Mitsuru Manaka (真中 満, born January 6, 1971, in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Mitsuru Manaka (真中 満, born January 6, 1971, in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder. On October 8, 2014, he was named manager of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, replacing Junji Ogawa. Manaka had previously been managing the Swallows' farm team.
Takako Tezuka (手塚 貴子, Tezuka Takako; born 6 November 1970) is a former Japanese football player and manager. She played…Takako Tezuka (手塚 貴子, Tezuka Takako; born 6 November 1970) is a former Japanese football player and manager. She played for Japan national team.
Kazuyuki Fujita (藤田 和之, Fujita Kazuyuki; born October 16, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler, former mixed…Kazuyuki Fujita (藤田 和之, Fujita Kazuyuki; born October 16, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler, former mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler, currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is a one-time GHC Heavyweight Champion. He has most recently fought in Road FC, but is also known for his work in the PRIDE Fighting Championships, K-1, Rizin Fighting Federation, and World Victory Road. Fujita began his career as a professional wrestler in 1993, joining the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) dojo, while still competing as an amateur wrestler. Debuting in 1996, Fujita would put his wrestling career on hiatus in early 2000 to train in MMA. Returning the following year with a new shoot based offence, Fujita won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship immediately and went on to hold it two more times before leaving the company in 2005. After a six-year hiatus, Fujita returned to pro wrestling in 2011 for Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), and continues to make occasional appearances as a freelancer, most recently for Pro Wrestling Noah and Real Japan Pro Wrestling (RJPW).
Norito Yashima (八嶋 智人, Yashima Norito; born September 27, 1970 in Nara) is a Japanese actor, TV personality, narrator…Norito Yashima (八嶋 智人, Yashima Norito; born September 27, 1970 in Nara) is a Japanese actor, TV personality, narrator, voice actor and presenter. He is currently employed by ComeCome Miniki-Na Theater Company and SIS Company.
Kankurō Kudō (宮藤 官九郎, Kudō Kankurō; born July 19, 1970 in Miyagi Prefecture) is a Japanese screenwriter, dramatist…Kankurō Kudō (宮藤 官九郎, Kudō Kankurō; born July 19, 1970 in Miyagi Prefecture) is a Japanese screenwriter, dramatist, director, actor and member of the theater company Otona Keikaku. He won the 'Best Screenplay' award at the 2002 Japanese Academy Awards for Go, which explores problems faced by people of Korean-heritage living in Japan. He acted in Crying Out Love in the Center of the World, and is also guitarist in the Japanese comedy rock band Group Tamashii.
Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡邉博幸, Watanabe Hiroyuki; born June 29, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball utility…Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡邉博幸, Watanabe Hiroyuki; born June 29, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball utility player. He played for the Chunichi Dragons. He is currently the second team infield defense and baserunning for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Western League.
Daisuke Nishikawa (born 2 June 1970) is a retired Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the…Daisuke Nishikawa (born 2 June 1970) is a retired Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he won bronze medals in both team events.
Tetsuhiro Monna (門奈哲寛, Monna Tetsuhiro; born 30 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Monna was…Tetsuhiro Monna (門奈哲寛, Monna Tetsuhiro; born 30 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Monna was part of the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1993 to 1999. He later played in the Netherlands and Croatia, representing the Croatian national baseball team from 2003 to 2005.
Takehiko Orimo (折茂 武彦, Orimo Takehiko; born 14 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. He became…Takehiko Orimo (折茂 武彦, Orimo Takehiko; born 14 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. He became the first Japanese player to reach 10,000 points in the history of the men's top league.
Toshinao Nakagawa (中川 俊直, Nakagawa Toshinao) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party. The scion…Toshinao Nakagawa (中川 俊直, Nakagawa Toshinao) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party. The scion of an elite political family, Nakagawa resigned in April 2017 following reports of an extramarital affair.
Hiroyuki Amano (天野 ひろゆき, 天野 博之, Amano Hiroyuki; born 24 March 1970, in Okazaki, Aichi) is a Japanese comedian, actor…Hiroyuki Amano (天野 ひろゆき, 天野 博之, Amano Hiroyuki; born 24 March 1970, in Okazaki, Aichi) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor, television presenter, film director and film critic. He is nicknamed Amanocchi (天野っち). He performs tsukkomi and make stories in the comedy duo Kyaeen. His partner is Udo Suzuki. Amano is represented with Asai Kikaku. He graduated from Okazaki City South Junior High School, Aichi University of Education University High School and Nihon University College of International Relations International Cultural Department (now International Liberal Arts Department).
Masayuki Matsunaga (松永政行, Matsunaga Masayuki; born 23 March 1970) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1992…Masayuki Matsunaga (松永政行, Matsunaga Masayuki; born 23 March 1970) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Takayuki Ohira (大平 貴之, Ōhira Takayuki; born March 11, 1970) is a Japanese engineer and the creator of the Megastar, a…Takayuki Ohira (大平 貴之, Ōhira Takayuki; born March 11, 1970) is a Japanese engineer and the creator of the Megastar, a planetarium projector which was recorded in Guinness World Records as the planetarium projector that can project the highest number of stars in the world. Ohira has also designed the Sega Homestar, a home planetarium projector for Sega. According to the Japan Planetarium Association, the popularity of this educational toy has contributed to an increase in visitors to full-sized planetaria in Japan. The newest model, released in 2019, is called Homestar Flux.
Nobushige Kumakubo (熊久保信重, Kumakubo Nobushige; born February 10, 1970, Fukushima Prefecture) is a drifting driver from…Nobushige Kumakubo (熊久保信重, Kumakubo Nobushige; born February 10, 1970, Fukushima Prefecture) is a drifting driver from Japan who competes in the D1 Grand Prix series and racetrack and land owner. Nicknamed Kuma or Shihainin, he is commonly referred to as one of the pioneers of drifting.
Michiaki Kamochi (賀持 道明, Kamochi Michiaki; born 1970) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kamochi is from Warabi, Saitama. He…Michiaki Kamochi (賀持 道明, Kamochi Michiaki; born 1970) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kamochi is from Warabi, Saitama. He began Sumo at the age of 3rd grader and won the championship consecutively for six years. He also began judo at his junior high school days and when he was a student of Nihon University, he was trained by former world champion, Chonosuke Takagi. In 1991, he participated in the World Championships held in Barcelona. He also participated Asian Championships in Osaka and won a gold medal at the half-heavyweight category. Kamochi belonged to JRA after graduation from university in 1992. He retired in 1999 after All-Japan Teams Championships.
Akira Iida (Shinjitai: 飯田 章, Iida Akira; born 18 December 1969 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese racing driver…Akira Iida (Shinjitai: 飯田 章, Iida Akira; born 18 December 1969 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese racing driver currently competing in the Super GT series. He won the 2002 All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship GT500 title with Esso Toyota Team LeMans, co-driving with Juichi Wakisaka. He also won the 2013 Asian Le Mans Series GTE class title for Team Taisan Ken Endless. Iida was also a presenter on the Japanese performance-car program Best Motoring.
Shinnosuke Furumoto (古本 新乃輔 (古本 新之輔), Furumoto Shinnosuke; born December 13, 1969) is a Japanese actor and voice actor…Shinnosuke Furumoto (古本 新乃輔 (古本 新之輔), Furumoto Shinnosuke; born December 13, 1969) is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Fuchu, Tokyo. He also performed the opening for the anime Sorcerer Hunters with Megumi Hayashibara in which he voiced the main character. He also performed an insert song for the anime H2 as he voiced the main character as well.
Yoshiyuki Shimizu (清水 祥之, Shimizu Yoshiyuki; born 21 November 1969) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three…Yoshiyuki Shimizu (清水 祥之, Shimizu Yoshiyuki; born 21 November 1969) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Keiji Kojima (小嶋 敬二, Kojima Keiji; born 9 November 1969) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in two events at the 1992…Keiji Kojima (小嶋 敬二, Kojima Keiji; born 9 November 1969) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in two events at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He is also a professional keirin cyclist with over 600 wins. He won the best keirin cyclist of the year award in 2007.
Nobuyuki Nakajima (中島 ノブユキ) is a Japanese musician, composer, arranger, and pianist, who studied composition in Tokyo…Nobuyuki Nakajima (中島 ノブユキ) is a Japanese musician, composer, arranger, and pianist, who studied composition in Tokyo and Paris. He has composed original soundtracks for Japanese TV series such as the NHK Taiga drama Yae no Sakura (nominated for the 42nd International Emmy Awards, Drama Series). In recent years, he participated in Jane Birkin's world tours (Jane Birkin sings Serge Gainsbourg "Via Japan") as musical director, orchestrator and pianist (over 70 concerts in 27 countries) 2011–2013. Since 2016, he also joined her world tour "Gainsbourg Symphonique", as the orchestral arranger and pianist.
Hiroyuki Obata (born 31 March 1969) is a Japanese wrestler, who competed in the men's freestyle 130 kg at the 1988…Hiroyuki Obata (born 31 March 1969) is a Japanese wrestler, who competed in the men's freestyle 130 kg at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Fumiharu Miyamoto (宮本 文晴, Miyamoto Fumiharu; born 31 March 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Fumiharu Miyamoto (宮本 文晴, Miyamoto Fumiharu; born 31 March 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He later rode for the Nippon Hodo Racing Team (a precursor of Team Nippo), and after retiring, served as a coach for the Japan Cycling Federation.
Toshiharu Sato (佐藤 寿治, Satō Toshiharu; born 19 March 1969) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer…Toshiharu Sato (佐藤 寿治, Satō Toshiharu; born 19 March 1969) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics and won an Olympic bronze medal.
Kazuo Takahashi (高橋 和生, Takahashi Kazuo), ring name Yoshiki Takahashi (高橋 義生, Takahashi Yoshiki; born March 13, 1969)…Kazuo Takahashi (高橋 和生, Takahashi Kazuo), ring name Yoshiki Takahashi (高橋 義生, Takahashi Yoshiki; born March 13, 1969), is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1993 until 2013 (and then once again in 2018), he competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Pancrase, RINGS, K-1 HERO'S, and World Victory Road. He is the former King of Pancrase Heavyweight Champion.
Hideki Miwa (三和 英樹, Miwa Hideki; born 13 March 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the sprint event at…Hideki Miwa (三和 英樹, Miwa Hideki; born 13 March 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the sprint event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He won the gold medal in the men's sprint at the 1990 Asian Games. He later became a professional keirin cyclist, accumulating more than 300 wins.
Toshiyuki Kuroiwa (黒岩敏幸, Kuroiwa Toshiyuki; born 27 February 1969 in Tsumagoi, Gunma, Japan) is a former speed skater…Toshiyuki Kuroiwa (黒岩敏幸, Kuroiwa Toshiyuki; born 27 February 1969 in Tsumagoi, Gunma, Japan) is a former speed skater from Japan, who represented his native country in three consecutive Winter Olympics in 1992, 1994 and 1998. At Albertville, France, in 1992, he won the silver medal in the men's 500 metres.
Masashi Ando (安藤 雅司, Andō Masashi; born January 17, 1969) is a Japanese animator, character designer and filmmaker. He…Masashi Ando (安藤 雅司, Andō Masashi; born January 17, 1969) is a Japanese animator, character designer and filmmaker. He is known for working with Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon and Makoto Shinkai. He was the animation director and character designer for three of the four anime films in the top five box office revenues of Japanese films of all time: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Your Name.
Kōshun Takami (高見 広春, Takami Kōshun; born 10 January 1969) is a Japanese author and journalist. He is best known for…Kōshun Takami (高見 広春, Takami Kōshun; born 10 January 1969) is a Japanese author and journalist. He is best known for his 1999 novel Battle Royale, which was later adapted into two live-action films, directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and four manga series. Takami was born on 10 January 1969 in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture near Osaka and grew up in the Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku. After graduating from Osaka University with a degree in literature, he dropped out of Nihon University's liberal arts correspondence course program. From 1991 to 1996, he worked for the news company Shikoku Shimbun, reporting on various fields including politics, police reports, and economics. Kōshun Takami was born Hiroharu Takami (高見宏治, Takami Hiroharu). His new given name is a play on word on his original one. Hiroharu is a homophone of ''large spring''. The author then adopted the kanjis 広春 (large spring) and used their on'yomi pronunciation to form his new name: Kōshun. Battle Royale was completed after Takami left the news company. It was rejected in the final round of the 1997 literary competition Japan Grand Prix Horror Novel, due to its controversial content depicting Junior High School children forced to kill one another. When finally published in April 1999, it went on to become a bestseller, and only a year later was made into both a manga and a feature film. The novel was translated into English by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media in 2003. An expanded English edition was later published by Haika Soru, a division of Viz Media, in 2009. The first manga also began being released in English in 2003, by Tokyopop, with the last volume published in 2006. As well as being critically acclaimed, the Battle Royale series has become infamous not only in Japan, but around the world and has earned cult status. Since Battle Royale, Takami has not released any work.
Shigeo Ogata (緒方 茂生, Ogata Shigeo) (born October 4, 1968) is a retired male freestyle swimmer from Japan. He…Shigeo Ogata (緒方 茂生, Ogata Shigeo) (born October 4, 1968) is a retired male freestyle swimmer from Japan. He represented his native country in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1984. His best Olympic result was the 5th place (3:49.91) in the Men's 4×100 metres Medley Relay event at the 1988 Summer Olympics, alongside Daichi Suzuki, Hironobu Nagahata and Hiroshi Miura.
Mainoumi Shūhei (born 17 February 1968 as Shūhei Nagao) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank…Mainoumi Shūhei (born 17 February 1968 as Shūhei Nagao) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. During the 1990s, he was one of the most popular wrestlers in sumo due to his wide variety of techniques and great fighting spirit in battling opponents nearly twice his size.
Kosaku Akimoto (秋元 宏作, Akimoto Kōsaku; born January 29, 1968) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. He…Kosaku Akimoto (秋元 宏作, Akimoto Kōsaku; born January 29, 1968) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. He used to play for the Yokohama BayStars.
Eito Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 エイト, born 1968) is a pseudonymous Japanese investigative journalist who covers new religious…Eito Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 エイト, born 1968) is a pseudonymous Japanese investigative journalist who covers new religious movements in the country. His primary area of editorial coverage is fraudulent missionary activities and the relationship between religious organizations and major political parties, primarily the Unification Church (UC) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best…Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best jump is 16.65 metres, achieved in October 2003 in Hyderabad.
Yuzo Koshiro (古代 祐三, Koshiro Yūzō; born December 12, 1967) is a Japanese video game composer. He is often regarded as…Yuzo Koshiro (古代 祐三, Koshiro Yūzō; born December 12, 1967) is a Japanese video game composer. He is often regarded as one of the most influential innovators in chiptune and video game music, producing music in a number of genres including rock, jazz, symphonic, and various electronic genres such as house, electro, techno, and trance. He and his sister Ayano founded the game development company Ancient in 1990, of which he remains the president. Koshiro has been cited as creating some of the most memorable game music of the 1980s and 1990s contributing to games such as Nihon Falcom's Dragon Slayer and Ys series, as well as Sega's The Revenge of Shinobi and Streets of Rage series. The soundtracks for the latter have been called "revolutionary" and "ahead of their time" by some critics.
Akihiro Mera (目良明裕, Mera Akihiro, born 6 November 1967) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1988 Summer…Akihiro Mera (目良明裕, Mera Akihiro, born 6 November 1967) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1992 Summer Olympics. He also won several medals at the Asian Games.
Yoko Minamoto (源洋子, Minamoto Yoko, born 18 July 1967) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1988 Summer…Yoko Minamoto (源洋子, Minamoto Yoko, born 18 July 1967) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics, in the 1992 Summer Olympics, and in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Yasuhiro Sonoda (園田 康博, Sonoda Yasuhiro; born 9 June 1967) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Yasuhiro Sonoda (園田 康博, Sonoda Yasuhiro; born 9 June 1967) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Keita Kaneto (金戸恵太, Kaneto Keita; born 29 April 1967) is a Japanese diver. He competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics, the…Keita Kaneto (金戸恵太, Kaneto Keita; born 29 April 1967) is a Japanese diver. He competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Takashi Chinen (知念孝, Chinen Takashi; born March 25, 1967) is a Japanese former artistic gymnast who competed in the…Takashi Chinen (知念孝, Chinen Takashi; born March 25, 1967) is a Japanese former artistic gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the men's team event. He also won a team bronze medal at the 1994 Asian Games.
Hiroaki Nagashima (長島 裕明, Nagashima Hiroaki; born March 22, 1967) is a former Japanese football player and manager, He…Hiroaki Nagashima (長島 裕明, Nagashima Hiroaki; born March 22, 1967) is a former Japanese football player and manager, He is the currently assistant manager of J2 League side Tochigi SC.
Jun Konno (金野 潤, Konno Jun; born 20 March 1967) is a Japanese judoka. He is four times Asian champion and also won…Jun Konno (金野 潤, Konno Jun; born 20 March 1967) is a Japanese judoka. He is four times Asian champion and also won All-Japan Judo Championships in 1994 and 1997.
Yuki Ishikawa (石川雄規, Ishikawa Yūki; born February 8, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestler, former mixed martial…Yuki Ishikawa (石川雄規, Ishikawa Yūki; born February 8, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestler, former mixed martial artist and promoter. Beginning his career with shoot style promotion Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi (PWFG), Ishikawa is known for his violent shoot style matches, that often include him and his opponents legitimately hitting each other and ending the match with numerous injuries and/or blood on their faces. He is perhaps best known for his work in Battlarts, a promotion he founded in 1996. Ishikawa has also competed extensively on the Japanese independent circuit as a freelancer, competing for companies such as Pro Wrestling Zero1, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) as a freelancer. He has also competed in mixed martial arts for Fighting Network RINGS, Pride FC and Deep.