Chiaki Takahashi (高橋 千秋, Takahashi Chiaki; born August 2, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Chiaki Takahashi (高橋 千秋, Takahashi Chiaki; born August 2, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Anō, Mie and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2000 after running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1998.
Tadayuki Takahashi (高橋 忠之, Takahashi Tadayuki; born March 1, 1956 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese figure skating coach…Tadayuki Takahashi (高橋 忠之, Takahashi Tadayuki; born March 1, 1956 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former ice dancer. He competed with Noriko Sato from 1979. They placed 17th in the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. They were the first ice dancers from Japan to compete in olympics, also the first ice dancers from Japan to win an international competition (1984 Prague Skate). He was seven-time Japanese national champions from 1979 to 1985. Currently he coaches in KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skate Center.
Takashi Nagasaki (長崎尚志; born January 14, 1956) is a Japanese author, manga writer and former editor of manga. He…Takashi Nagasaki (長崎尚志; born January 14, 1956) is a Japanese author, manga writer and former editor of manga. He started his professional career at Shogakukan in 1980 and worked as an editor on the publisher's various manga magazines, including as editor-in-chief of Big Comic Spirits from July 1999 to 2001. Since becoming freelance, Nagasaki has worked as an author under various pen names, such as Keishi Edogawa (江戸川啓視), Garaku Toshusai (東周斎雅楽), Big O (ビッグ・オー) and Richard Woo (リチャード・ウー). He is best known for his collaborations with Naoki Urasawa, such as Pluto (2003–2009) and Billy Bat (2008–2016). The Kobe Shimbun wrote that Nagasaki brought the concept of a producer into the manga industry, and in doing so "established a new relationship with manga artists." Brian Ruh of Anime News Network described Nagasaki as the only editor who "has risen to the level of co-creator alongside the artist."
Kazuhiro Sano (佐野和宏, Sano Kazuhiro; born in 1956) is a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor best known for…Kazuhiro Sano (佐野和宏, Sano Kazuhiro; born in 1956) is a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor best known for his pink films of the 1990s. Along with fellow directors, Takahisa Zeze, Toshiki Satō and Hisayasu Sato, he is known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Pink" (ピンク四天王, pinku shitenno). Sano's films differ from those of other Pink film directors of the time in that, while not necessarily optimistic or upbeat, they are more concerned with relationships and romance than violence and sadism. He has the distinction of winning the Best Director prize three consecutive years at the Pink Grand Prix. He has also been given two Best Actor awards, two Best Actor second place awards, and a Best Screenplay award at this ceremony.
Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji; November 2, 1955 – May 26, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played…Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji; November 2, 1955 – May 26, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Yasuhiko Nishimura (Japanese: 西村 泰彦, Hepburn: Nishimura Yasuhiko; born 29 June 1955) is a Japanese official who served…Yasuhiko Nishimura (Japanese: 西村 泰彦, Hepburn: Nishimura Yasuhiko; born 29 June 1955) is a Japanese official who served as the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household from 2019 until 2025.
Nahomi Azuma (Japanese: 東菜穂美), known professionally as Nahomi Edamoto (Japanese: 枝元なほみ; March 22, 1955 – February 27…Nahomi Azuma (Japanese: 東菜穂美), known professionally as Nahomi Edamoto (Japanese: 枝元なほみ; March 22, 1955 – February 27, 2025), was a Japanese culinary expert. She wrote various cookbooks and frequently appeared on Japanese cooking shows.
Jiro Kase (加瀬 次郎, Kase Jirō; born 27 December 1954) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kase is from Sumida, Tokyo and began…Jiro Kase (加瀬 次郎, Kase Jirō; born 27 December 1954) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kase is from Sumida, Tokyo and began judo at Kodokan at the age of a 4th grader. He belonged to Keiyo Gas Co., Ltd after graduation from Meiji University in 1977. In 1981, he won a silver medal at the World Championships held in Maastricht. He also participated All-Japan Championships 5 times from 1977 to 1985. As of 2010, Kase coaches judo at Keiyo Gas.
Hideshi Ishikawa (石川 日出志, Ishikawa Hideshi; born 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist. Since 1978 he has been on the…Hideshi Ishikawa (石川 日出志, Ishikawa Hideshi; born 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist. Since 1978 he has been on the faculty of Meiji University, in the Archaeology Department. He is considered an expert in the Yayoi period and the Bronze-Iron Age history and culture of the Korean peninsula, and Jōmon culture and pottery. He has published several books and papers, including books about ruins of the Yayoi era (2008) and on agrarian society in ancient Japanese history (2010).
Mari Matsunaga (born 13 November 1954) is a Japanese editor, author, and businesswoman. She is also the representative…Mari Matsunaga (born 13 November 1954) is a Japanese editor, author, and businesswoman. She is also the representative of the Matsunaga Mari Office. After working at Japan Recruit Center Co., Ltd. and Recruit Co., Ltd., she served as head of the planning office in the Gateway Business Division at NTT Mobile Communications Network Corporation.
Masahiro Andō (安藤 正容, Andō Masahiro; born September 16, 1954) is a Japanese composer and guitarist from Chikusa-ku…Masahiro Andō (安藤 正容, Andō Masahiro; born September 16, 1954) is a Japanese composer and guitarist from Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. From 1976 to 2021, he was the guitarist and leader of the Japanese jazz-fusion band T-Square. He was also one-third of Ottottrio, a supergroup led by three Japanese guitarists: himself, Hirokuni Korekata of Rocket Jam and Issei Noro of Casiopea. Andō was also commissioned to create the music for Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits and Gran Turismo. He is one of the performers for the band's composition, "Truth", the theme tune for Fuji Television's Formula One World Championship coverage (which started in use in 1987) and the F-1 Grand Prix video game series. On February 1, 2021, Andō announced that he would leave T-Square following the release of their next album and tour.
Takafumi Kawabata (川端 隆普美, Kawabata Takafumi; born 26 June 1954) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal…Takafumi Kawabata (川端 隆普美, Kawabata Takafumi; born 26 June 1954) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and large hill events at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Shinosuke Tatekawa (立川 志の輔, Tatekawa Shinosuke; born 15 February 1954, from Shinminato, Toyama (now part of Imizu)) is…Shinosuke Tatekawa (立川 志の輔, Tatekawa Shinosuke; born 15 February 1954, from Shinminato, Toyama (now part of Imizu)) is a rakugo performer. His real name is Teruo Takeuchi (竹内 照雄, Takeuchi Teruo). With his comic group, Rokunin-no-Kai (Group of Six), formed in 2003, he has helped to popularise rakugo among young Japanese people. He is also well known as a TV presenter, and has presented the primetime NHK General show Tameshite Gatten (ためしてガッテン) since it started in 1995. Tatekawa received the grand prize Sponichi Art & Culture Award in 2008 for "Shinosuke Rakugo in Parco".
Yuji Matsuo (松尾 雄治, Matsuo Yūji; born 20 January 1954) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a sports journalist.…Yuji Matsuo (松尾 雄治, Matsuo Yūji; born 20 January 1954) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a sports journalist. He played as a fly-half. Matsuo was one of the greatest Japanese rugby players of all times and played for Shin-Nittetsu Kamaishi. He left competition in 1985, after seven consecutive wins. He had 24 caps for Japan, from 1974 to 1984, scoring 3 tries, 5 conversions, 14 penalties and 3 drop goals, in an aggregate of 73 points. After finishing his player career he became a sports journalist for the Japanese television.
Masahiro Maehara is a Japanese former international table tennis player. He won a silver medal at the 1977 World Table…Masahiro Maehara is a Japanese former international table tennis player. He won a silver medal at the 1977 World Table Tennis Championships in the Swaythling Cup (men's team event) with Tetsuo Inoue, Mitsuru Kono, Norio Takashima and Tokio Tasaka for Japan. He then won two bronze medals at the 1979 World Table Tennis Championships and 1981 World Table Tennis Championships. He was later the Director of the Japanese Table Tennis Association.
Koji Yamamoto (山本 浩二, Yamamoto Kōji; 28 July 1952 – 29 March 2001) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the…Koji Yamamoto (山本 浩二, Yamamoto Kōji; 28 July 1952 – 29 March 2001) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Koichi Tani (谷 公一, Tani Kōichi; born 28 January 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives…Koichi Tani (谷 公一, Tani Kōichi; born 28 January 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Muraoka, Hyōgo and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected for the first time in 2003.
Ren Osugi (大杉 漣, Ōsugi Ren), born Takashi Osugi (大杉 孝, Ōsugi Takashi; September 27, 1951 in Komatsushima, Tokushima…Ren Osugi (大杉 漣, Ōsugi Ren), born Takashi Osugi (大杉 孝, Ōsugi Takashi; September 27, 1951 in Komatsushima, Tokushima, Japan – February 21, 2018) was a Japanese actor. For his work in Cure, Hana-bi and other films, Osugi was given the Best Supporting Actor award at the 1999 Yokohama Film Festival. He often worked alongside Takeshi Kitano and Susumu Terajima. In the DVD commentary to the MPD Psycho television series, director Takashi Miike said that he admired Osugi's experience to shift quickly from comic and imbecilic to authoritative and earnest. He died of heart failure at the age of 66 on February 21, 2018.
Ren Sato (佐藤 錬, Satō Ren; born 15 July 1951) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party, and a…Ren Sato (佐藤 錬, Satō Ren; born 15 July 1951) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party, and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Haruki Uemura (上村 春樹, Uemura Haruki; born 14 February 1951 in Uki, Kumamoto) is a judoka from Japan, who won the gold…Haruki Uemura (上村 春樹, Uemura Haruki; born 14 February 1951 in Uki, Kumamoto) is a judoka from Japan, who won the gold medal in the Open class at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. In the final of the Olympic tournament in Canada he defeated Great Britain's Keith Remfry. In 2009 Uemura was elected President of Kodokan and awarded the rank of 9th dan.
Yoshio Hoshino (星野 好男, Hoshino Yoshio; born 2 November 1950) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the men's…Yoshio Hoshino (星野 好男, Hoshino Yoshio; born 2 November 1950) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the men's tournaments at the 1972 Winter Olympics, the 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Naoki Tatsuta (龍田 直樹, Tatsuta Naoki; born September 8, 1950) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production.…Naoki Tatsuta (龍田 直樹, Tatsuta Naoki; born September 8, 1950) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. He is known for the roles of Buta Gorilla in Kiteretsu Daihyakka, Daima Jin in High School! Kimengumi, Oolong in Dragon Ball, Dr. Escargon in Kirby of the Stars, Ashibe's Father in Shōnen Ashibe, Capone "Gang" Bege in One Piece, and Scoop-kun in Shūkan Kodomo News. His former stage name was Naoki Tatsuta (竜田 直樹, Tatsuta Naoki) and he is married to Japanese actress Sanae Takagi.
Hiromichi Watanabe (渡辺 博道, Watanabe Hiromichi; born 3 August 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Hiromichi Watanabe (渡辺 博道, Watanabe Hiromichi; born 3 August 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. A native of Matsudo City, Chiba he attended Waseda University as an undergraduate and received a master's degree from Meiji University. He was elected to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly in 1995 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996. He was appointed by Shinzo Abe as Minister of Reconstruction on 2 October 2018 and left the position on 11 September 2019. He was succeeded by Kazunori Tanaka.
Masaki Yamada (山田 正紀, Yamada Masaki; born January 16, 1950 in Nagoya) is a Japanese crime and science fiction author.…Masaki Yamada (山田 正紀, Yamada Masaki; born January 16, 1950 in Nagoya) is a Japanese crime and science fiction author. He has won the Nihon SF Taisho Award, the Seiun Award three times, and an award for mystery fiction. His first story was published in 1974. His novel Aphrodite was translated into English in 2004. He also wrote After the Long Goodbye, a Ghost in the Shell-related novel.
Yoshitaka Sakurada (桜田 義孝, Sakurada Yoshitaka; born 20 December 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yoshitaka Sakurada (桜田 義孝, Sakurada Yoshitaka; born 20 December 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan. He formerly served as Minister of State for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Fourth Abe Cabinet.
Satoshi Mori (森 哲, Mori Satoshi; born 10 May 1949) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament…Satoshi Mori (森 哲, Mori Satoshi; born 10 May 1949) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1972 Summer Olympics and the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Fumiaki Matsumoto (松本 文明, Matsumoto Fumiaki; born 25 March 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Fumiaki Matsumoto (松本 文明, Matsumoto Fumiaki; born 25 March 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Matsumoto served as a vice minister for the Cabinet Office between August 2017 and January 2018. He resigned from his post after being recorded in the Diet mocking the gravity of US military helicopter accidents in Okinawa.
Tetsuaki Nakamura (中村 哲明, Nakamura Tetsuaki; born 1 October 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…Tetsuaki Nakamura (中村 哲明, Nakamura Tetsuaki; born 1 October 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Agata Morio (Japanese: あがた森魚, born 12 September 1948) is a Japanese folk rock singer-songwriter and actor. He also…Agata Morio (Japanese: あがた森魚, born 12 September 1948) is a Japanese folk rock singer-songwriter and actor. He also directed three films.
Kaiji Kawaguchi (Japanese: 川口 開治 or かわぐち かいじ, Hepburn: Kawaguchi Kaiji; born July 27, 1948) is a Japanese manga artist.…Kaiji Kawaguchi (Japanese: 川口 開治 or かわぐち かいじ, Hepburn: Kawaguchi Kaiji; born July 27, 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. He is known for works such as The Silent Service, Zipang, A Spirit of the Sun and Kūbo Ibuki. Generally, his stories involve Japan and examine the moral choices that people make in extreme situations.
Yukio Kamimura (born 30 August 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968…Yukio Kamimura (born 30 August 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Mutsuhiko Maeda (前田 睦彦, Maeda Mutsuhiko; born 7 May 1947) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1968 Winter…Mutsuhiko Maeda (前田 睦彦, Maeda Mutsuhiko; born 7 May 1947) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Daisuke Ban (伴 大介, Ban Daisuke), born Kiyonori Saito (斎藤 清憲, Saitō Kiyonori), is a Japanese actor. He was born on May…Daisuke Ban (伴 大介, Ban Daisuke), born Kiyonori Saito (斎藤 清憲, Saitō Kiyonori), is a Japanese actor. He was born on May 5, 1947, in Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo. He is best known for portraying several heroic roles in tokusatsu, including Jiro in Android Kikaider and Goro Watari in Inazuman.
Akio Kudo (born 15 February 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968…Akio Kudo (born 15 February 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Hideaki Yanagida (柳田 英明, Yanagida Hideaki; born 1 January 1947) is a retired Japanese bantamweight freestyle wrestler.…Hideaki Yanagida (柳田 英明, Yanagida Hideaki; born 1 January 1947) is a retired Japanese bantamweight freestyle wrestler. He won his event at the 1970 Asian Games, 1970 and 1971 world championships and 1972 Summer Olympics.
Masatoshi Shinomaki (篠巻 政利, born October 6, 1946) is a retired Japanese heavyweight judoka, who won the world title in…Masatoshi Shinomaki (篠巻 政利, born October 6, 1946) is a retired Japanese heavyweight judoka, who won the world title in the open category in 1969 and 1971, placing third in 1967. He also competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Zenjiro Yasuda (born August 1, 1946) is a Japanese field hockey coach. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he coached the Japan…Zenjiro Yasuda (born August 1, 1946) is a Japanese field hockey coach. At the 2012 Summer Olympics he coached the Japan women's national field hockey team.
Ryudo Uzaki (宇崎 竜童, Uzaki Ryūdō; born February 23, 1946) is a Japanese musician, composer, and actor. His group, the…Ryudo Uzaki (宇崎 竜童, Uzaki Ryūdō; born February 23, 1946) is a Japanese musician, composer, and actor. His group, the Down Town Boogie-Woogie Band, was one of the most prominent 1970s Japanese rock bands. He also composed many of Momoe Yamaguchi's songs with Yoko Aki. Uzaki has also worked as a film composer, providing the scores to such productions as The Miracle of Joe Petrel, Umi e, See You and Shaso. In addition, Uzaki has frequently worked as an actor, and he also directed the 1982 film Saraba aibo, aka So Long, My Partner: Rock Is Sex. He is married to lyricist and actress Yoko Aki.
Shigeo Kitamura (北村 茂男, Kitamura Shigeo; born 8 November 1945) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Shigeo Kitamura (北村 茂男, Kitamura Shigeo; born 8 November 1945) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Fusako Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 房子, romanized: Shigenobu Fusako; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ ɸɯ̟sa̠ko̞]; born September 28, 1945)…Fusako Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 房子, romanized: Shigenobu Fusako; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ ɸɯ̟sa̠ko̞]; born September 28, 1945) is a Japanese communist activist, writer, and the founder and leader of the now-disbanded militant group Japanese Red Army (JRA). Born in Japan, Shigenobu became involved in New Left activism while attending night school at Meiji University in Tokyo. In 1969, she joined the Red Army Faction (RAF), a communist group that advocated immediate, armed revolution against the governments of the United States and Japan. Eventually becoming one of its senior leaders, Shigenobu played a significant role in establishing the International Relations Bureau for the organization. In 1971, she helped found the JRA as an offshoot of the RAF. That same year, Shigenobu and the JRA relocated to the Middle East in an effort to start a world revolution, therefore she came in contact with terror groups within Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). During the 1970s and 1980s, members of the JRA took part in a number of violent incidents, including bombings, mass shootings, and hijackings. Although Shigenobu did not directly participate in these activities, during this time she attained international fame as the leader and public-facing spokesperson for the JRA. Under her leadership, the JRA allied with Palestinian militant groups to carry out high-profile terrorist attacks globally, most notably the Lod Airport Massacre (at what is now Ben Gurion Airport) on May 30, 1972. Arriving in the baggage area, the gunmen pulled assault rifles and grenades from violin cases and fired indiscriminately into the crowd. 26 people were murdered (mostly Puerto Rican pilgrims and Israeli citizens) and over 80 were injured. Two attackers died during the assault, while the third, Kozo Okamoto, was captured. Shigenobu coordinated logistics and provided political backing for the attack. Despite initially supporting Terror acts, in later years Shigenobu expressed remorse about her involvement with violent militancy, and focused on grassroots support for and solidarity with the Palestinian people. Throughout her years in hiding and later imprisonment, Shigenobu authored 10 books, including a book of poetry. Following her arrest in 2000 after several years of hiding, Shigenobu was put on trial for passport forgery and conspiracy involving an attempted hostage-taking operation at the French Embassy in The Hague in 1974. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2006 and released in 2022.
Shozo Nishimura (born 26 September 1945) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the…Shozo Nishimura (born 26 September 1945) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Masakatsu Asari (浅利 正勝, Asari Masakatsu; born 31 July 1945) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill…Masakatsu Asari (浅利 正勝, Asari Masakatsu; born 31 July 1945) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill event at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Masao Hattori (服部正男, Hattori Masao; born July 20, 1945), known as Tiger Hattori (タイガー服部, Tāiga Hattori) is a Japanese…Masao Hattori (服部正男, Hattori Masao; born July 20, 1945), known as Tiger Hattori (タイガー服部, Tāiga Hattori) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler, referee and manager, best known for his work as a referee in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Hattori is currently the foreign liaison officer of NJPW. Hattori has been active in pro wrestling since the 1970s; he is one of the longest tenured members of the New Japan roster, having made his first appearance in 1982. He has also worked for other companies, including Japan Pro Wrestling, Fighting of World Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah. Hattori retired from refereeing on February 19, 2020.
Yoko Aki (阿木 燿子, Aki Yōko; born May 1, 1945) is a Japanese songwriter, actress, novelist and essayist. With her…Yoko Aki (阿木 燿子, Aki Yōko; born May 1, 1945) is a Japanese songwriter, actress, novelist and essayist. With her husband, Ryudo Uzaki, she has written many songs for other singers, with Aki as lyricist and Uzaki as composer. They are especially famous for a series of hit songs of Momoe Yamaguchi's. She has acted in several films, and she won the award for best supporting actress at the 5th Hochi Film Award for Shiki Natsuko. She was a model under an exclusive contract with Kanebo Cosmetics for many years.
Hiroshi Itagaki (板垣 宏志, Itagaki Hiroshi; born 27 April 1945) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed at the 1968 Winter…Hiroshi Itagaki (板垣 宏志, Itagaki Hiroshi; born 27 April 1945) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics, the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Akira Narita (born April 9, 1945, in Karatsu, Saga) is a Japanese manga artist best known for writing about his…Akira Narita (born April 9, 1945, in Karatsu, Saga) is a Japanese manga artist best known for writing about his experiences with the Japanese telekura (telephone club) industry.