Takako Iida (飯田 高子, Iida Takako) (born 3 February 1946, in Yatomi, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese former volleyball player…Takako Iida (飯田 高子, Iida Takako) (born 3 February 1946, in Yatomi, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese former volleyball player and Olympic champion. Iida was a member of the Japanese team that won the gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games.
Japan, the previous host of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City…Japan, the previous host of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. 171 competitors, 146 men and 25 women, took part in 97 events in 18 sports.
Kazuya Maruyama (丸山 和也, Maruyama Kazuya; born January 23, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuya Maruyama (丸山 和也, Maruyama Kazuya; born January 23, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Masaaki Ōsawa (大沢 正明, Ōsawa Masaaki; born 21 January 1946) was the governor of Gunma Prefecture in Japan. He was first…Masaaki Ōsawa (大沢 正明, Ōsawa Masaaki; born 21 January 1946) was the governor of Gunma Prefecture in Japan. He was first elected in 2007 after serving in the assembly of Gunma Prefecture.
Ichiro Hosotani (細谷 一郎, Hosotani Ichirō; born January 21, 1946) is a former Japanese football player who played for the…Ichiro Hosotani (細谷 一郎, Hosotani Ichirō; born January 21, 1946) is a former Japanese football player who played for the Japan national football team.
Dairyūgawa Kazuo (born 21 January 1946 as Kazuo Wada) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made…Dairyūgawa Kazuo (born 21 January 1946 as Kazuo Wada) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1961 and reached the top division in September 1968. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Kiyomigata. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in January 2011.
Zenbee Mizoguchi (溝口 善兵衛, Mizoguchi Zenbee; 20 January 1946 – 20 August 2024) was a Japanese politician and governor of…Zenbee Mizoguchi (溝口 善兵衛, Mizoguchi Zenbee; 20 January 1946 – 20 August 2024) was a Japanese politician and governor of Shimane Prefecture in Japan, elected from 2007 to 2019. He graduated from the University of Tokyo and was a former official of the Ministry of Finance. Mizoguchi died on 20 August 2024, at the age of 78.
Masami Yoshida (吉田 正美, Yoshida Masami; born 17 January 1946) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 400…Masami Yoshida (吉田 正美, Yoshida Masami; born 17 January 1946) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yoshito Sengoku (仙谷 由人, Sengoku Yoshito; 15 January 1946 – 11 October 2018) was a Japanese politician serving in the…Yoshito Sengoku (仙谷 由人, Sengoku Yoshito; 15 January 1946 – 11 October 2018) was a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Itō Takumi (伊藤 卓美; born on January 15, 1946, in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a prominent Japanese printmaker and…Itō Takumi (伊藤 卓美; born on January 15, 1946, in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a prominent Japanese printmaker and president of the Japan Print Society. His artwork has been featured on Japan Post postage stamps as well as featured in exhibitions at the Library of Congress and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Takumi currently teaches woodblock printing at Waseda University in Tokyo. Takumi's interest in the woodblock printing began at a young age when his father, a painter, encouraged his study of the arts. Having a special interest in Japanese matsuri festivals and folk art, especially mingei, many of Takumi's prints explore the local cultures of Japan's rural areas, such as his own Miyagi Prefecture.
Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of…Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was formerly sixth in the line of succession to the Japanese throne and the heir apparent to the princely house of Mikasa-no-miya and the title "Prince Mikasa". Prince Tomohito was the first member of the Imperial House of Japan with a full beard since Emperor Meiji, thus earning him the popular nickname of the "Bearded Prince" (ヒゲの殿下 Hige no Denka). He died of cancer on 6 June 2012, aged 66.
Kazuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川 和彦, Hasegawa Kazuhiko; 5 January 1946 – 31 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He won…Kazuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川 和彦, Hasegawa Kazuhiko; 5 January 1946 – 31 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He won the award for Best Director at the 1st Yokohama Film Festival for The Man Who Stole the Sun.
Kazuhiro Tatsumi (辰巳 和弘, Tatsumi Kazuhiro; born 3 January 1946, in Osaka) is a Japanese archaeologist, history scholar…Kazuhiro Tatsumi (辰巳 和弘, Tatsumi Kazuhiro; born 3 January 1946, in Osaka) is a Japanese archaeologist, history scholar and museum curator. He was a lecturer at Doshisha University until his retirement in 2011. He is knowledgeable about the domestic practices of early Japanese peoples. and has been referenced in numerous books. Tatsumi has authored many books and papers. In 1981 he published his findings on research in the Kitaoka Otsuka tumulus in Inasa, Shizuoka, which was printed by the Inasa-cho Board of Education.
Goro Ibuki (伊吹 吾郎, Ibuki Gorō; born January 2, 1946) is a Japanese actor. He is known for his parts in jidaigeki…Goro Ibuki (伊吹 吾郎, Ibuki Gorō; born January 2, 1946) is a Japanese actor. He is known for his parts in jidaigeki television dramas, especially Kakusan in the Mito Kōmon series. He appeared in Samurai Sentai Shinkenger as Hikoma Kusakabe.
Kazuo Nishii (西井一夫, Nishii Kazuo; 1946–2001) was a Japanese magazine editor and photography critic. Nishii was born in…Kazuo Nishii (西井一夫, Nishii Kazuo; 1946–2001) was a Japanese magazine editor and photography critic. Nishii was born in Tokyo in 1946. He graduated in economics from Keio University in 1968, and shortly after this moved to the company publishing Mainichi Shimbun, rising via stints at Sunday Mainichi and Mainich Graph to become editor in chief of Camera Mainichi from 1983 until the magazine folded in 1985. After the demise of Camera Mainichi, Nishii worked as an editor for various book-publishing projects of Mainichi Shinbun-sha. Nishii first proposed the Society of Photography Award and played a major role in setting it up.
Susumu Tachi (舘 暲, Tachi Susumu; born January 1, 1946) is professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, Founding…Susumu Tachi (舘 暲, Tachi Susumu; born January 1, 1946) is professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, Founding President of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, and Founding Chairman of Telexistence Inc.
Sadamichi Maekawa (前川禎通 Maekawa Sadamichi) is a Japanese researcher, who was born in Nara Prefecture, Japan in 1946. He…Sadamichi Maekawa (前川禎通 Maekawa Sadamichi) is a Japanese researcher, who was born in Nara Prefecture, Japan in 1946. He obtained his B. Sc. (1969), M. Sc. (1971) degrees from Osaka University, and D. Sc. (1975) degree from Tohoku University. He was a research associate (1971–1982) and an associate professor (1982–1988) at Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, and a professor (1988–1997) at Faculty of Engineering, Nagoya University, and a professor (1997–2010) at Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University. After serving as a director of Advanced Science Research Center in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (2010-2018), he became a senior advisor at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science from April 2018. His main research topics include theory of electronic properties in strongly correlated electron systems, in particular, high-temperature superconductors and orbital physics in transition metal oxides and theory of spintronics.
Noritsugu Oda (織田憲嗣, born 1946) is a Japanese author and illustrator from Kōchi Prefecture. He graduated from Osaka…Noritsugu Oda (織田憲嗣, born 1946) is a Japanese author and illustrator from Kōchi Prefecture. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts as a professional illustrator. Until recently he lectured at the Tokai University in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō. He is thought to have the world's largest private collection of Finn Juhl chairs. He has published several books on chairs and design, among these Danish Chairs, Hans J. Wegner's 100 Chairs and Finn Juhl.
Lee Fu-hsing (Chinese: 李復興; born 14 May 1946) is a Taiwanese politician. He served on the Kaohsiung City Council…Lee Fu-hsing (Chinese: 李復興; born 14 May 1946) is a Taiwanese politician. He served on the Kaohsiung City Council between 1990 and 2005. He was a member of the Legislative Yuan from 2005 to 2012.
Kimiko Itō (位藤 紀美子, Itō Kimiko; born 1945) is a Japanese pedagogue who specialises in language pedagogy for the…Kimiko Itō (位藤 紀美子, Itō Kimiko; born 1945) is a Japanese pedagogue who specialises in language pedagogy for the Japanese language. Born in Ehime Prefecture, she spent over thirty-five years as part of the staff at Kyoto University of Education. After spending months as a professor at Biwako-Gakuin University, she returned to the Kyoto University of Education to become president after Mitsuyo Terada resigned as a result of a sexual violence scandal involving the university's students, serving from 2009 until 2016.
Yoshiaki Yoshimi (吉見 義明, Yoshimi Yoshiaki; born 1946) is a professor of Japanese modern history at Chuo University in…Yoshiaki Yoshimi (吉見 義明, Yoshimi Yoshiaki; born 1946) is a professor of Japanese modern history at Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan. He is a founding member of the Center for Research and Documentation on Japan's War Responsibility. He was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and studied at the University of Tokyo.
Yūjirō Ishihara (石原 裕次郎, Ishihara Yūjirō; December 28, 1934 – July 17, 1987) was a Japanese actor and singer born in…Yūjirō Ishihara (石原 裕次郎, Ishihara Yūjirō; December 28, 1934 – July 17, 1987) was a Japanese actor and singer born in Kobe. His elder brother was Shintaro Ishihara, an author, politician, and the Governor of Tokyo between 1999 and 2012. Yujiro's film debut was the 1956 film Season of the Sun, based on a novel written by his brother. He was beloved by many fans as a representative youth star in the films of postwar Japan and subsequently as a macho movie hero. His early death from liver cancer was a major public event in Japan.
Makiko Mori (森 万紀子; December 19, 1934 – before November 17, 1992) was a Japanese novelist. She won the 1980 Izumi Kyōka…Makiko Mori (森 万紀子; December 19, 1934 – before November 17, 1992) was a Japanese novelist. She won the 1980 Izumi Kyōka Prize for Literature for her book Yuki Onna (雪女).
Shunsaku Tamiya (Japanese: 田宮俊作; December 19, 1934 – July 18, 2025) was a Japanese business executive. He was the…Shunsaku Tamiya (Japanese: 田宮俊作; December 19, 1934 – July 18, 2025) was a Japanese business executive. He was the former president, chairman of the board, and representative director of the Tamiya Corporation, a major Japanese plastic model producer.
Yoshinobu Nishizaki (西崎 義展, Nishizaki Yoshinobu; 18 December 1934 – 7 November 2010) was a Japanese film producer best…Yoshinobu Nishizaki (西崎 義展, Nishizaki Yoshinobu; 18 December 1934 – 7 November 2010) was a Japanese film producer best known as one of the two co-creators of the anime series Space Battleship Yamato. He was sometimes credited as Yoshinori Nishizaki. He was born in 1934 and graduated from the Nihon University Art Department. He also founded the studio Academy Productions which produced Space Battleship Yamato as well as the 1980 anime series; Space Emperor God Sigma for Toei Company.
Isao Matsuoka (松岡 功, Matsuoka Isao; born December 18, 1934) is a longtime studio executive and former chairman of Toho…Isao Matsuoka (松岡 功, Matsuoka Isao; born December 18, 1934) is a longtime studio executive and former chairman of Toho Co., Ltd., serving as Chairman for 14 years until his retirement in 2009. He had previously served as President and worked for the company for over 50 years having joined in 1957. He currently serves as chairman emeritus of Toho, honorary chairman of the Japan Academy Film Prize Association, and a director of the Kawakita Memorial Film Foundation. Isao's father, Tatsuro Matsuoka (Kobayashi), was the second son of Toho founder Ichizō Kobayashi, and as such, was adopted into the Matsuoka family upon his marriage to Setsuko Matsuoka, daughter of Ichizō's business partner and member of Diet, Junkichi Matsuoka. Tatsuro also served as Toho's president following the death of his older brother Fusao. A graduate of the prestigious Konan University, Isao is credited with helping establish Toho as the preeminent film production, distribution and exhibition company in Japan with his revolutionary and innovative reforms following his promotion to president in 1977, and named as the 10th most powerful person in the Japanese film industry by Première Magazine Japan in 2001. Established in 1932, Toho is known internationally for its Godzilla series and the Akira Kurosawa classics Kagemusha and Ran produced under Matsuoka's leadership. Isao has also been honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards by CineAsia in 1998 and the National Association of Theatre Owners at ShoWest in 2007, the FIAPF Award for outstanding achievement in film at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and the Special Merit Award by the Japan Association of Theatre Owners on 2015. Born in Ashiya, Hyōgo, Isao played tennis at university and represented Japan in the 1956 Davis Cup. He married Chinami Shizuka, a star of the Takarazuka Revue, with whom he had 2 sons, Hiroyasu Matsuoka, who followed his father into the film business and succeeded Isao to serve as the 15th President and CEO of Toho in 2022, and Shuzo Matsuoka, a former professional tennis player and current sports commentator.
Susumu Taira (平良進, Taira Susumu; 18 December 1934 – 27 January 2024) was a Japanese actor. He was born in Okinawa, and…Susumu Taira (平良進, Taira Susumu; 18 December 1934 – 27 January 2024) was a Japanese actor. He was born in Okinawa, and his credits include Nabbie's Love (1999), and Churasan. Taira was born in the former city of Hirara, Okinawa which was merged with other settlements in 2005 to become the city of Miyakojima, Okinawa. Taira was married to actress Tomi Taira. He died at his home in Ginowan, Okinawa, on 27 January 2024, at the age of 89.
Hiizu Iwamura (岩村 秀, Iwamura Hiizu; born 17 December 1934) is a Japanese chemist and Professor of Chemistry, Nihon…Hiizu Iwamura (岩村 秀, Iwamura Hiizu; born 17 December 1934) is a Japanese chemist and Professor of Chemistry, Nihon University, as well as Professor Emeriti of the Institute for Molecular Science in Okazaki, the University of Tokyo, and Kyushu University in Japan.
Nobuyuki Aihara (相原 信行, Aihara Nobuyuki; December 16, 1934 – July 16, 2013) was a Japanese gymnast. He was the father…Nobuyuki Aihara (相原 信行, Aihara Nobuyuki; December 16, 1934 – July 16, 2013) was a Japanese gymnast. He was the father of Yutaka Aihara, also a gymnast. Nobuyuki competed at the 1956 Olympics and won a silver medal in floor exercise and a silver medal in the team competition. Four years later he won gold medals in these events. Aihara took up gymnastic at the age of 15 while studying at the Nippon Sport Science University. He was coached by his future teammate Masao Takemoto. In 1964 he married Toshiko Shirasu-Aihara, a fellow gymnast. Because of an injury he missed the Tokyo Olympics that year, and soon retired to become a gymnastics coach. In 1979 he founded the Aihara Gymnastics Club. Aihara died of pneumonia on July 16, 2013, at the age of 78.
Kantarō Suga (菅貫太郎, Suga Kantarō; born December 12, 1934, in Yuzawa, Akita - died March 22, 1994, in Yokohama) was a…Kantarō Suga (菅貫太郎, Suga Kantarō; born December 12, 1934, in Yuzawa, Akita - died March 22, 1994, in Yokohama) was a leading Japanese actor. His film credits span three decades, from 1960 to 1990. One of his prominent appearances was in the lead role in Pastoral: To Die in the Country. Suga also appeared in The Gate of Youth, Sword of the Beast, and Theater of Life. He also portrays Souichiro Akizuki- the father of Nobuhiko, Kyoko and also the foster father of the protagonist Kotaro Minami in the tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Black. A frequent television guest star, Suga acted in jidaigeki and contemporary shows. Twenty appearances on Abarenbō Shōgun, thirteen on Zenigata Heiji, eleven on Momotarō-zamurai, nine on Ōoka Echizen, seven on Edo o Kiru, and numerous guest roles on various programs in the Mito Komon and Hissatsu series top his list of roles.
Shunji Fujimura (藤村 俊二, Fujimura Shunji; December 8, 1934 – January 25, 2017) was a Japanese actor from Kamakura…Shunji Fujimura (藤村 俊二, Fujimura Shunji; December 8, 1934 – January 25, 2017) was a Japanese actor from Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. He appeared in the second series of Monkey as the horse. He appeared in the Death Note live-action movie as Quillsh Wammy A.K.A. Watari.
Masami Tanabu (田名部 匡省, Tanabu Masami) (7 December 1934 – 26 March 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Masami Tanabu (田名部 匡省, Tanabu Masami) (7 December 1934 – 26 March 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hachinohe, Aomori and graduate of Rikkyo University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the Aomori Prefectural Assembly for two terms and then in the House of Representatives for six terms. Tanabu was a past head coach of the Japan national ice hockey team. He also competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics and the 1964 Winter Olympics. Tanabu died due to septic shock in hospital in Hachinohe, on 26 March 2025, at the age of 90.
Kimio Yabuki (矢吹 公郎, Yabuki Kimio; Born December 6, 1934) is a Japanese animator. Known in Japan for his work on many…Kimio Yabuki (矢吹 公郎, Yabuki Kimio; Born December 6, 1934) is a Japanese animator. Known in Japan for his work on many early classic works by the Toei Animation studio, his best-known film in the West is Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer from 1985, produced by the French-American company DiC with animation work done in Japan. In 1969, he teamed up with a young Hayao Miyazaki in the production of an animated version of Puss in Boots. Yabuki was an employee of Toei Animation until going freelance in 1973, but did work on several Toei productions (including Dororon Enma-kun, Ikkyu-san, and The Kabocha Wine) afterward.
Norio Nobuhito Maeda (前田 憲男, Maeda Norio; December 6, 1934 – November 25, 2018 Osaka Prefecture) was a Japanese jazz…Norio Nobuhito Maeda (前田 憲男, Maeda Norio; December 6, 1934 – November 25, 2018 Osaka Prefecture) was a Japanese jazz composer and pianist. Maeda learned piano as a young child, and moved to Tokyo to play and arrange jazz professionally in 1955. There he played with Shungo Sawada's ensemble and founded a group called the Wind Breakers. He joined the West Liners, led by Konosuke Saijo, as a pianist and arranger in 1959. Known as a composer, he penned pieces for The Blue Coats, Tatsuya Takahashi, Nobuo Hara, and Toshiyuki Miyama. He also founded We 3 with Yasuo Arakawa and Takeshi Inomata, and later worked with Inomata again in a trio with Sadanori Nakamure. On 25 November 2018, Maeda died from pneumonia at a hospital in Tokyo.
Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 治, Suzuki Osamu) (1926-2001) was a Japanese ceramicist and one of the co-founders of the artist group…Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 治, Suzuki Osamu) (1926-2001) was a Japanese ceramicist and one of the co-founders of the artist group Sōdeisha (eng. "Crawling through Mud Association"), a Japanese avant-garde ceramics movement that arose following the end of the Second World War and served as a counter to the traditional forms and styles in modern Japanese ceramics, such as Mingei. Working in both iron-rich stoneware and porcelain, Suzuki developed his style considerably over the course of his career, beginning with functional vessels in his early work, and spanning to fully sculptural works (which he called "clay images") in the latter half of his career. Suzuki has been described by The Japan Times as "one of Japan's most important ceramic artists of the 20th century."
Atsuko Nambu is a Japanese athlete. She won a gold medal in the individual 100 metres and silver medals in the 4 × 100…Atsuko Nambu is a Japanese athlete. She won a gold medal in the individual 100 metres and silver medals in the 4 × 100 m relay, individual 200 metres and long jump in the 1954 Asian Games. Her deportment at the Asian Games helped to prevent disruption by Filipino spectators still seething from the brutal massacre by Japanese military forces in Manila during the last days of the occupation of the Philippines just nine years before. For her action, she was dubbed by Filipinos “sweetheart of the Games”.
Shiro Kuramata (倉俣 史朗, 29 November 1934 – 1 February 1991) is one of Japan's most important designers of the 20th…Shiro Kuramata (倉俣 史朗, 29 November 1934 – 1 February 1991) is one of Japan's most important designers of the 20th century.
Masaaki Ōsumi (大隅 正秋, Ōsumi Masaaki; born November 26, 1934) is a Japanese theatre director and film director who is…Masaaki Ōsumi (大隅 正秋, Ōsumi Masaaki; born November 26, 1934) is a Japanese theatre director and film director who is known for his work in animated television series and films. He was born in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. He completed the Master's Program in Media Science, Graduate School of Media Science, Tokyo University of Technology. He is also the creative advisor at the Katayanagi Research Institute, Tokyo University of Technology.
Yasuko Uetake (Japanese: 上武やす子, née Yasuko Muromura; 26 November 1934 – 16 March 2024) was an embroidery artist and…Yasuko Uetake (Japanese: 上武やす子, née Yasuko Muromura; 26 November 1934 – 16 March 2024) was an embroidery artist and Ainu cultural activist from Japan. Born in Muroran, Hokkaido, she was a prominent figure in the preservation and promotion of the Ainu culture in Noboribetsu. She was active in the Noboribetsu Branch of the Hokkaido Utari Association, the Club for Talking about Mashiho Chiri, and the Women's Society for Learning and Inheriting the Ainu Culture. A self-taught but accomplished Ainu embroidery artist, she created various works in traditional Ainu clothing, trained younger artists in embroidery seminars, and taught other Ainu cultural traditions, including dancing.
Shinichiro Suzuki (鈴木 信一朗, Suzuki Shin'ichirō; born 21 November 1934) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…Shinichiro Suzuki (鈴木 信一朗, Suzuki Shin'ichirō; born 21 November 1934) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight event at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Kuniji Toda (Japanese: 戸田邦司 Toda Kuniji; 18 November 1934 – 4 September 2023) was a Japanese engineer and politician. A…Kuniji Toda (Japanese: 戸田邦司 Toda Kuniji; 18 November 1934 – 4 September 2023) was a Japanese engineer and politician. A member of the New Frontier Party and later the Liberal Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1995 to 2001. Toda died on 4 September 2023, at the age of 88.
Hisashi Inoue (井上 ひさし, Inoue Hisashi; 16 November 1934 – 9 April 2010) was a Japanese playwright and writer of comic…Hisashi Inoue (井上 ひさし, Inoue Hisashi; 16 November 1934 – 9 April 2010) was a Japanese playwright and writer of comic fiction. From 1961 to 1986, he used the pen name of Hisashi Uchiyama.
Yasuo Uchida was a Japanese author who is one of the best-selling mystery authors and his works has sold more than 100…Yasuo Uchida was a Japanese author who is one of the best-selling mystery authors and his works has sold more than 100 million copies in Japan alone. 115 million copies of his book have been published.
Yōichi Higashi (東陽一, Higashi Yōichi; 14 November 1934 – 21 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He began his…Yōichi Higashi (東陽一, Higashi Yōichi; 14 November 1934 – 21 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He began his career working on documentaries at Iwanami Productions but, after going independent, turned to fiction film. He won the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award for Yasashii Nipponjin in 1971, and then the award for Best Director at the 17th Hochi Film Awards for The River with No Bridge. In 1996, he won the Silver Bear for an outstanding single achievement at the 46th Berlin International Film Festival for the film Village of Dreams. Higashi died on 21 January 2026, at the age of 91.
Akira Ishikawa (石川 晶, Ishikawa Akira; November 10, 1934 - February 10, 2002) was a Japanese jazz drummer and…Akira Ishikawa (石川 晶, Ishikawa Akira; November 10, 1934 - February 10, 2002) was a Japanese jazz drummer and bandleader. Ishikawa began his music career with Shin Matsumoto and New Pacific. In the following years he toured with his own formations like Akira Miyazawa Modern Allstars and Toshio Hosaka. In later years he played with Toshiyuki Miyama and his band New Herd; in 1964/65 he recordEd with Miyamas Modern Jazz Highlights and Modern Jukebox. From the late '60s, he recorded under his own name, releasing Soul Session (1969) and The Gentures in Beat Pops (1970), with, among others, Hiromasa Suzuki, Kiyoshi Sugimoto and Masaoki Terakawa. With his band Count Buffaloes, the jazz-rock oriented album Electrum was out in 1970, followed by Drums Concerto (1971), African Rock (1972), Uganda (1972) and Get Up! (1975). He also worked with Yoshiko Goto, Koichi Oki, Kiyoshi Sugimoto (Our Time, 1974) and Akio Sasaki (Berklee Connection, 1980) in the 1970s. In the field of jazz he was involved between 1964 and 1980 in 14 recording sessions.
Kenjiro Haitani (灰谷 健次郎, Haitani Kenjirō; October 31, 1934 – November 23, 2006) was a Japanese author of children's…Kenjiro Haitani (灰谷 健次郎, Haitani Kenjirō; October 31, 1934 – November 23, 2006) was a Japanese author of children's literature. He was the author of Usagi no me ("A Rabbit's Eyes") and Taiyo no Ko ("Children of the Sun"), both best-sellers. Haitani died of esophageal cancer on 23 November 2006, aged 72. According to his wishes, no funeral services were held.
Ōyō Mitsunobu (光延 旺洋, Mitsunobu Ōyō; 1934–2003) was a Japanese chemist specializing in organic synthesis. In 1967, he…Ōyō Mitsunobu (光延 旺洋, Mitsunobu Ōyō; 1934–2003) was a Japanese chemist specializing in organic synthesis. In 1967, he introduced the Mitsunobu reaction, which is named after him. His father was Tōyō Mitsunobu, an admiral (posthumously) of the Japanese navy. Mitsunobu earned his bachelor's degree at Gakushuin University in Tokyo and subsequently studied at the Tokyo Institute of Technology starting in 1959, where he obtained his doctorate in 1966 under the supervision of Teruaki Mukaiyama. From 1986-2002 he was a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University. His work focused on the chemistry of nucleosides and nucleotides, as well as stereoselective reactions. He is best known for the Mitsunobu reaction which involves the substitution of (primary or secondary) alcohols with nucleophiles (the original reaction was an esterification) and has found widespread application, particularly in the synthesis of natural products and in biochemistry. It proceeds under relatively mild conditions and is stereospecific. It is an oxidation-reduction condensation reaction in which triphenylphosphine is oxidized and diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) is reduced to its corresponding hydrazine derivative (reagents serving a similar function to triphenylphosphine and DEAD in the original version of the reaction are known as Mitsunobu reagents). Mitsunobu introduced the reaction in 1967 and developed several variants shortly thereafter. Between 1996 and 2008, 1,615 papers with "Mitsunobu reaction" in the title were published according to SciFinder, including 186 patents. In 1984 he received the Synthetic Organic Chemistry Award, Japan. The text of the award states that it is for the "Discovery and development of stereospecific reactions through activation of alcoholic hydroxyl groups".
