Dota Arai (Japanese: 新井 道大, Hepburn: Arai Dota; born 29 January 2005) is a Japanese judoka. He competes in the men's…Dota Arai (Japanese: 新井 道大, Hepburn: Arai Dota; born 29 January 2005) is a Japanese judoka. He competes in the men's 100 kg event and has won three medals at the World Judo Championships.
Koya Kawamata (川真田 紘也, Kawamata Kōya; born June 16, 1998), nicknamed "Mikey" (マイキー), is a Japanese professional…Koya Kawamata (川真田 紘也, Kawamata Kōya; born June 16, 1998), nicknamed "Mikey" (マイキー), is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Ryukyu Golden Kings of the B.League.
Daisuke Moriura (森浦 大輔, Moriura Daisuke; born June 15, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Daisuke Moriura (森浦 大輔, Moriura Daisuke; born June 15, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Faulua Makisi (マキシ ファウルア, Faurua makishi; born 20 January 1997) is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a…Faulua Makisi (マキシ ファウルア, Faurua makishi; born 20 January 1997) is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a flanker. He currently plays for Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay in Japan's domestic Japan Rugby League One.
Yusuke Kizu (born 2 December 1995) is a Japanese rugby union player who generally plays as a prop. He represents Japan…Yusuke Kizu (born 2 December 1995) is a Japanese rugby union player who generally plays as a prop. He represents Japan internationally and plays for Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League. He was included in the Japanese squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which was held in Japan for the first time and for the first time in Asia.
Joshiro Maruyama (丸山 城志郎, Maruyama Jōshirō; born 11 August 1993) is a Japanese retired judoka. He is famous for his…Joshiro Maruyama (丸山 城志郎, Maruyama Jōshirō; born 11 August 1993) is a Japanese retired judoka. He is famous for his signature uchi-mata technique. Maruyama won a gold medal at the 2019 World Judo Championships & 2021 World Judo Championships. Maruyama had a fierce rivalry with fellow Japanese -66 kg competitor, Hifumi Abe. The two fought in a highly anticipated and specially organized match to decide which player would be Japan's representative in the weight category for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The match ran almost twenty minutes into golden score, at which point Abe defeated Maruyama with an ouchi-gari, scoring waza-ari and ending the match.
Hirotaka Zendana (膳棚 大剛, Zendana Hirotaka; born 14 February 1993) is a Japanese field hockey player who plays as a…Hirotaka Zendana (膳棚 大剛, Zendana Hirotaka; born 14 February 1993) is a Japanese field hockey player who plays as a defender for the Japanese national team.
Josua Kerevi (born 18 June 1992) is a Fiji born-Japanese rugby sevens player. He competed for Japan at the 2024 Summer…Josua Kerevi (born 18 June 1992) is a Fiji born-Japanese rugby sevens player. He competed for Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Shohei Ono (大野将平, Ōno Shōhei; born 3 February 1992) is a Japanese retired judoka. Ono is regarded as one of judo's top…Shohei Ono (大野将平, Ōno Shōhei; born 3 February 1992) is a Japanese retired judoka. Ono is regarded as one of judo's top fighters, having won two Olympic gold medals, three World Championships and five Grand Slams. He was the most dominant lightweight wrestler of the 2010s having won in every major championship he competed since 2015. Ono specializes in osoto gari (having written his masters' thesis on it) and uchimata. He is known for his classical technique and all ippon style, holding one of the highest ippon rates in judo. Ono is also one of the most searched judokas on the Internet.
Yoshifumi Nakajima (born September 25, 1990), nicknamed Gottsu, is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays…Yoshifumi Nakajima (born September 25, 1990), nicknamed Gottsu, is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays for the Passlab Yamagata Wyverns of the B.League in Japan. He was selected by the Akita Northern Happinets with the second overall pick in the 2014 bj League draft.
Harumichi Tatekawa (立川 理道, Tatekawa Harumichi; born 2 December 1989) is a Japanese rugby union player who can play…Harumichi Tatekawa (立川 理道, Tatekawa Harumichi; born 2 December 1989) is a Japanese rugby union player who can play either as a fly-half or centre. He plays for the Kubota Spears in Japan and the Brumbies in the international Super Rugby competition.
Daisuke Inoue (井上 大介, Inoue Daisuke; born 16 November 1989 in Nara Prefecture) is a Japanese rugby union player who…Daisuke Inoue (井上 大介, Inoue Daisuke; born 16 November 1989 in Nara Prefecture) is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a scrumhalf. In his home country he plays for the Kubota Spears whom he joined in 2013. He was also named in the first ever Sunwolves squad which will compete in Super Rugby from the 2016 season.
Hazuki Yuda (湯田 葉月, Yuda Hazuki; born July 11, 1989) is a Japanese field hockey player. She competed for the Japan…Hazuki Yuda (湯田 葉月, Yuda Hazuki; born July 11, 1989) is a Japanese field hockey player. She competed for the Japan women's national field hockey team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Ayaka Nishimura (西村 綾加, Nishimura Ayaka; born May 10, 1989) is a Japanese field hockey player. She competed for the…Ayaka Nishimura (西村 綾加, Nishimura Ayaka; born May 10, 1989) is a Japanese field hockey player. She competed for the Japan women's national field hockey team at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Yuki Koyama (小山 雄輝, Koyama Yūki; born December 5, 1988 in Chita, Aichi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Yuki Koyama (小山 雄輝, Koyama Yūki; born December 5, 1988 in Chita, Aichi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Kento Masaki (正木 健人, Masaki Kento; born 9 August 1987) is a Japanese Paralympic judoka in Super-Heavyweight. In 2012 he…Kento Masaki (正木 健人, Masaki Kento; born 9 August 1987) is a Japanese Paralympic judoka in Super-Heavyweight. In 2012 he became Paralympic champion in the +100 kg by beating Song Wang (China) in the final. The 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio was Masaki's second appearance at the Games. Competing in the +100 kg category, he secured his second Paralympic medal with a bronze However, he faced a setback in the semi-final when he had his first-ever defeat in a Paralympic match to Adiljan Tulendibaev of Uzbekistan. Tulendibaev went on to win the gold medal, while Masaki ultimately won the bronze-medal match.
Go Hashimoto (橋本 浩, Hashimoto Gō) (formerly Megumi Hashimoto (橋本 めぐみ, Hashimoto Megumi); born 18 July 1987), also…Go Hashimoto (橋本 浩, Hashimoto Gō) (formerly Megumi Hashimoto (橋本 めぐみ, Hashimoto Megumi); born 18 July 1987), also professionally known as Go Shindo (真道 ゴー, Shindō Gō), is a Japanese former professional boxer who held the WBC female flyweight title from 2013 to 2014. At regional level, he held the OPBF female flyweight title in 2011. in 2017, Go came out as transgender and has since retired from women's boxing.
Mayumi Ono (小野 真由美, Ono Mayumi; born 14 August 1984) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in the 2008…Mayumi Ono (小野 真由美, Ono Mayumi; born 14 August 1984) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Takamasa Anai (穴井 隆将, Anai Takamasa; born 5 August 1984 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese judoka. Anai began judo at the age…Takamasa Anai (穴井 隆将, Anai Takamasa; born 5 August 1984 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese judoka. Anai began judo at the age of 5. Anai is Coached by former world champion and olympic silver medalist Shinichi Shinohara. Anai won the All-Japan Championships and took a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships. His greatest achievement to date is winning the 2010 World Championships in Tokyo. In September 2012, Anai defeated 10 judo black belts in a row during the 50th anniversary of LA Tenri Judo Club, defeating 8-time US judo champion Tokuzo Takahashi in his final match. Anai's main tournament throws are Harai Goshi, Uchi Mata and O soto gari.
Takiko Fukuda (福田 多希子, Fukuda Takiko; born 25 July 1984, in Nara Prefecture) is a Japanese stage performer and tarento.…Takiko Fukuda (福田 多希子, Fukuda Takiko; born 25 July 1984, in Nara Prefecture) is a Japanese stage performer and tarento. She is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency in Osaka. Her husband is Ponta Dohi.
Tomomi Komori (小森 皆実; born February 18, 1983 in Nikkō, Tochigi) is a female field hockey player from Japan. She twice…Tomomi Komori (小森 皆実; born February 18, 1983 in Nikkō, Tochigi) is a female field hockey player from Japan. She twice represented her native country at the Summer Olympics (2004 and 2008). During the 2004 summer Olympics, the Japan women's field hockey team finished in 8th place, and in the 2008 Summer Olympics in 10th place. Komori became top scorer at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Rome, Italy, alongside Kaori Chiba (Japan), Rhona Simpson (Scotland) and Maryna Vynohradova (Ukraine), scoring six goals.
Akiro Ito (born March 10, 1981) is a field hockey player from Japan, who finished in ninth place with the national…Akiro Ito (born March 10, 1981) is a field hockey player from Japan, who finished in ninth place with the national squad at the 2006 Men's Hockey World Cup in Mönchengladbach. Before the start of the tournament he played 23 international matches for his native country, according to the official players list issued by the International Field Hockey Federation.
Sakae Morimoto (Japanese: 森本 さかえ; born January 20, 1977, in Tenri, Nara) is a field hockey player from Japan.…Sakae Morimoto (Japanese: 森本 さかえ; born January 20, 1977, in Tenri, Nara) is a field hockey player from Japan. Affiliated with the Tenri University she played for the Japan women's national field hockey team, at two Summer Olympics, in 2004 and 2008.
Ryuichi Kobayashi (小林 竜一, Kobayashi Ryūichi; born November 23, 1976) is a Japanese bobsledder who has competed since…Ryuichi Kobayashi (小林 竜一, Kobayashi Ryūichi; born November 23, 1976) is a Japanese bobsledder who has competed since 2004. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 21st in both the two-man and four-man events at Vancouver in 2010. Kobayashi's best finish at the FIBT World Championships was 19th in the four-man event at Lake Placid, New York, in 2009. His best World Cup finish was 21st in a four-man event at St. Moritz in January 2010.
Tatsuaki Egusa (江種 辰明, Egusa Tatsuaki; born 28 October 1976) is a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal at the –60 kg…Tatsuaki Egusa (江種 辰明, Egusa Tatsuaki; born 28 October 1976) is a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal at the –60 kg category in Judo at the 2006 Asian Games. Egusa is from Yukuhashi, Fukuoka. After graduation from Tenri University, He belongs to Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Ikuko Okamura (岡村 育子, Okamura Ikuko; born 17 September 1976) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in…Ikuko Okamura (岡村 育子, Okamura Ikuko; born 17 September 1976) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Chisato Nagaoka (長岡千里, Nagaoka Chisato; born 5 April 1976 in Himeji, Hyogo) is a Japanese bobsledder who has competed…Chisato Nagaoka (長岡千里, Nagaoka Chisato; born 5 April 1976 in Himeji, Hyogo) is a Japanese bobsledder who has competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. She, along with Manami Hino, was the first Japanese women's pair to participate in the bobsleigh events in the Winter Olympics.
Sachimi Iwao (岩尾 幸美, Iwao Sachimi; born February 20, 1976, in Kokonoe, Oita) is a field hockey player from Japan. She…Sachimi Iwao (岩尾 幸美, Iwao Sachimi; born February 20, 1976, in Kokonoe, Oita) is a field hockey player from Japan. She has represented her native country at the Summer Olympics three times (2004, 2008 and 2012). She was named Best Player at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Rome, Italy.
Toshie Tsukui (born 30 July 1975) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.…Toshie Tsukui (born 30 July 1975) is a Japanese former field hockey player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics. She was part of the Japanese team that won the 2007 Asia Cup.
Tadahiro Nomura (野村 忠宏, Nomura Tadahiro; born 10 December 1974) is a retired Japanese judoka. He is the only judoka in…Tadahiro Nomura (野村 忠宏, Nomura Tadahiro; born 10 December 1974) is a retired Japanese judoka. He is the only judoka in the world who has won three individual Olympic gold medals in a row, all in the extra lightweight (–60 kg) division.
Junko Tanaka (田中 順子, Tanaka Junko; born 9 October 1973) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the…Junko Tanaka (田中 順子, Tanaka Junko; born 9 October 1973) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Shinichi Shinohara (篠原 信一, Shinohara Shin'ichi; born 23 January 1973 in Kobe, Japan) is a Japanese television…Shinichi Shinohara (篠原 信一, Shinohara Shin'ichi; born 23 January 1973 in Kobe, Japan) is a Japanese television personality, judoka and winner of two gold medals at the 1999 World Championships in Birmingham.
Yumi Tomei (東明 有美, Tōmei Yumi; born 1 June 1972) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national…Yumi Tomei (東明 有美, Tōmei Yumi; born 1 June 1972) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Yuki Motobuchi (元渕 幸, Motobuchi Yuki; born 23 December 1968) is a Japanese diver. She competed at the 1988 Summer…Yuki Motobuchi (元渕 幸, Motobuchi Yuki; born 23 December 1968) is a Japanese diver. She competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has…Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has also published instructional books for Korean learners of Japanese. He used to write under the pen name Shunsui Nohira (野平俊水, Nohira Shunsui).
Tsutomu Ogura (小倉 勉, Ogura Tsutomu; born July 18, 1966) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was most…Tsutomu Ogura (小倉 勉, Ogura Tsutomu; born July 18, 1966) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He was most recently the head coach of the Singapore national team.
Hiroyuki Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 博之, Hepburn: Shibata Hiroyuki; born 26 April 1963) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in…Hiroyuki Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 博之, Hepburn: Shibata Hiroyuki; born 26 April 1963) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He is currently the track coach of Rakunan High School in Kyoto, where he coached Olympian Yoshihide Kiryū, the first Japanese to break the 10-second barrier.
Yoshimi Masaki (正木 嘉美, Masaki Yoshimi; August 20, 1962 – August 30, 2026) was a Japanese judoka and a professor at…Yoshimi Masaki (正木 嘉美, Masaki Yoshimi; August 20, 1962 – August 30, 2026) was a Japanese judoka and a professor at Tenri University.
Akinobu Osako (大迫明伸, Ōsako Akinobu) (born 27 November 1960) is a retired judoka from Japan, who represented his native…Akinobu Osako (大迫明伸, Ōsako Akinobu) (born 27 November 1960) is a retired judoka from Japan, who represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. There he won a bronze medal in the men's middleweight division (–86 kg), alongside Ben Spijkers from the Netherlands. Osako was born in Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki and began judo at the age of a junior high student. He entered noble Asahi Kasei of the judo after graduation in Tenri University. In the days of active play, he was good at Seoi Nage, Tai Otoshi and Uchi Mata.
Shinji Hosokawa (細川伸二, Hosokawa Shinji; born on 2 January 1960 in Ichinomiya, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese retired…Shinji Hosokawa (細川伸二, Hosokawa Shinji; born on 2 January 1960 in Ichinomiya, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese retired judoka who won two Olympic medals during the 1980s.
Mayumi Aoki (青木 まゆみ, Aoki Mayumi; born May 1, 1953) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in…Mayumi Aoki (青木 まゆみ, Aoki Mayumi; born May 1, 1953) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the 100 m and 200 m butterfly and 4 × 100 m medley relay and won a gold medal in the 100 m butterfly. She won a bronze medal in this event at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships. In 1972 she twice broke the world record in the 100 m butterfly. After retiring from competition she worked as a swimming coach and a high school teacher. In 1989 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Masayo Imura (井村 雅代; born August 16, 1950, in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese synchronized swimming instructor known as the…Masayo Imura (井村 雅代; born August 16, 1950, in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese synchronized swimming instructor known as the "mother of synchro". She is currently the head coach of the Japanese National Synchronised Swimming Team.
Shozo Fujii (藤猪 省太, Fujii Shōzō; born 11 May 1950) is a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal 4 times at the World…Shozo Fujii (藤猪 省太, Fujii Shōzō; born 11 May 1950) is a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal 4 times at the World Championships. He is from Higashikagawa, Kagawa. After graduation from Tenri University in 1973, he belonged to Kuraray. One year after, He got a job at Kyoto Sangyo University and among his students was Olympic Games champion in 1984, Yoshiyuki Matsuoka. As of 2010, Fujii coaches judo at his alma mater, Tenri University, where he previously studied as an undergraduate.
Toyokazu Nomura (野村 豊和, Nomura Toyokazu; born 14 July 1949) is a retired judoka who competed in the half-middleweight…Toyokazu Nomura (野村 豊和, Nomura Toyokazu; born 14 July 1949) is a retired judoka who competed in the half-middleweight (–70 kg) division.