Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the…Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the Governor of Fukuoka from 1995 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he was also President of the National Governors Association (Japan) (全国知事会, Zenkoku Chiji-kai).
Masao Adachi (足立 正生 Adachi Masao, born May 13, 1939) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, actor and former Japanese…Masao Adachi (足立 正生 Adachi Masao, born May 13, 1939) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, actor and former Japanese Red Army member who was most active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Takeshi Koga (古賀 武, Koga Takeshi; born 11 May 1939) is a retired Japanese judoka. Koga is from Kokura, Fukuoka and…Takeshi Koga (古賀 武, Koga Takeshi; born 11 May 1939) is a retired Japanese judoka. Koga is from Kokura, Fukuoka and began judo at the junior high school days. In 1961, When he was a student of Nihon University, was chosen to represent Japan in the World Championship held in Paris and got a bronze medal. Koga began working for the Yawata Steel after graduation from university in 1962. Koga also participated All-Japan Championships 8 times and won a bronze medal in 1965.
Okiharu Yasuoka (保岡 興治, Yasuoka Okiharu; 11 May 1939 – 19 April 2019) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Okiharu Yasuoka (保岡 興治, Yasuoka Okiharu; 11 May 1939 – 19 April 2019) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima Prefecture and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1972 as an independent. He later joined the LDP and served as the Minister of Justice from 2000 to 2001. He was later returned to the post of Minister of Justice under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 1 August 2008. Yasuoka was a licensed attorney. He left the LDP in 1994 to join the now-defunct Shinshinto party, but returned to the LDP in 1995. Yasuoka is known to have worked himself and his staff very long hours. He was one of the key participants in the launch of Fukuda's administration in 2007. Yasuoka also chaired the LDP's Constitution Research Commission. An avid jogger and swimmer, Yasuoka repeatedly swam the 2.1 km-wide Kinko Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture. In October 2017, Yasuoka retired after doctors discovered his cancer. Yasuoka's son ran, but lost to Hiroshi Kawauchi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Yasuoka died of cancer on 19 April 2019 at a Tokyo hospital, at the age of 79.
Shinetsu Suzuki (鈴木 進悦, Suzuki Shinetsu; born 10 May 1939) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight…Shinetsu Suzuki (鈴木 進悦, Suzuki Shinetsu; born 10 May 1939) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. At the 1960 Summer Olympics, he defeated Gaby Mancini of Canada, before losing to Jerzy Adamski of Poland.
Tadateru Konoe (近衛 忠煇, Konoe Tadateru; 8 May 1939 – 23 May 2026) was a Japanese humanitarian who was president of the…Tadateru Konoe (近衛 忠煇, Konoe Tadateru; 8 May 1939 – 23 May 2026) was a Japanese humanitarian who was president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Konoe was the 32nd Head of the Konoe family. President of the Japanese Red Cross Society from 2005, he dedicated his entire professional career to domestic and international Red Cross Red Crescent activities. In 2009 and again in 2013, Konoe was elected President of the IFRC, serving until he was replaced by Francesco Rocca on 6 November 2017.
Keiichirō Akagi (赤木 圭一郎, Akagi Keiichirō), born Chikahiro Akatsuka (赤塚 親弘, Akatsuka Chikahiro) was a Japanese actor.…Keiichirō Akagi (赤木 圭一郎, Akagi Keiichirō), born Chikahiro Akatsuka (赤塚 親弘, Akatsuka Chikahiro) was a Japanese actor. Akagi appeared in over 26 films in his short three-year career. Kenju burai-chō series and The Call of the Foghorn are Akagi's notable films. Akagi was one of the box office hitter of Nikkatsu company alongside Yujiro Ishihara and Akira Kobayashi.
Tadamitsu Kishimoto (岸本 忠三, Kishimoto Tadamitsu; born May 7, 1939 in Tondabayashi, Osaka) is a Japanese immunologist…Tadamitsu Kishimoto (岸本 忠三, Kishimoto Tadamitsu; born May 7, 1939 in Tondabayashi, Osaka) is a Japanese immunologist known for research on IgM and cytokines, most famously, interleukin 6. Kishimoto did postdoctoral work under Kimishige Ishizaka, the discoverer of IgE at Johns Hopkins University. He is listed by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) as a highly cited biologist and he is also in the top ten of h-index of living biologists.
Sumio Iijima (飯島 澄男, Iijima Sumio; born 2 May 1939) is a Japanese physicist and inventor, often cited for his discovery…Sumio Iijima (飯島 澄男, Iijima Sumio; born 2 May 1939) is a Japanese physicist and inventor, often cited for his discovery of carbon nanotubes. Although carbon nanotubes had been observed prior to his "invention", Iijima's 1991 paper generated unprecedented interest in the carbon nanostructures and has since fueled intense research in the area of nanotechnology. Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1939, Iijima graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1963 from the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo. He received a Master's degree in 1965 and completed his Ph.D. in solid-state physics in 1968, both at Tohoku University in Sendai. Between 1970 and 1982 he performed research with crystalline materials and high-resolution electron microscopy at Arizona State University. He visited the University of Cambridge during 1979 to perform studies on carbon materials. He worked for the Research Development Corporation of Japan from 1982 to 1987, studying ultra-fine particles, after which he joined NEC Corporation where he is still employed. He discovered carbon nanotubes in 1991. When he discovered carbon nanotubes, he not only took pictures of them but he put two together and explained what they really are. Afterwards, he was credited with the discovery. He is also a University Professor at Meijo University since 1999. Furthermore, he is the Honorary AIST Fellow of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Distinguished Invited University Professor of Nagoya University. He was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics in 2002, "for the discovery and elucidation of the atomic structure and helical character of multi-wall and single-wall carbon nanotubes, which have had an enormous impact on the rapidly growing condensed matter and materials science field of nanoscale science and electronics." He is a foreign associate of National Academy of Sciences, foreign member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He is also a Member of the Japan Academy.
Hajime Watanuki (綿貫 甫, Watanuki Hajime; born 30 April 1939) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the 300…Hajime Watanuki (綿貫 甫, Watanuki Hajime; born 30 April 1939) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the 300 metre rifle event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Michiyo Yasuda (保田 道世, Yasuda Michiyo; April 28, 1939 – October 5, 2016) was a Japanese animator and colour designer…Michiyo Yasuda (保田 道世, Yasuda Michiyo; April 28, 1939 – October 5, 2016) was a Japanese animator and colour designer who worked for Toei Animation, A Production, Nippon Animation, Topcraft, and Studio Ghibli. Her designs were used by directors such as Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii. During a career spanning five decades in the animation industry, she worked on animated feature films and short films for theatrical release, original video animation (OVA), promotional music videos, animated television series, documentaries and commercials. Yasuda provided the colour designs for Miyazaki's Academy Award winning animated film Spirited Away. She officially retired after working on Ponyo in 2008, but worked on the Academy Award nominated animated feature The Wind Rises, released in July 2013.
Eiko Wada (和田 映子, Wada Eiko; born 14 April 1939) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed at the 1956…Eiko Wada (和田 映子, Wada Eiko; born 14 April 1939) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Shuji Kobayashi (born 17 April 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1960 Winter…Shuji Kobayashi (born 17 April 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Takayasu Okushima (奥島 孝康, Okushima Takayasu; 16 April 1939 – 1 May 2024) was a Japanese law professor, President of…Takayasu Okushima (奥島 孝康, Okushima Takayasu; 16 April 1939 – 1 May 2024) was a Japanese law professor, President of Hakuoh University, President of Waseda University, the 10th Chief Scout of the Scout Association of Japan since 1 April 2010, and served as the Camp Chief of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree. In addition, Okushima was the Japan High School Baseball Federation (JHBF) President and Japan Student Baseball Association (JSBA) Director, and served as Member at-large of the Baseball Federation of Japan. Okushima died of pneumonia in Tokyo on 1 May 2024, at the age of 85.
Motoo Andoh (安藤 統男, Andō Motoo) (born April 8, 1939) is a Japanese former baseball player. He played for the Hanshin…Motoo Andoh (安藤 統男, Andō Motoo) (born April 8, 1939) is a Japanese former baseball player. He played for the Hanshin Tigers from 1962 to 1973 and served as their manager from 1982 to 1984.
Yoshiko Shiotani (潮谷 義子, Shiotani Yoshiko; born 5 April 1939) is a Japanese former politician who served as the…Yoshiko Shiotani (潮谷 義子, Shiotani Yoshiko; born 5 April 1939) is a Japanese former politician who served as the governor of Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan from 2001 to 2009. She was Kumamoto's first female governor and the second in Japanese history. She is a member of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Kazuo Iwamura (いわむらかずお, Iwamura Kazuo; Original kanji: 岩村 和朗, 3 April 1939 – 19 December 2024) was a children's book…Kazuo Iwamura (いわむらかずお, Iwamura Kazuo; Original kanji: 岩村 和朗, 3 April 1939 – 19 December 2024) was a children's book author. The French newspaper Libération wrote that he was "well-known" ("mondialement connu") for his series of books about anthropomorphic mice.
Shigeo Anzai (安斎 重男, Anzai Shigeo; born 1939, died August 13th, 2020) was a Japanese photographer. A self-professed…Shigeo Anzai (安斎 重男, Anzai Shigeo; born 1939, died August 13th, 2020) was a Japanese photographer. A self-professed "art documentarist", Anzai is well-known for his prolific photographic documentation of artworks, exhibitions, and events of his time. He is also known for intimate portraits of popular modern and contemporary artists, which cast their subjects in an unexpected, unposed, and humanizing light. As Anzai noted for Artforum, he was interested in the "humanity" of his subjects, or the human being within the artist, rather than the artist within the human being. Anzai's style of portraiture stands in contrast to the popular modes of portrait photography of the time which monumentalized their subjects, as in the work of Hans Namuth. Anzai is known for his snapshots of artists such as Shuzo Takiguchi, Atsuko Tanaka, Yayoi Kusama, Tetsumi Kudo, Joseph Beuys, and Isamu Noguchi, among others.
The Japan Karate Association (日本 空手 協会; Nihon Karate Kyokai; JKA; sometimes referred to simply as Kyokai 協会 in Japan)…The Japan Karate Association (日本 空手 協会; Nihon Karate Kyokai; JKA; sometimes referred to simply as Kyokai 協会 in Japan) is one of the oldest global Shotokan karate organizations in the world.
Wakachichibu Komei (real name Komei Kato, 16 March 1939 – 17 September 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Chichibu…Wakachichibu Komei (real name Komei Kato, 16 March 1939 – 17 September 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Chichibu, Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1954 and reached the top division in September 1958. His highest rank was sekiwake. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Tokiwayama. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in March 2004.
Susumu Nishibe (西部 邁; 15 March 1939 – 21 January 2018) was a Japanese critic, conservative and economist. He was a…Susumu Nishibe (西部 邁; 15 March 1939 – 21 January 2018) was a Japanese critic, conservative and economist. He was a professor of Socioeconomics at University of Tokyo. He criticized modern economics, progressivism, and rationalism, and advocated theories on mass society, conservatism, and the independence of Japan from the United States.
Shigeru Uchida (Japanese: 内田茂 Uchida Shigeru; 15 March 1939 – 21 December 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Shigeru Uchida (Japanese: 内田茂 Uchida Shigeru; 15 March 1939 – 21 December 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served as chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly from 2003 to 2005. Uchida died in Tokyo on 21 December 2022, at the age of 83.
Yoshinobu Ishii (石井 義信, Ishii Yoshinobu; March 13, 1939 – April 26, 2018) was a Japanese football player and manager.…Yoshinobu Ishii (石井 義信, Ishii Yoshinobu; March 13, 1939 – April 26, 2018) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He also managed Japan national team.
Minoru Kamata (鎌田実, Kamata Minoru; 8 March 1939 – 1 August 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball second baseman.…Minoru Kamata (鎌田実, Kamata Minoru; 8 March 1939 – 1 August 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball second baseman. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Osaka/Hanshin Tigers (1957–1966; 1970–1972) and Kintetsu Buffaloes (1967–1969). Kamata was known for defense, and was particularly adept at jump throws and backhand tosses, the latter of which was rare in Nippon Professional Baseball. In retirement, Kamata became a youth baseball coach, benefactor, and baseball commentator. Kamata was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2019, hospitalized for treatment in July, and died of the disease in an Ashiya, Hyōgo hospital on 1 August 2019.
Takako Shimazu (島津 貴子, Shimazu Takako; born 2 March 1939), born Takako, Princess Suga (清宮貴子内親王, Suga-no-miya Takako…Takako Shimazu (島津 貴子, Shimazu Takako; born 2 March 1939), born Takako, Princess Suga (清宮貴子内親王, Suga-no-miya Takako Naishinnō), is a former member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the fifth and youngest daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun, the youngest sister of the Emperor Emeritus of Japan, Akihito, and the paternal aunt of the current Emperor of Japan, Naruhito. She married Hisanaga Shimazu on 3 March 1960. As a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law.
Mieko Takizawa (瀧澤美恵子; March 1, 1939–August 9, 2020) was a Japanese novelist. She was best known for her 1989 work…Mieko Takizawa (瀧澤美恵子; March 1, 1939–August 9, 2020) was a Japanese novelist. She was best known for her 1989 work Nekobaba no iru Machi de (ネコババのいる町で), which won the Akutagawa Prize.
Yoshihiko Osaki (大崎 剛彦, Ōsaki Yoshihiko; February 27, 1939 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese swimmer. He competed at the…Yoshihiko Osaki (大崎 剛彦, Ōsaki Yoshihiko; February 27, 1939 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese swimmer. He competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the 200 metre breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay. In 1984, Osaki helped establish the Japan Masters Swimming Association and served on its board until his death. During those years he popularized masters swimming both in Japan and internationally. In 1986, he organized the first FINA World masters championships in Tokyo, and since 1993 participated in every international masters competition. He had competed in five age groups, set 9 world masters records and won 7 world titles. In 2006 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in the Contributors category. Osaki died of interstitial pneumonia, aged 76. He was survived by two daughters, a son, and wife Yoshiko Sato, a fellow masters and Olympic swimmer.
Kenzō Takada (高田 賢三, Takada Kenzō; [takada kenꜜzoː]; 27 February 1939 – 4 October 2020) was a Japanese–French fashion…Kenzō Takada (高田 賢三, Takada Kenzō; [takada kenꜜzoː]; 27 February 1939 – 4 October 2020) was a Japanese–French fashion designer living in France. He founded Kenzo, a worldwide clothing brand that also markets skincare and perfumes. Takada was the honorary president of the Asian Couture Federation.
Yoshiko Sakuma (佐久間 良子, Sakuma Yoshiko; born 24 February 1939) is a Japanese actress. Her son is actor Takehiro Hira.…Yoshiko Sakuma (佐久間 良子, Sakuma Yoshiko; born 24 February 1939) is a Japanese actress. Her son is actor Takehiro Hira. In 1957, Sakuma was scouted and signed her contract with Toei film company. Following year she made her film debut with Utsukushiki Shimai no Monogatari Modaeru Soshun. In 1970, she married actor Mikijirō Hira but divorced in 1984. Sakuma landed lead role in the 1981 Taiga drama Onna Taikōki.
Gōzō Yoshimasu (吉増 剛造|Yoshimasu Gōzō) (born 1939, Tokyo) is a prolific Japanese poet, photographer, artist and…Gōzō Yoshimasu (吉増 剛造|Yoshimasu Gōzō) (born 1939, Tokyo) is a prolific Japanese poet, photographer, artist and filmmaker active since the 1960s. He has received a number of literary and cultural awards, including the Takami Jun Prize (1971), the Rekitei Prize, the Purple Ribbon Medal in 2003 (given by the Government of Japan), the 50th Mainichi Art Award for Poetry (2009), and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays in 2013. Major influences include Shinobu Orikuchi, Paul Klee, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, William Blake, John Cage, Patrick Chamoiseau. Many of his poems are multilingual, blending elements of French, English, Chinese, Korean, Gaelic, and more, and feature cross-linguistic and typographic wordplay. His poems rely on intimate experiences with geography and history, layering encounters in the present with a keen awareness of the past. Drawing on multiple translators whose detailed notes appear opposite the translations, helping to elucidate them, Alice Iris Red Horse: Selected Poems of Yoshimasu Gozo, a Book in and on Translation is the most extensive and adventurous attempt at an English translation of Yoshimasu's complex poetry. Yoshimasu's performances often include film, the display of fetish objects, chanting, ritual procedures, and the collaboration of musicians and other artists. In a 2014 interview by Aki Onda on the MoMA blog "Post," Yoshimasu described the relationship of his poetry to performance by remarking, "My quest is to reclaim the poetry that lies at the root of performing arts." His visual art has been gaining increased recognition, with the Japan Art Academy awarding him the Imperial Prize and the Japan Art Academy Prize in 2015.
Takashi Mitsukuri (三栗 崇, Mitsukuri Takashi; born February 19, 1939) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion.…Takashi Mitsukuri (三栗 崇, Mitsukuri Takashi; born February 19, 1939) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. Mitsukuri competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome where he received a gold medal in team combined exercises. At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo he again received a gold medal in team combined exercises with the Japanese team. Individually, he performed best on the pommel horse, finishing in fourth and sixth place in 1960 and 1964, respectively. Mitsukuri received a bronze medal in pommel horse at the 1962 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and Japan won the team competition. He received a bronze medal in horizontal bar at the 1966 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and Japan won the team competition again. His wife Taniko Nakamura-Mitsukuri is also a retired Olympic gymnast.
Jun Ebina (蝦名 純, Ebina Jun; born 19 February 1939) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the…Jun Ebina (蝦名 純, Ebina Jun; born 19 February 1939) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Sadatoshi Sugawara (菅原 貞敬, Sugawara Sadatoshi; born February 18, 1939) is a Japanese former volleyball player who…Sadatoshi Sugawara (菅原 貞敬, Sugawara Sadatoshi; born February 18, 1939) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was born in Noshiro. In 1964 he was part of the Japanese team which won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all nine matches.
Toshihiro Nikai (二階 俊博, Nikai Toshihiro; born 17 February 1939) is a former Japanese politician for the Liberal…Toshihiro Nikai (二階 俊博, Nikai Toshihiro; born 17 February 1939) is a former Japanese politician for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the leader of the LDP Shisuikai faction (informally called the Nikai faction), who served as the Secretary-General of the LDP from 2016 to 2021. He was previously the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Nikai is currently retired, after thirteen terms in the Lower House representing Wakayama's Third District. He is widely considered to be "Japan's most pro-China lawmaker". He has also been criticized for misogynistic views expressed in the past, and caused controversy when he invited women to "look, but not talk" at key party meetings. On 31 October 2021, he was elected for the thirteenth time in Japan's 49th general election to the House of Representatives. At the age of 82 years and 8 months, he was the oldest winner in the election. Also Nikai is Director of the Liberal Democratic Party's 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Promotion Headquarters, President of the National Travel Industry Association, and President of the Japan–China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union.
Taichirō Hirokawa (広川 太一郎, Hirokawa Taichirō; February 15, 1939 – March 3, 2008) was a Japanese voice actor and…Taichirō Hirokawa (広川 太一郎, Hirokawa Taichirō; February 15, 1939 – March 3, 2008) was a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He was born in Tokyo on February 15, 1939, and died on March 3, 2008, in Shibuya from cancer. His death was announced at the beginning of the 2nd Seiyu Awards.
Ryuichi Doi (土肥 隆一, Doi Ryūichi; 11 February 1939 – 22 January 2016) was a Japanese politician who served in the House…Ryuichi Doi (土肥 隆一, Doi Ryūichi; 11 February 1939 – 22 January 2016) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. He was born in Seoul, when Korea was under Japanese rule. He attended Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, earning a master's degree. In 1990 he was elected for the first time as a member of the Japan Socialist Party. In April 2014, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon. He was an active pastor for the United Church of Christ in Japan, and preached at the Wada Mountains Salt Mission, which was attached to Keiseien (Asago City, Hyōgo Prefecture), a support facility for people with disabilities under the umbrella of a social welfare corporation that he chaired. He died on 22 January 2016 at a hospital in Kobe, aged 76. He was posthumously awarded the rank of Shoshii.
Tadahiro Matsushita (松下 忠洋, Matsushita Tadahiro; 9 February 1939 – 10 September 2012) was a Japanese politician and…Tadahiro Matsushita (松下 忠洋, Matsushita Tadahiro; 9 February 1939 – 10 September 2012) was a Japanese politician and five-time member of the House of Representatives of Japan. He served in government from 1962 when he joined the Ministry of Construction to 2012. At the time of his death, he was the Minister of State for Financial Services. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993, and was re-elected to four consecutive terms. However, when he failed to support postal privatization, the leaders of his party, the Liberal Democratic Party, refused to support his 2005 campaign. As a result, he dropped out of the race. He returned to run again in 2009, this time as a member of a smaller group, the recently founded People's New Party. He won his election, and for the rest of his life was one of only three members of his party to hold a seat in the House.
Maedagawa Katsu (born Katsuro Takahashi; February 9, 1939 – November 4, 1998) was a sumo wrestler from Esashi, Iwate…Maedagawa Katsu (born Katsuro Takahashi; February 9, 1939 – November 4, 1998) was a sumo wrestler from Esashi, Iwate, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1952, and reached the top division in November 1960. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired from active competition in May 1967.
Masayuki Matsubara (松原 正之, Matsubara Masayuki; born February 7, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won…Masayuki Matsubara (松原 正之, Matsubara Masayuki; born February 7, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1960 Olympics and placed fifth at the 1961 World Championship.
Kumiharu Shigehara (born 5 February 1939) is a Japanese economist, who was a central banker and an international civil…Kumiharu Shigehara (born 5 February 1939) is a Japanese economist, who was a central banker and an international civil servant. He is the author of The Bank of Japan, the OECD, and Beyond: Reflections from a lifetimes' work (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), and the editor of The Limits of Surveillance and Financial Market Failure: Lessons from the Euro-Area Crisis (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014). Shigehara is currently president of the International Economic Policy Studies Association in Paris, and is also a columnist at the Japan Times.
Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who…Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who served as the Ambassador of Japan to the People's Republic of China, president and chairman of Itochu Corporation, and chairman of the Society of Global Business (SGB).
Masashi Shiga (志賀 政司, Shiga Masashi; born 28 January 1939) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Masashi Shiga (志賀 政司, Shiga Masashi; born 28 January 1939) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also…Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also credited as Masaki Tamra.
Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA…Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA: [tɕiꜜba ɕiɰ̃itɕi], known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience. Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984. Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two tokusatsu superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in Seven Color Mask (Nana-iro Kamen) in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film The Street Fighter. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of English language American films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Chiba died of COVID-19 complications at the hospital in Tokyo on 19 August 2021, at the age of 82.
Chūichi Date (伊達 忠一, Date Chūichi; born January 20, 1939) is a Japanese retired politician of the Liberal Democratic…Chūichi Date (伊達 忠一, Date Chūichi; born January 20, 1939) is a Japanese retired politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served three terms in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) and also served as the LDP's National Diet Committee Chairman. A native of Ashibetsu, Hokkaido and high school graduate, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001 after serving in the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly. He was a former President of the House of Councillors. After the assassination of Shinzo Abe in July 2022 he admitted that he had asked Abe for votes from the Unification Church (UC) in the 2016 Upper House election. According to Hokkaido Television Broadcasting reporting, Date has participated in at least three events sponsored by the UC and its front organisations, including an online event in August 2020, where he stated, "I believe that the spirit of coexistence, co-prosperity, and shared meaning, which leaders Moon and Han are preaching, is more desperately needed today than ever." Date testified that when he supported Yoshifumi Miyajima of the LDP, who ran for the House of Councillors in the 2016 national proportional election, he asked Shinzo Abe to provide votes supplied from the UC. He said that Abe agreed and Miyajima was elected for the first time, but that Abe refused to allow him to run for the Upper House this time, and Miyajima had to withdraw from the race. The UC support was instead distributed to Inoue Yoshiyuki.