Hinako Sugiura (杉浦日向子, Sugiura Hinako; November 30, 1958 – July 22, 2005) was a Japanese manga artist and researcher in…Hinako Sugiura (杉浦日向子, Sugiura Hinako; November 30, 1958 – July 22, 2005) was a Japanese manga artist and researcher in the lifestyles and customs of Japan's Edo period.
Satoshi Hatakeyama (畠山 智之, Hatakeyama Satoshi; born October 30, 1958) is a Japanese journalist who works for NHK.…Satoshi Hatakeyama (畠山 智之, Hatakeyama Satoshi; born October 30, 1958) is a Japanese journalist who works for NHK. During his career, he was presenter of NHK News 7 and NHK News 21.
Akimasa Suzuki (鈴木 晶雅, Suzuki Akimasa; born 29 June 1958) is a Japanese politician who is the Mayor of Ōta, a Special…Akimasa Suzuki (鈴木 晶雅, Suzuki Akimasa; born 29 June 1958) is a Japanese politician who is the Mayor of Ōta, a Special ward of Tokyo, since April 2023. A former member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly, Suzuki was chairman of the Special Committee on Budget and Chairman of the General Affairs Committee.
Tochitsukasa Tetsuo (born 25 April 1958 as Tetsuo Goto) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi…Tochitsukasa Tetsuo (born 25 April 1958 as Tetsuo Goto) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. After his retirement from sumo in 1992 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and established Irumagawa stable in 1993, which he ran until 2023.
Ryoichi Kimizuka (君塚良一, Kimizuka Ryōichi; born 21 April 1958, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and director…Ryoichi Kimizuka (君塚良一, Kimizuka Ryōichi; born 21 April 1958, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and director for television and film.
Noritoshi Hirata (平田 倫敏, Hirata Noritoshi; born 1 March 1958) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984…Noritoshi Hirata (平田 倫敏, Hirata Noritoshi; born 1 March 1958) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Kōzō Shibasaki (柴崎 幸三, Shibasaki Kōzō; born January 30, 1958) is a Japanese cinematographer. A member of the Japanese…Kōzō Shibasaki (柴崎 幸三, Shibasaki Kōzō; born January 30, 1958) is a Japanese cinematographer. A member of the Japanese Society of Cinematographers, he is the recipient of four Japanese Academy Awards, three of which were for films directed by acclaimed filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki.
Ikurō Fujiwara (藤原いくろう, Fujiwara Ikurou; born 28 July 1958 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese…Ikurō Fujiwara (藤原いくろう, Fujiwara Ikurou; born 28 July 1958 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese pianist, composer, conductor and musical producer signed under Being Inc. He is Pops Executive Producer in the Pacific Philharmonia Tokyo orchestra.
Satoru Otomo (大友 哲, Ōtomo Satoru, 19 December 1957, Mitaka) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and a discoverer…Satoru Otomo (大友 哲, Ōtomo Satoru, 19 December 1957, Mitaka) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and a discoverer of minor planets. According to the Minor Planet Center, he is credited with the discovery of 148 asteroids between 1991 and 1997, 15 of which were co-discoveries with Osamu Muramatsu. As of 2016, he ranks in 81st place, just behind Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova in the MPC's asteroid discovery listings.
Hideaki Tomiyama (富山 英明, Tomiyama Hideaki; born November 16, 1957) represented Japan in wrestling at the 1984 Olympics…Hideaki Tomiyama (富山 英明, Tomiyama Hideaki; born November 16, 1957) represented Japan in wrestling at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and won the gold medal in the bantamweight division. He later coached the 2004 Athens Olympics wrestling team. He is currently the head coach of the Nihon University wrestling team.
Kyoji Yamawaki (山脇 恭二, Yamawaki Kyōji; born September 17, 1957) is a former Japanese gymnast. He invented and named the…Kyoji Yamawaki (山脇 恭二, Yamawaki Kyōji; born September 17, 1957) is a former Japanese gymnast. He invented and named the skill on Horizontal bar known as the Yamawaki. Yamawaki competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and won the bronze medal in the team final. He also won a bronze medal in the still rings event at the 1985 world championships
Tsutomu Okabori (岡堀 勉, Okabori Tsutomu; born 10 July 1957) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Tsutomu Okabori (岡堀 勉, Okabori Tsutomu; born 10 July 1957) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics and 1978 Asian Games. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Kow Otani (大谷 幸, Ōtani Kō; born May 1, 1957) is a Japanese composer. He is best known for creating the soundtracks for…Kow Otani (大谷 幸, Ōtani Kō; born May 1, 1957) is a Japanese composer. He is best known for creating the soundtracks for the Heisei Gamera trilogy, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and Shadow of the Colossus.
Kazumi Kotani (小谷一美, Kotani Kazumi; born April 3, 1957) better known by the ring name Daikokubō Benkei (大黒坊弁慶) is a…Kazumi Kotani (小谷一美, Kotani Kazumi; born April 3, 1957) better known by the ring name Daikokubō Benkei (大黒坊弁慶) is a former Japanese sumo wrestler and professional wrestler best known for his time in the Japanese promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW).
Koji Okajima (岡島功治, Okajima Koji; born March 23, 1957) is a retired Japanese competitive pair skater and figure skating…Koji Okajima (岡島功治, Okajima Koji; born March 23, 1957) is a retired Japanese competitive pair skater and figure skating coach. With pair partner, Naoko Asano, he is the 1976–77 Japanese National bronze medalist and with pair partner, Mutsumi Takezaki, he is the 1978–79 Japanese National silver medalist.
Takahiro Ohata (大畑 孝広, Ōhata Takahiro; born 9 January 1957) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the…Takahiro Ohata (大畑 孝広, Ōhata Takahiro; born 9 January 1957) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Osamu Kodama (児玉修, Kodama Osamu; born 21 September 1956 in Nagano) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in…Osamu Kodama (児玉修, Kodama Osamu; born 21 September 1956 in Nagano) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics and 1984 Winter Olympics.
Yoshiaki Yatsu (谷津嘉章 Yatsu Yoshiaki, born July 19, 1956) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and amateur…Yoshiaki Yatsu (谷津嘉章 Yatsu Yoshiaki, born July 19, 1956) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is known for being one-half of the first-ever All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Champions with Jumbo Tsuruta, having won the NWA International Tag Team Championship and the PWF Tag Team Championship, and unifying the two titles.
Katsuyoshi Yatabe (谷田部 勝義) (born July 11, 1956 in Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter, anime director and sound director.…Katsuyoshi Yatabe (谷田部 勝義) (born July 11, 1956 in Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter, anime director and sound director. He is best known for directing the first three entries in Sunrise's Brave series and the first shotacon anime adaptation (Boku no Pico).
Sachio Kuwae (Japanese: 桑江朝千夫 Kuwae Sachio; 11 January 1956 – 9 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. An…Sachio Kuwae (Japanese: 桑江朝千夫 Kuwae Sachio; 11 January 1956 – 9 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. An independent, he served in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly from 2008 to 2014 and was mayor of Okinawa from 2014 to 2024. Kuwae died of complications from myelodysplastic syndrome in Kagoshima Prefecture, on 9 December 2024, at the age of 68.
Tatsuo Yamada (山田 辰夫, Yamada Tatsuo; January 10, 1956 – July 26, 2009) was a Japanese actor best known for the…Tatsuo Yamada (山田 辰夫, Yamada Tatsuo; January 10, 1956 – July 26, 2009) was a Japanese actor best known for the protagonist of Sōgo Ishii's 1980 film Crazy Thunder Road.
Ryōji Arai (荒井 良二) (born 1956) is a Japanese illustrator. For his career contribution to "children's and young adult…Ryōji Arai (荒井 良二) (born 1956) is a Japanese illustrator. For his career contribution to "children's and young adult literature in the broadest sense" he won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish Arts Council in 2005, one of the largest cash prizes in children's literature.
Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 弘志, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of…Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 弘志, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from October 2019 to October 2021. He is a member of the House of Representative since 2000, representing the Ibaraki 4th district.
Hiromi Mitsubayashi (三ッ林 裕巳, Mitsubayashi Hiromi; born 7 September 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hiromi Mitsubayashi (三ッ林 裕巳, Mitsubayashi Hiromi; born 7 September 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Minoru Sano (佐野 稔, Sano Minoru) (born June 3, 1955) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 1977…Minoru Sano (佐野 稔, Sano Minoru) (born June 3, 1955) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 1977 World bronze medalist and a five-time Japanese national champion (1972–76).
Seishirō Nishida (西田 聖志郎, Nishida Seishirō; born May 3, 1955, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Seishirō Nishida (西田 聖志郎, Nishida Seishirō; born May 3, 1955, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor.
Tadashi Mihara (三原 正, Mihara Tadashi; born 30 March 1955) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed as a…Tadashi Mihara (三原 正, Mihara Tadashi; born 30 March 1955) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed as a light middleweight throughout his career. Mihara began his boxing career when he was a third grader of the high school. He won the title of the All-Japan Amateur Boxing Championships in the light middleweight division in 1977. He also got the group title of the university league as a captain of the Nihon University boxing club. He experienced 38 matches during his amateur career; winning 28 (15 by knockout) and losing 10. After that, as a professional, Mihara fought 25 times between 1978 and 1985; winning 24 (15 by knockout) and losing 1. He won his first title in his fifth contest as a professional, beating Jae-Keum Lim for the OPBF title, a belt that he defended six times until he returned it. In June 1981, he won via a fifth-round knockout, in the undercard of Ayub Kalule vs. Sugar Ray Leonard, at the Reliant Astrodome, Houston. Since Leonard vacated the title after this, Mihara fought against Rocky Fratto for the vacant WBA world junior middleweight title in Rochester, New York on November 7, 1981. Mihara knocked him down by his right cross in the fourth round, and won the title via a majority decision. Judge Harold Lederman scored the fight a draw. Afterwards he said of Mihara, "There's no doubt that he's got a good jaw. He really got tagged a couple of times. I thought Fratto was going to knock him out." He lost his title after suffering a knockout during his first defence, against Davey Moore at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on February 2, 1982. His lumbago became chronic from these days. Following this loss, Mihara won the Japanese junior middleweight title and defended it six times until June 1984, then returned it. He fought for a final time in March 1985, beating Tricky Kawaguchi by a unanimous decision.
Takayuki Miyauchi (宮内 タカユキ, Miyauchi Takayuki; born February 4, 1955), is a Japanese singer best known for his work on…Takayuki Miyauchi (宮内 タカユキ, Miyauchi Takayuki; born February 4, 1955), is a Japanese singer best known for his work on theme songs for tokusatsu and anime. A resident of Ibaraki Prefecture, he began his career as founding member and lead vocalist of the band "WHY" in 1981 before making his solo debut in 1984, singing the opening theme for the "Super Sentai" tokusatsu television series Choudenshi Bioman. In the 1980s and 1990s, he would soon go on to be well known for a wide selection of tokusatsu music; notably a great number of insert themes contributed to Super Sentai series such as the opening for Choudenshi Bioman, as well as the opening and closing themes for Ginga Nagareboshi Gin and Kamen Rider Black RX and opening themes for the Metal Hero Series Tokkei Winspector, Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain, and Tokusou Exceedraft. He has also contributed vocals for insert themes to the animated television series Kinnikuman, Galaxy Angel Z and The King of Braves GaoGaiGar.
Ran Itō (伊藤 蘭, Itō Ran; born 13 January 1955) is a Japanese actress and previous member of the 1970s idol group…Ran Itō (伊藤 蘭, Itō Ran; born 13 January 1955) is a Japanese actress and previous member of the 1970s idol group Candies. As the leading member of Candies, Itō was in charge of the solo of most of the trio's hit songs. Itō was born in Kichijōji, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan. She is married to actor Yutaka Mizutani. Itō won the award for best supporting actress at the 2nd Yokohama Film Festival for Disciples of Hippocrates. In 2019, Itō released her first solo album, My Bouquet. On 15 February 2020, she kicked off her first concert tour, My Bouquet & My Dear Candies!, which featured several Candies songs in the set list.
Shigeharu Ueki (植木 繁晴, Ueki Shigeharu; September 13, 1954 – April 11, 2024) was a Japanese football player and manager.…Shigeharu Ueki (植木 繁晴, Ueki Shigeharu; September 13, 1954 – April 11, 2024) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played once for the Japan national team.
Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 義則, born September 11, 1954, in Okushiri District, Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 義則, born September 11, 1954, in Okushiri District, Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a…Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a movie producer and the president of Sekine Production production company (関根プロ). He was born in Tokyo in 1954, and died in 2019. He mainly directs films produced by independent studios. He is married to the actress Izumi Aki, who has appeared in his films. Many of his films are urban love stories.
Wataru Mimura (三村 渉, Mimura Wataru; May 7, 1954 – August 26, 2021) was a Japanese screenwriter with a career largely…Wataru Mimura (三村 渉, Mimura Wataru; May 7, 1954 – August 26, 2021) was a Japanese screenwriter with a career largely focused around Toho's Godzilla series. On August 26, 2021, Mimura died from multiple system atrophy.
Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the…Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Kiyonori Imamura (今村 清憲, Imamura Kiyonori), better known by his stage name Norio Imamura (いまむら のりお, Imamura Norio)…Kiyonori Imamura (今村 清憲, Imamura Kiyonori), better known by his stage name Norio Imamura (いまむら のりお, Imamura Norio) (born April 17, 1954), is a Japanese stage actor and voice actor from Gifu. He is a graduate of the Fine Arts department of Nihon University. Imamura began his career in the musical troupe Musical Company It's Follies [ja] and was coached by Nachi Nozawa. Imamura tattoos himself as a hobby and has reportedly spent 4 to 5 million yen (the equivalent of $45,000 to $56,000) on tattoos over the course of a decade. From April 26 to June 7, 2010, Imamura posted pictures of his lower body on his blog with the intention of showing that his body had been completely tattooed. Imamura was arrested in July 2010 for posting images that were deemed indecent. This event forced Imamura to step down from his ongoing voice role as Emporio Ivankov in One Piece (the role was subsequently inherited by Mitsuo Iwata). On September 1, Imamura was released following a summary proceeding at the Tokyo Public Prosecutor's Office and was given a fine of 500,000 yen (approximately $6,000).
Shinichi Sakamoto (born 16 April 1954) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Sakamoto competed in the…Shinichi Sakamoto (born 16 April 1954) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Sakamoto competed in the doubles main draw of the 1979 Wimbledon Championships and 1980 French Open, both times with Shigeyuki Nishio as his partner. During the early 1980s, Sakamoto played in six Davis Cup ties for Japan. This included a 1981 tie against France, in which he lost a match to Thierry Tulasne by a scoreline of 0–6, 0–6, 0–6. In 1985 he played in a World Group fixture against the United States.
Mariko Hayashi (林 真理子, Hayashi Mariko; born April 1, 1954) is a Japanese writer and chairperson of the Nihon University…Mariko Hayashi (林 真理子, Hayashi Mariko; born April 1, 1954) is a Japanese writer and chairperson of the Nihon University board of directors. Her awards include the 94th Naoki Prize and the Japanese Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon. Her novels and essays have been widely adapted for television and film, including the 1997 film Fukigen na Kajitsu and the 2018 NHK taiga drama Segodon.
Naonori Kohira (小平 尚典, Kohira Naonori) is a Japanese photojournalist and media producer who was one of the first…Naonori Kohira (小平 尚典, Kohira Naonori) is a Japanese photojournalist and media producer who was one of the first exclusive photographers for the Japanese magazine Focus when it was launched. In 1985, he was the first photojournalist to reach the crash site of the Japan Airlines' jumbo jet crash, which resulted in the deaths of 520 people.
Takeshi Itō (伊東 毅, Itō Takeshi; born March 15, 1954) is a Japanese jazz fusion saxophonist and flute player. He is…Takeshi Itō (伊東 毅, Itō Takeshi; born March 15, 1954) is a Japanese jazz fusion saxophonist and flute player. He is currently a part of the jazz fusion band T-Square.
Motohiko Kondo (近藤 基彦, Kondō Motohiko; 15 February 1954 – 17 November 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Motohiko Kondo (近藤 基彦, Kondō Motohiko; 15 February 1954 – 17 November 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Toshiko Miyamoto (宮本 敏子, Miyamoto Toshiko; born 4 January 1954) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Toshiko Miyamoto (宮本 敏子, Miyamoto Toshiko; born 4 January 1954) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Mitsuhiro Takemura (武邑 光裕; born 1954-10-25 in Tokyo) is a Japanese scholar specializing in the study of media design…Mitsuhiro Takemura (武邑 光裕; born 1954-10-25 in Tokyo) is a Japanese scholar specializing in the study of media design, professor at Sapporo City University. Takemura graduated from Nihon University in 1976 and received a master's degree from the same school in 1978.
Osao Chosei Funahara (born December 10, 1953) is a musician and film director and producer. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture of…Osao Chosei Funahara (born December 10, 1953) is a musician and film director and producer. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan, Chosei Funahara was educated in both the United States and Japan. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Nihon University College of Art's Cinema department in Tokyo. While pursuing New York University's NYU Graduate School of Arts and Science (Cinema Studies), he performed as bassist and founding member of the cult punk rock group the Plasmatics.
