Hiromasa Yonebayashi (米林 宏昌, Yonebayashi Hiromasa; born July 10, 1973 in Nonoichi, Ishikawa, Japan), nicknamed Maro…Hiromasa Yonebayashi (米林 宏昌, Yonebayashi Hiromasa; born July 10, 1973 in Nonoichi, Ishikawa, Japan), nicknamed Maro (麻呂), is a Japanese animator and director, formerly for Studio Ghibli. After his directorial debut with Studio Ghibli (The Secret World of Arrietty), he became the youngest director of a theatrical film produced by the studio. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2015 for his second film, When Marnie Was There. Together with Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, Yonebayashi left Studio Ghibli in December 2014 after 18 years, and established Studio Ponoc in June 2015. His first film as director at Studio Ponoc is Mary and the Witch's Flower. He studied at the Kanazawa College of Art, where he majored in commercial design.
Tomomi Adachi (足立 智美, Adachi Tomomi; born 1972 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese vocal and electronics performer…Tomomi Adachi (足立 智美, Adachi Tomomi; born 1972 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese vocal and electronics performer, composer, and instrument builder. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Jaap Blonk, Nicolas Collins, Carl Stone, Noah Creshevsky, Yuji Takahashi, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Ute Wassermann, Jennifer Walshe, Zbigniew Karkowski, Butch Morris, Otomo Yoshihide. Adachi directed Japan's premiere of John Cage's Europera V and Variations VII. He was invited by Asian Cultural Council to New York from 2009 to 2010 and was a guest of the DAAD Berliner Künstlerprogramm in 2012.
Shuji Miyamoto (宮本周司, Miyamoto Shuji; born 27 March 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Shuji Miyamoto (宮本周司, Miyamoto Shuji; born 27 March 1971) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2013. He has served as chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party in Ishikawa Prefecture since 2022.
Yukiyoshi Yamano (山野 之義, Yamano Yukiyoshi; born 30 March 1962) is a Japanese politician, who serves as a governor of…Yukiyoshi Yamano (山野 之義, Yamano Yukiyoshi; born 30 March 1962) is a Japanese politician, who serves as a governor of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Motoi Oyama (尾山 基, born 2 February 1951) is a Japanese businessman specializing in footwear. After graduating from…Motoi Oyama (尾山 基, born 2 February 1951) is a Japanese businessman specializing in footwear. After graduating from Department of Commerce of Osaka City University, in January 1982 he joined ASICS where he worked ever since. In July 2001 he became President of ASICS Europe, and between June 2004 and February 2008 held senior manager positions at the central ASICS offices. On 8 February 2008, he was appointed as ASICS President, and in April 2011 also became its chief executive officer.
Yoshihiko Osaki (大崎 剛彦, Ōsaki Yoshihiko; February 27, 1939 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese swimmer. He competed at the…Yoshihiko Osaki (大崎 剛彦, Ōsaki Yoshihiko; February 27, 1939 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese swimmer. He competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the 200 metre breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay. In 1984, Osaki helped establish the Japan Masters Swimming Association and served on its board until his death. During those years he popularized masters swimming both in Japan and internationally. In 1986, he organized the first FINA World masters championships in Tokyo, and since 1993 participated in every international masters competition. He had competed in five age groups, set 9 world masters records and won 7 world titles. In 2006 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in the Contributors category. Osaki died of interstitial pneumonia, aged 76. He was survived by two daughters, a son, and wife Yoshiko Sato, a fellow masters and Olympic swimmer.
Tetsuo Kutsukake (沓掛 哲男, Kutsukake Tetsuo; 12 September 1929 – 30 January 2024) was a Japanese politician. He was named…Tetsuo Kutsukake (沓掛 哲男, Kutsukake Tetsuo; 12 September 1929 – 30 January 2024) was a Japanese politician. He was named Minister of State, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission on 31 October 2005. Kutsukake died on 30 January 2024, at the age of 94.
Masamine Sumitani (隅谷正峯; born Sumitani Yoichiro; 14 January 1921 – 12 December 1998) was a Japanese swordsmith.…Masamine Sumitani (隅谷正峯; born Sumitani Yoichiro; 14 January 1921 – 12 December 1998) was a Japanese swordsmith. Sumitani's family ran a soy-sauce manufacturing business, but rather than entering the family trade, Masamine opted to study at Ritsumeikan University, with a view to becoming a swordsmith, graduating in 1941 with a degree in mechanical engineering. After his graduation, Sumitani remained at Kyoto, studying (alongside Masayuki Nagare) under Sakurai Masayuki. When the University's sword studio was destroyed in a fire in 1942, Sumitani moved to Onomichi to continue his education at the Foundation of National Japanese Sword Studies and the Kokoku Japanese Sword Temper Workshop there. Sumitani settled in Mattō, Ishikawa. He worked in the Bizen tradition, and was noted for his choji midare or "clove patterns" along the hamon of his blades. As well as swords, Sumitani also specialised in the forging of tosu knives and was a practitioner of bachiru. In 1975 he co-founded the Zen Nihon Toshokai ("Japanese Swordsmith's Association"), and served as the group's Vice-Secretary.
Jisaku Okada (岡田 次作, Okada Jisaku; 1893 – June 4, 1942) was an Imperial Japanese Navy captain. During his career he was…Jisaku Okada (岡田 次作, Okada Jisaku; 1893 – June 4, 1942) was an Imperial Japanese Navy captain. During his career he was the commander of the seaplane tender Notoro and aircraft carrier Ryūjō. A couple of months before the start of the Second World War he was given the command of the Kaga. He was killed in action during the Battle of Midway when the ship was attacked by American dive bombers. Okada was posthumously promoted to rear admiral.
Masao Nakamura (中村 正雄, Nakamura Masao; 15 May 1892 – 25 December 1939) was a major general in the Imperial Japanese…Masao Nakamura (中村 正雄, Nakamura Masao; 15 May 1892 – 25 December 1939) was a major general in the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War. A native of Ishikawa Prefecture, Nakamura graduated from the 25th class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1913 and from the 32nd class of the Army Staff College in 1920. He was assigned as a military attaché to France from 1924 to 1927 and later served as a resident officer in Italy from 1933-1934. From 1936-1938, Nakamura served as Chief of Staff of the IJA 12th Division. He was promoted to major general in 1939 and commanded the IJA 21st Infantry Brigade of the 5th Division during the Battle of South Guangxi in 1939. During the battle, his brigade was mauled, and Nakamura was killed in action at the Battle of Kunlun Pass. He was posthumously promoted to lieutenant general.
Jinichi Kusaka (草鹿 任一, Kusaka Jin'ichi; 7 December 1888 – 24 August 1972) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy…Jinichi Kusaka (草鹿 任一, Kusaka Jin'ichi; 7 December 1888 – 24 August 1972) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Fellow Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka was his cousin.
Sadamu Shimomura (下村 定, Shimomura Sadamu; 23 September 1887 – 25 March 1968) was a general in the Imperial Japanese…Sadamu Shimomura (下村 定, Shimomura Sadamu; 23 September 1887 – 25 March 1968) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the final Minister of War of the Empire of Japan.
Yoichi Hatta (八田 與一, Hatta Yoichi; February 21, 1886 – May 8, 1942) was a Japanese engineer, known for his…Yoichi Hatta (八田 與一, Hatta Yoichi; February 21, 1886 – May 8, 1942) was a Japanese engineer, known for his contributions in hydraulic engineering in the Japanese-ruled Taiwan. Hatta was born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. After graduating from Tokyo Imperial University in 1910, he joined the Seat of Governor-General of Taiwan and served as a technician of the government. He was the designer of Chianan Canal and Wusanto Reservoir. He was killed on board the transport ship Taiyō Maru, when it was torpedoed and sunk on May 8, 1942 by US submarine Grenadier. In contemporary Taiwan, he is honored for his contributions to irrigation.
Kōtarō Nakamura (中村 孝太郎, Nakamura Kōtarō; 28 August 1881 – 29 August 1947) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…Kōtarō Nakamura (中村 孝太郎, Nakamura Kōtarō; 28 August 1881 – 29 August 1947) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and very briefly Army Minister in the 1930s.
Ryūtarō Nagai (永井 柳太郎, Nagai Ryūtarō; 16 April 1881 – 4 December 1944) was a politician and cabinet minister in the…Ryūtarō Nagai (永井 柳太郎, Nagai Ryūtarō; 16 April 1881 – 4 December 1944) was a politician and cabinet minister in the Empire of Japan, serving a member of the Lower House of the Diet of Japan eight times, and four as a cabinet minister. He was noted in his early political career as a champion of universal suffrage, social welfare, labor unions, women's rights and Pan-Asianism.
Motokichiro Osaka (逢坂 元吉郎, Ōsaka Motokichirō; June 25, 1880 – June 10, 1945) was a Japanese pastor, theologian, and…Motokichiro Osaka (逢坂 元吉郎, Ōsaka Motokichirō; June 25, 1880 – June 10, 1945) was a Japanese pastor, theologian, and newspaper columnist. He is notable for his public criticism of efforts by the Japanese government to regulate religious bodies and strengthen a national form of Shinto, which culminated in a government-backed attack that left Osaka close to death. During his recovery, a personal awakening transformed his conceptualization of Christianity from an earthly, altruistic social practice to an ascetic practice rooted in Catholic orthodoxy. Osaka was a student and lifelong friend of philosopher Kitaro Nishida, the founder of the Kyoto School.