Mitsuo Mitani (三谷 光男, Mitani Mitsuo; born 16 June 1959) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Mitsuo Mitani (三谷 光男, Mitani Mitsuo; born 16 June 1959) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kure, Hiroshima and graduate of Osaka University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in September 2005 after unsuccessful runs in 2003 and April 2005.
Shōgo Hamada (浜田 省吾, Hamada Shōgo; born December 29, 1952) is a legendary Japanese singer-songwriter and former member…Shōgo Hamada (浜田 省吾, Hamada Shōgo; born December 29, 1952) is a legendary Japanese singer-songwriter and former member of the group Aido. He is a part of Sony Music Japan's SME Records division. He was born in Takehara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, and graduated from Kuremitsuta High School (where he was a member of the baseball team). He attended Kanagawa University, where he studied law, but left the school before graduating. In 1975, he made his professional debut as the drummer of the band Aido. Sunglasses have been his trademark ever since his debut, and he has never performed live without sunglasses of some sort (most commonly Ray-Ban Aviator or Ray-Ban Wayfarer). His solo debut came in 1976 with the album Umareta Tokoro o Tōku Hanarete. Though his exposure in the media has always been extremely low, relative to many performers with similar levels of mainstream popularity, he has acquired his many fans over the years through his steady series of live performances. Many of his early songs expressed his skepticism about how one should live their life. In addition to his well-known ballads, he was strongly influenced by his father's experience as a victim of radiation poisoning following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, and many of his songs have a very strong protest song tone. He has written music for many other artists, including Momoe Yamaguchi, and Akiko Wada. He is affectionately referred to as "Hamasho" by many of his fans.
Masao Sueda (末田 正雄, Sueda Masao; born July 18, 1951 in Kure, Hiroshima) is a Japanese journalist and newscaster, who…Masao Sueda (末田 正雄, Sueda Masao; born July 18, 1951 in Kure, Hiroshima) is a Japanese journalist and newscaster, who works for NHK Radio 1. Sueda was a presenter on the Ohayo Nippon morning show between 2000 and 2003, presented the Ogenki desu ka Nippon Retto afternoon program between 2004 and 2005, and was the weekend presenter on NHK News 7. As of December 2012, he presents the radio program Watashi mo Hitokoto! Yūgata Nyūsu (私も一言！夕方ニュース).
Tatsuro Hirooka (広岡 達朗, Hirooka Tatsurō born February 9, 1932) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player and…Tatsuro Hirooka (広岡 達朗, Hirooka Tatsurō born February 9, 1932) is a Japanese retired professional baseball player and manager. Hirooka played his entire career, from 1954 to 1966, for the Yomiuri Giants. He was awarded the Central League rookie of the year award in 1954. From 1961 to 1966, Hirooka was a player-coach for the Giants. As a manager for the Yakult Swallows (1976–1979) and then the Seibu Lions (1982–1985), Hirooka was known for his tough-love style. Nicknamed "The Iron Shogun", he thrice led his teams to the Japan Series championship — in 1978, 1982, and 1983. With his championships for Yakult and Seibu, he is the third and currently last manager to win the Japan Series with multiple teams. He won the Matsutaro Shoriki Award — presented to a person (a manager or player) who greatly contributes to the development of professional baseball — in 1978 and 1982. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Komimasa Tanaka (田中 小実昌, Tanaka Komimasa; April 29, 1925–February 29, 2000) was a noted Japanese writer, essayist, and…Komimasa Tanaka (田中 小実昌, Tanaka Komimasa; April 29, 1925–February 29, 2000) was a noted Japanese writer, essayist, and translator.
Kosaku Sumiyoshi (Japanese: 住吉 耕作; 1 October 1907 – 1971) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He represented his…Kosaku Sumiyoshi (Japanese: 住吉 耕作; 1 October 1907 – 1971) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He represented his country twice at the Summer Olympics (1928 and 1932) and was the first Asian to compete in the Olympic javelin throw. He was a three-time gold medallist at the Far Eastern Championship Games and the only person to win two javelin titles at the competition.
Yuriko Hanabusa (英百合子, Hanabusa Yuriko; 7 March 1900 – 7 February 1970) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more…Yuriko Hanabusa (英百合子, Hanabusa Yuriko; 7 March 1900 – 7 February 1970) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1970.
Woo Jang-chun (April 8, 1898 – August 10, 1959) was an agricultural scientist and botanist active in Japanese Korea and…Woo Jang-chun (April 8, 1898 – August 10, 1959) was an agricultural scientist and botanist active in Japanese Korea and later in South Korea, famous for his discoveries in the genetics and breeding of plants. Woo was born and raised in Japan, overcoming poverty and discrimination in Imperial Japan to become a prominent researcher and teacher. When Japanese rule over Korea ended in 1945, Woo left his mother, wife, and children in Japan and settled in what would become South Korea to lead the country's efforts in botany and agriculture. There is a memorial museum in the port city of Busan, where he lived and worked in Korea, honoring his life and accomplishments. Woo is credited in scientific literature as Nagaharu U ( OO), a Japanese reading of the hanja of his Korean name; the pronunciation of his family name 禹 can be Romanized as U in both Japanese (う) and Korean (우).
Shunichi Matsumoto (松本 俊一, Matsumoto Shun'ichi; 7 June 1897 – 25 January 1987) was a Japanese diplomat and politician…Shunichi Matsumoto (松本 俊一, Matsumoto Shun'ichi; 7 June 1897 – 25 January 1987) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, ambassador to the United Kingdom and vice minister for foreign affairs.
