Nagata Yasujirō (永田 泰次郎; January 26, 1867 – January 19, 1923) was a Japanese admiral who was Commander of the Interim…Nagata Yasujirō (永田 泰次郎; January 26, 1867 – January 19, 1923) was a Japanese admiral who was Commander of the Interim Southern Islands Defense Unit from 1917 to 1919.
Kintarō Hattori (服部 金太郎, November 21, 1860 – March 1, 1934) was a Japanese businessman and one of the first and most…Kintarō Hattori (服部 金太郎, November 21, 1860 – March 1, 1934) was a Japanese businessman and one of the first and most important Japanese watchmakers in history, as well as the founder of Seiko, one of the world's largest manufacturers of watches. He was a permanent council member of the Japanese Red Cross.
Yusuke Hashiba (羽柴 雄輔, Hashiba Yūsuke; 22 June 1851 – 5 December 1921) was a Japanese archaeologist, historian and…Yusuke Hashiba (羽柴 雄輔, Hashiba Yūsuke; 22 June 1851 – 5 December 1921) was a Japanese archaeologist, historian and anthropologist. He was an expert in the Edo period of the samurai, and was also particularly knowledgeable about Japanese folklore, in which he has been referenced in several publications. From the 1880s he was much involved with the Anthropological Association in Tokyo, publishing a number of works, and was one of the founders of the Ou Anthropological Association in November 1890.
Count Hirata Tosuke (平田 東助; 2 March 1849 – 14 April 1925) was a Japanese statesman and the 7th Lord Keeper of the Privy…Count Hirata Tosuke (平田 東助; 2 March 1849 – 14 April 1925) was a Japanese statesman and the 7th Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan, active in the Meiji and Taishō period Empire of Japan.
Rika Nakagawa (中川 梨花, Nakagawa Rika; born April 21, 1998) is a Japanese actress and singer who is affiliated with Sun…Rika Nakagawa (中川 梨花, Nakagawa Rika; born April 21, 1998) is a Japanese actress and singer who is affiliated with Sun Music Production. Starting her career as a member of a Hokkaido-based idol group, she also appeared in various television shows and events in Hokkaido before moving to Tokyo to continue her career while studying at Keio University. She portrayed Momiji Itō in the mixed-media project Shine Post, as well as Kanata Misora, the protagonist of the anime series Narenare: Cheer for You!
Kōki Ōzora (大空 幸星, Ōzora Kōki, born 26 November 1998) is a Japanese social activist and politician serving as Liberal…Kōki Ōzora (大空 幸星, Ōzora Kōki, born 26 November 1998) is a Japanese social activist and politician serving as Liberal Democratic Member of the House of Representatives since 2024. Since 2026, he has been Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Second Takaichi cabinet. He is best known for creating Anata no Ibasho, a chat consultation app intended to prevent loneliness experienced by young people. Before entering electoral politics, Ōzora worked in the Cabinet Secretariat's Study Group on Grasping the Reality of Loneliness and Isolation, and worked with Children and Families Agency, specializing in youth loneliness. At the age of 27, he is currently the youngest Parliamentary Vice-Minister in the history of Japan.
Yozo Kaneko (金子容三, Kaneko Yozo; born 1 February 1983) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Yozo Kaneko (金子容三, Kaneko Yozo; born 1 February 1983) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2023. He is the son of Genjirō Kaneko and the grandson of Iwazo Kaneko.
Fuma Kikuchi (菊池 風磨, Kikuchi Fūma; born March 7, 1995) is a Japanese singer, actor and performer and is a member of…Fuma Kikuchi (菊池 風磨, Kikuchi Fūma; born March 7, 1995) is a Japanese singer, actor and performer and is a member of timelesz (formerly known as Sexy Zone).
Satoshi Takayama (Japanese: 高山 聡史, Hepburn: Takayama Satoshi; born 21 September 1986) is a Japanese politician who is a…Satoshi Takayama (Japanese: 高山 聡史, Hepburn: Takayama Satoshi; born 21 September 1986) is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Representatives since 2026 for Tokyo proportional representation block. A founding member of Team Mirai, Takayama served as the party's Secretary-General between 2025 and 2026.
Takeshi Noma (野間 健, Noma Takeshi; born 8 October 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Takeshi Noma (野間 健, Noma Takeshi; born 8 October 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party serving in the House of Representatives. Noma was a member of the People's New Party before the party dissolved.
Keigo Hashimoto (橋本慧悟, Hashimoto Keigo; born 3 December 1988) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Keigo Hashimoto (橋本慧悟, Hashimoto Keigo; born 3 December 1988) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. From 2023 to 2024, he was a member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly.
Hitomi Hase (長谷 瞳, Hase Hitomi; born May 10, 1979 in Hokkaido) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Mausu…Hitomi Hase (長谷 瞳, Hase Hitomi; born May 10, 1979 in Hokkaido) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Mausu Promotion.
Ichirō Fujiyama (藤山 一郎, Fujiyama Ichirō; April 8, 1911 – August 21, 1993), born Takeo Masunaga (増永 丈夫, Masunaga Takeo)…Ichirō Fujiyama (藤山 一郎, Fujiyama Ichirō; April 8, 1911 – August 21, 1993), born Takeo Masunaga (増永 丈夫, Masunaga Takeo), was a Japanese singer and composer, known for his contribution to Japanese popular music called ryūkōka by his Western classical music skills. He was born in Chūō, Tokyo, and graduated from the Tokyo Music School. Although he was regarded as a tenor singer in Japanese popular music, he was originally a classical baritone singer. He also acted in various films, and was a close friend of Minoru Matsuya (1910–1995). His workroom has been reproduced inside the "NHK museum of broadcasting" as an exhibit.
Yohei Matsumoto (松本 洋平, Matsumoto Yōhei; born 31 August 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yohei Matsumoto (松本 洋平, Matsumoto Yōhei; born 31 August 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) who has served as Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology since 21 October 2025.
Miwa (stylised as miwa) (born 15 June 1990) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She debuted in 2010 with the single "Don't…Miwa (stylised as miwa) (born 15 June 1990) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She debuted in 2010 with the single "Don't Cry Anymore", which was used as the theme song for the drama Nakanai to Kimeta Hi.
Yumie Nishiogi (西荻 弓絵; born September 3, 1960) is a Japanese screenwriter. Born in Tokyo and graduated from Keio…Yumie Nishiogi (西荻 弓絵; born September 3, 1960) is a Japanese screenwriter. Born in Tokyo and graduated from Keio University.
Sayoko Mita (三田佐代子, Mita Sayoko) (born 5 August 1969, in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese sports journalist and TV…Sayoko Mita (三田佐代子, Mita Sayoko) (born 5 August 1969, in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese sports journalist and TV announcer. Mita graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Keio University and in 1992, she joined TV Shizuoka as an announcer. She resigned in 1996 and after working in various sports media, specialised in puroresu as a member of the talent agency Furutachi Project. Mita is a prominent figure of Fighting TV Samurai puroresu broadcasts as an announcer of the S-Arena (Sアリーナ, Esu Arīna) daily programme as well as the producer and host for the weekly programme Indie no Oshigoto that focuses on the independent circuit. Indie no Oshigoto is co-hosted by the puppet character Carlos the Mexican Mole (voiced by puroresu journalist and colour commentator Hirotsugu Suyama).
Momosuke Fukuzawa (福澤 桃介 Fukuzawa Momosuke, June 25, 1868 – February 2, 1938) was a Japanese businessman nicknamed "The…Momosuke Fukuzawa (福澤 桃介 Fukuzawa Momosuke, June 25, 1868 – February 2, 1938) was a Japanese businessman nicknamed "The Wizard of the Money Markets" for his financial success and "The King of Electrical Power" for being the first Japanese to introduce hydroelectric power to the country. He formulated his ideology of 'ikkasen hitokaisha' (one river for one company).
Koichi Takemasa (武正 公一, Takemasa Kōichi; born 23 March 1961) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Koichi Takemasa (武正 公一, Takemasa Kōichi; born 23 March 1961) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party. A native of Shimizu, Shizuoka and graduate of Keio University he was elected for the first time in 1995 after an unsuccessful run in 1991.
Yoshie Takeuchi (竹内 由恵, Takeuchi Yoshie; born January 20, 1986) is a freelance announcer in Japan. She is a former…Yoshie Takeuchi (竹内 由恵, Takeuchi Yoshie; born January 20, 1986) is a freelance announcer in Japan. She is a former announcer for TV Asahi.
Junko Kubo (久保純子, Kubo Junko; born January 24, 1972) is a television presenter and announcer in Japan. Her nicknames…Junko Kubo (久保純子, Kubo Junko; born January 24, 1972) is a television presenter and announcer in Japan. Her nicknames are Kubojun and Junjun. Born the daughter of two Nippon Television announcers, Junko spent four years in England during elementary school, and lived in the United States during her some of high-school years. She graduated from Keio University with a degree in English and American literature. Her professional career began when she joined NHK in 1994. She was described as an "idol-announcer." Junko has one child. She took child-rearing leave, and in 2002 returned as a contract employee. The contract expired in 2004, whereupon she became a freelance announcer.
Mariko Asabuki (朝吹 真理子, Asabuki Mariko) is a Japanese writer. Her novels have won the Akutagawa Prize and the Bunkamura…Mariko Asabuki (朝吹 真理子, Asabuki Mariko) is a Japanese writer. Her novels have won the Akutagawa Prize and the Bunkamura Deux Magots Prize, and she was named one of Vogue Japan's 2011 Women of the Year.
Ayaka Hironaka (弘中 綾香, Hironaka Ayaka; born February 12, 1991) is a Japanese TV announcer employed by TV Asahi. She…Ayaka Hironaka (弘中 綾香, Hironaka Ayaka; born February 12, 1991) is a Japanese TV announcer employed by TV Asahi. She specializes in variety programs.
Mariko Oi (大井 真理子, Ōi Mariko; born 14 December 1981) is a Japanese bilingual journalist based in Singapore, who has…Mariko Oi (大井 真理子, Ōi Mariko; born 14 December 1981) is a Japanese bilingual journalist based in Singapore, who has worked for the BBC since 2006, when she became the network's first Japanese reporter. She hosts the BBC World Service's visualised podcast, Asia Specific, which delivers in-depth analysis and expertise on stories from across Asia-Pacific on Wednesdays and Saturdays on YouTube, BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Previously, Oi regularly presented Newsday and Business Today (formerly Asia Business Report) on BBC News Channel and business segments on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. She spent 2021 as the BBC's Asia Business correspondent. Oi also worked as the network’s Tokyo correspondent in 2012 and North America Business correspondent in 2013 and 2016.
Hiroshi Takahashi (高橋 浩, Takahashi Hiroshi) is a former international table tennis player from Japan. From 1967 to 1975…Hiroshi Takahashi (高橋 浩, Takahashi Hiroshi) is a former international table tennis player from Japan. From 1967 to 1975 he won several medals in singles, doubles, and team events in the Asian Table Tennis Championships. He also won a silver medal in the team event at the World Table Tennis Championships in 1965.
Takayuki Ochiai (落合 貴之, Ochiai Takayuki; born 17 August 1979) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional…Takayuki Ochiai (落合 貴之, Ochiai Takayuki; born 17 August 1979) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Ochiai represents the Tokyo 6th district.
Shigeru Ishiba (born 4 February 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of…Shigeru Ishiba (born 4 February 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2024 until his resignation in 2025. He has represented Tottori 1st in the House of Representatives since 1996. Before his premiership, he was the Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008 and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2009, as well as Secretary-General of the LDP from 2012 to 2014. The son of politician Jirō Ishiba, he graduated from Keio University in 1979. Prior to entering politics after his father's death, Ishiba worked at a bank before being elected to the House of Representatives in the 1986 general election as a member of the LDP at the age of 29. As a Diet member, Ishiba specialized in agricultural policy and defense policy. He served as parliamentary vice minister of agriculture under the premiership of Kiichi Miyazawa, but left the LDP in 1993 to join the Japan Renewal Party. After transitioning through several parties and returning to the LDP in 1997, Ishiba held various prominent positions, including Director-general of the Defense Agency under the premiership of Junichiro Koizumi, minister of defense under the premiership of Yasuo Fukuda and minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries under the premiership of Tarō Asō. Ishiba became a key figure within the LDP, running for party leadership multiple times. First in 2008 where he placed fifth, and notably against Shinzo Abe in the 2012 and 2018 elections. Despite his criticisms of LDP factionalism, he established his own faction, Suigetsukai, in 2015, aiming for leadership. After Abe's second resignation, Ishiba ran again for party president in 2020, but placed third behind Yoshihide Suga. Ishiba declined to run and endorsed Taro Kono in the 2021 election, which was won by Fumio Kishida. After Kishida announced that he would step down, Ishiba contested for the fifth time in the 2024 election where he defeated Sanae Takaichi in a second round run-off, becoming the new party leader and prime minister–designate, and was formally elected Prime Minister by the National Diet on 1 October 2024. As prime minister, Ishiba almost immediately announced a snap general election, where the ruling LDP coalition lost its majority in the House of Representatives for the first time since 2009, suffering its second-worst result in party history. In the National Diet, Ishiba relied on opposition parties to pass legislation due to his coalition's minority government status. On foreign policy, Ishiba moved Japan economically closer to India and South Korea amidst protectionist policies being employed by the United States, while continuing to support Ukraine during the Russian invasion that began in 2022. After the LDP-Komeito coalition lost its majority in the House of Councillors after a poor result in the 2025 election, Ishiba began to face calls within the LDP for him to resign. Ishiba initially announced he planned to remain as prime minister, citing the need to see through tariff negotiations with the United States. He eventually announced his intention to resign as party president and as prime minister in September 2025, and was succeeded as prime minister by Takaichi the next month. Ishiba has developed a reputation throughout his career as a political maverick due to his willingness to criticize his own party, as well as his relatively liberal stances on social issues; he supported a motion of no-confidence against the Miyazawa Cabinet in 1993 and criticized Abe throughout his second premiership, despite serving in the governments of both prime ministers. During his tenure as prime minister however, Ishiba was criticized for being too hesitant to embrace reform and for reversing several of his earlier positions.
Katsuyuki Kawai (河井 克行, Kawai Katsuyuki; born 11 March 1963) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic…Katsuyuki Kawai (河井 克行, Kawai Katsuyuki; born 11 March 1963) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hiroshima, Hiroshima and graduate of Keio University, he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1993 after serving in the assembly of Hiroshima Prefecture. After losing his seat in 2000, he was re-elected in 2003 and continued to serve multiple terms. In 2006, he was appointed as Director, National Defence Division of the LDP, and in 2021, he was selected as Chairperson of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. In 2015, Kawai was appointed as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister during the Third Abe Cabinet’s first and second reshuffles. He was re-elected to the House of Representatives for a seventh term in 2017 and subsequently appointed as Special Advisor to LDP President Shinzo Abe for Foreign Affairs. In 2019, in the Fourth Abe Cabinet’s second reshuffle. He became Minister of Justice from 11 September 2019 to 31 October 2019. He stepped down as the Minister of Justice after reports of overpaying workers of Anri Kawai's political campaign beyond the legal limit. On 16 June 2020, he and his wife, Anri Kawai, left the Liberal Democratic Party among allegations of buying votes to aid Anri Kawai's campaign for the House of Councilors. They were later arrested by public prosecutors on 19 June 2020, on charges for vote-buying and distributing around 25 million yen to 100 prefectural and city assembly members in Hiroshima in violation of the Public Office Elections Law. In April 2021, Kawai resigned his position as Representative. On 18 June 2021, Kawai was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 1.3 million yen ($12,000) for vote buying. In a subsequent development, Japan's Supreme Public Prosecutors Office admitted to conducting improper investigations in the case. According to a report by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, a Tokyo prosecutor may have suggested to a former Hiroshima city assembly member that they could avoid indictment or receive a lighter penalty, despite not making an explicit promise. Additionally, another prosecutor was suspected of influencing the former assembly member's court testimony to align with the content of interrogation reports.
Tomoyo Shibata (柴田 倫世, Shibata Tomoyo; born December 23, 1974 in Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan, official name Tomoyo…Tomoyo Shibata (柴田 倫世, Shibata Tomoyo; born December 23, 1974 in Chikushino, Fukuoka, Japan, official name Tomoyo Matsuzaka) is a former announcer for Nippon TV in Japan. Shibata is married to baseball pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. They met during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, married in 2005, and have two children, one daughter and one son. While secretly dating in 2000, Shibata became embroiled in a national scandal with Matsuzaka. On August 30, 2000, Matsuzaka's drivers license was suspended for the next two months for a speeding violation of greater than 50 km/h over the legal limit. Two weeks into the suspension, on September 13, 2000, Matsuzaka drove a car owned by the Seibu Lions to Shibata's home although he did not possess a valid driver's license at the time. During the overnight visit, Matsuzaka illegally parked his car outside Shibata's home. His car was ticketed and towed by the police, and to cover up the offense Akira Kuroiwa, then Public Relations Manager for the team, lied to the police that Kuroiwa operated the car and committed the parking violation that night. The cover-up was blown by a tabloid whose photojournalist recorded the whole incident. Both men were prosecuted, and Matsuzaka paid 195,000 yen in fine. Details of the story caused a scandal, embarrassing Matsuzaka and his team, the Seibu Lions.
Kazuyoshi Akaba (Japanese: 赤羽 一嘉, Hepburn: Akaba Kazuyoshi; born 7 May 1958) is a Japanese politician who served as the…Kazuyoshi Akaba (Japanese: 赤羽 一嘉, Hepburn: Akaba Kazuyoshi; born 7 May 1958) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism from September 2019 to October 2021. He is also a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Hyogo 2nd district since 2012. A member of Komeito, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993. He served as a representative until 2009, ending when he lost his re-election bid. In 2012, he ran again and won back the seat.
Mamiko Ikeda (池田 眞美子, Ikeda Mamiko) is a Japanese scriptwriter for anime. She has worked on such series as Emma – A…Mamiko Ikeda (池田 眞美子, Ikeda Mamiko) is a Japanese scriptwriter for anime. She has worked on such series as Emma – A Victorian Romance, Maid Sama! and numerous others.
Eri Ōtsu (大津愛梨, Ōtsu Eri) is a Japanese organic farmer and social activist. She is well known for her significant…Eri Ōtsu (大津愛梨, Ōtsu Eri) is a Japanese organic farmer and social activist. She is well known for her significant contributions to the organic farming in Japan. In 2017, she was honored at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
starRo is the moniker of Grammy nominated R&B producer Shinya Mizoguchi. His debut album Monday was released world wide…starRo is the moniker of Grammy nominated R&B producer Shinya Mizoguchi. His debut album Monday was released world wide October 20, 2016 and subsequently rose to the top of the charts in Japan. In 2016 he became the first Grammy nominated producer from Japan rising him to fame in his country of origin. Uproxx later wrote, "starRo may well be one of the first, true SoundCloud producers to be nominated for a Grammy." The LA-based, Japanese-born producer also became the first to host a Beats1 Radio show focused on Tokyo culture. Since then, he produced for a number of Japanese and Korean R&B/Hip Hop stars including the Korean group Common Cold (Mad Clown and Justhis) called "WASH!WASH!" which went to number 3 in Korea and received critical acclaim in Korea.
Tigarah (Japanese: ティガラ) is a Japanese house and dance music DJ and producer. She studied politics at Keio University…Tigarah (Japanese: ティガラ) is a Japanese house and dance music DJ and producer. She studied politics at Keio University in Tokyo. Early in her career, she was the first Japanese Baile Funk rapper. She is now is a house and dance music producer based in Paris, France. Tigarah's time in LA, along with her first EP, created a buzz which landed her "It-girl" status in the global market. Her features in publications such as Los Angeles Times, Dazed & Confused, Rolling Stone, VH1 and many more, leading to four of her songs being used for EA Sports, FIFA 2008 & 2009, FaceBreaker and Need for Speed: Carbon. Tigarah has released two albums: The Funkeira goes GANG! (2010) and This World Is My Playground (2015) from Universal Music Japan. In 2016, her track with Lewis Cancut "Say OK featuring Tigarah" working with NLV Records in Australia, as well as her collaboration with British rock band Keane for their EP Night Train the cover track of YMO "You’ve got to help yourself" amplified her brand with her tracks being played on Diplo and Skrillex's Radio. Tigarah was the face of Proactiv from 2016 to 2017. She wrote for Cosmopolitan Japan and ELLE girl. She has also been the face of E! Entertainment Japan since 2016. She moved to Paris in 2019 and focused on her DJ career signing with RCA, Sony France. Her single "Je t’emmène au vent feat. Lea Paci" made a buzz on radio and was on Hits Français. Her music video has almost 2 million views.
Noriyuki Yamaguchi (山口 敬之, Yamaguchi Noriyuki; born 1966) is a former Japanese journalist and a biographer of former…Noriyuki Yamaguchi (山口 敬之, Yamaguchi Noriyuki; born 1966) is a former Japanese journalist and a biographer of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He has been accused of the rape of Shiori Itō, while she was an intern at Thomson Reuters. His denials and the police's refusal to press the charges against Yamaguchi sparked the growth of the MeToo movement in Japan.
You Liang is a Singapore-born DJ and record producer based in Tokyo, Japan. They began releasing music in 2023 and were…You Liang is a Singapore-born DJ and record producer based in Tokyo, Japan. They began releasing music in 2023 and were named a Pete Tong DJ Academy Future Talent in 2025.
Junji Fukuhara (福原 淳嗣, Fukuhara Junji; born 18 December 1967) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Junji Fukuhara (福原 淳嗣, Fukuhara Junji; born 18 December 1967) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.