Oniroku Dan (団 鬼六, Dan Oniroku; 16 April 1931 – 6 May 2011) was a Japanese author who has been called, "the most…Oniroku Dan (団 鬼六, Dan Oniroku; 16 April 1931 – 6 May 2011) was a Japanese author who has been called, "the most celebrated writer of popular SM novels in Japan." Many of his stories have been filmed, most notably by Nikkatsu studio in their Roman Porno series. Dan had a close professional association with actress Naomi Tani throughout her career. He died on May 6, 2011.
Koichi Sugiyama (すぎやま こういち, Sugiyama Kōichi; April 11, 1931 – September 30, 2021) was a Japanese composer, conductor…Koichi Sugiyama (すぎやま こういち, Sugiyama Kōichi; April 11, 1931 – September 30, 2021) was a Japanese composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was best known for composing for the Dragon Quest franchise, along with several other video games, anime, film, television shows, and pop songs. Classically trained, Sugiyama was considered a major inspiration for other Japanese game music composers and was active from the 1960s until his death in 2021. Sugiyama was also a council member of the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers, and Publishers (JASRAC), board member of the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, and honorary chairman of the Japanese Backgammon Society. Prior to his death, the Japanese government honored him with Order of the Rising Sun and named him a Person of Cultural Merit. Sugiyama was also active in politics and activism, promoting ideas such as Japanese nationalism while denying Japanese war crimes.
Heisuke Hironaka (広中 平祐, Hironaka Heisuke; April 9, 1931 – March 18, 2026) was a Japanese mathematician who was awarded…Heisuke Hironaka (広中 平祐, Hironaka Heisuke; April 9, 1931 – March 18, 2026) was a Japanese mathematician who was awarded the Fields Medal in 1970 for his contributions to algebraic geometry.
Shigeki Tanaka (田中 茂樹, Tanaka Shigeki; 1931 – October 4, 2022) was a Japanese long-distance runner who won the 1951…Shigeki Tanaka (田中 茂樹, Tanaka Shigeki; 1931 – October 4, 2022) was a Japanese long-distance runner who won the 1951 Boston Marathon.
Yoshitaka Uchikawa (内川 義高, Uchikawa Yoshitaka; born 4 April 1931) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…Yoshitaka Uchikawa (内川 義高, Uchikawa Yoshitaka; born 4 April 1931) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Toshihito Ishimaru (石丸 利人, Ishimaru Toshihito; 4 April 1931 – 11 March 2000) was a Japanese boxer. He competed at the…Toshihito Ishimaru (石丸 利人, Ishimaru Toshihito; 4 April 1931 – 11 March 2000) was a Japanese boxer. He competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics and the 1956 Summer Olympics. At the 1952 Summer Olympics, he lost to Pedro Galasso of Brazil. Ishimaru died on 11 March 2000, at the age of 68.
Reizo Fukuhara (福原 黎三, Fukuhara Reizō; April 2, 1931 – February 27, 1970) was a Japanese football player. He made two…Reizo Fukuhara (福原 黎三, Fukuhara Reizō; April 2, 1931 – February 27, 1970) was a Japanese football player. He made two appearances for the Japan national team. On February 27, 1970, Fukuhara died of stomach cancer at the age of 38.
Sengaku Mayeda (Japanese: 前田專學, romanized: Maeda Sengaku; 1 April 1931 – 22 August 2026) was a Japanese writer…Sengaku Mayeda (Japanese: 前田專學, romanized: Maeda Sengaku; 1 April 1931 – 22 August 2026) was a Japanese writer, philosopher and teacher, known for his writings on Indian philosophy and Adi Shankara. He was honoured by the Government of India, in 2014, by bestowing on him the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his services to the fields of literature and education. He is the fourth Japanese to be honoured with Padma Shri, after Taro Nakayama, Shoji Shiba and Prof. Noboru Karashima. He is also a recipient of the Third Order of Merit with the Middle Cordon of the Rising Sun of the Government of Japan, which he received in 2002.
Yoshimitsu Banno (坂野 義光, Banno Yoshimitsu; March 30, 1931 – May 7, 2017) was a Japanese film director, best known for…Yoshimitsu Banno (坂野 義光, Banno Yoshimitsu; March 30, 1931 – May 7, 2017) was a Japanese film director, best known for the cult-classic Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971), which he directed and co-wrote. Banno was a special guest at G-Fest XII in 2005. He was an executive producer on Legendary Pictures' Godzilla (2014), and has received posthumous executive producer credit for subsequent projects in the MonsterVerse. He died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage on May 7, 2017, at his home in Kawasaki at the age of 86. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) was dedicated to his memory along with Haruo Nakajima's.
Akira Mitsutake (Japanese: 光武顕 Mitsutake Akira; 27 March 1931 – 19 December 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member…Akira Mitsutake (Japanese: 光武顕 Mitsutake Akira; 27 March 1931 – 19 December 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1993. Mitsutake died in Tokyo on 19 December 2025 at the age of 94.
Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress…Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress, feminist, novelist, lesbian icon, former night club owner, metropolitan city planning panelist, and music educator.
Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the pink film genre. Along with directors Genji Nakamura and Banmei Takahashi, Watanabe was known as one of the "Three Pillars of Pink".
Asao Koike (小池朝雄, Koike Asao; 18 March 1931 – 23 March 1985) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing yakuza…Asao Koike (小池朝雄, Koike Asao; 18 March 1931 – 23 March 1985) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing yakuza roles. He is also known as voice actor. In 1950, he joined the Bungakuza Theatre Company. In 1963, he left the Bungakuza Theatre Company and established the Kumo Theatre Company. He appeared in more than 120 films.
Yasuo Tanaka (田中 靖郎, Tanaka Yasuo; 18 March 1931 – 18 January 2018) was a Japanese astrophysicist and a member of the…Yasuo Tanaka (田中 靖郎, Tanaka Yasuo; 18 March 1931 – 18 January 2018) was a Japanese astrophysicist and a member of the Japan Academy. He was professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) (part of JAXA) in Kanagawa, Japan and guest scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany. He was a pioneer in X-ray astronomy, leading the development and operation of the Ginga, Tenma, and ASCA satellites. He died on 18 January 2018.
Keiichiro Takahara (高原慶一朗, Takahara Keiichiro; March 16, 1931 – October 3, 2018) was a Japanese billionaire…Keiichiro Takahara (高原慶一朗, Takahara Keiichiro; March 16, 1931 – October 3, 2018) was a Japanese billionaire businessman, the chairman and founder of Unicharm.
Masahiro Shinoda (篠田 正浩, Shinoda Masahiro; March 9, 1931 – March 25, 2025) was a Japanese film director, whose career…Masahiro Shinoda (篠田 正浩, Shinoda Masahiro; March 9, 1931 – March 25, 2025) was a Japanese film director, whose career spanned over four decades and covered a wide range of genres and styles. He was one of the central figures of the Japanese New Wave during the 1960s and 1970s. He directed films for Shochiku Studio from 1960 to 1965, before turning to independent cinema from 1966 onward. His film style was characterized by socially marginalized characters, many of whom turn to crime or suicide, and meticulous attention to pictorial beauty. He drew on traditional Japanese fiction and theater and some of his films bear the influence of Kenji Mizoguchi, whom he admired.
Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko…Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko Naishinnō), is the fourth daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. As such, she is the older sister of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and paternal aunt of Emperor Naruhito. She married Takamasa Ikeda, a man from outside the imperial dynasty, on 10 October 1952; as a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law. Later, she served as the supreme priestess (saishu) of the Ise Grand Shrine between 1988 and 2017.
Shigeru Amachi (天知 茂, Amachi Shigeru; 4 March 1931 – 27 July 1985) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120…Shigeru Amachi (天知 茂, Amachi Shigeru; 4 March 1931 – 27 July 1985) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120 films from 1953 to 1984.
Yū Fujiki (藤木 悠, Fujiki Yū; 2 March 1931 – 19 December 2005), born Yūzō Suzuki (鈴木 悠蔵, Suzuki Yūzō), was a Japanese…Yū Fujiki (藤木 悠, Fujiki Yū; 2 March 1931 – 19 December 2005), born Yūzō Suzuki (鈴木 悠蔵, Suzuki Yūzō), was a Japanese film and television actor. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1954 to 2005.
Kazuko Shiraishi (白石 かずこ, Shiraishi Kazuko; 27 February 1931 – 14 June 2024) was a Japanese poet and translator who was…Kazuko Shiraishi (白石 かずこ, Shiraishi Kazuko; 27 February 1931 – 14 June 2024) was a Japanese poet and translator who was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was a modernist, outsider poet who got her start in Katsue Kitazono's "VOU" poetry group, which led Shiraishi to publish her first book of poems in 1951. She also read her poetry at jazz performances. She appeared at readings and literary festivals all over the world. Kenneth Rexroth called her "the Allen Ginsberg of Japan," and edited a volume of her poetry in English for New Directions Press. Shiraishi died on 14 June 2024, at the age of 93.
Yukiko Shimazaki (島崎 雪子, Shimazaki Yukiko; February 25, 1931 – 2014) was a Japanese actress and singer. She appeared in…Yukiko Shimazaki (島崎 雪子, Shimazaki Yukiko; February 25, 1931 – 2014) was a Japanese actress and singer. She appeared in more than twenty films from 1950 to 1964. She was married to film director Tatsumi Kumashiro from 1955 to 1967. She died in 2014.
Tadashi Ushijima (Japanese: 牛嶋正 Ushijima Tadashi; 25 February 1931 – 5 October 2024) was a Japanese economist and…Tadashi Ushijima (Japanese: 牛嶋正 Ushijima Tadashi; 25 February 1931 – 5 October 2024) was a Japanese economist and politician. A member of Komeito and the New Frontier Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1992 to 1998. Ushijima died in Ōbu on 5 October 2024, at the age of 93.
Takeshi Kusaka (日下 武史, Kusaka Takeshi; February 24, 1931 – May 15, 2017) was a Japanese actor and voice actor from…Takeshi Kusaka (日下 武史, Kusaka Takeshi; February 24, 1931 – May 15, 2017) was a Japanese actor and voice actor from Toshima, Tokyo. He was the founder of the Shiki Theatre Company. He remarried with actress Fujiko Kimura in 2010.
Hakuyū Taizan Maezumi (前角 博雄 Maezumi Hakuyū, February 24, 1931 – May 15, 1995) was a Japanese Sōtō Zen Buddhist priest…Hakuyū Taizan Maezumi (前角 博雄 Maezumi Hakuyū, February 24, 1931 – May 15, 1995) was a Japanese Sōtō Zen Buddhist priest who substantially contributed to development of Zen in the United States. In 1956 he was sent to the United States to serve as a priest for a Japanese-American congregation in Los Angeles. After taking English classes, Maezumi began holding zazen for Western students early in the 1960s, founding the Zen Center of Los Angeles in 1967. After studying koans with Hakuun Yasutani and lay-teacher Koryū Osaka, in his teachings and practice Maezumi combined Sōtō-style shikantaza with Harada Daiun Sogaku's kōan-curriculum, which uses both Rinzai and Soto kōan-collections. In 1979 Maezumi and his first dharma-heir Bernie Glassman informally conceived the White Plum Asanga, a "community of peers" of dharma-heirs of Maezumi and their successors, "represent[ing] the vision of Maezumi Roshi." Maezumi publicly admitted he was an alcoholic in 1983, coinciding with revelations that he had been having sexual relationships with some of his female students. Many students and several of his dharma heirs left the Zen Center of Los Angeles, founding their own Zen communities.
Kim Swoo Geun (Korean: 김수근; February 20, 1931 – June 14, 1986) was a prominent South Korean architect, educator…Kim Swoo Geun (Korean: 김수근; February 20, 1931 – June 14, 1986) was a prominent South Korean architect, educator, publisher and patron of artists. Along with architect Kim Chung-up (김중업), he is recognised as a significant contributor in the history of Korean architecture. With his support for diverse art genres of Korean culture, he was referred to as Lorenzo de Medici of Seoul by TIME in 1977.
Makoto Ōoka (大岡 信, Ōoka Makoto; February 16, 1931, in Mishima, Shizuoka – April 5, 2017) was a Japanese poet and…Makoto Ōoka (大岡 信, Ōoka Makoto; February 16, 1931, in Mishima, Shizuoka – April 5, 2017) was a Japanese poet and literary critic. He pioneered the collaborative poetic form renshi in the 1990s, in which he has collaborated with such well-known literary figures as Charles Tomlinson, James Lasdun, Joseph Stanton, Shuntarō Tanikawa and Mikirō Sasaki.
Ken Takakura (Japanese: 高倉 健, Hepburn: Takakura Ken), born Takeichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Takeichi; February 16, 1931 –…Ken Takakura (Japanese: 高倉 健, Hepburn: Takakura Ken), born Takeichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Takeichi; February 16, 1931 – November 10, 2014), was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in over 200 films. Affectionately referred to as "Ken-san" by audiences, he was best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brought to his roles. He won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role four times, tied with Koji Yakusho for the most ever. Takakura additionally received the Japanese Medal of Honor with purple ribbon in 1998, the Person of Cultural Merit award in 2006, and the Order of Culture in 2013.
Han Chang-woo (韓 昌祐, born February 15, 1931; read in Japanese as Han Chan'u or rarely Kan Shōyū) is a Korean-born…Han Chang-woo (韓 昌祐, born February 15, 1931; read in Japanese as Han Chan'u or rarely Kan Shōyū) is a Korean-born Japanese businessman who is the CEO of the pachinko management company Maruhan (マルハン).
Sakyo Komatsu (小松 左京, Komatsu Sakyō; January 28, 1931 – July 26, 2011) was a Japanese science fiction writer and…Sakyo Komatsu (小松 左京, Komatsu Sakyō; January 28, 1931 – July 26, 2011) was a Japanese science fiction writer and screenwriter. He was one of the most well known and highly regarded science fiction writers in Japan.
Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of…Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of one of the first general-purpose computers in Japan.
Yoshiko Kuga (久我 美子, Kuga Yoshiko; 21 January 1931 – 9 June 2024) was a Japanese actress. She starred in The Woman in…Yoshiko Kuga (久我 美子, Kuga Yoshiko; 21 January 1931 – 9 June 2024) was a Japanese actress. She starred in The Woman in the Rumor (1954), Equinox Flower (1958), and An Inlet of Muddy Water (1953). She won a Mainichi Film Award in 1954, and a Blue Ribbon Award in 1956. She was the wife of actor Akihiko Hirata.
Hachidai Nakamura (中村 八大, Nakamura Hachidai; January 20, 1931 – June 10, 1992) was a Japanese songwriter and jazz…Hachidai Nakamura (中村 八大, Nakamura Hachidai; January 20, 1931 – June 10, 1992) was a Japanese songwriter and jazz pianist.
Shigeaki Uchino (内野 重昭, Uchino Shigeaki; 20 January 1931 – 28 February 2017) was a Japanese modern pentathlete. He…Shigeaki Uchino (内野 重昭, Uchino Shigeaki; 20 January 1931 – 28 February 2017) was a Japanese modern pentathlete. He competed at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics.
Sawako Ariyoshi (有吉 佐和子 Ariyoshi Sawako, 20 January 1931 – 30 August 1984) was a Japanese writer, known for such works…Sawako Ariyoshi (有吉 佐和子 Ariyoshi Sawako, 20 January 1931 – 30 August 1984) was a Japanese writer, known for such works as The Doctor's Wife and The River Ki. She was known for her advocacy of social issues, such as the elderly in Japanese society, and environmental issues. Several of her novels describe the relationships between mothers and their daughters. She also had a fascination with traditional Japanese arts, such as kabuki and bunraku. She also described racial discrimination in the United States, something she experienced firsthand during her time at Sarah Lawrence, and the depopulation of remote Japanese islands during the 1970s economic boom.
Yasushi Akashi (明石 康 Akashi Yasushi, born January 19, 1931) is a Japanese senior diplomat and United Nations…Yasushi Akashi (明石 康 Akashi Yasushi, born January 19, 1931) is a Japanese senior diplomat and United Nations administrator.
Masaaki Hirano (平野 雅章, Hirano Masaaki; January 15, 1931 – November 22, 2008) was a Japanese food historian from the…Masaaki Hirano (平野 雅章, Hirano Masaaki; January 15, 1931 – November 22, 2008) was a Japanese food historian from the city of Futtsu, Chiba. He was a courtesy member of the Cultural Academic Society. He wrote under the pen name Masaaki.
Noriyuki Sekine (Japanese: 関根則之 Sekine Noriyuki; 13 January 1931 – 19 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Noriyuki Sekine (Japanese: 関根則之 Sekine Noriyuki; 13 January 1931 – 19 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1991 to 1998. Sekine died in Kawagoe, Saitama on 19 June 2022 at the age of 91.
Inahata Teiko (Japanese: 稲畑汀子; 8 January 1931 – 27 February 2022) was a Japanese haiku poet, essayist and literary…Inahata Teiko (Japanese: 稲畑汀子; 8 January 1931 – 27 February 2022) was a Japanese haiku poet, essayist and literary critic.
Kaoru Yachigusa (八千草 薫, Yachigusa Kaoru; 6 January 1931 – 24 October 2019) was a Japanese actress from Osaka…Kaoru Yachigusa (八千草 薫, Yachigusa Kaoru; 6 January 1931 – 24 October 2019) was a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture. From 1947 to 1957, she was a member of the Takarazuka Revue. After leaving the revue, she was active in film, television, and narration. In 1975, She famously quit part way through the filming of the television series Akai Giwaku, outraged at being forced to work at times dictated by idol Momoe Yamaguchi's schedule. Her husband, director Senkichi Taniguchi, died on October 29, 2007, in Tokyo, Japan. The couple had been married since 1957. Yachigusa died on October 24, 2019, at a Tokyo hospital from pancreatic cancer, aged 88.
Shinsaku Tsukawaki (塚脇伸作, Tsukawaki Shinsaku; 3 January 1931 – 15 September 1993) was a Japanese gymnast who competed…Shinsaku Tsukawaki (塚脇伸作, Tsukawaki Shinsaku; 3 January 1931 – 15 September 1993) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Rokusaburō Michiba (Japanese: 道場 六三郎, Hepburn: Michiba Rokusaburō; born 3 January 1931) is a Japanese chef, best known…Rokusaburō Michiba (Japanese: 道場 六三郎, Hepburn: Michiba Rokusaburō; born 3 January 1931) is a Japanese chef, best known as the inaugural Japanese Iron Chef on the television series Iron Chef. He was born in Yamanaka, Ishikawa. His tenure on the program lasted from its debut in 1993 until his retirement on his 65th birthday, January 3, 1996.
Toshiki Kaifu (海部 俊樹, Kaifu Toshiki; 2 January 1931 – 9 January 2022) was a Japanese politician who served as prime…Toshiki Kaifu (海部 俊樹, Kaifu Toshiki; 2 January 1931 – 9 January 2022) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1989 to 1991. Born in Nagoya, Kaifu graduated from Waseda University and was first elected to the Diet in 1960 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He served as education minister from 1976 to 1977 under Takeo Fukuda, and from 1985 to 1986 under Yasuhiro Nakasone. In 1989, Kaifu became prime minister after the resignations of the last two premiers, Noboru Takeshita and Sosuke Uno, amid various scandals; he was chosen in part because of his clean image. During his tenure, Kaifu worked to improve relations with China and made large financial contributions to the coalition in the Persian Gulf War. After his attempts at political reform were unsuccessful, Kaifu resigned as prime minister in 1991 and was replaced by Kiichi Miyazawa.
Yoshio Masui (増井 禎夫, Masui Yoshio; January 1, 1931 – April 18, 2024) was a Japanese-Canadian cell biologist. Masui…Yoshio Masui (増井 禎夫, Masui Yoshio; January 1, 1931 – April 18, 2024) was a Japanese-Canadian cell biologist. Masui retired in 1997 and held the position of Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto.
Hisashi Miura (Japanese: 三浦 久 Miura Hisashi; 1 January 1931 – 3 April 2024) was a Japanese lawyer and politician. A…Hisashi Miura (Japanese: 三浦 久 Miura Hisashi; 1 January 1931 – 3 April 2024) was a Japanese lawyer and politician. A member of the Japanese Communist Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1972 to 1976, 1979 to 1986, and 1990 to 1993. Miura died on 3 April 2024, at the age of 93.
Miyozo Yamazaki (山崎 三四造, Yamazaki Myōzō; born 1931) is an amateur archaeologist in Japan. He reenacted the Jōmon period…Miyozo Yamazaki (山崎 三四造, Yamazaki Myōzō; born 1931) is an amateur archaeologist in Japan. He reenacted the Jōmon period (the Stone Age in Japan) for 20 years. He is well known in Japan since the mass media introduced his Jōmon life. He is now compiling a memoir of his Jōmon life. He established a private museum of the Jōmon period at Tsu, Mie Prefecture.