Sōroku Yagisawa (八木沢 荘六, Yagisawa Sōroku; born December 1, 1944 in Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Sōroku Yagisawa (八木沢 荘六, Yagisawa Sōroku; born December 1, 1944 in Nikkō, Tochigi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He played for the Tokyo Orions and Lotte Orions. He later managed the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Takeo Fukui (福井 威夫, Fukui Takeo; born November 28, 1944) is the former president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. He is…Takeo Fukui (福井 威夫, Fukui Takeo; born November 28, 1944) is the former president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. He is from Tokyo, Japan, though his mother gave birth to him in Hiroshima to escape intensifying air raids during World War II. He graduated from Waseda University with a bachelor's degree in Applied Chemistry. He began working at Honda in April 1969.
Takeshi Ono (大野 毅, Ono Takeshi; born November 22, 1944) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Takeshi Ono (大野 毅, Ono Takeshi; born November 22, 1944) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Takashi Inoue (井之上 喬, Inoue Takashi; born 20 November 1944) is a public relations practitioner, scholar, and theorist.…Takashi Inoue (井之上 喬, Inoue Takashi; born 20 November 1944) is a public relations practitioner, scholar, and theorist. His theories include the "three forces of hyper-globalization", the "Self-Correction Model of Public Relations", and the "Japan model". He was the first to teach public relations courses at a major university in post-war Japan and is the Chairman and CEO of Inoue Public Relations, which he founded in 1970. He is a visiting professor at the Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University and at Kobe Institute of Computing. He was quoted in foreign press reports on the East Japan Earthquake and the 2018 arrest in Japan of Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn. He has written about modern Japan's lack of PR skills and has described the resulting "Deficiency of Japanese diplomacy", and in 2010 he wrote that corporate Japan's scandals have created "A culture of apologies: Communicating crises in Japan"
Takuji Yanagimoto (柳本 卓治, Yanagimoto Takuji; born 11 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Takuji Yanagimoto (柳本 卓治, Yanagimoto Takuji; born 11 November 1944) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Nobutaka Tsutsui (筒井 信隆, Tsutsui Nobutaka; 10 November 1944 – 1 October 2026) was a Japanese politician who served in…Nobutaka Tsutsui (筒井 信隆, Tsutsui Nobutaka; 10 November 1944 – 1 October 2026) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Takashi Koizumi (小泉堯史 Koizumi Takashi) (born November 6, 1944, in Mito) is a Japanese film director. After graduating…Takashi Koizumi (小泉堯史 Koizumi Takashi) (born November 6, 1944, in Mito) is a Japanese film director. After graduating from Waseda University, he served as an assistant director for Akira Kurosawa for many years.
Kunihiro Iwasaki (岩崎 邦宏, Iwasaki Kunihiro) (born 1944) is a Japanese swimmer and Olympic medalist. He competed at the…Kunihiro Iwasaki (岩崎 邦宏, Iwasaki Kunihiro) (born 1944) is a Japanese swimmer and Olympic medalist. He competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, winning a bronze medal in 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay. He also participated at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Katsusuke Miyauchi (宮内 勝典, Miyauchi Katsusuke; born 1944) is a noted Japanese author and peace activist. Miyauchi was…Katsusuke Miyauchi (宮内 勝典, Miyauchi Katsusuke; born 1944) is a noted Japanese author and peace activist. Miyauchi was born in Harbin to a family originating from Ibusuki. He graduated from Kagoshima Prefectural Konan High School. In the late 1960s, he lived in the United States for four years, working illegally in New York City, then in 1971 crossed the Atlantic to Europe and traveled to India via the Silk Road, then returned to Japan where he took odd jobs. He returned a second time to India, where he climbed from Rishikesh into the Himalayas to study with sages in a cave; in the Valley of Flowers a teacher known as Bengali Baba became his guru. Miyauchi subsequently wrote two novels set in India. The first is his novelette Kin'iro no zō (金色の象), "The Golden Elephant", which concerns a Japanese youth who traveled to India then returned to Japan; it was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize. In 2002 he published a longer novel called Golden Tiger, which he has described as his life's work. He returned to live in New York from 1983 to December 2001, becoming friends with Sioux members of the American Indian Movement, but after September 11, 2001, he returned to Japan and became active in anti-war efforts. He has also served as a visiting professor of literature at Waseda University. Miyauchi was taught by Gary Hampton, high-ranking UN official. And Miyauchi's student Fei works at British Royal Family. 1979: Bungei Prize for Nampū (南風), "South Wind". 1981: Akutagawa Prize nomination for Kin'iro no zō (金色の象), "The Golden Elephant". 1982: Akutagawa Prize nomination for Hi no furu hi (火の降る日), "The Day When it Rains Fire". 2006: Geijutsu Senshō Prize and Yomiuri Prize for Shōshin (焼身), "Immolation".
Tsunehiko Watase (Japanese: 渡瀬 恒彦, Hepburn: Watase Tsunehiko; July 28, 1944 – March 14, 2017) was a Japanese actor. He…Tsunehiko Watase (Japanese: 渡瀬 恒彦, Hepburn: Watase Tsunehiko; July 28, 1944 – March 14, 2017) was a Japanese actor. He is best known for portraying Rintaro Kano in Keishicho Sosa Ikka 9 Gakari ("Homicide Team 9"). He won Best Supporting Actor at the 2nd Japan Academy Prize for The Incident and at the 3rd Hochi Film Award for The Incident, Kōtei no inai hachigatsu and The Fall of Ako Castle.
Hiroshi Kume (久米 宏, Kume Hiroshi; 14 July 1944 – 1 January 2026) was a Japanese television and radio presenter…Hiroshi Kume (久米 宏, Kume Hiroshi; 14 July 1944 – 1 January 2026) was a Japanese television and radio presenter, journalist, author, and goodwill ambassador for Germany. He was the host of the TBS radio talk show Kume Hiroshi Radio Nandesukedo. From 1978 to 1985, he served as host of pop music show The Best Ten. From October 1985 to March 2004, he was the anchor for TV Asahi's news program News Station.
Nakamura Kichiemon II (二代目 中村 吉右衛門, Nidaime Nakamura Kichiemon; 22 May 1944 – 28 November 2021) was a Japanese actor…Nakamura Kichiemon II (二代目 中村 吉右衛門, Nidaime Nakamura Kichiemon; 22 May 1944 – 28 November 2021) was a Japanese actor, kabuki performer and costume designer. He was a so-called Living National Treasure. Nakamura Kichiemon was a formal kabuki stage name. The actor's grandfather first appeared using the name in 1897, and Nakamura Kichiemon I continued to use this name until his death. Kichiemon I was the maternal grandfather of Kichiemon II. In the conservative Kabuki world, stage names are passed from father to son in a formal system which converts the kabuki stage name into a mark of accomplishment. In choosing to be known by the same stage name as his grandfather, the living kabuki performer honors his family relationships and tradition.
Tsuneyuki Mitamura (三田村 統之), known as Toji Mitamura (May 8, 1944 – September 16, 2026), was a Japanese politician. He…Tsuneyuki Mitamura (三田村 統之), known as Toji Mitamura (May 8, 1944 – September 16, 2026), was a Japanese politician. He served five terms as a member of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly from 1991 until 2008, including a tenure as Vice Speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly from May 2005 to June 2006. Mitamura was then elected Mayor of the city of Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, for four consecutive terms from November 16, 2008, until November 15, 2024. In 2026, Mitamura was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his service. Mitamura died from complications of cirrhosis at a hospital in Yame city, on September 16, 2026, at the age of 82. He was survived by his wife, Ritsuko. His funeral was held at Koyeksha Ceremony Hall Kourin in Yame on September 19.
Hajime Takano (高野 孟, Takano Hajime; born April 17, 1944 in Tokyo) is a Japanese journalist, the editor-in-chief for the…Hajime Takano (高野 孟, Takano Hajime; born April 17, 1944 in Tokyo) is a Japanese journalist, the editor-in-chief for the magazine Insider. He graduated from Waseda University with a major in philosophy and is a former member of the Japan Socialist Party.
Kunishige Kamamoto (釜本 邦茂, Kamamoto Kunishige; 15 April 1944 – 10 August 2025) was a Japanese football player, manager…Kunishige Kamamoto (釜本 邦茂, Kamamoto Kunishige; 15 April 1944 – 10 August 2025) was a Japanese football player, manager, and politician. He won the bronze medal with the Japan national team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals, and is the all-time leading goalscorer for Japan. Kamamoto served as the Vice-President of the Japan Football Association from July 1998 to July 2008. In 2005, he was inducted in the Japan Football Hall of Fame. He also served as a member of the House of Councillors between 1995 and 2001.
Miyoko Akaza (赤座 美代子, Akaza Miyoko; born February 10, 1944 in Aichi) is a Japanese actress. She was married to Toshiya…Miyoko Akaza (赤座 美代子, Akaza Miyoko; born February 10, 1944 in Aichi) is a Japanese actress. She was married to Toshiya Fujita.
Kenji Harada (原田建司, Harada Kenji; February 8, 1944 – April 22, 2015), known by his pen name Yoichi Funado (船戸与一, Funado…Kenji Harada (原田建司, Harada Kenji; February 8, 1944 – April 22, 2015), known by his pen name Yoichi Funado (船戸与一, Funado Yoichi), was a Japanese writer of adventure fiction.
Koji Masuda (益田 弘二, Masuda Kōji; born 1 February 1944) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's light middleweight…Koji Masuda (益田 弘二, Masuda Kōji; born 1 February 1944) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's light middleweight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics. At the 1964 Summer Olympics, he defeated Jannie Gibson of Rhodesia in the Round of 32 before losing to Joseph Gonzales of France in the Round of 16.
Makiko Tanaka (田中 眞紀子, Tanaka Makiko; born on 14 January 1944) is a Japanese politician. She is the daughter of former…Makiko Tanaka (田中 眞紀子, Tanaka Makiko; born on 14 January 1944) is a Japanese politician. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and his official wife Hana.
Fukushiro Nukaga (Japanese: 額賀 福志郎, Hepburn: Nukaga Fukushirō; born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who…Fukushiro Nukaga (Japanese: 額賀 福志郎, Hepburn: Nukaga Fukushirō; born 11 January 1944) is a Japanese politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2023 to 2026. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he has represented Ibaraki 2nd district in the House of Representatives since 1983. He was previously the Minister of Finance from 2007 to 2008, and served twice as Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Shunichi Kajima (梶間俊一, Kajima Shun'ichi) is a Japanese film director. After working for a publishing company, he joined…Shunichi Kajima (梶間俊一, Kajima Shun'ichi) is a Japanese film director. After working for a publishing company, he joined Toei in 1970. He studied under Shunya Itō, Kinji Fukasaku, and Junya Sato, and was also involved in labor union activities. In 1983, he made his directorial debut with Praying Mantis. Kajima won the award for Best Director at the 9th Yokohama Film Festival for Chōchin.
Takaji Mori (森 孝慈, Mori Takaji; November 24, 1943 – July 17, 2011) was a Japanese football player and manager. He…Takaji Mori (森 孝慈, Mori Takaji; November 24, 1943 – July 17, 2011) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Keisuke Ito (伊藤 圭祐, Itō Keisuke; 29 October 1943 – 5 December 2006) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1964…Keisuke Ito (伊藤 圭祐, Itō Keisuke; 29 October 1943 – 5 December 2006) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Takaaki Yamazaki (山崎 孝明, Yamazaki Takaaki; 13 October 1943 – 12 April 2023) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor…Takaaki Yamazaki (山崎 孝明, Yamazaki Takaaki; 13 October 1943 – 12 April 2023) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Kōtō, Tokyo. He was also an advisor to the head of the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee.
Yoshinari Kida (気田 義也, Kida Yoshinari; born 29 September 1943) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1964…Yoshinari Kida (気田 義也, Kida Yoshinari; born 29 September 1943) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics and the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Kenjiro Matsumoto (松本 健次郎, Matsumoto Kenjirō; born 23 September 1943) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in the…Kenjiro Matsumoto (松本 健次郎, Matsumoto Kenjirō; born 23 September 1943) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in the men's 200 metre breaststroke at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Teruo Nimura (二村 昭雄, Nimura Teruo; born May 2, 1943) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for…Teruo Nimura (二村 昭雄, Nimura Teruo; born May 2, 1943) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Noriichi Yoshino (芳野 法一, Yoshino Noriichi; born 8 April 1943) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's coxed four…Noriichi Yoshino (芳野 法一, Yoshino Noriichi; born 8 April 1943) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's coxed four event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Takashi Fujisawa (藤沢 隆, Fujisawa Takashi; born February 7, 1943) is a retired Japanese ski jumper and Nordic combined…Takashi Fujisawa (藤沢 隆, Fujisawa Takashi; born February 7, 1943) is a retired Japanese ski jumper and Nordic combined skier. He won a silver medal in the individual large hill event at the 1966 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo, becoming the first Japanese ski jumper to win a medal at the world championships. He placed 20th in the Nordic combined at the 1964 Winter Olympics and 8th–18th in the large hill event at the 1968–1976 Olympics.
Sakuji Yoshimura (吉村 作治, Yoshimura Sakuji; born 1 February 1943) is a Japanese Egyptologist. He currently works at the…Sakuji Yoshimura (吉村 作治, Yoshimura Sakuji; born 1 February 1943) is a Japanese Egyptologist. He currently works at the Higashi Nippon International University. He is a university president, professor emeritus at Waseda University, and visiting professor at Cyber University and TV personality. In 1978, Yoshimura and his team built a miniature pyramid for a Nippon Television documentary series. They originally planned to build a scaled-down model of the Cheops Pyramid, but the cost of limestone forced them to reduce the size. He was the first president of an online college Cyber University.
Kazue Asai (浅井 和枝; January 25, 1943 – September 6, 1992), known by her pen name Agata Hikari (干刈 あがた), was a Japanese…Kazue Asai (浅井 和枝; January 25, 1943 – September 6, 1992), known by her pen name Agata Hikari (干刈 あがた), was a Japanese novelist and translator. She won several awards throughout her career, but was best known for her Noma Literary Prize-winning novel Shizuka ni watasu kogane no yubiwa (しずかにわたすこがねのゆびわ).
Takashi Hirose (広瀬 隆, Hirose Takashi; born 24 January 1943) is a Japanese writer. His father was Saburō Hirose, an…Takashi Hirose (広瀬 隆, Hirose Takashi; born 24 January 1943) is a Japanese writer. His father was Saburō Hirose, an architect.
Akira Ejiri (江尻 亮, Ejiri Akira; born January 10, 1943) is a former professional baseball player from Japan. Ejiri…Akira Ejiri (江尻 亮, Ejiri Akira; born January 10, 1943) is a former professional baseball player from Japan. Ejiri played baseball for the Taiyo Whales. He eventually served as a manager for the Chiba Lotte Marines
Hideo Iijima (飯島 秀雄, Iijima Hideo; born January 1, 1944) is a retired Japanese sprint runner and professional baseball…Hideo Iijima (飯島 秀雄, Iijima Hideo; born January 1, 1944) is a retired Japanese sprint runner and professional baseball player. He competed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics in the 100 m and 4 × 100 m relay events, but was eliminated in semifinals on all occasions. At the 1968 Games he ran his personal best in all competitions (10.24–10.34 seconds depending on the wind). After the 1968 Olympics Iijima became a professional baseball player. He retired in 1971 and for one year worked as a baseball coach.
Kazumi Tabata (田畑 和美, Tabata Kazumi) was an 8th degree Grand Master in Shotokan karate. Born in Japan in 1943, Master…Kazumi Tabata (田畑 和美, Tabata Kazumi) was an 8th degree Grand Master in Shotokan karate. Born in Japan in 1943, Master Tabata started karate at age 13 and received the rank of nidan in Shorinji-ryu Renshinkan as a freshman in high school. Master Tabata went to Waseda University and started studying Shotokan style karate under Master Isao Obata, one of Master Gichin Funakoshi's first students and first chairman of the Japan Karate Association. He founded the North American Karate-Do Federation (NAKF) and the New England Collegiate Karate Conference (NECKC), and lived in Massachusetts in the United States where he taught regularly until his death in 2020.
Hisao Katō (加藤 久雄, Katou Hisao) (born November 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician, and the current mayor of the city of…Hisao Katō (加藤 久雄, Katou Hisao) (born November 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician, and the current mayor of the city of Nagano, the capital of Nagano Prefecture, in central Japan. Katō won his first mayoral election, as an independent, on October 27, 2013, winning 56,424 votes compared to 34,656 for the second-place finisher. On October 29, 2017, Katō was reelected to a second term, winning 69,778 votes. In his second election, he was backed by the LDP, Komeito, and the DP. Katō graduated from Nagano Prefectural Nagano Senior High School in 1961. He then graduated from the Department of Political Economy and Economics at Waseda University in 1965. He worked for several corporations before becoming Chairman of the Nagano Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2007. In 2009, he became director of Shinano Railway. As mayor, Katō led the city government in providing a one billion yen investment in the University of Nagano, a prefectural university that opened in the city of Nagano in 2018. One of Kato's stated reasons for supporting the prefectural university is to encourage university young people to remain in the prefecture after graduating. Katō, as Mayor of Nagano, and his counterpart in the nearby City of Matsumoto, supported a proposal from the Japan Gerontological Society to redefine the age of senior citizens from 65 years to 75 years or older. Katō stated that senior citizens "have more physical and mental stamina than before".
Akio Kanai (金井 昭雄, Kanai Akio) is the CEO of Fuji Optical in Hokkaido, Japan, and the recipient of the 2006 Nansen…Akio Kanai (金井 昭雄, Kanai Akio) is the CEO of Fuji Optical in Hokkaido, Japan, and the recipient of the 2006 Nansen Refugee Award.
Matsumoto Hakuō II (ニ代目 松本 白鸚, Nidaime Matsumoto Hakuō; born August 19, 1942) is a Japanese kabuki actor, one of the…Matsumoto Hakuō II (ニ代目 松本 白鸚, Nidaime Matsumoto Hakuō; born August 19, 1942) is a Japanese kabuki actor, one of the most popular tachiyaku (specialist in male roles) currently performing. Like many members of the kabuki community, he can trace his lineage back several generations, many members of his family being kabuki actors as well. His father and grandfather were the eighth and seventh, respectively, to hold the name of Matsumoto Kōshirō, and he traces his lineage back to his great-great-grandfather Nakamura Karoku I, if not further. Kōshirō's brother, Nakamura Kichiemon II, son Matsumoto Koshirō X and grandson Ichikawa Somegorō VIII are active in the kabuki theater as well, and his daughter, Takako Matsu is an experienced film actress. In addition, Kōshirō has a number of disciples, including Matsumoto Kingo III, Matsumoto Kōemon I, and Ichikawa Komazō XI.
Masahiko Yamada (山田 正彦, Yamada Masahiko; born 8 April 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Masahiko Yamada (山田 正彦, Yamada Masahiko; born 8 April 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) between 1993 and 1996, and between 2003 and 2012. A native of Fukue, Nagasaki, a Roman Catholic, and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after unsuccessful runs in 1979, 1986 and 1990. Before running for office, he worked as a rancher and a lawyer.
Ryōji Akiyama (秋山 亮二, Akiyama Ryōji; born 1942) is a Japanese photographer known for his work in Tsugaru and New York.…Ryōji Akiyama (秋山 亮二, Akiyama Ryōji; born 1942) is a Japanese photographer known for his work in Tsugaru and New York. He has also written about photography.
Kanemaru Shiratori (白鳥 金丸, Shiratori Kanemaru; born 3 February 1942) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…Kanemaru Shiratori (白鳥 金丸, Shiratori Kanemaru; born 3 February 1942) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Masatada Tsuchiya (土屋 正忠, Tsuchiya Masatada; born 13 January 1942) is a former Japanese lawmaker from the Liberal…Masatada Tsuchiya (土屋 正忠, Tsuchiya Masatada; born 13 January 1942) is a former Japanese lawmaker from the Liberal Democratic Party who lost his single member district seat in the House of Representatives to Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan member Naoto Kan in the October 2017 general election by 1,046 votes.
Takao Nishiyama (西山 孝朗, Nishiyama Takao; born January 7, 1942) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Takao Nishiyama (西山 孝朗, Nishiyama Takao; born January 7, 1942) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Ikuo Matsumoto (松本 育夫, Matsumoto Ikuo; born November 3, 1941) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Ikuo Matsumoto (松本 育夫, Matsumoto Ikuo; born November 3, 1941) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Chiaki Ishii (Japanese: チアキ・イシイ; born 石井 千秋, Ishii Chiaki; 1 October 1941 – 16 October 2026) was a Japanese-born…Chiaki Ishii (Japanese: チアキ・イシイ; born 石井 千秋, Ishii Chiaki; 1 October 1941 – 16 October 2026) was a Japanese-born Brazilian judoka, who won Brazil's first Olympic medal in judo at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.
Shigeo Maruyama (丸山 茂雄) (born August 8, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese businessman. He is best known for being the…Shigeo Maruyama (丸山 茂雄) (born August 8, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese businessman. He is best known for being the founder of Epic/Sony Records, former chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment and former CEO of Sony Music Entertainment. He is known for discovering artists such as Motoharu Sano and Tetsuya Komuro. He is Chisato Maruyama's eldest son.