Toshiaki Kasuga (春日 俊彰, Kasuga Toshiaki; born February 9, 1979) is a Japanese comedian best known as the boke half of…Toshiaki Kasuga (春日 俊彰, Kasuga Toshiaki; born February 9, 1979) is a Japanese comedian best known as the boke half of the comedy duo Audrey alongside Masayasu Wakabayashi. On stage, he usually wears a pink vest and white pants. Aside from comedy, he is also known for his participation in sporting events such as kickboxing, bodybuilding, and finswimming. He was also a YouTuber under the name Hideo Furui.
Maki Kawamura (川村真樹 Kawamura Maki, born in Iwate Prefecture on February 9, 1979) is a Japanese ballerina for New…Maki Kawamura (川村真樹 Kawamura Maki, born in Iwate Prefecture on February 9, 1979) is a Japanese ballerina for New National Theatre Tokyo. She became a contract dancer with the New National Theatre Ballet Company in the fall of 1999. In her first season, she was selected to play the lead role of Viola in Ishii Jun's Twelfth Night. In 2007, she danced Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, her first leading role in a full-length ballet. After this she played leading roles mainly in classical works, such as Swan Lake and Raymonda. She achieved the rank of principal dancer in May 2011, and retired two years later in June 2013, after playing the role of Kitri in a production of Don Quixote.
Akinori Iwamura (岩村 明憲, Iwamura Akinori; born February 9, 1979) is a former Japanese baseball infielder, who currently…Akinori Iwamura (岩村 明憲, Iwamura Akinori; born February 9, 1979) is a former Japanese baseball infielder, who currently is a manager for the Fukushima Red Hopes in Japan's Baseball Challenge League. He made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2007. He earned the nickname Aki while in MLB. His nickname is Gan-chan in NPB.
Yuichi Tsuchiya (土屋 裕一, Tsuchiya Yūichi; born February 6, 1979 in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi) is a Japanese actor and…Yuichi Tsuchiya (土屋 裕一, Tsuchiya Yūichi; born February 6, 1979 in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi) is a Japanese actor and full-time member of the 4-man theatre troupe *pnish*. His nickname is "Tuti". He is best known for his stage roles as Shuichiro Oishi of the Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu, and as Gin Ichimaru in the rock musical Bleach.
Akira Kawashima (川島 明, Kawashima Akira; born February 3, 1979, in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor…Akira Kawashima (川島 明, Kawashima Akira; born February 3, 1979, in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor who has featured in films, television, and radio. He performs boke and writes all the material in his comedy duo Kirin. His partner is Hiroshi Tamura. Kawashima is represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo and is mainly active in Tokyo and Osaka.
Yuki Miyazaki (宮崎有妃, Miyazaki Yuki) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenures with the…Yuki Miyazaki (宮崎有妃, Miyazaki Yuki) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenures with the Japanese professional wrestling promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling (NEO) and JWP Joshi Puroresu (JWP) and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Yusei Matsui (松井優征, Matsui Yūsei) is a Japanese manga artist. He was an assistant of Yoshio Sawai, the manga artist of…Yusei Matsui (松井優征, Matsui Yūsei) is a Japanese manga artist. He was an assistant of Yoshio Sawai, the manga artist of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. He wrote and illustrated the manga series Neuro: Supernatural Detective, Assassination Classroom, and The Elusive Samurai.
Naoshi Nakamura (中村 直志, Nakamura Naoshi; born January 27, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Naoshi Nakamura (中村 直志, Nakamura Naoshi; born January 27, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kimiko Koyama (こやま きみこ, Koyama Kimiko; born January 27, 1979) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima…Kimiko Koyama (こやま きみこ, Koyama Kimiko; born January 27, 1979) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture.
Hiromi Nakakura (中倉 宏美, Nakakura Hiromi; born January 26, 1979) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked…Hiromi Nakakura (中倉 宏美, Nakakura Hiromi; born January 26, 1979) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked 2-dan. She is the current representative director of the Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (LPSA).
Kenji Roa (ロア健治, Roa Kenji; born January 25, 1979) is a Japanese voice actor and singer who is a vocalist in the…Kenji Roa (ロア健治, Roa Kenji; born January 25, 1979) is a Japanese voice actor and singer who is a vocalist in the Japanese rock band Virgil. He also voices Tobi in Blood Lad.
Lin Wei-Chu (born 22 January 1979) is a Taiwanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon…Lin Wei-Chu (born 22 January 1979) is a Taiwanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Chinatrust Brothers. He competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also spent time as the manager of the CTBC Brothers, winning two Taiwan Series.
Park Kyung-bae (born January 18, 1979), professionally known by his Japanese alias Hirofumi Arai (新井 浩文, Arai Hirofumi)…Park Kyung-bae (born January 18, 1979), professionally known by his Japanese alias Hirofumi Arai (新井 浩文, Arai Hirofumi) is a Zainichi South Korean former actor.
Masae Ueno (上野 雅恵, Ueno Masae; born 17 January 1979) is a Japanese judoka who competed in the Athens 2004 Olympics and…Masae Ueno (上野 雅恵, Ueno Masae; born 17 January 1979) is a Japanese judoka who competed in the Athens 2004 Olympics and the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Ueno was born in Asahikawa Hokkaidō. In 2004, she earned Japan's fifth Olympic Gold Medal in ten events, winning the –70 kg women's judo event. She also won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. Ueno has two younger sisters who are also judokas. Yoshie Ueno became World champion in 2009 and Tomoe Ueno became World junior champion in 2006.
Takafumi Nishitani (西谷 岳文, Nishitani Takafumi) (born January 17, 1979, in Tadaoka, Osaka) is a Japanese short track…Takafumi Nishitani (西谷 岳文, Nishitani Takafumi) (born January 17, 1979, in Tadaoka, Osaka) is a Japanese short track speed skater. He won a gold medal on the 500 m at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. Now, Nishitani practices Keirin.
Toshiki Kashu (賀集 利樹, Kashū Toshiki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese actor, best known for his role as Shouichi…Toshiki Kashu (賀集 利樹, Kashū Toshiki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese actor, best known for his role as Shouichi Tsugami, the main character of the Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Agito.
Hiroki Ishii (石井 宏樹, Ishii Hiroki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese lightweight kickboxer. He won the championship…Hiroki Ishii (石井 宏樹, Ishii Hiroki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese lightweight kickboxer. He won the championship of Rajadamnern Stadium in Muay Thai at Super lightweight. His entrance music is Spente Le Stelle.
Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人, born January 12, 1979, in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人, born January 12, 1979, in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Hanshin Tigers from 2001 to 2006, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2007 and 2008, and the Orix Buffaloes in 2009.
Yukari Konishi (小西ゆかり, Yukari KONISHI; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese female sport shooter. At the 2004 Summer…Yukari Konishi (小西ゆかり, Yukari KONISHI; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese female sport shooter. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she competed in the women's 25 metre pistol. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she competed in the Women's 10 metre air pistol and the Women's 25 metre pistol.
Takahisa Oguchi (小口貴久; born January 11, 1979) is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the…Takahisa Oguchi (小口貴久; born January 11, 1979) is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the men's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. At the previous Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Oguchi competed in the men's doubles event, but did not finish. Oguchi's best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 16th in the men's singles event at Lake Placid, New York, in 2009. He later went into graduate research in biomechanics at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan. Oguchi qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 30th in the men's singles event.
Madoka Hisagae (久枝 円, Hisagae Madoka; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's…Madoka Hisagae (久枝 円, Hisagae Madoka; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual sabre events at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.
Jun Ogawauchi (小川内 潤, Ogawauchi Jun; born January 11, 1979), also known as JUN, is a Japanese professional wrestler and…Jun Ogawauchi (小川内 潤, Ogawauchi Jun; born January 11, 1979), also known as JUN, is a Japanese professional wrestler and former Japanese professional wrestling ring announcer, working for the Pro Wrestling Secret Base. Ogawauchi's greatest fame came as the fifth member of the Crazy Max stable in Toryumon.
Takayuki Hirao (平尾 隆之, Hirao Takayuki) is a Japanese anime director credited for work with Ufotable on The Garden of…Takayuki Hirao (平尾 隆之, Hirao Takayuki) is a Japanese anime director credited for work with Ufotable on The Garden of Sinners: Paradox Spiral, Gyo, Majocco Shimai no Yoyo to Nene, and God Eater.
Tomihiko Morimi (Japanese: 森見 登美彦, Hepburn: Morimi Tomihiko; born January 6, 1979) is a Japanese writer from Nara…Tomihiko Morimi (Japanese: 森見 登美彦, Hepburn: Morimi Tomihiko; born January 6, 1979) is a Japanese writer from Nara Prefecture. He graduated from Kyoto University and his works often have Kyoto as the setting. In July 2018, it was announced that the first two of Morimi's original works to be published in English will be Penguin Highway and The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, both published by Yen Press in 2019. In 2022, Tower of the Sun and Fox Tales were published in English by Yen Press, while The Tatami Galaxy was published by HarperCollins, who also published The Tatami Time Machine Blues in 2023.
Masami Tanaka (田中 雅美, Tanaka Masami; born January 5, 1979 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a former breaststroke swimmer from…Masami Tanaka (田中 雅美, Tanaka Masami; born January 5, 1979 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a former breaststroke swimmer from Japan. She won the bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m Medley Relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Her winning teammates in that race were Mai Nakamura, Junko Onishi, and Sumika Minamoto. She competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1996.
Kotomi Ishizaki (石崎 琴美, Ishizaki Kotomi; born January 4, 1979) is a Japanese curler from Sapporo. She won a silver…Kotomi Ishizaki (石崎 琴美, Ishizaki Kotomi; born January 4, 1979) is a Japanese curler from Sapporo. She won a silver medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics as the alternate of the team skipped by Satsuki Fujisawa.
Koichi Domoto (堂本 光一, Dōmoto Kōichi; born January 1, 1979) is a Japanese idol, singer, actor, singer-songwriter…Koichi Domoto (堂本 光一, Dōmoto Kōichi; born January 1, 1979) is a Japanese idol, singer, actor, singer-songwriter, composer, lyricist, television personality, voice actor. Along with Tsuyoshi Domoto (with whom he has no blood-relation), he is a member of the duo Domoto, who holds the Guinness World Records for having the most consecutive No.1 singles since debut and the most consecutive years with a Japanese No.1 single, and with whom is one of the top 25 best-selling artists of all time in Japan. Although Domoto also actively works as a television actor and host, he is most famous for his musical SHOCK series, which he participates as the lead actor and director at the same time. SHOCK series started at the Tokyo Imperial Theatre in 2000, making him the youngest Zachō (chairman and lead role) and the first idol to perform at Imperial Theatre. With over 2000 performances, SHOCK series is now the most-performed musical and the second most-performed theatre with a single-lead in Japan. In 2018, he starred in the musical Knights' Tale directed by John Caird as well. Domoto will be under agent contract in Starto starting in July 2026.
Jiro Hatoyama (鳩山二郎, Hatoyama Jiro; born 1 January 1979) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Jiro Hatoyama (鳩山二郎, Hatoyama Jiro; born 1 January 1979) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2016. From 2013 to 2016, he served as mayor of Ōkawa. He is the son of Kunio Hatoyama and Emily Hatoyama.
Mayu Kishi-Kawagoe is a Japanese international table tennis player. She won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Table…Mayu Kishi-Kawagoe is a Japanese international table tennis player. She won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Table Tennis Championships in the women's doubles with Akiko Takeda.
Masakatsu Takagi (高木 正勝, Takagi Masakatsu; born 1979) is a musician and visual artist from Kameoka, Kyoto, Japan. He is…Masakatsu Takagi (高木 正勝, Takagi Masakatsu; born 1979) is a musician and visual artist from Kameoka, Kyoto, Japan. He is well known for writing scores for director Mamoru Hosoda's films, alongside his solo work.
Reona Ito (伊藤 玲阿奈, Itō Reona; born 1979) is a Japanese orchestral and choral conductor and author based in New York…Reona Ito (伊藤 玲阿奈, Itō Reona; born 1979) is a Japanese orchestral and choral conductor and author based in New York City. Ito is the third generation to be born into a musical family of conductors in Fukuoka, Japan. He moved to the US in 1997 in order to study international affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs of the George Washington University. After graduating, however, he decided to become a professional musician and moved to New York City to study intensively. Ito started his professional career as a conductor in March 2008 with Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro at the Goldstein Theatre in Queens, New York. Soon after the debut he became music director of the Reona Ito Chamber Orchestra, a professional orchestra newly established by himself and the Japanese immigrant community in the New York metropolitan area. Ito's inaugural performance with the ensemble was at Carnegie Hall in June of the same year. From 2011 to 2013, Ito was music director of Zagreb Sinfonietta in Croatia. In August 2012 he and the orchestra were invited by the Poreč Music Festival to perform at the Euphrasian Basilica, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On 5 March 2013 he conducted a special concert celebrating the 20th-Year Anniversary of the Japan-Croatia Diplomatic Establishment, which was supported by the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia and the Embassy of Japan. Ito was also invited for an official meeting with the then president Ivo Josipović at the Office. In October 2014, Ito placed as third runner up of the American Prize in Orchestral Conducting (Professional Orchestra Division), one of the most prestigious national prizes for classical musicians in the US.
Masayuki Ino (Japanese: 井野 将之, Hepburn: Ino Masayuki; born 1979) is a Japanese fashion designer and businessman. He…Masayuki Ino (Japanese: 井野 将之, Hepburn: Ino Masayuki; born 1979) is a Japanese fashion designer and businessman. He founded the streetwear label Doublet in 2012 with patternmaker Takashi Murakami, and in 2018 became the first Asian designer to win the LVMH Prize.
Mutsumi Kawato (川人 睦, Kawato Mutsumi; 1979 – August 13, 2013), better known by his pen name Jun Sadogawa (佐渡川 準…Mutsumi Kawato (川人 睦, Kawato Mutsumi; 1979 – August 13, 2013), better known by his pen name Jun Sadogawa (佐渡川 準, Sadogawa Jun), was a Japanese manga artist from Tone, Ibaraki, Japan. His debut work Muteki Kanban Musume was published from 2002 to 2006. Sadogawa committed suicide by hanging on August 13, 2013, at age 34. He was serializing his manga Amane Atatameru at the time of his death.
Akinari Matsuno (松野 秋鳴, Matsuno Akinari; 1979 – 18 April 2011) was a Japanese light novel author best known for his…Akinari Matsuno (松野 秋鳴, Matsuno Akinari; 1979 – 18 April 2011) was a Japanese light novel author best known for his series MM!.
Fuhito Kojima (小島 武仁, Kojima Fuhito; born August 28, 1979) is a Japanese economist and a professor at the University of…Fuhito Kojima (小島 武仁, Kojima Fuhito; born August 28, 1979) is a Japanese economist and a professor at the University of Tokyo.
Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best…Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best jump is 16.65 metres, achieved in October 2003 in Hyderabad.
Miki Takai (Japanese: 高井 美紀, romanized: Takai Miki; 28 December 1967 – 25 January 2023) was an announcer who belonged…Miki Takai (Japanese: 高井 美紀, romanized: Takai Miki; 28 December 1967 – 25 January 2023) was an announcer who belonged to Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS), and was the former deputy announcer of the Mainichi Broadcasting System. She died suddenly during her tenure as "chief announcer". She is survived by one daughter .
Fumitoshi Ishino (石野 文敏, Ishino Fumitoshi; born 26 December 1967), better known by his stage name Takkyu Ishino (石野 卓球…Fumitoshi Ishino (石野 文敏, Ishino Fumitoshi; born 26 December 1967), better known by his stage name Takkyu Ishino (石野 卓球, Ishino Takkyū), is a Japanese musician, DJ, record producer, and singer from Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. He is a member of Denki Groove.
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music…Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music, singer, and video game voice actor. He has composed music for various games produced by Sega, including Virtua Fighter 2 and Shenmue. He first gained major recognition after the release of Daytona USA, for which he wrote music and personally sang vocals. He also recorded live orchestras for the arcade games Derby Owners Club, World Club Champion Football, and Star Horse. Aside from original compositions, he also arranges, provides vocals, and is a performer for various projects, including S.S.T from 1988 to 1993, and [H.] from 2004 onwards. He is well-known for voicing the character Kage-Maru in the Virtua Fighter franchise. His younger brother, Kenji Mitsuyoshi (光吉 賢司, Mitsuyoshi Kenji), is a manga artist and member of the artist-writer duo Ark Performance along with Kōichi Ishikawa.
Yusuke Kawada (河田 雄祐, Kawada Yusuke; born December 22, 1967 in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan) is a former Japanese Nippon…Yusuke Kawada (河田 雄祐, Kawada Yusuke; born December 22, 1967 in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player.
Sayori Saito (斉藤 さより, Saitō Sayori; December 21, 1967 – December 15, 2016) was a Japanese professional wrestler, who…Sayori Saito (斉藤 さより, Saitō Sayori; December 21, 1967 – December 15, 2016) was a Japanese professional wrestler, who performed under the ring name Harley Saito (ハーレー斉藤, Hārē Saitō). She spent much of her career for Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling.
Toshinobu Kawai (河合 季信, Kawai Toshinobu; born 19 December 1967 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese short-track speed…Toshinobu Kawai (河合 季信, Kawai Toshinobu; born 19 December 1967 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese short-track speed skater, who won a bronze medal in the 5000 m relay at the 1992 Winter Olympics together with teammates Yuichi Akasaka, Tatsuyoshi Ishihara and Tsutomu Kawasaki. Before 1992, he won two gold medals in the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, 1985 and 1987. He is currently working at the University of Tsukuba.
Yasumichi Morita (森田 恭通, Morota Yasumichi; born 19 December 1967) is an interior designer from Ibaraki, Osaka. He…Yasumichi Morita (森田 恭通, Morota Yasumichi; born 19 December 1967) is an interior designer from Ibaraki, Osaka. He undertakes projects in many countries including Japan, New York and Hong Kong.