Masanori Tominaga (冨永 昌敬, Tominaga Masanori; born October 31, 1975) is a Japanese film director. His 1999 short film…Masanori Tominaga (冨永 昌敬, Tominaga Masanori; born October 31, 1975) is a Japanese film director. His 1999 short film, Dolmen, received the Honorary Mention of the International Jury at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in 2000.
Kazuto Seki (関 一人, Seki Kazuto; born September 11, 1975 in Shizuoka) is a sailing competitor from Japan. He won a…Kazuto Seki (関 一人, Seki Kazuto; born September 11, 1975 in Shizuoka) is a sailing competitor from Japan. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics with Kenjiro Todoroki in the 470 (dinghy) class.
Mayuko Fujiki (藤木 麻祐子, Fujiki Mayuko; born June 21, 1975) is an international artistic swimming coach originally from…Mayuko Fujiki (藤木 麻祐子, Fujiki Mayuko; born June 21, 1975) is an international artistic swimming coach originally from Japan, who has competed over seven Olympic Games as an athlete, and has served as the head coach for the national teams of Spain, China, and the United States. Leveraging her success at Paris 2024, she transitioned to a new role as an international High-performance Consultant.
Masato Hirano (平野 雅人, Hirano Masato; born June 11, 1975 in Kanagawa) is a former swimmer from Japan. He finished 6th in…Masato Hirano (平野 雅人, Hirano Masato; born June 11, 1975 in Kanagawa) is a former swimmer from Japan. He finished 6th in the 1500 metres freestyle competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大輔, Watanabe Daisuke; born 29 May 1975) is a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the…Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大輔, Watanabe Daisuke; born 29 May 1975) is a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the 2000 Summer Olympics. His wife Ryoko (née Jojima) was the 1992 Asian junior champion in the 100 metres hurdles. His nephew Yuki Hashioka is the former Japanese record holder in the long jump. He is currently the director and advisor of the track and field club at Hachioji High School. He coached his nephew Yuki Hashioka from 2014 to 2017.
Junko Yamakawa (山川 純子, Yamakawa Junko; born 28 March 1975 in Niigata Prefecture) is a Japanese alpine skier. She…Junko Yamakawa (山川 純子, Yamakawa Junko; born 28 March 1975 in Niigata Prefecture) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in slalom, giant slalom, and alpine combined at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
Shoichi Usui (born January 8, 1975, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Shoichi Usui (born January 8, 1975, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2022. He is one of the six representatives of the Chiba at-large district, and is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. As of July 29, 2023, he is a member of the following committees: Committee on Education, Culture and Science Committee on Budget Commission on the Constitution He previously served in the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. He is the son of retired politician and former Cabinet member Hideo Usui.
Kuniomi Haneishi (羽石 国臣, Haneishi Kuniomi; born 6 January 1975) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's…Kuniomi Haneishi (羽石 国臣, Haneishi Kuniomi; born 6 January 1975) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Kazumasa Tsujimoto (辻本 和正, Tsujimoto Kazumasa) (born January 6, 1975, in Nara) is a retired boxer from Japan who…Kazumasa Tsujimoto (辻本 和正, Tsujimoto Kazumasa) (born January 6, 1975, in Nara) is a retired boxer from Japan who represented his country at the Summer Olympics in 1996 and 2000. After having competed in the men's flyweight division (– 51 kg) in Atlanta, Georgia, he changed weights, and fought in the bantamweight class (– 54 kg) in Sydney, Australia. There he was stopped in the second round by Cuba's eventual gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Makoto Takimoto (瀧本 誠, Takimoto Makoto; born December 8, 1974) is a Japanese retired judoka and mixed martial artist…Makoto Takimoto (瀧本 誠, Takimoto Makoto; born December 8, 1974) is a Japanese retired judoka and mixed martial artist from Nihon University. He won a gold medal at the Half Middleweight category of the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Takahiro Nozaki (born 19 November 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 5000 metres event at the…Takahiro Nozaki (born 19 November 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 5000 metres event at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Kenji Tabata (田端 健児, Tabata Kenji; born 24 September 1974) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400…Kenji Tabata (田端 健児, Tabata Kenji; born 24 September 1974) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres. He won the bronze medal at the 1998 Asian Championships in a career best time of 45.69 seconds. He was then selected to represent Asia in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1998 IAAF World Cup, and finished sixth with teammates Ibrahim Ismail Faraj, Sugath Tillakaratne and fellow Japanese sprinter Masayoshi Kan. Tabata also competed at two World Championships (1999 and 2001) as well as the 2000 Summer Olympics where he failed to reach the final round.
Satoko Kishimoto (Japanese: 岸本聡子; born 15 July 1974) is a Japanese politician and book editor. She is the first female…Satoko Kishimoto (Japanese: 岸本聡子; born 15 July 1974) is a Japanese politician and book editor. She is the first female mayor of Suginami, Tokyo. Kishimoto spent some of her adult life in Europe before returning to Japan and entering politics unaffiliated with any political party. She is the editor of an anti-water privatisation book.
Rei Jimbo (born 9 July 1974) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in…Rei Jimbo (born 9 July 1974) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Kaori Takahashi (高橋 馨, Takahashi Kaori; born 30 March 1974) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in…Kaori Takahashi (高橋 馨, Takahashi Kaori; born 30 March 1974) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Sumiko Yokoyama (横山 寿美子, Yokoyama Sumiko; born March 25, 1974) is a Japanese cross country skier who competed from 1993…Sumiko Yokoyama (横山 寿美子, Yokoyama Sumiko; born March 25, 1974) is a Japanese cross country skier who competed from 1993 to 2008. Her best World Cup finish was fifth in a 4 x 5 km relay in Switzerland in 2003. Yokoyama also competed in four Winter Olympics, earning her best finish of tenth in the 4 x 5 km relay at Salt Lake City in 2002. Her best finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships was 8th in the 4 x 5 km relay at Sapporo in 2007.
Hiroyasu Shimizu (清水 宏保, Shimizu Hiroyasu; born 27 February 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. A five-time world…Hiroyasu Shimizu (清水 宏保, Shimizu Hiroyasu; born 27 February 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. A five-time world champion in the 500 meters, Shimizu became the first Japanese speed skater to win a gold medal with his performance at the 1998 Winter Olympics. At the 1998 World Championships, Shimizu set a world record (34.82) and became the first person to break the 35-second barrier in the event. Shimizu later broke this record at the 2001 World Championships with a time of 34.42. He was married to Japanese fashion model Reiko Takagaki.
Hiroyuki Tominaga (富永 啓之, Tominaga Hiroyuki; born 7 October 1973) is a former Japanese basketball player. He is the…Hiroyuki Tominaga (富永 啓之, Tominaga Hiroyuki; born 7 October 1973) is a former Japanese basketball player. He is the father of Keisei Tominaga, who plays for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was a member of the Japan men's national basketball team.
Yōtsukasa Dai (born Daishi Suzuki; 23 September 1973 – 11 August 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Matsusaka…Yōtsukasa Dai (born Daishi Suzuki; 23 September 1973 – 11 August 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Matsusaka, Mie. He made his professional debut in January 1996, and reached the top division in May 1999. His highest rank was maegashira 11. He retired in November 2005. He became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and worked as a coach at Irumagawa stable, leaving in 2012.
Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works…Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Power Rise under the alias Hyo-sei (氷青, Hyōsei). For adult works, she goes by the name Elena Kaibara (海原 エレナ, Kaibara Erena). Hyo-sei released her first album titled Fuyu Hanabi (冬花火) on April 21, 2010.
Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was…Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. An amateur champion at Nihon University, he entered professional sumo in 1996. He was one of the lightest sekitori wrestlers in recent years. He won two special prizes for Technique. He retired from active competition in 2010 and became a coach, but in April 2011 he was asked to resign from the Japan Sumo Association after being found guilty of match-fixing.
Norimasa Iwai (岩井則賢, Iwai Norimasa; born 12 March 1973) is a Japanese gymnast. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics…Norimasa Iwai (岩井則賢, Iwai Norimasa; born 12 March 1973) is a Japanese gymnast. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where he placed seventh in the still rings final.
Tatsuki Katayama (片山 立規, Katayama Tatsuki; born 26 January 1973) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the…Tatsuki Katayama (片山 立規, Katayama Tatsuki; born 26 January 1973) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Masataka Endoh (遠藤 政隆, Endō Masataka) is a former professional baseball player in Japan. He played for the Chunichi…Masataka Endoh (遠藤 政隆, Endō Masataka) is a former professional baseball player in Japan. He played for the Chunichi Dragons in the Japan Central League He was born in Tokyo, Japan.
Mikihiro Ogawa (小川 幹弘, Ogawa Mikihiro; born 14 September 1972), better known by the stage name Shidō Nakamura II (二代目…Mikihiro Ogawa (小川 幹弘, Ogawa Mikihiro; born 14 September 1972), better known by the stage name Shidō Nakamura II (二代目 中村 獅童, Nidaime Nakamura Shidō), is a Japanese kabuki and film actor.
Kenichi Yoshizumi (吉住 健一, Yoshizumi Ken'ichi; born 22 April 1972) is a Japanese politician serving as the current mayor…Kenichi Yoshizumi (吉住 健一, Yoshizumi Ken'ichi; born 22 April 1972) is a Japanese politician serving as the current mayor of Shinjuku, one of the special wards of Tokyo, since 2014.
Masaki Morinaga (森長 正樹, Morinaga Masaki; born March 27, 1972) is a Japanese retired long jumper. He won the long jump…Masaki Morinaga (森長 正樹, Morinaga Masaki; born March 27, 1972) is a Japanese retired long jumper. He won the long jump at the 1998 Asian Championships and the 1998 Asian Games.
Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992…Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992 (coxless pair) and 1996 Olympics (lightweight coxless four). He won a gold medal at the 2000 World Rowing Championships in Zagreb with the lightweight men's quadruple scull.
Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics…Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics for several tokusatsu television series' theme songs. Most recently, Fujibayashi has worked with Shuhei Naruse on the soundtracks of Kamen Rider Den-O, Kamen Rider Kiva, and their films. She has also worked with Nana Mizuki, May'n, BoA, Ken Hirai, Sowelu, 2PM, Mikuni Shimokawa, Crystal Kay, Beni Arashiro, Daisuke Hasegawa, Issa of Da Pump, Lead, and Miho Kanno.
Makio Madarame (班目 真紀夫, Madarame Makio; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Makio Madarame (班目 真紀夫, Madarame Makio; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He later became a teacher and coach at a high school in Fukushima Prefecture.
Junichi Inoue (井上純一, Inoue Junichi; born 26 December 1971) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994…Junichi Inoue (井上純一, Inoue Junichi; born 26 December 1971) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. He was born in Arakawa, Saitama. In 1992 he won the bronze medal in the 500 metres event. Two years later he finished sixth in the 500 metres competition and eighth in the 1000 metres contest.
Tatsuya Nagamine (長峯 達也, Nagamine Tatsuya; October 6, 1971 – August 20, 2025) was a Japanese anime director who worked…Tatsuya Nagamine (長峯 達也, Nagamine Tatsuya; October 6, 1971 – August 20, 2025) was a Japanese anime director who worked for Toei Animation.
Tomoaki Koyama (小山 朋昭, Koyama Tomoaki; born October 4, 1971 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese pair skater who now works as…Tomoaki Koyama (小山 朋昭, Koyama Tomoaki; born October 4, 1971 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese pair skater who now works as an ISU Technical Specialist. Competing with Rena Inoue, he placed 14th in the 1992 Winter Olympic Games. They are two-time Japanese National Champions. He also competed as a single skater.
Kunio Nakamura (born 1971) is a Japanese artist and the founder of the art gallery "6jigen (6th dimension)" based in…Kunio Nakamura (born 1971) is a Japanese artist and the founder of the art gallery "6jigen (6th dimension)" based in Ogikubo, Tokyo. Currently, Nakamura is a painter and kintsugi artist. He holds workshops and exhibitions in Tokyo, Tohoku and Kumamoto, as well as in the United States. Nakamura co-founded the "Kintsugi Academy" in Los Angeles in 2019, with American painter Makoto Fujimura. He was an art navigator for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in 2022.
Akiko Kawase (born 13 July 1971 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer…Akiko Kawase (born 13 July 1971 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Takehito Suzuki (鈴木 健仁, Suzuki Takehito; born June 11, 1971) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently the…Takehito Suzuki (鈴木 健仁, Suzuki Takehito; born June 11, 1971) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently the General Manager at JEF United Chiba.
Masahiro Kobayashi (小林 正寛, Kobayashi Masahiro; born May 16, 1971) is a retired Japanese actor and voice actor from…Masahiro Kobayashi (小林 正寛, Kobayashi Masahiro; born May 16, 1971) is a retired Japanese actor and voice actor from Yakumo, Hokkaido. In 1995, he enrolled in the Seinenza Theater Company. Kobayashi's notable roles include Barret Wallace, and Ryid Uruk from the Final Fantasy video game series. He retired from the acting industry sometime after the release of Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Ōtsukasa Nobuhide (皇司信秀 (Ōtsukasanobuhide), born February 18, 1971, as Nobuhide Ōuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from…Ōtsukasa Nobuhide (皇司信秀 (Ōtsukasanobuhide), born February 18, 1971, as Nobuhide Ōuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Miki, Hyōgo, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1993. The highest rank he reached was maegashira 4. He retired in March 2009 and is now a sumo coach.
