Koji Okajima (岡島功治, Okajima Koji; born March 23, 1957) is a retired Japanese competitive pair skater and figure skating…Koji Okajima (岡島功治, Okajima Koji; born March 23, 1957) is a retired Japanese competitive pair skater and figure skating coach. With pair partner, Naoko Asano, he is the 1976–77 Japanese National bronze medalist and with pair partner, Mutsumi Takezaki, he is the 1978–79 Japanese National silver medalist.
Akira Asada (浅田 彰, Asada Akira; born March 23, 1957) is a Japanese postmodern critic and curator, whose interests…Akira Asada (浅田 彰, Asada Akira; born March 23, 1957) is a Japanese postmodern critic and curator, whose interests include contemporary arts, the history of social thought, and economic philosophy. He is currently the Dean of the Graduate School at the Kyoto University of Art and Design. Until March 2008, he served as an associate professor of economics at the Institute of Economic Research at Kyoto University (KIER). Asada is widely recognized as the author of the bestselling book, "構造と力─記号論を超えて (Structure and Power: Beyond Semiotics)", which was published in 1983. He holds a position as a member of the supervisory committee at NTT InterCommunication Center, and was a co-editor of the Japanese quarterly journal Hihyōkūkan (Critical Space) with Kojin Karatani until 2002. It has been noted that it was popular in late 1980s Japan to have words ending with "... phenomenon", an example being the use of the expression "Akira Asada phenomenon", which took the name of Asada as he was a central figure in the "new academism" that was a much-discussed topic at the time.
Masafumi Miyamoto (宮本 雅史, Miyamoto Masafumi, born 1957) is a Japanese investor and businessman who founded the video…Masafumi Miyamoto (宮本 雅史, Miyamoto Masafumi, born 1957) is a Japanese investor and businessman who founded the video game company Square. Miyamoto served as president of Square until 1991.
Kazuko Fujita (藤田 和子, Fujita Kazuko) (born 18 March 1957 in Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She made…Kazuko Fujita (藤田 和子, Fujita Kazuko) (born 18 March 1957 in Niigata, Japan) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She made her professional debut in 1977 in Bessatsu Shōjo Comic and she has written manga mainly for Flower Comics. She is best known for Makoto Call! about a girl who plays volleyball, for which she received the 1992 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo. In 2007, her Four Steps to Romance (ろまんす五段活用, Romance Godan Katsuyou) was dramatized on CTV in Taiwan as Romantic Princess. Other series by her include Silver and Gold. Silver is a manga adaptation of a book by Penny Jordan, bearing the same title. Gold is based on Ann Major's novel, Secret Child.
Yoshihiko Takahashi (高橋 慶彦, born March 13, 1957) is a Japanese former professional baseball shortstop in Nippon…Yoshihiko Takahashi (高橋 慶彦, born March 13, 1957) is a Japanese former professional baseball shortstop in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1976 to 1989, Lotte Orions in 1990 and the Hanshin Tigers from 1991 to 1992. He was the Japan Series MVP in 1979. He holds the NPB record for consecutive games with a hit at 33, between June and July 1979.
Yoshitaka Katori (鹿取 義隆, Katori Yoshitaka; born March 10, 1957 in Kami, Kōchi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Yoshitaka Katori (鹿取 義隆, Katori Yoshitaka; born March 10, 1957 in Kami, Kōchi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Mitsuko Horie (Japanese: 堀江 美都子, Hepburn: Horie Mitsuko; born March 8, 1957) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and…Mitsuko Horie (Japanese: 堀江 美都子, Hepburn: Horie Mitsuko; born March 8, 1957) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer from Yamato, Kanagawa. She is known as the "Queen of the Anison World" (アニソン界の女王, Anison-kai no Joō). Horie has voiced several characters throughout her career, such as Sailor Galaxia in Sailor Moon Sailor Stars and Remi in the Nippon Animation World Masterpiece Theater series Remi, Nobody's Girl. She is also part of the judging panel at the Animax Anison Grand Prix, with fellow singers Ichirou Mizuki, and Yumi Matsuzawa. As a voice actress, she is contracted to Aoni Production.
Yoshiyuki Matsuoka (松岡義之, Matsuoka Yoshiyuki; born on 6 March 1957, in Hyogo, Japan) is a retired judoka from Japan…Yoshiyuki Matsuoka (松岡義之, Matsuoka Yoshiyuki; born on 6 March 1957, in Hyogo, Japan) is a retired judoka from Japan, who represented Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Matsuoka won the gold medal in the men's half-lightweight division (–65 kg), after having defeated South Korea's Hwang Jung-Oh in the final by Seoi Nage. He trained under 4 time world champion Shozo Fujii (1971–1979). As of 2007, Matsuoka coaches the Komatsu Limited judo club. Among his students are world champions & olympic medalists Ayumi Tanimoto, Miku Tashiro, and Tsukasa Yoshida.
Masayoshi Hamada (浜田 昌良, Hamada Masayoshi; born February 28, 1957 in Osaka) is a Japanese politician. He is a former…Masayoshi Hamada (浜田 昌良, Hamada Masayoshi; born February 28, 1957 in Osaka) is a Japanese politician. He is a former representative in Diet and is a member of the New Komeito Party. In 1980 he left Kyoto University's graduate school mid-term to work in the Biochemical-Industry Division of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). He retired from METI in 2003 and in 2004 was elected to the Diet's Upper House. In 2006, he became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Parliamentary Secretary in the Shinzō Abe cabinet. He earned his undergraduate degree from Kyoto University in 1979.
Fumiko Takeshita (Japanese:竹下文子; February 18, 1957 – March 10, 2026) was a Japanese children's literature writer and…Fumiko Takeshita (Japanese:竹下文子; February 18, 1957 – March 10, 2026) was a Japanese children's literature writer and picture book author.
Yuji Fujimoto (藤本 祐司, Fujimoto Yūji; born February 16, 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…Yuji Fujimoto (藤本 祐司, Fujimoto Yūji; born February 16, 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, he graduated from Waseda University and received his master's degree from Michigan State University. In 2004, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Tsuyoshi Yanagidate (柳舘 毅, Yanagidate Tsuyoshi; born 15 February 1957) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the…Tsuyoshi Yanagidate (柳舘 毅, Yanagidate Tsuyoshi; born 15 February 1957) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics. At the time of the Montreal Olympics, he was studying at Waseda University. He then got a job in Dentsu. He also served as the co-executive producer of the movie Real Onigokko (2008). He is currently the deputy director of Public Relations Bureau at the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Daisuke Ryu (Japanese: 隆大介, Korean: 장명남, Jang Myeong-nam, hanja: 張明男; 14 January 1957 – 11 April 2021) was a Japanese…Daisuke Ryu (Japanese: 隆大介, Korean: 장명남, Jang Myeong-nam, hanja: 張明男; 14 January 1957 – 11 April 2021) was a Japanese actor of Korean descent. He won the Japanese "best new actor" Blue Ribbon Award for his performance as the warlord Oda Nobunaga in Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha. His other notable performances include Saburo Ichimonji in another Kurosawa epic, Ran, and the legendary yamabushi, Musashibo Benkei, in Sogo Ishii's critically acclaimed Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle. In 'The Ginger Tree' (based on the novel by Oswald Wynd), Daisuke Ryu played Count Kentaro Kurihama. On March 21, 2015, Ryu travelled to Taiwan, where he was to perform in the Martin Scorsese film Silence. Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, he was stopped by immigration officials due to having an incomplete entry form. Ryu, who was intoxicated at the time, engaged in an altercation with one of the officers, who sustained a fractured leg. He was indicted and prohibited from leaving Taiwan, and subsequently fired from the production of Silence. In May, 2015, Ryu reconciled with the injured official and publicly apologized for his actions. In June, he was fined by Taiwanese courts for his part in the incident and allowed to return to Japan.
Chiharu Ogiwara (荻原 千春, Ogiwara Chiharu; 13 February 1957 – 20 June 2024) was a Japanese boxer. He competed in the…Chiharu Ogiwara (荻原 千春, Ogiwara Chiharu; 13 February 1957 – 20 June 2024) was a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's light middleweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Ogiwara died in Saitama Prefecture on 20 June 2024, at the age of 67.
Akihiro Yamada (山田 章博, Yamada Akihiro); born February 10, 1957, in Kōchi) is a Japanese illustrator and manga artist.…Akihiro Yamada (山田 章博, Yamada Akihiro); born February 10, 1957, in Kōchi) is a Japanese illustrator and manga artist. During his career, Yamada has branched out into making book covers, character design for video games, theatre costume and set design, concept design for live-action film, and more, though his passion continues to be working on manga. He is known for delicate images reminiscent of suiboku and depiction of fantasy subjects. His most popular work is perhaps with The Twelve Kingdoms franchise. He won the Seiun Award in 1996 in the Best Artist category. He currently lives in Kyoto.
Hiromu Kurokawa (黒川 弘務 Kurokawa Hiromu; born February 8, 1957) is a Japanese prosecutor who served as chief of the…Hiromu Kurokawa (黒川 弘務 Kurokawa Hiromu; born February 8, 1957) is a Japanese prosecutor who served as chief of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office from January 2019 to May 2020. The extension of his term of office by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in February 2020, followed by his resignation for misconduct in May 2020, sparked political controversy in Japan.
Hiroko Kuniya (国谷裕子, Kuniya Hiroko) (born February 3, 1957) is a Japanese news presenter and journalist. Kuniya was…Hiroko Kuniya (国谷裕子, Kuniya Hiroko) (born February 3, 1957) is a Japanese news presenter and journalist. Kuniya was born in Osaka Prefecture and graduated from International School of the Sacred Heart in 1975 and then Brown University with majors in international relations and international economics. In 1981, she began to work as a news caster and writer for the English-language broadcasts of NHK television's Seven O'clock News. Starting in 1986, she served as a researcher in the United States for NHK Special. Later assignments included satellite and ground network news shows, including Asia Now (1990), which was picked up in the U.S. by Public Broadcasting Service.
Kiyofumi Iwata (born February 3, 1957) is a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force officer. He served as the 34th Chief of…Kiyofumi Iwata (born February 3, 1957) is a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force officer. He served as the 34th Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force and the 33rd Commander of the Northern Army.
Masamichi Amano (天野 正道, Amano Masamichi; born January 26, 1957 in Akita, Akita) is a Japanese music composer, arranger…Masamichi Amano (天野 正道, Amano Masamichi; born January 26, 1957 in Akita, Akita) is a Japanese music composer, arranger and conductor. He studied at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo and completed master's degree in 1982.
Shigemi Inaga (稲賀 繁美 1957 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese scholar in comparative literature, culture, and the history of…Shigemi Inaga (稲賀 繁美 1957 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese scholar in comparative literature, culture, and the history of cultural exchange.
Eiji Kanamori (金森 栄治, Kanamori Eiji; born January 24, 1957) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and the…Eiji Kanamori (金森 栄治, Kanamori Eiji; born January 24, 1957) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and the current coach of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Kōsuke Morita (Japanese: 森田 浩介 Hepburn: Morita Kōsukee, born January 23, 1957) is a Japanese experimental nuclear…Kōsuke Morita (Japanese: 森田 浩介 Hepburn: Morita Kōsukee, born January 23, 1957) is a Japanese experimental nuclear physicist, known as the leader of the Japanese team that discovered nihonium (element 113). He currently holds a joint appointment as a professor at Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Science and as director of the Super Heavy Element Research Group at Riken's Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science.
Kimie Hatano (Japanese: 畑野君枝, Hepburn: Hatano Kimie; born 28 January 1957, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa) is a member of the…Kimie Hatano (Japanese: 畑野君枝, Hepburn: Hatano Kimie; born 28 January 1957, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party who served in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. In the House of Representatives, she represented the 10th District of Kanagawa prefecture, while in the House of Councillors she represented the second seat of the Kanagawa at-large district. Hatano is opposed to the Technical Intern Training Program, saying that the workers in the program are being subordinated. She is also opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Hatano supports having more classes available in the evenings at junior high schools and is opposed to stopping state grants to national universities, saying that tuition would increase dramatically.
Yōko Akino (秋野 暢子 Akino Yōko, born Yōko Tashiro, 田代 暢子 Tashiro Yōko, born 18 January 1957 in Osaka, Japan) is a…Yōko Akino (秋野 暢子 Akino Yōko, born Yōko Tashiro, 田代 暢子 Tashiro Yōko, born 18 January 1957 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese actress.
Toshio Nobe (野部 利雄, Nobe Toshio; born January 18, 1957 in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga…Toshio Nobe (野部 利雄, Nobe Toshio; born January 18, 1957 in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He graduated from Wako University in Machida, Tokyo. In 1979, Nobe won an honorable mention in the 18th Tezuka Award for his story Hana to Arashi ga Iku. Naoki Urasawa worked as an assistant for Toshio when he was starting out.
Hideo Yokoyama (横山 秀夫, Yokoyama Hideo; born 1957) is a Japanese novelist who specializes in mystery novels. He is also…Hideo Yokoyama (横山 秀夫, Yokoyama Hideo; born 1957) is a Japanese novelist who specializes in mystery novels. He is also known for his career as a journalist for the Jomo Shimbun, the regional paper in Gunma. He repeated his Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! No. 1 ranking in 2013 with Six Four (64). The English edition of Six Four, translated by Jonathan Lloyd-Davies, was shortlisted for the 2016 CWA International Dagger.
Tatsuo Miyajima (宮島 達男, Miyajima Tatsuo; January 16, 1957 –) is a Japanese sculptor and installation artist who lives…Tatsuo Miyajima (宮島 達男, Miyajima Tatsuo; January 16, 1957 –) is a Japanese sculptor and installation artist who lives in Moriya, in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. His work frequently consists of digital LED counters, and is primarily concerned with the function and significance of time and space, especially within the context of Buddhist influences .
Tomohisa Takei (武居 智久, Takei Tomohisa; born January 12, 1957) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 32nd…Tomohisa Takei (武居 智久, Takei Tomohisa; born January 12, 1957) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 32nd Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Born in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Takei was commissioned into the JMSDF in March 1979 following his graduation from the 23rd class of National Defense Academy. After 35 years of service, Takei assumed position of JMSDF Chief of Staff in 2014.
Wakashimazu Mutsuo (若嶋津 六夫) (born Mutsuo Hidaka; 12 January 1957 – 15 March 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from…Wakashimazu Mutsuo (若嶋津 六夫) (born Mutsuo Hidaka; 12 January 1957 – 15 March 2026) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Nakatane, Kagoshima. His highest rank was ōzeki. He won two top-division yūshō or tournament championships. Mutsuo retired in 1987 and founded Matsugane stable in 1990 (now known as Hanaregoma stable).
Dominique V. Turpin (born 12 January 1957) is a French and Swiss marketing scholar and academic administrator…Dominique V. Turpin (born 12 January 1957) is a French and Swiss marketing scholar and academic administrator, currently serving as European President and Professor of Marketing at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). A professor in marketing strategy with a specialization in branding, he previously held the Dentsu Chair in Marketing and served as President, Dean, and Nestlé Professor at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland between 2010 and 2016. Before joining IMD in 1986, Turpin worked in Japan as a representative of a French firm.
Takahiro Ohata (大畑 孝広, Ōhata Takahiro; born 9 January 1957) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the…Takahiro Ohata (大畑 孝広, Ōhata Takahiro; born 9 January 1957) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Issei Noro (野呂 一生, Noro Issei; born 1 January 1957) is a Japanese guitarist, songwriter, producer, and composer, best…Issei Noro (野呂 一生, Noro Issei; born 1 January 1957) is a Japanese guitarist, songwriter, producer, and composer, best known as a founding member of the jazz fusion band Casiopea. Noro began his musical career in 1976 with Casiopea, serving as the group's guitarist. Casiopea made its recording debut in 1979 with their self-titled album, and Noro remained with his band until 2006, when activities were suspended. He returned when Casiopea restarted in 2012 following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear disaster, and continues to perform with his group. Outside Casiopea, Noro formed the band Inspirits in 2008 and has collaborated with other jazz fusion musicians. He is an endorsed artist of Yamaha, which has provided him with custom-made guitars, and is noted for his guitar-playing techniques.
Yoshizumi Ishino (石野 良純, Ishino Yoshizumi) is a Japanese molecular biologist, known for discovering the DNA sequence of…Yoshizumi Ishino (石野 良純, Ishino Yoshizumi) is a Japanese molecular biologist, known for discovering the DNA sequence of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR).
Masaaki Kijima (born 1957) is a Japanese economist and mathematician. The Dean of the School of Informatics and Data…Masaaki Kijima (born 1957) is a Japanese economist and mathematician. The Dean of the School of Informatics and Data Science at Hiroshima University, he has made significant contributions to applied probability and financial engineering. The most familiar of his contributions in the field of applied probability was the development of the G-renewal process. Kijima graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1980, then obtained a Ph.D. in business from the University of Rochester in 1986.
Kiichiro Jahana (謝花 喜一郎, Jahana Kiichiro; born 1957) is a Japanese politician. He was the vice governor of Okinawa…Kiichiro Jahana (謝花 喜一郎, Jahana Kiichiro; born 1957) is a Japanese politician. He was the vice governor of Okinawa Prefecture and took over the interim governorship for a few days.
Michiharu Kusunoki (Japanese: 楠 みちはる, Hepburn: Kusunoki Michiharu; born 25 January 1957) is a Japanese manga artist…Michiharu Kusunoki (Japanese: 楠 みちはる, Hepburn: Kusunoki Michiharu; born 25 January 1957) is a Japanese manga artist from Tosa, Kōchi. He is most known for the street racing series Wangan Midnight serialized in Kodansha's weekly Young Magazine and which has been adapted into a 26-episode anime series, a series of video games, and a movie. Other manga series created by Michiharu Kusunoki include J Monogatari and Shakotan Boogie, also published by Kodansha.
Shigeru Shirai (白井 滋, Shirai Shigeru) is a Japanese ichthyologist specializing in elasmobranchs, especially sharks. He…Shigeru Shirai (白井 滋, Shirai Shigeru) is a Japanese ichthyologist specializing in elasmobranchs, especially sharks. He graduated from Hokkaido University's Laboratory of Marine Zoology with a PhD in Fisheries Science. He is an editor of Japan's Ichthyological Research journal and author of the book, Squalean Phylogeny. He died at the age of 63 on September 9, 2020.
Masafumi Miyamoto (宮本 雅史, Miyamoto Masafumi, born 1957) is a Japanese investor and businessman who founded the video…Masafumi Miyamoto (宮本 雅史, Miyamoto Masafumi, born 1957) is a Japanese investor and businessman who founded the video game company Square. Miyamoto served as president of Square until 1991.
Shree Panch Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Nepali: वीरेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव; 29 December 1945 – 1 June 2001) was…Shree Panch Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Nepali: वीरेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव; 29 December 1945 – 1 June 2001) was King of Nepal from 1972 until his assassination in the 2001 Nepalese royal massacre. Birendra was the first son of King Mahendra and crown princess Indra. He inherited the panchayat system from his father when he acceded the throne in 1972, ruling as Nepal's absolute monarch. Following the 1990 revolution, he disbanded the system, lifted the concurrent ban on political parties and promulgated a new constitution in which he served as head of state of a democratic constitutional monarchy. The Nepalese Civil War began in the latter part of his reign when the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) launched an insurgency in 1996.
Yoshiaki Takaki (高木 義明, Takaki Yoshiaki; born 22 December 1945) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House…Yoshiaki Takaki (高木 義明, Takaki Yoshiaki; born 22 December 1945) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. A native of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi and high-school graduate he was elected to the Diet for the first time in 1990 after serving in the union executive and local assemblies for 15 years.
Yukiyo Kojima (小嶋 由紀代, Kojima Yukiyo; born December 10, 1945) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in…Yukiyo Kojima (小嶋 由紀代, Kojima Yukiyo; born December 10, 1945) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics. In 1968 she was part of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. She played all seven matches.
Yukio Hattori (服部 幸應, Hattori Yukio; 16 December 1945 – 4 October 2024) was a Japanese television personality who was…Yukio Hattori (服部 幸應, Hattori Yukio; 16 December 1945 – 4 October 2024) was a Japanese television personality who was best known as an expert commentator on the television show Iron Chef. Hattori was also the fifth president of the Hattori Nutrition College; the Iron Chef end credits mention that the program is "produced in cooperation with" the College. Hattori received a PhD from Showa University.
Takakazu Ishii (石井 隆一, Ishii Takakazu; born 15 December 1945) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Toyama…Takakazu Ishii (石井 隆一, Ishii Takakazu; born 15 December 1945) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Toyama Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 2004. A native of Toyama, Toyama and a graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked in the Ministry of Home Affairs from 1969 before being elected governor.
Soichiro Fukutake (福武 總一郎, Fukutake Sōichirō; born 1945) is a Japanese billionaire, and the former chairman of the…Soichiro Fukutake (福武 總一郎, Fukutake Sōichirō; born 1945) is a Japanese billionaire, and the former chairman of the Benesse Corporation, a publishing firm and juku company known for its patronage of the arts.
