Kenji Nishimaki (西巻 賢二, Nishimaki Kenji; born April 22, 1999) is a professional Japanese baseball player for the…Kenji Nishimaki (西巻 賢二, Nishimaki Kenji; born April 22, 1999) is a professional Japanese baseball player for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He previously played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Chiba Lotte Marines.
Yūya Gunji (郡司 裕也, Gunji Yūya; born December 27, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder and…Yūya Gunji (郡司 裕也, Gunji Yūya; born December 27, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder and outfielder for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Chunichi Dragons.
Taiga Hirasawa (平沢 大河, Hirasawa Taiga; born December 24, 1997), nicknamed "T-Ga", is a Japanese professional baseball…Taiga Hirasawa (平沢 大河, Hirasawa Taiga; born December 24, 1997), nicknamed "T-Ga", is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Takahiro Kumagai (熊谷 敬宥, Kumagai Takahiro; born November 10, 1995, in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese professional…Takahiro Kumagai (熊谷 敬宥, Kumagai Takahiro; born November 10, 1995, in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Seiji Uebayashi (上林 誠知, Uebayashi Seiji; born August 1, 1995) is a Japanese profesisonal baseball outfielder for the…Seiji Uebayashi (上林 誠知, Uebayashi Seiji; born August 1, 1995) is a Japanese profesisonal baseball outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Kōsuke Baba (馬場 皐輔, Baba, Kōsuke; born May 18, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA…Kōsuke Baba (馬場 皐輔, Baba, Kōsuke; born May 18, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.
Seiya Matsubara (松原 聖弥, Matsubara Seiya; born January 26, 1995) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Seiya Matsubara (松原 聖弥, Matsubara Seiya; born January 26, 1995) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
Kaito Chida (千田 海人, Chida Kaito; born October 17, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre…Kaito Chida (千田 海人, Chida Kaito; born October 17, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for J1 League club Kashima Antlers.
Yuma Hattori (Japanese: 服部勇馬, romanized: Hattori Yūma; born 13 November 1993) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In…Yuma Hattori (Japanese: 服部勇馬, romanized: Hattori Yūma; born 13 November 1993) is a Japanese long-distance runner. In 2018, he won the Fukuoka Marathon in a time of 2:07:27. He qualified for the marathon at the 2020 Summer Olympics by finishing second in the 2019 Marathon Grand Championship with a time of 2:11.36.
Itaru Hashimoto (橋本 到; born April 28, 1990) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Japan's Nippon…Itaru Hashimoto (橋本 到; born April 28, 1990) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Yomiuri Giants from 2009 to 2018 and for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2019.
Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 由規, Satō Yoshinori; born 5 December 1989) also known as Yoshinori (由規) is a Japanese former…Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 由規, Satō Yoshinori; born 5 December 1989) also known as Yoshinori (由規) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Rakuten Monkeys.
Megumi Kinukawa (絹川 愛, Kinukawa Megumi; born 7 August 1989) is a Japanese long-distance runner. She represented her…Megumi Kinukawa (絹川 愛, Kinukawa Megumi; born 7 August 1989) is a Japanese long-distance runner. She represented her country at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka and is the Japanese high school and junior record holder for the 10,000 metres. Born in Takasaki, Gunma, she attended Sendai Ikue High School – an institution renowned for its athletic programme. Kinukawa made her first impact on the national junior circuit in 2006, as she won the junior race at the Fukuoka International Cross Country and was runner-up at the Chiba Cross Country two weeks later. This gained her a debut international selection at the 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships (also held in Fukuoka), where the sixteen-year-old came in fourteenth place and helped the Japanese girls to a team bronze medal. Turning to the track later that April, she ran a national junior record in the 10,000 metres at the Hyogo Relay Carnival, placing second behind Lucy Wangui with a mark of 31:35.27 minutes – raising her to eleventh on the all-time junior rankings. Kinukawa ran at the Fukuoka Cross Country in 2007 and became the first high school student to win the senior title at the competition. With the 2007 World Championships in Athletics to be held in Osaka, she opted to focus on her track performances and achieved the "A" standard for the 10,000 m in April. She took third place in the event at the Japanese Athletics Championships and earned her first senior selection as a result. At the World Championships in Osaka that August she came fourteenth in the women's 10,000 m, coming in as the second best Asian finisher behind compatriot Kayoko Fukushi. Kinukawa took to the roads at the end of the year to compete for the Japanese team at the Chiba International Ekiden. She played a key role in Japan's victory at the competition, winning the fourth stage and closing the gap on Catherine Kirui of then-leaders Kenya. She suffered a stress fracture injury to her foot in April 2008 and only returned to serious competition in 2009. The injury continued to affect her running and she managed only 56th place at the 2010 Chiba Cross Country. The 2011 season saw her return to form and breakthrough into the senior ranks with a win over 5000 m at the Japanese Athletics Championships and then a third-place finish on her half marathon debut at the Sapporo Half Marathon. At the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu she missed out on qualification in the 5000 m and finished last over 10,000 m. She was the only Japanese to reach the podium at the 2012 Chiba Cross Country in February, taking third behind Kenyan opposition, and repeated that placing at the Fukuoka meet.
Futoshi Mori (森太志, Mori Futoshi; born 25 April 1988) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays in the…Futoshi Mori (森太志, Mori Futoshi; born 25 April 1988) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays in the hooker position. He currently plays for the Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan's domestic Top League.
Seiya Kishikawa (岸川聖也, Kishikawa Seiya; born 21 May 1987) is a male Japanese table tennis player. He paired with Jun…Seiya Kishikawa (岸川聖也, Kishikawa Seiya; born 21 May 1987) is a male Japanese table tennis player. He paired with Jun Mizutani in men's doubles competitions, the duo won four consecutive national titles from 2007 to 2010. They also won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships and two titles at the ITTF Pro Tour. He currently plays for the German team TTC Ruhrstadt Herne.
Kensuke Hatakeyama (畠山健介, Hatakeyama Kensuke) (born 2 August 1985 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a former Japanese…Kensuke Hatakeyama (畠山健介, Hatakeyama Kensuke) (born 2 August 1985 in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR). Hatakeyama has played 78 matches for the Japan national rugby union team.
Sayaka Hirano (平野 早矢香, Hirano Sayaka; born 24 March 1985) is a Japanese five-time national table tennis champion. She…Sayaka Hirano (平野 早矢香, Hirano Sayaka; born 24 March 1985) is a Japanese five-time national table tennis champion. She competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics, reaching the third round of the singles competition. She also competed in the team competition, reaching the bronze medal final but losing to South Korea. At the 2012 London Olympics Women's Team Event semi-finals, she helped Japan overcome Singapore to reach their historic first final by winning her doubles match with Kasumi Ishikawa over Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei (11–3, 13-11 and 11–4). Japan failed to beat China in the final, but won the first ever silver medal for their country in table tennis. In March 2016, it was announced that she would be retiring after the Japanese Table Tennis League Big Tournament in April. She was beaten in the first round by Yuko Fujii and after the match, she said, "I feel I've done everything, I might have wanted to play a little better match. I've gone into each match thinking as if it were the last, and managed to end without any regrets". After her retirement as a professional table tennis player, she has become a familiar face in Japanese households as a TV presenter and table tennis sportscaster. She is also an adviser for table tennis club MIKI House.
Toshiyuki Yanuki (矢貫 俊之, Yanuki Toshiyuki) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on December 15…Toshiyuki Yanuki (矢貫 俊之, Yanuki Toshiyuki) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He was born on December 15, 1983. He debuted in 2010. He had 59 strikeouts in 2013 for the Yomiuri Giants.
Maximo Blanco (born October 16, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the…Maximo Blanco (born October 16, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2008, Blanco is the former Lightweight King of Pancrase and has also competed in Strikeforce and World Victory Road.
Takanori Hoshi (星 孝典, Hoshi Takanori; born May 4, 1982) is a former Japanese professional baseball catcher for the…Takanori Hoshi (星 孝典, Hoshi Takanori; born May 4, 1982) is a former Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Yomiuri Giants and Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. He was born in Natori, Miyagi, Japan.
Mami Tani née Sato (谷 真海, Tani Mami, born 12 March 1982) is a Japanese paratriathlete and former long jumper. She was a…Mami Tani née Sato (谷 真海, Tani Mami, born 12 March 1982) is a Japanese paratriathlete and former long jumper. She was a World bronze medalist and has competed in three Paralympic Games in track and field, her highest achievement was reaching sixth place at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Tani competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics as a triathlete and finished in tenth position. Tani had her right leg amputated below her knee after she developed osteosarcoma while at Waseda University.
Hiroshi Iwata (岩田 寛, Iwata Hiroshi; born 31 January 1981) is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on the Japan Golf…Hiroshi Iwata (岩田 寛, Iwata Hiroshi; born 31 January 1981) is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on the Japan Golf Tour and the Asian Tour.
Shinji Niinuma (新沼 慎二, Niinuma Shinji; born June 22, 1979 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Shinji Niinuma (新沼 慎二, Niinuma Shinji; born June 22, 1979 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher.
Brendan Neilson (born 5 April 1978) is a New Zealand-Japanese former rugby union player who played as a Centre in Japan…Brendan Neilson (born 5 April 1978) is a New Zealand-Japanese former rugby union player who played as a Centre in Japan for Coca-Cola Red Sparks, NEC Green Rockets and Kamaishi Seawaves. He studied in Japan at Sendai Ikuei High School, then Ryutsu Keizai University. On graduation he first joined NEC Green Rockets. He has a bachelor's degree in tourism and social studies. In 2006, he obtained Japanese citizenship, though at international level he has yet to represent the senior Japan squad, having played for the Japan A and Under-23 sides. In April 2015, he began working as IBDP World History Instructor & Rugby Head Coach at Sendai Ikuei High School and is still currently there.
Yugoh Amano (天野 勇剛, Amano Yūgō; born December 11, 1977 in Miyagi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Yugoh Amano (天野 勇剛, Amano Yūgō; born December 11, 1977 in Miyagi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League.
Daniel Njenga Muturi (born 7 May 1976) is a Kenyan long-distance runner, who specializes in the marathon. He had his…Daniel Njenga Muturi (born 7 May 1976) is a Kenyan long-distance runner, who specializes in the marathon. He had his first successes in 1995 as he won the steeplechase gold medal at the 1995 Summer Universiade and also the Chiba International Cross Country meeting. He was based in Japan from early on in his early career and won the steeplechase at the Japanese Championships on three occasions. Njenga turned to marathon running and made his debut in 1995 at the Saitama Marathon in Ageo, Saitama, Japan, placing first, and then coming in tenth in his second marathon at the 1999 Fukuoka Marathon. His breakthrough year came in 2002 when he was the runner-up at the Beppu-Oita Marathon and Chicago Marathon. His time of 2:06:16 hours in Chicago made him the third fastest runner in the world for 2002, behind only Khalid Khannouchi and Paul Tergat. He is known for his consistent, close finishes in the Chicago Marathon, finishing as runner-up three times and third on two occasions, between 2003 and 2007. He was the 2006 winner of the Sendai Half Marathon. He won the Tokyo International Marathon in 2004 and then the reformed Tokyo Marathon in 2007. Njenga is a featured subject in the 2007 marathon documentary Spirit of the Marathon. Njenga was victorious at the 2009 Hokkaido Marathon and took consecutive runner-up spots at the Beppu-Ōita Marathon in 2010 and 2011.
Satoru Kanemura (金村 曉, Kanemura Satoru) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Kanemura pitched for the…Satoru Kanemura (金村 曉, Kanemura Satoru) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Kanemura pitched for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters during Game 4 when they won the 2006 Japan Series against the Chunichi Dragons.
Fumihiro Suzuki (鈴木 郁洋, born May 23, 1975) is a retired Japanese professional baseball catcher and current coach for…Fumihiro Suzuki (鈴木 郁洋, born May 23, 1975) is a retired Japanese professional baseball catcher and current coach for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played with the Chunichi Dragons and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. Suzuki also played for Team Japan at the 2000 Olympics.
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music…Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music, singer, and video game voice actor. He has composed music for various games produced by Sega, including Virtua Fighter 2 and Shenmue. He first gained major recognition after the release of Daytona USA, for which he wrote music and personally sang vocals. He also recorded live orchestras for the arcade games Derby Owners Club, World Club Champion Football, and Star Horse. Aside from original compositions, he also arranges, provides vocals, and is a performer for various projects, including S.S.T from 1988 to 1993, and [H.] from 2004 onwards. He is well-known for voicing the character Kage-Maru in the Virtua Fighter franchise. His younger brother, Kenji Mitsuyoshi (光吉 賢司, Mitsuyoshi Kenji), is a manga artist and member of the artist-writer duo Ark Performance along with Kōichi Ishikawa.
Matazō Mimata (三又 又三, Mimata Matazō; born 27 May 1967, in Hanamaki, Iwate) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor.…Matazō Mimata (三又 又三, Mimata Matazō; born 27 May 1967, in Hanamaki, Iwate) is a Japanese comedian, tarento and actor. He is represented with Office Kitano. From 1992 to 2007, he acted as a Boke of the comedy duo Jordans with Masaya Yamazaki. His former stage name and real name is Tadahisa Mimata (三又 忠久, Mimata Tadahisa). A former highschool amateur wrestler, Mimata has been a host to professional wrestling and combat sports shows. He has worked as a color commentator in shootboxing events, WWE tours and Pro Wrestling Zero1. On May 24, 2018, Mimata debuted as a professional wrestler in an "Electric Current Blast Death Match" in Zero1, wrestling against Taru in a losing effort.
Shinichi Fujimura (藤村 新一, Fujimura Shin'ichi; b. May 4, 1950) is a Japanese amateur archaeologist who claimed he had…Shinichi Fujimura (藤村 新一, Fujimura Shin'ichi; b. May 4, 1950) is a Japanese amateur archaeologist who claimed he had found a large number of stone artifacts dating back to the Lower Paleolithic and Middle Paleolithic periods. These objects were later revealed to be forgeries.
Katsuo Haga (芳賀 勝男, Haga Katsuo; born 4 December 1938) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's bantamweight event…Katsuo Haga (芳賀 勝男, Haga Katsuo; born 4 December 1938) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's bantamweight event at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Shintarō Asanuma (浅沼 晋太郎, Asanuma Shintarō; born January 5, 1976) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, actor…Shintarō Asanuma (浅沼 晋太郎, Asanuma Shintarō; born January 5, 1976) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, actor, copywriter and designer. He was affiliated with Office Osawa and currently attached under DANDELION.
Kumiko Imura (井村 久美子, Imura Kumiko; born 10 January 1981 in Sakata, Yamagata) is a Japanese long jumper. She won bronze…Kumiko Imura (井村 久美子, Imura Kumiko; born 10 January 1981 in Sakata, Yamagata) is a Japanese long jumper. She won bronze medals at the 2000 World Junior Championships and the 2001 Summer Universiade, and finished eleventh at the 2001 World Championships. On the regional level she won a bronze medal at the 2005 Asian Championships and gold at the 2006 Asian Games. Her personal best jump is 6.86 metres, achieved in May 2006 in Osaka. This is the current Japanese record. She began competing as Kumiko Imura in the 2009 season.
Ai Akimoto (秋本 愛, Akimoto Ai; née Ōtomo (大友); born March 24, 1982) is a Japanese retired volleyball player. She…Ai Akimoto (秋本 愛, Akimoto Ai; née Ōtomo (大友); born March 24, 1982) is a Japanese retired volleyball player. She competed at the 2004 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
Yoshitaka Yamaya (山谷 祥生, Yamaya Yoshitaka; born February 15, 1992) is a Japanese voice actor. He was previously…Yoshitaka Yamaya (山谷 祥生, Yamaya Yoshitaka; born February 15, 1992) is a Japanese voice actor. He was previously represented by With Line, but is now currently affiliated with freelancer.
Kōdai Umetsu (梅津晃大, Umetsu Kōdai; born October 24, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi…Kōdai Umetsu (梅津晃大, Umetsu Kōdai; born October 24, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).