Kuniomi Haneishi (羽石 国臣, Haneishi Kuniomi; born 6 January 1975) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's…Kuniomi Haneishi (羽石 国臣, Haneishi Kuniomi; born 6 January 1975) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Kazumasa Tsujimoto (辻本 和正, Tsujimoto Kazumasa) (born January 6, 1975, in Nara) is a retired boxer from Japan who…Kazumasa Tsujimoto (辻本 和正, Tsujimoto Kazumasa) (born January 6, 1975, in Nara) is a retired boxer from Japan who represented his country at the Summer Olympics in 1996 and 2000. After having competed in the men's flyweight division (– 51 kg) in Atlanta, Georgia, he changed weights, and fought in the bantamweight class (– 54 kg) in Sydney, Australia. There he was stopped in the second round by Cuba's eventual gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler…Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with various Japanese promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, JWP Joshi Puroresu and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling.
Dabo (ダボ); born 6 January 1975 is a Japanese hip-hop rapper. He first appeared on the Japanese hip-hop scene in the…Dabo (ダボ); born 6 January 1975 is a Japanese hip-hop rapper. He first appeared on the Japanese hip-hop scene in the 1990s, collaborating in a Shakkazombie song, "Tomo ni ikkou". Since 2002, he has released three albums: Hitman (2002), Diamond (2003), and The Force (2006). Dabo's lyrics are more hard-edged than most J-pop, or Japanese pop, and represent a tough Japanese street culture. He also appears as a playable character in the Japanese version of Def Jam Vendetta.
Jun Maeda (麻枝 准, Maeda Jun; born January 3, 1975) is a Japanese writer and composer. He is a co-founder of the visual…Jun Maeda (麻枝 准, Maeda Jun; born January 3, 1975) is a Japanese writer and composer. He is a co-founder of the visual novel brand Key under Visual Arts. He is considered a pioneer of nakige visual novels, and has mainly contributed as a scenario writer, lyricist, and musical composer for the games the company produces. After graduating with a degree in psychology from Chukyo University, Maeda contributed to the scripts and scores of games released under the Tactics brand of Nexton: Moon and One: Kagayaku Kisetsu e. He has contributed both to writing music and scripts to most games released under the Key brand, notably writing the majority of Air and Clannad. He also served as a screenwriter and composer for several anime series produced by P.A. Works, such as Angel Beats! and Charlotte.
Minoru Kawakami (川上稔, Kawakami Minoru) is a Japanese author of light novels, best known as the author of the Horizon in…Minoru Kawakami (川上稔, Kawakami Minoru) is a Japanese author of light novels, best known as the author of the Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere and The Ending Chronicle light novel series.
Eiichiro Oda (Japanese: 尾田 栄一郎, Hepburn: Oda Eiichirō; born January 1, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist and the creator…Eiichiro Oda (Japanese: 尾田 栄一郎, Hepburn: Oda Eiichirō; born January 1, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist and the creator of the series One Piece, the best-selling manga in history and the best-selling comic series printed in volume. With more than 600 million tankōbon copies of One Piece in circulation worldwide, Oda is one of the best-selling fiction authors. The series' popularity resulted in Oda being named one of the artists who changed the history of manga.
Fumitaka Nitami (仁多見 史隆, Nitami Fumitaka) (born December 27, 1974, in Niigata) is a retired male boxer from Japan. He…Fumitaka Nitami (仁多見 史隆, Nitami Fumitaka) (born December 27, 1974, in Niigata) is a retired male boxer from Japan. He represented his native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was stopped in the first round of the men's light-welterweight division (– 63,5 kg) by Russia's Eduard Zakharov.
Masayori "Masi" Oka (岡 政偉, Oka Masayori; born December 27, 1974) is a Japanese actor, producer, and digital effects…Masayori "Masi" Oka (岡 政偉, Oka Masayori; born December 27, 1974) is a Japanese actor, producer, and digital effects artist based in the United States who became widely known for starring in NBC's Heroes as Hiro Nakamura, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and in CBS's Hawaii Five-0 as Doctor Max Bergman.
Atsushi Nagai (永井 篤志, Nagai Atsushi; born December 23, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. His elder brother…Atsushi Nagai (永井 篤志, Nagai Atsushi; born December 23, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. His elder brother Hideki is also a former footballer.
Masaaki Itokawa (糸川 正晃, Itokawa Masaaki; born 21 December 1974) is a Japanese politician of the People's New Party, and…Masaaki Itokawa (糸川 正晃, Itokawa Masaaki; born 21 December 1974) is a Japanese politician of the People's New Party, and he was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005 to represent the 2nd District of the Proportional Hokuriku-Shin'etsu Block. He was a representative from 2005 until 2012.
Kyosuke Mineo (峰尾 恭輔, Mineo Kyōsuke; born 16 December 1974) is a Japanese racing driver who last competed in the GT300…Kyosuke Mineo (峰尾 恭輔, Mineo Kyōsuke; born 16 December 1974) is a Japanese racing driver who last competed in the GT300 class of Super GT for Pacific Racing with Good Speed. He was Super GT champion in 2012 in GT300 for Team Taisan Endless, and is also a three-time Super Taikyu champion.
Yuka Tsuji (辻結花, Tsuji Yuka; born (1974-12-11)December 11, 1974) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose…Yuka Tsuji (辻結花, Tsuji Yuka; born (1974-12-11)December 11, 1974) is a Japanese female mixed martial artist whose nickname is Vale Tudo Queen. Tsuji was a prolific female mixed martial artist in the 2000s. Tsuji is a former Smackgirl tournament winner, Smackgirl Lightweight Champion and Valkyrie Featherweight Champion. MMA ranking system portal Fight Matrix ranked Tsuji as the No. 1 pound-for-pound Female Mixed Martial artist in the world in the years 2002, 2004 and 2005. Between 2002 and her retirement from MMA in 2012, she had frequently placed in the Top 5 of women's MMA fighters in flyweight and strawweight classes.
Fumiaki Kobayashi (小林 史明, Kobayashi Fumiaki; born 10 December 1974) is a pole vaulter from Japan. His personal best…Fumiaki Kobayashi (小林 史明, Kobayashi Fumiaki; born 10 December 1974) is a pole vaulter from Japan. His personal best jump is 5.71 metres, achieved in July 2002 in Ichihara.
Shinichi Isa (伊佐 進一, Isa Shinichi; born 10 December 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who…Shinichi Isa (伊佐 進一, Isa Shinichi; born 10 December 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Tadahiro Nomura (野村 忠宏, Nomura Tadahiro; born 10 December 1974) is a retired Japanese judoka. He is the only judoka in…Tadahiro Nomura (野村 忠宏, Nomura Tadahiro; born 10 December 1974) is a retired Japanese judoka. He is the only judoka in the world who has won three individual Olympic gold medals in a row, all in the extra lightweight (–60 kg) division.
Makoto Takimoto (瀧本 誠, Takimoto Makoto; born December 8, 1974) is a Japanese retired judoka and mixed martial artist…Makoto Takimoto (瀧本 誠, Takimoto Makoto; born December 8, 1974) is a Japanese retired judoka and mixed martial artist from Nihon University. He won a gold medal at the Half Middleweight category of the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Maki Muraki (村木 真紀, Muraki Maki; born 1974) is a Japanese LGBTQ activist. She is the head of the Osaka-based Japanese…Maki Muraki (村木 真紀, Muraki Maki; born 1974) is a Japanese LGBTQ activist. She is the head of the Osaka-based Japanese LGBT rights organization, Nijiiro ("Rainbow") Diversity. Through lectures and media appearances, she is an advocate for gay-friendly policies in office environments in Japanese companies and society.
Kentaro Shiga (志賀 賢太郎, Shiga Kentaro) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. He…Kentaro Shiga (志賀 賢太郎, Shiga Kentaro) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. He returned from a two-year hiatus due to injury in 2005.
Tadahito Iguchi (井口 資仁, Iguchi Tadahito; born December 4, 1974), nicknamed "Gucci", is a Japanese professional baseball…Tadahito Iguchi (井口 資仁, Iguchi Tadahito; born December 4, 1974), nicknamed "Gucci", is a Japanese professional baseball second baseman and former manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). As a member of the Chicago White Sox in 2005, Iguchi became the first fully Japanese position player to win the World Series, and the second Japanese-born position player to win the World Series behind Dave Roberts.
Takayuki Kobayashi (小林 鷹之, Kobayashi Takayuki; born 29 November 1974) is a Japanese politician who has served as…Takayuki Kobayashi (小林 鷹之, Kobayashi Takayuki; born 29 November 1974) is a Japanese politician who has served as Chairman of the Policy Research Council in the Liberal Democratic Party since October 2025. He served as Minister of State for Economic Security from 2021 to 2022.
Tarō Yamamoto (山本 太郎, Yamamoto Tarō; born 24 November 1974) is a Japanese politician and former actor, who is the…Tarō Yamamoto (山本 太郎, Yamamoto Tarō; born 24 November 1974) is a Japanese politician and former actor, who is the founder and former leader of the anti-establishment political party Reiwa Shinsengumi. Yamamoto served in the House of Councillors representing Tokyo until his resignation in 2026, and previously served in the House of Representatives from 2021 to 2022. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election as a candidate under Reiwa.
Tōru Kunishige (國重 徹, Kunishige Tōru; born 23 November 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance…Tōru Kunishige (國重 徹, Kunishige Tōru; born 23 November 1974) is a Japanese politician of the Centrist Reform Alliance, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Junko Kawada (河田 純子, Kawada Junko) (born November 22, 1974, in Akita, Akita, Japan) is a former J-pop idol…Junko Kawada (河田 純子, Kawada Junko) (born November 22, 1974, in Akita, Akita, Japan) is a former J-pop idol, singer-songwriter and actress. Throughout her career, she released three albums and nine singles.
Masanobu Matsunami (松波 正信, Matsunami Masanobu; born November 21, 1974) is a former Japanese football player and manager…Masanobu Matsunami (松波 正信, Matsunami Masanobu; born November 21, 1974) is a former Japanese football player and manager and currently academy manager for Gamba Osaka.
Takahiro Nozaki (born 19 November 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 5000 metres event at the…Takahiro Nozaki (born 19 November 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 5000 metres event at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Yvonne Kanazawa Scott (金沢 イボンヌ, Kanazawa Ibonnu; born 19 November 1974) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialised…Yvonne Kanazawa Scott (金沢 イボンヌ, Kanazawa Ibonnu; born 19 November 1974) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialised in the high hurdles. She represented her country at two consecutive Summer Olympics starting in 1996. She was born in Shinjuku, Tokyo to a Japanese mother and a Jamaican father. She grew up in Sacramento. She has personal bests of 13.00 seconds in the 100 metres hurdles (2000) and 8.12 seconds in the indoor 60 metres hurdles (1999). Both are current national records. She is married to Larry Wade, another former professional hurdler and she has two sons (Jordan and Brandon). She is the head coach for sprints, hurdles and relays for the UNLV Rebels at the University of Las Vegas.
Takashi Uto (born 10 November 1974) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors from…Takashi Uto (born 10 November 1974) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors from 2010 to 2022. He represented the National proportional representation block and was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was a member of the following committees as of 2021: Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Fundamental National Policies He left the LDP in December 2025 and joined Sanseitō.
Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1999 to 2018 for the Chunichi Dragons. He holds the NPB record for career saves and mound appearances. In 2005, he marked 46 saves with a 1.88 ERA, renewing the single-season save record previously set by Kazuhiro Sasaki. This was subsequently broken by Dennis Sarfate of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2017. He was chosen to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal. In the 2007 Japan Series, he saved a perfect game with eight innings thrown by Daisuke Yamai. In 2008, he was selected to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In group stage against South Korean Olympic baseball team, his pitch was hit by Kim Hyunsoo, which resulted in a loss. In the semifinal round against the South Korean team, his pitch was hit by Lee Seung-Yeop, leading to a two-run homerun. This again led to another loss. His overall performance in the 2008 Summer Olympics included three defeats and an ERA of 13.75. On 16 January 2025, Iwase was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Maki Tabata (田畑 真紀, Tabata Maki; born 9 November 1974 in Mukawa, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese speed skater and track…Maki Tabata (田畑 真紀, Tabata Maki; born 9 November 1974 in Mukawa, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese speed skater and track cyclist. Maki Tabata won bronze at the World Allround Championships in 2000 and one month later, she won another bronze, this time on the 3000 m at the World Single Distance Championships. The next year (2001), she won silver on the 1500 m and bronze on the 5000 m at the World Single Distance Championships. In 2003, she won another World Single Distance silver on the 1500 m. In addition, Tabata has won numerous titles and medals at the Asian Championships that are used to qualify for the World Allround Championships, at the Asian Single Distance Championships, and at Japanese Championships (both in Allround and Single Distance). She also has a few World Cup victories, both in individual events and in the team pursuit. As a track cyclist she competed in four events at the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and won medals in four disciplines at the 2012 Asian Cycling Championships, including a gold medal in the individual pursuit.
Masashi Kishimoto (岸本 斉史, Kishimoto Masashi; born November 8, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist. His manga series…Masashi Kishimoto (岸本 斉史, Kishimoto Masashi; born November 8, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist. His manga series, Naruto, which was in serialization from 1999 to 2014, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide in 46 countries as of May 2019. The series has been adapted into two anime and multiple films, video games, and related media. Besides the Naruto manga, Kishimoto also personally supervised the three anime films, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie, The Last: Naruto the Movie and Boruto: Naruto the Movie, and has written several one-shot stories. In 2019, Kishimoto wrote Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru which ended in March 2020. From May 2016 through October 2020 he supervised the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations manga written by Ukyō Kodachi and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto. In November 2020 it was announced that he had taken over as writer on the series, replacing Kodachi. A reader of manga from a young age, Kishimoto showed a desire to write his own manga, citing authors Akira Toriyama and Katsuhiro Otomo as his main influences. As a result, Kishimoto spent several years working to write his own shōnen manga for Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine which he was a fan of.
Hirofumi Yanagase is a Japanese politician who is a former member of the House of Councillors of Japan. He was a…Hirofumi Yanagase is a Japanese politician who is a former member of the House of Councillors of Japan. He was a representative member of the national proportional representation block.
Seishi Kishimoto (Japanese: 岸本 聖史, Hepburn: Kishimoto Seishi; born November 8, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist. He is…Seishi Kishimoto (Japanese: 岸本 聖史, Hepburn: Kishimoto Seishi; born November 8, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for O-Parts Hunter, which was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from 2001 to 2007. He has since completed four more manga series, Blazer Drive (2008–2011), Kurenai no Ōkami to Ashikase no Hitsuji (2011–2013), Sukedachi 09 (2014–2016), and Mad Chimera World (2017–2019).
Daisuke Tsutsumi (堤 大介, Tsutsumi Daisuke) is a Japanese animator and illustrator living in San Francisco, California.…Daisuke Tsutsumi (堤 大介, Tsutsumi Daisuke) is a Japanese animator and illustrator living in San Francisco, California. He is a former designer of Blue Sky Studios and Pixar, took within fourteen years before he co-founded an independent animation studio Tonko House with Robert Kondo. He co-directed The Dam Keeper with Kondo, which were nominated the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Sōichirō Takashima (高島 宗一郎, Takashima Sōichirō) is a Japanese politician who has been mayor of the city of Fukuoka…Sōichirō Takashima (高島 宗一郎, Takashima Sōichirō) is a Japanese politician who has been mayor of the city of Fukuoka since 2010.
Toshio Tasaki is a male former international table tennis player from Japan. He won a bronze medal at the 2000 World…Toshio Tasaki is a male former international table tennis player from Japan. He won a bronze medal at the 2000 World Team Table Tennis Championships in the Swaythling Cup (men's team event) with Seiko Iseki, Kōji Matsushita, Hiroshi Shibutani and Ryo Yuzawa for Japan. He competed in three Olympic Games in 1996, 2000 and 2004. He plays a traditional penhold style (utilizing only 1 face of the blade) with short pips and is known for his frequent and strong backhand attacks.
Sō Tsutsui (筒井 壮, Tsutsui Sō; born November 1, 1974) is a former professional baseball player from Ibaraki, Osaka…Sō Tsutsui (筒井 壮, Tsutsui Sō; born November 1, 1974) is a former professional baseball player from Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
Akiko Akazome (赤染 晶子, Akazome Akiko), born Akiko Seino (瀬野 晶子, Seino Akiko), was a Japanese writer. Akazome won the…Akiko Akazome (赤染 晶子, Akazome Akiko), born Akiko Seino (瀬野 晶子, Seino Akiko), was a Japanese writer. Akazome won the 143rd Akutagawa Prize and the 99th Bungakukai Prize before her death in 2017.
Kenji Kikawada (黄川田 賢司, Kikawada Kenji; born October 28, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. His younger…Kenji Kikawada (黄川田 賢司, Kikawada Kenji; born October 28, 1974) is a former Japanese football player. His younger brother Masaya Kikawada is an actor.
Gentaro Takahashi (高橋 元太郎, Takahashi Gentarō; born October 28, 1974) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known…Gentaro Takahashi (高橋 元太郎, Takahashi Gentarō; born October 28, 1974) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Gentaro (stylized as GENTARO). Though officially affiliated with the Pro Wrestling Freedoms promotion, Gentaro also works for several other independent promotions, including DDT Pro-Wrestling, Kaientai Dojo and women's wrestling promotion Ice Ribbon, where he works mainly as the lead play-by-play announcer. Takahashi also makes sporadic appearances as the masked character Benten (also stylized in all capital letters).
Manabu Satake (佐竹 学, Satake Manabu; born October 27, 1974) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was…Manabu Satake (佐竹 学, Satake Manabu; born October 27, 1974) is a former Japanese professional baseball player. He was the number 4 draft pick for the Orix BlueWave in 1997.
Yasuhito Namekawa (Japanese: 滑川康仁, Namekawa Yasuhito) (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who…Yasuhito Namekawa (Japanese: 滑川康仁, Namekawa Yasuhito) (born October 27, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division. Namekawa made his mixed martial arts debut for Fighting Network RINGS in 1998. He fought in mainly shootfighting bouts until 1999 when RINGS introduced the King of King Rules and transitioned into a modern MMA promotion. Throughout his career, Namekawa has fought for organisations such as RINGS, Deep and Pride FC. His last fight to date was in 2008, with a professional mixed martial arts career spanning ten years. He also briefly competed in shoot style professional wrestling, exclusively for Kiyoshi Tamura's U-STYLE promotion.
