Yudai Shoji (庄子 雄大, Shōji Yūdai; born October 2, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball Infielder for the Fukuoka…Yudai Shoji (庄子 雄大, Shōji Yūdai; born October 2, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball Infielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Yuto Fujita (藤田雄士, Fujita Yuto; born 23 August 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League…Yuto Fujita (藤田雄士, Fujita Yuto; born 23 August 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League club FC Osaka.
Yuriya Takahashi (高橋 勇利也, Takahashi Yuriya; born 24 March 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Yuriya Takahashi (高橋 勇利也, Takahashi Yuriya; born 24 March 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League club Iwaki FC. His father Norio is a former professional footballer.
Kai Harada (原田 海 Harada Kai; born May 10, 1999) is a Japanese competition climber who specialises in bouldering. Harada…Kai Harada (原田 海 Harada Kai; born May 10, 1999) is a Japanese competition climber who specialises in bouldering. Harada started climbing in 2009 in Osaka. He started competition climbing in 2015, placing in the Youth A Bouldering Championships and the Junior Asian Championships. In 2018 he won the Bouldering Climbing World Championships as an outsider, and was the only person to get four tops in the final. In December 2020, Harada's qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was confirmed after a dispute between the IFSC and the Japan Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Association.
Tetsuaki Misawa (born 28 January 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who currently plays for Royal Cambodian…Tetsuaki Misawa (born 28 January 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who currently plays for Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
Daiki Kaneko (金子 大毅, Kaneko Daiki; born August 28, 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive…Daiki Kaneko (金子 大毅, Kaneko Daiki; born August 28, 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Júbilo Iwata. After starting his professional career with Shonan Bellmare, Kaneko has played over 140 league matches in the J1 League.
Tatsuya Shirai (白井 達也, Shirai Tatsuya; born 5 April 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for…Tatsuya Shirai (白井 達也, Shirai Tatsuya; born 5 April 1997) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for Matsumoto Yamaga FC.
Rio Takizawa (born 30 September 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Rio Takizawa (born 30 September 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Frauen-Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Kei Saito (齋藤慧, Saitō Kei) is a Japanese former short-track speed skater. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, Saito tested…Kei Saito (齋藤慧, Saitō Kei) is a Japanese former short-track speed skater. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, Saito tested positive for acetazolamide and was provisionally suspended and withdrawn before competing. In 2019 he was issued with a reprimand as he "bore no significant and only a light degree of fault" and received no sanction.
Kengo Suzuki (born 11 June 1995) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He won bronze in the half marathon at the 2017…Kengo Suzuki (born 11 June 1995) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He won bronze in the half marathon at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei, where he finished in a time of 1:06:56. He also previously held the Japanese national record in the marathon with a time of 2:04:56, set at the Lake Biwa Marathon on 28 February 2021.
Koya Okuda (奥田 晃也, Okuda Koya; born October 1, 1994) is a Japanese football player. He plays for Fukushima United FC…Koya Okuda (奥田 晃也, Okuda Koya; born October 1, 1994) is a Japanese football player. He plays for Fukushima United FC from 2026.
Shu Maeda (前田 柊, Maeda Shu; born 2 December 1993) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for…Shu Maeda (前田 柊, Maeda Shu; born 2 December 1993) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Vanraure Hachinohe.
Junya Itō (伊東 純也, Itō Jun'ya; born 9 March 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or a…Junya Itō (伊東 純也, Itō Jun'ya; born 9 March 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or a forward for the Belgian Pro League team Genk and the Japan national team.
Takuya Fujiwara (藤原 拓也, Fujiwara Takuya; born December 18, 1992) is a Japanese football player. He plays for YSCC…Takuya Fujiwara (藤原 拓也, Fujiwara Takuya; born December 18, 1992) is a Japanese football player. He plays for YSCC Yokohama.
Kota Hoshi (星 広太, Hoshi Kōta; born July 27, 1992) is a Japanese football player, who plays for Giravanz Kitakyushu as a…Kota Hoshi (星 広太, Hoshi Kōta; born July 27, 1992) is a Japanese football player, who plays for Giravanz Kitakyushu as a midfielder.
Takuya Muraoka (村岡拓哉, Muraoka, Takuya; born 24 July 1990 in Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama) is a Japanese footballer who plays…Takuya Muraoka (村岡拓哉, Muraoka, Takuya; born 24 July 1990 in Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Fukushima United FC.
Hitomi Saito (斎藤 仁美, Saitō Hitomi; born 9 July 1990) is a Japanese short track speed skater. She competed in the 2018…Hitomi Saito (斎藤 仁美, Saitō Hitomi; born 9 July 1990) is a Japanese short track speed skater. She competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Sho Sasaki (佐々木 翔, born 2 October 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Sanfrecce…Sho Sasaki (佐々木 翔, born 2 October 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Tsugutoshi Oishi (大石 治寿, Ōishi Tsugutoshi; born September 25, 1989) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward. He…Tsugutoshi Oishi (大石 治寿, Ōishi Tsugutoshi; born September 25, 1989) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward. He currently plays for Fukui United.
Yūichi Adachi (足立 祐一, Adachi Yūichi; born September 22, 1989 in Machida, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Yūichi Adachi (足立 祐一, Adachi Yūichi; born September 22, 1989 in Machida, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays catcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Hiroaki Nakabayashi (Japanese: 中林宏明; born September 5, 1988) better known as Bayashi or Bayashi TV, is a Japanese…Hiroaki Nakabayashi (Japanese: 中林宏明; born September 5, 1988) better known as Bayashi or Bayashi TV, is a Japanese YouTuber and TikToker. Known for his short-form mukbang and cooking videos, he has garnered a large following on social media with millions of followers across various platforms. He first joined YouTube in early January 2021 and TikTok in February 2020, uploading cooking tutorials and food ASMR videos on both.
Kazushi Mitsuhira (三平 和司, Mitsuhira Kazushi; born January 13, 1988 in Hadano, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football player…Kazushi Mitsuhira (三平 和司, Mitsuhira Kazushi; born January 13, 1988 in Hadano, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football player who plays as a striker for Ventforet Kofu. A mainstay of the J2 League with over 340 league appearances, Mitsuhira scored the opening goal in the 2022 Emperor's Cup final, which he would later go on to win.
Hinata Watanabe (born August 26, 1986 in Hiratsuka), or HINATA, is a Japanese welterweight kickboxer fighting out of…Hinata Watanabe (born August 26, 1986 in Hiratsuka), or HINATA, is a Japanese welterweight kickboxer fighting out of Hiratsuka, Japan for the Shonan Kakuto Club. He is the 2008 R.I.S.E. champion currently competing in R.I.S.E. and K-1 MAX.
Takashi Kamoshida (鴨志田 誉, Kamoshida Takashi; born August 5, 1985 in Ebina, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football player. He…Takashi Kamoshida (鴨志田 誉, Kamoshida Takashi; born August 5, 1985 in Ebina, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football player. He currently plays for Fukushima United FC.
Naoya Ishigami (石神 直哉, Ishigami Naoya; born 2 March 1985 in Kamisu, Ibaraki) is a Japanese footballer who is currently…Naoya Ishigami (石神 直哉, Ishigami Naoya; born 2 March 1985 in Kamisu, Ibaraki) is a Japanese footballer who is currently playing for FC Tiamo Hirakata.
Yasuo Yamaji (山路泰生, Yamaji Yasuo; born 20 February 1985) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a…Yasuo Yamaji (山路泰生, Yamaji Yasuo; born 20 February 1985) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a prop. He currently plays for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and Canon Eagles in Japan's domestic Top League.
Tadahiro Ogino (荻野 忠寛, Ogino Tadahiro; born April 26, 1982 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Tadahiro Ogino (荻野 忠寛, Ogino Tadahiro; born April 26, 1982 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League.
Daisuke Kato (加藤 大輔, Katō Daisuke; born July 27, 1980) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Tohoku…Daisuke Kato (加藤 大輔, Katō Daisuke; born July 27, 1980) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Pacific League.
Nao Shikata (四方 菜穂, Shikata Nao; born November 5, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan…Nao Shikata (四方 菜穂, Shikata Nao; born November 5, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in…Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in 1995 and gained nationwide recognition in 1997 through his work as the theme song performer for the anime series KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops. Dojima has received high acclaim for his skills as a songwriter and sound producer, having provided compositions and production work for a wide array of artists, including the KinKi Kids, Fumiya Fujii, Tomohisa Yamashita, Sexy Zone, Puffy, The Collectors, Takashi Fujii, Negicco, and Angerme.
Makidai (stylized as MAKIDAI; born 27 October 1975, in Sakae-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese dancer…Makidai (stylized as MAKIDAI; born 27 October 1975, in Sakae-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese dancer, DJ, actor and television presenter. He is a former performer of Exile and member of PKCZ. He is a former member of the first generation J Soul Brothers and Rather Unique. Makidai is represented with LDH.
Sang-il Lee (Japanese: 李 相日, Hepburn: Ri San'iru; Korean: 이상일, born January 6, 1974) is a film director based in Japan.…Sang-il Lee (Japanese: 李 相日, Hepburn: Ri San'iru; Korean: 이상일, born January 6, 1974) is a film director based in Japan. He is a third-generation Zainichi Korean born in Niigata and raised in Yokohama, Japan. His films often explore human conflict and societal issues. He has received multiple awards at the Japan Academy Film Prize, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year. Lee began his career with his graduation project from the Japan Institute of the Moving Image, Blue – Chong (1999). The coming-of-age film, featuring a main character who attends a North Korean-affiliated high school mirroring Lee's own background, won four awards including the Grand Prize at the 2000 Pia Film Festival (PFF). His 2006 film Hula Girls, which depicts coal miners' daughters saving their declining town through hula dancing, won Best Picture and Best Director at the Japan Academy Film Prize, and was selected as Japan's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Academy Awards. He subsequently directed adaptations of Shuichi Yoshida's novels. Villain (2010), which depicts the aftermath of a murder, and Rage (2016), an ensemble drama exploring suspicion and trust, both received numerous Japan Academy nominations and acting awards. In addition to directing a Japanese remake of Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (2013) and the kidnapping drama The Wandering Moon (2022), Lee directed his third Yoshida adaptation, Kokuho (2025). The film, which depicts the lives of kabuki actors, grossed over 20.34 billion yen, surpassing Bayside Shakedown 2 to become the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film in history. It won 10 categories at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize and earned a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 98th Academy Awards. In 2025, Lee received the Akira Kurosawa Award at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival. The following year, he was awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, as well as the Japan Art Academy Prize.
Ken Watabe (渡部建, Watabe Ken; born 23 September 1972), is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He performs…Ken Watabe (渡部建, Watabe Ken; born 23 September 1972), is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He performs tsukkomi in the comedy duo "Unjash" with his partner Kazuya Kojima. Watabe currently serves as a co-MC with Chisato Moritaka in the Fuji TV program Love Music.
Hidekazu Watanabe (渡辺 秀一, Watanabe Hidekazu; born July 13, 1971) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Hidekazu Watanabe (渡辺 秀一, Watanabe Hidekazu; born July 13, 1971) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Lynn Okamoto (岡本 倫, Okamoto Rin) is a Japanese manga artist and a former employee of Bandai and Arc System Works. His…Lynn Okamoto (岡本 倫, Okamoto Rin) is a Japanese manga artist and a former employee of Bandai and Arc System Works. His most famous work is the series Elfen Lied which was adapted into a 13-episode anime series by the studio Arms.
Shōji Segawa (瀬川 晶司, Segawa Shōji; born March 23, 1970) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 6-dan. Segawa is…Shōji Segawa (瀬川 晶司, Segawa Shōji; born March 23, 1970) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 6-dan. Segawa is known for becoming a professional player without being promoted by winning the 3-dan tournament within the professional apprenticeship program, which subsequently led to Japan Shogi Association establishing the Professional Admission Test as way for amateurs who are not apprentice professionals to obtain professional status. The 2018 movie The Miracle of Crybaby Shottan is based on Segawa's 2006 autobiography of the same name. Segawa is also an executive director of the JSA.
Kenya Sawada (澤田 拳也, Sawada Ken'ya; born January 28, 1965) is a Japanese-born film actor who has appeared in numerous…Kenya Sawada (澤田 拳也, Sawada Ken'ya; born January 28, 1965) is a Japanese-born film actor who has appeared in numerous movies, primarily in Hong Kong productions. He has occasionally been credited simply by his first name. Sawada was born in Kanagawa, Japan. His first appearance was in a Japanese film Hey Oilers: The Legend of Skyline. Sawada's only other Japanese productions include Buyûden and Hasami as well as the 1998 Hong Kong-Japanese production B gai waak. Instead, Sawada has appeared more prominently in numerous Hong Kong productions, beginning with a minor role in the 1995 Jackie Chan film Thunderbolt. He also appeared in the 2009 Jackie Chan film Shinjuku Incident. He played Captain Sawada in the Stephen de Souza-directed Street Fighter film, based on the fighting game series by the same name. Sawada appeared as part of a promotional deal with Capcom. Initially, Capcom intended Sawada to play Ryu in the film, however, his poor knowledge of English at the time made the casting difficult. Like most of the cast he also did the screen-capture for the video-game rendition based on the movie, Street Fighter: The Movie. Sawada has also been involved in the Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie as a script coordinator and has a writing credit for the Street Fighter II V anime series.
Masahiro Chono (蝶野正洋, Chōno Masahiro; born September 17, 1963) is an American-born Japanese retired professional…Masahiro Chono (蝶野正洋, Chōno Masahiro; born September 17, 1963) is an American-born Japanese retired professional wrestler and actor best known for his 26-year stint with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). As the leader of nWo Japan, Team 2000 and Black New Japan, he was the promotion's top heel for much of his career, beginning in 1994 when he adopted a yakuza inspired gimmick. Aside from his work in NJPW, Chono has also made appearances for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), as a member of the New World Order, as well as occasional appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1. Chono holds the record for most wins at the G1 Climax at 5, which has earned him the nicknames "Mr. August" and "Mr. G1". Overall, he is a two-time world champion, with one reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion each. He is also a seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion.
Fumio Yamamoto (13 November 1962 – 13 October 2021) was a Japanese author. She was born on 13 November 1962 in…Fumio Yamamoto (13 November 1962 – 13 October 2021) was a Japanese author. She was born on 13 November 1962 in Yokohama, as Akemi Omura. She graduated from Yokohama-Seiryo Senior High School and the department of economics at Kanagawa University. Yamamoto won the 1999 Eiji Yoshikawa Prize for New Authors for Loveholic. Her novel Planaria was awarded the Naoki Prize. Yamamoto died on 13 October 2021 of pancreatic cancer in Karuizawa, Nagano, aged 58.
Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his…Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his contributions to the Final Fantasy video game series by Square Enix. A self-taught musician, he began playing the piano at the age of twelve. Uematsu joined Square in 1986, where he first met Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. The two later worked together on many games at the company, most notably in the Final Fantasy series. After nearly two decades with Square, Uematsu left in 2004 to create his own production company and music label, Dog Ear Records. He has since composed music as a freelancer for other games, including ones developed by Square Enix and Sakaguchi's studio Mistwalker. Many soundtracks and arranged albums of Uematsu's game scores have been released. Pieces from his video game works have been performed in various Final Fantasy concerts, where he has worked with conductor Arnie Roth and Game Concerts producer Thomas Böcker on several of these performances. Uematsu was also the keyboardist in The Black Mages in the 2000s, which played various hard rock versions of his Final Fantasy compositions. He has since performed with the Earthbound Papas, which he formed as the successor to The Black Mages in 2011. Uematsu has made several listings in Britain's Classic FM Hall of Fame, with the station referring to him as the Beethoven of game music.
Shōgo Hamada (浜田 省吾, Hamada Shōgo; born December 29, 1952) is a legendary Japanese singer-songwriter and former member…Shōgo Hamada (浜田 省吾, Hamada Shōgo; born December 29, 1952) is a legendary Japanese singer-songwriter and former member of the group Aido. He is a part of Sony Music Japan's SME Records division. He was born in Takehara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, and graduated from Kuremitsuta High School (where he was a member of the baseball team). He attended Kanagawa University, where he studied law, but left the school before graduating. In 1975, he made his professional debut as the drummer of the band Aido. Sunglasses have been his trademark ever since his debut, and he has never performed live without sunglasses of some sort (most commonly Ray-Ban Aviator or Ray-Ban Wayfarer). His solo debut came in 1976 with the album Umareta Tokoro o Tōku Hanarete. Though his exposure in the media has always been extremely low, relative to many performers with similar levels of mainstream popularity, he has acquired his many fans over the years through his steady series of live performances. Many of his early songs expressed his skepticism about how one should live their life. In addition to his well-known ballads, he was strongly influenced by his father's experience as a victim of radiation poisoning following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, and many of his songs have a very strong protest song tone. He has written music for many other artists, including Momoe Yamaguchi, and Akiko Wada. He is affectionately referred to as "Hamasho" by many of his fans.
Yataro Tsuda (津田 弥太郎, Tsuda Yatarō; May 5, 1952 – April 6, 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Yataro Tsuda (津田 弥太郎, Tsuda Yatarō; May 5, 1952 – April 6, 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Takayama, Gifu, he was elected for the first time in 2004. Tsuda died on April 6, 2026, at the age of 73.
Toshio Mashima (真島 俊夫, Mashima Toshio) (21 February 1949 – 21 April 2016) was a Japanese composer born in Yamagata…Toshio Mashima (真島 俊夫, Mashima Toshio) (21 February 1949 – 21 April 2016) was a Japanese composer born in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
