Chiharu Nozaki (野崎 千春, Nozaki Chiharu; born 12 May 1973) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in two events at the…Chiharu Nozaki (野崎 千春, Nozaki Chiharu; born 12 May 1973) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in two events at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Tsuyoshi Ogata (尾方 剛, Ogata Tsuyoshi; born May 11, 1973) is a Japanese long-distance athlete competing mainly in the…Tsuyoshi Ogata (尾方 剛, Ogata Tsuyoshi; born May 11, 1973) is a Japanese long-distance athlete competing mainly in the marathon. Ogata was born in Kumano, Hiroshima. In August 2003 he came twelfth at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. In August 2005 he won a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. He then finished fifth at the 2007 World Championships.
Hiromi Amada (Japanese: 天田 ヒロミ; born May 10, 1973) is a retired Japanese heavyweight kickboxer and boxer from Gunma…Hiromi Amada (Japanese: 天田 ヒロミ; born May 10, 1973) is a retired Japanese heavyweight kickboxer and boxer from Gunma, Japan. A staple in the K-1 heavyweight division from 1999 to 2007, the company considered him one of its most talented Japanese fighters, second only to Musashi. He is also the first-ever HEAT Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion and holds notable victories over Freddy Kemayo, Makoto Uehara, and Rene Rooze.
Takamaro Fukuoka (福岡 資麿, Fukuoka Takamaro; born 9 May 1973) is a Japanese politician from Saga City and member of the…Takamaro Fukuoka (福岡 資麿, Fukuoka Takamaro; born 9 May 1973) is a Japanese politician from Saga City and member of the Liberal Democratic Party. Fukuoka was elected to the House of Representatives in Saga 1st district in after an unsuccessful run in 2003. He lost the seat in the 2009 election but was elected to the House of Councillors in 2010. In October 2024, Fukuoka became the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in the Ishiba Cabinet. Fukuoka graduated from the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Keio University in 1996 and joined the Mitsubishi Estate company.
Hiromu Arakawa (荒川 弘, Arakawa Hiromu; born May 8, 1973) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known as the creator of…Hiromu Arakawa (荒川 弘, Arakawa Hiromu; born May 8, 1973) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known as the creator of the manga series Fullmetal Alchemist (2001–2010), which became a hit both domestically and internationally, and was adapted into two anime television series. She is also known for Silver Spoon (2011–2019), the manga adaptation of The Heroic Legend of Arslan novels (since 2013), and Daemons of the Shadow Realm (since 2021).
Takayuki Okada (岡田 貴幸, Okada Takayuki; May 8, 1973 – August 8, 2003), more widely known as Giant Ochiai (ジャイアント落合…Takayuki Okada (岡田 貴幸, Okada Takayuki; May 8, 1973 – August 8, 2003), more widely known as Giant Ochiai (ジャイアント落合, Jaianto Ochiai), was a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Okada's MMA record was 3-3-2 (win–loss–draw).
Hirotake Yasuoka (保岡宏武, Yasuoka Hirotake; born 6 May 1973) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House…Hirotake Yasuoka (保岡宏武, Yasuoka Hirotake; born 6 May 1973) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2026, having previously served from 2021 to 2024. He is the son of Okiharu Yasuoka.
Tatsuo Kawai (川合 達夫, Kawai Tatsuo; born 2 May 1973) is a Japanese wrestler. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics and…Tatsuo Kawai (川合 達夫, Kawai Tatsuo; born 2 May 1973) is a Japanese wrestler. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Shinji Morimoto (Morimoto Shinji, born 2 May 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party who…Shinji Morimoto (Morimoto Shinji, born 2 May 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party who has been serving in the House of Councillors (the upper house of the Diet) since 2013.
Masaaki Taniai (谷合 正明, Taniai Masaaki; born 1973) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the…Masaaki Taniai (谷合 正明, Taniai Masaaki; born 1973) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Niiza, Saitama, he attended Kyoto University and received a master's degree in agricultural economy from it. He also studied at Uppsala University in Sweden. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004.
Megumi Inoue (井上 恵, Inoue Megumi; born April 27, 1973 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese sport shooter. She has…Megumi Inoue (井上 恵, Inoue Megumi; born April 27, 1973 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese sport shooter. She has produced a career tally of six medals, including two golds in women's double trap shooting at the Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and also finished fifth at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Inoue serves and trains full-time as a member of the Japanese Clay Target Shooting Association, under head coach Hiroshi Teranishi. Inoue came to prominence in the world shooting scene at the 2004 Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she claimed the gold medal in the women's double trap final with a score of 138. Inoue's astonishing success and a minimum qualifying score of 106 led to her selection on the Japanese shooting team for her only Olympic debut. Six months after her illustrious victory from the Asian Championships, Inoue qualified for her first and only Japanese squad in the women's double trap at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She put up a stringent top-level effort with an unparalleled qualifying score of 106 to seal a third seed in the six-woman final, but fell out of the medal podium by a two-point margin that ended her up in fifth. Inoue's total score of 140 proved to be more rewarding than her previous career feat from the Asian Championships by just two targets. With the women's double trap being officially removed from the Olympic program, Inoue decided to focus solely on trap shooting. In 2005, she held off a charge from the rest of the field to set a new world-record score of 88 hits for the gold medal victory at the ISSF World Cup meet in Changwon, South Korea.
Osamu Shitara (設楽 統, Shitara Osamu; born 23 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor and television…Osamu Shitara (設楽 統, Shitara Osamu; born 23 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor and television presenter. He performs boke (he does not entirely do boke he is known for doing tsukkomi) and tells stories in the comedy duo Bananaman. His partner is Yūki Himura. He is also a former Seibu Railway employee.
Haruna Hosoya (細谷 はるな, Hosoya Haruna; born April 23, 1973 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is an athlete from Japan. She competes…Haruna Hosoya (細谷 はるな, Hosoya Haruna; born April 23, 1973 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is an athlete from Japan. She competes in the triathlon. Hosoya competed at the first Olympic triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She did not finish the competition.
Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional…Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional outfielder.
Tomoaki Kunichika (Japanese: 国近 友昭; born April 22, 1973, in Yamaguchi) is a male long-distance runner from Japan, who…Tomoaki Kunichika (Japanese: 国近 友昭; born April 22, 1973, in Yamaguchi) is a male long-distance runner from Japan, who won the 2003 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:07:52 on December 7, 2003.
Chiharu Kawai (川合千春, Kawai Chiharu) is a Japanese actress and voice actress. She is well known for her role as Mayumi…Chiharu Kawai (川合千春, Kawai Chiharu) is a Japanese actress and voice actress. She is well known for her role as Mayumi Sasaki in Carved.
Yoshiharu Ueno (上野 良治, Ueno Yoshiharu; born April 21, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yoshiharu Ueno (上野 良治, Ueno Yoshiharu; born April 21, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works…Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Power Rise under the alias Hyo-sei (氷青, Hyōsei). For adult works, she goes by the name Elena Kaibara (海原 エレナ, Kaibara Erena). Hyo-sei released her first album titled Fuyu Hanabi (冬花火) on April 21, 2010.
Toshihide Saito (斉藤 俊秀, Saitō Toshihide; born April 20, 1973) is a Japanese former football player and manager. He…Toshihide Saito (斉藤 俊秀, Saitō Toshihide; born April 20, 1973) is a Japanese former football player and manager. He currently works as an assistant coach for the Japan national team.
Yoko Takahashi (高橋 洋子, Takahashi Yōko; born on (1973-04-20)20 April 1973) is a Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA)…Yoko Takahashi (高橋 洋子, Takahashi Yōko; born on (1973-04-20)20 April 1973) is a Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and kickboxer and former boxer and professional wrestler. Takahashi is a former Smackgirl open weight champion. She is considered Japan's first female mixed martial artist.
Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was…Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. An amateur champion at Nihon University, he entered professional sumo in 1996. He was one of the lightest sekitori wrestlers in recent years. He won two special prizes for Technique. He retired from active competition in 2010 and became a coach, but in April 2011 he was asked to resign from the Japan Sumo Association after being found guilty of match-fixing.
Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre…Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre director, and manga artist. Outside Japan, he is most well known for directing and acting in "The Japanese Tradition (日本の形)" videos (e.g. "Sushi (鮨)"), and for playing the Mac (opposite Jin Katagiri who plays the PC) in the "Get a Mac" advertising campaign in Japan. He is a member of the Rahmens owarai comedy duo. His manga series, Hana Usagi, ran from 1999 to 2004 in Young Magazine Uppers (published by Kodansha).
Keiji Hirose (廣瀬佳司, Hirose Keiji), born April 16, 1973, in Osaka) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as…Keiji Hirose (廣瀬佳司, Hirose Keiji), born April 16, 1973, in Osaka) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as a fly-half. His club team was Toyota Verblitz. He was nicknamed Golden Boots (ゴールデン・ブーツ, Gôruden Būtsu). Hirose was awarded 40 caps for Japan; he made his debut in a 26–11 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifier win over South Korea, October 29, 1994, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In his career, Hirose scored 5 tries, 77 conversions, 79 penalties and 2 drop goals, reaching a national record of 422 points in aggregate. He was the primary goalkicker for Japan during his international career. He played in a single game at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the infamous 145–17 defeat to New Zealand. Hirose scored 2 conversions and 1 penalty in the game. In the 44–17 win over Tonga, at 8 May 1999, in Tokyo, during the Pacific Rim Championship, he kicked a then record of 9 penalties from 9 attempts. He played in all three of Japan's games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. His 5 penalties and 4 conversions (a total of 23 points) led his country in scoring. Hirose again played only once at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, in a 32–11 defeat to Scotland, at 12 October 2003, scoring 2 penalties. His last international game came was on 5 November 2005, a 44–29 win over Spain, in Tokyo. Hirose had a memorable farewell, scoring 19 points through 5 conversions, 2 penalties and 1 drop goal. He was 32 years old.
Megumu Yoshida (吉田 恵, Yoshida Megumi; born April 13, 1973) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is the…Megumu Yoshida (吉田 恵, Yoshida Megumi; born April 13, 1973) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is the currently assistant manager of J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
Wakanojō Munehiko (born 13 April 1973 as Munehiko Aka) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He made his…Wakanojō Munehiko (born 13 April 1973 as Munehiko Aka) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1992, and reached the top division in September 1997. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He retired in May 2004 due to diabetes, which he had been dealing with since the age of 18 and had seen him fall from the top division all the way down to the second lowest jonidan division. After retirement he became an office worker. He needed a kidney transplant in 2006 and his mother was the donor, which was featured in Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's The Friday in January 2018. He appeared in another edition of the program in June 2018, working alongside fellow ex-sumo wrestlers Wakatoba and Wakatenro, in care for the elderly (including making chankonabe).
Seiichi Oba (大場 清悦, Ōba Seiichi; born April 13, 1973) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former…Seiichi Oba (大場 清悦, Ōba Seiichi; born April 13, 1973) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as the general manager of the Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League.
Shinichi Fujita (藤田 慎一, Fujita Shinichi; born April 10, 1973) is a former Japanese soccer player and youth soccer…Shinichi Fujita (藤田 慎一, Fujita Shinichi; born April 10, 1973) is a former Japanese soccer player and youth soccer coach. He was a defender. Fujita was born in Osaka Prefecture on April 10, 1973. After graduating from Kindai University, he joined Japan Football League (JFL) club Kawasaki Frontale in 1996. In 1998, he moved to JFL club Albirex Niigata. The club was promoted to new league J2 League from 1999. In 2000, he moved to J2 club Ventforet Kofu. He played many matches and retired at the end of the 2000 season.
Kunichi Nomura (野村 訓市, Nomura Kun'ichi; born April 10, 1974) is a Japanese writer, actor, radio personality, book…Kunichi Nomura (野村 訓市, Nomura Kun'ichi; born April 10, 1974) is a Japanese writer, actor, radio personality, book editor, interior designer, creative director, and DJ from Tokyo, Japan.
Akihiko Koike (Japanese: 小池 昭彦; born April 10, 1973) is a retired male race walker from Nagano, Japan. He set his…Akihiko Koike (Japanese: 小池 昭彦; born April 10, 1973) is a retired male race walker from Nagano, Japan. He set his personal best (1:20.16) in the men's 20 km on January 30, 2000, in Kobe. He made two major global appearances: first at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics, where he was 27th in the men's 50 km walk, and secondly at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he failed to finish the 20 km race.
Keiko Aono (青野敬子, Aono Keiko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct…Keiko Aono (青野敬子, Aono Keiko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu, Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling and World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana.
Benkyo Tamaoki (玉置勉強, Tamaoki Benkyō) is a Japanese manga artist. He was born in Shinjuku. His books The Sex Philes…Benkyo Tamaoki (玉置勉強, Tamaoki Benkyō) is a Japanese manga artist. He was born in Shinjuku. His books The Sex Philes, Blood the Last Vampire 2000, and Tokyo Akazukin have all been translated into English (although one of these is a fan translation).
Miki Sumiyoshi (住吉美紀, Sumiyoshi Miki; born 1973) is a freelance Japanese announcer. She worked for the public…Miki Sumiyoshi (住吉美紀, Sumiyoshi Miki; born 1973) is a freelance Japanese announcer. She worked for the public broadcaster NHK. Miki was born in Kawasaki, and moved with her family to Seattle, Washington in the United States. She returned to Japan while in elementary school, and completed junior high school in Kobe. She then moved to Vancouver in Canada, graduating from high school, and again to Japan, where she attended and graduated from International Christian University. In 1996, she joined NHK. Her career has taken her to positions in Fukushima, Sendai, and Tokyo, where she now works. Miki regularly appeared in three regular television programs, and in a fourth, which is broadcast occasionally. She has done music, news, information, nature and other genres. She hosted the radio broadcast of the 55th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, NHK's annual New Year's Eve spectacular, and was selected to co-host the 58th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the…Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the Central League for the Chunichi Dragons.
Yo Oizumi (大泉 洋, Ōizumi Yō; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese actor, comedian, television personality and voice actor.…Yo Oizumi (大泉 洋, Ōizumi Yō; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese actor, comedian, television personality and voice actor. He is a member of the theatrical and musical unit Team Nacs, and is represented by Creative Office Cue. His wife Kumiko Nakajima is a drama producer at Fuji TV. His senior brother Jun Oizumi is 10th public elected Mayor of Hakodate. In 1995, while still in university, Oizumi debuted as an entertainer on the late-night program Mosaic nights aired in Hokkaidō. He first gained popularity on the television series How Do You Like Wednesday?, and has since expanded to various fields of entertainment, such as television dramas, films, voice acting and music.
Ayako Nakano (中野 亜弥子, Nakano Ayako; born 3 April 1973) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer…Ayako Nakano (中野 亜弥子, Nakano Ayako; born 3 April 1973) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Yoshimi Narita (Japanese: 成田 良美, Hepburn: Narita Yoshimi; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese anime screenwriter, who is…Yoshimi Narita (Japanese: 成田 良美, Hepburn: Narita Yoshimi; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese anime screenwriter, who is mostly known for writing Ojamajo Doremi and Pretty Cure series, as well as Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai: Ren'ai Series, Dakaichi, Dance Dance Danseur and Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie. Narita is a member of the Writers Guild of Japan.
Junko Yaginuma (八木沼 純子, Yaginuma Junko; born April 1, 1973) is a Japanese former figure skater who is now a figure…Junko Yaginuma (八木沼 純子, Yaginuma Junko; born April 1, 1973) is a Japanese former figure skater who is now a figure skating commentator. She is the 1993 Winter Universiade champion and a two-time World Junior silver medalist (1988–89). She placed 14th at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Yaginuma guest-starred as herself in the fourth episode of Juken Sentai Gekiranger, teaching the Gekirangers how to ice skate.
Sayaka Aoki (青木 さやか or 青木 沙耶加, Aoki Sayaka; born March 27, 1973) is a Japanese entertainer, comedian, and actress from…Sayaka Aoki (青木 さやか or 青木 沙耶加, Aoki Sayaka; born March 27, 1973) is a Japanese entertainer, comedian, and actress from Owariasahi, Aichi Prefecture.
Kiyonari Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 清成; born 27 March 1973) is a Japanese former track and field athlete and middle-distance…Kiyonari Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 清成; born 27 March 1973) is a Japanese former track and field athlete and middle-distance runner. He is the current Japanese record holder for the mile run, with a personal best of 3:58.89 minutes. His time, set on 11 May 1996, made him the second Japanese man to run a sub-four-minute mile, after Takashi Ishii, who had done so nearly twenty years earlier in 1977. Shibata's 1500 metres best of 3:39.45 minutes is also among the best times for the event by a Japanese, behind Fumikazu Kobayashi and Ishii. Despite his breaking a long-standing national record, Shibata only won at the Japan Championships in Athletics on one occasion, taking the 1500 m title in 1997. That same year he won a gold medal in the event at the East Asian Games in a then games record time of 3:49.90 minutes. The following year he won the second and final international medal of his career at the 1998 Asian Athletics Championships by finishing as runner-up behind multiple Asian champion Mohamed Suleiman. He also ran at the 1998 Asian Games and placed seventh in the 1500 m final. He represented his home region, Toyama Prefecture, twice at the All-Japan Interprefectural Ekiden Championships.
Yōsuke Shinoda (篠田 陽介, Shinoda Yōsuke; born 23 March 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Yōsuke Shinoda (篠田 陽介, Shinoda Yōsuke; born 23 March 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kitami, Hokkaido and graduate of Nagoya Institute of Technology, he was elected for the first time in 2005 after working as a secretary for Tsutomu Takebe, a member of the House of Representatives.