Echiko Maeda (前田 悦智子, Maeda Echiko) (born 31 January 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Maeda…Echiko Maeda (前田 悦智子, Maeda Echiko) (born 31 January 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Maeda was a member of the Japanese gold medal winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Koichi Tani (谷 公一, Tani Kōichi; born 28 January 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives…Koichi Tani (谷 公一, Tani Kōichi; born 28 January 1952) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Muraoka, Hyōgo and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected for the first time in 2003.
Kang Chang-il (Korean: 강창일; born 28 January 1952) is a South Korean politician who is member of the National Assembly…Kang Chang-il (Korean: 강창일; born 28 January 1952) is a South Korean politician who is member of the National Assembly since 2004. Kang served as South Korea's ambassador to Japan from January 2021 to 2022.
Hiroyuki Nasu (那須博之, Nasu Hiroyuki) (January 27, 1952 – February 27, 2005) was a Japanese film director. He won the…Hiroyuki Nasu (那須博之, Nasu Hiroyuki) (January 27, 1952 – February 27, 2005) was a Japanese film director. He won the award for Best Director at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for Be-Bop High School and Be-Bop High School: Kōkō yo Tarō aika.
Kaoru Adachi (安達かおる, Adachi Kaoru; born January 27, 1956) is a Japanese film director, producer and editor, and founder…Kaoru Adachi (安達かおる, Adachi Kaoru; born January 27, 1956) is a Japanese film director, producer and editor, and founder of the Japanese documentary and adult video (AV) studio V&R Planning.
Yūko Katagiri (片桐夕子, Katagiri Yūko; 26 January 1952 – 16 October 2022) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more…Yūko Katagiri (片桐夕子, Katagiri Yūko; 26 January 1952 – 16 October 2022) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than sixty films from 1971 to 2022. Katagiri starred in over fifty Nikkatsu Roman Porno films in eight years and once was married to Nikkatsu director Masaru Konuma, though they later divorced.
Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon…Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and belongs to Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. as a commentator in baseball live on radio and TV. Ota is a son of an American father and a Japanese mother, the adopted son of a Japanese stepfather and a Russian stepmother, who emigrated to Japan because of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Maki Kawai (川合眞紀, Kawai Maki) is a Japanese chemist who developed spatially selective single-molecule spectroscopy. In…Maki Kawai (川合眞紀, Kawai Maki) is a Japanese chemist who developed spatially selective single-molecule spectroscopy. In 2018, she became the first woman to become president of the Chemical Society of Japan.
Ryuichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 龍一, Hepburn: Sakamoto Ryūichi; January 17, 1952 – March 28, 2023) was a Japanese…Ryuichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 龍一, Hepburn: Sakamoto Ryūichi; January 17, 1952 – March 28, 2023) was a Japanese musician, composer, keyboardist, record producer, singer and actor. He pursued a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the synth-based band Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). With his YMO bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto influenced and pioneered a number of electronic music genres. As a film score composer, Sakamoto won an Academy Award (Oscar), BAFTA, Grammy and two Golden Globe Awards. Sakamoto began his career as a session musician, producer, and arranger while he was at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in the mid 1970s. His first major success came in 1978 as co-founder of YMO. He pursued a solo career at the same time, releasing the experimental electronic fusion album Thousand Knives in that year, and the album B-2 Unit in 1980. B-2 Unit includes the track "Riot in Lagos", which had a significant influence on the development of electro, hip hop and dance music. He went on to produce more solo records, and collaborate with many international artists, including David Sylvian, DJ Spooky, Carsten Nicolai, Youssou N'Dour, and Fennesz. Sakamoto composed music for the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games, and his composition "Energy Flow" (1999) was the first instrumental number-one single in Japan's Oricon charts history. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) marked his debut as both an actor and a film score composer; its main theme was adapted into the single "Forbidden Colours", which became an international hit. His most successful work as a film composer was his original score for The Last Emperor (1987), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Score, making him the first Japanese composer to win an Academy Award. He continued earning accolades composing for films such as The Sheltering Sky (1990), Little Buddha (1993), and The Revenant (2015). On occasion, Sakamoto also worked as a composer and a scenario writer on anime and video games. He was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture in 2009 for his contributions to music. Sakamoto died on March 28, 2023, from colorectal cancer at the age of 71.
Masakatsu Koike (小池 正勝, Koike Masakatsu; born January 17, 1952 in Itabashi, Tokyo) is a former Japanese politician. He…Masakatsu Koike (小池 正勝, Koike Masakatsu; born January 17, 1952 in Itabashi, Tokyo) is a former Japanese politician. He served as a member of the House of Councillors representing the Tokushima at-large district as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Minoru Kawawada (born 16 January 1952) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the…Minoru Kawawada (born 16 January 1952) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for both kata and kumite, and has also won the JKA All-Japan Championships for kata on 2 occasions. He is currently the Vice General Manager of the Japan Karate Association Technical Division, and an instructor at their headquarters dojo, as well as the famous Hoitsugan dojo founded by Masatoshi Nakayama.
Tatsuhiko Seta (瀬田 龍彦, Seta Tatsuhiko; born January 15, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Tatsuhiko Seta (瀬田 龍彦, Seta Tatsuhiko; born January 15, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kazuyasu Shiina (椎名 一保, Shiina Kazuyasu; born January 15, 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuyasu Shiina (椎名 一保, Shiina Kazuyasu; born January 15, 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). After living in Choshi, Chiba and graduating from Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2002 after serving in the assembly of Chiba Prefecture for four terms.
Keizō Hamada (浜田 恵造, Hamada Keizō; born 10 January 1952) is a former Japanese politician and finance bureaucrat and a…Keizō Hamada (浜田 恵造, Hamada Keizō; born 10 January 1952) is a former Japanese politician and finance bureaucrat and a former governor of Kagawa Prefecture in the Shikoku region of Japan. He held office for three terms, from September 2010 to September 2022.
Jiichiro Date (伊達 治一郎, Date Jiichiro; January 6, 1952 – 20 February 2018) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the…Jiichiro Date (伊達 治一郎, Date Jiichiro; January 6, 1952 – 20 February 2018) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the world cup in 1973 and an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and placed third at the 1975 World Championships. On February 20, 2018, he fell from his apartment in Chofu, Tokyo, and died. He was 66 years old.
Yōichi Iha (伊波 洋一, Iha Yōichi; born 4 January 1952) is a Japanese politician. He has represented the Okinawa at-large…Yōichi Iha (伊波 洋一, Iha Yōichi; born 4 January 1952) is a Japanese politician. He has represented the Okinawa at-large district in the Japanese House of Councillors since 2016. He also served two terms as the mayor of Ginowan, Okinawa.
Mariko Okamoto (岡本 眞理子, Okamoto Mariko) (born 28 December 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.…Mariko Okamoto (岡本 眞理子, Okamoto Mariko) (born 28 December 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Okamoto was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Sandi A. Hohn (born 鈴木 あや, Suzuki Aya, renamed in the U.S. as Sandra O'Neale, born December 27, 1952), professionally…Sandi A. Hohn (born 鈴木 あや, Suzuki Aya, renamed in the U.S. as Sandra O'Neale, born December 27, 1952), professionally known as Sandii, is a Japanese singer and vocalist who was a member of the Japanese band Sandii & the Sunsetz. Hohn is also notable for her work on the Japanese animated television series Lupin III Part II.
Koji Yamamoto (山本 功児, Yamamoto Koji; December 25, 1951 – April 23, 2016) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Koji Yamamoto (山本 功児, Yamamoto Koji; December 25, 1951 – April 23, 2016) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a…Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a Japanese rakugo comedian and actor.
Midori Takada (Japanese: 高田みどり) (born December 21, 1951) is a Japanese composer and percussionist. She has been…Midori Takada (Japanese: 高田みどり) (born December 21, 1951) is a Japanese composer and percussionist. She has been described as a pioneer of ambient and minimalist music.
Shigeru Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 茂, Hepburn: Suzuki Shigeru; born December 20, 1951) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and…Shigeru Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 茂, Hepburn: Suzuki Shigeru; born December 20, 1951) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and guitarist. He first became known as a member of the influential rock band Happy End in the early 1970s, before starting a solo career and becoming a prolific session musician. As of 2006, Suzuki had contributed to 588 recordings. In 2019, Suzuki's high school band Skye reunited and released their first album.
Hiroya Masuda (増田 寛也, Masuda Hiroya; born 20 December 1951) is a Japanese politician, government official, and business…Hiroya Masuda (増田 寛也, Masuda Hiroya; born 20 December 1951) is a Japanese politician, government official, and business executive. He was Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications from August 2007 to September 2008, and has served as the president and CEO of Japan Post Holdings since January 2020.
Isao Takeuchi (竹内功, 18 December 1951 – 24 September 2026) was a Japanese civil servant and politician. He began his…Isao Takeuchi (竹内功, 18 December 1951 – 24 September 2026) was a Japanese civil servant and politician. He began his career as a bureaucrat in the Ministry of Construction (now known as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) beginning in 1974. In 2002, he was elected Mayor of Tottori city, defeating the incumbent mayor. He served three terms consecutive terms as Tottori's mayor for twelve years from 2002 until 2014. During his first term, Mayor Takeuchi oversaw the 2004 merger of Tottori city with six surrounding towns and two villages to establish Tottori's modern city borders. Takeuchi also opened the Tottori Sand Museum, established new facilities at the West Japan Railway Company JR train station, and expanded the Tottori Expressway.
Shinji Yamashita (山下 真司, Yamashita Shinji; born December 16, 1951 in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan) is a…Shinji Yamashita (山下 真司, Yamashita Shinji; born December 16, 1951 in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agency From First Production. He graduated from Shimonoseki Commercial High School and dropped out from Chuo University's Faculty of Letters.
Kōjirō Iwato (岩戸 康次郎, Iwato Kōjirō; born December 13, 1951), known by his pen name Jirō Asada (浅田 次郎, Asada Jirō), is a…Kōjirō Iwato (岩戸 康次郎, Iwato Kōjirō; born December 13, 1951), known by his pen name Jirō Asada (浅田 次郎, Asada Jirō), is a Japanese writer. In 1991, his novel Torarete tamaruka! (とられてたまるか!) started his literary career. After writing several picaresque novels, his novel Metro ni notte (地下鉄に乗って) was awarded the Eiji Yoshikawa Prize for New Writers and made into a 2006 film; a short story collection The Stationmaster and other stories (Poppoya (鉄道員)) was also awarded the Naoki Prize. He writes also historical and Chinese historical novels such as The Firmament of the Pleiades (Sōkyū no subaru, 蒼穹の昴). He writes in the traditional style of Japanese popular fiction.
Mitsuyoshi Yoshino (吉野 光義, Yoshino Mitsuyoshi; born 13 December 1951), known professionally as Mickie Yoshino (ミッキー吉野…Mitsuyoshi Yoshino (吉野 光義, Yoshino Mitsuyoshi; born 13 December 1951), known professionally as Mickie Yoshino (ミッキー吉野, Mikkī Yoshino), is a Japanese keyboardist, composer, producer, and arranger. Yoshino is known for leading the rock band Godiego. In 2005, he won a Japan Academy Prize for his music. Yoshino's compositions were used in the film Swing Girls (Altamira Pictures). Yoshino still produces music with groups such as Godiego and EnTRANS.
Mitsuo Sawamoto (澤本 光男 Sawamoto Mitsuo, December 12, 1954) is a Japanese chemist specializing in the field of polymer…Mitsuo Sawamoto (澤本 光男 Sawamoto Mitsuo, December 12, 1954) is a Japanese chemist specializing in the field of polymer chemistry, Emeritus Professor at Kyoto University, professor at Chubu University. He is co-recipient of the Franklin Institute Award in Chemistry in 2017 with Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, for their independent discover of Atom-transfer radical-polymerization (ATRP).
Keiko Namai (生井 けい子, Namai Keiko; born 9 December 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Keiko Namai (生井 けい子, Namai Keiko; born 9 December 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Ryōko Tateishi (立石 涼子, Tateishi Ryōko; 4 December 1951 – 2 August 2020), real name 立石凉子 (pronounced the same, but the…Ryōko Tateishi (立石 涼子, Tateishi Ryōko; 4 December 1951 – 2 August 2020), real name 立石凉子 (pronounced the same, but the third kanji is slightly different) was a Japanese stage, movie, television, and voice-over actress from Nagasaki, the capital city of Nagasaki Prefecture. She appeared in many theatrical works directed by Yukio Ninagawa. She appeared in the Japanese television dramas Third Year Class B Mr. Kinpachi, From the North Country, and Downtown Rocket. She joined the Engeki Shūdan En troupe in 1976, staying with them until 2015, when she moved to Sis Company. She won an individual award at the 39th Kinokuniya Awards in 2004. Her final stage appearance was in a 2019 adaptation of Crime and Punishment. After being diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2019, Tateishi's health became worse in June 2020, and she died of lung cancer on 2 August 2020 in Tokyo at age 68.
Mitsuo Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 光雄, romanized: Yoshida Mitsuo, born Kwak Kwang-Woong [Korean: 곽광웅]; December 3, 1951)…Mitsuo Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田 光雄, romanized: Yoshida Mitsuo, born Kwak Kwang-Woong [Korean: 곽광웅]; December 3, 1951), better known by his ring name Riki Choshu (長州 力, Chōshū Riki), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestler, who is best known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as both a performer and a booker. He is considered one of Japan’s most influential wrestlers for his work in the 1980s and 1990s and is known as the first wrestler to popularize the Sasori-Gatame, better known in English as the Scorpion Deathlock or Sharpshooter. A second-generation Zainichi Korean from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Choshu won titles in Freestyle wrestling at the National Sports Festival of Japan, before (under his birth name) representing South Korea at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He also won collegiate titles in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling as captain of the Senshu University team. He made his professional wrestling debut for NJPW in 1974, becoming a major star as a heel during the following decade. After leaving NJPW in 2002, he formed Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling (WJ), but eventually returned to New Japan in October 2005 as a site foreman, booker and part-time wrestler. Choshu once again left NJPW in 2010 and primarily worked in Tatsumi Fujinami’s Dradition, as well as his own self-produced Power Hall events as a freelancer.
Jiro Kondo (近藤 二郎, Kondō Jirō; born 2 December 1951) is a Japanese Egyptologist, and has worked in tombs KVA and KV22…Jiro Kondo (近藤 二郎, Kondō Jirō; born 2 December 1951) is a Japanese Egyptologist, and has worked in tombs KVA and KV22 in the Valley of the Kings and with ARTP. He is a Professor of Archaeology at Waseda University, Tokyo.
Michio Jimbo (神保 道夫, Jimbō Michio; born November 28, 1951) is a Japanese mathematician working in mathematical physics.…Michio Jimbo (神保 道夫, Jimbō Michio; born November 28, 1951) is a Japanese mathematician working in mathematical physics. He is known for his introduction of quantum groups (independently of Vladimir Drinfeld), his contributions to the theory of integrable systems and their correlation functions, and his work with Mikio Sato and Tetsuji Miwa on holonomic quantum fields and isomonodromic deformation theory.
Toru Matsuoka (松岡 徹, Matsuoka Tōru; born November 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…Toru Matsuoka (松岡 徹, Matsuoka Tōru; born November 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka, Osaka and high school graduate, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the assembly of Osaka Prefecture for three terms since 1991.
Tōru Toida (戸井田 徹, Toida Tōru; born 25 November 1951) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Tōru Toida (戸井田 徹, Toida Tōru; born 25 November 1951) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Yasuo Daichi (大地 康雄, Daichi Yasuo; born 25 November 1951) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 50 films…Yasuo Daichi (大地 康雄, Daichi Yasuo; born 25 November 1951) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 50 films since 1979.
Masataka Matsutoya (松任谷 正隆, Matsutōya Masataka; born November 19, 1951) is a Japanese arranger, composer, music…Masataka Matsutoya (松任谷 正隆, Matsutōya Masataka; born November 19, 1951) is a Japanese arranger, composer, music producer, and motor journalist. He currently resides in Setagaya, Tokyo. He is a graduate of Keio Senior High School and Keio University (literature department). His wife is singer-songwriter, composer, and lyricist Yumi Matsutoya (née Arai). His mother, Kazuko, is the auditor of Kirarasha, the firm Masataka established after his marriage to Arai.
Tōru Yasunaga (安永 徹, Yasunaga Tōru; born November 14, 1951, in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese violinist. Yasunaga is…Tōru Yasunaga (安永 徹, Yasunaga Tōru; born November 14, 1951, in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese violinist. Yasunaga is an active chamber musician and soloist, and was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1977, serving as concertmaster from 1983 until his retirement from the orchestra in March 2009.
Keibun Ōta (おおた慶文, Ōta Keibun), real name Yoshifumi Ōta (太田慶文, Ōta Yoshifumi), is a painter and illustrator born on…Keibun Ōta (おおた慶文, Ōta Keibun), real name Yoshifumi Ōta (太田慶文, Ōta Yoshifumi), is a painter and illustrator born on November 10, 1951, in Haboro, Hokkaidō Prefecture, Japan. He is best known for his watercolor paintings of young girls and children. Ōta has multiple books in print which collect his works, and he has created illustrations for magazines, books, calendars, and posters, and has had multiple one-man exhibitions. He currently lives in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Hitoshi Nagai (永井 均, Nagai Hitoshi; born November 10, 1951) is one of the most influential Japanese philosophers, who…Hitoshi Nagai (永井 均, Nagai Hitoshi; born November 10, 1951) is one of the most influential Japanese philosophers, who taught philosophy at Chiba University and later at Nihon University. His main research fields are metaphysics and metaethics. His books include "Philosophy for Kids!" and "A Transfer Student and Black Jack: A Seminar on Solipsity," which interpret solipsism from a unique metaphysical point of view. Nagai's philosophy has been heavily influenced by Wittgenstein, however, his philosophy successfully elucidates an important aspect of solipsism which Wittgenstein could not fully express in his philosophical works. Nagai stresses that the solipsistic subject (such as "I!") can be pointed to by using the public language, but the trial of this pointing ought to be failed every time because of the unique function of our public language. He calls this characteristic "solipsity".
Tomokatsu Kitagawa (北川 知克, Kitagawa Tomokatsu; 8 November 1951 – 26 December 2018) was a Japanese politician from the…Tomokatsu Kitagawa (北川 知克, Kitagawa Tomokatsu; 8 November 1951 – 26 December 2018) was a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party, and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Mari Amachi (天地 真理, Amachi Mari; born November 5, 1951) is a Japanese female singer and actress, who was famous in…Mari Amachi (天地 真理, Amachi Mari; born November 5, 1951) is a Japanese female singer and actress, who was famous in 1970s' Japan. On October 1, 1971, she debuted with the single "Mizuiro no Koi." She was born as Mari Saito in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture. She got five Oricon No.1 songs, a record as a female singer which was later broken by Seiko Matsuda. She started the era of Japanese idols in the 1970s and 1980s. Mari Amachi was the top female vocalist of Sony Music Entertainment in Japan.
Keizo Takemi (武見 敬三, Takemi Keizō; born 5 November 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who…Keizo Takemi (武見 敬三, Takemi Keizō; born 5 November 1951) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan.
Takashi Gojobori (五條堀 孝, Gojobori Takashi; born October 24, 1951, Fukuoka) is a Japanese molecular biologist who is…Takashi Gojobori (五條堀 孝, Gojobori Takashi; born October 24, 1951, Fukuoka) is a Japanese molecular biologist who is vice director of the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) and the DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) at NIG in Mishima, Japan. Gojobori is a distinguished professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. He is a professor of bioscience and acting director at the Computational Bioscience Research Center at KAUST. He has also been co-appointed as the special research consultant of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and acts as a visiting professor at Keio University, University of Tokyo, and Tokyo Institute of Technology. He is an associate member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), a member of Academia Europea and an academician member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican.
Masako Sen (千 容子, Sen Masako; born 23 October 1951), formerly Princess Masako of Mikasa (容子内親王, Masako Naishinnō), is a…Masako Sen (千 容子, Sen Masako; born 23 October 1951), formerly Princess Masako of Mikasa (容子内親王, Masako Naishinnō), is a former member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the fourth child and second daughter of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. She is the wife of the 16th-generation Soshitsu Sen.
