Daichi Shimoyama (下山 大地, Shimoyama Daichi; born August 8, 1989), nicknamed Chi, is a Japanese professional basketball…Daichi Shimoyama (下山 大地, Shimoyama Daichi; born August 8, 1989), nicknamed Chi, is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays for the Aomori Wat's of the B.League in Japan. He had been the team captain of the Aomori Wat's.
Michimasa Fujino (藤野 道格, Fujino Michimasa) (born March 1960) is a retired Japanese aeronautical engineer, entrepreneur…Michimasa Fujino (藤野 道格, Fujino Michimasa) (born March 1960) is a retired Japanese aeronautical engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Honda Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company. Fujino worked as chief engineer within Honda R&D, then as vice president, before he was named the project leader for HondaJet development. He was also a Honda Motor managing officer. At Honda Aircraft, he played a crucial role in the growth of the company, and was responsible for the overall strategy of its design, development, certification, marketing, sales, and production of the HondaJet. For his work at Honda Aircraft, Fujino has received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aircraft Design Award (2012), the SAE International Award, the Clarence L. Kelly Johnson Aerospace and Vehicle Design Award (2014), and the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences Award for Innovation in Aeronautics. He is the first aircraft designer to receive all four awards, as well as the first individual of Asian descent to win the AIAA award, making him a notable figure in the contemporary aviation and very light jet industry. Fujino was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2017 for the creation of the HondaJet and the formation of the Honda Aircraft Company. In 2022, it was announced that he would retire as president and CEO of the company in April, a post he held since its founding in 2006, and continue as a consultant following his retirement.
Yoshitomo Nara (奈良 美智, Nara Yoshitomo; born 5 December 1959 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Yoshitomo Nara (奈良 美智, Nara Yoshitomo; born 5 December 1959 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese artist. He lives and works in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, though his artwork has been exhibited worldwide. Nara has had nearly 40 solo exhibitions since 1984. His art work has been housed at the MoMA and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). His most well-known and repeated subjects are "big-headed girls" with piercing eyes, who one Nara scholar describes as having "childlike expressions [that] resonate with adult emotions, [their] embodiment of kawaii (cuteness) carries a dark humor, and any explicit cultural references are intertwined with personal memories."
Akiyoshi Matsuoka (松岡 昭義, Matsuoka Akiyoshi; 3 March 1945 – 4 September 2017) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He…Akiyoshi Matsuoka (松岡 昭義, Matsuoka Akiyoshi; 3 March 1945 – 4 September 2017) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Akio Sato (佐藤 昭郎, Satō Akio; born February 10, 1943) is a Japanese politician. He served two terms in the House of…Akio Sato (佐藤 昭郎, Satō Akio; born February 10, 1943) is a Japanese politician. He served two terms in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) from 1998 until 2010 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Hiroshima Prefecture and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 1966 to 1996. Sato was born in Hiroshima Prefecture and graduated from Aomori Prefectural Hirosaki High School and the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Engineering. He joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1966, where he served as Director and Deputy Director of the Rural Development Bureau. In the 18th House of Councillors regular election in 1998, he ran from a proportional representation district with the National Land Development Corporation as his support group and was elected. He served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the Director-General of the Defense Agency in the first Koizumi Cabinet and the first reshuffled Cabinet. Regarding the unpaid pension issue of politicians, he was unpaid for 1 year and 7 months. Sato did not run in the 22nd House of Councillors regular election in 2010 and retired.
Hideo Osabe (長部日出雄, Osabe Hideo; 3 September 1934 – 18 October 2018) was a Japanese essayist and novelist. His work…Hideo Osabe (長部日出雄, Osabe Hideo; 3 September 1934 – 18 October 2018) was a Japanese essayist and novelist. His work focused on movies and Osamu Dazai. He was born in Aomori Prefecture, where Dazai was also born. He also once directed a movie. He won the Naoki Prize in 1973 for Tsugaru jongara bushi and Tsugaru yosare bushi. He was awarded a Medal of Honor (with Purple Ribbon, for contributions to education and culture) from the Japanese government in 2002.
Takao Mikami (Japanese: 三上隆雄 Mikami Takao; 2 November 1933 – 9 July 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Takao Mikami (Japanese: 三上隆雄 Mikami Takao; 2 November 1933 – 9 July 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1989 to 1995. Mikami died on 9 July 2026, at the age of 92.
Yūichirō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 雄一郎, Hepburn: Miura Yūichirō; born October 12, 1932) is a Japanese speed skier and…Yūichirō Miura (Japanese: 三浦 雄一郎, Hepburn: Miura Yūichirō; born October 12, 1932) is a Japanese speed skier and alpinist. In 1970, he became the first person to ski on Mount Everest. Forty-three years later, in 2013, he became the oldest person to summit Everest, at the age of 80. He was born in Aomori Prefecture and graduated from Hokkaido University. He was introduced to alpine sports by his father when he was in second grade. Peaks he has skied down include all the Seven Summits. The government of Japan named an award after him and he was recognized by Guinness World Records. He has made many public appearances and has worked with several companies and organizations.
Hifumi Shimoyama (Japanese: 下山 一二三 Shimoyama Hifumi; born 21 June 1930 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture) is a Japanese…Hifumi Shimoyama (Japanese: 下山 一二三 Shimoyama Hifumi; born 21 June 1930 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture) is a Japanese composer of contemporary concert music. Since the 1960s, Shimoyama's music has been regularly featured on World Music Days festivals across Europe and Asia, and sponsored by the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM). Shimoyama is the founder of GROUP 20.5, the internationally recognized group of Japanese avant garde composers.
Shinzo Yamada (山田 伸三, Yamada Shinzō; 17 January 1914 – 20 March 2000) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed…Shinzo Yamada (山田 伸三, Yamada Shinzō; 17 January 1914 – 20 March 2000) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed in the men's 18 kilometre event at the 1936 Winter Olympics.
Seishichi Inuma (井沼 清七, Inuma Seishichi; 27 July 1907 – 1 October 1973) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the…Seishichi Inuma (井沼 清七, Inuma Seishichi; 27 July 1907 – 1 October 1973) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Yōjirō Ishizaka (石坂 洋次郎, Ishizaka Yōjirō; 15 [or 25] January 1900 – 7 October 1986) was a Japanese writer of short…Yōjirō Ishizaka (石坂 洋次郎, Ishizaka Yōjirō; 15 [or 25] January 1900 – 7 October 1986) was a Japanese writer of short stories and novels.
Norihide Abe (阿部 規秀, Abe Norihide; September 8, 1887 – November 7, 1939) was a career officer and Lieutenant General in…Norihide Abe (阿部 規秀, Abe Norihide; September 8, 1887 – November 7, 1939) was a career officer and Lieutenant General in the Imperial Japanese Army who was the highest-ranking Japanese officer killed in combat during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Ujaku Akita (秋田 雨雀, Akita Ujaku; 30 January 1883 – 12 May 1962) was the pseudonym of Tokuzō Akita (秋田 徳三, Akita…Ujaku Akita (秋田 雨雀, Akita Ujaku; 30 January 1883 – 12 May 1962) was the pseudonym of Tokuzō Akita (秋田 徳三, Akita Tokuzō), a Japanese author and Esperantist. He is best known for his plays, books, and short stories for children.
Hanako Okada (Japanese: 岡田 華子), née Miura, (born August 2, 1980) is a Japanese lawyer and politician, who served as a…Hanako Okada (Japanese: 岡田 華子), née Miura, (born August 2, 1980) is a Japanese lawyer and politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. She is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Jiro Kimura (born 16 December 1967) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives of…Jiro Kimura (born 16 December 1967) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan.