Rena Uezono (上薗 恋奈, Uezono Rena; born June 7, 2010) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 World Junior bronze…Rena Uezono (上薗 恋奈, Uezono Rena; born June 7, 2010) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 World Junior bronze medalist, the 2023–24 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2023 JGP Poland champion, the 2023 JGP Turkey silver medalist, and the 2023–24 Japan Junior bronze medalist.
Ikura Kushida (櫛田 育良, Kushida Ikura; born October 29, 2007) is a Japanese figure skater. With ice dance partner…Ikura Kushida (櫛田 育良, Kushida Ikura; born October 29, 2007) is a Japanese figure skater. With ice dance partner, Koshiro Shimada, she is the 2025–26 Japanese national silver medalist. As a singles skater, she is the 2022 JGP Czech Republic bronze medalist, the 2023–24 Japan Junior silver medalist, and the 2024–25 Japan Junior bronze medalist.
Tatsuya Murasa (村佐達也, Murasa Tatsuya; born 27 March 2007) is a Japanese competitive swimmer. He competed in the men's 4…Tatsuya Murasa (村佐達也, Murasa Tatsuya; born 27 March 2007) is a Japanese competitive swimmer. He competed in the men's 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay at the 2024 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal at the men's 200 metre freestyle at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
Hana Yoshida (吉田 陽菜, Yoshida Hana; born August 21, 2005) is a Japanese retired figure skater. She is the 2023–24 ISU…Hana Yoshida (吉田 陽菜, Yoshida Hana; born August 21, 2005) is a Japanese retired figure skater. She is the 2023–24 ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2025 Asian Winter Games bronze medalist, a three-time ISU Grand Prix medalist (2 gold, 1 bronze), and two-time ISU Challenger Series medalist (1 silver, 1 bronze). At the junior level, she is a two-time ISU Junior Grand Prix gold medalist and a two-time Japanese Junior medalist. Yoshida is the nineteenth woman to successfully land a triple Axel in international competition.
Mana Kawabe (河辺 愛菜, Kawabe Mana; born October 31, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2026 Coupe du Printemps…Mana Kawabe (河辺 愛菜, Kawabe Mana; born October 31, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2026 Coupe du Printemps champion, 2021 NHK Trophy silver medalist, the 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo bronze medalist, the 2022 CS U.S. Classic bronze medalist, the 2021–22 Japanese national bronze medalist, and the 2019–20 Japanese junior national champion. Kawabe is the eighteenth woman to land a clean triple Axel internationally. She represented Japan at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Rino Matsuike ( REE-noh mat-soo-EE-kay; Japanese: 松生 理乃, IPA: [matsɯꜜike ɾiꜜno]; born October 10, 2004) is a Japanese…Rino Matsuike ( REE-noh mat-soo-EE-kay; Japanese: 松生 理乃, IPA: [matsɯꜜike ɾiꜜno]; born October 10, 2004) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a five-time ISU Grand Prix medalist (two silver, three bronze) and finished fifth at the 2022 Four Continents Championships, winning a small bronze medal for her free skate. She is also the 2022 International Challenge Cup champion. On the junior level, she is the 2020–21 Japanese junior national champion and the 2019 JGP Latvia bronze medalist.
Yuma Kagiyama (鍵山 優真, Kagiyama Yūma; born May 5, 2003) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2022 and 2026 Olympic…Yuma Kagiyama (鍵山 優真, Kagiyama Yūma; born May 5, 2003) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2022 and 2026 Olympic silver medalist, a four-time World silver medalist (2021, 2022, 2024, 2026), the 2024 Four Continents Champion, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the team event (2022, 2026), a three-time Grand Prix Final medalist, a nine-time Grand Prix medalist (eight gold, one bronze), a three-time ISU Challenger Series medalist (two gold, one silver) and a two-time Japanese national champion (2024–25, 2025–26). At the junior level, Kagiyama is the 2020 Youth Olympic champion, the 2020 World Junior silver medalist, and the 2019–20 Japan Junior national champion. Kagiyama is the former world junior record holder for the free skate and combined total score under the ISU Judging System. He is known for his speed, skating skills, and consistency.
Mako Yamashita (Japanese: 山下 真瑚; born December 31, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2018 Skate Canada…Mako Yamashita (Japanese: 山下 真瑚; born December 31, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2018 Skate Canada silver medalist and a two-time medalist at the ISU Challenger Series. On the junior level, she is the 2018 World Junior bronze medalist, a four-time medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, and the 2017–18 Japanese junior national silver medalist.
Hiroto Takahashi (髙橋 宏斗, Takahashi Hiroto; born August 9, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Hiroto Takahashi (髙橋 宏斗, Takahashi Hiroto; born August 9, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Nana Araki (荒木 菜那 Araki Nana, born May 3, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2017 JGP Belarus silver…Nana Araki (荒木 菜那 Araki Nana, born May 3, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2017 JGP Belarus silver medalist, the 2018 Challenge Cup Junior champion, and a two-time Japanese Junior national medalist.
Ren Sawai (澤井 廉, Sawai Ren; born May 31, 2000 in Chita, Aichi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He…Ren Sawai (澤井 廉, Sawai Ren; born May 31, 2000 in Chita, Aichi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Yuhana Yokoi (Japanese: 横井 ゆは菜; born May 19, 2000) is a retired Japanese figure skater. She is the 2019 CS Finlandia…Yuhana Yokoi (Japanese: 横井 ゆは菜; born May 19, 2000) is a retired Japanese figure skater. She is the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy bronze medalist and the 2020 Challenge Cup silver medalist. At the junior level, she is the 2018 JGP Armenia bronze medalist, and two-time Japanese Junior national medalist. She finished within the top ten at two World Junior Championships (2018, 2019).
Sōta Yamamoto (山本 草太, Yamamoto Sōta; born 10 January 2000) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2026 Four Continents…Sōta Yamamoto (山本 草太, Yamamoto Sōta; born 10 January 2000) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2026 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2022–23 Grand Prix Final silver medalist, a three-time ISU Grand Prix medalist (including gold at the 2023 Skate Canada International), a five-time ISU Challenger Series medalist (three gold, two silver), the 2023 World University Games champion, and the 2023–24 Japanese national bronze medalist. Earlier in his career, he was the 2016 Youth Olympic champion, the 2015 World Junior bronze medalist, a two-time Junior Grand Prix Final medalist (silver in 2014, bronze in 2015), and the 2015–16 Japan junior national champion.
Miu Suzaki (須崎 海羽, Suzaki Miu; born December 15, 1999) is a Japanese pair skater. With her former skating partner…Miu Suzaki (須崎 海羽, Suzaki Miu; born December 15, 1999) is a Japanese pair skater. With her former skating partner, Ryuichi Kihara, she is a two-time Asian Open Trophy medalist and the 2017 Japan national Champion. They have competed at the Four Continents Championships and on the Grand Prix series.
Tojiro Kubo (久保 藤次郎, Kubo Tōjirō; born 5 April 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder…Tojiro Kubo (久保 藤次郎, Kubo Tōjirō; born 5 April 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Kashiwa Reysol and the Japan national team.
Maika Yagi (矢来 舞香, Yagi Maika; born 21 January 1999) is a Japanese racewalking athlete. Representing Japan at the 2022…Maika Yagi (矢来 舞香, Yagi Maika; born 21 January 1999) is a Japanese racewalking athlete. Representing Japan at the 2022 Asian Games, she won the silver medal at the mixed 35 kilometres walk team. She competed in the women's 35 kilometres walk at the 2025 World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo, Japan.
Kaito Kawabata (川端 魁人, Kawabata Kaitō, born 17 August 1998) is a Japanese athlete who specializes in the 400 metres. He…Kaito Kawabata (川端 魁人, Kawabata Kaitō, born 17 August 1998) is a Japanese athlete who specializes in the 400 metres. He competed in the men's 4 × 400 metres relay event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, equalling the national record.
Yura Matsuda (松田 悠良, Matsuda Yura; born 22 July 1998) is a retired Japanese competitive figure skater. She is the 2015…Yura Matsuda (松田 悠良, Matsuda Yura; born 22 July 1998) is a retired Japanese competitive figure skater. She is the 2015 Triglav Trophy silver medalist and 2016 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy champion.
Yuto Seko (born 16 March 1998) is a Japanese high jumper. He was a silver medalist at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics…Yuto Seko (born 16 March 1998) is a Japanese high jumper. He was a silver medalist at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
Ikuma Horishima (堀島 行真, Horishima Ikuma; born 11 December 1997) is a Japanese freestyle skier who competes…Ikuma Horishima (堀島 行真, Horishima Ikuma; born 11 December 1997) is a Japanese freestyle skier who competes internationally. He competed for Japan at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships 2017 in Sierra Nevada, Spain, where he won a gold medal in Moguls, and another gold medal in Dual moguls. Horishima won the bronze medal in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics men's moguls with a score of 81.48. He repeated the feat at the 2026 Winter Olympics, again winning the bronze medal in the men's moguls.
Ai Soma (born 15 September 1997) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 50 metre butterfly event at the…Ai Soma (born 15 September 1997) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 50 metre butterfly event at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), in Hangzhou, China.
Reo Nishiguchi (西口 黎央, Nishiguchi Reo; born 21 August 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Reo Nishiguchi (西口 黎央, Nishiguchi Reo; born 21 August 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker or winger for K3 League side Chuncheon FC.
Sakura Yumoto (湯元 さくら, Yumoto Sakura; born 8 March 1997) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She was part of the silver…Sakura Yumoto (湯元 さくら, Yumoto Sakura; born 8 March 1997) is a Japanese artistic gymnast. She was part of the silver medalling team at the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju, South Korea and the bronze medalling team at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon also South Korea.
Miu Sato (佐藤 未生, Satō Miu; born December 13, 1996 in Nagoya) is a Japanese figure skater. She represented Japan at the…Miu Sato (佐藤 未生, Satō Miu; born December 13, 1996 in Nagoya) is a Japanese figure skater. She represented Japan at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Minsk, Belarus. She qualified to the free skate by placing 13th in the short program and went on to finish 12th overall.
Yuto Oshiro (大城 佑斗, Oshiro Yuto; born 19 October 1996) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for…Yuto Oshiro (大城 佑斗, Oshiro Yuto; born 19 October 1996) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Nagano Parceiro.
Serena Sonoda (園田 世玲奈, Sonoda Serena; born 10 September 1996) is a Japanese racewalking athlete. Representing Japan at…Serena Sonoda (園田 世玲奈, Sonoda Serena; born 10 September 1996) is a Japanese racewalking athlete. Representing Japan at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, she placed seventh in the women's 35 kilometres walk. She competed in the women's 35 kilometres walk at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time…Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time (2015–16) Four Continents bronze medalist, 2014 Rostelecom Cup champion, 2015 Finlandia Trophy champion and 2014–15 Japanese national silver medalist.
Hiroya Kiyomoto (清本 宙矢, Kiyomoto Hiroya; born 12 August 1996) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a…Hiroya Kiyomoto (清本 宙矢, Kiyomoto Hiroya; born 12 August 1996) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Lithuanian side FK Šilas.
Maral-Erdene Gansukh (Mongolian: Гансүхийн Марал-Эрдэнэ; born 25 May, 1996) is a Mongolian figure skater who competes…Maral-Erdene Gansukh (Mongolian: Гансүхийн Марал-Эрдэнэ; born 25 May, 1996) is a Mongolian figure skater who competes in women's singles. She is the first Mongolian figure skater to compete at an International Skating Union championship.
Anna Konishi (Kanji:小西 杏奈, Konsihi Anna, born 10 May 1996) is a Japanese backstroke swimmer. She qualified to represent…Anna Konishi (Kanji:小西 杏奈, Konsihi Anna, born 10 May 1996) is a Japanese backstroke swimmer. She qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo 2021. She placed 13th in women's 100 metre backstroke, 8th in mixed 4 × 100 metre medley relay, and 8th in women's 4 × 100 metre medley relay with the Japanese teams.
Kodai Sakamoto (坂本 広大, Sakamoto Kōdai; born 20 September 1995 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese footballer who plays for MIO…Kodai Sakamoto (坂本 広大, Sakamoto Kōdai; born 20 September 1995 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese footballer who plays for MIO Biwako Shiga.
Miyabi Oba (大庭 雅, Ōba Miyabi; born August 8, 1995) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2014 Cup of Nice silver…Miyabi Oba (大庭 雅, Ōba Miyabi; born August 8, 1995) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2014 Cup of Nice silver medalist, 2014 Gardena Spring Trophy silver medalist, and 2013 Triglav Trophy silver medalist. At the Junior level, she is the 2012 JGP Germany silver medalist, 2013 JGP Estonia bronze medalist, and the 2010 Japanese Junior national bronze medalist.
Kosei Tanaka (田中 恒成, Tanaka Kōsei; born 15 June 1995) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2013 to…Kosei Tanaka (田中 恒成, Tanaka Kōsei; born 15 June 1995) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2013 to 2024. He is a four-weight world champion, having held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight title from 2015 to 2016; the WBO junior-flyweight title from 2016 to 2017; the WBO flyweight title from 2018 to 2020; and the WBO junior-bantamweight title in 2024. Upon winning his first world title in only his fifth bout, he became the fastest Japanese fighter ever to become a world champion. Along with Vasiliy Lomachenko, he is also the fastest ever male fighter to win titles in three weight-classes, having accomplished the feat in only 12 bouts. He also surpassed Oscar De La Hoya to become the fastest male four division champion, setting the bar at 21 fights.
Tsuyoshi Miyaichi (宮市 剛, Miyaichi Tsuyoshi; born 1 June 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right winger for…Tsuyoshi Miyaichi (宮市 剛, Miyaichi Tsuyoshi; born 1 June 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right winger for Kamatamare Sanuki.
Takeshi Kawamoto (川本武史, Kawamoto Takeshi, born 19 February 1995) is a Japanese swimmer. He competed in the men's 50…Takeshi Kawamoto (川本武史, Kawamoto Takeshi, born 19 February 1995) is a Japanese swimmer. He competed in the men's 50 metre butterfly event at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m), in Hangzhou, China.
Ryuju Hino (日野 龍樹, Hino Ryūju; born 12 February 1995) is a Japanese former figure skater. He has won five senior…Ryuju Hino (日野 龍樹, Hino Ryūju; born 12 February 1995) is a Japanese former figure skater. He has won five senior international medals, seven ISU Junior Grand Prix medals – including bronze at the 2012–13 JGP Final, and two (2011, 2012) Japanese national junior titles.
Daichi Kamino (Japanese: 神野大地) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In 2019, he won the Asian Marathon Championships…Daichi Kamino (Japanese: 神野大地) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In 2019, he won the Asian Marathon Championships held in Dongguan, China. He also competed at the 2018 Tokyo Marathon and 2019 Tokyo Marathon.
Mao Kiyota (清田 真央, Kiyota Mao; born 12 September 1993) is a Japanese long distance runner. She competed in the women's…Mao Kiyota (清田 真央, Kiyota Mao; born 12 September 1993) is a Japanese long distance runner. She competed in the women's marathon at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics.
This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all…This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.
Ryo Ishii (石井 綾, Ishii Ryo; born June 24, 1993) is a Japanese football player. He is a registered player for Zweigen…Ryo Ishii (石井 綾, Ishii Ryo; born June 24, 1993) is a Japanese football player. He is a registered player for Zweigen Kanazawa, but currently on loan to Suzuka Point Getters.
Masateru Yugami (湯上 剛輝, Yugami Masateru; born 14 April 1993) is a Japanese discus thrower. He has won medals at the…Masateru Yugami (湯上 剛輝, Yugami Masateru; born 14 April 1993) is a Japanese discus thrower. He has won medals at the Asian Athletics Championships and the Summer Deaflympics.
Yuka Kono (河野 有香, Kōno Yuka) (born August 23, 1992) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the silver medal at the…Yuka Kono (河野 有香, Kōno Yuka) (born August 23, 1992) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the silver medal at the 2010 Merano Cup.
Ryuichi Kihara (木原 龍一, Kihara Ryūichi; born August 22, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater. He and pair partner…Ryuichi Kihara (木原 龍一, Kihara Ryūichi; born August 22, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater. He and pair partner, Riku Miura, are the 2026 Olympic pair skating champions, two-time Olympic team event silver medalists (2022, 2026), two-time World Champions (2023, 2025), two-time World silver medalists (2022, 2024), two-time Four Continents champions (2023, 2025), two-time Grand Prix Final champions (2022–23, 2025–26), eight-time ISU Grand Prix medalists (five golds, two silvers, one bronze), three-time ISU Challenger Series medalists (one gold, two silvers), and two-time Japanese national champions (2019–20, 2024–25). Miura and Kihara are the first Japanese pair skating team to win gold at an ISU Grand Prix event, an ISU Grand Prix Final, an ISU Championships, and a Winter Olympic Games. They are also one of only few skaters to achieve a Career Golden Slam. He also previously competed with Narumi Takahashi and Miu Suzaki, representing Japan at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics, respectively. As a singles skater, he is a two-time bronze medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and the 2010–11 Japanese Junior silver medalist.
Kenzo Nambu (南部 健造, Nambu Kenzo; born 22 August 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking…Kenzo Nambu (南部 健造, Nambu Kenzo; born 22 August 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Seito Yamamoto (山本 聖途, Yamamoto Seito; born 11 March 1992 in Okazaki, Aichi) is a Japanese pole vaulter. He competed in…Seito Yamamoto (山本 聖途, Yamamoto Seito; born 11 March 1992 in Okazaki, Aichi) is a Japanese pole vaulter. He competed in the pole vault event at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics failing to clear any height in the qualifying round all three times. His biggest success to date is the sixth place at the 2013 World Championships. He has personal bests of 5.75 metres outdoors (Hiratsuka 2013) and 5.77 metres indoors (Reno 2016). He is a six-times Japanese national champion and two-times national indoor champion. He is a graduate of Chukyo University.
Maiko Fujimoto (born 4 December 1991) is a former Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017…Maiko Fujimoto (born 4 December 1991) is a former Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Takatoshi Abe (安部孝駿, Abe Takatoshi; born 12 November 1991) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the…Takatoshi Abe (安部孝駿, Abe Takatoshi; born 12 November 1991) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the 400 metres hurdles. He is the reigning Asian champion in the event. Born in Okayama Prefecture, Abe initially contested both the 110 metres hurdles and the 400 m hurdles, winning silver and gold medals at the Japanese high school championships in 2009. He chose to specialise in the latter event from mid-2009 onwards. Abe ran a personal best of 49.46 seconds to claim the silver medal at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics, finishing closely behind the strong favourite Jehue Gordon. He also ran with the Japanese 4×400 metres relay team, helping them to fifth place. His hurdles time made him the third best Asian in the event that year, after compatriots Kenji Narisako and Takayuki Koike. Abe made his second ever sub-50-second clocking at the 2011 Japanese Athletics Championships, where he took third with a time of 49.81 seconds. He was selected to represent Japan at the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships in Kobe and he went away with his first regional title, ending the race with a time of 49.64 seconds to win the gold medal. He competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Goki Koshio (小塩 豪紀, Koshio Gouki; born 29 April 1987) is a Japanese handball player for Toyoda Gosei and the Japanese…Goki Koshio (小塩 豪紀, Koshio Gouki; born 29 April 1987) is a Japanese handball player for Toyoda Gosei and the Japanese national team. He participated at the 2017 World Men's Handball Championship.
