Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as…
Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成, Watanabe Morinari; born 21 February 1959) is a Japanese businessman who has served as president of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique since January 2017. Prior to his election in October 2016, he served as general-secretary of the Japan Gymnastics Association (2009–16) and was on multiple committees with the Japanese Olympic Committee. Watanabe is the ninth president of the FIG and its first Asian president. In October 2018, the International Olympic Committee elected him as a new member. He was also appointed an executive board member of Tokyo 2020. In September 2024, he was announced as one of seven candidates in the running to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president. During the 144th IOC Session in March 2025, he got four votes, with Kirsty Coventry winning the election. Watanabe has faced criticism for his decisions regarding Russian athletes tied to the war in Ukraine. In March 2025, he was filmed embracing Nikita Nagorny, a Russian gymnast sanctioned by the UK, EU, and United States and a prominent supporter of the war, during a visit to Moscow. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) permitted Russian athletes with documented pro-war ties, including Angelina Melnikova, to compete under neutral status. In May 2026, Watanabe lifted all remaining restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes entirely.
Famous Alumni of Tobata High School
Tobata High School: 3 people
Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the…
Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the Governor of Fukuoka from 1995 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he was also President of the National Governors Association (Japan) (全国知事会, Zenkoku Chiji-kai).
Kaori Maeda (前田 佳織里, Maeda Kaori; born April 25, 1996) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Kitakyushu who is…
Kaori Maeda (前田 佳織里, Maeda Kaori; born April 25, 1996) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Kitakyushu who is affiliated with Amuse. She began her activities in 2016 after passing an audition, and played her first main role as Mari Tachibana in the anime television series Back Street Girls in 2018. She is also known for her roles as Aria Futaba in Aikatsu Stars!, Yomi Takeda in Tamayomi, Shizuku Ōsaka in Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, and Lilysa Amano in 2.5 Dimensional Seduction.