Karolina Shiino (Japanese: 椎野カロリーナ, romanized: Shiino Karorīna; Ukrainian: Кароліна Шиїно, romanized: Karolina Shyino…Karolina Shiino (Japanese: 椎野カロリーナ, romanized: Shiino Karorīna; Ukrainian: Кароліна Шиїно, romanized: Karolina Shyino; born 24 August 1997) is a Japanese model. Born in Ukraine, she moved to Japan with her mother when she was five and became the first naturalised Japanese citizen to win the Miss Nippon beauty pageant. Shiino later declined the title, and her resignation was accepted by the organisers.
Kento Nakajima (Japanese: 中島健人, Hepburn: Nakajima Kento; born March 13, 1994) is a Japanese singer, actor, voice actor…Kento Nakajima (Japanese: 中島健人, Hepburn: Nakajima Kento; born March 13, 1994) is a Japanese singer, actor, voice actor and television personality under Starto Entertainment. He is best known as being a member of the Japanese idol groups Sexy Zone and Yuma Nakayama w/B.I.Shadow.
Takahisa Maeyama (前山 剛久, Maeyama Takahisa; born February 7, 1991) is a Japanese social media personality and former…Takahisa Maeyama (前山 剛久, Maeyama Takahisa; born February 7, 1991) is a Japanese social media personality and former actor. Maeyama began his acting career in 2011 as a member of D2, a sub-group of Watanabe Entertainment's male acting troupe D-Boys. Since joining D2, Maeyama has appeared and starred in multiple stage plays, including Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle: Rule the Stage (2020–2021) and A New Musical: A Sign of Affection (2021). He has also appeared in television series, such as Kamen Rider Wizard (2012) and 3B no Koibito (2021). Maeyama retired from acting and the entertainment industry on June 30, 2022. He had attempted to make a comeback in 2024, but he retired again after his comeback was poorly received by the Japanese public. He has since focused on his activities as a TikTok live streamer and music producer.
Aoi Nakabeppu (中別府 葵, Nakabeppu Aoi; born September 13, 1990, in Kōshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Aoi Nakabeppu (中別府 葵, Nakabeppu Aoi; born September 13, 1990, in Kōshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese fashion model and actress who is affiliated with Horipro.
Manato Takashi (高橋 真登, Takahashi Manato) is a Japanese former footballer who is last known to have been a member of…Manato Takashi (高橋 真登, Takahashi Manato) is a Japanese former footballer who is last known to have been a member of Singapore's Hougang United in 2015.
Eriko Hori (堀 絵梨子, Hori Eriko; born 2 May 1988), better known by her stage name Pile, is a Japanese singer, actress and…Eriko Hori (堀 絵梨子, Hori Eriko; born 2 May 1988), better known by her stage name Pile, is a Japanese singer, actress and voice actress from Tokyo. Her first roles were minor parts in TV series and films during 2006. She debuted as a singer after she was selected in a 2006 Japan-wide audition and she made her voice acting debut in the Love Live! School Idol Project series in 2010.
Asaya Kimijima (君嶋 麻耶, Kimijima Asaya; born, September 8, 1987, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese model and…Asaya Kimijima (君嶋 麻耶, Kimijima Asaya; born, September 8, 1987, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese model and actor who is affiliated with Stardust Promotion.
Takashi Fujiwara (藤原崇, Fujiwara Takashi; born 2 August 1983) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party.…Takashi Fujiwara (藤原崇, Fujiwara Takashi; born 2 August 1983) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party. From 2012 to 2024, he was a member of the House of Representatives. From 2023 to 2024, he served as Director of the LDP's Youth Division.
Akiko Yazawa (矢澤 亜希子, Yazawa Akiko) (née Abe, born 1980) is a professional backgammon player from Tokyo. She became…Akiko Yazawa (矢澤 亜希子, Yazawa Akiko) (née Abe, born 1980) is a professional backgammon player from Tokyo. She became World Backgammon champion in 2014 and 2018. Akiko is ranked 3rd on Giants of Backgammon in 2015, becoming the first female Backgammon Giant.
Akira Kuroda (黒田 晶, Kuroda Akira), born 1977, is a Japanese novelist. She was born in Chiba Prefecture and studied Art…Akira Kuroda (黒田 晶, Kuroda Akira), born 1977, is a Japanese novelist. She was born in Chiba Prefecture and studied Art at Meiji Gakuin University before dropping out and going on to study at the University of Brighton. In 2000 she won the 37th Bungei Prize for her novel, You Love Us, though the title has since been changed to Made in Japan. In 2003 she was nominated for the 16th Yukio Mishima Prize for her novel, Sekai ga Hajimaru Asa.
Masato Shimizu (清水 真人, Shimizu Masato; born 26 February 1975) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Nikai Faction…Masato Shimizu (清水 真人, Shimizu Masato; born 26 February 1975) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Nikai Faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), serving his first term in the House of Councillors, representing Gumma Prefecture.
Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 おさむ, 鈴木 収, Suzuki Osamu; born 25 April 1972, in Chikura (now Minamibōsō), Awa District, Chiba) is a…Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 おさむ, 鈴木 収, Suzuki Osamu; born 25 April 1972, in Chikura (now Minamibōsō), Awa District, Chiba) is a Japanese television writer, screenwriter, lyricist, radio personality, and tarento. Since 2014, he has also been involved in organizing the Hakuhō Cup, a sumo tournament for children. Suzuki's pseudonym is Sumasuma Suzuki (すますま・すずき).
Hiroyuki Yoshiie (義家 弘介, Yoshiie Hiroyuki; born March 31, 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hiroyuki Yoshiie (義家 弘介, Yoshiie Hiroyuki; born March 31, 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He has also held a professorship at Shoin University. A native of Nagano Prefecture and graduate of Meiji Gakuin University, he was elected to his first term in 2012. In 2021, he was the Chairman of the Judicial Affairs Committee.
Mitsuru Igarashi (五十嵐 充, Igarashi Mitsuru; born 17 May 1969 in Tokyo) is the former keyboardist and songwriter of…Mitsuru Igarashi (五十嵐 充, Igarashi Mitsuru; born 17 May 1969 in Tokyo) is the former keyboardist and songwriter of Japanese pop group Every Little Thing. He founded the band in early 1996 with his old friend Ichirō Itō and then 18-year-old singer Kaori Mochida. He left Every Little Thing in April 2000 after releasing the third album, Eternity. Since leaving the band, he started producing music for the band Day After Tomorrow which disbanded in 2005. Currently he plays keyboards and is a songmaker and producer in band Rushmore. He was also involved in composing and writing song lyrics for Every Little Thing's ninth album, Change.
Narumi Yasuda (安田 成美, Yasuda Narumi; born 28 November 1966) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress…Narumi Yasuda (安田 成美, Yasuda Narumi; born 28 November 1966) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for Inujini seshi mono, Minami e Hashire, Umi no Michi o! and Sorobanzuku. She also won the award for best actress at the 13th Hochi Film Award for Bakayaro! I'm Plenty Mad. Yasuda was born in Tokyo. She was the winner of a competition to find a singer to sing the theme song and promote Hayao Miyazaki's anime film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, "Kaze no Tani no Naushika", written by Takashi Matsumoto and composed by Haruomi Hosono.
Takayuki Kinoshita (木下 隆之, Kinoshita Takayuki) is a Japanese racing car driver, author, and automotive journalist.…Takayuki Kinoshita (木下 隆之, Kinoshita Takayuki) is a Japanese racing car driver, author, and automotive journalist. Kinoshita is affiliated with Toyota Motorsport's GAZOO Racing arm, with whom he scored SP8 class wins in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 24 Hours Nürburgring driving the Lexus LFA. He also won A8 class in the 2004 24 Hours Nürburgring driving a Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) for Falken Motorsports. Among Japanese drivers, Kinoshita has raced the most times in the 24 Hours Nürburgring. He has also raced in All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship, Japanese Touring Car Championship, Japanese Formula Three, and Super Taikyu N1 Endurance Series. Kinoshita is a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Japan and is on the selection committee for Car of the Year Japan. He was also a presenter on the Japanese Best Motoring TV series.
Tetsurō Oda (織田 哲郎, Oda Tetsurō; born March 11, 1958) is a Japanese composer, record producer, and singer-songwriter.…Tetsurō Oda (織田 哲郎, Oda Tetsurō; born March 11, 1958) is a Japanese composer, record producer, and singer-songwriter. Oda is the third best-selling composer in the history of the Japanese singles chart, with over 40 million units being sold.
Junji Nishimura (西村 純二, Nishimura Junji; born December 23, 1955) is a Japanese anime director and producer currently…Junji Nishimura (西村 純二, Nishimura Junji; born December 23, 1955) is a Japanese anime director and producer currently residing in Karatsu, Saga. After graduating from Meiji Gakuin University in 1980, Nishimura entered into the anime studio Nishiko Production. Nishimura had his first job as a producer for Baldios in 1980, and went on to be in charge of production in other series such as Six God Combination Godmars, and Magical Princess Minky Momo in 1982. An episode of Urusei Yatsura he directed in 1982, "After You've Gone" (episode #44), was voted the favorite episode of the TV series by Japanese fans. In 1984, Nishimura resigned from Nishiko and in 1985 had his director debut with Pro Golfer Saru. Since then, he has worked as the director on many anime produced by Studio Deen, notably Ranma ½ (serving as series director on later television seasons and for the OVA series as well) and Kyo Kara Maoh!. In 2019, he was named as director of a new anime series, Vladlove, about a girl vampire that was written by Mamoru Oshii and financed by Ichigo Inc.
Satoshi Kirishima (Japanese: 桐島聡, romanized: Kirishima Satoshi, January 9, 1954 – January 29, 2024) was a Japanese…Satoshi Kirishima (Japanese: 桐島聡, romanized: Kirishima Satoshi, January 9, 1954 – January 29, 2024) was a Japanese anarchist, terrorist, and member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front. Kirishima had been hiding from the Japanese police since 1975. He revealed his identity in January 2024 in a hospital in Kanagawa, stating he wanted to spend the final days of his life using his real name. It was revealed he had been living under the pseudonym of 'Hiroshi Uchida' (Japanese: 内田洋, romanized: Uchida Hiroshi) in Fujisawa. He died three days later in Kamakura. Kirishima was considered one of Japan's most wanted criminals for a long time. His mugshot, which could be found at police stations across Japan, was well known for his grin and was often parodied.
Masao Sueda (末田 正雄, Sueda Masao; born July 18, 1951 in Kure, Hiroshima) is a Japanese journalist and newscaster, who…Masao Sueda (末田 正雄, Sueda Masao; born July 18, 1951 in Kure, Hiroshima) is a Japanese journalist and newscaster, who works for NHK Radio 1. Sueda was a presenter on the Ohayo Nippon morning show between 2000 and 2003, presented the Ogenki desu ka Nippon Retto afternoon program between 2004 and 2005, and was the weekend presenter on NHK News 7. As of December 2012, he presents the radio program Watashi mo Hitokoto! Yūgata Nyūsu (私も一言！夕方ニュース).
Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of…Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Dōshu.
Eiji Okuda (奥田瑛二, Okuda Eiji; born 18 March 1950) is a Japanese actor and film director. Born in Kasugai, Aichi, he was…Eiji Okuda (奥田瑛二, Okuda Eiji; born 18 March 1950) is a Japanese actor and film director. Born in Kasugai, Aichi, he was nominated for the Best Actor award at the 1990 Japanese Academy Awards for his performance in Sen no Rikyu. He won the award for best actor at the 37th Blue Ribbon Awards for Like a Rolling Stone. He made his directing debut in 2001, and has taken leading roles in front of the camera in the three films he has directed as of 2006. He appeared in the Brazilian soap opera Morde & Assopra, of 2011, as a scientist in the first chapter. He also appeared in the film Dirty Hearts, also released in 2011, this time as the character Colonel Watanabe, officer of the Japanese Imperial Army, leader of Shindo Renmei and the great villain of the film.
Kensaku Morita (森田 健作, Morita Kensaku; born 16 December 1949; birth name: 鈴木 栄治 Eiji Suzuki) is a retired Japanese…Kensaku Morita (森田 健作, Morita Kensaku; born 16 December 1949; birth name: 鈴木 栄治 Eiji Suzuki) is a retired Japanese politician, actor and singer. He was elected to three terms as governor of Chiba Prefecture, serving from April 2009 to April 2021.
Akira Gunji (郡司 彰, Gunji Akira; born 11 December 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Akira Gunji (郡司 彰, Gunji Akira; born 11 December 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and formerly a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). He served as Vice President of the House of Councillors from 2016 to 2019.
Yoshiko Takahara (Japanese: 高原 徳子, 1949 – November 6, 2023), better known under the stage name Yoshiko Miura (Japanese…Yoshiko Takahara (Japanese: 高原 徳子, 1949 – November 6, 2023), better known under the stage name Yoshiko Miura (Japanese: 三浦徳子), was a Japanese lyricist.
Azuma Konno (今野 東, Konno Azuma; 17 December 1947 – 24 April 2013) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Azuma Konno (今野 東, Konno Azuma; 17 December 1947 – 24 April 2013) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture and graduate of Meiji Gakuin University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007 after serving in the House of Representatives for two terms.
Akira Kasai (1943) is a Japanese butoh dancer and choreographer, who despite being significantly younger than mentors…Akira Kasai (1943) is a Japanese butoh dancer and choreographer, who despite being significantly younger than mentors Kazuo Ohno and Tatsumi Hijikata, is considered to be pioneers of the art form along with them. Kasai trained in other forms of dance, but turned to butoh in the 1960s when he met and began to work with these two men. He started his own studio in 1971 but closed it in 1979 to move and study Eurythmy in Germany. He did not dance professionally at the time and for years after his return to Japan in 1986 he stayed off the stage stating that he felt too disconnected from Japanese society to perform. He returned to professional dance in 1994, with the work Saraphita and revived his studio Tenshi kan, now influenced by Eurythmy and other dance principles. He has since performed, choreographed and taught in Asia, the Americas and Europe, but his choreography is sufficiently different from most other butoh that its authenticity has been questioned.
Masako Wada (和田 征子, Wada Masako; born 1943) is a Japanese hibakusha as a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of…Masako Wada (和田 征子, Wada Masako; born 1943) is a Japanese hibakusha as a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki, who is assistant secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations). As one of the youngest remaining hibakusha, Wada believes it is necessary to preserve the learned experiences of her fellow survivors, so that their unique perspectives are not lost to time. She has spent decades advocating for nuclear disarmament and spreading public awareness of the horrors of nuclear war. Wada's central beliefs are that humanity has a moral responsibility to cease the production and usage of nuclear weapons, and that international governments must provide reparations for victims. She believes that any alternatives to total disarmament are ineffective because they fail to approach the subject from an ethical standpoint. For instance, she has claimed that deterrence theory is not sufficient justification for preserving nuclear weapons because it relies on the morally unacceptable threat of mutual destruction.
Kunihiko Nakamura (中村 邦彦, Nakamura Kunihiko; 24 September 1939 – 9 September 2021) was a Japanese basketball player. He…Kunihiko Nakamura (中村 邦彦, Nakamura Kunihiko; 24 September 1939 – 9 September 2021) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Joh Mizuki (水木 襄, Mizuki Jō; 11 March 1938 – 1991) was a Japanese actor. His birth name was Ishikawa Yoshiaki. He was…Joh Mizuki (水木 襄, Mizuki Jō; 11 March 1938 – 1991) was a Japanese actor. His birth name was Ishikawa Yoshiaki. He was born in Tokyo. Mizuki made his acting debut in 1958, in Futeki naru hanko which was directed by Makino Masahiro. He played a number of juvenile delinquent-type roles in TV series in the late fifties and early sixties. In 1964, he appeared in the internationally released Fuji TV action television series Ninja butai gekkô, known as Phantom Agents in the English language release. Joh Mizuki played the lead role of Phantar, who was the leader of a band of ninja-skilled government agents. Phantom Agents was shown in Australia, Venezuela, Brazil and other countries, including a limited airing in America in the New York area.
Yukichi Amano (天野 祐吉) (27 April 1933 in Adachi, Tokyo – 20 October 2013 in Tokyo) was a Japanese columnist, founder and…Yukichi Amano (天野 祐吉) (27 April 1933 in Adachi, Tokyo – 20 October 2013 in Tokyo) was a Japanese columnist, founder and chief editor of monthly magazine Kokoku Hihyo. Amano attended Meiji Gakuin University but did not graduate. In 1970 he established Madra Publishing Ltd. In 1979 he established Kokoku Hihyo, a magazine that was discontinued in 2009. In 2002 he became Director (later Honorary Director) of the Shiki Memorial Museum.
Haruto Kō (耕 治人, Kō Haruto; August 1, 1906 - January 6, 1988) was a noted Japanese poet and novelist. Kō was born in…Haruto Kō (耕 治人, Kō Haruto; August 1, 1906 - January 6, 1988) was a noted Japanese poet and novelist. Kō was born in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto and graduated from the Department of English Literature of Meiji Gakuin University. He was arrested as a political offender during World War II, and after the war started to write I novels. Kō received the 1969 Yomiuri Prize for Ichijō no hikari, as well as the Ministry of Education's Art Encouragement Prize.
Abraham Setsuzō Kotsuji (小辻 節三, Kotsuji Setsuzō; 1899, Kyoto – 31 October 1973) was a Japanese Orientalist and…Abraham Setsuzō Kotsuji (小辻 節三, Kotsuji Setsuzō; 1899, Kyoto – 31 October 1973) was a Japanese Orientalist and Hebraist, the son of a Shinto priest from a long line of priests. During the Holocaust he assisted Jewish refugees—first in Kobe and later in Japanese-occupied Shanghai—and spoke out against Nazi-inspired anti-Jewish propaganda. A Japanese-language biography about his aid to refugees was written by actor Jundai Yamada and published in 2013 by NHK Shuppan. He converted to Judaism in 1959, having earlier converted from Shinto to Christianity in his youth. In his memoir From Tokyo to Jerusalem he described his religious journey and lifelong engagement with Hebrew and the Bible. He first encountered Jews while working for the South Manchuria Railroad Company during World War II.
Yi Kwangsu (Korean: 이광수; Hanja: 李光洙; February 1, 1892 – October 25, 1950) was a Korean writer, Korean independence…Yi Kwangsu (Korean: 이광수; Hanja: 李光洙; February 1, 1892 – October 25, 1950) was a Korean writer, Korean independence activist, and later collaborator with Imperial Japan. Yi is best known for his novel Mujŏng (The Heartless), which is often described as the first modern Korean novel. His art names were Ch'unwŏn and Koju. He adopted a Japanese name, Kayama Mitsurō (香山光郞).
Wada Eisaku (和田英作; December 23, 1874 – January 3, 1959) was a Japanese painter and luminary of the yōga (or…Wada Eisaku (和田英作; December 23, 1874 – January 3, 1959) was a Japanese painter and luminary of the yōga (or Western-style) scene in the late Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa eras. He was a member of the Japan Art Academy, an Imperial Household Artist, a recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure and Order of Culture, an Officier in the Légion d'honneur, and a Person of Cultural Merit.
Shōnen Matsumura (松村 松年, Matsumura Shōnen; 5 March 1872 – 7 November 1960) was a Japanese entomologist. Born in Akashi…Shōnen Matsumura (松村 松年, Matsumura Shōnen; 5 March 1872 – 7 November 1960) was a Japanese entomologist. Born in Akashi, Hyōgo, Dr. Shōnen Matsumura established Japan's first course on entomology at Hokkaido University. The courses were both applied (on insects of importance in forestry and agriculture) and theoretical. He named over 1,200 species of Japanese insects and in 1926 he founded the entomological journal Insecta Matsumurana. Matsumura wrote many scientific papers and books including 6,000 illustrated Insects of Japan-Empire (1931). He died in Tokyo. His collection is in Hokkaido University in Sapporo.
Tōson Shimazaki (島崎 藤村, Shimazaki Tōson; Japanese pronunciation: [toꜜː.soɴ], 25 March 1872 – 22 August 1943) was the…Tōson Shimazaki (島崎 藤村, Shimazaki Tōson; Japanese pronunciation: [toꜜː.soɴ], 25 March 1872 – 22 August 1943) was the pen-name of Haruki Shimazaki, a Japanese writer active in the Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa periods of Japan. He began his career as a Romantic poet, but went on to establish himself as a major proponent of Japanese Naturalism. The historical novel Before the Dawn (1929–1935), about the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, is his most popular work.
Morinosuke Chiwaki (血脇 守之助, Chiwaki Morinosuke; 2 March 1870 – 24 February 1947) was a Japanese dentist, dental…Morinosuke Chiwaki (血脇 守之助, Chiwaki Morinosuke; 2 March 1870 – 24 February 1947) was a Japanese dentist, dental educator and administrator who played an important role in the development of modern dental education and professional dentistry in Japan. He succeeded to the management of Takayama Dental School and developed it into the institution that later became Tokyo Dental College. He also served as the first president of the Japan Dental Association and was a patron of bacteriologist Hideyo Noguchi.
Baron Masuda Takashi (益田 孝; November 12, 1848 – December 28, 1938) was a Japanese industrialist, investor, and art…Baron Masuda Takashi (益田 孝; November 12, 1848 – December 28, 1938) was a Japanese industrialist, investor, and art collector. He was a prominent entrepreneur in Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa period Japan, responsible for transforming Mitsui into a zaibatsu through the creation of a general trading company, Mitsui & Co. He also established a newspaper, the Chugai Shōgyō Shimpō (中外商業新報), which was later renamed the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
Ren Nagase (Japanese: 永瀬 廉, Hepburn: Nagase Ren; born January 23, 1999) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is a member…Ren Nagase (Japanese: 永瀬 廉, Hepburn: Nagase Ren; born January 23, 1999) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is a member of the boy band King & Prince and Mr. King. His nickname is "Renren." His agency is King & Prince K.K. He currently works at Starto Entertainment.
Tetsu Shiratori (白鳥 哲, Shiratori Tetsu; born March 21, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor. He is well known for his role…Tetsu Shiratori (白鳥 哲, Shiratori Tetsu; born March 21, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor. He is well known for his role as Lloyd Asplund (Code Geass), Gluttony (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) and Zancrow (Fairy Tail).
Tōru Furuya (古谷 徹, Furuya Tōru; born July 31, 1953, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and narrator.…Tōru Furuya (古谷 徹, Furuya Tōru; born July 31, 1953, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and narrator. As a child, he was a member of Gekidan Himawari, a children's acting troupe. He has been employed by talent management firm Aoni Production since 1982. Furuya is most known for the anime roles of Amuro Ray (Gundam), Hyūma Hoshi (Star of the Giants), Pegasus Seiya (Saint Seiya), Yamcha (Dragon Ball), Kyōsuke Kasuga (Kimagure Orange Road) and Tuxedo Mask (Sailor Moon). He considers them his most important roles. He also voiced Mario in several anime and commercials, starting with the film Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!, released in 1986. He also used a pseudonym, Noboru Sōgetsu (蒼月 昇, Sōgetsu Noboru), when playing Ribbons Almark in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (he used his real name in the narration role) and as Zen Kirishima in Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi. Both the narration role and Ribbons Almark were Furuya's first role in a non-Universal Century Gundam series. He is also the most well known official dubbing voice for Hong Kong action film actor Yuen Biao.
Hideo Yoshizawa (吉沢 秀雄, Yoshizawa Hideo) born September 2, 1960, is a Japanese video game director, screenwriter, and…Hideo Yoshizawa (吉沢 秀雄, Yoshizawa Hideo) born September 2, 1960, is a Japanese video game director, screenwriter, and producer, most famous for his work on the Ninja Gaiden and Klonoa series of video games. Prior to being employed by Namco, he worked for Tecmo and was involved in the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy for the Nintendo Entertainment System under the name "Sakurazaki". As of April 2016, Yoshizawa has left Bandai Namco Studios and is now working freelance. On January 10, 2017, Henshin announced that they had signed Yoshizawa on board for their then upcoming animated film adaptation of Klonoa as an executive producer. Yoshizawa is a professor at Tokyo Polytechnic University.
