Yōichirō Morikawa (森川 陽一郎, Morikawa Yōichirō; born 14 August 1979, Fukui, Fukui) is a Japanese Independent film…Yōichirō Morikawa (森川 陽一郎, Morikawa Yōichirō; born 14 August 1979, Fukui, Fukui) is a Japanese Independent film director, screenwriter, actor and calligrapher. He gained media attention when he was arrested and charged on suspicion of paying a 17-year-old girl for sexual services in March 2006.
Taizō Sugimura (杉村 太蔵, Sugimura Taizō; born 13 August 1979) is a Japanese politician and a member of the Diet of Japan…Taizō Sugimura (杉村 太蔵, Sugimura Taizō; born 13 August 1979) is a Japanese politician and a member of the Diet of Japan, representing the Liberal Democratic Party until 2009. He ran in House of Councillors election in 2010 as a proportional candidate of the Sunrise Party of Japan. Sugimura was born in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō. He attended the University of Tsukuba but dropped out in 2004. Sugimura became the youngest member of the House of Representatives after the 11 September 2005 general election. He was not expected to win a seat, as he had been placed in 35th position on the LDP's proportional representation ticket for the Minami-Kanto bloc. He first came to media attention for his excitement at the prospect of the range of perks available for elected politicians, including high class restaurants, first class travel on the Shinkansen, and being able to afford a BMW. Sugimura was reprimanded by LDP executives for his comments, and publicly apologised at a news conference on 27 September 2005, saying they had been "immature and irresponsible". Sugimura is a character in a satirical mahjong manga Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku. Sugimura announced his engagement with Aya Kazama (風間文) on 14 March 2006, and their daughter was born on 4 April 2007.
Takahiko Yamamura (山村 貴彦, Yamamura Takahiko; born 13 August 1979) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 400…Takahiko Yamamura (山村 貴彦, Yamamura Takahiko; born 13 August 1979) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 400 metres at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Ryosuke Takeda (Japanese: 武田 良介, Hepburn: Takeda Ryosuke; born 13 August 1979, Nagano Prefecture) is a member of the…Ryosuke Takeda (Japanese: 武田 良介, Hepburn: Takeda Ryosuke; born 13 August 1979, Nagano Prefecture) is a member of the Japanese House of Councillors and of the Japanese Communist Party. He was elected to his position in the National Diet in 2016. He supports the restoration of animals, plants, and their habitats.
Tomoyoshi Ono (小野 智吉, Ono Tomoyoshi; born August 12, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. he is the current…Tomoyoshi Ono (小野 智吉, Ono Tomoyoshi; born August 12, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. he is the current assistant manager J1 League club of Yokohama FC.
Shihomi Shinya (新谷 志保美, Shin'ya Shihomi; born 10 August 1979) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's…Shihomi Shinya (新谷 志保美, Shin'ya Shihomi; born 10 August 1979) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's 500 metres at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Seiji Koga (古賀 誠史, Koga Seiji; born August 7, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. His brother Masahiro Koga is…Seiji Koga (古賀 誠史, Koga Seiji; born August 7, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. His brother Masahiro Koga is also former footballer.
Choemon Masataka Tanabe (田部 長右衛門 真孝, born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese business magnate, one of Japan's largest…Choemon Masataka Tanabe (田部 長右衛門 真孝, born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese business magnate, one of Japan's largest private forest owners, owner of a ranch, investor, media proprietor, mass media heir, and television executive. He is the 25th head of the Tanabe family, one of the "Tatara Big Three" in Japan's San'in region. He serves as representative director and President of Tanabe Corporation and San-in Chuo Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd., commonly known as TSK. His commonly used name and legal name is "Choemon Tanabe (田部 長右衛門)". His grandfather is the 23rd Choemon Tomoyuki Tanabe, who was a former governor of Shimane Prefecture, and his father is the 24th Choemon Tomohisa Tanabe.
Mitsuhisa Sunabe (砂辺 光久, Sunabe Mitsuhisa; born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is the former…Mitsuhisa Sunabe (砂辺 光久, Sunabe Mitsuhisa; born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is the former and inaugural Pancrase Strawweight champion, Pancrase Light Flyweight champion and Pancrase Flyweight champion. He is regarded by Fight Matrix as the third-best men's strawweight mixed martial artist of all time.
Tomonari Kanomata Japanese: 鹿又智成 (born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the…Tomonari Kanomata Japanese: 鹿又智成 (born August 4, 1979) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
Akane Chihaya (千早 茜, Chihaya Akane; born August 2, 1979) is a Japanese writer. She has won the Shōsetsu Subaru New…Akane Chihaya (千早 茜, Chihaya Akane; born August 2, 1979) is a Japanese writer. She has won the Shōsetsu Subaru New Writer Award, the Izumi Kyōka Prize for Literature, the Shimase Award for Love Stories, and the Naoki Prize.
Hitoshi Sogahata (曽ヶ端 準, Sogahata Hitoshi; born 2 August 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Hitoshi Sogahata (曽ヶ端 準, Sogahata Hitoshi; born 2 August 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Kashima Antlers and the Japan national team.
Megumi Ikeda (池田 めぐみ, Ikeda Megumi; born 1 August 1979) (née Harada) is a Japanese former fencer. She competed in the…Megumi Ikeda (池田 めぐみ, Ikeda Megumi; born 1 August 1979) (née Harada) is a Japanese former fencer. She competed in the women's individual épée events at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. At the end of October 2025, it was announced that Ikeda would be one of the winners of the HEROs AWARD, along Hakuhō Shō. The prize is delivered by the Nippon Foundation and aimed at recognizing athletes who promote social action through sport. for her contributions to her home prefecture.
Batara Eto (衛藤バタラ, Etō Batara), formerly known as Batara Kesuma, is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (as of…Batara Eto (衛藤バタラ, Etō Batara), formerly known as Batara Kesuma, is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (as of 2007) of mixi, a Japanese social networking site. He is currently co-founder and managing partner of East Ventures, a venture capital firm focusing on Japan and Southeast Asia. He proposed mixi in December 2003, and was responsible for creating the corporation. He was born on 27 July 1979 in Medan, Indonesia. He graduated from the Engineering division of Takushoku University. Batara changed his citizenship to Japanese in March 2007, hence changing his last name to Eto, which is passed down from his grandfather who was originally from Japan.
Masaaki Yaguchi (Japanese: 矢口雅哲; born July 26, 1979), better known as Miya (ミヤ), is a Japanese musician, songwriter…Masaaki Yaguchi (Japanese: 矢口雅哲; born July 26, 1979), better known as Miya (ミヤ), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as guitarist and leader of the visual kei rock band Mucc since 1997. He is also a guitarist of the supergroup Petit Brabancon. In addition to his work as a musician, Miya also works as a DJ and as a record producer and audio engineer for other artists. His private recording studio is named Sixinc Studio2. He also makes and sells homemade audio equipment with engineer Koji Watanabe under the brand name Yaguchi Watanabe Densen (矢口渡邉電線).
Masaki Inoue (井上昌己, Inoue Masaki; born July 25, 1979) is a Japanese cyclist. He won the silver medal in the Men's team…Masaki Inoue (井上昌己, Inoue Masaki; born July 25, 1979) is a Japanese cyclist. He won the silver medal in the Men's team sprint in the 2004 Summer Olympics along with Toshiaki Fushimi and Tomohiro Nagatsuka. In Japan, he is mostly known as a keirin cyclist. In 2008, he won the Keirin Grand Prix and was the year's top money winner.
Kaori Onozawa (小野澤 香理, Onozawa Kaori; born 1979) is a Japanese team handball player. She plays on the Japanese national…Kaori Onozawa (小野澤 香理, Onozawa Kaori; born 1979) is a Japanese team handball player. She plays on the Japanese national team, and participated at the 2011 World Women's Handball Championship in Brazil.
Tatsumaru Yamaoka (山岡達丸, Yamaoka Tatsumaru; born 22 July 1979) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the…Tatsumaru Yamaoka (山岡達丸, Yamaoka Tatsumaru; born 22 July 1979) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2017, having previously served from 2009 to 2012. He is the son of Kenji Yamaoka.
Ryo Asai (浅井 良, Asai Ryō) (born July 19, 1979) is a former baseball player in Japan. Asai primarily played with the…Ryo Asai (浅井 良, Asai Ryō) (born July 19, 1979) is a former baseball player in Japan. Asai primarily played with the Hanshin Tigers in the Central League. He also played baseball for the Waikiki BeachBoys.
Kinya Kotani (コタニ キンヤ, Kotani Kin'ya; born July 16, 1979), also known as KINYA, is a male singer and actor from Saitama…Kinya Kotani (コタニ キンヤ, Kotani Kin'ya; born July 16, 1979), also known as KINYA, is a male singer and actor from Saitama Prefecture, Japan. He sang the theme songs for the anime Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle and various songs for Gravitation.
Yukiko Motoya (本谷 有希子, Motoya Yukiko; born July 14, 1979) is a Japanese novelist, playwright, theatre director, and…Yukiko Motoya (本谷 有希子, Motoya Yukiko; born July 14, 1979) is a Japanese novelist, playwright, theatre director, and former voice actress. She has won numerous Japanese literary and dramatic awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Noma Literary New Face Prize, the Mishima Yukio Prize, the Kenzaburo Oe Prize, the Kishida Kunio Drama Award, and the Tsuruya Nanboku Drama Award. Her work has been adapted multiple times for film.
Kei Igawa (井川 慶, Igawa Kei; born July 13, 1979) is a Japanese former left-handed pitcher. He played for the Hanshin…Kei Igawa (井川 慶, Igawa Kei; born July 13, 1979) is a Japanese former left-handed pitcher. He played for the Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He led all pitchers in the Central League for strikeouts in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He also played in the 2006 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series.
Shinichi Terano (寺野 伸一, Terano Shin'ichi; born 10 July 1979) is a Japanese long jumper. His personal best jump is 8.20…Shinichi Terano (寺野 伸一, Terano Shin'ichi; born 10 July 1979) is a Japanese long jumper. His personal best jump is 8.20 metres, achieved in June 2004 in Tottori. He won the bronze medal at the 2003 Asian Championships. He also competed at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2005 World Championships without reaching the final.
Kōji Nakata (中田 浩二, Nakata Kōji; born 9 July 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Kōji Nakata (中田 浩二, Nakata Kōji; born 9 July 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a defender and midfielder. At international level, he represented the Japan national team at both the 2002, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Yoshio Inoue (井上 芳雄, Inoue Yoshio; born 6 July 1979), is a Japanese actor and singer, best known for his performances…Yoshio Inoue (井上 芳雄, Inoue Yoshio; born 6 July 1979), is a Japanese actor and singer, best known for his performances in musical theatre. In 2000 while he was studying Vocal Music in the Tokyo University of the Arts, he made his musical theatre debut as Rudolf in Elisabeth at the Imperial Theatre. He continued to perform in numerous musicals and stage play, including the title role in Mozart! since 2002, as Chris in Miss Saigon in 2004 and 2009, as Bill in Me and My Girl in 2006 and 2009, and as Jervis in Daddy Long Legs since 2012. Since 2015 he played Der Tod in Elisabeth. Alongside his theatrical career, Inoue also appeared in films and television dramas and presented in live shows and television music programs. In 2013, he formed StarS, a musical unit with Kenji Urai and Ikusaburo Yamazaki.
Megumi Kobashi (小橋 めぐみ, Kobashi Megumi; born 3 July 1979) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a number of…Megumi Kobashi (小橋 めぐみ, Kobashi Megumi; born 3 July 1979) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a number of television series, feature films and stage productions. She is represented by the agency FMG. She was born in Tokyo.
Sayuri Katayama (片山 さゆり, Katayama Sayuri; previously 片山 沙有里) born July 3, 1979 is a Japanese singer, stage actress and…Sayuri Katayama (片山 さゆり, Katayama Sayuri; previously 片山 沙有里) born July 3, 1979 is a Japanese singer, stage actress and songwriter. She has played the role of Kou Seiya in the Sailor Moon musicals. As a songwriter, she is known as Sayuri.
Koji Onuma (大沼 幸二, Ōnuma Kōji; born July 3, 1979) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who most recently…Koji Onuma (大沼 幸二, Ōnuma Kōji; born July 3, 1979) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who most recently played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Central League.
Tomoyuki Sakai (酒井 友之, Sakai Tomoyuki; born 29 June 1979) is a former Japanese football player who played for Japan…Tomoyuki Sakai (酒井 友之, Sakai Tomoyuki; born 29 June 1979) is a former Japanese football player who played for Japan national team.
Ryō Fukuda (福田良 Fukada Ryō, born June 26, 1979, in Fukuoka) is a Japanese former racing driver. He was a Formula One…Ryō Fukuda (福田良 Fukada Ryō, born June 26, 1979, in Fukuoka) is a Japanese former racing driver. He was a Formula One test driver. In the 2005–2006 season, he raced in A1 Grand Prix Japan Team. Fukuda started his career in France, at 1996 in Formula Campus, Formula Renault and Formula 3. In this category, after second place in 2000, in 2001, he became the French Formula Three champion with the Saulnier Racing team. In 2002, he was in Formula One BAR–Honda test driver, and also participated in one race in the Porsche Supercup and FIA GT Championship with Paul Belmondo Racing. Fukuda also participated in Formula Nippon in 2003, World Series by Nissan in 2004, Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2005 and 2006 with Saulnier Racing and Tech 1 Racing.
Hirooki Goto (後藤洋央紀, Gotō Hirōki; born June 25, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to…Hirooki Goto (後藤洋央紀, Gotō Hirōki; born June 25, 1979) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is also one-half of Bishamon alongside Yoshi-Hashi. Goto holds the record of being one-third of the longest reigning NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions with his Chaos stablemates, Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi. He is also a three-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a five-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, a one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a five-time NEVER Openweight Champion, a one-time winner of the G1 Climax (2008), a five-time winner of the World Tag League (2012, 2014, 2021, 2022, and 2023), and a record three-time winner of the New Japan Cup (2009, 2010, and 2012).
Toshiyuki Fujimoto (藤本 俊之, Fujimoto Toshiyuki; born 25 June 1979 in Hyogo Prefecture) is a Japanese sprinter who…Toshiyuki Fujimoto (藤本 俊之, Fujimoto Toshiyuki; born 25 June 1979 in Hyogo Prefecture) is a Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 200 metres. He finished fourth in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 2001 World Championships, together with teammates Ryo Matsuda, Shingo Suetsugu and Nobuharu Asahara.
Shinji Niinuma (新沼 慎二, Niinuma Shinji; born June 22, 1979 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Shinji Niinuma (新沼 慎二, Niinuma Shinji; born June 22, 1979 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher.
Takekaze Akira (born June 21, 1979 as Akira Narita) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture…Takekaze Akira (born June 21, 1979 as Akira Narita) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 2002, reaching the top makuuchi division the following year. He was a runner-up in one tournament, earned two special prizes for Fighting Spirit, and one gold star for defeating a yokozuna. Takekaze is in first place for the slowest promotion from makuuchi debut to the third highest sekiwake rank in history. Aged 35 years and two months, he is in first place for the eldest to make his sekiwake debut post World War II. He was a member of Oguruma stable. He retired in January 2019 to become an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Oshiogawa-oyakata and is the owner of Oshiogawa stable.
Yoshitaka Iwamizu (岩水 嘉孝, Iwamizu Yoshitaka; born 20 June 1979 in Toyohashi, Aichi) is a Japanese long-distance runner.…Yoshitaka Iwamizu (岩水 嘉孝, Iwamizu Yoshitaka; born 20 June 1979 in Toyohashi, Aichi) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He finished fifth at the 2001 Summer Universiade in Beijing, won a silver medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, Korea and finished eleventh at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. He also competed at the World Championships in 2001 and 2005 as well as the 2004 Summer Olympics without reaching the finals there. He graduated from the Juntendo University.
Masashi Motoyama (本山 雅志, Motoyama Masashi; born June 20, 1979) is a Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masashi Motoyama (本山 雅志, Motoyama Masashi; born June 20, 1979) is a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Miho Adachi (安達美穂, Adachi Miho; born 19 June 1979) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid-2000s. She…Miho Adachi (安達美穂, Adachi Miho; born 19 June 1979) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid-2000s. She finished ninth in the K-4 500 m event at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Naoya Tamura (田村 直也, Tamura Naoya; born 18 June 1979) is a Japanese short track speed skater. He competed at the 1998…Naoya Tamura (田村 直也, Tamura Naoya; born 18 June 1979) is a Japanese short track speed skater. He competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Tsugio Matsuda (松田 次生, Matsuda Tsugio; born June 18, 1979) is a Japanese professional racing driver for Nissan and…Tsugio Matsuda (松田 次生, Matsuda Tsugio; born June 18, 1979) is a Japanese professional racing driver for Nissan and Kondo Racing in the Super GT Series, and a team ambassador for KCMG in the Super Formula Championship. Matsuda is the Super GT Series' all-time career wins leader in the GT500 class, and a two-time GT500 class champion in 2014 and 2015. He raced in Super Formula from 1998 to 2013, and won back-to-back series titles in 2007 and 2008, when the series was known as Formula Nippon. Matsuda has also represented Nissan in the FIA World Endurance Championship and Intercontinental GT Challenge.
Yu Tokisaki (時崎 悠, Tokisaki Yu; born June 15, 1979) is a former Japanese football player and coach His brother Rui…Yu Tokisaki (時崎 悠, Tokisaki Yu; born June 15, 1979) is a former Japanese football player and coach His brother Rui Tokisaki is also a former footballer.