Hirokazu Ueno (上野 裕和, Ueno Hirokazu; April 13, 1977) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the…Hirokazu Ueno (上野 裕和, Ueno Hirokazu; April 13, 1977) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 6-dan, and a former executive director of the Japan Shogi Association (JSA).
Ken Ohka (大家健, Ōka Ken) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling…Ken Ohka (大家健, Ōka Ken) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT).
Kan Takahama (Japanese: 高浜 寛, Hepburn: Takahama Kan; born April 6, 1977) is a Japanese manga artist born in Amakusa…Kan Takahama (Japanese: 高浜 寛, Hepburn: Takahama Kan; born April 6, 1977) is a Japanese manga artist born in Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture. Debuting in 2001, she became known for her short stories published in the alternative magazine Garo, later collected and republished in her award-winning Kinderbook. Her unique style often depicts the darker sides of everyday life through simplistic character designs and illustrations that blend manga and Franco-Belgian comics. She is internationally known for the manga Nyx no Lantern, winner of the 24th Osamu Tezuka Cultural Award in 2020.
Akihito Yagi (八木明人, Yagi Akihito, born April 5, 1977, in Naha, Okinawa) is a Karate master and teacher. Akihito…Akihito Yagi (八木明人, Yagi Akihito, born April 5, 1977, in Naha, Okinawa) is a Karate master and teacher. Akihito mastered the Meibukan Goju-Ryu style, and since 2016 serves as the Chairman of the IMGKA and head of the Hombu Dojo
Takako Kotorida (小鳥田 貴子, Kotorida Takako) (born 2 April 1977) is a Japanese former long-distance runner. She was a…Takako Kotorida (小鳥田 貴子, Kotorida Takako) (born 2 April 1977) is a Japanese former long-distance runner. She was a member of DEODEO Athletic Club for Women. She represented her country at the 2002 Asian Games and placed fourth in the women's 10,000 metres. As part of the Japanese national marathon relay team, she was winner of the Yokohama International Women's Ekiden in 1999 and 2000, and was the Beijing International Ekiden champion in 2001. She competed at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships on three occasions and was part of Japan's silver medal-winning women's team in both 2001 and 2003. Kotorida was a silver medallist in the half marathon at the 2001 East Asian Games.
Dir En Grey (stylized as DIR EN GREY and previously as Dir en grey) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in February…Dir En Grey (stylized as DIR EN GREY and previously as Dir en grey) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in February 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. With a consistent lineup of vocalist Kyo, guitarists Kaoru and Die, bassist Toshiya, and drummer Shinya, they have released twelve full-length albums. Numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine, though it is generally considered to be a form of metal. Originally a visual kei band, the members later opted for more subtle attire, but have continued to maintain a dramatic image on stage.
Hitoshi Tamura (多村 仁志, born March 28, 1977) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player who last played with the…Hitoshi Tamura (多村 仁志, born March 28, 1977) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player who last played with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Following his release from the Yokohama DeNA Baystars in 2015, Tamura joined the Chunichi Dragons on a trainee contract with the hope of returning to professional baseball. On October 1, 2016 it was announced that Tamura was deemed surplus to requirements by the Dragons management. He then announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Yoshinori Okada (岡田 義徳) (born 19 March 1977 in Ōno, Gifu) is a Japanese actor. He has starred several TV series such as…Yoshinori Okada (岡田 義徳) (born 19 March 1977 in Ōno, Gifu) is a Japanese actor. He has starred several TV series such as Atsuhime (2008) and Nobuta. O Produce (2005) as well as movies such as Densha otoko (2005). He is a high school graduate and does not have a college degree. He won the award for best supporting actor at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival for Nonchan Noriben.
Jun'ya Ōta (太田 順也, Ōta Jun'ya) (born March 18, 1977), known professionally as ZUN, is a Japanese independent video game…Jun'ya Ōta (太田 順也, Ōta Jun'ya) (born March 18, 1977), known professionally as ZUN, is a Japanese independent video game developer and composer, known for creating the Touhou Project bullet hell shoot 'em up video game series through his one-man doujin group Team Shanghai Alice (上海アリス幻樂団, Shanhai Arisu Gengakudan; lit. "Shanghai Alice Fantasy Ensemble"). ZUN developed the first five Touhou games for the Japanese NEC PC-9800 computer series, with the first, Highly Responsive to Prayers, released in August 1997; the series' signature danmaku mechanics were introduced in the second game, Story of Eastern Wonderland (also 1997). The release of Embodiment of Scarlet Devil in August 2002 marked a shift to Microsoft Windows. Numerous sequels followed, including several spin-offs departing from the traditional bullet hell format. He has also collaborated with other circles to produce related print works and music albums. His Touhou series has become more particularly notable as a prominent source of Japanese dōjin content, with the series spawning a vast amount of fan-made works such as artwork, music, print works, video games, and Internet memes. Because of this, it has gained a large cult following outside of Japan. In 2010, the Guinness World Records called Touhou "the most prolific fan-based shooter series" ever created. The popularity of the series and its derivative works has been attributed in part to the few restrictions placed by ZUN on the use of his content. ZUN is also known as the Hakurei Kannushi (博麗神主), which is also the name he uses for his Twitter account.
Shinobu Otowa (音羽しのぶ, Otowa Shinobu; born March 16, 1977) is a Japanese enka singer. She was born as Chieko Yoshimura…Shinobu Otowa (音羽しのぶ, Otowa Shinobu; born March 16, 1977) is a Japanese enka singer. She was born as Chieko Yoshimura (吉村智恵子 Yoshimura Chieko) in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi.
Kohei Oda (小田 幸平, born March 15, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher in Japan's Nippon…Kohei Oda (小田 幸平, born March 15, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Yomiuri Giants from 1998 to 2005 and for the Chunichi Dragons from 2006 to 2014.
Naoki Matsuda (松田 直樹, Matsuda Naoki; 14 March 1977 – 4 August 2011) was a Japanese professional footballer who played…Naoki Matsuda (松田 直樹, Matsuda Naoki; 14 March 1977 – 4 August 2011) was a Japanese professional footballer who played as a central defender for the Japan national team.
Aki Hoshino (ほしの あき, Hoshino Aki) is a Japanese bikini idol. She has appeared in various men's magazines, such as Sabra…Aki Hoshino (ほしの あき, Hoshino Aki) is a Japanese bikini idol. She has appeared in various men's magazines, such as Sabra and television shows. In 2010, she was named one of the "7 most irresistibly cute Japanese idols" by the Thailand version of the men's magazine FHM.
Takayuki Yoshida (吉田 孝行, Yoshida Takayuki; born 14 March 1977) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is…Takayuki Yoshida (吉田 孝行, Yoshida Takayuki; born 14 March 1977) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is currently the manager of J1 League club Shimizu S-Pulse. During his managerial tenure at Vissel Kobe, Yoshida has coached a number of former FIFA World Cup winners with the like of Lukas Podolski, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa. He also has coached a few world class superstars like Thomas Vermaelen, Sergi Samper and Juan Mata. Yoshida also guided Vissel Kobe to two consecutive J1 League title in 2023 and 2024.
Yoshio Sawai (澤井啓夫, Sawai Yoshio; born March 14, 1977 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist, best…Yoshio Sawai (澤井啓夫, Sawai Yoshio; born March 14, 1977 in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for his series Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo and sequel Shinsetsu Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, both serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo was adapted into a 76 episodes anime series by the Toei Animation studio between 2003 and 2005. His father is Japanese literature academic Taizo Sawai.
Mipo O (吳美保, O Mipo; Korean: 오미보, born March 3, 1977, in Iga, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese-born Korean film director…Mipo O (吳美保, O Mipo; Korean: 오미보, born March 3, 1977, in Iga, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese-born Korean film director, screenwriter, and commercial director. Her name is also romanized Mipo Oh.
Naoki Kuwata (桑田 尚樹, Kuwata Naoki) (born 13 March 1977) is a Japanese actor and model born in Ehime, Japan. He started…Naoki Kuwata (桑田 尚樹, Kuwata Naoki) (born 13 March 1977) is a Japanese actor and model born in Ehime, Japan. He started his modelling career in Japan, but has expanded his range to China and South Korea.
Yuki Nakata (中田 有紀, Nakata Yuki; born 10 March 1977) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the women's…Yuki Nakata (中田 有紀, Nakata Yuki; born 10 March 1977) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the women's heptathlon. She represented Japan at the 2004 Summer Olympics and has competed twice at the World Championships in Athletics. She was the silver medallist at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships and the 2010 Asian Games and has won the heptathlon at the East Asian Games and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. With straight wins from 2002 to 2010, she is a nine time national champion and her best of 5962 points for the heptathlon is the national record for the event.
Rie Matsuoka (松岡 理恵, Matuoka Rie; born 9 March 1977) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In 2001, she competed in the…Rie Matsuoka (松岡 理恵, Matuoka Rie; born 9 March 1977) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In 2001, she competed in the women's marathon at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She finished in 22nd place. In 2003, she competed in the women's marathon at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics held in Paris, France. She did not finish her race. In 1996, she finished in 6th place in the women's 5000 metres at the 1996 World Junior Championships in Athletics held in Sydney, Australia. Two years later, in 1998, she won the women's half marathon at the Sanyo Women's Half Marathon held in Okayama, Japan.
Hiroki Hasegawa (長谷川博己, Hasegawa Hiroki), nicknamed Hasehiro-sama (ハセヒロ様), (born March 7, 1977, in Tokyo) is a Japanese…Hiroki Hasegawa (長谷川博己, Hasegawa Hiroki), nicknamed Hasehiro-sama (ハセヒロ様), (born March 7, 1977, in Tokyo) is a Japanese stage, film, and television actor. Trained as a stage actor at the Bungaku-za after graduating from Chuo University, he first began to appear on Japanese TV in small roles in 2008, and then in films in 2011.
Teppei Tomioka (冨岡鉄平 Tomioka Teppei, born March 1, 1977) is the captain of the Toshiba Brave Lupus rugby team. He plays…Teppei Tomioka (冨岡鉄平 Tomioka Teppei, born March 1, 1977) is the captain of the Toshiba Brave Lupus rugby team. He plays at centre. Originally from Fukuoka Prefecture, he was educated at Fukuoka Institute of Technology (Fukuoka Kougyou Daigaku). He is considered to be a powerful runner and leader of his team. He was voted the MVP of the Top League in 2007.
Shuta Tanaka (田中 秀太, Tanaka Shūta; simply called Shuta (秀太)) is a Japanese retired professional Nippon Professional…Shuta Tanaka (田中 秀太, Tanaka Shūta; simply called Shuta (秀太)) is a Japanese retired professional Nippon Professional Baseball player.
Toshikazu Yamashita (山下 敏和, Yamashita Toshikazu; born February 21, 1977 in Komatsushima, Tokushima) is a Japanese sport…Toshikazu Yamashita (山下 敏和, Yamashita Toshikazu; born February 21, 1977 in Komatsushima, Tokushima) is a Japanese sport shooter. Yamashita represented Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he competed for all three rifle shooting events. In his first event, 10 m air rifle, Yamashita was able to hit a total of 590 points within six attempts, finishing twenty-eighth in the qualifying rounds. Few days later, he placed eighteenth in the 50 m rifle prone, by one target behind Belarus' Petr Litvinchuk from the final attempt, with a total score of 593 points. In his third and last event, 50 m rifle 3 positions, Yamashita was able to shoot 399 targets in a prone position, 382 in standing, and 386 in kneeling, for a total score of 1,167 points, finishing only in sixteenth place.
Tanaka Yoshikazu (Japanese: 田中 良和, Hepburn: Yoshikazu Tanaka) is a Japanese entrepreneur known for founding and…Tanaka Yoshikazu (Japanese: 田中 良和, Hepburn: Yoshikazu Tanaka) is a Japanese entrepreneur known for founding and developing the social networking service Gree, provided by Gree, Inc. Yoshikazu Tanaka was born in Mitaka, Tokyo in 1977. When Tanaka was a junior high school student, Tanaka became keenly interested in changes in society by informatization and the field of information-communication by reading "Power Shift" by Alvin Toffler. In 2003, at the age 26, Tanaka started developing Gree as a hobby. In February 2004, Tanaka opened Gree to the public, as a personal website. By March 2004, over 10,000 users had joined the service that soon became hard for him to manage rapidly growing service by himself. In December 2004, Tanaka established Gree, Inc. in order to cope the growing number of users. In December 2008, Gree, Inc. was listed on the Market of the High-Growth and Emerging Stocks, closing at the highest market value of shares on the first day. In February 2009, Tanaka was ranked 24th among "Japan's 40 Richest Billionaires" by Forbes Asia. As of 2010, at age 33, he was ranked as "Asia's Youngest Self-Made Billionaire" under the age of 35 and was selected as the "World's Second-Youngest Self-Made Billionaire" after Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. In June 2010, 5 years after the foundation, Gree was listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Tanaka was 33 years and 3 month at that time and the youngest founder whose company is listed on the TSE first section. Tanaka was able to set his social network apart from the well established Japanese brands Mixi and DeNA by concentrating on mobile games and making partnerships with major Internet service providers.
Hinako Saeki (佐伯 日菜子, Saeki Hinako) is a Japanese actress who was born on February 16, 1977, in Nara, Japan. Probably…Hinako Saeki (佐伯 日菜子, Saeki Hinako) is a Japanese actress who was born on February 16, 1977, in Nara, Japan. Probably her best-known role was as Sadako Yamamura in Spiral, the 1998 sequel to the horror film Ring. She has also appeared in a handful of other popular Japanese horror films including Uzumaki (2000) which was based on a Junji Ito manga of the same name, and Eko Eko Azaraku: Misa the Dark Angel (1998). In addition, she played a featured role as the character Colonel in Mamoru Oshii's Assault Girls (2009). She also portrayed in Ultraman X as the Underground Woman/Ryoko Mabuse. She is also familiar in China for her role as Sadako in the sequel to the Hong Kong TV drama series, My Date with a Vampire II.
Mineo Fujino (Japanese: 藤野峰男, Hepburn: Fujino Mineo; born February 14, 1977, in Gifu Prefecture), known by his pen name…Mineo Fujino (Japanese: 藤野峰男, Hepburn: Fujino Mineo; born February 14, 1977, in Gifu Prefecture), known by his pen name Tow Ubukata (冲方 丁, Ubukata Tō), is a Japanese novelist and screenwriter. He primarily writes fantasy and science fiction. His major works include Mardock Scramble, Le Chevalier D'Eon and Heroic Age. He also did series composition for the Fafner in the Azure series, Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Psycho-Pass 2 and Psycho-Pass 3.
Yuka Murofushi (室伏 由佳, Murofushi Yuka; born 11 February 1977) is a retired Japanese discus and hammer thrower.…Yuka Murofushi (室伏 由佳, Murofushi Yuka; born 11 February 1977) is a retired Japanese discus and hammer thrower. Murofushi comes from a hammer throwing family, as her father Shigenobu Murofushi is a former Olympian and held the Japanese record for decades, and her brother Koji Murofushi, is the 2004 Olympic champion in the event. Her mother, Serafina Moritz, is Romanian, and former European junior javelin champion and senior champion for Romania. Her parents are now divorced. She won the 2010 Japanese title in both the discus and hammer throw events.
Keisuke Suzuki (鈴木 馨祐, Suzuki Keisuke; born 9 February 1977) is a Japanese politician who is a member of the Liberal…Keisuke Suzuki (鈴木 馨祐, Suzuki Keisuke; born 9 February 1977) is a Japanese politician who is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party serving in the House of Representatives. A native of Tokyo, he graduated from the University of Tokyo and then worked at the Ministry of Finance. He was elected for the first time in the 2005 general election.
Shigeru Aburaya (油谷 繁, Aburaya Shigeru; born 8 February 1977 in Nagato, Yamaguchi) is a Japanese long-distance runner…Shigeru Aburaya (油谷 繁, Aburaya Shigeru; born 8 February 1977 in Nagato, Yamaguchi) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the marathon race.
Nakaba Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木央, Hepburn: Suzuki Nakaba; born February 8, 1977) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best…Nakaba Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木央, Hepburn: Suzuki Nakaba; born February 8, 1977) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for his fantasy series The Seven Deadly Sins (2012–2020), which has over 55 million copies in circulation making it among the top 50 best-selling manga series of all time. He began a sequel, Four Knights of the Apocalypse, in 2021.
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (宮本 恒靖, Miyamoto Tsuneyasu; born 7 February 1977) is a Japanese former football coach and former…Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (宮本 恒靖, Miyamoto Tsuneyasu; born 7 February 1977) is a Japanese former football coach and former player who last coached Gamba Osaka. He played for Japan national team and is the current president of the Japan Football Association. A central defender, Miyamoto went on to make 71 international appearances and led the Japan national team in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups as well as the 2004 Asian Cup. Miyamoto also captained Gamba Osaka during their 2005 J1 League championship season. He is also a graduate of the 13th edition of FIFA Master.
He Xuemei (Chinese: 和雪梅; pinyin: Hé Xuěméi, born 6 February 1977) is a Chinese gymnast. She competed in six events at…He Xuemei (Chinese: 和雪梅; pinyin: Hé Xuěméi, born 6 February 1977) is a Chinese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1992 Summer Olympics. She was the last female Olympic athlete to perform the Thomas salto in her routine. In 2006, she married Takaseki Takashi, a logistics manager from Japan, and changed her name to Takaseki Setsubai (高堰雪梅). She represented Japan at the 2006 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
Megumi Matsumoto (松元 惠, Matsumoto Megumi; born February 6, 1977 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese voice actress who works for…Megumi Matsumoto (松元 惠, Matsumoto Megumi; born February 6, 1977 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese voice actress who works for Ken Production. She is known as the voice of Kouya Marino in Crush Gear Turbo.
A..C..O (born February 3, 1977) is a Japanese singer. She made her debut in 1995 with the pop single "Fuan nano"…A..C..O (born February 3, 1977) is a Japanese singer. She made her debut in 1995 with the pop single "Fuan nano" (不安なの). She is a part of Sony Music Japan. She explores different musical styles, with the albums Absolute Ego and Material displaying electronica influences. Absolute Ego was produced by ex-Denki Groove keyboardist, Yoshinori Sunahara and The Other Side of Absolute Ego album contains remixes by Tricky, DJ Krush, and Silent Poets. In 2003, after a two-year hiatus, she enlisted the help of the avant-garde audio-visual performance group portable [k]ommunity for her quieter, more delicate album, Irony. AllMusic described Irony as "one of the most beautiful albums to come out of Japan in 2003", with the music compared to an "airy lullaby".
Shōgo Kawashima (川島 省吾, Kawashima Shōgo; born 2 February 1977, in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba, Chiba), known by the stage name…Shōgo Kawashima (川島 省吾, Kawashima Shōgo; born 2 February 1977, in Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba, Chiba), known by the stage name Gekidan Hitori (劇団ひとり; 'one-person troupe') is a Japanese comedian, lyricist, actor, novelist, and film director. Gekidan is mainly known his improvisational ability and for his style of physical comedy. He is represented with Ohta Production.
Shinobu Kitamoto (北本 忍, Kitamoto Shinobu; born February 1, 1977) is a Japanese sprint canoer who has competed since the…Shinobu Kitamoto (北本 忍, Kitamoto Shinobu; born February 1, 1977) is a Japanese sprint canoer who has competed since the mid-2000s. She won a bronze medal in the K-1 200 m event at the 2010 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznań, the first person from Japan to medal at the world championships. Competing in three Summer Olympics (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012), Kitamoto earned her best finish of fifth in the K-2 500 m event at Beijing in 2008. World Cup Racice 2010 k1 500m gold medal
Takahiro Arai (Japanese: 新井 貴浩, born January 30, 1977, in Naka-ku, Hiroshima) is a Japanese-Zainichi Korean former…Takahiro Arai (Japanese: 新井 貴浩, born January 30, 1977, in Naka-ku, Hiroshima) is a Japanese-Zainichi Korean former professional baseball player. He is the manager of Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball from the 2023 season. His younger brother Ryota is also a former professional baseball player who played for Hanshin Tigers.
Satoko Shinashi (しなし さとこ, Shinashi Satoko; legal name 尻無 智子, born January 29, 1977) is a female Japanese mixed martial…Satoko Shinashi (しなし さとこ, Shinashi Satoko; legal name 尻無 智子, born January 29, 1977) is a female Japanese mixed martial artist. She is a former DEEP Flyweight champion and former Smackgirl Flyweight champion. She is tied second for the most bouts among women and is considered as one of the pioneers of women's mixed martial arts.
Takuma "Taku" Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 琢磨, Hepburn: Satō Takuma; born 28 January 1977) is a Japanese racing driver, who…Takuma "Taku" Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 琢磨, Hepburn: Satō Takuma; born 28 January 1977) is a Japanese racing driver, who competes part-time in the IndyCar Series for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. He competed in Formula One from 2002 to 2008. In American open-wheel racing, Sato is a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 winning in 2017 and 2020, and remains the only Asian driver to win the event. Born and raised in Tokyo, Sato began his career in karting before moving to Europe in 1999 with support from Honda. Progressing directly to Formula Three, Sato finished third in the British Championship in 2000 and dominated the series in 2001 with Carlin. With Carlin he also won the Macau Grand Prix and the Masters of Formula 3. Sato signed for Jordan in 2002, making his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix, under Honda power. He moved with Honda to join BAR in 2003 as a reserve driver, replacing Jacques Villeneuve at his home Grand Prix in Japan and returning as a full-time driver in 2004. Sato achieved a podium at the United States Grand Prix as he finished a career-best eighth in the World Drivers' Championship. Following struggles at BAR in 2005, Sato moved to Super Aguri for his 2006 campaign onwards. Amidst financial troubles, Super Aguri withdrew from the sport after the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix, ending both Sato and teammate Anthony Davidson's driving careers in Formula One. After a year's hiatus, Sato returned to open-wheel racing in the IndyCar Series with KV in 2010. He took his maiden pole position at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 in 2011, and became the first Asian driver to win an IndyCar race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2013 with Foyt. His one-off entry in Formula E at the 2014 Beijing ePrix marked the first—and to this date, only—time that Sato competed without a Honda power unit in his professional career, using a spec McLaren powertrain. Sato signed for Andretti in 2017, winning the Indianapolis 500 for the first time. He won several other times across his 2018 and 2019 seasons with RLL, before again winning at Indianapolis in 2020. Sato competed for Dale Coyne Racing in 2022, before moving in 2023 into part-time roles. Sato is a widely popular figure amongst fans and media worldwide, renowned for his aggressive driving style and motto No Attack, No Chance.
Hidetoshi Nakata, OSSI (中田 英寿, Nakata Hidetoshi; born 22 January 1977) is a Japanese former professional footballer who…Hidetoshi Nakata, OSSI (中田 英寿, Nakata Hidetoshi; born 22 January 1977) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Considered as one of the greatest Asian football players of all time and coming from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) country in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nakata became the first ever AFC player to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or. Nakata began his professional career in 1995 and won the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998, the Scudetto with Roma in 2001, played for Japan in three World Cup tournaments (1998, 2002 and 2006) and competed in the Olympics twice (1996 and 2000). In 2005, he was made the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, one of Italy's highest honors, for improving the country's image overseas. Nakata has also been involved in fashion, regularly attending runway shows and wearing designer clothing. Nakata announced his retirement at the age of 29 on 3 July 2006, after a ten-year career that included seven seasons in the Italian Serie A and a season in the English Premier League. In March 2004, Pelé named Nakata in his FIFA 100, a list of the top living footballers at the time. Nakata was one of only two Asian footballers on the list.
Sakae Morimoto (Japanese: 森本 さかえ; born January 20, 1977, in Tenri, Nara) is a field hockey player from Japan.…Sakae Morimoto (Japanese: 森本 さかえ; born January 20, 1977, in Tenri, Nara) is a field hockey player from Japan. Affiliated with the Tenri University she played for the Japan women's national field hockey team, at two Summer Olympics, in 2004 and 2008.
Misato Michishita (道下 美里, Michishita Misato; born 19 January 1977 in Shimonoseki City) is a visually impaired Japanese…Misato Michishita (道下 美里, Michishita Misato; born 19 January 1977 in Shimonoseki City) is a visually impaired Japanese long distance and marathon runner. She silver medalled at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, and won the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. She won the bronze medal the 2024 Summer Paralympics with a time of 3:04:23 in Paris, after Elena Congost from Spain was controversially disqualified with a time of 3:00:48 despite a human reflex when her companion almost fell.