Nihito Arakawa (荒川 仁人, Arakawa Nihito; born 23 December 1981 in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional boxer…Nihito Arakawa (荒川 仁人, Arakawa Nihito; born 23 December 1981 in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional boxer nicknamed "Japanese Rocky". He made his mark in the twelve-round lightweight slugfest against Omar Figueroa in July 2013, that earned him the nickname after the film Rocky. "The Japanese lefty gained a zillion fans with his rumble last year against Figueroa," TheSweetScience.com's Michael Woods said in 2014. He is the former Japanese and OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) lightweight champion.
Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the…Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the SeaHorses Mikawa of the B.League. Kashiwagi was a member of the Japan national basketball team. He played for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. In the 2009-10 season, Kashiwagi entered the month-long winter break averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Seahorses. He was named to the West squad for the 2009-10 JBL Super League All-Star game.
Yuichiro Mukae (迎 祐一郎, Mukae Yuichiro; born December 22, 1981 in Nishimatsuura District, Saga, Japan) is a professional…Yuichiro Mukae (迎 祐一郎, Mukae Yuichiro; born December 22, 1981 in Nishimatsuura District, Saga, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Hiromi Takase is a former Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. She was elected in…Hiromi Takase is a former Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. She was elected in 2016 but retired in 2022 for health reasons.
Sagatsukasa Hiroyuki (Japanese: 磋牙司 洋之; born 21 December 1981 as Hiroyuki Isobe (磯部 洋之)) is a retired Japanese…Sagatsukasa Hiroyuki (Japanese: 磋牙司 洋之; born 21 December 1981 as Hiroyuki Isobe (磯部 洋之)) is a retired Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Mishima, Shizuoka. A former amateur competitor at Toyo University, he made his professional debut in March 2004, reaching the top makuuchi division for the first time in March 2010. He won a makushita and a jūryō division championship. His highest rank was maegashira 9. He was one of the shortest wrestlers in professional sumo at 1.66 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in).
Princess Akiko of Mikasa (三笠宮彬子女王, Mikasa-no-miya Akiko Joō; born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House…Princess Akiko of Mikasa (三笠宮彬子女王, Mikasa-no-miya Akiko Joō; born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, a paternal second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, and the elder daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko). She is also a niece of Japan's 92nd prime minister Tarō Asō (who is the older brother of her mother), a great-niece of author and literary critic Ken'ichi Yoshida, and a great-granddaughter of Japan's 45th prime minister Shigeru Yoshida. In September 2025, Princess Akiko became the head of the Mikasa-no-miya branch of the imperial family. She is the first woman who was a princess by birth to succeed as head of a branch of the imperial family since Princess Sumiko.
Princess Akiko of Mikasa (三笠宮彬子女王, Mikasa-no-miya Akiko Joō; born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House…Princess Akiko of Mikasa (三笠宮彬子女王, Mikasa-no-miya Akiko Joō; born 20 December 1981) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, a paternal second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, and the elder daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko). She is also a niece of Japan's 92nd prime minister Tarō Asō (who is the older brother of her mother), a great-niece of author and literary critic Ken'ichi Yoshida, and a great-granddaughter of Japan's 45th prime minister Shigeru Yoshida. In September 2025, Princess Akiko became the head of the Mikasa-no-miya branch of the imperial family. She is the first woman who was a princess by birth to succeed as head of a branch of the imperial family since Princess Sumiko.
Rena Takeshita (竹下 玲奈, Takeshita Rena; born December 17, 1981 in Amami Ōshima) is a Japanese fashion model and…Rena Takeshita (竹下 玲奈, Takeshita Rena; born December 17, 1981 in Amami Ōshima) is a Japanese fashion model and occasional actress. Since the late 1990s she has appeared in numerous magazines, catalogs, television commercials, TV shows and films.
Hiroki Tanabe (田辺 裕喜, Tanabe Hiroki; born December 13, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by his…Hiroki Tanabe (田辺 裕喜, Tanabe Hiroki; born December 13, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known by his ring name Hi69 (pronounced as Hiroki). He is currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah. Since debuting in 2000, Tanabe has frequently worked for Kaientai Dojo, Michinoku Pro Wrestling, Apache Pro Wrestling and Freedoms.
Masami Yokoyama (横山雅美 Yokoyama Masami, born December 12, 1981) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Igtisadchi…Masami Yokoyama (横山雅美 Yokoyama Masami, born December 12, 1981) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Igtisadchi Baku.
Katsuya Kobayashi (小林且弥, Kobayashi Katsuya; born 10 December 1981) is a Japanese actor from Shimonoseki. Even though he…Katsuya Kobayashi (小林且弥, Kobayashi Katsuya; born 10 December 1981) is a Japanese actor from Shimonoseki. Even though he and fellow Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love-exclusive Rider actor Mitsuki Koga/Kamen Rider Ketaros were only Kamen Riders within the movie, they did make a guest appearance during the final episode of the series as two people affected by the necklaces that transform people into Natives.
Hirotaka Sato (佐藤 浩貴, Satō Hirotaka; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player for…Hirotaka Sato (佐藤 浩貴, Satō Hirotaka; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player for Kanazawa Samuraiz of the B.League in Japan. He played college basketball for Senshu University. He was selected by the Osaka Evessa with the 4th overall pick in the 2006 bj League draft.
Takahiro Mahara (馬原 孝浩, Mahara Takahiro; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball right-handed…Takahiro Mahara (馬原 孝浩, Mahara Takahiro; born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks/Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Naoyuki Kotani Japanese: 小谷直之 (born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the…Naoyuki Kotani Japanese: 小谷直之 (born December 8, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2000, he has formerly competed in PRIDE, Pancrase, UFC, Vale Tudo Japan, and RINGS.
Marie Arai (荒井 万里絵, Arai Marie; born December 7, 1981) is a Japanese former figure skater who competed in pairs and…Marie Arai (荒井 万里絵, Arai Marie; born December 7, 1981) is a Japanese former figure skater who competed in pairs and ladies' singles. She skated in partnership with Yamato Tamura before teaming up with Shin Amano. Arai and Amano placed 20th at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. They are the 1998 Japanese national champions. Arai's best national result as a single skater, tenth, came at the 2001–02 Japan Championships. After retiring from competition, she became a skating coach.
Yoshito Shintani (新谷 義人, Shintani Yoshito; born December 7, 1981 in Fukui Prefecture) is a Japanese weightlifter.…Yoshito Shintani (新谷 義人, Shintani Yoshito; born December 7, 1981 in Fukui Prefecture) is a Japanese weightlifter. Shintani represented Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where he competed for the men's lightweight category (69 kg). Shintani placed tenth in this event, as he successfully lifted 135 kg in the single-motion snatch, and hoisted 175 kg in the two-part, shoulder-to-overhead clean and jerk, for a total of 310 kg.
Gen Fukuda (福田玄, Fukuda Gen; born 6 December 1981) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Gen Fukuda (福田玄, Fukuda Gen; born 6 December 1981) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. From 2014 to 2018, he was a city councillor of Asakuchi. He is married to Haruko Miyaguchi.
Shigeki Ushida (牛田 成樹, Ushida Shigeki; born July 7, 1972 in Komatsushima, Tokushima, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Shigeki Ushida (牛田 成樹, Ushida Shigeki; born July 7, 1972 in Komatsushima, Tokushima, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Kazuya Takamiya (高宮 和也, born December 4, 1981) is a Japanese professional former baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon…Kazuya Takamiya (高宮 和也, born December 4, 1981) is a Japanese professional former baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Yokohama BayStars from 2006 to 2010, the Orix Buffaloes in 2011 and 2012, and for the Hanshin Tigers from 2013 to 2017.
Yuzuru Tachikawa (立川 譲, Tachikawa Yuzuru; born December 2, 1981) is a Japanese anime director. Starting his career at…Yuzuru Tachikawa (立川 譲, Tachikawa Yuzuru; born December 2, 1981) is a Japanese anime director. Starting his career at Madhouse, he is known for directing the anime series Death Parade, Mob Psycho 100, and Deca-Dence.
Kenji Haneda (羽田 憲司, Haneda Kenji; born December 1, 1981) is a former Japanese football player he is the current…Kenji Haneda (羽田 憲司, Haneda Kenji; born December 1, 1981) is a former Japanese football player he is the current assistant coach of Japan U23.
Tomomi Nakao (中尾 巴美 Nakao Tomomi, born 27 November 1981) is a former Japanese volleyball player who played for Ageo…Tomomi Nakao (中尾 巴美 Nakao Tomomi, born 27 November 1981) is a former Japanese volleyball player who played for Ageo Medics.
Takahiro Aoki (青木 高広, Aoki Takahiro; born November 26, 1981 in Gifu, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player.…Takahiro Aoki (青木 高広, Aoki Takahiro; born November 26, 1981 in Gifu, Japan) is a Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Central League.
Yuko Kavaguti (also: Kawaguchi; Japanese: Kawaguchi Yūko (川口 悠子), Russian: Юко Кавагути, born 20 November 1981) is a…Yuko Kavaguti (also: Kawaguchi; Japanese: Kawaguchi Yūko (川口 悠子), Russian: Юко Кавагути, born 20 November 1981) is a retired pair skater who represented Japan and Russia in international competition. In 2006, she began competing with Alexander Smirnov for Russia. They are two-time European champions (2010, 2015), two-time World bronze medalists (2009, 2010), two-time ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalists (11–12 and 15–16), and three-time Russian national champions (2008–2010). In 2015, they became the first pair in history to complete two quadruple throw jumps in one program and the first to land a quadruple throw loop.
Akifumi Miura (三浦アキフミ, or 三浦哲郁; born 16 November 1981) is a Japanese actor. He made his debut in the 2001 film…Akifumi Miura (三浦アキフミ, or 三浦哲郁; born 16 November 1981) is a Japanese actor. He made his debut in the 2001 film Waterboys.
Hisashi Takayama (高山 久, Takayama Hisashi; born November 16, 1981) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played for…Hisashi Takayama (高山 久, Takayama Hisashi; born November 16, 1981) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played for Saitama Seibu Lions and Hanshin Tigers.
Hiroaki Takaya (高谷 裕亮, born November 13, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and the current…Hiroaki Takaya (高谷 裕亮, born November 13, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and the current first squad battery coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Hawks from 2007 to 2021.
Teruaki Yoshikawa (吉川 輝昭, born November 13, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon…Teruaki Yoshikawa (吉川 輝昭, born November 13, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Yokohama BayStars from 2004 to 2009 and again in 2013 and with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2010 to 2012.
Hirokatsu Tayama (田山 寛豪, Tayama Hirokatsu) (born November 12, 1981) is a triathlete from Japan. Tayama competed at the…Hirokatsu Tayama (田山 寛豪, Tayama Hirokatsu) (born November 12, 1981) is a triathlete from Japan. Tayama competed at the second Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He placed 13th with a total time of 1:53:28.41. At the Olympic games in Beijing Tayama placed 48th in triathlon with a time of 1:56:13.68 at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Tayama earned recognition as one of the fastest swimmers in triathlon by being the first person to complete the 2.4 mile swim at the 2005 Ironman World Championship at Kona, Hawaii.
Emiko Suzuki (鈴木 絵美子, Suzuki Emiko; born November 12, 1981) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the…Emiko Suzuki (鈴木 絵美子, Suzuki Emiko; born November 12, 1981) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.
Saho Terao (寺尾紗穂, Terao Saho; born November 7, 1981) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and essayist. Terao debuted in…Saho Terao (寺尾紗穂, Terao Saho; born November 7, 1981) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and essayist. Terao debuted in 2007 and has been musically active in a variety of fields, including live performances, commercial music, providing theme songs for films directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi and Momoko Ando, and performing with the band Fuyu ni Wakarete. In addition to writing serialized columns in magazines, newspapers, and web blogs, Terao has edited and published numerous essay collections and non-fiction books.
Hideto Kawasaki (川崎秀人, Kawasaki Hideto; born 4 November 1981) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House…Hideto Kawasaki (川崎秀人, Kawasaki Hideto; born 4 November 1981) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He is the son of Jirō Kawasaki.
Shizuka Miyaji (Japanese: 宮地静香, Hepburn: Miyaji Shizuka) is a Japanese cricketer. She was a member of the Japanese…Shizuka Miyaji (Japanese: 宮地静香, Hepburn: Miyaji Shizuka) is a Japanese cricketer. She was a member of the Japanese cricket team which secured the bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Games which was held in China defeating the China women's national cricket team in the 3rd-place playoff. Shizuka made her One Day International debut at the 2011 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier. She also captained the Japanese cricket team at the 2013 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier. In April 2019, she was named in Japan's squad for the 2019 ICC Women's Qualifier EAP tournament in Vanuatu. She made her Women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) debut for Japan against Indonesia in the Women's Qualifier EAP tournament on 6 May 2019.
Ryota Wakiya (脇谷 亮太, Wakiya Ryota; born November 4, 1981 in Ōita, Ōita, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional…Ryota Wakiya (脇谷 亮太, Wakiya Ryota; born November 4, 1981 in Ōita, Ōita, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League.
Itsuki Shoda (正田 樹, Shoda Itsuki; born November 3, 1981 in Ota, Gunma, Japan) is a Japanese former professional…Itsuki Shoda (正田 樹, Shoda Itsuki; born November 3, 1981 in Ota, Gunma, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He was originally drafted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2000, playing 5 seasons, before playing for the Hanshin Tigers.
Ayako Shoda (正田 絢子 Shōda Ayako, born November 3, 1981) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler and four-time World Wrestling…Ayako Shoda (正田 絢子 Shōda Ayako, born November 3, 1981) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler and four-time World Wrestling Champion.
Ai Carina Uemura (植村 愛 カリーナ, Uemura Ai Karīna; born November 2, 1981), known mononymously as Ai (Japanese…Ai Carina Uemura (植村 愛 カリーナ, Uemura Ai Karīna; born November 2, 1981), known mononymously as Ai (Japanese pronunciation: [ai], stylized as AI or A.I. ), is a Japanese-American singer, songwriter, and rapper. Known in Japan as the "Queen of Hip-hop Soul", her 2005 single "Story" went on to become her breakthrough release, becoming one of the best-selling multi-format singles in Japan with over 5 million units sold. A multi-million record selling artist, Ai has released thirteen studio albums and has received various accolades, including two Billboard Japan Music Awards and three Space Shower Music Video Awards. Born in Los Angeles, Ai moved to Kagoshima during her early childhood. Motivated to become a singer, she returned to Los Angeles during her adolescence, attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. While in Los Angeles, she performed as part of a gospel choir at a Mary J. Blige concert and appeared as a backup dancer in Janet Jackson's music video, "Go Deep". She briefly joined the Asian girl group SX4 in 1999 until she graduated from high school. After being discovered by BMG in 2000, Ai relocated to Japan and released her debut album, My Name is Ai (2001), to very little commercial success. Signing to Def Jam Japan in 2002, Ai became the first woman signed to the label. She released two studio albums under the label, Original Ai (2003) and 2004 Ai (2004). With the release of her third studio album, Ai rose to mainstream prominence in Japan. Transferring to Island Records, Ai released her fourth studio album, Mic-a-Holic Ai (2005). Its second single "Story" became one of the biggest singles of the 2000s in Japan, peaking at number 8 on the Japanese Oricon singles chart, and was the sixth single in history to receive a triple million digital certification by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). Ai's fifth studio album, What's Goin' On Ai (2006), featured the top-ten singles "Believe" and "I Wanna Know", the former receiving a gold certification from the RIAJ. Her sixth studio album, Don't Stop Ai (2007) saw similar success, which received a gold certification. In 2009, she released her seventh studio album, Viva Ai, which charted in the top ten of the Japanese Oricon albums chart. Ai's greatest hits album, Best Ai (2009), became her first number one album and was certified platinum. In 2010, she released her eighth studio album, The Last Ai, which marked her last release under Island Records. In 2011, Ai left Universal Music Group and signed a global publishing deal with EMI. Her ninth studio album Independent (2012) served as her international debut and first release under EMI Music Japan. To promote the album, Ai toured in Japan and in Los Angeles. Her tenth studio album Moriagaro (2013) marked her first release under EMI Records Japan following EMI Music Japan's absorption into Universal Music Japan as a sublabel. Her second greatest hits album, The Best (2015) peaked at number 3 on the Oricon Albums chart and number 2 on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart, later being certified gold by the RIAJ. Its successor, The Feat. Best (2016) charted within the top 30 of both the Japan Hot Albums and Oricon Albums chart. Ai's eleventh studio album, Wa to Yo (2017) experimented with traditional Japanese and electronic sounds. Its second single, "Kira Kira" was nominated for the Grand Prix award and won the Excellent Works Award at the 59th Japan Records Awards. Her fourth greatest hits album Kansha!!!!! – Thank You for 20 Years New and Best (2019) was issued to celebrate her twenty years in the music industry. Further celebrating her twenty-year anniversary, Ai released the extended plays It's All Me, Vol. 1 (2020) and It's All Me, Vol. 2 (2021). Ai's twelfth studio album, Dream (2022), included the single "Aldebaran", the theme song of the Japanese drama, Come Come Everybody. The song received critical acclaim and was Ai's first song in five years to appear on the Billboard Japan Hot 100. Her thirteenth studio album, Respect All (2023), included the singles "Life Goes On", the image song for the Japanese film Haru ni Chiru and "Start Again", which served as an insert song for Nestlé Japan's Kit Kats. Commemorating her 25th anniversary, Ai released 25th the Best – Alive (2025), her fifth greatest hits album.
Hitomi Saito (斉藤瞳, Saitō Hitomi), born October 31, 1981, in Niigata, Japan, is a former singer and current radio…Hitomi Saito (斉藤瞳, Saitō Hitomi), born October 31, 1981, in Niigata, Japan, is a former singer and current radio personality. She was the leader of Melon Kinenbi, an all-girl J-pop group formerly within Hello! Project, until its disbandment in 2010. She is also a former member of Hello! Project's futsal club, Gatas Brilhantes H.P.
Katsunori Kikuno (Japanese: 菊野 克紀, Kikuno Katsunori; born October 30, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He was…Katsunori Kikuno (Japanese: 菊野 克紀, Kikuno Katsunori; born October 30, 1981) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He was the former DEEP Lightweight Champion.
Ayaka Tanihara (谷原 絢香, Tanihara Ayaka), born Ayaka Kimura (木村 絢香, Kimura Ayaka) October 30, 1981 and known…Ayaka Tanihara (谷原 絢香, Tanihara Ayaka), born Ayaka Kimura (木村 絢香, Kimura Ayaka) October 30, 1981 and known professionally as Ayaka Nagate (長手 絢香, Nagate Ayaka), is a Japanese actress and former singer. From 1998 to 2008, Nagate was part of Hello! Project as a member of the Japan-based girl group Coconuts Musume.
Satoshi Komatsu (小松 聖, Komatsu Satoshi; born October 29, 1981 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a retired Japanese pitcher who…Satoshi Komatsu (小松 聖, Komatsu Satoshi; born October 29, 1981 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a retired Japanese pitcher who played his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Pacific League.
Sagan Tosu (サガン鳥栖, Sagan Tosu) is a Japanese professional football club based in Tosu, Saga Prefecture. The club plays…Sagan Tosu (サガン鳥栖, Sagan Tosu) is a Japanese professional football club based in Tosu, Saga Prefecture. The club plays in the J2 League, the second tier of Japanese football, since 2025 following relegation from the J1 League in 2024. Sagan is a coined word with various suggested ideas behind where the name came from. One of its homophones is sandstone (砂岩, sagan) in Japanese. This symbolises many small elements uniting to form one formidable object, for example as a metaphor for a team. Also, Sagan Tosu can be interpreted as "Tosu of Saga (Prefecture)" (佐賀ん鳥栖, Saga-n Tosu) in the area's dialect.
Shun Kuwahara (桑原 俊, Kuwahara Shun; born 28 October 1981 in Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese gymnast. Kuwahara was…Shun Kuwahara (桑原 俊, Kuwahara Shun; born 28 October 1981 in Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese gymnast. Kuwahara was part of the Japanese team that won silver medals in the team event at the 2006 Asian Games and the 2010 Asian Games.
