Eijiro Takeda (武田 英二郎, born July 11, 1988) is a Japanese former professional football player who played as a defender.…Eijiro Takeda (武田 英二郎, born July 11, 1988) is a Japanese former professional football player who played as a defender. Primarily known for his time at Yokohama FC, Takeda made over 200 career appearances. He overcame heart surgery in 2017.
Kiichi Nakai (中井 貴一, Nakai Kiichi; born September 18, 1961) is a Japanese actor. His name was given by Yasujirō Ozu.…Kiichi Nakai (中井 貴一, Nakai Kiichi; born September 18, 1961) is a Japanese actor. His name was given by Yasujirō Ozu. His father, Keiji Sada, also a movie actor, died when Nakai was only two years old. Nakai started his acting career while he was still in university and was awarded the Rookie of the Year at the Japan Academy Awards in 1981. He won the Japan Academy Best Supporting Actor award in 1994 (for 47 Ronin) and Best Actor award in 2003 (for When the Last Sword Is Drawn). He also won the award for best supporting actor at the 19th Hochi Film Award for 47 Ronin. In 2003 he played a Japanese delegate to a Chinese emperor of the Tang dynasty in Warriors of Heaven and Earth. Though a few of his lines are in Japanese, most are in Mandarin. His older sister, Kie Nakai, is also an actress.
Makoto Tezuka (手塚 眞, Tezuka Makoto; born 11 August 1961), officially romanized as Macoto Tezka, is a Japanese film and…Makoto Tezuka (手塚 眞, Tezuka Makoto; born 11 August 1961), officially romanized as Macoto Tezka, is a Japanese film and anime director, born in Tokyo. He fashions himself as a visualist and is involved in the creation of moving images beyond film and animation. He partially owns Tezuka Productions and helped in releasing the posthumous works of his father, Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka runs his own company, Neontetra. He is a representative of board of directors for Tezuka Osamu Cultural Foundation, a producer and director of Memorial Hall for Tezuka Osamu, a city ambassador to the city of Takarazuka in Hyogo prefecture, a member of the examination board for the Proficiency in Intellectual Property Management, and a board member of Japan Image Council. Tezuka teaches filmmaking at Tokyo University of Technology and the Image Forum in Tokyo. He is married to manga artist Reiko Okano. Tezuka is a descendant of Hattori Hanzō, a ninja and samurai who served Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Sengoku period in Japan. He supervised Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki's Pluto manga series, as it adapts a story arc of his father's own Astro Boy.
Hideki Togi (東儀 秀樹, Tōgi Hideki; born 12 October 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer, gagaku musician, and actor.…Hideki Togi (東儀 秀樹, Tōgi Hideki; born 12 October 1959, in Tokyo) is a Japanese composer, gagaku musician, and actor. His current label is Universal Music (transferred from Toshiba-EMI in 2007). Tōgi joined the Imperial Music Division in 1986 but had to quit in 2000 because of the hostile reaction to his popular compositions from fellow gagaku musicians.
Shigeru Ban (坂 茂, Ban Shigeru; born 5 August 1957) is a Japanese architect, known for his innovative work with paper…Shigeru Ban (坂 茂, Ban Shigeru; born 5 August 1957) is a Japanese architect, known for his innovative work with paper, particularly recycled cardboard tubes used to quickly and efficiently house disaster victims. Many of his notable designs are structures which are temporary, prefabricated, or incorporate inexpensive and unconventional materials in innovative ways. He was profiled by Time magazine in their projection of 21st-century innovators in the field of architecture and design. In 2014, Ban was named the 37th recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious prize in modern architecture. The Pritzker Jury cited Ban for his innovative use of material and his dedication to humanitarian efforts around the world, calling him "a committed teacher who is not only a role model for younger generation, but also an inspiration."
Toshiyuki Honda (本多 俊之, Honda Toshiyuki; born April 9, 1957) is a Japanese jazz musician and composer. Honda's father…Toshiyuki Honda (本多 俊之, Honda Toshiyuki; born April 9, 1957) is a Japanese jazz musician and composer. Honda's father was a jazz critic, whose name was also Toshiyuki Honda. As a jazz musician, he learned flute and saxophone, and worked in the late 1970s with George Otsuka and the Burning Waves ensemble. In the 1980s he worked with Chick Corea, Tatsuya Takahashi, and Kazumi Watanabe, as well as leading his own ensemble, Super Quartet. He was also a member of the ensemble Native Son. Starting in the late 1980s, Honda turned increasingly toward composing for film and television, as well as working in record producing. He composed the soundtrack for the Juzo Itami film A Taxing Woman in 1987, which raised his prominence as a film scorer. He went on to compose the score for all but one of the rest of Itami's films.
Koharu Kisaragi (Japanese: 如月小春; February 19, 1956 – December 19, 2000) was a Japanese playwright, director, and…Koharu Kisaragi (Japanese: 如月小春; February 19, 1956 – December 19, 2000) was a Japanese playwright, director, and essayist. The founder of the theater company NOISE, she worked as a playwright and director starting in the late 1970s, becoming, alongside Hideki Noda and Eri Watanabe, one of the leaders of the Third Generation of Japanese small theater. She had a lasting influence on contemporary Japanese women's theater. Kisaragi was also a prolific essayist and appeared on television as a host and commentator. She served as the founding chair of the Asian Women's Theater Conference, as a member of UNESCO's Japanese National Commission, and as an instructor at Rikkyo University.
Shinzo Abe (21 September 1954 – 8 July 2022) was a Japanese statesman and politician who served as Prime Minister of…Shinzo Abe (21 September 1954 – 8 July 2022) was a Japanese statesman and politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history, serving for nearly nine years. Born in Tokyo, Abe was a member of the Satō–Kishi–Abe family as the son of LDP politician Shintaro Abe and grandson of prime minister Nobusuke Kishi. He graduated from Seikei University and also has attended the University of Southern California, before working in industry and party posts, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1993. Abe was LDP secretary-general from 2003 to 2004 and Chief Cabinet Secretary under Junichiro Koizumi from 2005 to 2006, when he replaced Koizumi as prime minister. Abe became Japan's youngest post-war premier, and the first born after World War II. A staunch conservative and member of the ultranationalist organization Nippon Kaigi, which holds negationist views on Japanese history, Abe took right-wing stances including downplaying Japanese atrocities in textbooks, denying government coercion in the recruitment of comfort women during the war, and seeking revision of Article 9 of the Constitution. In 2007, he initiated the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with the US, Australia, and India, aimed at resisting China's rise as a superpower. He resigned as premier that year due to his government's unpopularity and illness. After recovering, Abe staged a political comeback in 2012, when he was again elected LDP president and led it to a landslide victory in that year's election. He became the first former prime minister to return to office since Shigeru Yoshida in 1948. Abe attempted to counter Japan's economic stagnation with "Abenomics", with mixed results. He was credited with reinstating the Trans-Pacific Partnership with a new agreement in 2018. In 2015, he passed the Legislation for Peace and Security which allowed deployment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces overseas in certain strict conditions, which was controversial and met with protests by Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy. Abe led the LDP to victories in the 2014 and 2017 elections, becoming Japan's longest-serving prime minister. In 2020, he again resigned, citing a relapse of his illness, and was succeeded by Yoshihide Suga. In 2022, Abe was assassinated in Nara while delivering a campaign speech for the upper house elections. The killer, Tetsuya Yamagami, confessed he was motivated by Abe's ties with the Unification Church. This was the first assassination of a former Japanese prime minister since 1936. A polarizing figure in Japan, Abe was praised by his supporters for strengthening Japan's security and international stature, while opponents criticized him for nationalistic policies and historical negationism, which they view as threatening Japanese pacifism and damaging relations with China and South Korea.
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature…Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature films, including Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (2007), which was selected for inclusion in the 31st annual Hong Kong International Film Festival, Messengers (1999), Embrace Me as Many Times as There Are Waves (1991), and Take Me Out to the Snowland (1987).
Keiji Furuya (古屋 圭司, Furuya Keiji; born 1 November 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Keiji Furuya (古屋 圭司, Furuya Keiji; born 1 November 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, serving as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan.
Hironobu Abe (安倍 寛信, Abe Hironobu; born 30 May 1952) is a Japanese businessman. He is the CEO of AB Communications and…Hironobu Abe (安倍 寛信, Abe Hironobu; born 30 May 1952) is a Japanese businessman. He is the CEO of AB Communications and former CEO of Mitsubishi Corporation Packaging. A scion of the Satō–Kishi–Abe family, he is the eldest son of politician Shintaro Abe, and the older brother of former prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and former minister of defense Nobuo Kishi. Abe was a grandson of former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi and a grand-nephew of former prime minister Eisaku Satō.
Yūzan Fujita (藤田 雄山, Fujita Yūzan; April 19, 1949 – December 18, 2015) was a Japanese politician and the governor of…Yūzan Fujita (藤田 雄山, Fujita Yūzan; April 19, 1949 – December 18, 2015) was a Japanese politician and the governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 1993 to 2009. A native of Minami-ku, Hiroshima and graduate of Keio University, he had served in the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan since 1989 for one term before being elected governor.
Hiroshi Kazato (風戸 裕, Kazato Hiroshi; born March 13, 1949, Chiba Prefecture, Japan; died June 2, 1974) was a Japanese…Hiroshi Kazato (風戸 裕, Kazato Hiroshi; born March 13, 1949, Chiba Prefecture, Japan; died June 2, 1974) was a Japanese racecar driver. Kazato started his career at the age of 19. He took part in the 1971 Can-Am season, finishing 10th in the championship driving a Lola T222-Chevrolet. He participated at Formula Two European seasons 1972 and 1973, scoring seven championship points. He graduated from Seikei University in 1973. Kazato died at 25 years old at Fuji Speedway, during a Fuji Grand Champion series race after colliding with Seiichi Suzuki on the banking, resulting in the circuit being modified to eliminate the 30-degree banking, establishing the modern configuration with the hairpin that bypasses the banking.
Ryozo Kato (加藤 良三, Katō Ryōzō; born September 13, 1941) is a Japanese lawyer and diplomat who served as the Japanese…Ryozo Kato (加藤 良三, Katō Ryōzō; born September 13, 1941) is a Japanese lawyer and diplomat who served as the Japanese Ambassador to the United States from 2001 to 2008, and as the Commissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball from 2008 to 2013.
Hiroo Nakashima (Japanese: 中島啓雄; 25 December 1937 – 7 February 2024) was a Japanese businessman and politician. A…Hiroo Nakashima (Japanese: 中島啓雄; 25 December 1937 – 7 February 2024) was a Japanese businessman and politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1995 to 2007. Nakashima died of lung cancer in Ōme, on 7 February 2024, at the age of 86.
Katsuhisa Hattori (服部 克久, Hattori Katsuhisa; November 1, 1936 – June 11, 2020) was a Japanese classical composer who…Katsuhisa Hattori (服部 克久, Hattori Katsuhisa; November 1, 1936 – June 11, 2020) was a Japanese classical composer who also wrote music for anime films, television series and OVAs. Hattori was a respected composer in Japan; his style was classical, although he was experienced and respected in many other genres, such as New Age, Jazz, etc. He was the son of Ryoichi Hattori and the father of Takayuki Hattori, both musical composers as well. Besides being a composer, he was a producer and music supervisor for many years and had his own publishing company, Hattori Music Publishing. He was also a pianist, judge and chairman for the Tokyo music festivals.
Akira Iriye (入江 昭, Irie Akira; October 20, 1934 – January 27, 2026) was an American historian specializing in…Akira Iriye (入江 昭, Irie Akira; October 20, 1934 – January 27, 2026) was an American historian specializing in diplomatic history, international and transnational history. He taught at University of Chicago and Harvard University until his retirement in 2005. In 1988, Iriye served as president of the American Historical Association, the only Japanese citizen to do so, and also served as president of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. In 2005, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star, one of Japan's highest civilian honors. He was also awarded Japan's Yoshida Shigeru Prize for best book in public history. He also served as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences beginning in 1982.
Masatoshi Wakabayashi (若林 正俊, Wakabayashi Masatoshi; 4 July 1934 – 11 November 2023) was a Japanese politician who was…Masatoshi Wakabayashi (若林 正俊, Wakabayashi Masatoshi; 4 July 1934 – 11 November 2023) was a Japanese politician who was a member of Liberal Democratic Party.
Yuichi Takai (高井 有一, Takai Yūichi; April 27, 1932 – October 26, 2016) was a Japanese author. Takai won the 1965…Yuichi Takai (高井 有一, Takai Yūichi; April 27, 1932 – October 26, 2016) was a Japanese author. Takai won the 1965 Akutagawa Prize for Kita no kawa (Northern Stream), the 1984 Tanizaki Prize for Kono kuni no sora (この国の空, This Country's Sky), and the 1989 Yomiuri Prize for Yoru no ari (夜 の 蟻).
Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of…Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of one of the first general-purpose computers in Japan.
Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive…Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive who was the chief executive (1992–1998) and chairman (1998–2004) of Mitsubishi Corporation. He was noted for steering the group through the turbulent economic times of the 1990s and for advocating strong US–Japan business relations, serving on many trade and cultural relations advocacy groups.
Shijuro Ogata (16 November 1927 – 14 April 2014) was a Japanese banker. He served as Director and as Vice President of…Shijuro Ogata (16 November 1927 – 14 April 2014) was a Japanese banker. He served as Director and as Vice President of the Development Bank of Japan. He was married to United Nations diplomat Sadako Ogata.
Shunzō Miyawaki (宮脇 俊三, Miyawaki Shunzō; December 9, 1926 – February 26, 2003) was a Japanese travel writer and editor.…Shunzō Miyawaki (宮脇 俊三, Miyawaki Shunzō; December 9, 1926 – February 26, 2003) was a Japanese travel writer and editor. He wrote over 40 books in his lifetime, mostly focused on rail transport in Japan and overseas. He was the recipient of the 47th Kikuchi Kan Prize in 1999 for "establishing railway travelogues as a genre of literature".
Chikage Awashima (淡島 千景, Awashima Chikage; born Keiko Nakagawa, 24 February 1924 – 16 February 2012) was a Japanese…Chikage Awashima (淡島 千景, Awashima Chikage; born Keiko Nakagawa, 24 February 1924 – 16 February 2012) was a Japanese film and stage actress.
Shizuo Fujieda (藤枝 静男, Fujieda Shizuo; December 20, 1907 - April 16, 1993) was a Japanese writer. Shizuo Fujieda's…Shizuo Fujieda (藤枝 静男, Fujieda Shizuo; December 20, 1907 - April 16, 1993) was a Japanese writer. Shizuo Fujieda's first profession was of an ophthalmologist. For many years before becoming a full-time author he wrote only when he was free from his work as an ophthalmologist. Fujieda's literary career began rather late. He was already 39 when his first short story was published in a literary magazine. Fujieda knew Shūgo Honda and Ken Hirano, two literary critics, from his school days. It was that duo who gave him his pen name. Naoya Shiga, one of the best known writers of the time, was an inspiration to Fujieda. When Fujieda was 20 he had met the famous writer. After several years of stagnation as a writer, Fujieda finally established himself as a writer of the autobiographical "I-novel." He rose steadily to prominence in this genre. The effort to explore the self is evident in Fujieda's works. This deep exploratory prose is the hallmark of Fujieda's. There are also significant portions in his stories that bear a strong resemblance to reality, to his life. In the story Kuki atama (Head of Air), the protagonist is, like Fujieda once was, an ophthalmologist. His stories also deal with subjects such as relations between father and son and between siblings but in unusual settings. In his story Ikka danran (Happy Family Circle), the protagonist falls through into a grave and is met by his father and five siblings.
