Liz Akama (赤間 凛音, Akama Rizu; born 8 January 2009) is a Japanese skateboarder who won a silver medal in women's street…Liz Akama (赤間 凛音, Akama Rizu; born 8 January 2009) is a Japanese skateboarder who won a silver medal in women's street skateboarding at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Ko Kurabayashi (倉林 紅, Kurabayashi Ko) (born 29 June 2005) is a Japanese professional golfer. She won one time on the…Ko Kurabayashi (倉林 紅, Kurabayashi Ko) (born 29 June 2005) is a Japanese professional golfer. She won one time on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
Mone Chiba (千葉 百音, Chiba Mone; born May 1, 2005) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2025 World bronze medalist…Mone Chiba (千葉 百音, Chiba Mone; born May 1, 2005) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2025 World bronze medalist, the 2026 World silver medalist, the 2024 Four Continents champion, the 2023 and 2026 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2024–25 Grand Prix Final silver medalist, a four-time Grand Prix medalist, a two-time Challenger Series medalist, the 2025 World University Games silver medalist, and the 2023 Japanese national silver medalist. She represented Japan at the 2026 Winter Olympics, placing fourth. Competing at the junior level, she is the 2022 JGP Poland I silver medalist, a two-time Japanese Junior medalist, and a two-time Challenge Cup junior champion.
Rikuu Nishida (西田 陸浮, Nishida Rikuu; born May 6, 2001) is a Japanese professional baseball second baseman and…Rikuu Nishida (西田 陸浮, Nishida Rikuu; born May 6, 2001) is a Japanese professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2026.
Shunichiro Sato (佐藤 駿一郎) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He currently plays in Tokai University and a member of…Shunichiro Sato (佐藤 駿一郎) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He currently plays in Tokai University and a member of Japan men's national volleyball team. He used to be part of Japan U21 & U19 national team.
Yuriya Takahashi (高橋 勇利也, Takahashi Yuriya; born 24 March 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Yuriya Takahashi (高橋 勇利也, Takahashi Yuriya; born 24 March 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League club Iwaki FC. His father Norio is a former professional footballer.
Taishi Onodera (小野寺 太志, Ōnodera Taishi; born 27 February 1996) is a Japanese male professional volleyball player who…Taishi Onodera (小野寺 太志, Ōnodera Taishi; born 27 February 1996) is a Japanese male professional volleyball player who plays as a middle blocker for SV League club Suntory Sunbirds, which he captains, and the Japan national team.
Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show…Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show producer. Widely recognized as one of the greatest figure skaters in history for his well-rounded skills, achievements, innovations, longevity, popularity, and impact on the sport, he started skating at four years old and competed in the men's singles discipline from 2004 to 2022. Hanyu is the first men's singles skater in 66 years since Dick Button to win back-to-back Olympic titles (2014, 2018), and the first Asian Olympic champion in that discipline. He is a two-time World champion (2014, 2017), six-time Japanese national champion (2012–2015, 2020–2021), and the first singles skater to win four consecutive Grand Prix Finals (2013–2016). With his win at the 2020 Four Continents Championships, he became the first skater in men's singles to complete the Super Slam, having won all major international junior and senior titles in the course of his career. He is also the only singles skater to be ranked first in the ISU World Standings for five consecutive seasons (2014–2018). Hanyu broke world records 19 times, the most in singles since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2003, and was the first skater to land a quadruple loop jump in international competition among other achievements. He is also the only male single skater besides German Jan Hoffmann to win seven world championship medals in the post-war era since 1946. According to Nikkei Asia, Hanyu's move to professional level in 2022 marked the "end of an era" in competitive figure skating. His first major work as a professional is the ongoing Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story series, with its prelude event Prologue (2022) being the first solo ice show and the Repray Tour (2023–24) the first solo tour production in figure skating. His second solo show Gift (2023) was the first ice skating event to be held at Tokyo Dome, breaking the record for the largest ice show audience with 35,000 people. Hanyu's Ice Story series, which has attracted more than 200,000 spectators in total by April 2026, opened a new genre of performing art and entertainment, weaving live skating performances into comprehensive, philosophical stories with elaborate on-screen narration. At 16 years old, Hanyu experienced the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in his hometown of Sendai, which fundamentally shaped his life and career, having participated in different charity events and dedicated various performances to the victims of the disaster. He is also the chairperson of Nippon TV's annual 3.11 commemoration ice show Yuzuru Hanyu Notte Stellata, inaugurated in 2023. Since the earthquake, Hanyu has donated a cumulative total of more than $3 million USD for reconstruction, disaster prevention, and other humanitarian efforts. The donations include the full prize money of his Olympic wins and all royalties from his best-selling autobiography series Blue Flames I–IV. In recognition of his achievements, Hanyu became the youngest recipient of the People's Honor Award (2018), bestowed by the Prime Minister of Japan, received Japan's Medal of Honor with purple ribbon twice (2014, 2018) and was awarded the Kikuchi Kan Prize (2022). He is the first figure skater to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award (2019) and was named the Most Valuable Skater at the inaugural ISU Skating Awards (2020). He was also featured in prestigious lists, such as Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), ESPN's top 25 of greatest Olympians of the 21st century (#10), and the International Sports Press Association's list of most impactful male athletes of the last 100 years (#6) (both 2024). In 2022, he was ranked sixth in the list of most-searched athletes on Google Search worldwide.
Kana Abe (阿部 香菜, Abe Kana; born 25 April 1988) is a Japanese judoka. At the 2013 World Judo Championships in Rio de…Kana Abe (阿部 香菜, Abe Kana; born 25 April 1988) is a Japanese judoka. At the 2013 World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Abe competed in the women's 63 kg category where she reached the semifinal and finished fifth. She was also part of the Japanese team that won gold in the women's team competition. Abe married Asian and World Champion judoka Masashi Ebinuma in 2014.
Masayoshi Kato (加藤 政義, Katō Masayoshi) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder. He was born on April 28, 1987, in…Masayoshi Kato (加藤 政義, Katō Masayoshi) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder. He was born on April 28, 1987, in Sendai. Miyagi. He is currently playing for Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the NPB.
Farid Yu Darvish Sefat (ダルビッシュ・セファット・ファリード・有, Darubisshu Sefatto Farīdo Yū; born August 16, 1986), more commonly known…Farid Yu Darvish Sefat (ダルビッシュ・セファット・ファリード・有, Darubisshu Sefatto Farīdo Yū; born August 16, 1986), more commonly known as Yu Darvish (ダルビッシュ 有), is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He also pitched for Japan in several international tournaments, including the 2008 Olympics, 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC), and 2023 WBC. Darvish was considered by many to be the best pitcher in Japan prior to his arrival in MLB in 2012. In his first MLB season, Darvish finished third in the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year balloting. The next season, he finished second in the AL Cy Young Award vote, led MLB in strikeouts with 277, and finished fourth in the AL in earned run average (ERA) at 2.83. He pitched in the 2017 World Series for the Dodgers, where his underwhelming performance was later attributed to being a victim of the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal. He signed a six-year contract with the Cubs before the 2018 season and was then traded to the Padres before the 2021 season. He was named an All-Star in 2021. He signed a six-year extension with San Diego in 2023. Darvish has the most strikeouts by a Japanese-born pitcher in MLB history and was the first Japanese pitcher to 2,000 MLB strikeouts. He has set several career records for striking out batters in relatively few innings.
Ai Miyazato (宮里 藍, Miyazato Ai; born 19 June 1985) is a former Japanese professional golfer who competed on the…Ai Miyazato (宮里 藍, Miyazato Ai; born 19 June 1985) is a former Japanese professional golfer who competed on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour (JLPGA). She was the top-ranked golfer in the Women's World Golf Rankings on three occasions in 2010.
Tomomi Morita (森田 智己, Morita Tomomi; born August 22, 1984 in Miyagi) is a backstroke swimmer from Japan. He represented…Tomomi Morita (森田 智己, Morita Tomomi; born August 22, 1984 in Miyagi) is a backstroke swimmer from Japan. He represented his native country at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. There, he won two bronze medals in the 100 m backstroke and as a member of the 4 × 100 m medley relay team.
Takaaki Tomimatsu (富松 崇彰, Tomimatsu Takaaki; born (1984-07-20)20 July 1984) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He…Takaaki Tomimatsu (富松 崇彰, Tomimatsu Takaaki; born (1984-07-20)20 July 1984) is a Japanese male volleyball player. He was part of the Japan men's national volleyball team at the 2010 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Italy. He currently plays for Toray Arrows.
Yuhei Takai (高井 雄平, Takai Yūhei; born June 25, 1984 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese former professional…Yuhei Takai (高井 雄平, Takai Yūhei; born June 25, 1984 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. Yuhei played a total of 18 years for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He began his career as a pitcher, and later converted to an outfielder following the 2009 season and changed his registered name. Starting with the 2022 season, he will be a hitting coach with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Yasuyuki Konno (今野 泰幸, Konno Yasuyuki; born 25 January 1983) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Yasuyuki Konno (今野 泰幸, Konno Yasuyuki; born 25 January 1983) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender and currently play for Nankatsu SC. He played for Japan national team. He regular plays as either a defensive midfielder or a centre back. He has previously played for Consadole Sapporo, FC Tokyo and Gamba Osaka.
Akinori Nakagawa (中川 晃教, Nakagawa Akinori; born 5 November 1982, in Sendai) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and actor.…Akinori Nakagawa (中川 晃教, Nakagawa Akinori; born 5 November 1982, in Sendai) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and actor. In 2001, he debuted as a singer with "I Will Get Your Kiss". In 2002, he appeared in the musical Mozart!, in which he played the leading role and received a Rookie of the Year Award in the drama division at the 57th National Arts Festival held by the Agency of Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. His performance in the same musical also earned him the Haruko Sugimura Award and an award nomination for best actor in the 10th Yomiuri Drama Awards. Since then, he has performed in a number of musicals while still actively pursuing his musical career.
Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice…Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice Bucks of the Asia League Ice Hockey. Fukufuji was the first Japanese player to appear in a National Hockey League (NHL) game, and played 4 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006–07 season. The first Japanese draft pick, Hiroyuki Miura, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1992 NHL Draft, but never played in an NHL game. Fukufuji is the first Japanese citizen to be drafted as a goaltender in the NHL and second Japanese national to be drafted. Internationally Fukufuji has played for the Japanese national team at several World Championships.
Marie Arai (荒井 万里絵, Arai Marie; born December 7, 1981) is a Japanese former figure skater who competed in pairs and…Marie Arai (荒井 万里絵, Arai Marie; born December 7, 1981) is a Japanese former figure skater who competed in pairs and ladies' singles. She skated in partnership with Yamato Tamura before teaming up with Shin Amano. Arai and Amano placed 20th at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. They are the 1998 Japanese national champions. Arai's best national result as a single skater, tenth, came at the 2001–02 Japan Championships. After retiring from competition, she became a skating coach.
Takeshi Honda (本田 武史, Honda Takeshi; born 23 March 1981) is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He is a…Takeshi Honda (本田 武史, Honda Takeshi; born 23 March 1981) is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He is a two-time World bronze medalist (2002, 2003), two-time Four Continents champion (1999, 2003), and six-time Japanese national champion.
Yamato Tamura (田村 岳斗, Tamura Yamato; born May 28, 1979) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitor. As a…Yamato Tamura (田村 岳斗, Tamura Yamato; born May 28, 1979) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitor. As a single skater, he is a two-time Japanese national champion and represented Japan at the 1998 Winter Olympics, placing 17th.
Shigenobu Shima (嶋 重宣, born June 16, 1976, in Kamifukuoka, Saitama, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Shigenobu Shima (嶋 重宣, born June 16, 1976, in Kamifukuoka, Saitama, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Gojōrō Katsuhiro (born 18 August 1973 as Akitomo Kojima) is a former sumo wrestler from Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan. Making…Gojōrō Katsuhiro (born 18 August 1973 as Akitomo Kojima) is a former sumo wrestler from Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan. Making his professional debut in 1989, he spent a total of 53 tournaments as an elite sekitori ranked wrestler, reaching a highest rank of maegashira 3 in 1998. After a number of injury problems he retired in 2005 at the age of 32. He is now a sumo coach under the name Hamakaze-oyakata.
Takashi Saito (斎藤 隆, Saitō Takashi; born February 14, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who is…Takashi Saito (斎藤 隆, Saitō Takashi; born February 14, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who is currently the chief pitching coach for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Saito's professional career spanned 23 years. He spent his first 13 seasons pitching for the Yokohama Taiyo Whales / BayStars in the Japanese Central League, compiling a record of 87–80, usually as a starter. He spent the next seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a closer and relief pitcher, before finishing his career in Japan with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. In his first MLB season of 2006, Saito finished eighth in the National League Cy Young Award voting. In his second season, he was named an All-Star. Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully bestowed the nickname "the Man from Miyagi" upon him, in reference to the prefecture that encompasses Saito's place of birth. He was also nicknamed "Sammy" by his Dodgers teammates Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, who affectionally compared him to Sammy Sosa.
Kazuhiro Sasaki (佐々木 主浩 Sasaki Kazuhiro, born February 22, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball relief…Kazuhiro Sasaki (佐々木 主浩 Sasaki Kazuhiro, born February 22, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played his entire Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) career with the Yokohama Taiyō Whales / Yokohama BayStars (1990–1999; 2004–2005), and played his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Seattle Mariners (2000–2003). His nickname "Daimajin" was named after the tokusatsu character of the same name, and Sasaki has participated in advertisements and several collaborations with the franchise.
Osamu Abe (安部 理, Abe Osamu; born December 19, 1962 in Miyagi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player…Osamu Abe (安部 理, Abe Osamu; born December 19, 1962 in Miyagi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League.
Yoshiichi Watanabe (渡辺 由一, Watanabe Yoshiichi; born April 5, 1954) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Yoshiichi Watanabe (渡辺 由一, Watanabe Yoshiichi; born April 5, 1954) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Tsuyoshi Kawachi (河内 剛, Kawachi Tsuyoshi; born 4 January 1945) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's…Tsuyoshi Kawachi (河内 剛, Kawachi Tsuyoshi; born 4 January 1945) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's sprint at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Akio Kaminaga (神永 昭夫, Kaminaga Akio; December 22, 1936 – March 21, 1993) was a Japanese judoka who won a silver medal…Akio Kaminaga (神永 昭夫, Kaminaga Akio; December 22, 1936 – March 21, 1993) was a Japanese judoka who won a silver medal in the open weight category at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Shizuka Arakawa (荒川 静香, Arakawa Shizuka; born December 29, 1981) is a retired Japanese figure skater. She is the 2006…Shizuka Arakawa (荒川 静香, Arakawa Shizuka; born December 29, 1981) is a retired Japanese figure skater. She is the 2006 Olympic champion and the 2004 World champion. Arakawa is the first Japanese skater to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating and the second Japanese skater to win any Olympic medal in figure skating, after Midori Ito, who won silver in 1992. She is also the second Japanese woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, following skier Tae Satoya. She was the only Japanese medalist at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Arakawa retired from competitive skating following her Olympic win and began skating professionally in ice shows and exhibitions. She also works as a skating sportscaster for Japanese television.
