Pailin Chuchottaworn (Thai: ไพรินทร์ ชูโชติถาวร, RTGS: Phairin Chuchotithawon; born 8 July 1956) is a Thai businessman…Pailin Chuchottaworn (Thai: ไพรินทร์ ชูโชติถาวร, RTGS: Phairin Chuchotithawon; born 8 July 1956) is a Thai businessman, and from 2011 to 2015 was the chief executive officer (CEO) of PTT Public Company Limited, a Thai state-owned oil and gas company, and a Fortune Global 500 company.
Ryuho Okawa (大川 隆法; Ōkawa Ryūhō; born Takashi Nakagawa (中川 隆; Nakagawa Takashi), 7 July 1956 – 2 March 2023) was a…Ryuho Okawa (大川 隆法; Ōkawa Ryūhō; born Takashi Nakagawa (中川 隆; Nakagawa Takashi), 7 July 1956 – 2 March 2023) was a Japanese religious and political leader who was the CEO and founder of the Happy Science and the Happiness Realization Party. He was also an author and chairman of two companies affiliated with the organization, New Star Production and ARI Production. His organization has been widely criticised as a cult. Adherents of the religion worship Okawa, who claimed to be the current incarnation of a god called "El Cantare" and a number of other beings, including Hermes and Gautama Buddha.
Shunsuke Mutai (務台 俊介, Mutai Shunsuke; born 3 July 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who…Shunsuke Mutai (務台 俊介, Mutai Shunsuke; born 3 July 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He was first elected in the 2012 general election. He is a former career bureaucrat in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (briefly serving as Director of the CLAIR London Office) and graduate of University of Tokyo. Having unsuccessfully contested the Nagano 2nd district in the 2009 general election, he then served as a professor of local administration at Kanagawa University. Mutai was Secretary to the Alliance of Legislators who wish to legislate for Mountain Day, which was inaugurated in August 2016. In 2016 Mutai was appointed Parliamentary Vice Minister for Reconstruction and shortly after hit global headlines concerning an incident concerning a ministerial visit to a disaster-hit region. Half year later at a campaign party Mutai joked about the incident only to be criticized by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. Mutai resigned from his post on the following day. At the 2017 general election Mutai was defeated in his Nagano constituency but re-elected to the Diet under his party's proportional representation bloc. He was reappointed to government as a State Minister for the Environment in October 2021 but relieved of his position in the August 2022 Kishida reshuffle .
Daisuke Hinata (born July 2, 1956) is a Japanese music producer, composer, keyboardist, synthesist, synthesizer…Daisuke Hinata (born July 2, 1956) is a Japanese music producer, composer, keyboardist, synthesist, synthesizer programmer, recording engineer, and studio designer. He is the owner/producer of VSA Studio, a recording studio located in California, US. He is also the owner of the record label “Hyperdisc” and "Global Disc". His older brother is Toshifumi Hinata, also a music composer and producer.
Tomoko Akane (Japanese: 赤根智子; born 28 June 1956) is a Japanese jurist and current judge at the International Criminal…Tomoko Akane (Japanese: 赤根智子; born 28 June 1956) is a Japanese jurist and current judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Japan, as well as the president of the court.
Takashi Nishimoto (西本 聖, Nishimoto Takashi; born June 27, 1956) is a Japanese baseball coach and retired pitcher. He…Takashi Nishimoto (西本 聖, Nishimoto Takashi; born June 27, 1956) is a Japanese baseball coach and retired pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants, Chunichi Dragons, and Orix Blue Wave from 1976 through 1993. In 1981, Nishimoto won the Eiji Sawamura Award. Winning the 1981 Japan Series, he was named the Japan Series Most Valuable Player. Nishimoto won seven straight Gold Glove Awards from 1979 through 1985. He won the Nippon Professional Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1989. After his retirement as a player, Nishimoto coached for the Hanshin Tigers and the Chiba Lotte Marines. In 2013, he coached the Orix Buffaloes. His brother, Akikazu Nishimoto, played in NPB.
Tohjiro or TOHJIRO (June 17, 1956 – July 17, 2026) was a Japanese adult video (AV) director and the founder of the AV…Tohjiro or TOHJIRO (June 17, 1956 – July 17, 2026) was a Japanese adult video (AV) director and the founder of the AV studio Dogma.
Shunichi Mizuoka (水岡 俊一, Mizuoka Shun'ichi; born June 13, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Shunichi Mizuoka (水岡 俊一, Mizuoka Shun'ichi; born June 13, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Seiji Nishimura (西村誠司, Nishimura Seiji; born June 9, 1956), Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) he is a Japanese karateka. He…Seiji Nishimura (西村誠司, Nishimura Seiji; born June 9, 1956), Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan) he is a Japanese karateka. He has a 7th.Dan black belt in Wadō-ryū karate and is the national trainer of the Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF).
Yoko Hayashi (林 陽子, Hayashi Yōko; born June 9, 1956) is a Japanese lawyer and partner in the Athena Law Office. She was…Yoko Hayashi (林 陽子, Hayashi Yōko; born June 9, 1956) is a Japanese lawyer and partner in the Athena Law Office. She was formerly an alternate member to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights from 2004 to 2006. In 2008, she became a member of the Committee which monitors the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and in 2015 was serving as Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Hayashi has used her legal expertise to improve the status and protect the rights of women.
Shuji Yamada (山田 修司, Yamada Shūji) (born 2 June 1956) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984…Shuji Yamada (山田 修司, Yamada Shūji) (born 2 June 1956) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Kiyohiro Araki (荒木 清寛, Araki Kiyohiro; born June 1, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member…Kiyohiro Araki (荒木 清寛, Araki Kiyohiro; born June 1, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ena, Gifu and graduate of Soka University, he was elected for the first time in 1992.
Tatsutoshi Goto (後藤 達俊, Gotō Tatsutoshi; born May 25, 1956) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily…Tatsutoshi Goto (後藤 達俊, Gotō Tatsutoshi; born May 25, 1956) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He competed primarily in WAR and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and briefly used the name "T2000 Machine". He also briefly competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as part of the nWo Japan.
Noriko Furuya (古屋 範子, Furuya Noriko; born 14 May 1956) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Noriko Furuya (古屋 範子, Furuya Noriko; born 14 May 1956) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives as a member of the Komeito Party. Furuya is from Urawa, Saitama and a graduate of Waseda University, she was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003.
Mitsuru Sakurai (桜井 充, Sakurai Mitsuru; born 1956) is a Japanese politician formerly of the Democratic Party of Japan…Mitsuru Sakurai (桜井 充, Sakurai Mitsuru; born 1956) is a Japanese politician formerly of the Democratic Party of Japan and is now a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He is a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He…Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1971, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was a member of Hanakago stable and served as sword-bearer to his stablemate Wajima during the yokozuna dohyo-iri. He retired in September 1986, and as of 2021 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Minezaki. He was the head coach of Minezaki stable which he founded in 1988 until its closure in 2021. He speaks English due to his frequent trips to Hawaii. He is married with one son. After reaching 65 years of age in May 2021 he was re-employed for a further five years as a consultant and is currently working at Shibatayama stable. Nicknamed "Drone master", Misugiiso is known for his passion for drones piloting his own machines and having accumulated over 280 hours of flight handling. In December 2021, he was asked by the Japan Sumo Association to collaborate on an aerial photography project of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.
Takuzo Aida (相田 卓三, Aida Takuzō, born 3 May 1956) is a Japanese polymer chemist specializing in supramolecular…Takuzo Aida (相田 卓三, Aida Takuzō, born 3 May 1956) is a Japanese polymer chemist specializing in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. He is deputy director of the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Tokyo.
Akio Toyoda (豊田 章男, Toyoda Akio; born 3 May 1956), also known by his racing name Morizo Kinoshita, is a Japanese…Akio Toyoda (豊田 章男, Toyoda Akio; born 3 May 1956), also known by his racing name Morizo Kinoshita, is a Japanese business executive who is the chairman of Toyota. He was previously the company's president and chief executive officer (CEO). Toyoda is a grandson of the founder of Toyota Motors, Kiichiro Toyoda, and a great-grandson of both the industrialist, Sakichi Toyoda, and the founder of the Takashimaya department stores corporation, Shinshichi Iida. On 1 April 2023, Toyoda stepped down as Toyota president and became chairman of the board. Toyota's chief branding officer and president of the Lexus division, Koji Sato, succeeded Toyoda as CEO.
Satoshi Kinsui (金水 敏, Kinsui Satoshi; born (1956-04-29)29 April 1956) is a Japanese linguist who is currently a…Satoshi Kinsui (金水 敏, Kinsui Satoshi; born (1956-04-29)29 April 1956) is a Japanese linguist who is currently a professor at Osaka University.
Seiji Hagiwara (萩原 誠司, Hagiwara Seiji; born 28 April 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Seiji Hagiwara (萩原 誠司, Hagiwara Seiji; born 28 April 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) representing the Second District of Okayama Prefecture. A native of Nishiawakura, Okayama and graduate of the University of Tokyo he joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1980, attending Princeton University in the United States while in the ministry. At age 37, he was the deputy director in MITI's Industrial Policy Bureau. After leaving the ministry in 1998, he was elected for mayor of Okayama, Okayama in 1999, serving for two terms. In 2005 he was elected to House of Representatives for the first time. He represents the 2nd District of Okayama Prefecture, which includes the city of Okayama.
Hisashi Kato (加藤 久, Kato Hisashi; born April 24, 1956) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for…Hisashi Kato (加藤 久, Kato Hisashi; born April 24, 1956) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japanese national team.
Yuko Mori (森 裕子, Mori Yūko; born 20 April 1956) is a Japanese politician and a former member of the House of…Yuko Mori (森 裕子, Mori Yūko; born 20 April 1956) is a Japanese politician and a former member of the House of Councillors of Japan in the Diet (national legislature). She was previously with the Democratic Party of Japan and briefly belonged to the Tomorrow Party of Japan founded by Yukiko Kada, of which she was the deputy leader. A native of Niigata and graduate of Niigata University, she was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001 after serving in the town assembly of Yokogoshi, Niigata between 1999 and 2001.
Ryu Hirose (廣瀬 龍, Hirose Ryu; born 19 April 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player he is currently head…Ryu Hirose (廣瀬 龍, Hirose Ryu; born 19 April 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player he is currently head coach of WE League club Nagano Parceiro. He had previously managed teams in Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Junichi Ihara (伊原 純一, Ihara Jun'ichi, born 18 April 1956) is a Japanese diplomat who served as Grand Master of…Junichi Ihara (伊原 純一, Ihara Jun'ichi, born 18 April 1956) is a Japanese diplomat who served as Grand Master of Ceremonies for the Imperial Household from 2023 to 2026. He previously served as Ambassador to France and as Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Geneva.
Katsuhito Nakazato (中里 和人, Nakazato Katsuhito; born 1956) is a Japanese photographer of the man-made environment…Katsuhito Nakazato (中里 和人, Nakazato Katsuhito; born 1956) is a Japanese photographer of the man-made environment, particularly sheds, alleys and night scenes.
Ōzutsu Takeshi (born 18 April 1956 as Takatoshi Matsumoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Mie, Japan. Beginning his…Ōzutsu Takeshi (born 18 April 1956 as Takatoshi Matsumoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Mie, Japan. Beginning his professional career in May 1971, he was ranked in the top makuuchi division continuously from March 1979 to January 1992, and his record of 1170 consecutive bouts there is the second best in history after Takamiyama. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was runner-up in one tournament and earned ten kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He also won four sanshō or special prizes. He wrestled for Taihō stable and after his retirement in May 1992 he worked there as a coach before leaving the Japan Sumo Association in 2008.
Shingo Mimura (三村申吾, Mimura Shingo; born 16 April 1956) is a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Aomori…Shingo Mimura (三村申吾, Mimura Shingo; born 16 April 1956) is a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Aomori Prefecture for five terms, from 29 June 2003 to 28 June 2023. He previously served as a member of House of Representatives from June 2000 to June 2003 from Aomori 2nd ward. He also served as a Mayor of his hometown Momoishi, Aomori from the year 1992 to 1996.
Tsutomu Nishioka (西岡 力, Nishioka Tsutomu, born 1956 in Tokyo) is a professor of International Christian Studies at…Tsutomu Nishioka (西岡 力, Nishioka Tsutomu, born 1956 in Tokyo) is a professor of International Christian Studies at Tokyo Christian University. He specializes in Japan-Korean relations, South Korea/North Korea Studies. His research focuses on the Comfort women and the North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens. He is a chairman of the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea (NARKN).
Yasuo Tanaka (田中 康夫, Tanaka Yasuo; born 12 April 1956) is a Japanese novelist and politician. He served as the governor…Yasuo Tanaka (田中 康夫, Tanaka Yasuo; born 12 April 1956) is a Japanese novelist and politician. He served as the governor of Nagano Prefecture from 2000 to 2006, became president of New Party Nippon, and has been elected to Japan's legislatures.
Masafumi Yokoyama (横山 正文, Yokoyama Masafumi; born April 10, 1956) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Masafumi Yokoyama (横山 正文, Yokoyama Masafumi; born April 10, 1956) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Shigemitsu Sudo (須藤 茂光, Sudo Shigemitsu; born April 2, 1956) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Shigemitsu Sudo (須藤 茂光, Sudo Shigemitsu; born April 2, 1956) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.Currently, he is manager WE League club of Mynavi Sendai Ladies.
Makoto Katamine (March 30, 1956 – September 25, 2023) was a Japanese politician and educator. He served two terms as…Makoto Katamine (March 30, 1956 – September 25, 2023) was a Japanese politician and educator. He served two terms as mayor of Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Hisashi Eguchi (江口 寿史, Eguchi Hisashi; born March 29, 1956) is a Japanese manga artist and one of Japan's most…Hisashi Eguchi (江口 寿史, Eguchi Hisashi; born March 29, 1956) is a Japanese manga artist and one of Japan's most prominent illustrators of female characters. He made his professional manga debut with Susume!! Pirates in the manga anthology Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1977. Other notable works include Stop!! Hibari-kun! (adapted into an anime television series in 1983), and the gag series Charamono. Eguchi married idol Mari Mizutani (ja:水谷麻里) in 1990.
Kyoji Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 恭司, Hepburn: Yamamoto Kyōji; born March 23, 1956, in Matsue, Shimane, Japan) is a Japanese…Kyoji Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 恭司, Hepburn: Yamamoto Kyōji; born March 23, 1956, in Matsue, Shimane, Japan) is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer who is the leader of the hard rock/heavy metal bands Bow Wow (known as Vow Wow for a period of time) and Wild Flag. He is known for his skillful guitar playing, with former bandmate Neil Murray calling him one of the top Japanese guitarists, and was one of the first hard rock guitarists to use the tapping technique. Yamamoto often uses 24-fret Yamaha HR guitars.
Itai Keisuke (板井圭介, Itai Keisuke; 21 March 1956 – 14 August 2018) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Usuki, Oita, Japan.…Itai Keisuke (板井圭介, Itai Keisuke; 21 March 1956 – 14 August 2018) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Usuki, Oita, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. He held the record for most consecutive victories from entry into sumo for several years before it was broken by Jōkōryū in 2012. After his retirement, Itai caused controversy by claiming that the outcomes of many of his matches were set by match-fixing.
Naoto Takenaka (竹中 直人, Takenaka Naoto; born March 20, 1956) is a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, whistler, and…Naoto Takenaka (竹中 直人, Takenaka Naoto; born March 20, 1956) is a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, whistler, and director from Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, affiliated with From First Production. He is married to idol singer and actress Midori Kinouchi. He is also known as the voice of Samuel L. Jackson in the dubbed version of the Avengers film series as Nick Fury.
Yasuyuki Eda (江田 康幸, Eda Yasuyuki; born 19 March 1956) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of…Yasuyuki Eda (江田 康幸, Eda Yasuyuki; born 19 March 1956) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yame, Fukuoka, he attended Kumamoto University as both undergraduate and graduate and studied abroad in Boston University in the United States. He was elected for the first time in 2000.
Yōsuke Takahashi (高橋 葉介, Takahashi Yōsuke; born 15 March 1956, Nagano, Japan) is a Japanese horror manga artist who is…Yōsuke Takahashi (高橋 葉介, Takahashi Yōsuke; born 15 March 1956, Nagano, Japan) is a Japanese horror manga artist who is known for his works Mugen Shinshi and Gakkō no Kaidan. He graduated from Komazawa University. He made his professional manga debut in 1977, and has had stories published in the manga anthology series Petit Apple Pie. Kouta Hirano, the Japanese manga artist, says that Takahashi is a treasure to the Japanese manga world.
Motoharu Sano (佐野 元春; born March 13, 1956, in Taitō, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. A graduate of…Motoharu Sano (佐野 元春; born March 13, 1956, in Taitō, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. A graduate of Rikkyo University, Sano is a frontman with a history of performing in several bands which feature music both in Japanese and occasionally, English, playing songs that often have a rock and roll sound to them. In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked his album Someday number 11 on a list of the greatest Japanese rock albums of all time. Additionally, he has spent a year in New York City, even doing a radio show there. Sano took part in a special two-day concert commemorating Takashi Matsumoto's 45th anniversary as a lyricist held at the Tokyo International Forum on August 21–22, 2015. He performed lead vocals on "Haikara Hakuchi" with the surviving members of Happy End, Matsumoto, Haruomi Hosono and Shigeru Suzuki, in place of the deceased Eiichi Ohtaki.
Ruth Diana Lounsbury (born March 12, 1956), better known as Ruth Ozeki, is an American author, filmmaker and Zen…Ruth Diana Lounsbury (born March 12, 1956), better known as Ruth Ozeki, is an American author, filmmaker and Zen Buddhist priest. Her books and films, including the novels My Year of Meats (1998), All Over Creation (2003), A Tale for the Time Being (2013), and The Book of Form and Emptiness (2021), seek to integrate personal narrative and social issues, and deal with themes relating to science, technology, environmental politics, race, religion, war and global popular culture. Her novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. She teaches creative writing at Smith College, where she is the Grace Jarcho Ross 1933 Professor of Humanities in the Department of English Language and Literature.
Hiroshi Nakatsuka (中司 宏, Nakatsuka Hiroshi; born 11 March 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party…Hiroshi Nakatsuka (中司 宏, Nakatsuka Hiroshi; born 11 March 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Japan Innovation Party, who serves as the Minister of State for Regulatory Reform since September 2026. He has also served a member of the House of Representatives since 2021. He is the first member of his party to enter the cabinet of the government.