Gō Takamine (高嶺 剛, Takamine Gō; born 12 November 1948 in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture) (sometimes credited as Tsuyoshi…Gō Takamine (高嶺 剛, Takamine Gō; born 12 November 1948 in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture) (sometimes credited as Tsuyoshi Takamine) is an Okinawan director of fiction films, documentaries and experimental films. Born on Ishigaki Island and raised in Naha, Takamine went to university in Kyoto and there began making 8mm films. He made his feature film debut with Paradise View (1985) and won a number of awards for Untamagiru (1989), including the Caligari Film Award at the Berlin Film Festival, the best feature film award at the Hawaii International Film Festival, the Golden Montgolfiere at the Three Continents Festival, and the Hochi Film Award. That film also earned him the Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award. Other works include the feature-length video Tsuru-Henry (1998) and documentaries on Okinawan performers such as Rinshō Kadekaru. His films have centered on the politics of Okinawan history and cultural identity, particularly by using the Okinawan language, music and folk legends.
Kurohimeyama Hideo (12 November 1948 – 25 April 2019), born as Hideo Tanaka, was a sumo wrestler from Ōmi, Niigata…Kurohimeyama Hideo (12 November 1948 – 25 April 2019), born as Hideo Tanaka, was a sumo wrestler from Ōmi, Niigata, Japan.
Shigesato Itoi (糸井 重里, Itoi Shigesato; born November 10, 1948) is a Japanese copywriter, essayist, lyricist, game…Shigesato Itoi (糸井 重里, Itoi Shigesato; born November 10, 1948) is a Japanese copywriter, essayist, lyricist, game designer, and actor. Itoi is the editor-in-chief of his website and company Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun ("Almost Daily Itoi Newspaper") where he is currently the chairman and CEO. He is best known outside Japan for his work on Nintendo's Mother series of games, a series in which he co-owns with the game company, as well as his self-titled bass fishing video game.
Taimei Yamaguchi (山口 泰明, Yamaguchi Taimei; born 10 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Taimei Yamaguchi (山口 泰明, Yamaguchi Taimei; born 10 November 1948) is a former 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 Hiki District, Saitama and graduate of Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996.
Koichi Hirata (平田 耕一, Hirata Kōichi; born 9 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Koichi Hirata (平田 耕一, Hirata Kōichi; born 9 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yokkaichi, Mie and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995 as an independent. After losing his seat in 2000, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 and represented Mie Prefecture until 2009.
Masayoshi Kabe (加部 正義, Kabe Masayoshi) (5 November 1948 – 26 September 2020) often known by his stage names Louis or…Masayoshi Kabe (加部 正義, Kabe Masayoshi) (5 November 1948 – 26 September 2020) often known by his stage names Louis or Louise Louis, was a Japanese bassist and guitarist from Yokohama, Japan. Numerous online sources present him as half-French and half-Japanese, but this was actually a marketing creation from the producers of the Golden Cups; Kabe was half-American and half-Japanese. He began his career in 1966 as a member of The Golden Cups. He was a studio musician throughout the 1970s and also a member of various bands such as Speed, Glue & Shinki until he joined the group Johnny, Louis & Char (later renamed Pink Cloud) in 1978. After they disbanded in 1994 he formed the instrumental side-project ZokuZokuKazoku (ZZK) while providing support to other musicians as a bassist. He also recorded three albums as bass player for a reunion version of the 1970s band Vodka Collins from 1995 to 1998. He died on 26 September 2020, of multiple organ failure.
Chonosuke Takagi (高木 長之助, Takagi Chōnosuke; 26 October 1948 – 6 December 2016) was a Japanese judoka. Takagi is from…Chonosuke Takagi (高木 長之助, Takagi Chōnosuke; 26 October 1948 – 6 December 2016) was a Japanese judoka. Takagi is from Shirahama, Chiba and began judo when he was in junior high school. When he was a member of judo club at Awa high-school (安房高校, Awa Kōkō), the senior of club is Masatoshi Shinomaki. Takagi began working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department after graduation from Nihon University in 1971. He participated in the World Championship twice and won a gold medal in 1973 and a bronze medal in 1975. As of 2011, Takagi coached judo at his alma mater, Nihon University. Among his students are Jun Konno, Michiaki Kamochi, Makoto Takimoto and others. He died of a heart attack at the age of 68 on 6 December 2016.
Miyuki Katagiri (片桐 美雪, Katagiri Miyuki; born 26 October 1948) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in three events…Miyuki Katagiri (片桐 美雪, Katagiri Miyuki; born 26 October 1948) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in three events at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Kyōko Takada (高田恭子) is a Japanese singer and actress who is best known for her March 1969 song, Minna Yume no Naka…Kyōko Takada (高田恭子) is a Japanese singer and actress who is best known for her March 1969 song, Minna Yume no Naka, which sold over half a million copies by July 1969.
Koji Kobayashi (小林 耕士, Kobayashi Koji; born October 23, 1948) is a Japanese business executive and the current vice…Koji Kobayashi (小林 耕士, Kobayashi Koji; born October 23, 1948) is a Japanese business executive and the current vice president of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Tetsuo Kanno (菅野 哲雄, Kanno Tetsuo; born 22 October 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Social Democratic Party, a…Tetsuo Kanno (菅野 哲雄, Kanno Tetsuo; born 22 October 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Social Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Eiko Yanami (八並 映子, Yanami Eiko; October 22, 1948 – January 14, 2017) was a Japanese actress who performed in movies…Eiko Yanami (八並 映子, Yanami Eiko; October 22, 1948 – January 14, 2017) was a Japanese actress who performed in movies such as Gamera vs. Zigra and Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41.
Ayako Daidōji (Japanese: 大道寺 あや子, romanized: Daidōji Ayako, born 20 October 1948) is a Japanese far-left militant and…Ayako Daidōji (Japanese: 大道寺 あや子, romanized: Daidōji Ayako, born 20 October 1948) is a Japanese far-left militant and fugitive. She was initially a member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front (EAAJAF), and was married to the group's leader Masashi Daidōji. Following the 1974 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries bombing, Daidoji was arrested for her involvement, but was subsequently released as part of a hostage exchange following the hijacking of JAL Flight 472 by the Japanese Red Army. Following her release, Daidoji joined the Japanese Red Army and still remains at large. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Jun Maki (眞木 準, Maki Jun; October 20, 1948, in Aichi Prefecture – June 22, 2009) was a Japanese copywriter. A 1971…Jun Maki (眞木 準, Maki Jun; October 20, 1948, in Aichi Prefecture – June 22, 2009) was a Japanese copywriter. A 1971 graduate of Keio University, he formerly worked for Hakuhodo, Japan's second largest advertising agency. He died on June 22, 2009, of a myocardial infarction. He was 60 years old.
Kazumi Onishi (née Yamashita) (大西 一美, Ōnishi Kazumi; born October 18, 1948) is a Japanese former competitive figure…Kazumi Onishi (née Yamashita) (大西 一美, Ōnishi Kazumi; born October 18, 1948) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is a four-time Japanese national champion and competed twice at the Winter Olympics, placing 14th in 1968 and 10th in 1972. She is an alumna of Kwansei Gakuin University.
Teruo Asada (born October 13, 1948) is a Japanese businessman, the chairman of Marubeni since April 2013. Asada joined…Teruo Asada (born October 13, 1948) is a Japanese businessman, the chairman of Marubeni since April 2013. Asada joined Marubeni's finance department in 1972 and was its president and CEO from April 2008 to April 2013. Over the course of his tenure, he has held positions and executive titles in finance, business and investment functions at Marubeni, as well as posts in the company's Los Angeles and London operations early in his career. Asada graduated from Keio University in 1972. In June 2021, he was appointed as Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), for services to UK Trade and Investment.
Jūgatsu Toi (戸井 十月, Toi Jūgatsu; 12 October 1948 – 28 July 2013) was a Japanese travel writer and visual producer. He…Jūgatsu Toi (戸井 十月, Toi Jūgatsu; 12 October 1948 – 28 July 2013) was a Japanese travel writer and visual producer. He became a travel writer after his activity as an illustrator and reporter.
Soji Shimada (島田 荘司, Shimada Sōji; born October 12, 1948) is a Japanese mystery writer. He was born in Fukuyama City…Soji Shimada (島田 荘司, Shimada Sōji; born October 12, 1948) is a Japanese mystery writer. He was born in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Hiroyoshi Nishi (西 博義, Nishi Hiroyoshi; born 3 October 1948) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Hiroyoshi Nishi (西 博義, Nishi Hiroyoshi; born 3 October 1948) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Arida District, Wakayama he attended University of Tokushima as both an undergraduate and graduate student and taught at a school in Wakayama from 1973 to 1992. In 1993, he was elected for the first time.
Tetsuaki Nakamura (中村 哲明, Nakamura Tetsuaki; born 1 October 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's…Tetsuaki Nakamura (中村 哲明, Nakamura Tetsuaki; born 1 October 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Norikazu Otsuka (大塚 範一, Ōtsuka Norikazu; born 28 September 1948) is a Japanese TV presenter. He was the main presenter…Norikazu Otsuka (大塚 範一, Ōtsuka Norikazu; born 28 September 1948) is a Japanese TV presenter. He was the main presenter of Fuji TV's morning TV magazine show Mezamashi TV from its start in 1994 until he left the show in November 2011 due to illness.
Kimio Yanagisawa (Japanese: 柳沢 きみお, Hepburn: Yanagisawa Kimio; born September 26, 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. His…Kimio Yanagisawa (Japanese: 柳沢 きみお, Hepburn: Yanagisawa Kimio; born September 26, 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. His real name is pronounced the same way, but is written with the kanji 柳澤 公夫. He graduated from Niigata Prefectural Muramatsu High School two years prior to Yoshifumi Kondō. After graduation, he attended Wakō University where he studied fine arts. In 1972, Yanagisawa won an honorable mention in the 4th Tezuka Shō Manga Story contest for his story Makeru na Kisaburō (submitted under his real name). His contemporary, Kazuhito Kurosaki, also won second place in the same contest. In 1978, he won the 3rd Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen for Tonda Couple.
Kazuo Sakurada (桜田 一男, Sakurada Kazuo; September 26, 1948 – January 12, 2020), better known as Mr. Sakurada, The…Kazuo Sakurada (桜田 一男, Sakurada Kazuo; September 26, 1948 – January 12, 2020), better known as Mr. Sakurada, The Dragonmaster, and as the Japanese version of Kendo Nagasaki (ケンドー・ナガサキ, Kendō Nagasaki), was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was best known for his work in Stampede Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling. Sakurada was also highly regarded by Bret Hart as one of his most significant trainers alongside Katsui Adachi or Mr. Hito, with whom he taught extensively in Hart Dungeon.
Mitsuo Momota (百田 光雄, Momota Mitsuo) (born September 21, 1948) is a semi-retired Japanese professional wrestler and…Mitsuo Momota (百田 光雄, Momota Mitsuo) (born September 21, 1948) is a semi-retired Japanese professional wrestler and executive, known for his work in the Japanese promotions All Japan Pro Wrestling and later in Pro Wrestling NOAH. He is the son of wrestler Rikidōzan.
Toshiyuki Mimura (三村 敏之, Mimura Toshiyuki) (September 19, 1948 – November 3, 2009) was a Japanese baseball player and…Toshiyuki Mimura (三村 敏之, Mimura Toshiyuki) (September 19, 1948 – November 3, 2009) was a Japanese baseball player and manager of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Makoto Tonami (戸並 誠, Tonami Makoto; born September 18, 1948), also known as Mac Akasaka (マック 赤坂, Makku Akasaka), is a…Makoto Tonami (戸並 誠, Tonami Makoto; born September 18, 1948), also known as Mac Akasaka (マック 赤坂, Makku Akasaka), is a Japanese businessman, retired politician and activist and former perennial candidate.
Yoko Komiyama (小宮山 洋子, Komiyama Yōko; born 17 September 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Yoko Komiyama (小宮山 洋子, Komiyama Yōko; born 17 September 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Kunio Hatoyama (鳩山邦夫, Hatoyama Kunio; 13 September 1948 – 21 June 2016) was a Japanese politician who served as…Kunio Hatoyama (鳩山邦夫, Hatoyama Kunio; 13 September 1948 – 21 June 2016) was a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications under Prime Ministers Shinzō Abe and Yasuo Fukuda until 12 June 2009.
Agata Morio (Japanese: あがた森魚, born 12 September 1948) is a Japanese folk rock singer-songwriter and actor. He also…Agata Morio (Japanese: あがた森魚, born 12 September 1948) is a Japanese folk rock singer-songwriter and actor. He also directed three films.
Takao Kondo (近藤 孝男, Kondō Takao; 1948 – 16 November 2023) was a Japanese biologist and professor of biological science…Takao Kondo (近藤 孝男, Kondō Takao; 1948 – 16 November 2023) was a Japanese biologist and professor of biological science at Nagoya University in Nagoya, Japan. He is best known for reconstituting the circadian clock in vitro.
Toru Muranishi (村西とおる, Muranishi Tōru; born 9 September 1948) is an innovative and controversial director of Japanese…Toru Muranishi (村西とおる, Muranishi Tōru; born 9 September 1948) is an innovative and controversial director of Japanese adult videos (AV). Known in Japan as the "Emperor of Porn", he has been credited as one of the creators of the quasi-documentary style found in Japanese adult videos, a genre which has remained popular throughout the history of the adult industry in Japan. He was called "the dirtiest of the industry’s dirty old men" in a 1992 Tokyo Journal article by Kjell Fornander.
Akihisa Mera (米良 明久, Mera Akihisa; born September 8, 1948), better known as The Great Kabuki (ザ・グレート・カブキ, Za Gurēto…Akihisa Mera (米良 明久, Mera Akihisa; born September 8, 1948), better known as The Great Kabuki (ザ・グレート・カブキ, Za Gurēto Kabuki), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is famous as the first to blow Asian mist in his opponents' faces.
Murasaki Yamada (やまだ 紫, Yamada Murasaki; September 5, 1948 – May 5, 2009), born as Mitsuko Yamada (山田 三津子, Yamada…Murasaki Yamada (やまだ 紫, Yamada Murasaki; September 5, 1948 – May 5, 2009), born as Mitsuko Yamada (山田 三津子, Yamada Mitsuko), was a Japanese manga artist, feminist essayist and poet. She was associated with the alternative manga magazine Garo.
Yoshiko Morizane (森実 芳子, Morizane Yoshiko; born 4 September 1948) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed in the…Yoshiko Morizane (森実 芳子, Morizane Yoshiko; born 4 September 1948) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed in the women's 200 metre breaststroke at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Mieko Chikappu (チカップ 美恵子 Chikappu Mieko, also rendered as Chikkap or Cikap Mieko, September 9, 1948 – February 5…Mieko Chikappu (チカップ 美恵子 Chikappu Mieko, also rendered as Chikkap or Cikap Mieko, September 9, 1948 – February 5, 2010), born Mieko Iga (伊賀 美恵子 Iga Mieko), was a Japanese Ainu embroiderer, artist, poet, essayist, and Indigenous activist. "Chikappu" is a rendering of the Ainu language word "cikap" (チカㇷ゚) meaning "bird".
Eisuke Mori (森 英介, Mori Eisuke; born 31 August 1948) is a Japanese politician who has served as Speaker of the House of…Eisuke Mori (森 英介, Mori Eisuke; born 31 August 1948) is a Japanese politician who has served as Speaker of the House of Representatives since 2026. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and is the former Minister of Justice in the Asō Cabinet. A native of Katsuura, Chiba and graduate of Tohoku University, he joined Kawasaki Heavy Industries in 1974 and received a Ph.D. in engineering. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. His grandfather is former member of the House of Representatives Nobuteru Mori, his father is former Minister of the Environment Yoshihide Mori, and his uncle is former Somu-cho (総務長官) Kiyomoto Mori. In the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tarō Asō, appointed on 24 September 2008, Mori was appointed Minister of Justice. This was his first appointment to the Cabinet. Mori is affiliated to the openly revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Yōsui Inoue (井上 陽水, Inoue Yōsui; born August 30, 1948) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record…Yōsui Inoue (井上 陽水, Inoue Yōsui; born August 30, 1948) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, composer, guitarist and record producer, who is an important figure in Japanese music. He is renowned for his unique tone, eccentric lyrics, and dark sunglasses which he always wears. Under the stage name Andre Candre, Inoue debuted in 1969 and released a single "Candre Mandre" by CBS Sony Records. After he changed his stage name and signed onto Polydor, he recorded his first studio album Danzetsu in 1971, and the album was acclaimed by critics. Inoue gained recognition as a folk-rock singer-songwriter through his 1973 Kōri no Sekai album, which became the first long-playing record that sold more than a million copies in Japan alone. His early work has been compared with the music of Paul McCartney and Roy Orbison. Mark Anderson writes in the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture, "His music was smart, melancholy and melodic. [...] Inoue's work of the early 1970s [...] is widely thought to have been a significant influence on the development of Japanese pop rock". Inoue has released 22 solo studio albums, and also produced two albums with Tamio Okuda. He has been one of the most commercially successful Japanese male solo recording artists of the last 40 years, selling in excess of 10.9 million copies on the country's Oricon albums chart up to May 2009 and has had seven number-one albums; Kori no Sekai, Nishoku no Koma, Good Pages, Shoutaijou no Nai Show, 9.5 Carats, Under the Sun, and the compilation Golden Best which was released in 1999 and has shipped over two million units.
Kiyotaka Akasaka (赤阪 清隆, Akasaka Kiyotaka; born August 24, 1948 in Osaka, Japan) is the former United Nations…Kiyotaka Akasaka (赤阪 清隆, Akasaka Kiyotaka; born August 24, 1948 in Osaka, Japan) is the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. He was appointed to the position by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in February 2007. Akasaka also served as Coordinator for Multilingualism in the UN Secretariat. He completed his appointment at the UN in March 2012 and was succeeded by Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal of Austria. A career diplomat, Mr. Akasaka has served several multilateral organizations in different capacities. From 2003 to 2007, he was the Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), where he was responsible for issues on development, environment, sustainable development and building and maintaining partnership with other international organizations. From 1997 to 2000, he served as Deputy Director-General in the Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Japanese Foreign Ministry. He acted as one of the top negotiators in the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change in December 1997. From 2000 to 2001, he served as the Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations. Previously, he worked at the Secretariat of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) (1988–1991) and the World Health Organization (1993–1997). Akasaka joined the Japanese Foreign Ministry in April 1971, where he held several posts. He was Deputy Director of the Press Division and later the Ministry's Spokesman on climate change issues for many years. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in law from Kyoto University in 1971. In the following year, he pursued his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained a Bachelor and a Master of Arts in economics. He co-authored the books The GATT and the Uruguay Round Negotiations and The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. He also published many articles on trade, the environment and sustainable development in Japanese journals and newspapers. Aside from his native Japanese, Akasaka is also fluent in both English and French.
Toshio Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 敏夫, Hepburn: Suzuki Toshio; born August 19, 1948) is a Japanese film producer and studio…Toshio Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 敏夫, Hepburn: Suzuki Toshio; born August 19, 1948) is a Japanese film producer and studio executive. He is a co-founder and the current chairman of Studio Ghibli. He began his career at Tokuma Shoten, working as a magazine editor and covering manga and animation, before becoming editor of Animage, where he established professional relationships with Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. After co-founding Studio Ghibli, he served on the production committees of several of its early films, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies. Suzuki has served as producer or co-producer on numerous Ghibli films, including Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Earwig and the Witch, and The Boy and the Heron. He officially retired from his producer role in 2014, becoming general manager, but has remained involved in the studio's management and creative activities. In 2023, following the acquisition of Studio Ghibli by Nippon Television Holdings, Suzuki became chairman.
Kiyoshi Maekawa (前川 清, Maekawa Kiyoshi; born August 19, 1948) is a Japanese singer and tarento. He is best known as the…Kiyoshi Maekawa (前川 清, Maekawa Kiyoshi; born August 19, 1948) is a Japanese singer and tarento. He is best known as the first lead vocalist of Hiroshi Uchiyamada and Cool Five, which was formed in 1967 and debuted in 1969 with the Japan Record Award-winning song "Nagasaki wa Kyō mo Ame Datta". As a frontman of the band, he spawned multiple hit singles such as "Awazu ni Aishite", "Uwasa no Onna","Soshite, Kōbe", "Nakanoshima Blues" and "Tokyo Sabaku" during the 1970s. In 1982, he released his first solo single "Yuki Ressha" composed and produced by Grammy-winning musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, and left the group five years later. During his solo career, he released only one top-20 hit "Himawari" in 2002, a ballad contributed by Masaharu Fukuyama. Aside from the recording career, Maekawa has also built up popularity as a TV star, appearing on some television shows hosted by comedians such as Kinichi Hagimoto and The Drifters, airing around the latter half of 1970s and the 1980s.
Yoshio Ishida (石田 芳夫, Ishida Yoshio; born August 15, 1948) is a professional Go player and author of several books on…Yoshio Ishida (石田 芳夫, Ishida Yoshio; born August 15, 1948) is a professional Go player and author of several books on Go.
Tohru Fukuyama (福山 透, Fukuyama Tōru; born 9 August 1948) is a Japanese organic chemist and Professor of Chemistry at…Tohru Fukuyama (福山 透, Fukuyama Tōru; born 9 August 1948) is a Japanese organic chemist and Professor of Chemistry at University of Tokyo in Japan. He discovered the Fukuyama coupling in 1998.
Naoki Izumiya (born 9 August 1948) is a Japanese businessman and the president and CEO of Asahi Breweries. He joined…Naoki Izumiya (born 9 August 1948) is a Japanese businessman and the president and CEO of Asahi Breweries. He joined the company in 1972, became president in 2010, and was elevated to CEO and chairman in 2016.
Masayoshi Yoshino (吉野 正芳, Yoshino Masayoshi; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Masayoshi Yoshino (吉野 正芳, Yoshino Masayoshi; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. A native of Iwaki, Fukushima and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the first of his three terms in the assembly of Fukushima Prefecture in 1987 and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000. He represented the Fukushima 5th district from 2014 until 2024 when the district was abolished. On 26 April 2017, he became the minister responsible for disaster reconstruction in the Tohoku Region, after the previous minister, Masahiro Imamura, resigned after making insensitive remarks about the 2011 earthquake and tsunami which had hit the Tohoku region.
Akira Matsunaga (松永 章, Matsunaga Akira; born August 8, 1948) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Akira Matsunaga (松永 章, Matsunaga Akira; born August 8, 1948) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kozo Yamamoto (山本 幸三, Yamamoto Kōzō; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Kozo Yamamoto (山本 幸三, Yamamoto Kōzō; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who is a former Ministry of Finance official, and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He served as State Minister in charge of: Regional Revitalization; Regulatory Reform; Administrative Reform; City, People, Job-Creation; and Civil Service Reform from 2016 to 2017. Previous posts include Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (in the 2006 cabinet of Shinzo Abe), Chairman of the Judicial Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Special Commission on Consumer Issues, and Chairman of the Special Commission on Regional Revitalization. He is known to be one of the main fathers of Abenomics. A native of Yukuhashi, Fukuoka, Yamamoto attended the University of Tokyo and received his MBA from Cornell University in the United States. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after an unsuccessful run in 1990. Tatsuo Murayama, Yamamoto's father in law, was an LDP member of the House of Representatives who served as Minister of Finance and Minister of Health and Welfare. His uncle, Momotaro Yanagida, was mayor of the City of Moji (Fukuoka Prefecture) and a member of the House of Representatives.