Yoshifumi Seki (関 義文, Seki Yoshifumi; born 23 April 1953) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's welterweight…Yoshifumi Seki (関 義文, Seki Yoshifumi; born 23 April 1953) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's welterweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. At the 1976 Summer Olympics, he defeated Ju Seok-Kim of South Korea, before losing to Carmen Rinke of Canada.
Nishida Shun'ei (西田 俊英; born April 20, 1953, in Ise city, Mie prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese Nihonga painter who…Nishida Shun'ei (西田 俊英; born April 20, 1953, in Ise city, Mie prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese Nihonga painter who specializes in portraits, and later fantastical landscapes, and is an emeritus professor of Japanese painting at Hiroshima City University and Musashino Art University, which he retired from in 2024. He received the 2016 Japan Art Academy award for Japanese painting. As of 2026, he is the chair of the Japan Art Institute.
Shun'ichi Suzuki (鈴木 俊一, Suzuki Shun'ichi; born 13 April 1953) is a Japanese politician who has served as…Shun'ichi Suzuki (鈴木 俊一, Suzuki Shun'ichi; born 13 April 1953) is a Japanese politician who has served as Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party since 2025 and previously served as minister of finance from 2021 to October 2024. He sits in the House of Representatives as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Shizuko Konishi (Japanese: 小西 静子, Hepburn: Konishi Shizuko; née Ōtaka; 11 April 1952 – 5 September 2022), known by the…Shizuko Konishi (Japanese: 小西 静子, Hepburn: Konishi Shizuko; née Ōtaka; 11 April 1952 – 5 September 2022), known by the stage names Sizzle Ohtaka (おおたか 静流, Ōtaka Shizuru) and Shizuko Ōtaka (大高 静子, Ōtaka Shizuko), was a Japanese singer and television personality. After going to a jazz school, she had a prolific career in commercial songs, including her 1990 cover of Shoukichi Kina's song "Hana (Subete no Hito no Kokoro ni Hana o)", which won the Japan Advertising Music Association's 1991 Best Vocalist Award of Commercial Music. She also performed music for anime and live-action works, including I'm Gonna Be An Angel!, Spirited Away, .hack//Legend of the Twilight, and Hotarubi no Mori e, and she was a regular cast member on the NHK Educational TV show Nihongo de Asobo .
Mitsuo Hagiwara (萩原 光男, Hagiwara Mitsuo; 8 April 1953 – 22 April 2015), better known by his stage name Nagare Hagiwara…Mitsuo Hagiwara (萩原 光男, Hagiwara Mitsuo; 8 April 1953 – 22 April 2015), better known by his stage name Nagare Hagiwara (萩原 流行, Hagiwara Nagare), was a Japanese actor and TV personality.
Masako Ōkawara (大河原 雅子; born 8 April 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a former…Masako Ōkawara (大河原 雅子; born 8 April 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture and 1977 graduate of International Christian University, she had served in the assembly of Tokyo for three terms (ten years) since 1993. She was a member of the House of Councillors between 2007 and 2013.
Yoshimi Nishigawa (西側よしみ, born April 8, 1953) is a retired Japanese swimmer who won ten gold medals at the Asian Games…Yoshimi Nishigawa (西側よしみ, born April 8, 1953) is a retired Japanese swimmer who won ten gold medals at the Asian Games in 1970 and 1974. A versatile swimmer, she competed at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics in three events at each games and reached the final on five occasions. She married the Olympic rower Takashi Murayama.
Akiko Nishina (仁科亜希子) (born 3 April 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. Once 仁科明子, her name is now 仁科亜季子, after…Akiko Nishina (仁科亜希子) (born 3 April 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. Once 仁科明子, her name is now 仁科亜季子, after divorcing from Hiroki Matsukata, an actor in Japan.
Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani…Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani, Aomori. He was the sport's 56th yokozuna. He was popular with sumo fans and was well-known for his rivalry with Kitanoumi. After retirement, he became the head coach of Magaki stable. Due to poor health, he left the Japan Sumo Association in December 2013. He died of lung cancer in July 2022 at the age of 69.
Seiichirō Dōkyū (Japanese: 道休誠一郎 Dōkyū Seiichirō; 1 April 1953 – 3 February 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member…Seiichirō Dōkyū (Japanese: 道休誠一郎 Dōkyū Seiichirō; 1 April 1953 – 3 February 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2012. Dōkyū died in Miyazaki on 3 February 2026, at the age of 72.
Masayoshi Takanaka (born March 27, 1953) is a Japanese musician and record producer. Known for his virtuosic guitar…Masayoshi Takanaka (born March 27, 1953) is a Japanese musician and record producer. Known for his virtuosic guitar playing and skilled musicianship, Takanaka rose to fame and achieved commercial success during the 1970s and 1980s. He composes and performs across various different music genres. In a career spanning over 50 years, Takanaka has released more than 20 albums and continues to perform.
Yoshihiro Yonezawa (米澤 嘉博, Yonezawa Yoshihiro; March 21, 1953 – October 1, 2006) was a Japanese manga critic and…Yoshihiro Yonezawa (米澤 嘉博, Yonezawa Yoshihiro; March 21, 1953 – October 1, 2006) was a Japanese manga critic and author. He is also known for being Comiket's co-founder and president. He died of lung cancer at 53. He won the 2007 Seiun Award in the special category and 2010 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Special Award.
Kenji Kitahashi (北橋 健治, Kitahashi Kenji; born 19 March 1953, in Nishinomiya) is a Japanese politician and a former…Kenji Kitahashi (北橋 健治, Kitahashi Kenji; born 19 March 1953, in Nishinomiya) is a Japanese politician and a former mayor of Kitakyushu, Japan. A graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives in Diet of Japan (parliament) for the first time in 1986 as a member of Democratic Socialist Party, which later became part of Democratic Party of Japan. After losing his seat in 1990, he was re-elected in 1993. In February 2007 he was elected mayor of Kitakyushu and went on to serve four terms, until 2023.
Takashi Yoshimatsu (吉松 隆, Yoshimatsu Takashi; born March 18, 1953) is a Japanese classical music composer. He is well…Takashi Yoshimatsu (吉松 隆, Yoshimatsu Takashi; born March 18, 1953) is a Japanese classical music composer. He is well known for composing the score for the 2003 remake of Astro Boy.
Kazuyuki Hamada (浜田 和幸, Hamada Kazuyuki; born 17 March 1953) is a Japanese politician. He has served one term in the…Kazuyuki Hamada (浜田 和幸, Hamada Kazuyuki; born 17 March 1953) is a Japanese politician. He has served one term in the House of Councillors for the Tottori At-large district. After being elected in 2010 as a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party, he changed parties three times before unsuccessfully seeking re-election as an independent candidate in 2016.
Kei Akagi (ケイ 赤城/赤城 恵, Akagi Kei; born March 16, 1953) is a Japanese American jazz pianist. In particular, he is known…Kei Akagi (ケイ 赤城/赤城 恵, Akagi Kei; born March 16, 1953) is a Japanese American jazz pianist. In particular, he is known for his work with the Airto Moreira/Flora Purim group and in Miles Davis's band in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was born in Japan, but lived in Cleveland, Ohio, for part of his childhood, until he moved back to Japan at the age of 12. He later returned to the United States at 22. He is associated with the Californian jazz scene at present. He is the Chancellor Professor of Music at the University of California, Irvine.
Kirinji Kazuharu, real name Kazuharu Tarusawa (9 March 1953 – 1 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba…Kirinji Kazuharu, real name Kazuharu Tarusawa (9 March 1953 – 1 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1967, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1974. His highest rank was sekiwake. During his long career he won several awards and set a number of longevity records. Upon his retirement in 1988 he became a sumo coach and elder of the Japan Sumo Association, until reaching 65 years of age in 2018.
Mineo Maya (魔夜峰央, Maya Mineo) is a Japanese manga artist born in 1953. His series Patalliro! is one of the best-selling…Mineo Maya (魔夜峰央, Maya Mineo) is a Japanese manga artist born in 1953. His series Patalliro! is one of the best-selling and the longest-running shōjo manga of all time.
Kazuo Kitagawa (北側 一雄, Kitagawa Kazuo; born 2 March 1953) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Minister…Kazuo Kitagawa (北側 一雄, Kitagawa Kazuo; born 2 March 1953) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi.
Yōko Kamikawa (上川 陽子, Kamikawa Yōko; born 1 March 1953) is a Japanese politician and former think tank researcher who…Yōko Kamikawa (上川 陽子, Kamikawa Yōko; born 1 March 1953) is a Japanese politician and former think tank researcher who served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs between September 2023 and October 2024. She served as the Minister of Justice from September 2020 to October 2021, and also served as Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs in the cabinets of Shinzō Abe and Yasuo Fukuda. She has been a member of the House of Representatives since December 2012.
Kōzō Murashita (村下 孝蔵, Murashita Kōzō; February 28, 1953 – June 24, 1999) was a Japanese singer-songwriter who was born…Kōzō Murashita (村下 孝蔵, Murashita Kōzō; February 28, 1953 – June 24, 1999) was a Japanese singer-songwriter who was born in Minamata, Kumamoto, Japan. He died of a brain hemorrhage in 1999.
Shunmyō Masuno (枡野 俊明, Masuno Shunmyō) (born 28 February 1953) is a Japanese monk and garden designer. He is chief…Shunmyō Masuno (枡野 俊明, Masuno Shunmyō) (born 28 February 1953) is a Japanese monk and garden designer. He is chief priest of the Sōtō Zen temple Kenkō-ji (建功寺), professor at Tama Art University, and president of a design firm that has completed numerous projects in Japan and overseas. He has been called "Japan's leading garden designer".
Kaneshiro Kōfuku (February 27, 1953 - December 29, 2002) was a sumo wrestler from Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan. He made…Kaneshiro Kōfuku (February 27, 1953 - December 29, 2002) was a sumo wrestler from Takanabe, Miyazaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1969, and reached the top division in September 1974. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was a runner-up in two tournaments and earned two gold stars and three Fighting Spirit prizes. After retiring in 1987 he opened up a sumo-themed restaurant. He died of a heart attack in 2002.
Satoru Nakajima (Japanese: 中嶋 悟, Hepburn: Nakajima Satoru; born 23 February 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver…Satoru Nakajima (Japanese: 中嶋 悟, Hepburn: Nakajima Satoru; born 23 February 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from 1987 to 1991. Born and raised in Okazaki, Aichi, Nakajima began his racing career at the Suzuka Circuit in 1973. He progressed to Japanese Formula Two in 1977, winning a then-record five titles between 1981 and 1986, with 21 victories across 10 seasons. After several appearances in sportscar racing via the World Sportscar Championship and the All Japan Endurance Championship—as well as a season in International Formula 3000—Nakajima signed for Lotus in 1987 to partner Ayrton Senna, becoming the first Japanese driver to compete full-time in Formula One at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He scored his maiden points finish at the following round in San Marino, and achieved a career-best fourth place at the British Grand Prix. Across his remaining two seasons at Lotus, Nakajima scored points finishes at the 1988 Brazilian and 1989 Australian Grands Prix, setting the fastest lap and finishing fourth at the latter. Nakajima moved to Tyrrell in 1990, scoring points finishes in the United States, Italy and his home Grand Prix in Japan. Retaining his seat for his 1991 campaign at Tyrrell under Honda power, Nakajima scored his final points at the season-opening United States Grand Prix, leaving at the end of the season to join Honda's works team project. Nakajima tested the RC100 and related models until 1994, when Honda pulled out of Formula One following the Japanese asset price bubble. Upon retiring from motor racing, Nakajima focused on his Nakajima Racing team, which he had founded in 1984 to privately enter March chassis into the Japanese Formula Two Championship, winning three consecutive titles until 1986. Nakajima won four Formula Nippon Teams' Championship titles between 1999 and 2009, still competing in the newly-formed Super Formula Championship, as well as the Super GT Series. Nakajima's sons Kazuki and Daisuke both became racing drivers, the former also competing in Formula One for Williams from 2007 to 2009.
Inuhiko Yomota (四方田 犬彦, Yomota Inuhiko; born February 20, 1953) is a Japanese author, cultural essayist, translator…Inuhiko Yomota (四方田 犬彦, Yomota Inuhiko; born February 20, 1953) is a Japanese author, cultural essayist, translator, film historian, and critic. His real name is Goki Yomota (四方田 剛己, Yomota Gōki).
Kimiko Hashimoto (橋本 きみ子, Hashimoto Kimiko; born 17 February 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the…Kimiko Hashimoto (橋本 きみ子, Hashimoto Kimiko; born 17 February 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Hideko Oka (岡 秀子, Oka Hideko; born 14 February 1953) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and…Hideko Oka (岡 秀子, Oka Hideko; born 14 February 1953) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team foil events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kaoru Kurimoto (栗本 薫, Kurimoto Kaoru; February 13, 1953 – May 26, 2009) was the pen name of Sumiyo Imaoka (今岡 純代…Kaoru Kurimoto (栗本 薫, Kurimoto Kaoru; February 13, 1953 – May 26, 2009) was the pen name of Sumiyo Imaoka (今岡 純代, Imaoka Sumiyo), a Japanese novelist. Imaoka also used the pen name Azusa Nakajima (中島 梓, Nakajima Azusa) to write criticism and music. She was known for her record-breaking 130-volume Guin Saga series, which has been translated into English, German, French, Italian and Russian. Her style has been described as being part of the New Wave science fiction movement. Outside of her literary endeavors, she was a playwright, composer, and pianist who performed with her own jazz ensemble, the Azusa Nakajima Trio.
Marcellino Taiji Tani (谷 大二, Tani Taiji; 13 February 1953 – 10 October 2026) was a Japanese Roman Catholic prelate who…Marcellino Taiji Tani (谷 大二, Tani Taiji; 13 February 1953 – 10 October 2026) was a Japanese Roman Catholic prelate who served as the bishop of the Diocese of Saitama from 2000 until his resignation in 2013. He was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Urawa in May 2000 and received episcopal consecration in September of that year.
Rankin' Taxi (born 9 February 1953) is a Japanese reggae artist, from Yokohama. In 2011, he re-recorded his 1989…Rankin' Taxi (born 9 February 1953) is a Japanese reggae artist, from Yokohama. In 2011, he re-recorded his 1989 anti-nuclear song 誰にも見えない、匂いもない (You can't see it, you can't smell it) with Dub Ainu Band, which despite receiving little airplay in the mainstream Japanese media, attracted the attention of the New York Times in June 2011 in an article by Dan Grunebaum titled Japan's New Wave of protest songs, after it became popular following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Kaoru Takamura (髙村 薫, Takamura Kaoru; born 1953) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won numerous Japanese…Kaoru Takamura (髙村 薫, Takamura Kaoru; born 1953) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards, including the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, the Japan Adventure Fiction Association Prize, the Naoki Prize, the Yomiuri Prize, and the Noma Literary Prize, and her work has been adapted for film and television.
Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former…Takashi Ishikawa (石川 孝志, Ishikawa Takashi; ring names: 石川 敬士 and 石川 泰士, born February 5, 1953) is a Japanese former professional wrestler and sumo wrestler from Fujishima, Higashitagawa District, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
Koro Bessho (別所 浩郎, Bessho Kōrō; born 5 February 1953) is a Japanese diplomat who has served as Grand Chamberlain to…Koro Bessho (別所 浩郎, Bessho Kōrō; born 5 February 1953) is a Japanese diplomat who has served as Grand Chamberlain to the Emperor since 2021. He previously served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2016 to 2019, and as President of the United Nations Security Council in July 2016 and December 2017.
Tatsurō Yamashita (山下 達郎, Yamashita Tatsurō; born February 4, 1953), occasionally referred to as Tatsu Yamashita or…Tatsurō Yamashita (山下 達郎, Yamashita Tatsurō; born February 4, 1953), occasionally referred to as Tatsu Yamashita or Tats Yamashita, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record producer, whose music in the early 1980s is now widely regarded as a cornerstone of city pop. His most well-known song is "Christmas Eve", a best-selling song released in Japan in the 1980s. It has appeared on the Japanese charts for over 35 consecutive years. He is known for his collaborations with his wife Mariya Takeuchi on many songs, including "Plastic Love", and the American songwriter Alan O'Day, with whom he co-wrote the songs "Your Eyes", "Magic Ways", "Love Can Go the Distance", and "Fragile". In the overseas City Pop revival that began in the 2010s, he has frequently been called the "King of City Pop". Yamashita is considered a major contributor to Japanese music and is ranked by HMV Japan as the sixth among the top 100 Japanese Artists.
Masanori Takahashi (高橋 正則, Takahashi Masanori; born February 4, 1953), professionally known as Kitarō (喜多郎), is a…Masanori Takahashi (高橋 正則, Takahashi Masanori; born February 4, 1953), professionally known as Kitarō (喜多郎), is a Japanese musician, composer, record producer, and arranger noted for his electronic-instrumental music, and is often associated with and regarded as one of the most prominent musical acts of new-age music. He won the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for Thinking of You (1999), with a record 16 nominations in the same category. He received a Golden Globe Award for the original score to Heaven & Earth (1993).
Masashi Waki (脇 雅史, Waki Masashi; born February 2, 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Masashi Waki (脇 雅史, Waki Masashi; born February 2, 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Suginami, Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked the Ministry of Construction from 1967 until 1997. In 1998, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Yoshihiko Funazaki (舟崎 克彦, Funazaki Yoshihiko; February 2, 1945 – October 15, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, poet…Yoshihiko Funazaki (舟崎 克彦, Funazaki Yoshihiko; February 2, 1945 – October 15, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, poet, illustrator, manga artist, songwriter, and assistant professor of Shirayuri College. He has written more than 300 books.
Takeshi Hosaka (保坂 武, Hosaka Takeshi; born 1 February 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Takeshi Hosaka (保坂 武, Hosaka Takeshi; born 1 February 1945) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kai, Yamanashi and high school graduate, he was elected to the town assembly of the town of Ryūō, Shiga in 1977, serving for three terms, and then to the assembly of Yamanashi Prefecture in 1991, serving for, again, three terms. In April 2003, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time as an independent. He represented the 3rd District of Yamanashi Prefecture until 2008.
Yasuhiro Takai (高井 保弘, Takai Yasuhiro; 1 February 1945 – 13 December 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball first…Yasuhiro Takai (高井 保弘, Takai Yasuhiro; 1 February 1945 – 13 December 2019) was a Japanese professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Hankyu Braves. Takai was born on 1 February 1945 in Imabari, Ehime. He attended Ehime Prefectural Imabari West High School and played for the Nagoya Nissan Motor Company baseball team before signing with the Hankyu Braves in 1964. Takai was originally signed to the practice squad and made his Nippon Professional Baseball debut in 1966. Over the course of his career, Takai became known for his extensive research into opposing pitchers. He set the NPB record for pinch-hit home runs, with 27. After he retired in 1982, Takai served as a broadcaster. Takai died of kidney failure on 13 December 2019, at a hospital in Nishinomiya, aged 74.
Yumio Sakurai (桜井 由躬雄; 1945-2012) was a Japanese historian who specialized in Japanese history and history of Southeast…Yumio Sakurai (桜井 由躬雄; 1945-2012) was a Japanese historian who specialized in Japanese history and history of Southeast Asia.
Yoko Shinozaki (篠崎 洋子, Shinozaki Yōko; born January 29, 1945) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She…Yoko Shinozaki (篠崎 洋子, Shinozaki Yōko; born January 29, 1945) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a major player to help Japanese women's national volleyball, team to dominate the World in 1962-67 by winning 1962 FIVB Women's World Championship, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and 1967 FIVB Women's World Championship in row.
Masamitsu Oishi (大石 正光, Ōishi Masamitsu; born 28 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Masamitsu Oishi (大石 正光, Ōishi Masamitsu; born 28 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served in both houses of the National Diet (national legislature). A native of Sendai, Miyagi, he graduated from Rikkyo University and attended Whitworth University in Washington, United States. After having served in the House of Representatives for five terms, he lost his seat in 1996 as a member of the New Frontier Party. He was re-elected in 2000 but lost the seat again in 2003. In 2004 he ran for the House of Councillors and was elected for the first time.
Takeo Moriyama (森山 威男, Moriyama Takeo; born January 27, 1945 in Katsunuma (present Kōshū) in Yamanashi Prefecture) is a…Takeo Moriyama (森山 威男, Moriyama Takeo; born January 27, 1945 in Katsunuma (present Kōshū) in Yamanashi Prefecture) is a Japanese jazz drummer. Moriyama played piano as a child before switching to drums in his late teens. He then attended the Tokyo University of the Arts, taking a degree in percussion performance. He joined Yosuke Yamashita's small group in 1967, and went on several international tours with the group until leaving it in 1975. He moved to Nagoya in 1977 and began leading his own groups. In addition to Yamashita he has performed or recorded with Aki Takase, Akira Miyazawa, Fumio Itabashi, Masahiko Satoh, Peter Brötzmann, Nobuyoshi Ino, Takehiro Honda, and Manfred Schoof.
Hitoshi Nomura (Nomura Hitoshi, 野村仁; 1945 – 3 October 2023) was a Japanese contemporary artist. While he initially…Hitoshi Nomura (Nomura Hitoshi, 野村仁; 1945 – 3 October 2023) was a Japanese contemporary artist. While he initially trained in sculpture, his work has developed into ephemeral, process-based and conceptual forms of artworks. The central theme of his work, around which he will experiment throughout his life, is time, and the dynamics of transformation that are linked to it, such as deterioration, evaporation, fusion. In the 1970s, he defined the theme of his work as the attempt to "represent the characteristics of time and space in equal prominence" through his art. The use of photography in his work is decisive, whether this medium is used to document his action or to "sculpt time".
Tatsuo Kawabata (川端 達夫, Kawabata Tatsuo; born 24 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician from the Democratic…Tatsuo Kawabata (川端 達夫, Kawabata Tatsuo; born 24 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician from the Democratic Party. A native of Ōmihachiman, Shiga, he attended Kyoto University and received a master's degree from it. His elder brother is former mayor of Ōmihachiman Gohei Kawabata.
Misako Enoki (榎 美沙子, Enoki Misako; born 23 January 1945) is a Japanese feminist, pharmacist, and politician. She helped…Misako Enoki (榎 美沙子, Enoki Misako; born 23 January 1945) is a Japanese feminist, pharmacist, and politician. She helped launch and became a symbol of the feminist movement in Japan when she organized activists to push for the legalization of the birth control pill. As a sign of respect for her elderly parents, Enoki was compelled to marry at the age of 24. She married physician Natsuo Kiuchi, retaining her maiden name. Enoki began her involvement with the Japanese women's liberation translation group known as Wolf Group (Urufu no Kai). She distributed a pamphlet calling for the legalization of the birth control pill, initially using the group's name, angering group members who did not share her position. Enoki attended the Ribu Conference of May 1972, recruiting women to form a protest group called Chūpiren ([ja: 中ピ連]; sometimes known as Pink Panthers or pink helmets) as a radical wing of the Japanese feminist movement. Chūpiren was an abbreviation for Chūzetsu Kinshi Hō ni Hantai Shi Piru Kaikin o Yōkyū Suru Josei Kaihō Rengō (Women's Liberation Federation for Opposing the Abortion Prohibition Law and Lifting the Pill Ban). The group organized well-attended demonstrations for a series of campaigns addressing the concerns of women. Chūpiren was concerned with legal rights in divorce and marriage, access to birth control, abortion, and equal pay. Wearing pink hard hats to ensure maximal media attention, the demonstrators marched in white military-style uniforms. They held protest rallies and sit-ins and took part in publicity stunts such as confronting unfaithful husbands in their offices. The male-dominated media gave coverage to Chūpiren but did not take them seriously, instead ridiculing the movement. Enoki debated with Japanese feminist Mitsu Tanaka, who did not think that Chūpiren could be considered part of uuman ribu, the Japanese women's liberation movement. Enoki was not well trusted in the ribu and members of Chūpiren were critical of her style of leadership. Enoki formed the Japan Woman's Party (Nihon Joseitō) for the 1977 House of Councillors election. The party put forward 10 to 12 candidates in the election and fared poorly, receiving only 0.4 per cent of the popular vote. Following the election, Chūpiren was disbanded and Enoki left public life. Enoki's husband lent her $38,000 to help finance the 1977 political campaign of the Japan Women's Party. They struck a bargain where she would resume housework at their apartment in suburban Tokyo and he would write off $2,670 of the loan for each month of housework.