Meiko Obara (小原 明子, Obara Meiko), known publicly as Meiko Nakahara (中原 めいこ, Nakahara Meiko), (born May 8, 1959), is a…Meiko Obara (小原 明子, Obara Meiko), known publicly as Meiko Nakahara (中原 めいこ, Nakahara Meiko), (born May 8, 1959), is a Japanese former singer and composer. Active from 1982 to 1992, she was known for her music in the city pop genre. She also created the opening and closing songs for the Dirty Pair and Kimagure Orange Road anime television series.
Hiroyuki Sakashita (坂下 博之, Sakashita Hiroyuki; born May 6, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Hiroyuki Sakashita (坂下 博之, Sakashita Hiroyuki; born May 6, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yukinori Yanagi (柳幸典, Yanagi Yukinori; born 1959) is a contemporary Japanese artist. Yukinori Yanagi is a contemporary…Yukinori Yanagi (柳幸典, Yanagi Yukinori; born 1959) is a contemporary Japanese artist. Yukinori Yanagi is a contemporary Japanese artist who has addressed themes of national and transnational sovereignty, globalization and borders, as well as Japan’s imperial history and nationalism. He is considered one of the first postwar Japanese artists that is openly critical of Japanese society and governmental policy. Many of Yanagi’s artworks consists of large-scale, site-specific installations that engage with movement and symbols of nationalism. Yukinori Yanagi achieved a major international breakthrough in 1993 when he was awarded the Aperto Award at the 45th Venice Biennale.Following this recognition, his work entered major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and Tate Modern (London). In 2000, he was among the first foreign artists invited to exhibit at the Whitney Biennial, alongside Cai Guo-Qiang. He is widely recognized for his role in regional revitalization, most notably for the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum. This long-term project began in 1995and culminated in the 2008 opening of a permanent art complex created by revamping a long-defunct copper refinery on the island of Inujima, which has become an integral location of the Setouchi International Art Triennale. His global profile remains prominent through recent contributions to major biennials including the Busan Biennale 2016 in Busan, South Korea, the 21st Biennale of Sydney, Australia (2018), and the Ad-Diriyah Biennale in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (2021), as well as significant solo exhibitions including ICARUS at Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan, Italy (2025) and El Mare Pacificum at Estación MAZ in Guadalajara, Mexico (2026). Following the completion of the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, Yanagi established the collaborative team YANAGI + ART BASE. Working alongside architects and designers, he has focused on revitalizing industrial ruins and abandoned structures. His primary ongoing initiative is ART BASE MOMOSHIMA, a non-profit art project established in 2012. His current work continues to expand into the study of international history and territories from a sea perspective, including the Anjwa Island Project / Floating Museum in South Korea, where he continues to explore the reclamation of neglected landscapes through site-specific art.
Yasuhiro Kobayashi (小林 靖宏, Kobayashi Yasuhiro; born April 29, 1959), known professionally as coba, is a Japanese…Yasuhiro Kobayashi (小林 靖宏, Kobayashi Yasuhiro; born April 29, 1959), known professionally as coba, is a Japanese musician, accordionist, composer and arranger, born in Matsushiro, Nagano and brought up in Niigata, Niigata. His music has sold over 1,000,000 CDs. coba started playing accordion when he was nine. At the age of 18 he moved to Italy in order to hone his music skills in local educational institution and graduated with honours. In April 1979 coba won an accordionist contest in Japan; in September he did the same in Italy and in October 1980 he was recognized as the best in Austria. coba creates his own music and makes arrangements for famous compositions. In 1996 he collaborated with Björk recording her album Homogenic and touring in more than sixty countries. Throughout his career coba also worked with Goldie, 808 State, Underworld, Plaid and Howie B. In 1996 French magazine Nova Magazine named "Roots" album the best one. In 2001 coba was awarded "The Best Composer of the Year" for his soundtracks according to Japanese Award Academy. In 2002 he created music for Pokémon. In 2006 coba was awarded "Voce d’oro" - the prize of "the most active accordionist in the world". coba released more than 30 albums. He considers that his music doesn't belong to any genre.
Hitoshi Oshitani (押谷仁, Oshitani Hitoshi, born 29 April 1959) is a Japanese university professor, virologist, medical…Hitoshi Oshitani (押谷仁, Oshitani Hitoshi, born 29 April 1959) is a Japanese university professor, virologist, medical doctor, public health expert and scientist who currently serves as the professor of virology, Department of Microbiology at Tohoku University. He is acclaimed and accredited with the crafting of the successful pandemic strategy of Japan called the "Three C's": Avoiding closed spaces, crowds and contact situations. He has been dubbed as the global ambassador of the "Japanese Model". He is also an integral member of the expert panel advising the Government of Japan in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Despite being regarded as a prominent figure in Japanese health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, he maintains a low profile.
Masahide Uehara (上原 正英, Uehara Masahide; born April 26, 1959), known by his pen name Alice Arisugawa (有栖川有栖, Arisugawa…Masahide Uehara (上原 正英, Uehara Masahide; born April 26, 1959), known by his pen name Alice Arisugawa (有栖川有栖, Arisugawa Arisu), is a Japanese mystery writer. He is one of the representative writers of the new traditionalist movement in Japanese mystery writing and was the first president of the Honkaku Mystery Writers Club of Japan from 2000 to 2005. He has also served as part of the selection committee for various literary awards, most notably the Ayukawa Tetsuya Award from 1996 to 1999 and Edogawa Rampo Prize from 2014 to 2017.
Takeaki Matsumoto (松本 剛明, Matsumoto Takeaki; 25 April 1959 – 27 July 2026) was a Japanese politician who served as…Takeaki Matsumoto (松本 剛明, Matsumoto Takeaki; 25 April 1959 – 27 July 2026) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2011. A native of Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000 after running unsuccessfully as an independent in 1996.
Akihiro Iwashima (岩島 章博, Iwashima Akihiro; born 23 April 1959) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at…Akihiro Iwashima (岩島 章博, Iwashima Akihiro; born 23 April 1959) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Iwashima competed at the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow and won a bronze medal.
Fumiko Furuhashi (Japanese: 古橋 富美子, romanized: Furuhashi Fumiko; born 22 April 1959) is a Japanese former professional…Fumiko Furuhashi (Japanese: 古橋 富美子, romanized: Furuhashi Fumiko; born 22 April 1959) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Furuhashi, the 1980 All-Japan singles champion, represented her country in a total of five Federation Cup ties. She competed for Japan at the 1981 Summer Universiade and won a silver medal in the women's doubles event.
Ritsuko Nemoto (根本 りつ子, Nemoto Ritsuko; born April 19, 1959 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. From 1983 to 1996, she…Ritsuko Nemoto (根本 りつ子, Nemoto Ritsuko; born April 19, 1959 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. From 1983 to 1996, she portrayed the nurse Shiho in Series 7–14 of the long-running prime-time series Ōoka Echizen on the nationwide Tokyo Broadcasting System network. A frequent guest star in jidaigeki roles, she has seven appearances in Mito Kōmon to her credit. Contemporary roles include parts in a 2004 television series spinoff of Castle of Sand and the 1985 Star Tanjō. Ritsuko also acts in two-hour mystery dramas, with roles in the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday prime-time slots. Ritsuko has appeared in two films. She was in the 1994 Natsu no Niwa: The Friends, directed by Shinji Sōmai and in the 2005 Semi Shigure, directed by Mitsuo Kurotsuchi. Her product endorsements include advertisements for Calpis, House Foods, and Lake (Shinsei Financial Co., Ltd.).
Norihiko Akagi (赤城 徳彦, Akagi Norihiko; born 18 April 1959) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic…Norihiko Akagi (赤城 徳彦, Akagi Norihiko; born 18 April 1959) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Makabe District, Ibaraki and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 1983 to 1988. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Akagi took office as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries after the suicide of his predecessor, Toshikatsu Matsuoka, in May 2007. Not even two months after being inaugurated, Akagi found himself indicted in a political funding scandal not entirely different from the one his predecessor had been embroiled in as he was alleged to have registered multi-million yen expenditures on an office which did not exist. Akagi was asked to make receipts official but refused. On 17 July he appeared at a press conference with two adhesive plasters on his face, puzzling reporters but still refusing to make receipts official. Akagi resigned as Minister on 1 August 2007, after the upper house election. Minister of the Environment, Masatoshi Wakabayashi, became concurrent Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and stayed until 27 August 2007, when Shinzō Abe announced a new cabinet. Akagi's virtual successor was Takehiko Endo appointed on 27 August.
Koi Ikeno (池野 恋, Ikeno Koi; born April 16, 1959) is a manga author and illustrator. She was born April 16, 1959, in…Koi Ikeno (池野 恋, Ikeno Koi; born April 16, 1959) is a manga author and illustrator. She was born April 16, 1959, in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. She created Tokimeki Tonight in the 1980s and Nurse Angel Ririka in the 1990s, two manga series which received anime adaptations that ran while the manga was ongoing.
Kiyomi Itō (伊藤清美, Itō Kiyomi) is a Japanese actress best known for her performances in pink films. She was given Best…Kiyomi Itō (伊藤清美, Itō Kiyomi) is a Japanese actress best known for her performances in pink films. She was given Best Actress awards at the Pink Grand Prix for her work in this genre in 1990, 1992 and 1994.
Yukihiro Torikai (鳥飼 行博, Torikai Yukihiro; born 1959) is a Japanese economist of Department of Human Development…Yukihiro Torikai (鳥飼 行博, Torikai Yukihiro; born 1959) is a Japanese economist of Department of Human Development, School of Humanities & Culture, Tokai University (東海大学), which Shyonan campus is located in Hiratuka. His major is development economics and environmental economics for sustainable development from the view point of developing economies.
Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the…Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the second highest rank of ōzeki from 1990 to 1992 and won one top division tournament championship, and was runner up in seven others. He retired in March 1996, and from December 1997 until April 2024 was the head coach of Michinoku stable under the elder name of Michinoku.
Hisayoshi Ogura (小倉 久佳, Ogura Hisayoshi) is a former member of Taito Corporation's "house band" Zuntata. He is best…Hisayoshi Ogura (小倉 久佳, Ogura Hisayoshi) is a former member of Taito Corporation's "house band" Zuntata. He is best known for his musical compositions in the Darius arcade series. His musical style is often experimental electronica. However, in Zoids Infinity Ex he focused on more on an orchestrated soundtrack. His Darius compositions range from cutesy, heartfelt denpa-style songs to rather powerful ones. His music for the Darius series can vary in style. For example, the music for Darius Gaiden is dark and gloomy, while the music for G-Darius is more carefree and upbeat. He also created the soundtrack to Ninja Warriors and voiced the character Marco in Kaiser Knuckle (known outside Japan as Global Champion). Having left Zuntata by the time of Darius Burst, to which he contributed one new piece of music, being released, Ogura's company affiliation is listed in the game's all-English credits individually as "OguraHisayoshiOngaSeisakushow" (written in kanji as「小倉久佳音画制作所」; "Ogura Hisayoshi Soundscape Production Facility"), in contrast to the other composers' being listed as "ZUNTATA." His return as a free agent took place one year after leaving Zuntata.
Kazuhisa Kondo (近藤和久, Kondo Kazuhisa; born April 2, 1959) is a Japanese mecha designer. He is known for working on the…Kazuhisa Kondo (近藤和久, Kondo Kazuhisa; born April 2, 1959) is a Japanese mecha designer. He is known for working on the Gundam series.
Nobuo Kishi (岸 信夫, Kishi Nobuo; born 1 April 1959) is a Japanese politician. He sat in the House of Representatives…Nobuo Kishi (岸 信夫, Kishi Nobuo; born 1 April 1959) is a Japanese politician. He sat in the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2023 representing Yamaguchi’s 2nd District as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. From September 2020 to August 2022 he served as the Minister of Defense. He is the younger brother of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Daisuke Nishio (西尾 大介, Nishio Daisuke; born April 1, 1959) is a Japanese animator and director. He joined Toei Doga…Daisuke Nishio (西尾 大介, Nishio Daisuke; born April 1, 1959) is a Japanese animator and director. He joined Toei Doga (now Toei Animation) as animator in 1981. After doing several TV series, he was promoted to assistant director on Dr. Slump - Arale-chan in 1982. He debuted as director for Dragon Ball in 1986 and made his film debut that same year with Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong. Nishio also directed its sequel TV series, Dragon Ball Z, and several of its films.
Hideaki Okabe (岡部 英明, Okabe Hideaki; born 31 March 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Hideaki Okabe (岡部 英明, Okabe Hideaki; born 31 March 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hitachi, Ibaraki and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the assembly of Tochigi Prefecture in 2003 and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Katsuya Kodama (児玉 克哉, Kodama Katsuya; March 10, 1959 – October 2021 ) was a Japanese peace researcher and sociologist…Katsuya Kodama (児玉 克哉, Kodama Katsuya; March 10, 1959 – October 2021 ) was a Japanese peace researcher and sociologist who specializes in the research on non-violent peace activism, the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, refugee issues, foreign workers, and peace-building. He is a current Secretary-General of International Peace Research Association, former professor and vice president at Mie University and former vice president of International Social Science Council at UNESCO.
Tatsuo Kamon (嘉門 達夫, Kamon Tatsuo), real name Tatsuo Torikai (鳥飼 達夫, Torikai Tatsuo), is a Japanese singer-songwriter…Tatsuo Kamon (嘉門 達夫, Kamon Tatsuo), real name Tatsuo Torikai (鳥飼 達夫, Torikai Tatsuo), is a Japanese singer-songwriter born 25 March 1959 in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He is represented by the talent management firm Daikan'yama Production, and releases works through Daipro-X, a record company which is a subsidiary of Daikan'yama. He made his professional singer-songwriter debut in 1983 by winning two major awards and being named the "Rookie of the Year" for his single Yankee no Niichan no Uta (ヤンキーの兄ちゃんのうた, Yankī no Niichan no Uta).
Kazue Ikura (伊倉 一恵, Ikura Kazue; born March 23, 1959) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works for…Kazue Ikura (伊倉 一恵, Ikura Kazue; born March 23, 1959) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works for Aoni Production. She was previously affiliated with theater groups/production companies 劇舎燐, 俳協, Production Baobab and NABEYA. She is most known for the roles of Kaori Makimura (City Hunter), Toraoh (Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru), Ryuunosuke Natsume (All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku), and Leni Milchstrasse (Sakura Wars). Kazue Ikura has even taken her voice acting skills on stage to perform, in costume, Leni Milchstrasse during several events starting in 1998 to the present.
Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his…Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his contributions to the Final Fantasy video game series by Square Enix. A self-taught musician, he began playing the piano at the age of twelve. Uematsu joined Square in 1986, where he first met Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. The two later worked together on many games at the company, most notably in the Final Fantasy series. After nearly two decades with Square, Uematsu left in 2004 to create his own production company and music label, Dog Ear Records. He has since composed music as a freelancer for other games, including ones developed by Square Enix and Sakaguchi's studio Mistwalker. Many soundtracks and arranged albums of Uematsu's game scores have been released. Pieces from his video game works have been performed in various Final Fantasy concerts, where he has worked with conductor Arnie Roth and Game Concerts producer Thomas Böcker on several of these performances. Uematsu was also the keyboardist in The Black Mages in the 2000s, which played various hard rock versions of his Final Fantasy compositions. He has since performed with the Earthbound Papas, which he formed as the successor to The Black Mages in 2011. Uematsu has made several listings in Britain's Classic FM Hall of Fame, with the station referring to him as the Beethoven of game music.
Katsuhiko Murooka (室岡 克彦, Murooka Katsuhiko; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Katsuhiko Murooka (室岡 克彦, Murooka Katsuhiko; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan.
Mariko Ōhara (大原まり子, Ōhara Mariko; born March 20, 1959 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese science fiction writer. She won…Mariko Ōhara (大原まり子, Ōhara Mariko; born March 20, 1959 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese science fiction writer. She won the 6th Hayakawa SF Contest in 1980, when she was still a student. Later she published various SF works and became the 10th president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan. Ōhara is the Winner of the Nihon SF Taisho Award in 1994.
Gaku Miyao (宮尾 岳, Miyao Gaku; born May 21, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist known for his work on the series Kazan. He…Gaku Miyao (宮尾 岳, Miyao Gaku; born May 21, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist known for his work on the series Kazan. He began his career as an animator, but started creating manga so he could explore the storytelling process on his own. His signature titles include Kazan, Cycle Shop Aoba, Devil Hunter Yohko, and Shichimi Nadeshiko Unon. Comics One published the Kazan series.
Kenji Fukaya (Japanese: 深谷賢治, Fukaya Kenji, born in 1959) is a Japanese mathematician known for his work in symplectic…Kenji Fukaya (Japanese: 深谷賢治, Fukaya Kenji, born in 1959) is a Japanese mathematician known for his work in symplectic geometry and Riemannian geometry. His many fundamental contributions to mathematics include the discovery of the Fukaya category. He was a permanent faculty member at the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics and a professor of mathematics at Stony Brook University before leaving for Tsinghua University.
Takaaki Kajita (梶田 隆章, Kajita Takaaki; Japanese pronunciation: [kadʑita takaːki]; born 9 March 1959) is a Japanese…Takaaki Kajita (梶田 隆章, Kajita Takaaki; Japanese pronunciation: [kadʑita takaːki]; born 9 March 1959) is a Japanese physicist, known for neutrino experiments at the Kamioka Observatory – Kamiokande and its successor, Super-Kamiokande. In 2015, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics jointly with Canadian physicist Arthur B. McDonald for the discovery of neutrino oscillations. On 1 October 2020, he became the president of the Science Council of Japan.
Makiko Ueda (上田 真基子, Ueda Makiko; March 8, 1959), better known as Maki Ueda (マキ上田, Maki Ueda), is a retired Japanese…Makiko Ueda (上田 真基子, Ueda Makiko; March 8, 1959), better known as Maki Ueda (マキ上田, Maki Ueda), is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. In the 1970s, while wrestling for All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), she formed the tag team, the Beauty Pair, with Jackie Sato. Following in the steps of Mach Fumiake, the Beauty Pair was part of an important shift in the culture of Japanese women's wrestling, attracting more female fans by becoming pop icons. In their mainstream success, Satō and Ueda paved the way for the Crush Gals of the 1980s.
Miyoko Hirose (広瀬 美代子 Hirose Miyoko, born 5 March 1959) is a former volleyball player from Japan who was a member of…Miyoko Hirose (広瀬 美代子 Hirose Miyoko, born 5 March 1959) is a former volleyball player from Japan who was a member of the Japan women's national team that won the bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Tsukasa Hojo (Japanese: 北条 司, Hepburn: Hōjō Tsukasa; born March 5, 1959, in Kokura, Kitakyushu, Japan) is a Japanese…Tsukasa Hojo (Japanese: 北条 司, Hepburn: Hōjō Tsukasa; born March 5, 1959, in Kokura, Kitakyushu, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He studied technical design while still at Kyushu Sangyo University, where he began to draw manga. He worked on several one-shot stories before releasing his serialized works: Cat's Eye, City Hunter and Angel Heart. After the success of Cat's Eye and City Hunter, Hojo went on to work on other series such as Family Compo, a slice-of-life comedy with transgender themes. His most recent series is Angel Heart, a spin–off of City Hunter set in an alternate universe. It was serialized in Weekly Comic Bunch from 2001 to 2010, when the magazine ceased publication. From 2010 to 2017, the series continued under the title Angel Heart 2nd Season in Monthly Comic Zenon. 30 collected volumes have been published so far. Tsukasa Hojo is Takehiko Inoue's mentor. Inoue worked as an assistant to Hojo during the production of City Hunter. Hojo is also a long-time acquaintance of Fist of the North Star illustrator Tetsuo Hara, who was also one of the founders of Coamix. Hojo contributed to the production Fist of the North Star: The Legends of the True Savior film series by designing the character of Reina. He was honor guest of the eleventh French Japan Expo which was held in July 2010. Hojo is scheduled to be the Manga Guest of Honor at Japan Expo 2023.
Hiroyuki Suzuki (鈴木 弘幸, Suzuki Hiroyuki; born March 5, 1959 in Kagoshima, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater who is now…Hiroyuki Suzuki (鈴木 弘幸, Suzuki Hiroyuki; born March 5, 1959 in Kagoshima, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater who is now a coach. He competed in ice dancing with Tomoko Tanaka (his wife). They placed 18th in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. They are three-time Japanese National Champions.
Hiroko Nakano (仲野 博子, Nakano Hiroko; born 3 March 1959) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Hiroko Nakano (仲野 博子, Nakano Hiroko; born 3 March 1959) 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.
Shinji Miyadai (宮台 真司, Miyadai Shinji; born 3 March 1959 in Sendai, Japan) is a Japanese sociologist and professor at…Shinji Miyadai (宮台 真司, Miyadai Shinji; born 3 March 1959 in Sendai, Japan) is a Japanese sociologist and professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University.
George Iida (飯田 譲治, Iida Jōji; born 1 March 1959) is a Japanese film and television director, screenwriter, manga…George Iida (飯田 譲治, Iida Jōji; born 1 March 1959) is a Japanese film and television director, screenwriter, manga author, and novelist. Iida has worked continually in Japan's film, television, anime and manga industries since the early 1980s, predominantly in the genres of horror and science fiction.
Masaya Tokuhiro (徳弘正也, Tokuhiro Masaya) is a Japanese manga artist working for various magazines within the Shueisha…Masaya Tokuhiro (徳弘正也, Tokuhiro Masaya) is a Japanese manga artist working for various magazines within the Shueisha lines, including Weekly Shōnen Jump and Super Jump. Born in Ōtoyo in the prefecture of Kōchi on March 1, 1959, he originally got notice from a placing entry in the 17th Akatsuka Award for his story Bijō wa Niku-Ryori ga Tokui (美女は肉料理がお得意) in 1982. His first series, Shape Up Ran (シェイプアップ乱), soon followed, running between 1983 and 1985 in Weekly Shōnen Jump and quickly established him as not only a gag manga artist but one who balanced in dramatic elements into his stories as well. His most well known work, Jungle King Tar-chan (ジャングルの王者 ターちゃん♡) (a bizarre take on Edgar Rice Burroughs' famous jungle hero Tarzan), became a Weekly Shōnen Jump staple during its run between 1988 and 1995. At the same time as his Weekly Shōnen Jump success, he also had a successful series in Super Jump by way of Fundoshi Police Ken-chan and Chaco-chan (ふんどし刑事ケンちゃんとチャコちゃん), running between 1986 and 1990. Other notable more recent series in the seinen magazine include Kyōshirō 2030 (狂四郎2030) and Showa Eternal Immortal Legend Vampire (昭和不老不死伝説 バンパイア). Tokuhiro incorporates many of his loves in his stories, including guns, bodybuilding, and muscular physiques (for both males and females) as well as Shorinji Kempo. One of the few assistants he has used in his work was a young Eiichiro Oda, who has admitted to taking many of the ideas and styles from Tokuhiro but has had little contact with him since those days.
Hiromitsu Kanki (神吉宏充, Kanki Hiromitsu; born January 1, 1940) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Hiromitsu Kanki (神吉宏充, Kanki Hiromitsu; born January 1, 1940) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 7-dan. He is known for wearing colorful suits on television programs as a shogi expert.
Akira Jimbo, also transliterated as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira; born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese jazz fusion…Akira Jimbo, also transliterated as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira; born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese jazz fusion drummer, best known as the drummer for the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea in 3 separate stints (1980-1989, 1997-2006 and 2012-2022). Aside from his work with Casiopea, Jimbo has also participated in side projects with Keiko Matsui, Shambara, and Brian Bromberg.
Masanobu Endō (遠藤 雅伸, Endō Masanobu; born February 23, 1959) is a Japanese game designer, president of Game Studio and…Masanobu Endō (遠藤 雅伸, Endō Masanobu; born February 23, 1959) is a Japanese game designer, president of Game Studio and Mobile & Game Studio, and the director of Digital Games Research Association Japan. He formerly worked for Namco, where he created arcade games and is best known for Xevious and The Tower of Druaga, which were important titles in the scrolling shooter and action role-playing game genres, respectively.
Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as…Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as president of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique since January 2017. Prior to his election in October 2016, he served as general-secretary of the Japan Gymnastics Association (2009–16) and was on multiple committees with the Japanese Olympic Committee. Watanabe is the ninth president of the FIG and its first Asian president. In October 2018, the International Olympic Committee elected him as a new member. He was also appointed an executive board member of Tokyo 2020. In September 2024, he was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president. During the 144th IOC Session in March 2025, he got four votes, with Kirsty Coventry winning the election. Watanabe has faced criticism for his decisions regarding Russian athletes tied to the war in Ukraine. In March 2025, he was filmed embracing Nikita Nagorny, a Russian gymnast sanctioned by the UK, EU, and United States and a prominent supporter of the war, during a visit to Moscow. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) permitted Russian athletes with documented pro-war ties, including Angelina Melnikova, to compete under neutral status. In May 2026, Watanabe lifted all remaining restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes entirely.
Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Japanese: 芳垣安洋; born 1959) is a Japanese drummer and percussionist, noted for his command of rhythm…Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (Japanese: 芳垣安洋; born 1959) is a Japanese drummer and percussionist, noted for his command of rhythm in jazz and ensemble settings. He is also highly regarded in free improvisation and has collaborated with musicians in Japan and abroad, including Otomo Yoshihide and John Zorn. He is one of the twin drummers of the post-rock band Rovo and the leader of Vincent Atmicus, an ensemble distinguished by twin drums, strings, brass, and layered percussion to create dense, polyrhythmic textures. He has also led long-running projects as a bandleader, including Orquesta Libre and Orquesta Nudge! Nudge!.
Izumi Miyazaki (宮﨑泉, Miyazaki Izumi; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of…Izumi Miyazaki (宮﨑泉, Miyazaki Izumi; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Wakayama Prefecture since June 2025. He previously served as superintendent of the Wakayama Prefectural Board of Education and as vice governor of Wakayama Prefecture.
