Ken Sakamura (坂村 健, Sakamura Ken; born 25 July 1951 in Tokyo, Japan), as of April 2017, is a Japanese professor and…Ken Sakamura (坂村 健, Sakamura Ken; born 25 July 1951 in Tokyo, Japan), as of April 2017, is a Japanese professor and dean of the Faculty of Information Networking for Innovation and Design at Toyo University, Japan. He is a former professor in information science at the University of Tokyo (through March 2017). He is the creator of the real-time operating system (RTOS) architecture TRON. In 2001, he shared the Takeda Award for Social/Economic Well-Being with Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds.
Noboru Waseda (Japanese: 早稲田 昇, Hepburn: Waseda Noboru; born 23 July 1951) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in…Noboru Waseda (Japanese: 早稲田 昇, Hepburn: Waseda Noboru; born 23 July 1951) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in two events at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Shoji Oguma (Japanese: 大熊 正二; born July 22, 1951) is a Japanese former professional boxer who held the WBC and Lineal…Shoji Oguma (Japanese: 大熊 正二; born July 22, 1951) is a Japanese former professional boxer who held the WBC and Lineal titles in the Flyweight division.
Masao Sueda (末田 正雄, Sueda Masao; born July 18, 1951 in Kure, Hiroshima) is a Japanese journalist and newscaster, who…Masao Sueda (末田 正雄, Sueda Masao; born July 18, 1951 in Kure, Hiroshima) is a Japanese journalist and newscaster, who works for NHK Radio 1. Sueda was a presenter on the Ohayo Nippon morning show between 2000 and 2003, presented the Ogenki desu ka Nippon Retto afternoon program between 2004 and 2005, and was the weekend presenter on NHK News 7. As of December 2012, he presents the radio program Watashi mo Hitokoto! Yūgata Nyūsu (私も一言！夕方ニュース).
Ren Sato (佐藤 錬, Satō Ren; born 15 July 1951) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party, and a…Ren Sato (佐藤 錬, Satō Ren; born 15 July 1951) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party, and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Kumiko Ōsugi (大杉久美子, Ōsugi Kumiko; born July 10, 1951) is a J-pop artist from Tokyo. In 1964, she recorded a song with…Kumiko Ōsugi (大杉久美子, Ōsugi Kumiko; born July 10, 1951) is a J-pop artist from Tokyo. In 1964, she recorded a song with Crown Records using the pseudonym Momoko Shibayama (柴山モモコ, Shibayama Momoko). The first song to be released under her real name was "Attack No. 1" (アタックNo.1, Atakku Nanbā Wan), the opening theme for the Attack No. 1 anime. She went on to perform theme songs for many other anime, including Doraemon, Aim for the Ace!, Araiguma Rascal, Flanders no Inu, and Oz no Mahōtsukai. She is referred to by fans and the Japanese press as the "Queen of Anime Song" and is considered to be one of the "Four Heavenly Kings and Queens of Anison" (アニソン四天王) alongside Ichirou Mizuki, Isao Sasaki, and Mitsuko Horie. The opening theme to Heidi, Girl of the Alps is often mis-attributed to Ōsugi when it was actually performed by Kayo Ishū, a studio singer. Ōsugi did, however, perform the series' ending theme.
Yuko Miyazaki is a lawyer and former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan, serving from 2018 to 2021. She was born on…Yuko Miyazaki is a lawyer and former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan, serving from 2018 to 2021. She was born on 9 July 1951. Miyazaki earned her legal education respectively from the University of Tokyo (Faculty of Law; 1976) and Harvard Law School (1984). In 1979, after having worked as a legal apprentice, Miyazaki registered with the Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association and began practicing as a taxation attorney. In 1979, she was hired as a permanent attorney at the law firm Nagashima & Ohno. She became legal counsel for the World Bank in 1984. Miyazaki also taught as a visiting professor at Tokyo University and Kyoto University. In January 2018, she became the sixth female appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. Miyazaki is noted as forgoing tradition and becoming the first justice to issue rulings under her maiden name. Members of the Supreme Court have a mandatory retirement age of 70, so Miyazaki retired in 2021. She is appointed as International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court for the period of 5 January 2022 to 4 January 2024.
Minoru Wakasa (若狭 実, Wakasa Minoru; born 8 July 1951) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the large hill event at…Minoru Wakasa (若狭 実, Wakasa Minoru; born 8 July 1951) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the large hill event at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Kazuo Yoshimura (吉村 和郎, Yoshimura Kazuo; born 6 July 1951) is a retired Japanese judoka. Yoshimura is from Kumamoto…Kazuo Yoshimura (吉村 和郎, Yoshimura Kazuo; born 6 July 1951) is a retired Japanese judoka. Yoshimura is from Kumamoto, Kumamoto. He belonged to Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department after graduation from Nihon University in 1973. In 1973, When Yoshimura was a student of university, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships held in Lausanne. He was expected to get gold medal of World Championships in 1977 or Olympic Games in 1980. But he couldn't because World Championship was cancelled and Olympic Games was boycotted by Japanese Government. Yoshimura retired in 1980 and took office as the coach of Kodogakusha (講道学舎, Kōdōgakusha). Among his students is former world champion, Toshihiko Koga and Hidehiko Yoshida. As of 2010, He has coached All-Japan women's judo team since 1997. In November 2012 he resigned as the women's trainer and was replaced by Hitoshi Saito.
Junko Utada (宇多田 純子, Utada Junko) (5 July 1951 – 22 August 2013), known primarily by the stage name Keiko Fuji (藤 圭子…Junko Utada (宇多田 純子, Utada Junko) (5 July 1951 – 22 August 2013), known primarily by the stage name Keiko Fuji (藤 圭子, Fuji Keiko) was a Japanese enka singer and actress. She had success in Japan in the 1960s and 1970s with her ballad-type songs. She was married on-and-off with Teruzane Utada, and was the mother of Japanese-American pop singer Hikaru Utada.
Susumu Kitagawa (北川 進, Kitagawa Susumu; born 4 July 1951) is a Japanese Nobel Prize-winning chemist specializing in…Susumu Kitagawa (北川 進, Kitagawa Susumu; born 4 July 1951) is a Japanese Nobel Prize-winning chemist specializing in coordination chemistry, with a focus on organic–inorganic hybrid compounds and the chemical and physical properties of porous coordination polymers, particularly metal-organic frameworks. He is Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), which he co-founded. In 2025, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi.
Yoshiaki "Fuji" Fujimori (born 1951) is a Japanese businessman. Between August 2011 and June 2016 he was the president…Yoshiaki "Fuji" Fujimori (born 1951) is a Japanese businessman. Between August 2011 and June 2016 he was the president and CEO of Lixil Group, a Japan headquartered manufacturer of building materials and housing equipment with net sales of $16.8bn, where he oversaw a globalization strategy that included the acquisition of global interests including Permasteelisa, American Standard Brands and GROHE Group. Under his leadership, Lixil expanded its ratio of sales from outside of Japan from 3% in 2010 to 30.3% in 2016.
Masayuki Tanaka (田中 昌之, Tanaka Masayuki; June 30, 1951) is a Japanese singer. He was born in Imari, Saga Prefecture. He…Masayuki Tanaka (田中 昌之, Tanaka Masayuki; June 30, 1951) is a Japanese singer. He was born in Imari, Saga Prefecture. He is one of the two original vocalists of the band Crystal King (クリスタルキング, Kurisutaru Kingu), known for their anime soundtracks such as Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳, Hokuto no Ken) where Tanaka provided the vocals in the chorus of its opening theme. After leaving Crystal King, he started a solo career but lost his voice after being struck in the throat by a baseball and was never able to regain his original vocal range. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he worked on the soundtracks of the tokusatsu series Ultraman Gaia (ウルトラマンガイア, Urutoraman Gaia) and Kamen Rider Kuuga (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga). He is also featured on the Katamari Damacy soundtrack Katamari Fortissimo Damacy where he sings "Katamari on the Rock" (塊オンザロック, Katamari on za Rokku), the main theme of the game. Tanaka has had his name variably written as 田中昌之 and 田中雅将 in his career, before choosing 田中雅之 in 2004, and then switching back to his birth name kanji in 2013. Masayuki rerecorded on one of his greatest hits, Kamen Rider Kuuga's theme song with Rider Chips for the release of Heisei Kamen Rider 20 Titles Commemoration Best, which was released on May 1, 2019.
Hiroshi Yoshikawa (吉川 洋, Yanaihara Hiroshi; born June 30, 1951) is a Japanese economist and professor of Rissho…Hiroshi Yoshikawa (吉川 洋, Yanaihara Hiroshi; born June 30, 1951) is a Japanese economist and professor of Rissho University. Yoshikawa was born in Tokyo. He won the Nikkei Economic Book Award and the Suntory Award (1984), the Economist Award (1993) and the Yomiuri-Yoshino Sakuzo Award (2000).
Yaichi Numata (沼田 弥一, Numata Yaichi; born 29 June 1951) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the sprint and…Yaichi Numata (沼田 弥一, Numata Yaichi; born 29 June 1951) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the sprint and tandem events at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Kazumi Takada (高田 一美, Takada Kazumi; June 28, 1951 – October 1, 2009) was a Japanese football player. He played for…Kazumi Takada (高田 一美, Takada Kazumi; June 28, 1951 – October 1, 2009) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Fusae Ōta (太田 房江, Ōta Fusae; born June 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician, a former governor of Osaka Prefecture, and…Fusae Ōta (太田 房江, Ōta Fusae; born June 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician, a former governor of Osaka Prefecture, and the country's first female prefectural governor. Her married name is Fusae Saitō (齊藤 房江, Saitō Fusae). She is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Nobutaka Taguchi (田口信教, Taguchi Nobutaka; born June 18, 1951) is a retired Japanese breaststroke swimmer. He competed…Nobutaka Taguchi (田口信教, Taguchi Nobutaka; born June 18, 1951) is a retired Japanese breaststroke swimmer. He competed in the 100 m and 200 m breaststroke and 4 × 100 m medley relay at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics and won two medals in 1972, a gold in the 100 m and a bronze in the 200 m events. His breaststroke gold medal was the first for Japan since 1956. He won during the five-year era dominated by John Hencken and David Wilkie. He also earned the bronze medal in the 200 m breaststroke at the 1972 Olympics and in both breaststrokes at the 1975 World Championships. He ended his career after the 1976 Olympics.
Shuichi Nosé (能勢 修一, Nose Shūichi; June 17, 1951 – August 17, 2005) was a Japanese physicist. Nosé is best known for…Shuichi Nosé (能勢 修一, Nose Shūichi; June 17, 1951 – August 17, 2005) was a Japanese physicist. Nosé is best known for his two 1984 papers in which he proposed a method to specify the temperature of molecular dynamics simulations. This method was later improved by William G. Hoover and is known as the Nosé–Hoover thermostat.
Yasumasa Morimura (森村 泰昌, Morimura Yasumasa, born June 11, 1951) is a contemporary Japanese performance and…Yasumasa Morimura (森村 泰昌, Morimura Yasumasa, born June 11, 1951) is a contemporary Japanese performance and appropriation artist whose work encompasses photography, film, and live performance. He is known for his reinterpretation of recognizable artworks and figures from art history, history, and mass media through his adoption of personas that transcend national, ethnic, gendered, and racial boundaries. Across his photographic and performative series, Morimura's works explore a number of interconnected themes, including: the nature of identity and its ability to undergo change, postcolonialism, authorship, and the Western view of Japan – and Asia, more broadly – as feminine. Originally intent on channeling his creative energy into black-and-white still life photography, Morimura struggled to ascertain his identity and decided to visualize this inner struggle through self-portraiture. In 1985, Portrait (Van Gogh), marked the first of dozens of self-portraits Morimura completed in which he adopted the role of established artists, major historical figures, celebrated popular culture icons, and identifiable subjects from well-known artworks. Since the 1980s, Morimura's artistic process entails a rigorous system in which he transforms his entire body into a nearly identical replica of his designated subject through elaborate costumes, makeup, props, and set designs. Once digital photography and computer editing software became more accessible and refined in the late-1990s, Morimura's works demonstrate greater visual complexity in his manipulation of composition, lighting, and the number of figures he portrays within a single artwork. For the last two and a half decades, Morimura has brought his personas to life in short video, film, and live performances in which he expresses their thoughts through movement and scripted monologues.
Shoichi Yanagimoto (柳本 晶一, Yanagimoto Shōichi; born 5 June 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the…Shoichi Yanagimoto (柳本 晶一, Yanagimoto Shōichi; born 5 June 1951) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He announced retirement in 1991.
Motoka Murakami (Japanese: 村上 もとか, Hepburn: Murakami Motoka; born June 3, 1951, in Setagaya, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga…Motoka Murakami (Japanese: 村上 もとか, Hepburn: Murakami Motoka; born June 3, 1951, in Setagaya, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. He won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen manga for Gakuto Retsuden 1982 and the Shogakukan Manga Award twice, for shōnen manga for Musashi no Ken in 1984 and for general manga in 1996 for Ron, serialized in Big Comic Original from 1991 to 2006. In 1998, he received an Excellence Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival for Ron. Jin won the Grand Prize at the 2011 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. On a list published in the beginning of August 2011, he ranked as the 35th best-selling manga artist since January 2010, with 1,901,000 copies sold.
Haruhisa Chiba (3 June 1951 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and…Haruhisa Chiba (3 June 1951 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Nobuo Matsuno (松野 信夫, Matsuno Nobuo; born 2 June 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Nobuo Matsuno (松野 信夫, Matsuno Nobuo; born 2 June 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003 after an unsuccessful run in 2000. After losing the seat in 2005, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Katsura Funakoshi (舟越 桂, Funakoshi Katsura; 25 May 1951 – 29 March 2024) was a Japanese sculptor. Funakoshi was…Katsura Funakoshi (舟越 桂, Funakoshi Katsura; 25 May 1951 – 29 March 2024) was a Japanese sculptor. Funakoshi was well-known in the field of visual arts in Japan. His father, Yasutake Funakoshi, was also a sculptor and soon he felt the same vocation. He studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts, from 1971 to 1975, and at the University of Fine Arts and Music, from 1975 to 1977. He started carving in camphor wood in 1980. His works, usually depicting human figures from the waist up, have a great poetical effect, and are striking and distinctive. Funakoshi worked this material in a personal way and left visible both the grain of the wood and the marks of carving. The artist carefully utilised the grain for modelling and left part of the head unpainted, normally the crown. Funakoshi exhibited his work at the Venice Biennale, the São Paulo Biennale, the Documenta IX, and the Shanghai Biennale, and his work is represented in several art museums in Japan and other countries. Funakoshi died from lung cancer on 29 March 2024, at the age of 72.
Shun Nakahara (中原 俊, Nakahara Shun; born May 25, 1951 as Toshihiro Nakahara (中原 俊弘, Nakahara Toshihiro)) is a Japanese…Shun Nakahara (中原 俊, Nakahara Shun; born May 25, 1951 as Toshihiro Nakahara (中原 俊弘, Nakahara Toshihiro)) is a Japanese film director and a professor at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. He began his career directing Roman Porno films, and since then he has dealt with a wide range of subjects regardless of genre. He won the award for Best Director at the 12th Yokohama Film Festival for Sakura no Sono.
Mieko Yoshimura (吉村 美栄子, Yoshimura Mieko; born 18 May 1951) is governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. She was elected…Mieko Yoshimura (吉村 美栄子, Yoshimura Mieko; born 18 May 1951) is governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. She was elected on 25 January 2009. She defeated the sitting governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Hiroshi Saitō in an upset. A native of Ōe, Yamagata, she worked at a help-wanted advertising company before becoming a notary public for the city government of Yamagata. She soon became a member of Yamagata Prefecture's Education Committee before running for governor in 2008. She is Yamagata's first female governor and the sixth in Japanese history.
Carmen Maki (Japanese: カルメン・マキ, Hepburn: Karumen Maki; born Maki Annette Lovelace, May 18, 1951) is a Japanese singer…Carmen Maki (Japanese: カルメン・マキ, Hepburn: Karumen Maki; born Maki Annette Lovelace, May 18, 1951) is a Japanese singer and lyricist. After debuting as a folk singer in 1969 with the million-selling single "Toki ni wa Haha no Nai Ko no Yō ni", she quickly shifted to rock music and is best known for fronting the band Oz from 1972 to 1977. Maki was one of the first female rock vocalists in Japan, and her work with Oz and Blues Creation has been credited with pioneering Japanese rock in general.
Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi; born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served…Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi; born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served as the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A graduate of the National Defense Academy of Japan, he later returned to serve as vice-president of the Academy. He has served in multiple capacities, including the chiefs of staff of the GSDF Northern Army during the Iraq War, commanding officer of the Chūbu region Army Headquarters, and has even acted as a Japanese foreign representative when meeting officers of other countries.
Dewanohana Yoshitaka (born 13 May 1951 as Soichi Nomura) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori, Japan. He…Dewanohana Yoshitaka (born 13 May 1951 as Soichi Nomura) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1974, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in January 1988 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Dekiyama. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016 he was re-hired by the Sumo Association for five years as a consultant.
Kurosegawa Kuniyuki (born 13 May 1951 as Kensaku Sakai) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan.…Kurosegawa Kuniyuki (born 13 May 1951 as Kensaku Sakai) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1966, and reached the top division in May 1978. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in May 1984 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kiriyama. In 1995 he branched out from Isegahama stable and established his own Kiriyama stable, which shut down in 2011. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016, but was re-hired by the Sumo Association for five years as a consultant. In September 2016 he was re-appointed as a judge of tournament bouts, following the demotion of Kasugayama. He left the Sumo Association upon turning 70 in May 2021.
Hisao Niura, also known as Kim Il-young (Korean: 김일융; born May 11, 1951), is a Japanese former professional baseball…Hisao Niura, also known as Kim Il-young (Korean: 김일융; born May 11, 1951), is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan and KBO League baseball in South Korea. Over a 22-season career, he was a five-time champion, four times with the Yomiuri Giants and once with the Samsung Lions. He was a two-time ERA champion of Japan's Central League. A workhorse during much of his career, he had success as both a starter and a reliever. Although born in Japan, Niura is of Korean descent, part of the Zainichi community.
Tadashi Yamashina (born 8 May 1951) is the former Team Principal of the Toyota Racing Formula One team, responsible for…Tadashi Yamashina (born 8 May 1951) is the former Team Principal of the Toyota Racing Formula One team, responsible for conducting Toyota's Formula One operations, having taken over from Tsutomu Tomita in June 2007.
Banryūyama Takaharu (born Takaharu Taguchi, 4 May 1951) is a former sumo wrestler from Tatsuno, Hyōgo, Japan. He made…Banryūyama Takaharu (born Takaharu Taguchi, 4 May 1951) is a former sumo wrestler from Tatsuno, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1966, and reached the top division in March 1975. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in November 1984 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Matsuchiyama. He worked as a coach at Mihogaseki stable until its closure in 2013 and then moved to Kasugano stable. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016 he was re-hired as a consultant for five more years. He left the Sumo Association upon turning 70 in May 2021.
Tamakiyama Masanori (born April 29, 1951 as Masanori Hagio) is a former sumo wrestler from Maebaru, Fukuoka, Japan. He…Tamakiyama Masanori (born April 29, 1951 as Masanori Hagio) is a former sumo wrestler from Maebaru, Fukuoka, Japan. He reached the rank of komusubi in July 1979 and retired in March 1984.
Kaoru Shintani (新谷 かおる, Shintani Kaoru; born April 26, 1951 in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist.…Kaoru Shintani (新谷 かおる, Shintani Kaoru; born April 26, 1951 in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. Shintani is best known for his series Area 88. In addition to his pilot comics, Shintani has ventured into science fiction, fantasy, comedy, and hentai comics as well. In 1985, he was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen for Area 88 and Futari Daka. Shintani began his career in 1972 as a shōjo artist and was nominated for the Ribon Comics Award for best new artist of that year. After working as an assistant to Leiji Matsumoto, the creator of Space Pirate Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 and the creative director for Space Battleship Yamato, Shintani began to publish aviator titles in various comic magazines. Serialization of Area 88 began in 1979 and the title has been popular ever since. While working as an assistant to Matsumoto, one of Shintani's duties was to construct plastic models for drawing reference. Matsumoto often states that he based the character Yattaran (who appears as a supporting character in several Harlock stories) on Shintani.
Chikahito Harada (原田 親仁, Harada Chikahito; born April 21, 1951) is a Japanese diplomat and former Ambassador to the…Chikahito Harada (原田 親仁, Harada Chikahito; born April 21, 1951) is a Japanese diplomat and former Ambassador to the Russian Federation. In 1999-2001 served as Press Secretary in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2001-2002 served as representative of Japan to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. Served also as Charge d'Affaire at the Japanese Embassy in China and director of the Russia Division at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Harada was the ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2008 to 2010. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the ambassador to the Russian Federation.
Choei Sato (佐藤 長栄, Satō Chōei; born April 15, 1951) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for…Choei Sato (佐藤 長栄, Satō Chōei; born April 15, 1951) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Naoyuki Agawa (阿川 尚之, Agawa Naoyuki; April 14, 1951 – November 12, 2024) was a Japanese lawyer, diplomat, academic and…Naoyuki Agawa (阿川 尚之, Agawa Naoyuki; April 14, 1951 – November 12, 2024) was a Japanese lawyer, diplomat, academic and author. He was a professor of law at Keio University from 1999; and from 2009, he served as the university's vice president for International Collaboration and Education.
Masudayama Yasuhito (舛田山 靖仁, born 10 April 1951 as Shigeru Masuda) is a former sumo wrestler from Nanao, Ishikawa…Masudayama Yasuhito (舛田山 靖仁, born 10 April 1951 as Shigeru Masuda) is a former sumo wrestler from Nanao, Ishikawa, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1974, and reached the top division in November 1976. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in July 1989 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Chiganoura. He was the oldest man in any of the professional sumo divisions at the time of his retirement. He set up Chiganoura stable (now renamed Tokiwayama stable) in 2004 at the age of 53, after he was passed over for the head coach position at Kasugano stable the previous year. He retired upon reaching 65 years of age in April 2016, but was re-employed by his stable as a consultant, which expired upon his 70th birthday in April 2021. He continued to live at the old Chiganoura stable premises after it relocated earlier in 2021.
Minoru Sano (佐野 実, Sano Minoru; April 4, 1951 – April 11, 2014) was a Japanese celebrity chef who specialized in ramen.…Minoru Sano (佐野 実, Sano Minoru; April 4, 1951 – April 11, 2014) was a Japanese celebrity chef who specialized in ramen. He was called the Oni of Ramen in Japan. He founded the Shinasobaya Company and helped run the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. Minoru Sano was born in Totsuka-ku in the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He had numerous appearances in the Japanese media. He had many ramen chef disciples. He died of multiple organ failure after suffering with Diabetes for 3 years prior to his death in hospital, surrounded by family.
Keigo Masuya (桝屋 敬悟, Masuya Keigo; born 3 April 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Keigo Masuya (桝屋 敬悟, Masuya Keigo; born 3 April 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Abu District, Yamaguchi and graduate of the Soka University, he worked at the government of Yamaguchi Prefecture from 1975 to 1992. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993.
Kiyoshiro Imawano (忌野 清志郎, Imawano Kiyoshirō), born Kiyoshi Kurihara (栗原 清志, Kurihara Kiyoshi; April 2, 1951 – May 2…Kiyoshiro Imawano (忌野 清志郎, Imawano Kiyoshirō), born Kiyoshi Kurihara (栗原 清志, Kurihara Kiyoshi; April 2, 1951 – May 2, 2009), was a Japanese rock musician, lyricist, composer, musical producer, and actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was dubbed "Japan's King of Rock". He formed and led the influential rock band RC Succession. He wrote many anti-nuclear songs following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. He was known for pioneering the adoption of linguistic characteristics of the Japanese language into his songs.
Takanori Arisawa (有澤 孝紀, Arisawa Takanori; April 2, 1951 – November 26, 2005) was a Japanese composer and arranger best…Takanori Arisawa (有澤 孝紀, Arisawa Takanori; April 2, 1951 – November 26, 2005) was a Japanese composer and arranger best known for composing the Sailor Moon and Digimon (Seasons 1-4) anime series. He wrote music for the series, including its video games. Born in Tokyo, Arisawa began to learn piano at the age of 20. After graduating from Senzoku Gakuen College, Arisawa started his career in 1980 by composing "Shinjuku Transfer". He worked for the Tokyo Broadcasting System and wrote several TV dramas. From the 1990s until his death, Arisawa began composing for anime series exclusively. His work on Sailor Moon was initially based on pop music, but gradually began to change to those found in classical music. Sailor Moon was successful and Arisawa won several awards for his work. After Sailor Moon, Arisawa composed music for several shows, including the Digimon series, until his death from bladder cancer in 2005.
Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of…Moriteru Ueshiba (植芝 守央, Ueshiba Moriteru; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese teacher of aikido. He is a grandson of Morihei Ueshiba and son of Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Ueshiba is the third and current Dōshu.
Yōko Asaji (浅茅 陽子, Asaji Yōko) (born April 2, 1951) is a Japanese actress from Shimizu (now part of the city of…Yōko Asaji (浅茅 陽子, Asaji Yōko) (born April 2, 1951) is a Japanese actress from Shimizu (now part of the city of Shizuoka), Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Yōko starred in the NHK morning drama Kumo no Jūtan, achieving widespread popularity. Since then she has appeared in various television, film, and stage productions. In addition to contemporary roles, Yōko has taken parts in jidaigeki. She portrayed Yaya in the 1987 NHK Taiga drama Onna Taikōki, and from 1988 to 1994 she played Osai, the wife of the fire captain, in Abarenbo Shogun (the second of three actresses for that character). Yōko voiced Maddie Hayes, the Cybill Shepherd role, in the dubbed version of Moonlighting.
Ayako Okamoto (岡本 綾子, Okamoto Ayako; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese professional golfer. She won 62 tournaments…Ayako Okamoto (岡本 綾子, Okamoto Ayako; born 2 April 1951) is a Japanese professional golfer. She won 62 tournaments internationally, including 17 on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour in the 1980s and 1990s. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Kōshū Tani (谷 甲州, Tani Kōshū; born March 30, 1951 in Itami, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese science fiction…Kōshū Tani (谷 甲州, Tani Kōshū; born March 30, 1951 in Itami, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese science fiction writer. He graduated from the Osaka Institute of Technology, and worked as a volunteer in Nepal and the Philippines. He made his professional debut with the story 137th Mobile Brigade in 1979 while still in Nepal. He is known mostly for his hard science fiction works, for which he won the Seiun Award three times (twice for Best Novel, and once for Best Short Story), and the Nitta Jirō Culture Award once. He is a member of the Mystery Writers of Japan, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan, the Space Authors Club, and an associate member of the Hard SF Laboratory. Tani currently lives in Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture.
