Tomihiko Morimi (Japanese: 森見 登美彦, Hepburn: Morimi Tomihiko; born January 6, 1979) is a Japanese writer from Nara…
Tomihiko Morimi (Japanese: 森見 登美彦, Hepburn: Morimi Tomihiko; born January 6, 1979) is a Japanese writer from Nara Prefecture. He graduated from Kyoto University and his works often have Kyoto as the setting. In July 2018, it was announced that the first two of Morimi's original works to be published in English will be Penguin Highway and The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, both published by Yen Press in 2019. In 2022, Tower of the Sun and Fox Tales were published in English by Yen Press, while The Tatami Galaxy was published by HarperCollins, who also published The Tatami Time Machine Blues in 2023.
Famous People of the Four Green Wood Star
Four Green Wood Star: 1,984 people
Masami Tanaka (田中 雅美, Tanaka Masami; born January 5, 1979 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a former breaststroke swimmer from…
Masami Tanaka (田中 雅美, Tanaka Masami; born January 5, 1979 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a former breaststroke swimmer from Japan. She won the bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m Medley Relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Her winning teammates in that race were Mai Nakamura, Junko Onishi, and Sumika Minamoto. She competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1996.
Kotomi Ishizaki (石崎 琴美, Ishizaki Kotomi; born January 4, 1979) is a Japanese curler from Sapporo. She won a silver…
Kotomi Ishizaki (石崎 琴美, Ishizaki Kotomi; born January 4, 1979) is a Japanese curler from Sapporo. She won a silver medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics as the alternate of the team skipped by Satsuki Fujisawa.
Taku Saito (斎藤 卓, Saitō Taku) is the former head coach of the Earthfriends Tokyo Z in the Japanese B.League.
Koichi Domoto (堂本 光一, Dōmoto Kōichi; born January 1, 1979) is a Japanese idol, singer, actor, singer-songwriter…
Koichi Domoto (堂本 光一, Dōmoto Kōichi; born January 1, 1979) is a Japanese idol, singer, actor, singer-songwriter, composer, lyricist, television personality, voice actor. Along with Tsuyoshi Domoto (with whom he has no blood-relation), he is a member of the duo Domoto, who holds the Guinness World Records for having the most consecutive No.1 singles since debut and the most consecutive years with a Japanese No.1 single, and with whom is one of the top 25 best-selling artists of all time in Japan. Although Domoto also actively works as a television actor and host, he is most famous for his musical SHOCK series, which he participates as the lead actor and director at the same time. SHOCK series started at the Tokyo Imperial Theatre in 2000, making him the youngest Zachō (chairman and lead role) and the first idol to perform at Imperial Theatre. With over 2000 performances, SHOCK series is now the most-performed musical and the second most-performed theatre with a single-lead in Japan. In 2018, he starred in the musical Knights' Tale directed by John Caird as well. Domoto will be under agent contract in Starto starting in July 2026.
Jiro Hatoyama (鳩山二郎, Hatoyama Jiro; born 1 January 1979) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…
Jiro Hatoyama (鳩山二郎, Hatoyama Jiro; born 1 January 1979) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2016. From 2013 to 2016, he served as mayor of Ōkawa. He is the son of Kunio Hatoyama and Emily Hatoyama.
Mitsuhiro Ishida (Japanese: 石田光洋, born December 29, 1978) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in…
Mitsuhiro Ishida (Japanese: 石田光洋, born December 29, 1978) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who competed in Shooto, Strikeforce, PRIDE, DREAM, and DEEP. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2011, Ishida also participated in the Yarennoka event in the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Shinya Nasu (奈須 伸也, Nasu Shinya; born December 29, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
Kazuma Ieiri (家入 一真, Ieiri Kazuma; born December 28, 1978) is a Japanese entrepreneur recognized by Forbes as one of…
Kazuma Ieiri (家入 一真, Ieiri Kazuma; born December 28, 1978) is a Japanese entrepreneur recognized by Forbes as one of Japan’s leading figures in the startup ecosystem. He is the founder and former director (until 2011) of the web hosting company paperboy & co., and the founder of the crowdfunding platform studygift. In 2014, he ran as a candidate in the 2014 Tokyo gubernatorial election. In 2017, he co-founded NOW Venture Capital in Tokyo alongside investment bankers from Mizuho Financial Group and a certified public accountant with an MBA from the London Business School. The firm has since invested in over 63 companies.
Tomoya Asano (浅野 智也, born 24 December 1978) is a Japanese game producer working for Square Enix as Studio Head on…
Tomoya Asano (浅野 智也, born 24 December 1978) is a Japanese game producer working for Square Enix as Studio Head on Creative Studio 5. After graduating from Keio University Asano first joined Enix in 2001, before gaining a more prominent role within the company after its merger. He started off working on several titles before producing a few titles in the Final Fantasy series. After producing Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, Asano and several members on his team went on to create a spiritual successor in Bravely Default. In 2017 Asano was made head of his own business division in Square Enix, called Business Division 11 and focusing work on the Bravely series and new titles such as Octopath Traveler. The business division was later consolidated in 2019, following a restructure in the divisions of the company, with Business Division 6, 7 and 11 merging to create Creative Business Unit II. However, within Creative Business Unit II Asano and his team are known as Team Asano as they continue working on games similar to their previous creations. In 2024 Asano was promoted as Studio Head in Creative Studio 5 and as an Executive Officer in the company.
Nanae Takahashi (高橋 奈苗, Takahashi Nanae; ring name: 高橋奈七永) (born December 23, 1978) is a retired Japanese professional…
Nanae Takahashi (高橋 奈苗, Takahashi Nanae; ring name: 高橋奈七永) (born December 23, 1978) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler, founder of Seadlinnng and co-founder of World Wonder Ring Stardom. She was signed to Dream Star Fighting Marigold, where she held her final match at Marigold Shine Forever. She has wrestled for prominent Japanese promotions All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Sun, and is a two-time women's world champion in major professional wrestling promotions.
Akiko Yada (矢田亜希子, Yada Akiko) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 6th Nikkan…
Akiko Yada (矢田亜希子, Yada Akiko) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 6th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix for Boku no Ikiru Michi.
Shuji Kashiwabara (柏原 収史, Kashiwabara Shūji; born December 23, 1978) is a Japanese actor.
Arashi Fujihara (藤原 あらし, Fujihara Arashi) is a Japanese kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter.
Ryoko Yano (矢野良子, born 20 December 1978) is a Japanese basketball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Toshihiro Kaneishi (金石 年弘, Kaneishi Toshihiro; born December 19, 1978 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese racing…
Toshihiro Kaneishi (金石 年弘, Kaneishi Toshihiro; born December 19, 1978 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese racing driver. He has competed in such series as Formula Nippon and Super GT.
Shunsuke Kato (加藤 俊介, Katō Shunsuke; born December 18, 1978), known by his stage name Funky Kato (ファンキー加藤, Fankī Katō)…
Shunsuke Kato (加藤 俊介, Katō Shunsuke; born December 18, 1978), known by his stage name Funky Kato (ファンキー加藤, Fankī Katō), is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He is best known as the vocalist of the band Funky Monkey Babys, which disbanded in 2013.
Koji Ezumi (江角 浩司, Ezumi Kōji; born December 18, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi (濱口 竜介, Hamaguchi Ryūsuke; [hamaꜜɡɯtɕi ɾʲɯꜜːsɯ̥ke] ; born 16 December 1978) is a Japanese filmmaker.…
Ryusuke Hamaguchi (濱口 竜介, Hamaguchi Ryūsuke; [hamaꜜɡɯtɕi ɾʲɯꜜːsɯ̥ke] ; born 16 December 1978) is a Japanese filmmaker. An alumnus of the University of Tokyo and Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, he first gained international recognition for Happy Hour (2015), Asako I & II (2018) and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021), which premiered in the main competitions of Locarno, Cannes, and Berlin respectively. For Drive My Car (2021), Hamaguchi was nominated at the 94th Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay; the film was the first Japanese production to be nominated for Best Picture, and it won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. Following Drive My Car, Hamaguchi wrote and directed the critically acclaimed films Evil Does Not Exist (2023), which won the Grand Jury Prize at Venice, and All of a Sudden (2026), which won the award for Best Actress at Cannes.
Hiroki Konno (今野 浩喜, Konno Hiroki; born December 12, 1978 in Niiza, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and actor…
Hiroki Konno (今野 浩喜, Konno Hiroki; born December 12, 1978 in Niiza, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and actor who was a member of the comedy duo King of Comedy. Konno lives in Saitama, Saitama.
Tenn (stylized as TENN; 11 December 1978 – 25 September 2014) was a Japanese MC who was a member of the J-pop group…
Tenn (stylized as TENN; 11 December 1978 – 25 September 2014) was a Japanese MC who was a member of the J-pop group ET-King. He was from Osaka Prefecture. His real name was Takahiro Moriwaki (森脇 隆宏, Moriwaki Takahiro). His wife was Takako Uehara of Speed.
Teruo Misawa (born 11 December 1978) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1998 to 2008. He held…
Teruo Misawa (born 11 December 1978) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1998 to 2008. He held the Japanese mini-flyweight title from 2006 to 2007 and challenged for the WBC interim mini-flyweight title in 2008.
Shingo Morita (森田 真吾, Morita Shingo; born December 9, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
Da Pump (ダパンプ, Da Panpu, stylized in all caps) is a Japanese boy band made up of lead vocalist, Issa Hentona and MCs…
Da Pump (ダパンプ, Da Panpu, stylized in all caps) is a Japanese boy band made up of lead vocalist, Issa Hentona and MCs Ken Okumoto, Yukinari Tamaki and Shinobu Miyara. The band formed as students at Okinawa Actors School in 1996. They made their debut on the Avex Trax subsidiary avex tune under the guidance of producer Akio Togashi on June 11, 1997, with "Feelin' Good - It's Paradise". As one of the few male bands unassociated with Johnny's Entertainment, they were the first to gain major popularity reaching their peak in 2001 with the release of Da Best of Da Pump. On April 7, 2006, Shinobu formally left the band following a hiatus due to a drunk driving incident in 2005. The band went on an unofficial hiatus at the end of 2006. On December 18, 2008, it was announced that Yukinari was leaving the band and that Ken and Issa were actively looking for his replacement. Within hours, their management company announced a brand new Da Pump with seven new members and a new concept as a multimedia entertainment group. The band will start their official comeback on July 15, 2009, with the new single, "Summer Rider" and a tour in the fall. It was announced on December 5, 2009, that Ken Okumoto had left Da Pump to pursue a solo career, leaving Issa the only original member left. Da Pump now consists of Issa, Kenzo, Tomo, Kimi, Yori, and U-Yeah. Da Pump made their comeback in May 2018 with the hit single, "U.S.A.", a song originally written by Italian singer Joe Yellow.
D'espairsRay (formerly stylized as DéspairsRay, D'ESPAIRSRAY or +DéspairsRay+) is a Japanese visual kei heavy metal…
D'espairsRay (formerly stylized as DéspairsRay, D'ESPAIRSRAY or +DéspairsRay+) is a Japanese visual kei heavy metal band active from 1999 to 2011. The lineup of Hizumi on vocals, Karyu on guitar, Zero on bass and Tsukasa on drums remained the same, with the group having released four full-length records, three EPs and thirteen singles. Outside Japan, D'espairsRay have toured Europe and North America and had domestic releases in those territories. They performed at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2006, to several thousand people, and a second album, titled Mirror was released on April 11, 2007. They also performed during Jrock Revolution 2007 held on Memorial Weekend in Los Angeles, California. In 2008 they performed at the Taste of Chaos tour in the United States. On March 11, 2009, their third album Redeemer was released. In the summer of 2010, the band had a world tour entitled Human-Clad Monsters in which they performed in Japan, the US, Canada and Europe. After the last show of the tour, on December 30, the band went on an indefinite hiatus so Hizumi could recover from a rare throat condition. However, on June 15, 2011, D'espairsRay announced that they had no choice but to disband, due to Hizumi's health having no recovery in sight. D'espairsRay reunited for a one-night performance on July 29, 2014.
Michinao Yamamura (山村 路直, born December 5, 1978) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played in…
Michinao Yamamura (山村 路直, born December 5, 1978) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in 2005 and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2006 and 2007.
Kazuhiro Takahashi (高橋 和廣, shinjitai: 高橋 和広, Takahashi Kazuhiro; born 4 December 1978 in Hōya (now Nishitōkyō), Tokyo)…
Kazuhiro Takahashi (高橋 和廣, shinjitai: 高橋 和広, Takahashi Kazuhiro; born 4 December 1978 in Hōya (now Nishitōkyō), Tokyo) is a Japanese ice sledge hockey player. He was part of the Japanese sledge hockey team that won a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. He injured his spinal cord during a snowboarding accident when he was 21.
Koji Sakamoto (坂本 紘司, Sakamoto Koji; born December 3, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
Yamato Kochi (河内 大和, Kōchi Yamato; born December 3, 1978) is a Japanese actor.
Hiroaki Doi (土井宏昭, Doi Hiroaki; born December 2, 1978) is a Japanese hammer thrower. His personal best throw is 74.08…
Hiroaki Doi (土井宏昭, Doi Hiroaki; born December 2, 1978) is a Japanese hammer thrower. His personal best throw is 74.08 metres, achieved in June 2007 in Inba.
Naoki Tanizaki (谷嵜 直樹, Tanizaki Naoki; ring name: 谷嵜 なおき) (born December 1, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler.…
Naoki Tanizaki (谷嵜 直樹, Tanizaki Naoki; ring name: 谷嵜 なおき) (born December 1, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Dragon Gate. He previously went under the ring name Mr. Kyu Kyu Naoki Tanizaki Toyonaka Dolphin (Mr.キューキュー“谷嵜なおき”豊中ドルフィン, Mr. Kyū Kyū Tanizaki Naoki Toyonaka Dorufin).
Tomohiro Nagatsuka (長塚智広, Nagatsuka Tomohiro; born November 28, 1978) is a Japanese cyclist. He won the silver medal in…
Tomohiro Nagatsuka (長塚智広, Nagatsuka Tomohiro; born November 28, 1978) is a Japanese cyclist. He won the silver medal in the Men's team sprint in the 2004 Summer Olympics along with Toshiaki Fushimi and Masaki Inoue. In Japan, he is mostly known as a keirin cyclist.
Asuka Tono is an actress who was a top star (musumyaku) for Star Troupe of Takarazuka Revue. She joined the revue…
Asuka Tono is an actress who was a top star (musumyaku) for Star Troupe of Takarazuka Revue. She joined the revue company in 1998 and became the top star along with Kei Aran. She is from Chiba Prefecture, her birthday is November 28, 1978 and her nicknames are Asuka and Fukui. She was the second pupil of her class to reach top star status, also the first musumeyaku (Takarazuka actresses who play female roles) from Cosmos Troup to reach top status.
Kohei Yasumi (born November 27, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight division.
Ayumi Ogasawara (小笠原 歩, Ogasawara Ayumi) is a Japanese curler, born November 25, 1978, as Ayumi Onodera (小野寺 歩, Onodera…
Ayumi Ogasawara (小笠原 歩, Ogasawara Ayumi) is a Japanese curler, born November 25, 1978, as Ayumi Onodera (小野寺 歩, Onodera Ayumi). She skipped her own team in Sapporo, Hokkaido, until 2015, which represented Japan at the 2014 Winter Olympics before retiring from competitive sports. Currently she is working as a curling coach.
Kengo Mashimo (真霜拳號, Mashimo Kengo; born November 25, 1978 in Maizuru, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional…
Kengo Mashimo (真霜拳號, Mashimo Kengo; born November 25, 1978 in Maizuru, Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for Active Advance Pro Wrestling (2AW). His style is a combination of submission wrestling and hard martial arts style strikes.
Yumiko Shiina (椎名 裕美子, Shiina Yumiko; born November 25, 1978), known by her stage name Ringo Sheena (椎名 林檎, Shiina…
Yumiko Shiina (椎名 裕美子, Shiina Yumiko; born November 25, 1978), known by her stage name Ringo Sheena (椎名 林檎, Shiina Ringo), is a Japanese singer, songwriter and musician. She is also the founder and lead vocalist of the band Tokyo Jihen. She describes herself as "Shinjuku-kei Jisaku-Jien-ya (新宿系自作自演屋, a Shinjuku-style writer-performer)". She was ranked number 36 in a list of Japan's top 100 musicians compiled by HMV in 2003.
Choun Shiryu (趙雲子龍, Chō'un Shiryū) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best…
Choun Shiryu (趙雲子龍, Chō'un Shiryū) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for his time in the Japanese promotions DDT Pro-Wrestling and Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling. His ring name is based on the Chinese military general Zhao Yun who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China.
Yuka Kanazawa (Japanese: 金沢 由香, born August 19, 1978) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is a two-time…
Yuka Kanazawa (Japanese: 金沢 由香, born August 19, 1978) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is a two-time Japanese national bronze medalist. She placed 8th at the 1998 World Junior Championships in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; 11th at the 1999 Four Continents Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and fourth at the 1999 Winter Universiade in Žilina, Slovakia. She competed at five Champions Series/Grand Prix events, achieving her best result, fourth, at the 1998 Cup of Russia.
Shotaro Onishi (大西将太郎, Ōnishi shōtarō; born 18 November 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a…
Shotaro Onishi (大西将太郎, Ōnishi shōtarō; born 18 November 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a centre. He spent his whole career playing for both Kintetsu Liners and Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 560 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 30 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 71 points.
Hideto Tanihara (谷原 秀人, Tanihara Hideto; born 16 November 1978) is a Japanese professional golfer. He has won 18…
Hideto Tanihara (谷原 秀人, Tanihara Hideto; born 16 November 1978) is a Japanese professional golfer. He has won 18 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour.
Masakazu Washida (鷲田 雅一, Washida Masakazu; born November 15, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
Hiromi Suzuki (鈴木 洋美, Suzuki Hiromi; born 14 November 1978) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. Suzuki was…
Hiromi Suzuki (鈴木 洋美, Suzuki Hiromi; born 14 November 1978) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. Suzuki was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team at the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan.
Shinya Sato (佐藤 真也, Satō Shin'ya; born November 13, 1978) is a former Japanese football player.
Gorgeous (ゴー☆ジャス, Gōjasu; born 10 November 1978, in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese comedian. Gorgeous is represented…
Gorgeous (ゴー☆ジャス, Gōjasu; born 10 November 1978, in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese comedian. Gorgeous is represented by Sun Music Production. He was formerly signed with Denner Systems.
Kazuki Kuranuki (倉貫 一毅, Kuranuki Kazuki; born November 10, 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former football…
Kazuki Kuranuki (倉貫 一毅, Kuranuki Kazuki; born November 10, 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former football player.
Kensaku Kishida (岸田 健作, Kishida Kensaku; born November 8, 1978, in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and…
Kensaku Kishida (岸田 健作, Kishida Kensaku; born November 8, 1978, in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and entertainer who also works as a vocalist in his solo project, Ash Berry. He graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Kōhoku High School. He has an exclusive contract with GF Enterprise.
Tomoya Nagase (長瀬 智也, Nagase Tomoya; born November 7, 1978) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, and model. He was a…
Tomoya Nagase (長瀬 智也, Nagase Tomoya; born November 7, 1978) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, and model. He was a member of Tokio, a Johnny & Associates musical group. He was the primary vocalist, in addition to playing the guitar alongside Tokio's leader, Shigeru Joshima.
Hajime Kiso (木曽一,, Kiso Hajime) (born 7 November 1978) is a Japanese rugby union player, he plays Number 8. He played…
Hajime Kiso (木曽一,, Kiso Hajime) (born 7 November 1978) is a Japanese rugby union player, he plays Number 8. He played for Yamaha Jubilo, from 2001/02 to 2008/09. He plays currently for NTT Communications Shining Arcs. He had 32 caps for Japan national rugby union team, from 2001 to 2008, without scoring. He played six games at the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.
Akiko Abe (阿部 哲子, Abe Akiko; born 4 November 1978) is a Japanese free announcer and actress. Her real name is Akiko…
Akiko Abe (阿部 哲子, Abe Akiko; born 4 November 1978) is a Japanese free announcer and actress. Her real name is Akiko Nobuhiro (延広 哲子, Nobuhiro Akiko). She was born in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.