Masako Yanagi (柳 昌子, Yanagi Masako; born 11 November 1959) is a Japanese former women's singles tennis and doubles…
Masako Yanagi (柳 昌子, Yanagi Masako; born 11 November 1959) is a Japanese former women's singles tennis and doubles tennis player. She was the top-ranked player in Japan in 1979 and was ranked as high as No. 89 in the world. She reached the third round of the 1988 French Open and also played in the Australian Open. She lived in Tokyo. Yanagi reached 4 singles and 6 doubles finals. She has won 1 singles title and 2 doubles titles on the ITF. Masako Yanagi played in one singles and two doubles ITF Independent Tour finals in 1982.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Boar
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Nobuo Serizawa (芹澤 信雄, Serizawa Nobuo; born 10 November 1959) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Tetsuya Ota (太田 哲也, Ōta Tetsuya; born 6 November 1959) is a retired racing driver from Maebashi in the Gunma…
Tetsuya Ota (太田 哲也, Ōta Tetsuya; born 6 November 1959) is a retired racing driver from Maebashi in the Gunma Prefecture, Japan. He survived a fiery multi-car pileup he was involved in during a JGTC race at Fuji Speedway on May 3, 1998, caused by a safety car which was driven at twice the recommended speed in torrential rain during a parade lap. Ota was seriously injured and, as a result, he brought a lawsuit against the race organizers.
David Luke Howell is an American historian specializing in the social, cultural, and economic history of early modern…
David Luke Howell is an American historian specializing in the social, cultural, and economic history of early modern Japan. He is the Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Professor of Japanese History at Harvard University, where he holds a joint appointment in the Department of History and the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations. Howell's scholarship focuses on the transformation of social relations, economic life, and identity in Japan from the Tokugawa period (1603–1868) into the modern era. His work is regarded as influential in shifting the historiography of Japan toward regional and translocal perspectives.
Eiji Shimomura (下村 英士, Shimomura Eiji; born 31 October 1959) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the…
Eiji Shimomura (下村 英士, Shimomura Eiji; born 31 October 1959) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Mie Hamada (濱田 美栄, Hamada Mie; born October 29, 1959) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitor.
Kuniharu Nakamoto (中本 邦治, Nakamoto Kuniharu; born October 29, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…
Kuniharu Nakamoto (中本 邦治, Nakamoto Kuniharu; born October 29, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Toshiya Shinohara (篠原 俊哉, Shinohara Toshiya; born October 20, 1959) is a Japanese film director.
Hiroshi Ohashi (大橋 浩司, Ohashi Hiroshi; born October 27, 1959) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…
Hiroshi Ohashi (大橋 浩司, Ohashi Hiroshi; born October 27, 1959) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed Japan women's national team.
Fujio Tamura (田村 藤夫, Tamura Fujio; born October 24, 1959) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher.
Eriko Asai (浅井 えり子, Asai Eriko; born October 20, 1959) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. She represented…
Eriko Asai (浅井 えり子, Asai Eriko; born October 20, 1959) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. She represented her native country in the women's marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. She won a gold medal at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea, and won the 1994 edition of the Nagoya Women's Marathon. She competed at a weight of 40 kilograms and a height of 150 centimeters.
Koichi Kawanishi (川西 幸一, Kawanishi Kōichi; born October 20, 1959, in Kure, Hiroshima, Japan) is a Japanese drummer who…
Koichi Kawanishi (川西 幸一, Kawanishi Kōichi; born October 20, 1959, in Kure, Hiroshima, Japan) is a Japanese drummer who is a member of the Japanese band Unicorn.
Kenichiro Yoshida (born 20 October 1959) is a Japanese businessman currently serving as executive chairman of Sony. He…
Kenichiro Yoshida (born 20 October 1959) is a Japanese businessman currently serving as executive chairman of Sony. He previously served as president and CEO from April 2018 to April 2025, succeeding Kazuo Hirai, prior to which Yoshida was the company's chief financial officer.
Yutaka Kanai (金井 豊, Kanai Yutaka; 16 October 1959 – 23 August 1990) was a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…
Yutaka Kanai (金井 豊, Kanai Yutaka; 16 October 1959 – 23 August 1990) was a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's 10,000 metres at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Hiroko Hayashi (林 寛子, Hayashi Hiroko; born 16 October 1959) is a Japanese actress, singer and tarento.
Hananokuni Akihiro (born 15 October 1959 as Akihiro Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Fujiidera, Osaka, Japan.
Denny Tamaki (玉城 デニー, Tamaki Denī; born 13 October 1959) is a Japanese politician who served as the Governor of Okinawa…
Denny Tamaki (玉城 デニー, Tamaki Denī; born 13 October 1959) is a Japanese politician who served as the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture from 2018 to 2026. Tamaki was a member of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly for Okinawa City from 2002 to 2005 and became the first Amerasian member of the Japanese House of Representatives as the representative for Okinawa Prefecture's 3rd district from 2009 to 2012 and 2014 to 2018. Tamaki was elected governor as an independent in the 2018 Okinawa gubernatorial election following the untimely death of Governor Takeshi Onaga. He was re-elected again in 2022. He was defeated for re-election in 2026.
Hideki Togi (東儀 秀樹, Tōgi Hideki; born 12 October 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer, gagaku musician, and actor.…
Hideki Togi (東儀 秀樹, Tōgi Hideki; born 12 October 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer, gagaku musician, and actor. His current label is Universal Music (transferred from Toshiba-EMI in 2007). Tōgi joined the Imperial Music Division in 1986 but had to quit in 2000 because of the hostile reaction to his popular compositions from fellow gagaku musicians.
Yasuhiro Hanashi (葉梨 康弘, Hanashi Yasuhiro, born 1959) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Justice…
Yasuhiro Hanashi (葉梨 康弘, Hanashi Yasuhiro, born 1959) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Justice from August to November 2022. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and has served in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009 and again since 2012. A native of Ibaraki Prefecture and graduate of the University of Tokyo he joined the National Police Agency in 1982 becoming the director in the Juvenile Community Safety division. After leaving the agency in 1999, he was elected to public office for the first time in 2003 representing Ibaraki 3rd district, which includes the cities of Ryugasaki and Ushiku, among others. He also served as Vice Minister of Justice in 2017, and Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 2020. Hanashi resigned as Justice Minister on 11 November 2022 following comments he made to a political gathering earlier in the week suggesting that the Justice Minister was a “unspectacular position” that became "a top story in daytime news programs only when stamping a seal on documents of execution." and “Serving as justice minister won't help raise much money or secure many votes”. Opposition leaders like Akira Koike of the Japanese Communist Party said that Hanashi was disrespecting the post and its responsibilities, as well as making light of the death penalty. Hasashi’ comments follow a string of highly publicized LDP scandals like the Unification Church Scandal, that deeply harmed the party’s reputation, and led Prime Minister Kishida to take a firm stance against scandal in the Party. He dismissed 4 ministers in a cabinet reshuffle to solidify this stance.
Michiyo Akaishi (赤石 路代, Akaishi Michiyo; born October 11, 1959 in Urawa) is a Japanese manga artist. She graduated from…
Michiyo Akaishi (赤石 路代, Akaishi Michiyo; born October 11, 1959 in Urawa) is a Japanese manga artist. She graduated from Saitama Prefectural Dai-Ichi Girls High School. Akaishi then attended Musashino Art University where she graduated with a degree in commercial plastic model design. In 1979, she won first place in the Shogakukan Shinjin Comic Award contest. Akaishi's debut story, "Marshmallow Tea wa Hitori de", appeared in the January 1980 issue of Bessatsu Shōjo Comic. Her story "One More Jump" won the 1994 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga. She was one of the judges for the 53rd Shogakukan Manga Awards in 2008.
Kei Nakazawa (中沢 けい, Nakazawa Kei; born 1959) is the professional name of Emiko Honda (本田 恵美子, Honda Emiko), a Japanese…
Kei Nakazawa (中沢 けい, Nakazawa Kei; born 1959) is the professional name of Emiko Honda (本田 恵美子, Honda Emiko), a Japanese writer and professor. Nakazawa has won the Gunzo Prize for New Writers and the Noma Literary New Face Prize, and two of her novels have been adapted for film. Since 2005 she has been a professor of literature at Hosei University.
Kohei Otsuka (大塚 耕平, Ōtsuka Kōhei; 5 October 1959 – 2 March 2026) was a Japanese politician. He was a leader of the…
Kohei Otsuka (大塚 耕平, Ōtsuka Kōhei; 5 October 1959 – 2 March 2026) was a Japanese politician. He was a leader of the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) and the Democratic Party (DP). A native of Nagoya, Aichi, he attended Waseda University and received a Ph.D. in fiscal and monetary policies and reforms. Afterwards, he worked at the Bank of Japan from 1983 to 2000 before being elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001.
Miki Watanabe (渡邉 美樹, Watanabe Miki; born October 5, 1959) is a Japanese entrepreneur and politician. He founded the…
Miki Watanabe (渡邉 美樹, Watanabe Miki; born October 5, 1959) is a Japanese entrepreneur and politician. He founded the Watami chain of izakaya restaurants and headed the company until 2011, when he resigned to run in the 2011 Tokyo gubernatorial election. Watanabe's run for the governorship of Tokyo was inspired by Michael Bloomberg's mayorship of New York City. Watanabe came in third with 16.8%, losing to incumbent governor Shintaro Ishihara.
Yu Tokui (徳井 優, Tokui Yū; born September 28, 1959) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 90 films since…
Yu Tokui (徳井 優, Tokui Yū; born September 28, 1959) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 90 films since 1987.
Hiroyuki Kakudō (角銅博之, Kakudō Hiroyuki; born September 28, 1959) is a Japanese anime director from Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka…
Hiroyuki Kakudō (角銅博之, Kakudō Hiroyuki; born September 28, 1959) is a Japanese anime director from Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture. He graduated from Toyo University's Faculty of Letters. In 1978, while in college, he was a founding member of Group Ebisen, an independent animation production and screening group. He began working for Toei Animation in 1983, where he trained under Yugo Serikawa. He is best known for directing the first two Digimon series.
Masashi Adachi (阿達 雅志 Adachi Masashi, b. September 27, 1959) is a Japanese politician who serves as a member of the…
Masashi Adachi (阿達 雅志 Adachi Masashi, b. September 27, 1959) is a Japanese politician who serves as a member of the Senate and as a State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications.
Kimikazu Suzuki (鈴木貴美一, Suzuki Kimikazu) is a former Japanese basketball coach and player. He was most recently the…
Kimikazu Suzuki (鈴木貴美一, Suzuki Kimikazu) is a former Japanese basketball coach and player. He was most recently the head coach of SeaHorses Mikawa. Suzuki served as head coach of the Japan national basketball team two times. His first term was from 2006 to 2007, while his second one was from May 2012 until 2014. After Mikawa finished fifth in their division with a 27–33 record, Suzuki announced in May 2023 that he would be stepping down as the team's head coach.
Hidetoshi Ōta (Japanese: 太田 英利, born 25 September 1959) is a Japanese herpetologist.
Kimie Shingyoji (真行寺 君枝, Shingyōji Kimie; born September 24, 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is an actress and model in Japan.…
Kimie Shingyoji (真行寺 君枝, Shingyōji Kimie; born September 24, 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is an actress and model in Japan. She has appeared in films Eureka, Station To Heaven, Natsumeke No Shokutaku, and Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl. In the 1980s she married Hiroshi Oguchi, a Tokyo scene celebrity, and drummer of bands The Tempters and Vodka Collins. Oguchi made a photographic essay of his wife in the book Made in Love in 1989.
Kamui Fujiwara (藤原 カムイ, Fujiwara Kamui; born September 23, 1959 in Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese character…
Kamui Fujiwara (藤原 カムイ, Fujiwara Kamui; born September 23, 1959 in Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese character designer and manga artist. Fujiwara's father was a soldier in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. He graduated from the Kuwasawa Design School. Fujiwara won an honorable mention in 1979 for his debut manga titled Itsu mo no Asa ni in the 18th Tezuka Award along with Toshio Nobe (also an honorable mention) and Tsukasa Hojo, who won the top prize awarded. He was heavily influenced by Katsuhiro Otomo, and a defining feature of his work is the fine attention to detail. His pen name "Kamui" has its origins in the name of the Ainu god of creation, Kamuy, and he has used it since high school. He has had stories published in the manga anthology series Petit Apple Pie.
Tatsuya Ishii (石井竜也, Ishii Tatsuya), also known as Tatuya Ishii (born September 22, 1959) is a Japanese…
Tatsuya Ishii (石井竜也, Ishii Tatsuya), also known as Tatuya Ishii (born September 22, 1959) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, artist, and industrial designer from Ibaraki Prefecture.
Noriko Hayami (速水 典子, Hayami Noriko) is a Japanese actress most known for played the lead role in the 1985 film Love…
Noriko Hayami (速水 典子, Hayami Noriko) is a Japanese actress most known for played the lead role in the 1985 film Love Hotel. She was also the supporting actress in many additional films. On television, Noriko was the lead actress in Sora o Tonda Kome Sōba (空を飛んだ米相場), Episode #29 of Abarenbō Shōgun V.
Chizuko Takahashi (高橋 千鶴子, Takahashi Chizuko; born 16 September 1959) is a Japanese politician and a former member of…
Chizuko Takahashi (高橋 千鶴子, Takahashi Chizuko; born 16 September 1959) is a Japanese politician and a former member of House of Representatives. She is a member of the Japanese Communist Party.
Hisashi Kaneko (金子 久, Kaneko Hisashi; born September 12, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…
Hisashi Kaneko (金子 久, Kaneko Hisashi; born September 12, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kenji Kanasugi (金杉 憲治, Kanasugi Kenji; born September 11, 1959) is the current Japanese ambassador to China. He is…
Kenji Kanasugi (金杉 憲治, Kanasugi Kenji; born September 11, 1959) is the current Japanese ambassador to China. He is known for his extensive contributions to Japan's foreign relations in East Asia, particularly with China and the broader Asia–Pacific region. Joining Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1983, he has held numerous significant roles in Japanese government and foreign affairs throughout his career. Kanasugi's expertise spans both economic and regional diplomacy. Notable positions he has held include Director-General of the Economic Affairs Bureau and the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. His work involved managing key international relations, such as coordinating meetings between Japanese and Chinese leaders, including then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese president Xi Jinping. Additionally, Kanasugi served as a Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of economic issues, emphasizing his focus on economic diplomacy. In 2020, Kanasugi became Japan's ambassador to Indonesia, where he worked on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional challenges. In October 2023, he was appointed Japan's ambassador to China. This marked a strategic move as he became the first ambassador in seven years outside the “China School” (a group of diplomats with specialized training in Chinese language and affairs). His appointment reflects Japan's intent to manage sensitive issues with China, such as maritime territorial disputes and economic tensions, through pragmatic and diplomatic approaches. Kanasugi's tenure as ambassador to China focuses on critical issues, including addressing Beijing's concerns about Japan's wastewater release from the Fukushima nuclear plant. He emphasizes the need for calm, science-based dialogue to resolve conflicts and stabilize Japan-China relations.
Toshihiko Okimune (沖宗 敏彦, Okimune Toshihiko; born September 7, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played…
Toshihiko Okimune (沖宗 敏彦, Okimune Toshihiko; born September 7, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kenji Katsube (born 6 September 1959, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the…
Kenji Katsube (born 6 September 1959, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2019. He is one of the six representatives of the Hokkaido at-large district, and is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party.
Tetsuya Nakashima (中島哲也) (born 1959) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He was born in Fukuoka, attending…
Tetsuya Nakashima (中島哲也) (born 1959) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He was born in Fukuoka, attending high school in Chikushino. His 2010 film Confessions was awarded Best Picture at the Japanese Academy Awards, where Nakashima was also awarded Director of the Year and Screenplay of the Year. At the Asian Film Awards, the film was nominated for Best Film and Best Director, among other categories. Confessions was also selected as the Japanese entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards and made the final shortlist in January 2011. Nakashima was given the Best Director award at the 2005 Yokohama Film Festival for his film Kamikaze Girls, which also won Best Film. For Kamikaze Girls, he also won Best Film and Best Director at the 14th Japan Film Professional Awards. His 2006 film Memories of Matsuko received 14 nominations at the 30th Japanese Academy Awards, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year. In 2014, he was nominated for the Audience Choice Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, for his film The World of Kanako. He was originally slated to direct an adaptation of the hit manga Attack on Titan, but in December 2012 he left the project due to differences with the rest of the production team.
Kazuyoshi Katayama (片山 一良, Katayama Kazuyoshi) is a Japanese animator and director who directed The Big O and the King…
Kazuyoshi Katayama (片山 一良, Katayama Kazuyoshi) is a Japanese animator and director who directed The Big O and the King of Thorn film.
Haruhiko Mikimoto (美樹本 晴彦, Mikimoto Haruhiko; born Haruhiko Satō (佐藤晴彦, Satō Haruhiko), August 28, 1959, in Tokyo…
Haruhiko Mikimoto (美樹本 晴彦, Mikimoto Haruhiko; born Haruhiko Satō (佐藤晴彦, Satō Haruhiko), August 28, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese anime character designer, illustrator and manga artist. Mostly active during the 1980s, during that decade he rose to prominence and is considered one of the top character designers of his time. He graduated from Keio University, and attended the university in the same years as Macross creator Shōji Kawamori and screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi. He joined the animation studio Artland while attending school, and was character designer in several anime series, including The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross 7, Gunbuster and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.
Emi Catherine Watanabe (渡部 絵美, Watanabe Emi; born August 27, 1959), is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who…
Emi Catherine Watanabe (渡部 絵美, Watanabe Emi; born August 27, 1959), is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who is the 1979 World bronze medalist and an eight-time Japanese national champion. She was the first skater to medal for Japan in ladies' singles at the World Championships.
Hiromitsu Takano (Japanese: 高野裕光, born 25 August 1959) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-middleweight…
Hiromitsu Takano (Japanese: 高野裕光, born 25 August 1959) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-middleweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Keita Amemiya (雨宮 慶太, Amemiya Keita; born 24 August 1959) is a Japanese film and television director, screenwriter and…
Keita Amemiya (雨宮 慶太, Amemiya Keita; born 24 August 1959) is a Japanese film and television director, screenwriter and character designer from Urayasu, Chiba. He directed the films Mirai Ninja (1988), Zeiram (1991), Kamen Rider ZO (1993), and Kamen Rider J (1994), and created the tokusatsu franchise Garo in 2005.
Hiroshi Ōnogi (大野木 寛, Ōnogi Hiroshi; born 1959) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions.…
Hiroshi Ōnogi (大野木 寛, Ōnogi Hiroshi; born 1959) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions. Ōnogi attended Keio University in the same years as Macross character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto and creator Shōji Kawamori, both of whom he would first collaborate with in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.
Hideto Ōnishi (大西 秀人, Ōnishi Hideto; born 23 August 1959) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Takamatsu…
Hideto Ōnishi (大西 秀人, Ōnishi Hideto; born 23 August 1959) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Takamatsu, the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Akino Arai (新居 昭乃, Arai Akino; born August 21, 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and lyricist for…
Akino Arai (新居 昭乃, Arai Akino; born August 21, 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and lyricist for various anime theme songs and shows, including Record of Lodoss War, Please Save My Earth, Macross Plus, Outlaw Star, Kaze no Stigma, Maoyu, and Aria The Origination.
Michihiro Kandori (神取道宏, Kandori Michihiro; born 21 August 1959) is a Japanese economist. He is a professor at the…
Michihiro Kandori (神取道宏, Kandori Michihiro; born 21 August 1959) is a Japanese economist. He is a professor at the University of Tokyo. Kandori is the President of the Game Theory Society, replacing Matthew O. Jackson in 2023.
Kazuki Nakashima (中島 かずき, Nakashima Kazuki; born August 19, 1959 in Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese playwright, novelist…
Kazuki Nakashima (中島 かずき, Nakashima Kazuki; born August 19, 1959 in Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese playwright, novelist, contributing editor and screenwriter. In addition to working on Getter Robo, he is a fan of Ken Ishikawa.
Mitsutaka Fujita (藤田 光孝, Fujita Mitsutaka; August 16, 1959 – March 18, 1998) was a Japanese physicist. He proposed the…
Mitsutaka Fujita (藤田 光孝, Fujita Mitsutaka; August 16, 1959 – March 18, 1998) was a Japanese physicist. He proposed the edge state that is unique to graphene zigzag edges. Also, he theoretically pointed out the importance and peculiarity of nanoscale and edge shape effects in nanographene. The theoretical concept of graphene nanoribbons was introduced by him and his research group to study the nanoscale effect of graphene. He was an associate professor at Tsukuba University, and died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage on March 18, 1998. His posthumous name is Rikakuin-Shinju-Houkou-Koji (理覚院深珠放光居士) in Japanese.