Toshiaki Sakai (born 9 April 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. A left-handed player from Tokyo…
Toshiaki Sakai (born 9 April 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. A left-handed player from Tokyo, Sakai made his only ATP Tour main draw appearances at the 1995 Japan Open, but didn't begin competing professionally until 2002. Sakai, who is the son of Universiade champion Toshiro Sakai, was a student at Keio University and represented Japan at the 1995 Summer Universiade. He won the All Japan Student Tennis Championships singles title in 1996. On the professional tour, Sakai reached a best singles ranking of 468 in the world and featured in the qualifying draw for the 2003 Australian Open. He had a best doubles world ranking of 517.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Tiger
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Masao Morinaka (森中 聖雄, born April 9, 1974) is a former professional baseball player who played for the Yokohama…
Masao Morinaka (森中 聖雄, born April 9, 1974) is a former professional baseball player who played for the Yokohama BayStars. He currently works as a batting pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants organization. Morinaka was drafted by the Yokohama BayStars in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. He was a valuable left-handed reliever, but was dropped after only 7 seasons in 2003. He marked a 2.16 ERA in 41 appearances in 1999, and a 2.38 ERA in 53 appearances in 2000. He hit a home run at the Koshien baseball stadium in his final season. He won a silver medal playing for the Japanese national team in the 1996 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Naoki Matsuyo (松代 直樹, Matsuyo Naoki; born April 9, 1974) is a former Japanese football player.
Yuzuki Ito (伊藤 優津樹, Itō Yuzuki; born April 7, 1974) is a former Japanese football player.
Jun Osakada (小坂田 淳, Osakada Jun; born 2 April 1974) is a male track and field sprinter from Japan.
Mari Nishio (西尾 まり; born April 2, 1974) is a Japanese actress and former child actress.
Masashi Endō (遠藤雅, Endō Masashi; born 2 April 1974) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for appearing in the 1996 NHK…
Masashi Endō (遠藤雅, Endō Masashi; born 2 April 1974) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for appearing in the 1996 NHK serial drama Himawari. He has appeared in more than ten films since 1993, most notably in Wild Zero and Sawako Decides.
Jun Sena (瀬奈じゅん, Sena Jun), real name Asako Doi (土井麻子, Doi Asako) is a Japanese actress and former top star of the…
Jun Sena (瀬奈じゅん, Sena Jun), real name Asako Doi (土井麻子, Doi Asako) is a Japanese actress and former top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Moon Troupe, a Japanese theatre organization in which women portray all parts. She was born April 1, 1974, and grew up in Suginami, Tokyo. During her time in the Revue, she was an otokoyaku, an actress who specializes in male roles. After two years of intensive training at the Takarazuka Music School, she joined the revue in 1992 and reached top star status in 2005. Her nicknames are Asa and Asako. The first otokoyaku from her class of 1992 to reach top star status, she resigned her position as top star and retired in December 2009 after the run of Last Play / Heat on Beat and is now pursuing an acting career outside of the Revue.
Kaori Takahashi (高橋 馨, Takahashi Kaori; born 30 March 1974) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in…
Kaori Takahashi (高橋 馨, Takahashi Kaori; born 30 March 1974) is a Japanese former synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Yumi Matsuzawa (松澤 由美, Matsuzawa Yumi; born March 29, 1974) is a Japanese singer from Fujimi, Saitama.
Daisuke Kishio (岸尾 だいすけ, Kishio Daisuke; born March 28, 1974) is a Japanese voice actor, singer and narrator from…
Daisuke Kishio (岸尾 だいすけ, Kishio Daisuke; born March 28, 1974) is a Japanese voice actor, singer and narrator from Matsusaka, Mie. He changed his given name from 大輔 to だいすけ on June 1, 2007 with the pronunciation and romanization remaining the same. He joined Aoni Production on April 1, 2014. He used to belong to the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society (Haikyou) and Horipro and worked as an independent voice actor in between switching agencies. His best known roles include the voice of Jet the Hawk in the Japanese version of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Loke in Fairy Tail, Cabba in Dragon Ball Super, Junta Teshima in Yowamushi Pedal, and Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu in the Danganronpa series. His other roles include Taigong Wang in the Warriors Orochi series from 2 to 4 and Sima Zhao in the Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi series. At the second Seiyu Awards, he has been nominated for "Best Actor in a Leading role", "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" and "Best Radio Personality".
Kumiko Goto (後藤 久美子, Gotō Kumiko; born on March 26, 1974) is a Japanese actress, model, and former singer active in the…
Kumiko Goto (後藤 久美子, Gotō Kumiko; born on March 26, 1974) is a Japanese actress, model, and former singer active in the 1980s. As an actress, she is known for starring in the Otoko wa Tsurai yo films and the Jackie Chan film City Hunter. In 1995, she quit her acting career and married French racing driver Jean Alesi, with whom she has three children, daughter Helena and sons Giuliano and John.
Sumiko Yokoyama (横山 寿美子, Yokoyama Sumiko; born March 25, 1974) is a Japanese cross country skier who competed from 1993…
Sumiko Yokoyama (横山 寿美子, Yokoyama Sumiko; born March 25, 1974) is a Japanese cross country skier who competed from 1993 to 2008. Her best World Cup finish was fifth in a 4 x 5 km relay in Switzerland in 2003. Yokoyama also competed in four Winter Olympics, earning her best finish of tenth in the 4 x 5 km relay at Salt Lake City in 2002. Her best finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships was 8th in the 4 x 5 km relay at Sapporo in 2007.
Dejima Takeharu (出島 武春, born March 21, 1974) is a former sumo wrestler from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. A former amateur…
Dejima Takeharu (出島 武春, born March 21, 1974) is a former sumo wrestler from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. A former amateur champion, he made his professional debut in 1996, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year. In July 1999 he won the yūshō or tournament championship and earned promotion to the second highest rank of ōzeki. He lost the rank in 2001 and, for the most part, remained a maegashira until his retirement in 2009. He won ten special prizes and six gold stars over his long career. He wrestled for Musashigawa stable. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Ōnaruto Oyakata.
Hiroyoshi Takayama (高山啓義, Takayama Hiroyoshi; born 18 March 1974) is a Japanese football referee who has been a full…
Hiroyoshi Takayama (高山啓義, Takayama Hiroyoshi; born 18 March 1974) is a Japanese football referee who has been a full international referee for FIFA. Takayama became a FIFA referee in 2004. He also refereed in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Hideaki Ozawa (小澤 英明, Ozawa Hideaki; born 17 March 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…
Hideaki Ozawa (小澤 英明, Ozawa Hideaki; born 17 March 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Naho Toda (戸田 菜穂, Toda Naho; born March 13, 1974) is a Japanese actress.
Koichi Isobe (礒部 公一, Isobe Kōichi; born March 12, 1974) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Yasunari Iwata (岩田 康誠, Iwata Yasunari) (born March 12, 1974; from Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese jockey who…
Yasunari Iwata (岩田 康誠, Iwata Yasunari) (born March 12, 1974; from Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese jockey who rode the winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues. It was Iwata's first race outside Japan. He debuted in the Hyōgo Keiba, one of the racing organizations in National Association of Racing (NAR). He has started riding in selected events in Japan Racing Association (JRA) since 2002. In 2005, Iwata won the 19th World Super Jockey Series Archived 2007-07-15 at the Wayback Machine. Despite not having passed the written test in the past, he was allowed to transfer to JRA in the following year due to "Ankatsu's Rule". He was awarded JRA most winning-jockey in 2011 and 2012, in races won and money earned. His son, Mirai, is also a jockey.
Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大祐, Watanabe Daisuke) is a Japanese video game writer employed by Square Enix. He is mostly known…
Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大祐, Watanabe Daisuke) is a Japanese video game writer employed by Square Enix. He is mostly known for his work on the role-playing video game series Final Fantasy and the action RPG series Kingdom Hearts.
Noriaki Sugiyama (杉山 紀彰, Sugiyama Noriaki) is a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He voiced Uryū Ishida in Bleach…
Noriaki Sugiyama (杉山 紀彰, Sugiyama Noriaki) is a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He voiced Uryū Ishida in Bleach, England in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto, and Shirō Emiya in the Fate franchise.
Miho Oki (沖美穂, Miho Oki; born 8 March 1974, in Shimizu, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese former women's racing cyclist.…
Miho Oki (沖美穂, Miho Oki; born 8 March 1974, in Shimizu, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese former women's racing cyclist. Born in the northern island of Hokkaido, she originally trained to be a speed skater, but switched to cycling when she was 22. She won the first Japanese National Road Race Championships for women held in 1998, a title she ended up winning eleven straight times. From 2002, she became the first Japanese to participate on the women's pro tour in Europe, riding for French, Italian, and Dutch teams. She won the Trophée des Grimpeurs in 2002. She represented Japan at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympics. She retired in 2008 and currently serves as an adviser for women's keirin.
Takanori Ōyama (大山 鎬則, Ōyama Takanori; born March 8, 1974) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and playwright from Aichi…
Takanori Ōyama (大山 鎬則, Ōyama Takanori; born March 8, 1974) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and playwright from Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He is probably most known for the roles as Kanji Sasahara (Genshiken) and Yasunobu Hattori (Suzuka).
Satoshi Mashimo (真下 佐登史, Mashimo Satoshi; born March 6, 1974) is a former Japanese football player.
Daisuke Nakata (中田 大輔, Nakata Daisuke; born March 2, 1974 in Mikawa, Ishikawa, Japan) is a trampoline gymnast who…
Daisuke Nakata (中田 大輔, Nakata Daisuke; born March 2, 1974 in Mikawa, Ishikawa, Japan) is a trampoline gymnast who competed for Japan in the 2000 Summer Olympics. Daisuke also performs on SASUKE (known in America as Ninja Warrior), where he is one of the most well-known competitors. On the trampoline, Nakata can jump as high as 26 feet.
Hiroyasu Shimizu (清水 宏保, Shimizu Hiroyasu; born 27 February 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. A five-time world…
Hiroyasu Shimizu (清水 宏保, Shimizu Hiroyasu; born 27 February 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. A five-time world champion in the 500 meters, Shimizu became the first Japanese speed skater to win a gold medal with his performance at the 1998 Winter Olympics. At the 1998 World Championships, Shimizu set a world record (34.82) and became the first person to break the 35-second barrier in the event. Shimizu later broke this record at the 2001 World Championships with a time of 34.42. He was married to Japanese fashion model Reiko Takagaki.
Shigenori Yamazaki (山崎樹範, Yamazaki Shigenori; born February 26, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and voice…
Shigenori Yamazaki (山崎樹範, Yamazaki Shigenori; born February 26, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He has been married to actress Rei Yoshii since November 11, 2016.
Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974, as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa…
Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974, as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. An amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 1996 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1997. He earned twelve kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna, the second highest ever, and he was a runner-up in two tournaments. His highest rank was sekiwake. He is now a coach at Kasugano stable under the name Takenawa Oyakata.
Shigenori Soejima (副島 成記, Soejima Shigenori; born February 24, 1974) is a Japanese character artist best known for his…
Shigenori Soejima (副島 成記, Soejima Shigenori; born February 24, 1974) is a Japanese character artist best known for his work in the Persona series of role-playing video games by Atlus. He initially worked in minor roles on several games after joining Atlus and took over as series art director from his mentor Kazuma Kaneko with Persona 3 in 2006.
Takuma Aoki (青木 拓磨, Aoki Takuma; born February 24, 1974 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former road racer of motorcycles at…
Takuma Aoki (青木 拓磨, Aoki Takuma; born February 24, 1974 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former road racer of motorcycles at Grand Prix level. He began his Grand Prix career in 1993. From 1994 to 1996, Aoki competed in the World Superbike Championship, winning one race in that series. In 1996, he won All Japan Championship Superbike class champion. He returned to Grand Prix racing with Honda in 1997, enjoying his best season when he finished fifth in the 500cc world championship. A spinal injury in a 1998 motorcycle crash left him paralyzed below the waist. Aoki has continued to work with Honda, helping them develop cars for disabled people. He is the brother of Grand Prix racers, Nobuatsu and Haruchika Aoki. Aoki has been involved in motorsports again. Using specially-modified 4-wheel drive vehicles, he has been involved in many cross country rallies, notably the Dakar Rally, the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy and the Asia Cross Country Rally. On July 10, 2019, Aoki took a test ride on the Team Honda Dream CBR1000 Suzuka 8 Hours machine. In 2021, Aoki competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of Frédéric Sausset's SRT41 team.
Kyōko Nagatsuka (Japanese: 長塚京子, born February 22, 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She achieved…
Kyōko Nagatsuka (Japanese: 長塚京子, born February 22, 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 28 on 14 August 1995. In doubles, she reached as high as No. 31 in June 1995. She won the 12-and-under championships of Japan in 1986, and the under-16 in 1989. Nagatsuka reached three singles finals on the WTA Tour but failed to win the title in any of them. She did, however, win two doubles titles as well as achieving a further three runner-ups in doubles competition. She reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament twice in singles: at the 1995 Australian Open, where she beat a young Martina Hingis and Amy Frazier, and that same year at the French Open. Playing for the Japan Fed Cup team, she has a win–loss record of 2–4. Since her retirement, she has briefly worked as a coach with Akiko Morigami.
Tomonori Jinnai (陣内 智則, Jinnai Tomonori; born 22 February 1974, in Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento…
Tomonori Jinnai (陣内 智則, Jinnai Tomonori; born 22 February 1974, in Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento and presenter.
SMAP (Japanese: スマップ, Hepburn: Sumappu) was a Japanese boy band, composed of Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro…
SMAP (Japanese: スマップ, Hepburn: Sumappu) was a Japanese boy band, composed of Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori. The group was created in 1988 by music producer Johnny Kitagawa, founder of Johnny & Associates, originally as a six-piece with Katsuyuki Mori, until his departure from the band in 1996. The name stands for "Sports Music Assemble People". After making their debut in 1991, the group took the Japanese entertainment industry by storm, becoming one of the most successful boy bands in Asia. The group is often referred to as a "national treasure" and a "fortune and property of the country" in Japan. SMAP was regarded as an iconic group in Japan, after achieving an unprecedented level of success in numerous genres in the entertainment industry, including music, television, film, radio, and theater, as a group and individually. SMAP was credited for changing the Japanese entertainment and music industry, in terms of prolonging longevity of boy bands and broadening careers by creating new opportunities for bands that followed. After starting out as a typical boy band, with a fan base predominantly of female teens, they gradually transformed into a band with a wider audience, expanding their fan base to preteens, male adults, and even the elderly, after their success as actors and television personalities. SMAP released 55 singles, all of which reached the top 10 in the charts, 22 consecutive number-one singles, and 33 number-one singles in total. The band has had 24 top-10 albums and 14 number-one albums. "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana", released in 2003, is the best selling single in the 21st century and the third best selling single in Japanese history and has become the most recognized song in Japan, as it appears in text books used in school and children are taught to learn the song at a young age. Other best selling singles by the group include, "Beyond the Night Sky", "Lion Heart", "Shake", "Aoi Inazuma", which also have become some of the most popular songs in Japan. Throughout their career, the band has sold over 38.5 million records in Japan alone. In April 1996, the group launched their weekly variety show, SMAP×SMAP, which quickly gained high ratings and became one of the most famous television shows in Japan. The distinct format of the program has received widespread critical praise. The show ranked No. 1 in the annual household share ratings in 1996, 1997, 1999–2002, 2006, and 2016, making it the most watched television show in Japan. The episode that aired in January 2002 is currently ranked No. 7 for the most watched Japanese variety show in history, with 34.2 million viewers. It is the eighth longest-running prime-time television program in Japan, as of 2016. SMAP officially disbanded on December 31, 2016.
Keiji Yamaguchi (山口圭司 Yamaguchi Keiji, born February 17, 1974) is a former professional boxer from Hakodate, Hokkaido…
Keiji Yamaguchi (山口圭司 Yamaguchi Keiji, born February 17, 1974) is a former professional boxer from Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. Yamaguchi held the WBA light flyweight championship of the world, defeating Panamanian champion Carlos Murillo in 1996 via a 12th-round split decision. He became Japan's 37th world champion. After winning the world championship, he defended the title only once, defeating his old rival Carlos Murillo in mid-1996 by unanimous decision after twelve rounds. Later that year, in a surprising upset, he lost the title by TKO in just the second round to Thai challenger Pichit Chor Siriwat (formerly known as Pichitnoi Sitbangprachan) in a bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. During the fight, he ducked to avoid a left punch, but as he raised his head, he was caught cleanly by a devastating right hook from Chor Siriwat. He went down hard, and although he managed to get back on his feet, he was clearly unfit to continue. The referee then stepped in and stopped the fight. Yamaguchi is known as a Japanese boxer who had multiple opportunities to fight for world titles. His first world title shot came in 1995 against South Korea's Choi Hi-yong, but he was defeated via a 12th-round split decision. He went on to challenge for two more world titles: the WBA flyweight title against Venezuela's José Bonilla in 1997, and the WBC super flyweight title against South Korea's In-Joo Cho in 1999. He was unsuccessful in both. He also fought for the WBC super flyweight international title against former Filipino world champion Gerry Peñalosa in 2001 in the Philippines, but lost by first-round TKO. He was nicknamed "Prince" because his idol was Naseem Hamed, the British-Yemeni superstar in the featherweight division. Yamaguchi adopted Hamed's flashy fighting style and even imitated his trunks design.
Yasushi Hosaka (穂坂泰, Hosaka Yasushi; born 17 February 1974) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House…
Yasushi Hosaka (穂坂泰, Hosaka Yasushi; born 17 February 1974) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2017. From 2016 to 2017, he was a city councillor of Shiki.
Rando Ayamine (綾峰欄人, Ayamine Rando; born 1974) is a Japanese manga artist known for illustrating the GetBackers series.…
Rando Ayamine (綾峰欄人, Ayamine Rando; born 1974) is a Japanese manga artist known for illustrating the GetBackers series. Since the completion of Get Backers, he has been working on a new manga series called Holy Talker.
Kosuke Yamashita (山下 康介, Yamashita Kōsuke; born February 17, 1974) is a Japanese composer and arranger from Hamamatsu…
Kosuke Yamashita (山下 康介, Yamashita Kōsuke; born February 17, 1974) is a Japanese composer and arranger from Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. Yamashita is best known for his work on Digimon Xros Wars, Xenosaga: The Animation, and the tokusatsu television series Mahou Sentai Magiranger, Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, and Kamen Rider Gaim. He is a member of Project.R. Yamashita often collaborates with Nobuhiko Obayashi, as Yamashita met him soon after Yamashita graduated from the Tokyo College of Music. He is a board member of the Japanese Composer Arranger Association. Since April 2011, Yamashita has been a guest lecturer at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. In 2013, released the album A Classical in collaboration with J-pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki. It was the first classical music album to top the Oricon album chart.
Hiroyuki Miura (三浦 弘行, Miura Hiroyuki; born February 13, 1974) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan.…
Hiroyuki Miura (三浦 弘行, Miura Hiroyuki; born February 13, 1974) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a former Kisei title holder and became the first active Class A professional to lose to a computer when he lost to the GPS Shogi program in April 2013. In October 2016, he was falsely accused of cheating in the 29th Ryūō challenger controversy, which resulted in him losing the chance to play for the Ryūō title. A third-party investigative panel was convened and eventually cleared Miura of all charges. The panel's findings led to the resignation of the Japan Shogi Association's president as well as the dismissal of several board members.
Hollywood Zakoshisyoh (ハリウッドザコシショウ, Hariuddo Zakoshishō; born 13 February 1974) is a Japanese comedian from Shimizu-shi…
Hollywood Zakoshisyoh (ハリウッドザコシショウ, Hariuddo Zakoshishō; born 13 February 1974) is a Japanese comedian from Shimizu-shi (now Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka), Shizuoka Prefecture who has appeared in many television variety shows, as well as television dramas, radio and web series. His real name is Shigeki Nakazawa (中澤 滋紀, Nakazawa Shigeki). After going through Yoshimoto Kogyo and Watanabe Entertainment, he currently belongs to the SMA NEET Project. His stage name during his kombi years was Zakoshisyoh (ザコシショウ, Zakoshishō; There was also the notation "Zako Shishō" (ザコ師匠; Zako Master)). He is nicknamed "Zakoshi," (ザコシ) "Zakoshisyoh". Martial artist Shinya Aoki is his cousin. His stage name was derived from the fact that Hulk Hogan was identifying himself as Hollywood Hulk Hogan at the time when nWo was formed.
Hiroshi Nakamura (born 1974) is a Japanese architect, who designed the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center, receiving the…
Hiroshi Nakamura (born 1974) is a Japanese architect, who designed the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center, receiving the Dezeen, Architectural Institute of Japan and Japan Institute of Architects awards for it.
Toranosuke "Tora" Takagi (高木 虎之介; born 12 February 1974) is a Japanese former racing driver, having notably competed in…
Toranosuke "Tora" Takagi (高木 虎之介; born 12 February 1974) is a Japanese former racing driver, having notably competed in Formula One from 1998 to 1999 for Tyrrell and Arrows, having served as test driver for the former in 1997. Outside of Formula One, Takagi won the 2005 Super GT series in the GT500 class alongside Yuji Tachikawa, and the 2000 Formula Nippon Championship.
Takenori Daita (代田 建紀, Daita Takenori; born February 4, 1974) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played for the…
Takenori Daita (代田 建紀, Daita Takenori; born February 4, 1974) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Yakult Swallows, Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and many other teams of the Japan Pacific League.
Gaku Hashimoto (橋本 岳, Hashimoto Gaku; born 5 February 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…
Gaku Hashimoto (橋本 岳, Hashimoto Gaku; born 5 February 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. He represents the 4th District of Okayama prefecture.
Eri Miyajima (宮島 依里, Miyajima Eri; born February 3, 1974) is a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She voices…
Eri Miyajima (宮島 依里, Miyajima Eri; born February 3, 1974) is a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She voices Guren in Naruto: Shippuden and Kana in Haibane Renmei.
Junko Omote (Japanese: 表 純子, Hepburn: Omote Junko; born 2 February 1974)) is a Japanese professional golfer. She is a…
Junko Omote (Japanese: 表 純子, Hepburn: Omote Junko; born 2 February 1974)) is a Japanese professional golfer. She is a member of the Ladies Professional Golfers' Association of Japan (LPGA of Japan) and is affiliated with the Chubu Health Inspection Center. She was born in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and graduated from Hiroshima Municipal Hiroshima Commercial High School. Omote began playing golf at the age of 18. She passed the professional exam on 22 August 1996 and joined the 68nd class of the LPGA of Japan on 1 September of that year. In 2005, she won her first tournament title at the Meiji Cup. Although she did not win again until 2005, Omote won two tournament titles that year, the second being the Stanley Ladies' Golf Tournament. After this victory she did not win again until the 2013 Yonex Ladies Tournament. In 2019, she won her first Legends Tour tournament, the LPGA Legends Championship. On 8 April 2025, Omote won the Okamoto Ayako Cup, a tournament named for her mentor. Omote is a noted Hiroshima Toyo Carp fan and has dressed in the team's colors during tournaments. Having been a fan of the team since childhood, Omote has said that she considers herself the original "carp girl," a moniker used to describe female fans of the team.
Akira Shoji (小路晃) (born January 31, 1974) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is…
Akira Shoji (小路晃) (born January 31, 1974) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is most known as being a regular in almost all the beginning Pride Fighting Championship Shoji was in Pride 1 to Pride 7, and was part of the first Pride open weight Grand Prix in 2000. Shoji was consistently a regular in Pride, and moved from Heavyweight to Light Heavyweight (Middleweight in Pride) due to his smaller stature. Despite his losing record, Shoji was a constant favourite of the audience, and was nicknamed "Mr. Pride" for his popularity and adherence to the mixed martial arts promotion. He was known for his mic performance, die hard spirit, stellar submission escapes, razor sharp armbar and a fighting spirit demonstrated by his willingness to take on all comers. According to fight commentator Stephen Quadros and John Hyams, director of the documentary "The Smashing Machine", Shoji cleaned his house and prepared his will before every competition in case he is killed during the fight. He also worked as a judge for the Dream organization.
Rio Yamase (山瀬 理桜, Yamase Rio) is a Japanese violinist, arranger, and composer. She directed the music for the 2006…
Rio Yamase (山瀬 理桜, Yamase Rio) is a Japanese violinist, arranger, and composer. She directed the music for the 2006 Studio Ghibli animation short film Mizugumo Monmon.
Noriko Munekata (宗像 記子, Munekata Noriko; born 30 January 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's…
Noriko Munekata (宗像 記子, Munekata Noriko; born 30 January 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's 3000 metres at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Uzi (pronounced as "Uji") is a popular Japanese hip-hop artist. He has released four major albums, most recently his…
Uzi (pronounced as "Uji") is a popular Japanese hip-hop artist. He has released four major albums, most recently his “Natural 9” album released in March 2008. Uzi is one of the rappers to incorporate more overt elements of Japanese culture into his music and videos, specifically aspects referring to the samurai (to which he claims direct ancestry). He is a great example of an artist who maintains the localization of hip-hop music through his dependence on the incorporation of Japanese themes into his work. Such non-Americanization of his hip-hop music has been met with varying opinions; some view this as disrespectful of the origins of hip-hop culture, while there are those who appreciate Uzi’s apparent embracing of Japanese culture.
Taketo Aoki (青木勇人, Aoki Taketo) is the head coach of the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the Japanese B.League.