Victor Shoichi Koga (1935 – November 3, 2018) was a Japanese-Russian martial artist and trainer. He introduced the…Victor Shoichi Koga (1935 – November 3, 2018) was a Japanese-Russian martial artist and trainer. He introduced the martial art of sambo in Japan and was one of its main exponents until his death.
Shinta Chō (Japanese: 長新太(ちょうしんた); September 24, 1927 - June 25, 2005) was a Japanese children's author and…Shinta Chō (Japanese: 長新太(ちょうしんた); September 24, 1927 - June 25, 2005) was a Japanese children's author and illustrator. He won the Japan Picture Book Awards Grand Prize for Kyabetsu-kun (Cabbage Boy) in 1981.
Kazuyuki Sogabe (曽我部 和恭 (formerly 曽我部 和行) Sogabe Kazuyuki, April 16, 1948 – September 17, 2006) was a Japanese actor…Kazuyuki Sogabe (曽我部 和恭 (formerly 曽我部 和行) Sogabe Kazuyuki, April 16, 1948 – September 17, 2006) was a Japanese actor, voice actor, musician and narrator. During his life, he has been attached to Theatre Echo; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. He also served as guitarist of the band Slapstick, which he formed in 1977 with fellow voice actors Tōru Furuya and Toshio Furukawa. In December 2000, Sogabe retired from voice acting when he felt a weakness in his own voice. After his retirement, his ongoing roles were replaced by other voice actors. He died on September 17, 2006, from esophageal cancer, with which he had been diagnosed two months before. He was 58 years old.
Toshihisa Izawa (伊澤 俊久, Izawa Toshihisa; born September 4, 1955), better known by his stage name Hiroshi Izawa (伊沢 弘…Toshihisa Izawa (伊澤 俊久, Izawa Toshihisa; born September 4, 1955), better known by his stage name Hiroshi Izawa (伊沢 弘, Izawa Hiroshi), is a Japanese actor, voice actor and director. Izawa was born in Tokyo, Japan and is the director of the theatrical troupe Big Face, and a member of Theater Echo. He appeared with fellow Theater Echo member Chihoko Shigeta in the popular "Itadakimasu Gekijō" segment of Raion no Itadakimasu on Fuji TV. Izawa has chaired organizations including the World Music Festival of Peace, the Yomiuri Giants Fan Appreciation Day, and the Tokyo International Marathon.