Sho Shimabukuro (島袋 将, Shimabukuro Shō, born 30 July 1997) is a Japanese professional tennis player. Shimabukuro has a…Sho Shimabukuro (島袋 将, Shimabukuro Shō, born 30 July 1997) is a Japanese professional tennis player. Shimabukuro has a career high ATP singles ranking of world No. 87 achieved on 24 August 2026 and a doubles ranking of No. 376 achieved on 16 September 2024. He is currently the No. 1 Japanese player. Shimabukuro represents Japan at the Davis Cup, where he has a W/L record of 1–0.
Hikaru Kitagawa (北川 ひかる, Kitagawa Hikaru; Japanese: [kitaɡawa hikaɾɯ]; born May 10, 1997) is a Japanese professional…Hikaru Kitagawa (北川 ひかる, Kitagawa Hikaru; Japanese: [kitaɡawa hikaɾɯ]; born May 10, 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Everton and the Japan national team.
Taichi Takeda (武田 太一, Takeda Taichi; born 22 April 1997) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a forward. His…Taichi Takeda (武田 太一, Takeda Taichi; born 22 April 1997) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a forward. His career was severely affected by injuries, and he retired at the end of the 2023 season with six career appearances in the J3 League.
Ippei Watanabe (渡辺 一平, Watanabe Ippei; born 18 March 1997) is a Japanese swimmer and former world record holder in the…Ippei Watanabe (渡辺 一平, Watanabe Ippei; born 18 March 1997) is a Japanese swimmer and former world record holder in the 200 metre breaststroke.
Momoka Muraoka (村岡 桃佳, Muraoka Momoka; born 3 March 1997 in Fukaya, Saitama) is a woman Para alpine skier, who won five…Momoka Muraoka (村岡 桃佳, Muraoka Momoka; born 3 March 1997 in Fukaya, Saitama) is a woman Para alpine skier, who won five medals for Japan at the 2018 Winter Paralympics. She also served as their flag-bearer at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Parade of Nations. She graduated from Waseda University with a degree in Sports science. She won the gold medal in the women's downhill, women's super-G, and women's giant slalom at the 2022 Winter Paralympics.
Yūki Sōma (相馬 勇紀, Sōma Yūki; born 25 February 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger for J1…Yūki Sōma (相馬 勇紀, Sōma Yūki; born 25 February 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger for J1 League club Machida Zelvia, and the Japan national team.
Itsuki Urata (浦田 樹, Urata Itsuki; born 29 January 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back…Itsuki Urata (浦田 樹, Urata Itsuki; born 29 January 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Croatian Football League club Slaven Belupo.
Senri Kawaguchi (川口 千里, Kawaguchi Senri) is a Japanese drummer. In Japan, she is sometimes known as tekazuhime (手数姫)…Senri Kawaguchi (川口 千里, Kawaguchi Senri) is a Japanese drummer. In Japan, she is sometimes known as tekazuhime (手数姫), ("Princess of Many Strokes"). She has the image of a gecko on the front of her 20-inch bass drum, and on her Zildjian drumsticks. She has won many awards for her drumming.
Juri Kawano (born 16 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Nadeshiko League…Juri Kawano (born 16 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Nadeshiko League Division 1 club NHK Spring Yokohama FC Seagulls. She is a former WE League player.
Miyu Nakashio (born October 21, 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. She won gold at the 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix in…Miyu Nakashio (born October 21, 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. She won gold at the 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Estonia. Making her senior international debut, she won the gold medal at the Triglav Trophy in April 2015.
Kiyomi Watanabe (渡辺 聖未, Watanabe Kiyomi; born August 25, 1996) is a Filipino judoka who has represented the Philippines…Kiyomi Watanabe (渡辺 聖未, Watanabe Kiyomi; born August 25, 1996) is a Filipino judoka who has represented the Philippines in international competitions including the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Satsuki Miura (born 16 June 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for WE League club…Satsuki Miura (born 16 June 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for WE League club Mynavi Sendai.
Kohei Tomita (冨田 康平, Tomita Kōhei; born June 9, 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for…Kohei Tomita (冨田 康平, Tomita Kōhei; born June 9, 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for AC Nagano Parceiro
Yuki Okada (岡田 優希, Okada Yūki; born 13 May 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Yuki Okada (岡田 優希, Okada Yūki; born 13 May 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fukushima United FC.
Himeka Nakamoto (中元 日芽香, Nakamoto Himeka; born April 13, 1996) is a Japanese mental health counselor, radio host…Himeka Nakamoto (中元 日芽香, Nakamoto Himeka; born April 13, 1996) is a Japanese mental health counselor, radio host, author, and former idol. She was a first-generation member of the idol group Nogizaka46.
Ayaka Nishikawa (born 2 April 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for the South Korean…Ayaka Nishikawa (born 2 April 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for the South Korean WK League club Suwon FC.
Shokichi Iwata (岩田翔吉, Iwata Shokichi; born 2 February 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a two-time…Shokichi Iwata (岩田翔吉, Iwata Shokichi; born 2 February 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a two-time light-flyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) title since March 2026, and previously the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title from 2024 to 2025.
Junya Suzuki (鈴木 準弥, Suzuki Junya; born 7 January 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right-back for Renofa…Junya Suzuki (鈴木 準弥, Suzuki Junya; born 7 January 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right-back for Renofa Yamaguchi FC, on loan from J2 League club Yokohama FC.
Ryoya Iizumi (飯泉 涼矢, Iizumi Ryōya; born 28 December 1995) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for…Ryoya Iizumi (飯泉 涼矢, Iizumi Ryōya; born 28 December 1995) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for Blaublitz Akita.
Yuta Kumamoto (熊本雄太, Kumamoto Yuta; born July 18, 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League…Yuta Kumamoto (熊本雄太, Kumamoto Yuta; born July 18, 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League club Montedio Yamagata.
Masato Sakai (坂井 聖人, Sakai Masato; born 6 June 1995) is a Japanese swimmer who specializes in the men's 200 metre…Masato Sakai (坂井 聖人, Sakai Masato; born 6 June 1995) is a Japanese swimmer who specializes in the men's 200 metre butterfly. He won the silver medal in the men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Sakai was in 6th position at the 150 mark, and finished 0.04 seconds behind Michael Phelps. At the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Sakai finished 4th in the 200 metre butterfly, 0.14 seconds outside the medals.
Tomoya Koyamatsu (小屋松 知哉, Koyamatsu Tomoya; born 24 April 1995 in Kumiyama, Kyoto) is a Japanese professional…Tomoya Koyamatsu (小屋松 知哉, Koyamatsu Tomoya; born 24 April 1995 in Kumiyama, Kyoto) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for J1 League club Nagoya Grampus.
Nobuya Kato (加藤 修也, Katō Nobuya; born 16 April 1995) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 400 metres…Nobuya Kato (加藤 修也, Katō Nobuya; born 16 April 1995) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Hirofumi Yamauchi (山内 寛史, Yamauchi Hirofumi; born February 9, 1995) is a Japanese football player who plays for YSCC…Hirofumi Yamauchi (山内 寛史, Yamauchi Hirofumi; born February 9, 1995) is a Japanese football player who plays for YSCC Yokohama.
Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show…Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show producer. Widely recognized as one of the greatest figure skaters in history for his well-rounded skills, achievements, innovations, longevity, popularity, and impact on the sport, he started skating at four years old and competed in the men's singles discipline from 2004 to 2022. Hanyu is the first men's singles skater in 66 years since Dick Button to win back-to-back Olympic titles (2014, 2018), and the first Asian Olympic champion in that discipline. He is a two-time World champion (2014, 2017), six-time Japanese national champion (2012–2015, 2020–2021), and the first singles skater to win four consecutive Grand Prix Finals (2013–2016). With his win at the 2020 Four Continents Championships, he became the first skater in men's singles to complete the Super Slam, having won all major international junior and senior titles in the course of his career. He is also the only singles skater to be ranked first in the ISU World Standings for five consecutive seasons (2014–2018). Hanyu broke world records 19 times, the most in singles since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2003, and was the first skater to land a quadruple loop jump in international competition among other achievements. He is also the only male single skater besides German Jan Hoffmann to win seven world championship medals in the post-war era since 1946. According to Nikkei Asia, Hanyu's move to professional level in 2022 marked the "end of an era" in competitive figure skating. His first major work as a professional is the ongoing Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story series, with its prelude event Prologue (2022) being the first solo ice show and the Repray Tour (2023–24) the first solo tour production in figure skating. His second solo show Gift (2023) was the first ice skating event to be held at Tokyo Dome, breaking the record for the largest ice show audience with 35,000 people. Hanyu's Ice Story series, which has attracted more than 200,000 spectators in total by April 2026, opened a new genre of performing art and entertainment, weaving live skating performances into comprehensive, philosophical stories with elaborate on-screen narration. At 16 years old, Hanyu experienced the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in his hometown of Sendai, which fundamentally shaped his life and career, having participated in different charity events and dedicated various performances to the victims of the disaster. He is also the chairperson of Nippon TV's annual 3.11 commemoration ice show Yuzuru Hanyu Notte Stellata, inaugurated in 2023. Since the earthquake, Hanyu has donated a cumulative total of more than $3 million USD for reconstruction, disaster prevention, and other humanitarian efforts. The donations include the full prize money of his Olympic wins and all royalties from his best-selling autobiography series Blue Flames I–IV. In recognition of his achievements, Hanyu became the youngest recipient of the People's Honor Award (2018), bestowed by the Prime Minister of Japan, received Japan's Medal of Honor with purple ribbon twice (2014, 2018) and was awarded the Kikuchi Kan Prize (2022). He is the first figure skater to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award (2019) and was named the Most Valuable Skater at the inaugural ISU Skating Awards (2020). He was also featured in prestigious lists, such as Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), ESPN's top 25 of greatest Olympians of the 21st century (#10), and the International Sports Press Association's list of most impactful male athletes of the last 100 years (#6) (both 2024). In 2022, he was ranked sixth in the list of most-searched athletes on Google Search worldwide.
Akiyuki Hashimoto (橋元 晃志, Hashimoto Akiyuki; born 18 November 1994) is a Japanese sprinter. He finished fourth in the…Akiyuki Hashimoto (橋元 晃志, Hashimoto Akiyuki; born 18 November 1994) is a Japanese sprinter. He finished fourth in the 200 m at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics.
Akari Kurishima (栗島 朱里, Kurishima Akari; born 14 September 1994) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Akari Kurishima (栗島 朱里, Kurishima Akari; born 14 September 1994) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for 1. FSV Mainz 05 and the Japan women's national team.
Daiya Seto (瀬戸 大也, Seto Daiya; born 24 May 1994) is a Japanese professional swimmer who specializes in individual…Daiya Seto (瀬戸 大也, Seto Daiya; born 24 May 1994) is a Japanese professional swimmer who specializes in individual medley, butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle events. He holds the world record in the short course 400-metre individual medley and formerly held the world record in the short course 200-metre butterfly. He won the gold medal in the 400-metre individual medley at the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022 world short course championships, as well as at the 2013, 2015, and 2019 world long course championships.
Masaaki Goto (後藤 雅明, Goto Masaaki; born May 24, 1994) is a Japanese football player who play as a goalkeeper and…Masaaki Goto (後藤 雅明, Goto Masaaki; born May 24, 1994) is a Japanese football player who play as a goalkeeper and currently play for J1 League club, V-Varen Nagasaki.
Kazunari Ishii (石井 一成, Ishii Kazunari; born May 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Saitama…Kazunari Ishii (石井 一成, Ishii Kazunari; born May 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. His younger brother Takumi is also a professional baseball player who plays for Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Haruna Sakakibara (榊原春奈, Sakakibara Haruna) (born 11 March 1994) is a Japanese rower. She competed in the single sculls…Haruna Sakakibara (榊原春奈, Sakakibara Haruna) (born 11 March 1994) is a Japanese rower. She competed in the single sculls race at the 2012 Summer Olympics and placed 5th in Final D and 23rd overall.
Yuya Oshima (大島 祐哉, Ōshima Yūya; born 5 March 1994) is a Japanese table tennis player. With doubles partner Masataka…Yuya Oshima (大島 祐哉, Ōshima Yūya; born 5 March 1994) is a Japanese table tennis player. With doubles partner Masataka Morizono, he won the gold medal in the men's doubles event at both the 2015 and 2017 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, as well as winning a silver medal in men's doubles at the 2017 World Championships.
Katsumi Nakamura (中村 克, Nakamura Katsumi; born 21 February 1994) is a Japanese swimmer. He competed in the men's 4 ×…Katsumi Nakamura (中村 克, Nakamura Katsumi; born 21 February 1994) is a Japanese swimmer. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He qualified to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Eigoro Mogi (茂木 栄五郎, Mogi Eigorō; born February 14, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Tokyo…Eigoro Mogi (茂木 栄五郎, Mogi Eigorō; born February 14, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Taichi Fukuyama (福山 汰一, Fukuyama Taichi; born (1993-12-20)20 December 1993) is a Japanese volleyball player. He…Taichi Fukuyama (福山 汰一, Fukuyama Taichi; born (1993-12-20)20 December 1993) is a Japanese volleyball player. He currently plays for Japan national team and JTEKT Stings in V.League Division 1. He was the captain of the Waseda University volleyball club and the Japanese national team at the 2017 Eastern Asian Men's Volleyball Championship.
Nako Motohashi (本橋 菜子, Motohashi Nako; born 10 October 1993) is a Japanese basketball player for Haneda Vickies and the…Nako Motohashi (本橋 菜子, Motohashi Nako; born 10 October 1993) is a Japanese basketball player for Haneda Vickies and the Japanese national team. and at the 2020 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal.
Toshiki Sato (born September 30, 1993) is a Japanese professional gridiron football placekicker and punter. He played…Toshiki Sato (born September 30, 1993) is a Japanese professional gridiron football placekicker and punter. He played college football at Waseda. He has been a member of the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, and Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and the IBM Big Blue of the X-League.
Yoshikazu Fujita (藤田 慶和, born 8 September 1993 in Kyoto) is a Japanese international rugby union player. After…Yoshikazu Fujita (藤田 慶和, born 8 September 1993 in Kyoto) is a Japanese international rugby union player. After impressing the coaches with his form playing for the Japan sevens team, Fujita was selected for the Japan national rugby union team and became the youngest ever player to play for Japan when he took the field against the UAE in May 2012 at the age of 18 years and 210 days in his hometown of Fukuoka. On his debut as Japan youngest ever player he scored 6 tries. However soon after his debut later that month he suffered a serious injury where he tore the ligaments in his left knee and was ruled out of action for 10 months. He returned to play in the Pacific Rugby Cup for Junior Japan in March 2013, and then returned to the Japan national team after an injury to Hirotoki Onozawa and scored tries on his return in all three of the matches he played in the Asian 5 Nations. After scoring his 11th try for Japan against Wales in June 2013, Fujita broke the record of George North for most tries scored as a teenager in international rugby.
Yuta Konagaya (小長谷 勇太, Konagaya Yūta; born 5 August 1993) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bula…Yuta Konagaya (小長谷 勇太, Konagaya Yūta; born 5 August 1993) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bula FC.
Masayuki Okuyama (奧山 政幸, Okuyama, Masayuki; born 28 July 1993 in Toyota, Aichi) is a Japanese footballer who plays for…Masayuki Okuyama (奧山 政幸, Okuyama, Masayuki; born 28 July 1993 in Toyota, Aichi) is a Japanese footballer who plays for J2 League club Vegalta Sendai.
Hikari Takagi (高木 ひかり, Takagi Hikari; born May 21, 1993) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She plays…Hikari Takagi (高木 ひかり, Takagi Hikari; born May 21, 1993) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She plays for Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara and the Japan national team.
Kai Kobayashi (小林 快, Kobayashi Kai; born 28 February 1993) is a Japanese racewalker. He competed in the 50 kilometres…Kai Kobayashi (小林 快, Kobayashi Kai; born 28 February 1993) is a Japanese racewalker. He competed in the 50 kilometres walk event at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics in London, UK, placing third and receiving a bronze medal.
Hajime Sono (宗野創, Sono Hajime; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Hajime Sono (宗野創, Sono Hajime; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. From 2016 to 2020, he worked at the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Maki Okazoe (岡副 麻希, Okazoe Maki; born 29 July 1992 in Tondabayashi, Osaka) is a Japanese TV announcer, news presenter…Maki Okazoe (岡副 麻希, Okazoe Maki; born 29 July 1992 in Tondabayashi, Osaka) is a Japanese TV announcer, news presenter and tarento. She is represented by her agency cent. Force.
Yūhei Takanashi (高梨 雄平, Takanashi Yūhei; born July 13, 1992 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Yūhei Takanashi (高梨 雄平, Takanashi Yūhei; born July 13, 1992 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). On October 10, 2018, he was selected for the Japan national baseball team to play at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.
