (中村航三, Nakamura Kōzō) (born Kanagawa, 16 July 1970) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker.
Koichiro Kimura (木村浩一郎, Kimura Kōichirō; November 18, 1969 – October 28, 2014) was a Japanese mixed martial artist and…Koichiro Kimura (木村浩一郎, Kimura Kōichirō; November 18, 1969 – October 28, 2014) was a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, also known under the ring name Super Uchuu Power (スーパー宇宙パワー, Sūpā Uchū Pawā). Kimura was known for his work in promotions like Dramatic Dream Team, W*ING, Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling, among others. He was also involved in MMA, facing Rickson Gracie at the second event of Vale Tudo Japan and being the founder of the female MMA brands AX and G-Shooto. He also competed in Fighting Network RINGS during its early years and participated in both mixed-style shoot contests and shoot style matches for the company. Kimura died of pneumonia on October 28, 2014.
Koji Shimizu (清水康次, Shimizu Kōji; born October 17, 1969) is a retired male long-distance runner from Japan. He set his…Koji Shimizu (清水康次, Shimizu Kōji; born October 17, 1969) is a retired male long-distance runner from Japan. He set his personal best (2:08:28) in the men's marathon event on March 2, 2003 at the Lake Biwa Marathon.
Hiroyuki Takami (貴水博之 Takami Hiroyuki, born 3 June 1969 Saitama, Japan, birthname Fukuda Hiroyuki 福田博幸) is a Japanese…Hiroyuki Takami (貴水博之 Takami Hiroyuki, born 3 June 1969 Saitama, Japan, birthname Fukuda Hiroyuki 福田博幸) is a Japanese singer and actor. He is a member of the Japanese pop group access or AXS. Hiroyuki Takami (nickname Hiro) was born under the name 福田博幸. Later using the stage name "Hiroyuki Takami". His first single "Grievous Rain" was the ending theme for the anime "Getter Robo Go". His first group was Hot Sox, then he used the stage name Hiro Fukuda (福田ヒロ). He recorded songs for newly solo composer/synthist Daisuke Asakura and in 1992 they formed the group access (aka AXS). He remained in access until 1994 when the group split up. He continued his solo career and started in musicals and movies including Wangan Midnight Return, Little Shop of Horrors, Boy's Time, Goodbye Charlie, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Monty Python's Spamalot. In 2002 he reunited with Daisuke Asakura in access while still continuing with his work in musicals and plays. He played the role of Masamune Dan/Kamen Rider Kronos in Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, which aired in 2017.
Kenjiro Jitsui (born 16 December 1968) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's marathon at the…Kenjiro Jitsui (born 16 December 1968) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's marathon at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kohei Oguchi (小口耕平, Oguchi Kōhei) (born Saitama Prefecture, 6 October 1968) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He…Kohei Oguchi (小口耕平, Oguchi Kōhei) (born Saitama Prefecture, 6 October 1968) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as a prop.
Shinobu Aoki (青木忍, Aoki Shinobu), (born 26 January 1968 in Saitama) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played…Shinobu Aoki (青木忍, Aoki Shinobu), (born 26 January 1968 in Saitama) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as fly-half and former coach.
Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (菊地 毅, Kikuchi Tsuyoshi) (born November 21, 1964) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is…Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (菊地 毅, Kikuchi Tsuyoshi) (born November 21, 1964) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is best known for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Kikuchi idolized and patterned his style after the Dynamite Kid.
Shuichi Yoneshige (米重 修一, Yoneshige Shūichi; born 24 June 1961) is a Japanese former long-distance runner who competed…Shuichi Yoneshige (米重 修一, Yoneshige Shūichi; born 24 June 1961) is a Japanese former long-distance runner who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
O Sonfa (Japanese: 呉 善花; オ・ソンファ, born 15 September 1956), also known by her Korean name Oh Seon-hwa (Korean: 오선화), is a…O Sonfa (Japanese: 呉 善花; オ・ソンファ, born 15 September 1956), also known by her Korean name Oh Seon-hwa (Korean: 오선화), is a former professor in the School of International Relations at Takushoku University in Tokyo. She is currently a professor of International Relations at Tokyo International University. She is also active as an author and journalist in Japan. She is a critic in many fields such as current issues, history, and culture, particularly in East Asian Countries. Originally from Jeju Island, South Korea, she left for Japan in 1983. She received a BA degree from Daito Bunka University and an MA degree from the Graduate School of North American Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. She went on to naturalise as a Japanese citizen. In 1998, she lost her South Korean nationality as she had acquired Japanese nationality in 1991. In 2007 and 2013, she was refused entry to South Korea. She has since been a source of controversy in Korea due to her open criticism of not only the South Korean government, but Korean culture as a whole. After the 2014 sinking of MV Sewol disaster, she described Koreans as "having no patriotism and completely selfish", and argued that Japan should not try to reconcile its differences with South Korea. O denies that "comfort women", a euphemism for Korean women who are considered by international consensus to have been forced prostitutes during World War II, were forced to work at all.
Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently…Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently coach. In his player career, he played as flanker.
Harue Okitsu (沖津 はる江, Okitsu Harue; born 31 May 1949) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in three events at the…Harue Okitsu (沖津 はる江, Okitsu Harue; born 31 May 1949) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in three events at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Toshiyasu Ishige (石下 年安, Ishige Toshiyasu; 16 January 1932 – 27 December 2000) was a Japanese sport shooter who…Toshiyasu Ishige (石下 年安, Ishige Toshiyasu; 16 January 1932 – 27 December 2000) was a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Gaijiro Fujishima (藤島亥治郎, Fujishima Gaijirō) (1 May 1899 – 15 July 2002), was a Japanese architectural historian. His…Gaijiro Fujishima (藤島亥治郎, Fujishima Gaijirō) (1 May 1899 – 15 July 2002), was a Japanese architectural historian. His son, Yukihiko Fujishima, is a lecturer at Waseda University.
Mikiyo Ōno (大野 幹代, Ōno Mikiyo; born 17 June 1974) is a Japanese model, actress and J-pop singer. She was the youngest…Mikiyo Ōno (大野 幹代, Ōno Mikiyo; born 17 June 1974) is a Japanese model, actress and J-pop singer. She was the youngest member of the group CoCo.
Bin Shimada (Japanese: 島田 敏, romanized: Shimada Bin; born November 20, 1954) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and…Bin Shimada (Japanese: 島田 敏, romanized: Shimada Bin; born November 20, 1954) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator affiliated with the talent management firm Aoni Production.
