Osamu Sumida (住田 修, Sumida Osamu; born 14 October 1969) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's individual road…Osamu Sumida (住田 修, Sumida Osamu; born 14 October 1969) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's individual road race at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kōshun Takami (高見 広春, Takami Kōshun; born 10 January 1969) is a Japanese author and journalist. He is best known for…Kōshun Takami (高見 広春, Takami Kōshun; born 10 January 1969) is a Japanese author and journalist. He is best known for his 1999 novel Battle Royale, which was later adapted into two live-action films, directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and four manga series. Takami was born on 10 January 1969 in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture near Osaka and grew up in the Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku. After graduating from Osaka University with a degree in literature, he dropped out of Nihon University's liberal arts correspondence course program. From 1991 to 1996, he worked for the news company Shikoku Shimbun, reporting on various fields including politics, police reports, and economics. Kōshun Takami was born Hiroharu Takami (高見宏治, Takami Hiroharu). His new given name is a play on word on his original one. Hiroharu is a homophone of ''large spring''. The author then adopted the kanjis 広春 (large spring) and used their on'yomi pronunciation to form his new name: Kōshun. Battle Royale was completed after Takami left the news company. It was rejected in the final round of the 1997 literary competition Japan Grand Prix Horror Novel, due to its controversial content depicting Junior High School children forced to kill one another. When finally published in April 1999, it went on to become a bestseller, and only a year later was made into both a manga and a feature film. The novel was translated into English by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media in 2003. An expanded English edition was later published by Haika Soru, a division of Viz Media, in 2009. The first manga also began being released in English in 2003, by Tokyopop, with the last volume published in 2006. As well as being critically acclaimed, the Battle Royale series has become infamous not only in Japan, but around the world and has earned cult status. Since Battle Royale, Takami has not released any work.
Shinji Yamamoto (山本 伸二, Yamamoto Shinji; born 17 September 1953) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in…Shinji Yamamoto (山本 伸二, Yamamoto Shinji; born 17 September 1953) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Yoshihiro Hamaguchi (浜口 喜博, Hamaguchi Yoshihiro; June 23, 1926 – August 9, 2011) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He…Yoshihiro Hamaguchi (浜口 喜博, Hamaguchi Yoshihiro; June 23, 1926 – August 9, 2011) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He represented Japan at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. There, he won a silver medal as a member of the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay team, alongside Toru Goto, Hiroshi Suzuki and Teijiro Tanikawa. Also competed in the 100m freestyle advancing to the semifinals, missing the finals by a narrow margin. After retiring he debuted as an actor in the 1955 film Buruuba as a Japanese version of Tarzan. He also appeared in the TV Show Shōnen Jet, a detective adventure show made by Kadokawa Pictures.
Kamikaze Shoichi (born Shoichi Akazawa; October 19, 1921 – May 15, 1990) was a sumo wrestler from Higashikagawa, Kagawa…Kamikaze Shoichi (born Shoichi Akazawa; October 19, 1921 – May 15, 1990) was a sumo wrestler from Higashikagawa, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1937 and reached the top division in May 1942. His highest rank was sekiwake. He won six gold stars against grand champion yokozuna in the course of his career. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kataonami. He left the Sumo Association in September 1952.
Shigeru Nambara (南原繁) was a Japanese political scientist, who served as the president of the University of Tokyo and…Shigeru Nambara (南原繁) was a Japanese political scientist, who served as the president of the University of Tokyo and the Japan Academy, and as a member of the House of Peers.
