Nana Takeda (武田 奈也, Takeda Nana; born 21 December 1988) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2007 NHK Trophy…Nana Takeda (武田 奈也, Takeda Nana; born 21 December 1988) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2007 NHK Trophy bronze medalist and 2009 Winter Universiade silver medalist. She won five medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and placed as high as fourth at the World Junior Championships. Takeda is one of the seven women who defeated World and Olympic champion Yuna Kim throughout her career.
Masashi Eriguchi (江里口 匡史, Eriguchi Masashi; born 17 December 1988 in Kikuchi, Kumamoto) is a retired Japanese sprinter…Masashi Eriguchi (江里口 匡史, Eriguchi Masashi; born 17 December 1988 in Kikuchi, Kumamoto) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres. He won the bronze medal at the 2009 Summer Universiade and a gold medal in relay at the 2009 Asian Championships. At the 2009 World Championships, he finished fourth in the relay. He also competed in the 100 metres. He reached the semi-final at the 2010 World Indoor Championships. His personal best times are 6.75 seconds in the 60 metres (indoor), achieved at the 2010 World Indoor Championships in Doha; 10.07 seconds in the 100 metres, achieved in June 2009 in Hiroshima; and 20.88 seconds in the 200 metres, achieved in October 2008 in Ōita. He retired in 2018.
Yuriko Takeshita (竹下 百合子, Takeshita Yuriko; born November 23, 1988 in Fussa, Tokyo) is a Japanese slalom canoer who has…Yuriko Takeshita (竹下 百合子, Takeshita Yuriko; born November 23, 1988 in Fussa, Tokyo) is a Japanese slalom canoer who has competed since the mid-2000s. She finished fourth in the K-1 event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Yūichi Sugita (杉田 祐一, Sugita Yūichi; born 18 September 1988) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. He has…Yūichi Sugita (杉田 祐一, Sugita Yūichi; born 18 September 1988) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. He has won one ATP singles title, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 36 on 9 October 2017.
Katsuyuki Sakai (坂井 克行, Sakai Katsuyuki; born September 7, 1988) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays for the…Katsuyuki Sakai (坂井 克行, Sakai Katsuyuki; born September 7, 1988) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays for the Japanese club Toyota Industries Shuttles in the Top League. He also plays rugby sevens for Japan's national rugby sevens team and was named in their 2016 Summer Olympics squad. He captained the Japanese squad when they played at the 2014 Hong Kong Sevens and won the World Series Qualifier for the 2014–15 Sevens World Series. He was also a member of the squad that won the 2015 ARFU Men's Sevens Championships to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Jyongri (Korean: 조종리; born August 30, 1988) is a Japanese pop singer of Korean ancestry currently signed with EMI Music…Jyongri (Korean: 조종리; born August 30, 1988) is a Japanese pop singer of Korean ancestry currently signed with EMI Music Japan.
Maya Yoshida (吉田 麻也, Yoshida Maya; born 24 August 1988) is a Japanese professional footballer who captains and plays as…Maya Yoshida (吉田 麻也, Yoshida Maya; born 24 August 1988) is a Japanese professional footballer who captains and plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. Yoshida formerly played for the Japan national team, making over 120 appearances. He was a member of the side's squads for the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018 and 2022, and the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, 2015 and 2019, winning the latter tournament in 2011 and finishing as runner-up in 2019. He was additionally part of Japan's Olympic football team at the 2008, 2012 and 2020 games.
Yurie Omi (近江 友里恵, Ōmi Yurie; born July 26, 1988) is a Japanese former announcer and news anchor for NHK. She left NHK…Yurie Omi (近江 友里恵, Ōmi Yurie; born July 26, 1988) is a Japanese former announcer and news anchor for NHK. She left NHK in March 2021. She was famous for being the co-host of NHK's morning talk show Asaichi as well as its geographical television series Bura Tamori.
Ryohei Yamanaka (山中 亮平, Yamanaka Ryohei; born 22 June 1988 in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese rugby union player who…Ryohei Yamanaka (山中 亮平, Yamanaka Ryohei; born 22 June 1988 in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a fly-half or centre.He currently plays for Japanese club Kobelco Steelers. In 2011, Yamanaka received a 2 year ban from the IRB for rubbing a cream on his upper lip - in an attempt to promote moustache growth - which contained a banned steroid, either methyltestosterone or methandriol. In his home country he plays for the Kobelco Steelers whom he joined in 2013. He was also named in the first ever Sunwolves squad which will compete in Super Rugby from the 2016 season. Yamanaka is a Japanese international who debuted against the Arabian Gulf in 2010, but did not make the squad for either the 2011 or 2015 Rugby World Cups. On 19 September 2023, Yamanaka was called up to Japan's Rugby World Cup squad as an injury replacement for Semisi Masirewa.
Ryotaro Nakano (中野 遼太郎, Nakano Ryotaro; born 13 June 1988) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Ryotaro Nakano (中野 遼太郎, Nakano Ryotaro; born 13 June 1988) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He currently serves as the first-team coach for J2 League club RB Omiya Ardija.
Taichi Nakamura (中村 太地, Nakamura Taichi; born June 1, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 8-dan. He…Taichi Nakamura (中村 太地, Nakamura Taichi; born June 1, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 8-dan. He is a former holder of the Ōza title. He is also a non-executive director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Daishi Murata (村田 大志, Murata Daishi; born 29 May 1988) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a…Daishi Murata (村田 大志, Murata Daishi; born 29 May 1988) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a Centre. He currently plays for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's domestic Top League.
Akito Watabe (渡部 暁斗, Watabe Akito; born 26 May 1988) is a Japanese retired Nordic combined skier. He won a gold medal…Akito Watabe (渡部 暁斗, Watabe Akito; born 26 May 1988) is a Japanese retired Nordic combined skier. He won a gold medal in the 4 × 5 km team event at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 in Liberec.
Naoya Okane (岡根 直哉, born April 19, 1988) is a Japanese football player who playing as Centre-back and currently play…Naoya Okane (岡根 直哉, born April 19, 1988) is a Japanese football player who playing as Centre-back and currently play for Okinawa SV.
Ueki Imaoka (今岡植, Imaoka Ueki; born 5 March 1988) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Ueki Imaoka (今岡植, Imaoka Ueki; born 5 March 1988) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2026. He previously worked at the Ministry of Finance.
Yui Sakai (酒井 裕唯, Sakai Yui) (born 1987) is a Japanese short track speed skater. She competed at the 2010 Winter…Yui Sakai (酒井 裕唯, Sakai Yui) (born 1987) is a Japanese short track speed skater. She competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She won a bronze medal in 500 metres at the 2011 Asian Winter Games.
Asami Kitagawa (北川 麻美, Kitagawa Asami) (born October 3, 1987) is a Japanese Olympic and Nation Record holding swimmer.…Asami Kitagawa (北川 麻美, Kitagawa Asami) (born October 3, 1987) is a Japanese Olympic and Nation Record holding swimmer. She swam for Japan at the 2008 Olympics.
Junya Koga (古賀 淳也, Koga Junya; born July 19, 1987) is a Japanese backstroke swimmer. He is a Waseda University student…Junya Koga (古賀 淳也, Koga Junya; born July 19, 1987) is a Japanese backstroke swimmer. He is a Waseda University student in Tokyo. In May 2009, he set the Japanese records in the 50 m and 100 m backstrokes at the 2009 Japan Championships, qualifying for Japan's team to the 2009 World Championships.
Shintaro Kimura (木村 慎太郎, Kimura Shintarō; born June 30, 1987) is a Japanese sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres…Shintaro Kimura (木村 慎太郎, Kimura Shintarō; born June 30, 1987) is a Japanese sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres and 200 metres.
Shuhei Kuji (久慈 修平, Kuji Shūhei; born April 27, 1987) is a Japanese professional ice hockey forward who is currently…Shuhei Kuji (久慈 修平, Kuji Shūhei; born April 27, 1987) is a Japanese professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the Oji Eagles in the Asia League Ice Hockey.
Saya Ichikawa (市川 紗椰, Ichikawa Saya; born 14 February 1987) is a Japanese-American model, tarento, and newscaster. Her…Saya Ichikawa (市川 紗椰, Ichikawa Saya; born 14 February 1987) is a Japanese-American model, tarento, and newscaster. Her original stage name was Saya until 2011. Her father is an American with Cherokee heritage and her mother is Japanese. Ichikawa is represented by the agency Super Continental.
Tasuku Emoto (柄本 佑, Emoto Tasuku; born December 16, 1986, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actor. His father is actor Akira…Tasuku Emoto (柄本 佑, Emoto Tasuku; born December 16, 1986, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actor. His father is actor Akira Emoto, his mother is actress Kazue Tsunogae, his brother is actor Tokio Emoto, and his wife is actress Sakura Ando.
Mitsuhiro Hidaka (日高 光啓, Hidaka Mitsuhiro; born December 12, 1986) is a Japanese rapper, singer, actor, dancer, and a…Mitsuhiro Hidaka (日高 光啓, Hidaka Mitsuhiro; born December 12, 1986) is a Japanese rapper, singer, actor, dancer, and a member of the J-pop group AAA. He is the rapper of the group and also writes rap lyrics for the band. He is also a member of the hip hop trio Mother Ninjas. He also debuted as a solo artist in August 2013 as Sky-Hi.
Saeko Dokyu (道休 紗栄子, Dōkyū Saeko; born 16 November 1986) is a Japanese actress, who has had a number of supporting…Saeko Dokyu (道休 紗栄子, Dōkyū Saeko; born 16 November 1986) is a Japanese actress, who has had a number of supporting roles in films and television dramas.
Kensuke Takezawa (竹澤 健介, Takezawa Kensuke; born October 11, 1986 in Himeji, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese professional…Kensuke Takezawa (竹澤 健介, Takezawa Kensuke; born October 11, 1986 in Himeji, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese professional long-distance runner. He attended Waseda University in Tokyo. His international debut came at the 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, where he was 49th in the men's long race. In 2007 he was second over 10,000 metres at the Japanese Athletics Championships then equalled the Japanese collegiate record over 5000 m at the KBC Night of Athletics (running a time of 13:19.00 minutes). He finished twelfth in the 10,000 m at the 2007 World Championships. Takezawa was runner-up in the 5000 m at the 2008 Japanese nationals and was selected for the Japanese Olympic team: he ran in the first round of the 5000 m and finished twenty-eighth in the 10,000 m at the men's 10,000 metres. At the 2009 East Asian Games he won the 10,000 m gold medal – his first win on the international stage. That year he was again the 5000 m runner-up at the Japanese Championships and placed fourth over the distance at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships. He won his first national title in 2010, taking the 10,000 m honours, and placed sixth in the 5000 m at the 2010 Asian Games. He was part of the Japanese team for the International Chiba Ekiden race in 2011 and helped the team to finish second overall. He began 2012 with a run at the Inter-Prefectural Men's Ekiden, where he won the final stage to take the title for Hyōgo Prefecture.
Kota Suda (須田 幸太, Suda Kota; born July 31, 1986) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He played pitcher…Kota Suda (須田 幸太, Suda Kota; born July 31, 1986) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He played pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
Kisenosato Yutaka (Japanese: 稀勢の里 寛, Hepburn: Kisenosato Yutaka; born July 3, 1986, as Yutaka Hagiwara (萩原 寛, Hagiwara…Kisenosato Yutaka (Japanese: 稀勢の里 寛, Hepburn: Kisenosato Yutaka; born July 3, 1986, as Yutaka Hagiwara (萩原 寛, Hagiwara Yutaka)) is a Japanese sumo elder from Ibaraki. As a wrestler, he made his professional debut in 2002 and reached the top makuuchi division in 2004 at the age of just 18. After many years in the junior san'yaku ranks, he reached the second highest rank of ōzeki in January 2012. He earned three kinboshi or gold stars by defeating yokozuna in his career leading up to ōzeki and nine special prizes. He scored more than 20 double-digit winning records at the ōzeki rank. In 2016, he secured the most wins in the calendar year, the first wrestler to do so without winning a tournament in that year. After being a runner-up in a tournament on twelve occasions, he broke through at the January 2017 tournament, winning his first top division championship or yūshō with a 14–1 record and subsequently was promoted to yokozuna, the first Japanese-born wrestler to reach sumo's highest rank since Wakanohana in 1998. He had been a candidate four times previously (July 2013, January 2014, July 2016 and September 2016), but in each case, he failed to achieve the necessary number of wins. Kisenosato won his first tournament as a yokozuna in March 2017, but suffered a left chest muscle injury in the process and was not able to complete another tournament until September 2018. His eight straight missed tournaments were a record for a yokozuna. His 12 runner-up finishes are the most in history. In January 2019, he announced his retirement from sumo. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Nishonoseki Yutaka (二所ノ関 寛).
Keijiro Matsumoto (松本 啓二朗, Matsumoto Keijiro; born June 24, 1986) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Keijiro Matsumoto (松本 啓二朗, Matsumoto Keijiro; born June 24, 1986) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all…This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.
Takeshi Hosoyamada (細山田 武史, Hosoyamada Takeshi; born April 29, 1986 in Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan) is a professional…Takeshi Hosoyamada (細山田 武史, Hosoyamada Takeshi; born April 29, 1986 in Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays catcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Hiroki Ueno (上野 拓紀, born April 8, 1986) is a Japanese professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the East…Hiroki Ueno (上野 拓紀, born April 8, 1986) is a Japanese professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the East Hokkaido Cranes of the Asia League. Since 2011 he plays for the Nikkō Ice Bucks. He previously played between 2009–2011 for the Asia League Korean team High1 and, at university level, for the Waseda University. During the 2014–15 season Ueno scored 80 points to lead the Asia League in scoring (while tied with Michael Swift in points, Ueno had more goals and was therefore credited as the scoring leader); this made him only the second Asian player to win the scoring title in the league, after fellow Japanese Go Tanaka in 2010–11. He has played for the Japanese national team since 2006.
Ayumu Goromaru (五郎丸 歩, Gorōmaru Ayumu; born 1 March 1986) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played at…Ayumu Goromaru (五郎丸 歩, Gorōmaru Ayumu; born 1 March 1986) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played at fullback for Yamaha Júbilo as well as the Japan national rugby union team.
Shota Hoshi (星 翔太, Hoshi Shōta; born 17 November 1985), is a Japanese futsal player who plays for Nagoya Oceans and the…Shota Hoshi (星 翔太, Hoshi Shōta; born 17 November 1985), is a Japanese futsal player who plays for Nagoya Oceans and the Japanese national futsal team.
Yukari Nakano (中野 友加里, Nakano Yukari; born August 25, 1985) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the…Yukari Nakano (中野 友加里, Nakano Yukari; born August 25, 1985) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 2006 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2003 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2005–06 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2007 Asian Winter Games champion, and a three-time (2006, 2007, 2009) Japanese national bronze medalist. Nakano is one of a select group of female skaters to perform a triple Axel in international competition in the 2000s.
Kensuke Hatakeyama (畠山健介, Hatakeyama Kensuke) (born 2 August 1985 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a former Japanese…Kensuke Hatakeyama (畠山健介, Hatakeyama Kensuke) (born 2 August 1985 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR). Hatakeyama has played 78 matches for the Japan national rugby union team.
Yu Hirayama (平山 優, Hirayama Yū; born 25 July 1985) is a former Japanese badminton player. She was born in Shiogama…Yu Hirayama (平山 優, Hirayama Yū; born 25 July 1985) is a former Japanese badminton player. She was born in Shiogama city, in Miyagi prefecture, and graduated from St. Ursula High School. She is now a sophomore at the School of Social Sciences. She won the first prize of the inter-high school athletic meet when she was a second grade high school student, and the next year, she won the all-Japan second prize. She joined the Unisys badminton team in 2008, and was part of the Japanese team which played in the World Ladies' Championship (Uber Cup) and other worldwide tournaments.
Keisuke Minami (南 圭介, Minami Keisuke) (born 3 July 1985) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known for his role…Keisuke Minami (南 圭介, Minami Keisuke) (born 3 July 1985) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Kunimitsu Tezuka in the Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu, of the third generation Seigaku cast, Tsurugi Ohtori/HououSoldier in Uchu Sentai Kyuranger, and a live-action portrayal of Fumito Nanahara in Blood-C series. He is one of PureBoys.
Shuto Yamamoto (山本 脩斗, Yamamoto Shūto; born June 1, 1985) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Shuto Yamamoto (山本 脩斗, Yamamoto Shūto; born June 1, 1985) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a full back or centre back. He played for Japanese top-flight clubs Júbilo Iwata, Kashima Antlers and Shonan Bellmare, making almost 400 career appearances in a career spanning 16 years. He has 1 cap for the Japan national football team.
Ryunosuke Harada (原田 龍之介, Harada Ryunosuke; born May 6, 1985 in Nagasaki) is a Japanese sailor, who specialized in…Ryunosuke Harada (原田 龍之介, Harada Ryunosuke; born May 6, 1985 in Nagasaki) is a Japanese sailor, who specialized in two-person dinghy (470) class. He shared gold medals with his partner Yugo Yoshida in the 470 class at the 2010 Asian Games, and later the pair represented Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics. As throughout most of his sailing career, Harada currently trains for the ABeam Consulting Team under his personal coach and mentor Kazunori Komatsu. As of September 2013, Harada is ranked no. 190 in the world for two-person dinghy class by the International Sailing Federation. Harada and his partner and crew member Yugo Yoshida made their official debut at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, where they edged out the host nation's Wang Weidong and Deng Daokun by seven-points for the gold medal in the men's 470 class, accumulating a net score of 17 points. Harada qualified to compete in the men's 470 class at the 2012 Olympic Games by finishing sixth at World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Teaming with Yoshida in the opening series, Harada skippered a spirited challenge on the fifth leg to deliver the Japanese duo a seventh spot in that leg, but they fell short of the medal race with an eighteenth-place finish on 131 net points.
Yurie Adachi (足立 友里恵, Adachi Yurie; born April 26, 1985) is a Japanese ice hockey player. She has played for Japan in…Yurie Adachi (足立 友里恵, Adachi Yurie; born April 26, 1985) is a Japanese ice hockey player. She has played for Japan in the World Women's Championship Division 1 for two years. In 2008, she played for Japan again, this time in the Top Division. Adachi competed at both the 2014 and the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Misaki Amano (天野 実咲, Amano Misaki; born 22 April 1985) is a former professional football goalkeeper and goalkeeping…Misaki Amano (天野 実咲, Amano Misaki; born 22 April 1985) is a former professional football goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach for Urawa Red Diamonds of the Japanese top-division WE League. She was also a professional goalkeeper for TEPCO Mareeze and Vegalta Sendai of the top-division Nadeshiko League, and was a member of the Japan women's national football team's 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.
Takuro Fujii (藤井 拓郎, Fujii Takurō; born April 21, 1985) is a Japanese competitive swimmer and two-time Olympic…Takuro Fujii (藤井 拓郎, Fujii Takurō; born April 21, 1985) is a Japanese competitive swimmer and two-time Olympic medalist. He won the bronze medal by swimming the butterfly leg in the 4 × 100 m medley relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He followed this with a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, again in the medley relay, but this time by swimming the freestyle (anchor) leg.
Masaru Matsuhashi (松橋 優, Matsuhashi Masaru; born March 22, 1985, in Isahaya, Nagasaki) is a former Japanese football…Masaru Matsuhashi (松橋 優, Matsuhashi Masaru; born March 22, 1985, in Isahaya, Nagasaki) is a former Japanese football player who mostly played for Ventforet Kofu. His older brother Shota is also a professional football player.
Tomonobu Yokoyama (横山 知伸, Yokoyama Tomonobu; 18 March 1985 – 4 January 2024) was a Japanese professional footballer who…Tomonobu Yokoyama (横山 知伸, Yokoyama Tomonobu; 18 March 1985 – 4 January 2024) was a Japanese professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder or centre-back.
Yuki Yatomi (矢富 勇毅, Yatomi Yūki; born 16 February 1985 in Kyoto) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays as a…Yuki Yatomi (矢富 勇毅, Yatomi Yūki; born 16 February 1985 in Kyoto) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays as a scrum-half. Yatomi is currently a player for Yamaha Jubilo, from Iwata. He has 15 caps for Japan, with 2 tries scored, 10 points in aggregate, since 2006. His debut was at a 50-14 win over South Korea, in Tokyo, in a 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifier, where he played as a substitute. He was present at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing two games.
Tomohisa Ōtani (大谷 智久, born February 14, 1985, in Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher…Tomohisa Ōtani (大谷 智久, born February 14, 1985, in Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who is currently a coach for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Marines from 2010 to 2020.