Takayuki Shimizu (清水 隆行, Shimizu Takayuki; born October 23, 1973, in Tokyo, Japan) is a former professional baseball…Takayuki Shimizu (清水 隆行, Shimizu Takayuki; born October 23, 1973, in Tokyo, Japan) is a former professional baseball outfielder for Nippon Professional Baseball. He was the Number 3 draft pick by the Yomiuri Giants in 1996 and played for them until 2008. After retiring as a player, he was a Giants coach.
Shuichi Mase (間瀬 秀一, Mase Shūichi; born October 22, 1973) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He…Shuichi Mase (間瀬 秀一, Mase Shūichi; born October 22, 1973) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He currently manager of Japan Football League club, Veertien Mie.
Ichiro Suzuki ( EE-chirr-oh; Japanese: 鈴木 一朗, romanized: Suzuki Ichirō, IPA: [sɯzɯki itɕiɾoː]; born October 22, 1973)…Ichiro Suzuki ( EE-chirr-oh; Japanese: 鈴木 一朗, romanized: Suzuki Ichirō, IPA: [sɯzɯki itɕiɾoː]; born October 22, 1973), also known mononymously as Ichiro (イチロー, Ichirō), is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder who played for 28 seasons. He played the first nine years of his career with the Orix BlueWave of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and the next 12 years with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). Suzuki then played two and a half seasons with the New York Yankees and three with the Miami Marlins before returning to the Mariners for his final two seasons. He won two World Baseball Classic titles with the Japan national team. One of the greatest contact hitters, leadoff hitters, and defensive outfielders in baseball history, he is also considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. In his combined playing time in the NPB and MLB, Suzuki received 17 consecutive selections as an All-Star and Gold Glove winner, won nine league batting titles, and was named his league's most valuable player (MVP) four times. In NPB, he won seven consecutive batting titles and three consecutive Pacific League MVP Awards. In 2001, Suzuki became the first Japanese-born position player to be posted and signed to an MLB club. He led the American League (AL) in batting average and stolen bases en route to being named AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP. Suzuki was the first MLB player to enter the Meikyukai (The Golden Players Club). He was a ten-time MLB All-Star and won the 2007 All-Star Game MVP Award for a three-hit performance that included the event's first-ever inside-the-park home run. Suzuki won a Gold Glove Award in each of his first 10 years in the majors and had an AL-record seven hitting streaks of 20 or more games, with a high of 27. He was also noted for the longevity of his career, continuing to produce at a high level with an on-base percentage above .300 in 2016, while approaching 43 years of age. Suzuki also set a number of batting records, including MLB's single-season record for hits with 262. He had 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, the longest streak by any player in MLB history. In 2016, Suzuki notched the 3,000th hit of his MLB career, becoming the 30th player ever to do so. In total, he finished with 4,367 hits in his professional career across Japan and the United States, the most of any player in history at the top level of baseball. Since retiring as a player in 2019, he became the Mariners' special assistant to the chairman. In 2025, Suzuki was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He became the first Japanese player and first Asian-born player to be elected into the Hall of Fame, receiving 99.7% of the vote, tied with Derek Jeter for the second-highest percentage ever. That same year, Suzuki was also elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. That August, the Mariners retired Suzuki's number 51.
Tomoka Shibasaki (柴崎 友香, Shibasaki Tomoka; born October 20, 1973) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won the Noma…Tomoka Shibasaki (柴崎 友香, Shibasaki Tomoka; born October 20, 1973) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won the Noma Literary New Face Prize and the Akutagawa Prize, and two of her works have been adapted for film.
Ryozo Tsujimoto (辻本良三, Tsujimoto Ryozo) (born October 18, 1973) is a Japanese video game producer and game designer. He…Ryozo Tsujimoto (辻本良三, Tsujimoto Ryozo) (born October 18, 1973) is a Japanese video game producer and game designer. He is currently an Executive Corporate Officer at Capcom. He is also the son of Capcom founder and CEO Kenzo Tsujimoto, and the younger brother of President and COO Haruhiro Tsujimoto.
Kenzo Nakamura (中村兼三, Nakamura Kenzō; born 18 October 1973) is a retired judoka who won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer…Kenzo Nakamura (中村兼三, Nakamura Kenzō; born 18 October 1973) is a retired judoka who won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He is the younger brother of 1993 World Judo Championships gold medalist Yoshio Nakamura and 1996 Olympic silver medalist Yukimasa Nakamura.
Masato Sakai (堺 雅人) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for the Hanzawa Naoki series, which achieved the highest…Masato Sakai (堺 雅人) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for the Hanzawa Naoki series, which achieved the highest television ratings in Japan during the Heisei era (1989–2019).
Hidetaka Tenjin (天神 英貴, Tenjin Hidetaka; born October 13, 1973) is a Japanese mecha anime artist, science fiction…Hidetaka Tenjin (天神 英貴, Tenjin Hidetaka; born October 13, 1973) is a Japanese mecha anime artist, science fiction illustrator, and voice actor.
Susumu Watanabe (渡邉 晋, Watanabe Susumu; born October 10, 1973) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Susumu Watanabe (渡邉 晋, Watanabe Susumu; born October 10, 1973) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who most recent as the manager of J2 League club Montedio Yamagata.
Rimi Natsukawa (Japanese: 夏川 りみ, Hepburn: Natsukawa Rimi; born 9 October 1973) is a Japanese singer. She is best known…Rimi Natsukawa (Japanese: 夏川 りみ, Hepburn: Natsukawa Rimi; born 9 October 1973) is a Japanese singer. She is best known for her 2001 single "Nada Sōsō."
Keiji Shirahata (白幡 圭史, Shirahata Keiji; born 8 October 1973) is a retired Japanese speed skater. With two silver and…Keiji Shirahata (白幡 圭史, Shirahata Keiji; born 8 October 1973) is a retired Japanese speed skater. With two silver and one bronze medals at the World All-Round Speed Skating Championships he has been the most successful Japanese long track speed skater in all-round competitions. He was ranked 4th on the Adelskalender in February 1997. Shirahata established 22 national records and was nine times national all-round champion.
Hanako Oshima (大島花子, Ōshima Hanako; born October 7, 1973) is a Japanese singer and the daughter of actress Yukiko…Hanako Oshima (大島花子, Ōshima Hanako; born October 7, 1973) is a Japanese singer and the daughter of actress Yukiko Kashiwagi and singer Kyu Sakamoto.
Yoko Ishida (石田 燿子, Ishida Yōko; born October 7, 1973 in Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese singer. She is known for having…Yoko Ishida (石田 燿子, Ishida Yōko; born October 7, 1973 in Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese singer. She is known for having performed theme songs for anime shows such as Prétear, Ai Yori Aoshi, the Ah! My Goddess TV series and the Strike Witches series, as well as for having sung for the Para Para Max CD series. She currently works under Solid Vox. Formerly she was employed by Hyper Voice Managements. Ishida entered the entertainment industry after winning a contest to become an anime song singer in 1990. She made her debut in 1993 with the song "Otome no Policy" ("Maiden's Policy"), the ending theme for the Sailor Moon R anime. At the time her name was written as 石田よう子, but she changed it to the current spelling (石田燿子) after signing up with record label Pioneer LDC (now Geneon Universal Entertainment). She has since moved back to her original label, Nippon Columbia. Apart from anime songs, she has also sung children's songs. In 2002, Ishida gave her first performance in the United States and returned in 2015 for the Lantis Festival in Las Vegas. She married in 2008 and gave birth to her first child the following year.
Hiroyuki Tominaga (富永 啓之, Tominaga Hiroyuki; born 7 October 1973) is a former Japanese basketball player. He is the…Hiroyuki Tominaga (富永 啓之, Tominaga Hiroyuki; born 7 October 1973) is a former Japanese basketball player. He is the father of Keisei Tominaga, who plays for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and was a member of the Japan men's national basketball team.
Maiko Tōno (遠野 舞子, Tōno Maiko) is a Japanese actress. She starred as Rei, the Zero Woman, in the 2004 V-cinema version…Maiko Tōno (遠野 舞子, Tōno Maiko) is a Japanese actress. She starred as Rei, the Zero Woman, in the 2004 V-cinema version of that long running series of films and videos.
Atsuko Okamoto (岡元 あつこ, 岡元 厚子, Okamaoto Atsuko; born 6 October 1973, in Nagoya) is a Japanese actress and popular…Atsuko Okamoto (岡元 あつこ, 岡元 厚子, Okamaoto Atsuko; born 6 October 1973, in Nagoya) is a Japanese actress and popular celebrity. She is represented by Asai Kikaku.
Yasuo Nagaike (永池 恭男, Nagaike Yasuo; born October 5, 1973 in Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan) is a former professional Japanese…Yasuo Nagaike (永池 恭男, Nagaike Yasuo; born October 5, 1973 in Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball player.
Yukari Yoshihara (吉原 由香里, Yoshihara Yukari; born October 4, 1973) née Yukari Umezawa (梅沢 由香里, Umezawa Yukari) is a…Yukari Yoshihara (吉原 由香里, Yoshihara Yukari; born October 4, 1973) née Yukari Umezawa (梅沢 由香里, Umezawa Yukari) is a Japanese Go professional.
Junko Tanaka (田中 順子, Tanaka Junko; born 9 October 1973) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the…Junko Tanaka (田中 順子, Tanaka Junko; born 9 October 1973) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Nobuharu Saito (齋藤 信治, Saitō Nobuharu; born 29 September 1973) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the…Nobuharu Saito (齋藤 信治, Saitō Nobuharu; born 29 September 1973) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Mizuki Sano (佐野 瑞樹, Sano Mizuki; born September 26, 1973 in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese actor and the…Mizuki Sano (佐野 瑞樹, Sano Mizuki; born September 26, 1973 in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese actor and the eldest member of Johnny's Jr., the trainee unit of the well-known talent agency Johnny & Associates. He is perhaps best known for his role in Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo and his various activities as a member of Johnny's Jr.
Koki Tagashira (田頭 弘毅, Tagashira Kōki; born (1973-09-25)25 September 1973 in Fukushima Prefecture) is a Japanese male…Koki Tagashira (田頭 弘毅, Tagashira Kōki; born (1973-09-25)25 September 1973 in Fukushima Prefecture) is a Japanese male weightlifter, competing in the 56 kg category and representing Japan at international competitions. He participated at the 2000 Summer Olympics in the 56 kg event. He competed at world championships, most recently at the 1999 World Weightlifting Championships.
Yōtsukasa Dai (born Daishi Suzuki; 23 September 1973 – 11 August 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Matsusaka…Yōtsukasa Dai (born Daishi Suzuki; 23 September 1973 – 11 August 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Matsusaka, Mie. He made his professional debut in January 1996, and reached the top division in May 1999. His highest rank was maegashira 11. He retired in November 2005. He became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and worked as a coach at Irumagawa stable, leaving in 2012.
Toshihiro Hattori (服部 年宏, Hattori Toshihiro; born 23 September 1973) is a Japanese professional manager and former…Toshihiro Hattori (服部 年宏, Hattori Toshihiro; born 23 September 1973) is a Japanese professional manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder or defender. He last played for the Japan national team until 2003. He last manager of FC Imabari for 2024 season.
Anri Kawai (河井 案里, Kawai Anri; born 23 September 1973) is a Japanese politician, formerly of the Liberal Democratic…Anri Kawai (河井 案里, Kawai Anri; born 23 September 1973) is a Japanese politician, formerly of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet. Her husband is member of the House of Representatives and former Minister of Justice Katsuyuki Kawai. Born in Nobeoka, Miyazaki and a graduate of Keio University, she served in the assembly of Hiroshima Prefecture for four terms. On 20 January 2021, at the Tokyo District Court, she was convicted of vote-buying in the 2019 House of Councillors election.
Yuko Arai (born 20 September 1973) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team épée events at…Yuko Arai (born 20 September 1973) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team épée events at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the individual foil event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Princess Zelda is the title character in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda video game series. She was created by Shigeru…Princess Zelda is the title character in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda video game series. She was created by Shigeru Miyamoto for the original 1986 game The Legend of Zelda. As one of the central characters in the series, she has appeared in the majority of the games in various incarnations. Zelda is the elf-like Hylian princess of the kingdom of Hyrule, an associate of the series main protagonist Link, and bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. Zelda's role has often been that of a damsel in distress or donor who assists Link. In many games, she is captured by the series main antagonist Ganon, necessitating Link to come to her rescue. In several games she is one of the Sages whose heroism is essential to defeating Ganon; in others, like Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, she adopts alternative personas to take a more active role in the story. In Skyward Sword, her first incarnation is revealed to be the mortal reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, establishing the bloodline of the goddess and giving her descendants a range of magical powers. In Echoes of Wisdom, she is featured as the playable protagonist. Zelda has been described as one of the most recognisable princesses in video gaming. She has appeared in branded merchandise, comics and manga, and an animated television series. In addition to The Legend of Zelda series, she has appeared as a playable character in a number of spin-off games and other game series, including Hyrule Warriors, Cadence of Hyrule, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and the Super Smash Bros. series. Critics have responded positively to her development into a strong female character and have listed her as one of the greatest female video game characters of all time.
Ryuji Sonoda (園田 隆二, Sonoda Ryūji; born September 16, 1973) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Ōmuta, Fukuoka, and…Ryuji Sonoda (園田 隆二, Sonoda Ryūji; born September 16, 1973) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Ōmuta, Fukuoka, and began judo at the age of a first grader. He won a gold medal at the -60 kg category of the Junior World Championships in 1992 and World Championships in 1993. After graduating from Meiji University, he entered the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Sonoda retired from competition in 2004. By 2009, he coached All-Japan women's judo team before announcing his resignation on January 31, 2013, following accusations of physical abuse by team members. He married judoka Noriko Anno in 2010.
Koji Mitsui (三井 浩二, Mitsui Kōji; born September 15, 1973) is a Japanese retired professional baseball pitcher. He…Koji Mitsui (三井 浩二, Mitsui Kōji; born September 15, 1973) is a Japanese retired professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Seibu / Saitama Seibu Lions from 2001 through 2009.
Masami Watanabe (わたなべ まさみみ, Watanabe Masami; born September 15, 1973) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. Also…Masami Watanabe (わたなべ まさみみ, Watanabe Masami; born September 15, 1973) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. Also known by her ring name, Chaparita ASARI (チャパリータ ASARI; Chaparita ASARI), she wrestled from 1992 to 2003 in various Japanese promotions namely AJW, NEO Japan Pro Wrestling, ARSION, Michinoku Pro Wrestling, and also a few matches in the American wrestling promotion, WWF. In that tenure, she won WWWA Super Lightweight championship four times, AJW Junior Championship two times and the AJW Tag Team Championship one-time. Her signature finishing move is the Sky Twister Press, which she innovated.
Hiroomi Takizawa (瀧澤 宏臣, Takizawa Hiroomi; born 13 September 1973) is a Japanese freestyle skier who specializes in the…Hiroomi Takizawa (瀧澤 宏臣, Takizawa Hiroomi; born 13 September 1973) is a Japanese freestyle skier who specializes in the skicross discipline. He is a former moguls skier.
Hirotaka Ishikawa (born September 12, 1973, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Hirotaka Ishikawa (born September 12, 1973, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2010. He represents the Osaka at-large district and is a member of the Komeito party.
Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊, Koyabu Kazutoyo; born September 11, 1973 in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese TV comedian…Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊, Koyabu Kazutoyo; born September 11, 1973 in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese TV comedian, presenter, tarento, and musician, represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo. He was the chairman of the comedy troupe Yoshimoto Shinkigeki from 2006 to 2022 and drummer for the band Genie High. Koyabu graduated as the 12th generation class from Yoshimoto NSC Osaka and speaks with an Osaka dialect.
Kazuhisa Ishii (石井 一久 Ishii Kazuhisa) (born September 9, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and…Kazuhisa Ishii (石井 一久 Ishii Kazuhisa) (born September 9, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and manager and general manager. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yakult Swallows and Saitama Seibu Lions and in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
Shinzo "Shin" Yamada (born August 9, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football player who was a…Shinzo "Shin" Yamada (born August 9, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football player who was a linebacker for the Memphis Maniax of the XFL and the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe. He played college football at Kwansei Gakuin University. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2003 NFL preseason. Yamada was believed to be the first Japanese person to play professional American football in the United States.
Zhu Xun (Chinese: 朱迅; pinyin: Zhū Xùn) is a Chinese television host of China Central Television (CCTV). Currently, she…Zhu Xun (Chinese: 朱迅; pinyin: Zhū Xùn) is a Chinese television host of China Central Television (CCTV). Currently, she is responsible for hosting a number of most highest rated shows such as "Avenue of Stars", "Happiness Bill" and "My Art List", and most notably "CCTV New Year's Gala", all receiving over 1 billion viewers in ratings. Xun is a member of the 10th All-China Youth Federation, director of the China Television Artists Association, and director of the China Literary and Art Volunteers Association. In 2021, she was elected as a member of the 11th National Committee of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. In 2022, she was elected as the vice president of the Host Professional Committee of the China Television Artists Association; in 2023, she was elected as the charity ambassador of the China Disabled Persons Association.
Kiyotaka Haimura (灰村キヨタカ or はいむらきよたか, Haimura Kiyotaka; born September 7, 1973) is a Japanese game character designer…Kiyotaka Haimura (灰村キヨタカ or はいむらきよたか, Haimura Kiyotaka; born September 7, 1973) is a Japanese game character designer and manga style artist best known for his work on the A Certain Magical Index series.
Yū Suzunoki (Japanese: 鈴ノ木ユウ, Hepburn: Suzunoki Yū; born September 4, 1973 in Kōfu, Yamanashi, Japan) is a Japanese…Yū Suzunoki (Japanese: 鈴ノ木ユウ, Hepburn: Suzunoki Yū; born September 4, 1973 in Kōfu, Yamanashi, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist and singer-songwriter. His real name is Yūki Suzunoki (鈴木祐樹, Suzunoki Yūki). He is married to singer Reina Hayashi—a member of Mimizuguzu—and lives in Nakano, Tokyo. He won the 2016 Kodansha Manga Award for his manga Kōnodori.
Yūmi Yoshikawa (吉川有美, Yoshikawa Yūmi; born 4 September 1973) is a Japanese politician who is a former member of the…Yūmi Yoshikawa (吉川有美, Yoshikawa Yūmi; born 4 September 1973) is a Japanese politician who is a former member of the House of Councillors of Japan.
Eiko Koizumi (小泉 栄子, Koizumi Eiko; born September 1, 1973 in Hyougo) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. She won…Eiko Koizumi (小泉 栄子, Koizumi Eiko; born September 1, 1973 in Hyougo) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. She won the silver medal in the women's team competition at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, partnering compatriot Shinako Tanaka. In the final the couple lost (1-2) to the Chinese pair Xue Chen and Zhang Xi.
Rieko Miura (三浦 理恵子, Miura Rieko; pronounced [mʲiɯ̟ᵝɾa̠ ɾʲie̞ko̞]; born 1 September 1973) is a Japanese actress, voice…Rieko Miura (三浦 理恵子, Miura Rieko; pronounced [mʲiɯ̟ᵝɾa̠ ɾʲie̞ko̞]; born 1 September 1973) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer and former member of the band CoCo. She was born in Nakano, Tokyo. Her solo debut was on 14 September 1991.
Sawaki Takeyasu (竹安 佐和記, Takeyasu Sawaki) (born August 30, 1973) is a Japanese video game artist, producer and…Sawaki Takeyasu (竹安 佐和記, Takeyasu Sawaki) (born August 30, 1973) is a Japanese video game artist, producer and director. Currently the head of his own development studio Crim, Takeyasu previously worked at Capcom and their subsidiary Clover Studio before becoming a freelance artist following Clover's dissolution in 2007.
Takashi Takeuchi (武内 崇, Takeuchi Takashi; born August 28, 1973) is a Japanese artist. He is notable as the co-founder…Takashi Takeuchi (武内 崇, Takeuchi Takashi; born August 28, 1973) is a Japanese artist. He is notable as the co-founder of the visual novel, anime development, and production enterprise Type-Moon, and for his illustrations on the visual novels, Tsukihime and Fate/stay night, which were adapted into an anime and manga series. He has frequently collaborated with fellow game designer Kinoko Nasu. In 2008, they contributed the special scenario to the Sega/Chunsoft visual novel 428: Shibuya Scramble, which subsequently received a sequel anime titled Canaan. His real name is Tomotaka Takeuchi (竹内 友崇).