Ishirō Honda (Japanese: 本多 猪(い)四(し)郎(ろう), Hepburn: Honda Ishirō; 7 May 1911 – 28 February 1993) was a Japanese…Ishirō Honda (Japanese: 本多 猪(い)四(し)郎(ろう), Hepburn: Honda Ishirō; 7 May 1911 – 28 February 1993) was a Japanese filmmaker who directed 46 feature films in a career spanning five decades. He is acknowledged as the most internationally successful Japanese filmmaker prior to Hayao Miyazaki and one of the founders of modern disaster film, with his films having a significant influence on the film industry. Despite directing many drama, war, documentary, and comedy films, Honda is best remembered for directing and co-creating the kaiju genre with special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya. Honda entered the Japanese film industry in 1934, working as the third assistant director on Sotoji Kimura's The Elderly Commoner's Life Study. After 15 years of working on numerous films as an assistant director, he made his directorial debut with the short documentary film Ise-Shima (1949). Honda's first feature film, The Blue Pearl (1952), was a critical success in Japan at the time and would lead him to direct three subsequent drama films. In 1954, Honda directed and co-wrote Godzilla, which became a box office success in Japan and was nominated for two Japanese Movie Association awards. Because of the film's commercial success in Japan, it spawned a multimedia franchise, recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-running film franchise in history, that established the kaiju and tokusatsu genres. It helped Honda gain international recognition and led him to direct numerous tokusatsu films that are still studied and watched today. After directing his eighth and final Godzilla film in 1975, Honda retired from filmmaking. However, Honda's former colleague and friend, Akira Kurosawa, would persuade him to come out of retirement in the late 1970s and act as his right-hand man for his last five films.
Ken Domon (土門 拳, Domon Ken; 25 October 1909 – 15 September 1990) was a celebrated Japanese photographer known for his…Ken Domon (土門 拳, Domon Ken; 25 October 1909 – 15 September 1990) was a celebrated Japanese photographer known for his work as a photojournalist and as a photographer of Buddhist temples and statuary. Domon, who began his career in the 1930s contributing photo reportages to magazines that supported the increasingly militaristic Japanese state and its imperial policies, later criticized propaganda photography. His subsequent termination from the government agency he worked for spurred his career as a freelance photographer. As photojournalists grappled with how to depict the new social reality of the post-WWII period, Domon forged the realistic photography movement (Riarizumu Shashin Undō). He embraced the idea of snapshot photography (sunappu), in which images could be captured with "absolute unstagedness". Domon documented the aftermath of the war, focusing on society and the lives of ordinary people. He received national acclaim for his portraits of children in exploitative labor conditions and Hiroshima bomb survivors (hibakusha). Domon was forced to abandon sunappu photography after he suffered a debilitating stroke in 1958. His major project until the end of his career was photographing temples across Japan, a much-beloved subject that he had first begun to document in 1940. These images constituted the monumental series Pilgrimage to Ancient Temples (Koji Junrei), published in five volumes from 1963 to 1975.
Nagaharu Yodogawa (淀川 長治, Yodogawa Nagaharu; April 10, 1909, Kobe, Japan – November 11, 1998, Tokyo) was a Japanese…Nagaharu Yodogawa (淀川 長治, Yodogawa Nagaharu; April 10, 1909, Kobe, Japan – November 11, 1998, Tokyo) was a Japanese film critic, historian, and television personality. Members of both the Japanese and foreign press have referred to him as the "giant of film critiques", a "cultural institution", as well as "Japan's most famous movie critic".
Ryoji Naraoka (奈良岡 良二, Naraoka Ryōji; 2 April 1908 – 2 June 1992) was a Japanese racewalker. He competed in the men's…Ryoji Naraoka (奈良岡 良二, Naraoka Ryōji; 2 April 1908 – 2 June 1992) was a Japanese racewalker. He competed in the men's 50 kilometres walk at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Toshiko Matsuo (Japanese: 松尾トシ子; 14 July 1907 – 3 June 1993) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group…Toshiko Matsuo (Japanese: 松尾トシ子; 14 July 1907 – 3 June 1993) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946, serving in parliament until 1960.
Chūya Nakahara (中原 中也, Nakahara Chūya; 29 April 1907 – 22 October 1937), born Chūya Kashimura (柏村 中也, Kashimura Chūya)…Chūya Nakahara (中原 中也, Nakahara Chūya; 29 April 1907 – 22 October 1937), born Chūya Kashimura (柏村 中也, Kashimura Chūya), was a Japanese poet active during the early Shōwa period. Originally shaped by Dada and other forms of European (mainly French) experimental poetry, he was one of the leading renovators of Japanese poetry. Although he died at the young age of 30, he wrote more than 350 poems throughout his life. Many called him the "Japanese Rimbaud" for his affinities with the French poet whose poems he translated in 1934.
Han Duk-su (Korean: 한덕수; February 18, 1907 – February 21, 2001) was a North Korean activist who founded the General…Han Duk-su (Korean: 한덕수; February 18, 1907 – February 21, 2001) was a North Korean activist who founded the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) in 1955. His activism started when he moved to Atami in 1933 and advocated for the rights of Zainichi Koreans who were forced to work on the Tanna Tunnel in Japan. However, he was arrested for this a year later, being sentenced to two years in prison.
Isoko Hatano (Japanese: 波多野 勤子 Hatano Isoko; (1905-12-21)December 21, 1905 – (1978-09-15)September 15, 1978) was a…Isoko Hatano (Japanese: 波多野 勤子 Hatano Isoko; (1905-12-21)December 21, 1905 – (1978-09-15)September 15, 1978) was a Japanese developmental psychologist and writer. Her 1951 book, Shōnenki, was a national bestseller that was adapted into a feature film. She was awarded the Order of the Precious Crown in 1976.
Otoemon Hiroeda (廣枝音右衛門(広枝音右衛門), Hiroeda Otoemon; December 23, 1905 – February 23, 1945) was a Japanese police officer…Otoemon Hiroeda (廣枝音右衛門(広枝音右衛門), Hiroeda Otoemon; December 23, 1905 – February 23, 1945) was a Japanese police officer posted to Zhunan, Miaoli in Japanese-era Taiwan. During the Pacific War, he disobeyed orders that he sacrifice the lives of 2000 Taiwanese soldiers under his command in a suicidal attack, and then killed himself. His actions resulted in a spirit tablet for him being enshrined within Quanhua Temple on Lion Head Mountain, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
Katsuo Kameoka (亀岡 勝雄, Kameoka Katsuo; 23 March 1905 in Koori, Fukushima, Japan – 14 November 1945) was a Japanese…Katsuo Kameoka (亀岡 勝雄, Kameoka Katsuo; 23 March 1905 in Koori, Fukushima, Japan – 14 November 1945) was a Japanese boxer who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics. In 1932 he was eliminated in the first round of the featherweight class after losing his fight to the upcoming bronze medalist Allan Carlsson.
Kinosuke Ebihara (海老原 喜之助, Ebihara Kinosuke; 13 September 1904 – 19 September 1970) was a Japanese painter. His work…Kinosuke Ebihara (海老原 喜之助, Ebihara Kinosuke; 13 September 1904 – 19 September 1970) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Junya Koizumi (小泉 純也, Koizumi Jun'ya; né Samejima (鮫島), January 24, 1904 – August 10, 1969) was a Japanese politician…Junya Koizumi (小泉 純也, Koizumi Jun'ya; né Samejima (鮫島), January 24, 1904 – August 10, 1969) was a Japanese politician who served as Director General of the Japan Defense Agency during the 1960s. He is the father of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the grandfather of Japan Defense Minister incumbent Shinjirou Koizumi.
Nobuo Aoyagi (青柳信雄, Aoyagi Nobuo) (27 March 1903 - 17 May 1976) was a Japanese film director and film producer. Born in…Nobuo Aoyagi (青柳信雄, Aoyagi Nobuo) (27 March 1903 - 17 May 1976) was a Japanese film director and film producer. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, he attended Meiji University but left before graduating. He worked at the Zenshinza theater troupe before joining the Toho studio in 1937. He debuted as a director in 1940 and was known for a series of live action films starring the manga character Sazae-san. He also helped produce the Mito Komon series on television.
Mitsuo Miura (三浦光雄, Miura Mitsuo; 25 October 1902 – 24 October 1956) was a Japanese cinematographer who photographed…Mitsuo Miura (三浦光雄, Miura Mitsuo; 25 October 1902 – 24 October 1956) was a Japanese cinematographer who photographed more than 100 films in a career that spanned 30 years. He worked for film directors such as Shirō Toyoda, Heinosuke Gosho, Mikio Naruse, Shigeyoshi Suzuki, and Kajirō Yamamoto. An award for new cinematographers was named after him in his memory.
Kōzō Sasaki (佐々木 更三, Sasaki Kōzō; 25 May 1900 – 24 December 1985) was a Japanese socialist agitator and politician. The…Kōzō Sasaki (佐々木 更三, Sasaki Kōzō; 25 May 1900 – 24 December 1985) was a Japanese socialist agitator and politician. The longtime leader of the left wing of the Japan Socialist Party in the postwar period, he served as chairman of party from 1965 to 1967. Small in stature and possessed of a fiery temper and a thick rural Tōhoku accent, he was a loud-mouthed and charismatic figure nicknamed "Kōzō the Ogre."
Seiko Fujita (藤田 西湖, 10 February 1898 – 4 January 1966) was a prominent and highly respected member of Japan's martial…Seiko Fujita (藤田 西湖, 10 February 1898 – 4 January 1966) was a prominent and highly respected member of Japan's martial arts community. An authority on Kobudō, the classical martial arts of Japan & the Ryukyu Islands, Fujita inherited Wada-ha Kōga-ryū Ninjutsu from his grandfather. Academically, he graduated from Nihon University in the department of Religious Studies. From 1922 onwards, Fujita was called upon to lecture at military academies across the country and was program director for ninjutsu studies at the Imperial Army Intelligence Academy (Nakano School / 陸軍中野学校). He compiled a library, the largest of its kind in private hands (now bequeathed to the Odawara City Library), and authored numerous books & instructional manuals.
Kim Chon-hae (Korean: 김천해; Hanja: 金天海, Japanese reading: Kin Tenkai; 10 May 1898 – c. 1969) was a Zainichi Korean who…Kim Chon-hae (Korean: 김천해; Hanja: 金天海, Japanese reading: Kin Tenkai; 10 May 1898 – c. 1969) was a Zainichi Korean who was a leading figure in the Japanese Communist Party and a founder of the pro-communist Chōren, predecessor of the modern Chongryon. He was subsequently a politician in North Korea, holding posts connected to the Workers' Party of Korea.
Masanosuke Ikeda (池田 正之輔, Ikeda Masanosuke; 12 January 1898 – 27 March 1986) was a Japanese politician who served as…Masanosuke Ikeda (池田 正之輔, Ikeda Masanosuke; 12 January 1898 – 27 March 1986) was a Japanese politician who served as Director of the Science and Technology Agency during the Second Ikeda Cabinet from 1960 to 1961. He also served in the Japanese House of Representatives, being elected as a non recommended independent in the 1942 Japanese general election, and again in the 1949 Japanese general election. He would then go on to serve in the House for 24 years, before refusing to run for re-election after a corruption conviction.
Kiyohiko Ushihara (牛原 虚彦, Ushihara Kiyohiko; 2 March 1897 – 20 May 1985) was a Japanese film director most famous for…Kiyohiko Ushihara (牛原 虚彦, Ushihara Kiyohiko; 2 March 1897 – 20 May 1985) was a Japanese film director most famous for his gendaigeki of the silent era.
Kyuichi Tokuda (徳田 球一, Tokuda Kyūichi; September 12, 1894 – October 14, 1953) was a Japanese politician and first…Kyuichi Tokuda (徳田 球一, Tokuda Kyūichi; September 12, 1894 – October 14, 1953) was a Japanese politician and first chairman of the Japanese Communist Party from 1945 until his death in 1953.
Kanjū Katō (加藤 勘十 (Katō Kanjū), 25 February 1892 – 27 September 1978), also known as Kanju Kato, was a Japanese…Kanjū Katō (加藤 勘十 (Katō Kanjū), 25 February 1892 – 27 September 1978), also known as Kanju Kato, was a Japanese politician and labour activist of the Shōwa period. He served seven terms as a member of the House of Representatives for the Japan Socialist Party and was the second Minister of Labor. He was also known by the pen names Hekisui and Sotsu. A militant labour organizer active in the prewar period, he was nicknamed "Fireball Kanjū" (火の玉勘十, Hi no tama Kanjū). His elder brother was Chōichi Katō, a member of the House of Representatives for the Constitutional Democratic Party (Rikken Minseitō) and the National Alliance (Kokumin Dōmei). His wife was the women’s rights activist and politician Shidzue Katō; the couple were known as the "mandarin duck Diet members" (おしどり議員, oshidori giin). Their son was Nobuyuki Katō and their daughter was Taki Katō.
Sōgen Asahina (朝比奈宗源, Asahina Sōgen; January 9, 1891 – August 25, 1979) was an influential Japanese Rinzai zen master…Sōgen Asahina (朝比奈宗源, Asahina Sōgen; January 9, 1891 – August 25, 1979) was an influential Japanese Rinzai zen master and founder of Nippon wo Mamoru kai. He was also a prolific writer and a calligrapher. Born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Asahina graduated from Nihon University. He studied at Myōshin-ji in Kyoto and at Engaku-ji in Kamakura. He rose to become the head (kanchō (管長)) of the Engaku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. Also, he was a professor at Komazawa University. Asahina's works include Zen (bilingual, English and Japanese; 1954), Nippon no Zen (1959) and commentaries on the Hekiganroku and Rinzairoku. Asahina was also an accomplished calligrapher. Television shows, including Mito Kōmon and Ōoka Echizen, featured his writing in their title screens. His writing can also be seen in the memorial to Gichin Funakoshi at Engaku-ji.
Chen Zemin (traditional Chinese: 陳則民; simplified Chinese: 陈则民; pinyin: Chén Zémín; Wade–Giles: Ch'ên Tsê-min; Chin…Chen Zemin (traditional Chinese: 陳則民; simplified Chinese: 陈则民; pinyin: Chén Zémín; Wade–Giles: Ch'ên Tsê-min; Chin Sokumin; 1881–1951) was a lawyer and politician in the pre-war Republic of China. He held a number of important posts in the collaborationist Reformed Government of the Republic of China, and Reorganized National Government of China.
Count Yamada Akiyoshi (山田 顕義; November 18, 1844 – November 11, 1892) was a Japanese politician, samurai, and one of the…Count Yamada Akiyoshi (山田 顕義; November 18, 1844 – November 11, 1892) was a Japanese politician, samurai, and one of the early leaders of the Meiji Restoration. He served as Minister of Justice from 1885 to 1891. In his youth he was commonly known as Yamada Ichinojō; however, he changed his name frequently during the Bakumatsu period.
Daieishō Hayato (Japanese: 大栄翔 勇人; born November 10, 1993 as Hayato Takanishi (高西 勇人, Takanishi Hayato)) is a Japanese…Daieishō Hayato (Japanese: 大栄翔 勇人; born November 10, 1993 as Hayato Takanishi (高西 勇人, Takanishi Hayato)) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He began his professional career in 2012 at the age of eighteen and reached the top makuuchi division in September 2015. His highest rank to date has been sekiwake. He has five gold stars for defeating yokozuna, five special prizes for Outstanding Performance and two special prizes for Technique. He wrestles for the Oitekaze stable. In January 2021 he became the first wrestler from Saitama Prefecture to win the top-division championship. He was a runner-up in the May 2022 and March 2023 tournaments.
Keiko Aizawa (相沢恵子, Aizawa Keiko; born November 22, 1963) is a Japanese actress who specializes in voice acting. She is…Keiko Aizawa (相沢恵子, Aizawa Keiko; born November 22, 1963) is a Japanese actress who specializes in voice acting. She is affiliated with the Gekidan Subaru production company. She is married to Shigeru Ushiyama, an actor who also with Gekidan Subaru. Aizawa is originally from Kanagawa Prefecture.
Masashi Amenomori (雨森雅司, Amenomori Masashi; born Masao (雅夫), July 24, 1930 – April 9, 1984) was a Japanese actor and…Masashi Amenomori (雨森雅司, Amenomori Masashi; born Masao (雅夫), July 24, 1930 – April 9, 1984) was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
Kunio Arakaki (born 19 June 1956) is a Japanese politician and karate practitioner. He was a member of the House of…Kunio Arakaki (born 19 June 1956) is a Japanese politician and karate practitioner. He was a member of the House of Representatives, belonging to the Centrist Reform Alliance. He previously was a member of the Social Democratic Party. He served as mayor of Kitanakagusuku in Okinawa Prefecture, between 2004 and 2020.
Takkō Ishimori (石森 達幸, Ishimori Takkō; January 11, 1932 – June 5, 2013) was a Japanese voice actor from Nagasaki…Takkō Ishimori (石森 達幸, Ishimori Takkō; January 11, 1932 – June 5, 2013) was a Japanese voice actor from Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. He debuted in 1960, and was attached to the talent agency Arts Vision at the time of his death in 2013. He was one of the founding members of Theater Echo. He was best known for voicing Sengoku in One Piece. Ishimori died on June 5, 2013, at the age of 81 from heart failure.
Masami Iwasaki (岩崎 征実, Iwasaki Masami; born October 25, 1971) is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. Most but not all of…Masami Iwasaki (岩崎 征実, Iwasaki Masami; born October 25, 1971) is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. Most but not all of his roles are minions or ruffians, but he is mostly known as the voice of Ryuji Goda in the Yakuza video game series.
Noriko Uemura (上村 典子, Uemura Noriko; born July 15, 1963) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works…Noriko Uemura (上村 典子, Uemura Noriko; born July 15, 1963) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works for Aoni Production. She is married to Toei Animation producer Iriya Azuma. Her hometown is Fukuoka, Japan.
Masako Hoshino (星野 真沙子, Hoshino Masako; born August 3, 1945) known professionally as Masako Ebisu (恵比寿 まさ子, Ebisu…Masako Hoshino (星野 真沙子, Hoshino Masako; born August 3, 1945) known professionally as Masako Ebisu (恵比寿 まさ子, Ebisu Masako) is a Japanese actress and voice actress. She is also a freelancer affiliated with the talent agency Herringbone as a narrator. She is best known for her roles as Shizuka Minamoto in Doraemon, Ryōko Kakinouchi in Attack No. 1, Yōko Shiraki in Ashita no Joe, Taiko Namino in Sazae-san, Natsumi's mother in The Kabocha Wine, and Herumeko in Tonari no Tamageta-kun.
Hitomi Ōwada (大和田 仁美, Ōwada Hitomi; born March 23) is a Japanese voice actress from Kanagawa Prefecture. She is…Hitomi Ōwada (大和田 仁美, Ōwada Hitomi; born March 23) is a Japanese voice actress from Kanagawa Prefecture. She is affiliated with Aoni Production. On January 1, 2024, Ōwada and voice actor Yōhei Azakami announced their marriage.
Gakuto Kajiwara (梶原 岳人, Kajiwara Gakuto; born 28 November 1994) is a Japanese voice actor and singer. He is affiliated…Gakuto Kajiwara (梶原 岳人, Kajiwara Gakuto; born 28 November 1994) is a Japanese voice actor and singer. He is affiliated with Haikyō. He is best known for voicing Asta in Black Clover, Shinra Kusakabe in Fire Force, Hitohito Tadano in Komi Can't Communicate, Luka in Honkai: Star Rail, and Hiiro Amagi in Ensemble Stars!.
Ryusho Kato (加藤竜祥, Kato Ryusho; born 10 February 1980) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Ryusho Kato (加藤竜祥, Kato Ryusho; born 10 February 1980) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He is the son of Kanji Kato.
Miku Kanemura (Japanese: 金村 美玖, Hepburn: Kanemura Miku; born September 10, 2002) is a Japanese singer and model. She is…Miku Kanemura (Japanese: 金村 美玖, Hepburn: Kanemura Miku; born September 10, 2002) is a Japanese singer and model. She is a member of the girl group Hinatazaka46 and a regular model for the fashion magazines Bis and Voce. Kanemura has been the lead performer for the Hinatazaka46 singles "Tteka" (2021) and "Onegai Bach!" (2025). She became a regular model for Bis in 2020 and Voce in 2026, and has walked the runways of the Tokyo Girls Collection and GirlsAward fashion shows. Kanemura is a graduate of the College of Art, Nihon University. She has held several solo photography exhibitions and currently writes for a column in the professional photography magazine Commercial Photo.
Naomi Kusumi (楠見 尚己, Kusumi Naomi; born June 17, 1954) is a Japanese voice actor. He worked at the Seinenza Theater…Naomi Kusumi (楠見 尚己, Kusumi Naomi; born June 17, 1954) is a Japanese voice actor. He worked at the Seinenza Theater Company in 1999, and currently works at Mausu Promotion. He is often typecast in either overweight or middle-aged roles in voice acting. In addition, Kusumi inherited the Japanese dubbing of Scooby-Doo from Kazuo Kumakura, who died of rectal cancer in 2015. The first appearance of a successor The Great Adventure of Scooby.
Masayo Kurata (倉田雅世, Kurata Masayo; born May 21, 1969 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese voice actress. Some of her major…Masayo Kurata (倉田雅世, Kurata Masayo; born May 21, 1969 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese voice actress. Some of her major roles are Koyomi from Girls Bravo, Shinobu Maehara in Love Hina, Tomoe Kashiwaba in Rozen Maiden, Karinka from Steel Angel Kurumi, and Subaru Mikage in Comic Party. In video games, she voices Kurara in Purikura Daisakusen, Ai Senou in Hourglass of Summer, Chizuru Sakaki in the Rumbling Hearts / Muv-Luv visual novels, and Souffle Rossetti in Star Ocean: Till the End of Time.
Yumiko Satō (佐藤 由美子, Satō Yumiko; born March 22, 1959 in Hokkaidō), better known by the stage name Naoko Kouda (幸田 直子…Yumiko Satō (佐藤 由美子, Satō Yumiko; born March 22, 1959 in Hokkaidō), better known by the stage name Naoko Kouda (幸田 直子, Kōda Naoko; previously credited with the Kanji 幸田 奈穂子), is a Japanese voice actress who works for Mausu Promotion. She graduated from Nihon University College of Art.
Toshihiko Kojima (小島 敏彦, Kojima Toshihiko; born August 10, 1940) is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Chiba…Toshihiko Kojima (小島 敏彦, Kojima Toshihiko; born August 10, 1940) is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Yuka Komatsu (小松 由佳, Komatsu Yuka; born March 8, 1978) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and narrator from Tokyo…Yuka Komatsu (小松 由佳, Komatsu Yuka; born March 8, 1978) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and narrator from Tokyo, affiliated with Aoni Production.
Chineko Sugawara (菅原 チネ子, Sugawara Chineko; real name Chineko Wakasa (若狭 チネ子, Wakasa Chineko), 3 September 1938 – 26…Chineko Sugawara (菅原 チネ子, Sugawara Chineko; real name Chineko Wakasa (若狭 チネ子, Wakasa Chineko), 3 September 1938 – 26 June 2016) was a Japanese actress and voice actress from Iwate Prefecture. She was represented with Gekidan For You.
Yasuo Tanaka (田中 康郎, Tanaka Yasuo; March 6, 1932 – December 5, 2003) was a Japanese voice actor born in Tokyo. His name…Yasuo Tanaka (田中 康郎, Tanaka Yasuo; March 6, 1932 – December 5, 2003) was a Japanese voice actor born in Tokyo. His name is sometimes misread as Yasurō Tanaka.