Yui Hiwatashi (樋渡結依, Hiwatashi Yui; born 30 April 2000 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese idol and former…Yui Hiwatashi (樋渡結依, Hiwatashi Yui; born 30 April 2000 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese idol and former member of the groups AKB48 and Karat. She is represented by the talent agency AKS. Multiples of her singles with AKB48 have reached No. 1 on Oricon and Billboard Japan charts, and Sustainable was the number one selling single in Japan in 2019. The album Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake o Shitteiru was certified double platinum by the RIAJ.
Tomoyo Kurosawa (黒沢 ともよ, Kurosawa Tomoyo; born April 10, 1996) is a Japanese actress and singer. Her major voice acting…Tomoyo Kurosawa (黒沢 ともよ, Kurosawa Tomoyo; born April 10, 1996) is a Japanese actress and singer. Her major voice acting roles include Yuki Yuna Is a Hero as Itsuki Inubozaki, Arknights as Amiya, Sound! Euphonium as Kumiko Ōmae, Otome Arisugawa in Aikatsu!, Rebecca in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Annabella in Tower of Fantasy, Miria Akagi in The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, and Land of the Lustrous as Phosphophyllite. She also performed the opening theme to DokiDoki! PreCure, "Happy Go Lucky! Doki Doki! Pretty Cure".
Yusuke Segawa (瀬川 祐輔, Segawa Yūsuke; born 7 April 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or…Yusuke Segawa (瀬川 祐輔, Segawa Yūsuke; born 7 April 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or a winger for J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol.
Shoko Kashiki (born 9 November 1993) is a Japanese professional racing cyclist, who rode for UCI Women's Continental…Shoko Kashiki (born 9 November 1993) is a Japanese professional racing cyclist, who rode for UCI Women's Continental Team Team Illuminate in 2022.
Maria Miyata (宮田 真理愛, Miyata Maria; born December 13, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan), better known as Nonoka Ono (おの ののか, Ono…Maria Miyata (宮田 真理愛, Miyata Maria; born December 13, 1991, in Tokyo, Japan), better known as Nonoka Ono (おの ののか, Ono Nonoka), is a Japanese entertainer and race queen who is represented by the talent agency, Platinum Production. Ono is nicknamed Nonokyan (ののきゃん).
Koji Fukada (深田 晃司, Fukada Kōji; born 1980 in Koganei, Tokyo) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. Most known…Koji Fukada (深田 晃司, Fukada Kōji; born 1980 in Koganei, Tokyo) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. Most known for his films Harmonium (2016), Love Life (2022) and Love on Trial (2025).
Toshiaki Kasuga (春日 俊彰, Kasuga Toshiaki; born February 9, 1979) is a Japanese comedian best known as the boke half of…Toshiaki Kasuga (春日 俊彰, Kasuga Toshiaki; born February 9, 1979) is a Japanese comedian best known as the boke half of the comedy duo Audrey alongside Masayasu Wakabayashi. On stage, he usually wears a pink vest and white pants. Aside from comedy, he is also known for his participation in sporting events such as kickboxing, bodybuilding, and finswimming. He was also a YouTuber under the name Hideo Furui.
Masayasu Wakabayashi (若林 正恭, Wakabayashi Masayasu; born 20 September 1978, in Chūō, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian…Masayasu Wakabayashi (若林 正恭, Wakabayashi Masayasu; born 20 September 1978, in Chūō, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, actor, and author. He performs tsukkomi in the comedy duo Audrey. His partner is Toshiaki Kasuga. He is represented with K Dash Stage. He has a sister who is two years older than him. Wakabayashi and fellow comedian Ryota Yamasato are the main subjects of the 2023 biographical series Passion for Punchlines (だが、情熱はある, Da ga, Jōnetsu ga aru; lit. 'However, The Passion is There') on Nippon TV, in which he was portrayed by Kaito Takahashi of King & Prince.
Tatsuya Murata (村田 達哉, Murata Tatsuya; born August 8, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager He is the…Tatsuya Murata (村田 達哉, Murata Tatsuya; born August 8, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager He is the currently assistant manager Japan Football League club Briobecca Urayasu.
Takayuki Ohira (大平 貴之, Ōhira Takayuki; born March 11, 1970) is a Japanese engineer and the creator of the Megastar, a…Takayuki Ohira (大平 貴之, Ōhira Takayuki; born March 11, 1970) is a Japanese engineer and the creator of the Megastar, a planetarium projector which was recorded in Guinness World Records as the planetarium projector that can project the highest number of stars in the world. Ohira has also designed the Sega Homestar, a home planetarium projector for Sega. According to the Japan Planetarium Association, the popularity of this educational toy has contributed to an increase in visitors to full-sized planetaria in Japan. The newest model, released in 2019, is called Homestar Flux.
Eizo Sakamoto (坂本 英三, Sakamoto Eizō; also credited as さかもと えいぞう Sakamoto Eizō, born February 23, 1964) is a Japanese…Eizo Sakamoto (坂本 英三, Sakamoto Eizō; also credited as さかもと えいぞう Sakamoto Eizō, born February 23, 1964) is a Japanese musician, singer and songwriter who was born in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is most famous for being the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Anthem. In the 1990s he started up the band Animetal which performed heavy metal covers of anime and tokusatsu opening and closing themes. He also was involved with the Anison band JAM Project before reuniting with Anthem. Sakamoto then began a new project called Eizo Japan which is similar to Animetal: more heavy metal covers of theme songs post-disbanding, along with original material.
Kusuo Oshima (大島 九州男, Ōshima Kusuo; born June 11, 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a…Kusuo Oshima (大島 九州男, Ōshima Kusuo; born June 11, 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Nogata, Fukuoka and graduate of Nihon University, he served in the city assembly of Nogata. After two unsuccessful runs for the House of Representatives in 2003 and 2005, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Dai Shimamura (August 11, 1960 – August 30, 2023) was a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of…Dai Shimamura (August 11, 1960 – August 30, 2023) was a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors.
Tetsuya Ota (太田 哲也, Ōta Tetsuya; born 6 November 1959) is a retired racing driver from Maebashi in the Gunma…Tetsuya Ota (太田 哲也, Ōta Tetsuya; born 6 November 1959) is a retired racing driver from Maebashi in the Gunma Prefecture, Japan. He survived a fiery multi-car pileup he was involved in during a JGTC race at Fuji Speedway on May 3, 1998, caused by a safety car which was driven at twice the recommended speed in torrential rain during a parade lap. Ota was seriously injured and, as a result, he brought a lawsuit against the race organizers.
Satoshi Hatakeyama (畠山 智之, Hatakeyama Satoshi; born October 30, 1958) is a Japanese journalist who works for NHK.…Satoshi Hatakeyama (畠山 智之, Hatakeyama Satoshi; born October 30, 1958) is a Japanese journalist who works for NHK. During his career, he was presenter of NHK News 7 and NHK News 21.
Ran Itō (伊藤 蘭, Itō Ran; born 13 January 1955) is a Japanese actress and previous member of the 1970s idol group…Ran Itō (伊藤 蘭, Itō Ran; born 13 January 1955) is a Japanese actress and previous member of the 1970s idol group Candies. As the leading member of Candies, Itō was in charge of the solo of most of the trio's hit songs. Itō was born in Kichijōji, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan. She is married to actor Yutaka Mizutani. Itō won the award for best supporting actress at the 2nd Yokohama Film Festival for Disciples of Hippocrates. In 2019, Itō released her first solo album, My Bouquet. On 15 February 2020, she kicked off her first concert tour, My Bouquet & My Dear Candies!, which featured several Candies songs in the set list.
Saburo Shinoda (篠田三郎, Shinoda Saburō; born December 5, 1948, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor who has played roles…Saburo Shinoda (篠田三郎, Shinoda Saburō; born December 5, 1948, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor who has played roles in films and television dramas. He signed with Daiei film and made his film debut with Gan in 1966. He is famous for playing the role of Kotaro Higashi in Ultraman Taro. He is the only original Ultraman actor to have not reprised his role in any other Ultraman film or television series.
Taimei Yamaguchi (山口 泰明, Yamaguchi Taimei; born 10 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Taimei Yamaguchi (山口 泰明, Yamaguchi Taimei; born 10 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hiki District, Saitama and graduate of Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996.
Nejime Shōichi (ねじめ 正一, 祢寝 正一; born June 16, 1948) is a Japanese poet and novelist born on June 16, 1948. He dropped…Nejime Shōichi (ねじめ 正一, 祢寝 正一; born June 16, 1948) is a Japanese poet and novelist born on June 16, 1948. He dropped out of Aoyama Gakuin University while he was majoring in economics.
Hiroshi Aramata (荒俣 宏, Aramata Hiroshi; born July 12, 1947) is a Japanese author, polymath, critic, translator and…Hiroshi Aramata (荒俣 宏, Aramata Hiroshi; born July 12, 1947) is a Japanese author, polymath, critic, translator and specialist in natural history, iconography and cartography. His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari (Tale of the Capitol), which has sold over 5 million copies in Japan alone.
Keiko Katsukata (born 1947) is an Okinawan researcher. She was a professor at Waseda University, and the former…Keiko Katsukata (born 1947) is an Okinawan researcher. She was a professor at Waseda University, and the former director of the institute for Ryukyuan and Okinawan studies. Katsukata was born in Uruma City in Okinawa Prefecture. Katsukata received the 24th the Okinawa Bunka Kyokai Award (Zenchu Nakahara Award) in 2002. She specializes in Contemporary American Literature, Gender studies, Okinawan Studies and Ethnicity Studies.
Kuniyoshi Sugioka (杉岡 邦由, Sugioka Kuniyoshi; born 10 February 1942) is a Japanese former high jumper who competed at…Kuniyoshi Sugioka (杉岡 邦由, Sugioka Kuniyoshi; born 10 February 1942) is a Japanese former high jumper who competed at four Olympic Games.
Hajime Sawatari (沢渡 朔, Sawatari Hajime; born 1940) is a Japanese photographer. He is known for his fashion and…Hajime Sawatari (沢渡 朔, Sawatari Hajime; born 1940) is a Japanese photographer. He is known for his fashion and advertising photography as well as his nudes of girls and women. He earned his degree from Nihon University's College of Art with a major in photography.
Yūsaku Kamekura (亀倉雄策, Kamekura Yūsaku; April 6, 1915 – May 11, 1997) was a Japanese graphic designer, the leading…Yūsaku Kamekura (亀倉雄策, Kamekura Yūsaku; April 6, 1915 – May 11, 1997) was a Japanese graphic designer, the leading figure in post-World War II Japanese graphic design. His stature in the field led to the nickname "Boss".
Hideo Hagiwara (萩原 英雄, Hagiwara Hideo; 1913 – November 4, 2007) was a Japanese artist who worked mainly with woodblock…Hideo Hagiwara (萩原 英雄, Hagiwara Hideo; 1913 – November 4, 2007) was a Japanese artist who worked mainly with woodblock prints. He was born in Kōfu, Yamanashi. Between 1921 and 1929 he lived in Korea and Manchuria. He studied at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, where he graduated at the Oil Painting Section in 1938. While still there he attended Un'ichi Hiratsuka's extracurricular woodblock printing course, and in the same year he became quality controller at the Takamizawa Woodblock Print Company. He was conscripted into the army in 1943. In 1945 he had lost his house, his atelier and nearly all his early works. Around 1950 he had sufficiently recovered to start painting again. At the same time he started making Sōsaku Hanga, both figurative and abstract prints. He was known as a constant innovator and he was generally considered one of the best post-World War II Sōsaku Hanga artists.
Yū Mizushima (水島 裕, Mizushima Yū; born Kenji Noda (野田 憲司, Noda Kenji) on January 18, 1956) is a Japanese actor, voice…Yū Mizushima (水島 裕, Mizushima Yū; born Kenji Noda (野田 憲司, Noda Kenji) on January 18, 1956) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator. He is known for being the Japanese dubbing voice for Sammo Hung, and is also the Japanese dub voice of Wakko Warner. In the 1980s, He proved to be a popular choice for many Japanese animation studios for the roles of male heart-throbs in many shojo anime. In May 2020, Mizushima announced he would take a hiatus in order to undergo vocal cord polyp surgery.
Toshikazu Shiozawa (Japanese: 塩沢 敏一, romanized: Shiozawa Toshikazu, January 28, 1954 – May 10, 2000), better known by…Toshikazu Shiozawa (Japanese: 塩沢 敏一, romanized: Shiozawa Toshikazu, January 28, 1954 – May 10, 2000), better known by the stage name Kaneto Shiozawa (Japanese: 塩沢 兼人, romanized: Shiozawa Kaneto), was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Tokyo. At the time of his death, he was attached to Aoni Production. He had a distinctive calm, aristocratic-sounding voice, which often typecast him as villainous or anti-heroic strategists and intellectuals. His stage name originated from the Japanese director Kaneto Shindō. He was best known for his performances as Rei in Fist of the North Star, M'Quve in Mobile Suit Gundam, Buriburizaemon in Crayon Shin-chan, D in Vampire Hunter D, Cyborg Ninja in Metal Gear, Paul von Oberstein in Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Devimon in Digimon, Prince Demande in Sailor Moon, Vega in Street Fighter, R. Ichiro Tanaka in Kyūkyoku Chōjin R, Inspector Ninzaburo Shiratori in Detective Conan, Zato-1 in Guilty Gear, Hyo Imawano in Rival Schools and Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
Shinsuke Chikaishi (近石 真介, Chikaishi Shinsuke; born Yasuzō Chikaishi (近石 安蔵, Chikaishi Yasuzō), January 20, 1931 –…Shinsuke Chikaishi (近石 真介, Chikaishi Shinsuke; born Yasuzō Chikaishi (近石 安蔵, Chikaishi Yasuzō), January 20, 1931 – October 5, 2022) was a Japanese actor.