Hiroomi Fujita (藤田 博臣, Fujita Hiroomi; born 23 February 1976) is a Japanese judoka. Fujita is from Goshogawara, Aomori.…Hiroomi Fujita (藤田 博臣, Fujita Hiroomi; born 23 February 1976) is a Japanese judoka. Fujita is from Goshogawara, Aomori. He began judo at the junior high school days and won gold medal at World Junior Championships in 1994, World University Championships in 1996, East Asian Games in 1997, and so on. After graduation from Tokai University, He belonged to Asahi Kasei. Fujita retired in 2000.
Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in…Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in 1995 and gained nationwide recognition in 1997 through his work as the theme song performer for the anime series KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops. Dojima has received high acclaim for his skills as a songwriter and sound producer, having provided compositions and production work for a wide array of artists, including the KinKi Kids, Fumiya Fujii, Tomohisa Yamashita, Sexy Zone, Puffy, The Collectors, Takashi Fujii, Negicco, and Angerme.
Tatsukichi Nishiura (西浦たつき, Nishiura Tatsuki; born 20 February 1976) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played…Tatsukichi Nishiura (西浦たつき, Nishiura Tatsuki; born 20 February 1976) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He spent his whole career playing for Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 50 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 14 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try against Italy.
Sachimi Iwao (岩尾 幸美, Iwao Sachimi; born February 20, 1976, in Kokonoe, Oita) is a field hockey player from Japan. She…Sachimi Iwao (岩尾 幸美, Iwao Sachimi; born February 20, 1976, in Kokonoe, Oita) is a field hockey player from Japan. She has represented her native country at the Summer Olympics three times (2004, 2008 and 2012). She was named Best Player at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Rome, Italy.
Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with…Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with the Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) and Active Advance Pro Wrestling wrestling promotions.
Chiemi Takahashi (高橋 千恵美, Takahashi Chiemi; born 16 February 1976 in Wakayanagi) is a retired Japanese athlete who…Chiemi Takahashi (高橋 千恵美, Takahashi Chiemi; born 16 February 1976 in Wakayanagi) is a retired Japanese athlete who competed in the long-distance events. She represented her country at the 2000 Summer Olympics, as well as three World Championships. She also took part in nine editions of World Cross Country Championships.
Jō Odagiri (Japanese: 小田切 譲, romanized: Odagiri Jō; born 16 February 1976), better known by his stage name Joe Odagiri…Jō Odagiri (Japanese: 小田切 譲, romanized: Odagiri Jō; born 16 February 1976), better known by his stage name Joe Odagiri (オダギリ ジョー, Odagiri Jō), is a Japanese actor. He is most famous for portraying Yusuke Godai, the titular hero of the 2000 tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Kuuga.
Yan Yinling (simplified Chinese: 颜垠凌; traditional Chinese: 顔垠凌; pinyin: Yán Yínlíng or in Japanese, Inrin (インリン); born…Yan Yinling (simplified Chinese: 颜垠凌; traditional Chinese: 顔垠凌; pinyin: Yán Yínlíng or in Japanese, Inrin (インリン); born February 15, 1976) is a Taiwanese-born, Japan-based swimsuit model, race queen, singer, and former professional wrestler. She is called also Yinling of Joytoy (インリン・オブ・ジョイトイ), when she appears on television.
Hanako Jimi (自見 英子, Jimi Hanako; born 15 February 1976) is a Japanese politician who has served as Minister of State…Hanako Jimi (自見 英子, Jimi Hanako; born 15 February 1976) is a Japanese politician who has served as Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, Minister of State for Regional Revitalization, Minister of State for Ainu-Related Policies, and Minister for the World Expo 2025 since September 2023. She is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and she also serves in the House of Councillors of Japan.
Juju (ジュジュ) (born February 14, 1976) is a Japanese jazz and J-Pop singer. She is represented by Sony Music Associated…Juju (ジュジュ) (born February 14, 1976) is a Japanese jazz and J-Pop singer. She is represented by Sony Music Associated Records.
Naoyuki Ohmura (大村 直之, born February 13, 1976, in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo) is a professional baseball player for the Orix…Naoyuki Ohmura (大村 直之, born February 13, 1976, in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo) is a professional baseball player for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Masaki Maki (真木 将樹, born February 13, 1976, in Kitakyushu) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in…Masaki Maki (真木 将樹, born February 13, 1976, in Kitakyushu) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1998 to 2001. He also played for the Calgary Outlaws in the Canadian Baseball League in 2003.
Tatsuya Yamaguchi (山口 辰也, Yamaguchi Tatsuya; born 11 February 1976) is a Japanese motorcycle racer. He currently races…Tatsuya Yamaguchi (山口 辰也, Yamaguchi Tatsuya; born 11 February 1976) is a Japanese motorcycle racer. He currently races in the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 class aboard a Honda CBR1000RR. He has also competed in the MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship, the MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (where he was champion in 2002), the MFJ All Japan Road Race J-GP2 Championship, Asia Road Race SS600 Championship and the MFJ All Japan Road Race ST600 Championship, where he was champion in 2010 and 2011.
Masakazu Imanari (Japanese: 今成正和, Imanari Masakazu; born 10 February 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and…Masakazu Imanari (Japanese: 今成正和, Imanari Masakazu; born 10 February 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and submission wrestler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. A professional competitor since 2000, he is a veteran of ONE Championship, DEEP, ZST, Pancrase, PRIDE Fighting Championships, and Cage Rage. He was in the final Cage Rage Featherweight Champion, DEEP Bantamweight Champion, two-time DEEP Featherweight Champion and DREAM Japan Grand Prix Finalist. Imanari is a successful submission wrestler, placing as runner-up twice at the All-Japan Combat Wrestling Championship. He is the namesake of the "Imanari roll" maneuver. He runs Imanari Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Shinjuku.
Yōsuke Takasu (高須 洋介, Takasu Yōsuke; born February 9, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and…Yōsuke Takasu (高須 洋介, Takasu Yōsuke; born February 9, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and current coach for the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Kintetsu/Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Daisuke Oku (奧 大介, Oku Daisuke; February 7, 1976 – October 17, 2014) was a Japanese football player. He played for…Daisuke Oku (奧 大介, Oku Daisuke; February 7, 1976 – October 17, 2014) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yoshiko Tamura (田村 欣子, Tamura Yoshiko; born February 6, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. Tamura was…Yoshiko Tamura (田村 欣子, Tamura Yoshiko; born February 6, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. Tamura was trained by the All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) promotion, made her debut in September 1994 and worked for the promotion for three years, winning the AJW Junior Championship, before taking part in a mass exodus led by Kyoko Inoue and following her to the newly founded NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling promotion. Recognized as the "Ace" of NEO, Tamura performed with the promotion from its first event to the last, in the process becoming its most accomplished wrestler, winning the NEO Single and NWA Women's Pacific Championships a record seven times and the NEO Tag Team Championship three times. All in all, Tamura held the NEO Single and NWA Women's Pacific Championships for 2,074 days and successfully defended them 38 times. After being inducted into the NEO Hall of Fame, Tamura ended her sixteen-year career on December 31, 2010, retiring at the end of NEO's final event.
Toshiaki Fushimi (伏見俊昭, Fushimi Toshiaki; February 4, 1976 – July 19, 2026) was a Japanese cyclist. He won the Silver…Toshiaki Fushimi (伏見俊昭, Fushimi Toshiaki; February 4, 1976 – July 19, 2026) was a Japanese cyclist. He won the Silver Medal in the Men's team sprint in the 2004 Summer Olympics along with Masaki Inoue and Tomohiro Nagatsuka. In Japan, he is mostly known as a keirin cyclist, with over 400 victories. Fushimi died on July 19, 2026, at the age of 50, following an accident during a keirin race in Japan.
Yukio Sakano (坂野 幸夫, Sakano Yukio; born 3 February 1976) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place…Yukio Sakano (坂野 幸夫, Sakano Yukio; born 3 February 1976) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup his highest place was number 11 from January 2006 in Sapporo.
Nobuyoshi Nakamura (中村信義, Nakamura Nobuyoshi; born February 2, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently…Nobuyoshi Nakamura (中村信義, Nakamura Nobuyoshi; born February 2, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Dragon Gate as Dragon Kid (ドラゴン・キッド, Doragon Kiddo). Nakamura initially broke into the wrestling business with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW), but was not allowed to be a wrestler by owner Atsushi Onita and instead worked as a referee for the promotion during the mid-1990s. Longing to become a wrestler, he left FMW in 1997 and joined Ultimo Dragon's Toryumón Gym, where he was given the gimmick of “Dragon Kid”, a character he has used for his entire career.
Yasuyuki Takishita (滝下 靖之, Takishita Yasuyuki; born 31 January 1976 in Rumoi, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese alpine skier. He…Yasuyuki Takishita (滝下 靖之, Takishita Yasuyuki; born 31 January 1976 in Rumoi, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Tatsuyuki Okuyama (奥山 達之, Okuyama Tatsuki; born 30 January 1976 in Niigata Prefecture) is a former Japanese football…Tatsuyuki Okuyama (奥山 達之, Okuyama Tatsuki; born 30 January 1976 in Niigata Prefecture) is a former Japanese football player, currently working as head coach. A former player at hometown club Albirex Niigata, Okuyama coached youth teams of Albirex after his playing career ended, and also coached the Albirex Niigata Ladies for four years. He was appointed at Albirex's satellite team in Singapore from 2014, succeeding Koichi Sugiyama. Okuyama was Sugiyama's assistant during the 2013 season.
Kazuyuki Miyata ( Japanese: 宮田 和幸 Miyata Kazuyuki) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the…Kazuyuki Miyata ( Japanese: 宮田 和幸 Miyata Kazuyuki) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of Rizin. A professional competitor since 2004, Miyata has competed for DREAM, K-1 HERO'S, DEEP, RINGS, and made an appearance at K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!!
Hitomi Furuya (古谷 仁美, Furuya Hitomi; born January 26, 1976), known professionally as Hitomi (ヒトミ; stylized as hitomi)…Hitomi Furuya (古谷 仁美, Furuya Hitomi; born January 26, 1976), known professionally as Hitomi (ヒトミ; stylized as hitomi), is a Japanese singer. She began her career as teen model before making her singing debuting under the helm of Tetsuya Komuro in 1994, who produced Hitomi's earliest work in pop music. Hitomi has striven for artistry over the course of her career, penning "forward-looking" lyrics and becoming known for her "unusual" fashion sense that accompanied a "supermodel allure". Her signature songs include "Candy Girl", "Love 2000" and "Samurai Drive". Hitomi's career enjoyed success from Komuro's direction, including his work on her chart-topping second album By Myself (1996), however, her desire for more artistic input led to their amicable split by 1998. She started working with other musicians and composers, and branched out into musical genres such as pop rock as evident on her fifth album Love Life (2000), a turning point which sustained her position in the industry. Hitomi began incorporating electropop styles with her subsequent moves to Love Life Records in 2005 and independent label Maximum 10 in 2011. Hitomi has amassed four number one albums throughout her career, including H (1999), Huma-rhythm (2002) and Self Portrait (2002), and has sold over 8.5 million records in Japan alone. She has earned two Japan Record Awards for Excellent Work and a Japan Gold Disc accolade for Rock & Pop Album of the Year, and has performed at the prestigious Kōhaku Uta Gassen program twice.
Takashi Nishida (born 24 January 1976) is a Japanese snowboarder. He competed in the men's halfpipe event at the 1998…Takashi Nishida (born 24 January 1976) is a Japanese snowboarder. He competed in the men's halfpipe event at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Chikayo Nagashima (永島 千佳世, Nagashima Chikayo; born January 24, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started…Chikayo Nagashima (永島 千佳世, Nagashima Chikayo; born January 24, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in 1995, working for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she became a one-time AAAW Single Champion and a record five-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. She was also notably one of the four founding members of the Oz Academy stable. Following the folding of Gaea Japan in 2005, Nagashima affiliated herself with Oz Academy, now a full-time promotion, where she has become a three-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion and a one-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion, holding the record for the longest reign in the title's history. Nagashima remained with Oz Academy until August 2015, after which she became a freelancer.
Tatsuyuki Nagai (長井 龍雪, Nagai Tatsuyuki; born 24 January 1976) is a Japanese director and anime storyboard artist. He…Tatsuyuki Nagai (長井 龍雪, Nagai Tatsuyuki; born 24 January 1976) is a Japanese director and anime storyboard artist. He is known for being one third of the creative team Super Peace Busters. He made his directorial debut for the second season of Honey and Clover. He then worked on the anime series, Idolmaster: Xenoglossia. He directed Toradora!, an adaptation of the light novel series of the same name. He has also directed all three seasons of the anime adaptation of the manga series A Certain Scientific Railgun. Nagai received praise for his direction in the original anime series, Anohana (2011), his next directed original anime Waiting in the Summer was released the next year. In 2015, he directed the feature film The Anthem of the Heart which received a nomination for Animation of the Year at the 39th Japanese Academy Awards. In that same year, he directed the mecha anime series Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, the series was the fourteenth mainline entry in Sunrise's long-running franchise Gundam. He has since directed the feature films Her Blue Sky (2019) and Fureru (2024), both of which are produced by CloverWorks.
Emiko Raika (来家 恵美子, born January 24, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese female professional boxer and mixed martial…Emiko Raika (来家 恵美子, born January 24, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese female professional boxer and mixed martial artist. Although more Japanese women have taken up traditionally male sports such as karate, kickboxing and wrestling in recent years, many in Japan still believe that women should not box, because of the injury risk. Raika, who has suffered a broken nose and an eye socket fracture in fights, shrugs off the possibility of injuries. "When I told friends that I want to become a boxer, they were surprised and put down my decision because I am a woman," said Raika. "But I had to resist. I like boxing and I wanted to do it. In fact, I am expressing myself through boxing. I am fighting not to beat the opponent, but for myself."
Tsuyoshi Muro (ムロツヨシ, Muro Tsuyoshi; born January 23, 1976) is a Japanese actor who appears on stage and screen. He…Tsuyoshi Muro (ムロツヨシ, Muro Tsuyoshi; born January 23, 1976) is a Japanese actor who appears on stage and screen. He debuted as an actor in 1999 and has appeared in the "Bayside Shakedown" series, NHK's Gochisosan, and Yūsha Yoshihiko.
Asōfuji Seiya (born January 17, 1976, as Kiyotoshi Suginomori) is a retired sumo wrestler from Fukaura, Nishitsugaru…Asōfuji Seiya (born January 17, 1976, as Kiyotoshi Suginomori) is a retired sumo wrestler from Fukaura, Nishitsugaru, Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 13. He is the elder brother of Aminishiki.
Shigeyuki Furuki (古城 茂幸, Furuki Shigeyuki; born January 12, 1976 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon…Shigeyuki Furuki (古城 茂幸, Furuki Shigeyuki; born January 12, 1976 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League. Before playing for the Giants he was a member of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. When he comes to bat, his fans often sing a cheer that goes to the tune of a song from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game EarthBound.
Ryūhei Kawada (川田 龍平; January 12, 1976) is a Japanese activist, haemophiliac and a former member of the House of…Ryūhei Kawada (川田 龍平; January 12, 1976) is a Japanese activist, haemophiliac and a former member of the House of Councillors (Japan). Ryūhei Kawada became famous for coming out as HIV positive in Japan, where doing so was considered taboo by many.
Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7…Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7, 1976), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Kinkaiyama Ryū (born 7 January 1976 as Ryusui Kin) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his…Kinkaiyama Ryū (born 7 January 1976 as Ryusui Kin) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1991, and reached the top division in July 1998. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He is of Korean heritage, became a naturalized citizen in 2000 while still active, changing his name to Matsuyama Ryusui, and married in February 2005. He retired in May 2006 to become an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, as of 2026 under the name Takasaki. He was responsible for the "Ozumo Beyond 2020 Tournament" held in the Ryogoku Kokugikan in October 2017 to increase awareness of sumo among minority groups such as foreigners and people with disabilities, in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Eiji Mitsuoka (Japanese: 光岡 映二, Mitsuoka Eiji; born January 1, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial…Eiji Mitsuoka (Japanese: 光岡 映二, Mitsuoka Eiji; born January 1, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2012, Mitsuoka fought for the UFC, DREAM, World Victory Road, PRIDE, Shooto, Cage Force, DEEP and King of the Cage promotions. Mitsuoka's nickname Kanaami no Mōshigo (金網の申し子), which translates as "The Heaven-sent Child of the Cage" was given in reference to his earlier career in King of the Cage and his performance in Cage Force.
Chikako Yamashiro (山城 知佳子, Yamashiro Chikako; born 1976) is a Japanese filmmaker and video artist. Her works in…Chikako Yamashiro (山城 知佳子, Yamashiro Chikako; born 1976) is a Japanese filmmaker and video artist. Her works in photography, video and performance create visual investigations into the history, politics and culture of her homeland Okinawa. Particularly salient are themes related to the terrible civilian casualties incurred in Okinawa during World War II and the on-going troubles and hardships caused by the U.S. military presence in Okinawa. Since 2019 she is associate professor at the Tokyo University of the Arts. Yamashiro has received various awards including the Kurashiki Contemporary Art Biennale (2005), the Asian Art Award (2017), the Zonta prize at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen (2018), the Asian Art Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize (2018), and most recently, the Tokyo Contemporary Art Award (2020-2022). She has also participated in the Okinawa Artist's Exchange Residence Program in the Philippines (2011).
Aya Takano (タカノ綾, Takano Aya; born December 22, 1976) is a Japanese painter, Superflat artist, manga artist, and…Aya Takano (タカノ綾, Takano Aya; born December 22, 1976) is a Japanese painter, Superflat artist, manga artist, and science fiction essayist. Aya Takano is represented by Kaikai Kiki, the artistic production studio created in 2001 by Takashi Murakami.
Yoshiko Ogata (Japanese: 緒方 芳子) is a Japanese mathematical physicist whose research concerns quantum statistical…Yoshiko Ogata (Japanese: 緒方 芳子) is a Japanese mathematical physicist whose research concerns quantum statistical mechanics, quantum information theory, and the quantum many-body problem. She is a professor of mathematics at the Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Kyoto University.
Maiko Kuroda (黒田 麻衣子, Kuroda Maiko; née Nishida, born 1976-) is a Japanese entrepreneur who served as a president of…Maiko Kuroda (黒田 麻衣子, Kuroda Maiko; née Nishida, born 1976-) is a Japanese entrepreneur who served as a president of Toyoko Inn, and the daughter of its founder, Norimasa Nishida. Following her father's resignation in 2006, Kuroda was the vice-president of Toyoko from 2008 to 2012, and has served as its president since 2012. During her term as president, Toyoko has recovered from a management crisis and become one of the largest hotels in Japan.
Aoki Takamasa (青木孝允, Aoki Takamasa) (sometimes stylized as AOKI takamasa) (born 1976), is a Japanese electronic…Aoki Takamasa (青木孝允, Aoki Takamasa) (sometimes stylized as AOKI takamasa) (born 1976), is a Japanese electronic musician and producer.
Daisuke Shimote (下手 大輔, Shimote Daisuke; born June 13, 1976) is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter from Gifu…Daisuke Shimote (下手 大輔, Shimote Daisuke; born June 13, 1976) is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter from Gifu prefecture.
Mitsuko Tottori (鳥取 三津子, Tottori Mitsuko; born 31 December 1964) is a Japanese airline executive. She was named…Mitsuko Tottori (鳥取 三津子, Tottori Mitsuko; born 31 December 1964) is a Japanese airline executive. She was named representative director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Japan Airlines (JAL) in April 2024, becoming the first woman to lead the company. Tottori began her career as a flight attendant. She joined Toa Domestic Airlines (TDA) in 1985 after graduating from Kwassui Women's Junior College. TDA (later JAS) was merged with JAL in 2001. "Her leadership style is often described as calm, methodical, and people-focused, with a strong emphasis on safety, discipline, and corporate responsibility." She was ranked number 5 on the 2024 Fortune Most Powerful Women Asia list, and number 10 on the same list in 2025. Her estimated salary in 2026 is ¥240 million per year.
Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics…Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics coach. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at two Olympic Games: in 1984 in Los Angeles in 1988 in Seoul. In 1984 she was 13th in the qualification and advanced to the final, placing 13th overall, in 1988 she tied for 17th place in the qualification and again advanced to the final, placing 15th overall.
Kaori Yamaguchi (山口香, Yamaguchi Kaori; born 28 December 1964) is a Japanese university professor and retired judoka.…Kaori Yamaguchi (山口香, Yamaguchi Kaori; born 28 December 1964) is a Japanese university professor and retired judoka. Yamaguchi won the All-Japan Judo Championships 10 consecutive times from 1978 to 1987 (twice in the –50 kg division, seven times in the –52 kg division) and won her first medal at the 1980 World Judo Championships. Yamaguchi went on to win 4 silver medals and one gold medal at the World Judo Championships. Yamaguchi also won a bronze medal in the –52 kg division at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where women's judo was held as a demonstration sport. She retired from competitive judo in 1989 when she graduated from the University of Tsukuba. She worked as an instructor for the University of Tsukuba and Musashi University since retiring. Yamaguchi is currently Associate professor of Tsukuba. Yamaguchi is the model for the protagonist in Naoki Urasawa's judo manga, Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, and makes a cameo appearance in the film version of the manga as well.
Emiko Okagawa (岡川恵美子, Okagawa Emiko, born 26 December 1964), later known as Emiko Sakaguchi (坂口恵美子 Sakaguchi Emiko) is…Emiko Okagawa (岡川恵美子, Okagawa Emiko, born 26 December 1964), later known as Emiko Sakaguchi (坂口恵美子 Sakaguchi Emiko) is a former professional tennis player from Japan.
