Hirohiko Nakamura (中村 博彦, Nakamura Hirohiko; January 29, 1943 – July 31, 2013) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hirohiko Nakamura (中村 博彦, Nakamura Hirohiko; January 29, 1943 – July 31, 2013) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yoshinogawa, Tokushima and graduate of University of Tokushima, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 and re-elected for a second term in 2010, both times running on the Liberal Democratic proportional list. He was parliamentary secretary for Internal Affairs and Communications during the realigned Fukuda and Asō cabinets from 2008 to 2009.
Kazue Asai (浅井 和枝; January 25, 1943 – September 6, 1992), known by her pen name Agata Hikari (干刈 あがた), was a Japanese…Kazue Asai (浅井 和枝; January 25, 1943 – September 6, 1992), known by her pen name Agata Hikari (干刈 あがた), was a Japanese novelist and translator. She won several awards throughout her career, but was best known for her Noma Literary Prize-winning novel Shizuka ni watasu kogane no yubiwa (しずかにわたすこがねのゆびわ).
Ben Hiura (樋浦勉, Hiura Ben; born Tsutomu Hiura (樋浦勉, Hiura Tsutomu), January 25, 1943) is a Japanese actor and voice…Ben Hiura (樋浦勉, Hiura Ben; born Tsutomu Hiura (樋浦勉, Hiura Tsutomu), January 25, 1943) is a Japanese actor and voice actor affiliated with the Seinenza Theater Company. Hiura is known for dubbing over Bruce Willis, Richard Dreyfuss, John Malkovich, Joe Pesci, and many more.
Koji Kinutani (Japanese: 絹谷 幸二, January 24, 1943 – August 1, 2025) was a Japanese Yōga painter. He was a recipient of…Koji Kinutani (Japanese: 絹谷 幸二, January 24, 1943 – August 1, 2025) was a Japanese Yōga painter. He was a recipient of the Order of Culture and a member of the Japan Art Academy. He served as a professor at Osaka University of Arts and as an emeritus professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. He was also recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit. Kinutani had previously held positions such as professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and director of the Japan Artists Association.
Takashi Hirose (広瀬 隆, Hirose Takashi; born 24 January 1943) is a Japanese writer. His father was Saburō Hirose, an…Takashi Hirose (広瀬 隆, Hirose Takashi; born 24 January 1943) is a Japanese writer. His father was Saburō Hirose, an architect.
Kenzo Yokoyama (横山 謙三, Yokoyama Kenzō; born January 21, 1943) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Kenzo Yokoyama (横山 謙三, Yokoyama Kenzō; born January 21, 1943) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for, and then managed, the Japan national team.
Shiro Miya (宮 史郎, Miya Shirō; 17 January 1943 – 19 November 2012) was a Japanese enka singer, lyricist and composer.…Shiro Miya (宮 史郎, Miya Shirō; 17 January 1943 – 19 November 2012) was a Japanese enka singer, lyricist and composer. His band Shiro Miya and the Pinkara Trio's 1972 song "Onna no Michi", became the second best-selling single in Japanese Oricon charts history, selling over 3.25 million copies.
Kirin Kiki (Japanese: 樹木 希林, Hepburn: Kiki Kirin; 15 January 1943 – 15 September 2018) was a Japanese actress for…Kirin Kiki (Japanese: 樹木 希林, Hepburn: Kiki Kirin; 15 January 1943 – 15 September 2018) was a Japanese actress for Japanese cinema and television.
Yuko Fujimoto (藤本 佑子, Fujimoto Yūko; born January 14, 1943) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She…Yuko Fujimoto (藤本 佑子, Fujimoto Yūko; born January 14, 1943) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a member of the Japanese winning team, Oriental Witches, at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Yojiro Uetake (上武 洋次郎, Uetake Yōjirō; born January 12, 1943) is a Japanese wrestler and two-time Olympic champion in…Yojiro Uetake (上武 洋次郎, Uetake Yōjirō; born January 12, 1943) is a Japanese wrestler and two-time Olympic champion in freestyle wrestling. He went undefeated for the entirety of his college career, winning three consecutive NCAA Championships. Uetake was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma as a Distinguished Member in 1980. In 2005, he was inducted into the FILA Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Akira Ejiri (江尻 亮, Ejiri Akira; born January 10, 1943) is a former professional baseball player from Japan. Ejiri…Akira Ejiri (江尻 亮, Ejiri Akira; born January 10, 1943) is a former professional baseball player from Japan. Ejiri played baseball for the Taiyo Whales. He eventually served as a manager for the Chiba Lotte Marines
Juichi Yoshikawa (吉川 壽一, Yoshikawa Jūichi; born 1943 in Fukui) is a Japanese calligraphist, or sho artist, who studied…Juichi Yoshikawa (吉川 壽一, Yoshikawa Jūichi; born 1943 in Fukui) is a Japanese calligraphist, or sho artist, who studied calligraphy formally under Inamura Undo, and later with Ueda Sokiu. Yoshikawa's avant garde trademark "three and a half dimensions" style applies observation as the additional dimension. To an untrained observer, this approach might be characterized as artistic flamboyance known by the use of giant brushes and stadium-sized canvases - or, as in the large 1990 Beijing installation, by almost completely covering the 5,000 square metres of Tiananmen Square. Yoshikawa's work has been presented throughout Japan, China, and the Middle East, and he is the author of a 1993 French publication on his form, Sho. He has collaborated several times with the lyricist, Chris Mosdell, illustrating what are essentially poetic works with experimental calligraphy. The first collection, Shake the Whole World To Its Foundations (2001 Shichosha Publishing), is an epic rhythmical chant densely type-set on the page with delicate and often simple brush-stroke accompaniments. The second publication, The Erotic Odes: A Pillow Book, couples verse by Mosdell with digitally stylized erotic shunga woodcut prints from the Edo Era overlaid with sensual calligraphy and ink-seepage creations by Yoshikawa. A full-color edition, originally published by Libroport in 1997, was fully color-enhanced and re-printed in 2008 by Seigensha Publishing.
Akiko Nagashima (長嶋亜希子, Akiko Nagashima; née Nishimura; January 5, 1943 – September 18, 2007) was a Japanese…Akiko Nagashima (長嶋亜希子, Akiko Nagashima; née Nishimura; January 5, 1943 – September 18, 2007) was a Japanese businesswoman and the wife of former Yomiuri Giants star Shigeo Nagashima. She served as the representative director of Nagashima's personal office, Office N Co., Ltd.
Tadashi Sawamura (沢村 忠, Sawamura Tadashi; January 5, 1943 – March 26, 2021) was a Japanese kickboxer whose real name…Tadashi Sawamura (沢村 忠, Sawamura Tadashi; January 5, 1943 – March 26, 2021) was a Japanese kickboxer whose real name was Hideki Shiraha (白羽 秀樹, Shiraha Hideki). He is often credited with sparking the "Shōwa era kickboxing boom", being one of the era's most popular Japanese fighters, and enjoying great fame throughout his career.
Shigeo Fukushima (福島 滋雄, Fukushima Shigeo; 2 January 1943 – 1 June 1998) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the…Shigeo Fukushima (福島 滋雄, Fukushima Shigeo; 2 January 1943 – 1 June 1998) was a Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Kensei Hasegawa (長谷川 憲正, Hasegawa Kensei; born January 1, 1943) is a Japanese politician of the People's New Party, a…Kensei Hasegawa (長谷川 憲正, Hasegawa Kensei; born January 1, 1943) is a Japanese politician of the People's New Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kumagaya, Saitama and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications from 1967 to 2003. He was elected for the first time in 2004.
Hideo Iijima (飯島 秀雄, Iijima Hideo; born January 1, 1944) is a retired Japanese sprint runner and professional baseball…Hideo Iijima (飯島 秀雄, Iijima Hideo; born January 1, 1944) is a retired Japanese sprint runner and professional baseball player. He competed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics in the 100 m and 4 × 100 m relay events, but was eliminated in semifinals on all occasions. At the 1968 Games he ran his personal best in all competitions (10.24–10.34 seconds depending on the wind). After the 1968 Olympics Iijima became a professional baseball player. He retired in 1971 and for one year worked as a baseball coach.
Kiyohiko Ozaki (尾崎紀世彦, Ozaki Kiyohiko; 1 January 1943 – 30 May 2012) (nickname Kieyo) was a Japanese singer and actor.…Kiyohiko Ozaki (尾崎紀世彦, Ozaki Kiyohiko; 1 January 1943 – 30 May 2012) (nickname Kieyo) was a Japanese singer and actor. Known for his booming singing voice and trademark sideburns, he was sometimes referred to as the Japanese Tom Jones. Ozaki was born in Tokyo and grew up in neighbouring Kanagawa prefecture. He started performing in bands at the age of 13, before making his solo debut in 1970. His greatest hit was his 1971 single "Mata au hi made" (Until the Day We Meet Again). He died of liver cancer on 30 May 2012 after a long hospitalisation.
Hideki Imai (今井 秀樹, Imai Hideki; born May 31, 1943, in Shimane Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese information theorist…Hideki Imai (今井 秀樹, Imai Hideki; born May 31, 1943, in Shimane Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese information theorist and cryptographer. His research has included information theory, coding theory, cryptography, and information security. In 1977, together with S. Hirakawa, he proposed a coded multilevel signal modulation scheme using several classes of binary error-correcting codes, whose symbols are combined to set up the transmission signal. This scheme is known as the Imai–Hirakawa code. Imai received B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tokyo in 1966, 1968, and 1971, respectively. From 1971 to 1992 he was on the faculty of Yokohama National University, and from 1992 to 2006 he was a professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo. In 2006 he was appointed emeritus professor of the University of Tokyo and professor at Chuo University. He also served as director of the Research Center for Information Security at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. He became an IEEE Fellow in 1992 for contributions to the theory of coded modulation and two-dimensional codes, and an IACR Fellow in 2007.
Professor Akiko Kobayashi (小林 昭子, Kobayashi Akiko; born 1943) is a Japanese chemist born in Tokyo. She is the designer…Professor Akiko Kobayashi (小林 昭子, Kobayashi Akiko; born 1943) is a Japanese chemist born in Tokyo. She is the designer and creator of Ni(tmdt)2, the world's first single-component molecular metal.
Muhammad Nurul Islam (born c. 1943) is a Bangladeshi diplomat from Chittagong. He currently serves as the Honorary…Muhammad Nurul Islam (born c. 1943) is a Bangladeshi diplomat from Chittagong. He currently serves as the Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Chittagong, Bangladesh. He is one of the Consuls-General among 102 foreign representatives in Bangladesh, and one of 15 foreign representatives in Chittagong. On November 3, 2012, the Government of Japan honored him as 2012 Fall Imperial Decorations on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Japan, where he received "the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon". Nurul Islam is the fifth Bangladeshi who received the honor.
Sōiku Shigematsu (重松 宗育, Shigematsu Sōiku; born October 13, 1943) is a Japanese priest of Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai…Sōiku Shigematsu (重松 宗育, Shigematsu Sōiku; born October 13, 1943) is a Japanese priest of Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism, abbot of Shōgen-ji Temple in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, author and translator of books and essays on Zen that were instrumental in spreading interest in Zen literary tradition to the West in the latter half of the 20th century. Shigematsu taught English literature at Shizuoka University also visiting the United States on several occasions, most notably in 1985-6 as a Fulbright scholar. He won the Jerome J. Shestack Poetry Prize from The American Poetry Review in 1987.
Masako Wada (和田 征子, Wada Masako; born 1943) is a Japanese hibakusha as a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of…Masako Wada (和田 征子, Wada Masako; born 1943) is a Japanese hibakusha as a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki, who is assistant secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations). As one of the youngest remaining hibakusha, Wada believes it is necessary to preserve the learned experiences of her fellow survivors, so that their unique perspectives are not lost to time. She has spent decades advocating for nuclear disarmament and spreading public awareness of the horrors of nuclear war. Wada's central beliefs are that humanity has a moral responsibility to cease the production and usage of nuclear weapons, and that international governments must provide reparations for victims. She believes that any alternatives to total disarmament are ineffective because they fail to approach the subject from an ethical standpoint. For instance, she has claimed that deterrence theory is not sufficient justification for preserving nuclear weapons because it relies on the morally unacceptable threat of mutual destruction.
Kazumi Tabata (田畑 和美, Tabata Kazumi) was an 8th degree Grand Master in Shotokan karate. Born in Japan in 1943, Master…Kazumi Tabata (田畑 和美, Tabata Kazumi) was an 8th degree Grand Master in Shotokan karate. Born in Japan in 1943, Master Tabata started karate at age 13 and received the rank of nidan in Shorinji-ryu Renshinkan as a freshman in high school. Master Tabata went to Waseda University and started studying Shotokan style karate under Master Isao Obata, one of Master Gichin Funakoshi's first students and first chairman of the Japan Karate Association. He founded the North American Karate-Do Federation (NAKF) and the New England Collegiate Karate Conference (NECKC), and lived in Massachusetts in the United States where he taught regularly until his death in 2020.
Takao Nohira (野平 孝雄, Nohira Takao) is a former international table tennis player from Japan. He won a silver medal at…Takao Nohira (野平 孝雄, Nohira Takao) is a former international table tennis player from Japan. He won a silver medal at the 1965 World Table Tennis Championships in the Swaythling Cup (men's team event) with Koji Kimura, Ken Konaka, Ichiro Ogimura and Hiroshi Takahashi.
Seiichi Tanaka (田中 誠一, Tanaka Seiichi) is the first Japan-trained teacher of kumidaiko, or taiko, in the United States…Seiichi Tanaka (田中 誠一, Tanaka Seiichi) is the first Japan-trained teacher of kumidaiko, or taiko, in the United States and is largely regarded as the father of the art form in North America.
Sakata Tōjūrō IV (四代目坂田藤十郎, Yondaime Sakata Tōjūrō; born Hirotarō Hayashi (林 宏太郎, Hayashi Hirotarō), 31 December 1931 –…Sakata Tōjūrō IV (四代目坂田藤十郎, Yondaime Sakata Tōjūrō; born Hirotarō Hayashi (林 宏太郎, Hayashi Hirotarō), 31 December 1931 – 12 November 2020) was a Japanese kabuki actor in the Kamigata style and was officially designated a Living National Treasure. Unlike most kabuki actors, he performed both male and female roles, and was renowned as both a skilled wagotoshi (actor of male roles in the wagoto tradition) and onnagata (actor of female roles). He was the fourth in the line of Sakata Tōjūrō, having revived the name after a lapse of over 230 years.
Yi Ku (Korean: 이구; December 29, 1931 – July 16, 2005) was a Korean prince who was head of the House of Yi from 1970…Yi Ku (Korean: 이구; December 29, 1931 – July 16, 2005) was a Korean prince who was head of the House of Yi from 1970 until 2005. He was a grandson of Emperor Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. Through Kuni Asahiko his maternal great-grandfather, Ku was a second-cousin to Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan.
Tatsuya Takahashi (高橋 達也, Takahashi Tatsuya; December 24, 1931 in Tsuruoka, Yamagata – February 29, 2008 in Tokyo) was…Tatsuya Takahashi (高橋 達也, Takahashi Tatsuya; December 24, 1931 in Tsuruoka, Yamagata – February 29, 2008 in Tokyo) was a Japanese jazz saxophonist. Takahashi played on US military bases in the early 1950s, and later in the decade moved to Tokyo. He worked with Keiichiro Ebihara from 1961, and by 1966 was leading his own ensemble, Tokyo Union, which remained active until 1989. In the 1970s he played at the Monterey and Montreux Jazz Festivals. After leaving Tokyo Union, Takahashi worked in jazz education, and in 1996 founded a new ensemble, Jazz Groovys.
Shinkichi Takemura (21 December 1931 – 9 December 1999) was a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1956 Winter…Shinkichi Takemura (21 December 1931 – 9 December 1999) was a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1956 Winter Olympics and the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Yoon Ki Joong (Korean: 윤기중; 19 December 1931 – 15 August 2023) was a South Korean economist. He was the father of…Yoon Ki Joong (Korean: 윤기중; 19 December 1931 – 15 August 2023) was a South Korean economist. He was the father of former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Shuntarō Tanikawa (谷川 俊太郎, Tanikawa Shuntarō; December 15, 1931 – November 13, 2024) was a Japanese poet, translator…Shuntarō Tanikawa (谷川 俊太郎, Tanikawa Shuntarō; December 15, 1931 – November 13, 2024) was a Japanese poet, translator, children's author, and screenwriter. He was considered to be one of the most widely read and highly regarded Japanese poets, both in Japan and abroad. The English translation of his poetry volume Floating the River in Melancholy, translated by William I. Elliott and Kazuo Kawamura and illustrated by Yōko Sano, won the American Book Award in 1989.
Fujiko Yamamoto (山本富士子, Yamamoto Fujiko) (born 11 December 1931) is a Japanese stage, film and television actress. She…Fujiko Yamamoto (山本富士子, Yamamoto Fujiko) (born 11 December 1931) is a Japanese stage, film and television actress. She was the winner of the first Miss Nippon Grand Prix in 1950, and appeared in over 100 films between 1953 and 1963, including works by directors Yasujirō Ozu, Kon Ichikawa, Shirō Toyoda and Kōzaburō Yoshimura.
Naoki Sugiura (杉浦直樹, Sugiura Naoki) (8 December 1931 – 21 September 2011) was a Japanese actor. He began his career on…Naoki Sugiura (杉浦直樹, Sugiura Naoki) (8 December 1931 – 21 September 2011) was a Japanese actor. He began his career on stage, beginning his film career in 1957.
Hisato Aikura (相倉久人, 8 December 1931 in Tokyo – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese music critic and jazz presenter. He was…Hisato Aikura (相倉久人, 8 December 1931 in Tokyo – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese music critic and jazz presenter. He was known for critique of musicians such as John Coltrane.
Masami Kubota (久保田正躬, Kubota Msami; born 6 December 1931) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer…Masami Kubota (久保田正躬, Kubota Msami; born 6 December 1931) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Kyōko Kagawa (香川 京子, Kagawa Kyōko; born 5 December 1931) is a Japanese actress. During her career spanning 70 years…Kyōko Kagawa (香川 京子, Kagawa Kyōko; born 5 December 1931) is a Japanese actress. During her career spanning 70 years, she has worked with directors like Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu and Mikio Naruse, appearing in films such as Tokyo Story, Sansho the Bailiff, The Bad Sleep Well, Mothra, and High and Low.
Ingrid Fujiko (also Fuzjko) von Georgii-Hemming (a.k.a. Fujiko Hemming) (イングリット・フジコ・ヘミング; Japanese name: Ohtsuki Fujiko…Ingrid Fujiko (also Fuzjko) von Georgii-Hemming (a.k.a. Fujiko Hemming) (イングリット・フジコ・ヘミング; Japanese name: Ohtsuki Fujiko (大月フジコ)) (5 December 1932 – 21 April 2024) was a classical pianist.
Keiko Kuroda (黒田 恵子, Kuroda Keiko; December 3, 1932 – October 23, 2024), known by her pen name Keiko Sena (せな けいこ, Sena…Keiko Kuroda (黒田 恵子, Kuroda Keiko; December 3, 1932 – October 23, 2024), known by her pen name Keiko Sena (せな けいこ, Sena Keiko), was a Japanese illustrator, children's book writer, and kamishibai artist. She wrote approximately 100 books, largely published by Poplar and Fukuinkan Shoten. Born in interwar Tokyo, Sena graduated from the all-girls Ochanomizu University Senior High School and went on to study painting under Takeo Takei, one of Japan's most prominent children's illustrators of the 20th century. She was known for her distinctive use of collage to illustrate her work. A "master storyteller", her books have been described to reveal "a deep understanding of children" and feature "charming simplicity with the satisfying bite of fairy tale grim."
Andrew Takahisa Tsubaki (November 29, 1931 - December 16, 2009) was a Japanese theatre scholar who contributed to the…Andrew Takahisa Tsubaki (November 29, 1931 - December 16, 2009) was a Japanese theatre scholar who contributed to the presence and practice of Japanese theatre styles in the Western world. Tsubaki received extensive education in writing, teaching, and theatrical practices prior to his long-term career at the University of Kansas, a three-decade residency that spanned the years 1968-2000. Tsubaki was most well-known for his pedagogy of Noh, Kyōgen, and Kabuki theatre and scholarly publications and reviews. In 2006, he was awarded the honor of joining the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor…Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, the Hanzo the Razor series, and the Zatoichi series.
Shizuo Satō (Japanese: 佐藤静雄 Satō Shizuo; 4 November 1931 – 16 January 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Shizuo Satō (Japanese: 佐藤静雄 Satō Shizuo; 4 November 1931 – 16 January 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1992 to 1998. He died from a myocardial infarction on 16 January 2022, at the age of 90.
Ikkō Narahara (奈良原 一高, Narahara Ikkō; November 3, 1931 – January 19, 2020) was a Japanese photographer. His work is…Ikkō Narahara (奈良原 一高, Narahara Ikkō; November 3, 1931 – January 19, 2020) was a Japanese photographer. His work is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Shunsuke Kikuchi (菊池 俊輔, Kikuchi Shunsuke; November 1, 1931 – April 24, 2021) was a Japanese composer who was active…Shunsuke Kikuchi (菊池 俊輔, Kikuchi Shunsuke; November 1, 1931 – April 24, 2021) was a Japanese composer who was active from the early 1960s until 2017. He specialized in incidental music for media such as television and film. Kikuchi was regarded as one of Japan's most highly demanded film and TV composers, working principally on tokusatsu and anime, popular action films, jidaigeki, and television dramas.
Chōsuke Ikariya (いかりや長介, Ikariya Chōsuke; November 1, 1931 – March 20, 2004) was a Japanese comedian and film actor…Chōsuke Ikariya (いかりや長介, Ikariya Chōsuke; November 1, 1931 – March 20, 2004) was a Japanese comedian and film actor, and leader of the comedy group The Drifters. His nickname was "Chō-san" (長さん).