Katsuhiro Akimoto (秋元 克広, Akimoto Katsuhiro) is a Japanese politician and the incumbent mayor of Sapporo, the largest…Katsuhiro Akimoto (秋元 克広, Akimoto Katsuhiro) is a Japanese politician and the incumbent mayor of Sapporo, the largest and capital city of Hokkaido, Japan. Following victory in the 2023 Sapporo mayoral election, Akimoto is currently serving his 3rd term as mayor.
Masaki Ota (born February 2, 1956) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of…Masaki Ota (born February 2, 1956) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2021 until 2026.
Masayuki Kawahara (川原 正行, Kawahara Masayuki; born 1 February 1956) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1976…Masayuki Kawahara (川原 正行, Kawahara Masayuki; born 1 February 1956) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Keiichi Tsuchiya (土屋圭市, Tsuchiya Keiichi; born January 30, 1956) is a Japanese professional race car driver. He is…Keiichi Tsuchiya (土屋圭市, Tsuchiya Keiichi; born January 30, 1956) is a Japanese professional race car driver. He is known as the Drift King (ドリキン, Dorikin) for his nontraditional use of drifting in non-drifting racing events and his role in popularizing drifting as a motorsport. In professional racing, he is a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner and the 2001 All Japan GT Championship runner-up. He is also known for tōge driving. The car Tsuchiya drives, a Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno, has become one of the most popular sports cars; the car is also known as "Hachi-Roku" in Japan (hachi-roku meaning "eight-six"); his car is also called "The Little Hachi that could." A 2-part video known as 'The Touge' produced by Pluspy (styled as +P) documents Tsuchiya's touge driving with his AE86. Tsuchiya was a consultant for the popular manga and anime series, Initial D, in which he makes several cameos. He also served as a stunt coordinator and stuntman on The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, where he also made a cameo appearance.
Tomomi Takahashi (高橋 卓巳, Takahashi Tomomi; born 29 January 1956) is a Japanese former pole vaulter who competed in the…Tomomi Takahashi (高橋 卓巳, Takahashi Tomomi; born 29 January 1956) is a Japanese former pole vaulter who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Takahashi won the British AAA Championships title in the pole vault event at the 1982 AAA Championships.
Kazumi Tsubota (坪田 和美, Tsubota Kazumi; born January 23, 1956) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Kazumi Tsubota (坪田 和美, Tsubota Kazumi; born January 23, 1956) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Bandō Mitsugorō X (Japanese: 十代目 坂東 三津五郎) (January 23, 1956 – February 2, 2015) was a Japanese television presenter and…Bandō Mitsugorō X (Japanese: 十代目 坂東 三津五郎) (January 23, 1956 – February 2, 2015) was a Japanese television presenter and kabuki actor. He was the grandson of Bandō Mitsugorō VIII and son of Bandō Mitsugorō IX.
Kazuya Nakayama (中山一也) is a Japanese actor and producer known for films such as Izo and Agitator directed by Takashi…Kazuya Nakayama (中山一也) is a Japanese actor and producer known for films such as Izo and Agitator directed by Takashi Miike.
Tsuyoshi Takagi (高木 毅, Takagi Tsuyoshi; born 16 January 1956) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House…Tsuyoshi Takagi (高木 毅, Takagi Tsuyoshi; born 16 January 1956) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Miki Fujimura (藤村 美樹, Fujimura Miki; born 15 January 1956 in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, and raised in Fukushima) is a…Miki Fujimura (藤村 美樹, Fujimura Miki; born 15 January 1956 in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, and raised in Fukushima) is a Japanese singer, best known as Miki (ミキ), a member of the pop trio Candies.
Takashi Nagasaki (長崎尚志; born January 14, 1956) is a Japanese author, manga writer and former editor of manga. He…Takashi Nagasaki (長崎尚志; born January 14, 1956) is a Japanese author, manga writer and former editor of manga. He started his professional career at Shogakukan in 1980 and worked as an editor on the publisher's various manga magazines, including as editor-in-chief of Big Comic Spirits from July 1999 to 2001. Since becoming freelance, Nagasaki has worked as an author under various pen names, such as Keishi Edogawa (江戸川啓視), Garaku Toshusai (東周斎雅楽), Big O (ビッグ・オー) and Richard Woo (リチャード・ウー). He is best known for his collaborations with Naoki Urasawa, such as Pluto (2003–2009) and Billy Bat (2008–2016). The Kobe Shimbun wrote that Nagasaki brought the concept of a producer into the manga industry, and in doing so "established a new relationship with manga artists." Brian Ruh of Anime News Network described Nagasaki as the only editor who "has risen to the level of co-creator alongside the artist."
Yasuhiro Abe (安部 恭弘, Abe Yasuhiro) is a male Japanese popular music artist and composer. He made his debut on 1…Yasuhiro Abe (安部 恭弘, Abe Yasuhiro) is a male Japanese popular music artist and composer. He made his debut on 1 November 1982 with the single We Got It!.
Sachio Kuwae (Japanese: 桑江朝千夫 Kuwae Sachio; 11 January 1956 – 9 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. An…Sachio Kuwae (Japanese: 桑江朝千夫 Kuwae Sachio; 11 January 1956 – 9 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. An independent, he served in the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly from 2008 to 2014 and was mayor of Okinawa from 2014 to 2024. Kuwae died of complications from myelodysplastic syndrome in Kagoshima Prefecture, on 9 December 2024, at the age of 68.
Tatsuo Yamada (山田 辰夫, Yamada Tatsuo; January 10, 1956 – July 26, 2009) was a Japanese actor best known for the…Tatsuo Yamada (山田 辰夫, Yamada Tatsuo; January 10, 1956 – July 26, 2009) was a Japanese actor best known for the protagonist of Sōgo Ishii's 1980 film Crazy Thunder Road.
Mikishi Daimon (大門 実紀史, Daimon Mikishi; born January 10, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Japanese Communist…Mikishi Daimon (大門 実紀史, Daimon Mikishi; born January 10, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Japanese Communist Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kyoto, Kyoto and dropout of Kobe University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001 after an unsuccessful run in 1998.
Ken'ichi Azuma (Japanese: 東 建一, Hepburn: Azuma Ken'ichi; 5 January 1956 – 11 March 2023), known professionally as Chen…Ken'ichi Azuma (Japanese: 東 建一, Hepburn: Azuma Ken'ichi; 5 January 1956 – 11 March 2023), known professionally as Chen Kenichi (Japanese: 陳建一, Hepburn: Chin Ken'ichi) was a Chinese - Japanese chef and restaurateur, best known for his role as the Iron Chef Chinese on the television series Iron Chef (料理の鉄人). Nicknamed The Szechuan Sage, he wore a yellow outfit and rose into Kitchen Stadium holding a large Chinese chef's knife in his hand. He was the only Iron Chef to have held his position throughout the life of the show. He was born in Japan to a Japanese mother named Yoko (洋子) and a Han Chinese father, Chen Kenmin.
Takaaki Enoki (榎木 孝明, Enoki Takaaki; born January 5, 1956) is a Japanese actor and artist from Isa District, Kagoshima.…Takaaki Enoki (榎木 孝明, Enoki Takaaki; born January 5, 1956) is a Japanese actor and artist from Isa District, Kagoshima. He is known for his role as private detective Mitsuhiko Asami in the Asami Mitsuhiko Series. He attended Musashino Art University but left before graduating and joined the Shiki Theatre Company. In 1990, Enoki landed the lead role in Heaven and Earth in place of Ken Watanabe, who had to pull out due to illness. He is also known as an ink painter and his museum opened in 2003.(Located in Kokonoe, Ōita.)
Hideki Hamaguchi (浜口 秀樹, Hamaguchi Hideki; born 4 January 1956) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the…Hideki Hamaguchi (浜口 秀樹, Hamaguchi Hideki; born 4 January 1956) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kohei Otomo (大友 康平, Ōtomo Kōhei; born January 1, 1956 in Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese vocalist…Kohei Otomo (大友 康平, Ōtomo Kōhei; born January 1, 1956 in Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese vocalist, actor, and tarento represented by Iehokku. His maternal uncle is Naoki Prize writer Hideo Osabe. His wife is model Keiko Kinoshita.
Kōji Hashimoto (橋本 広司, Hashimoto Kōji; born 1 January 1956), known professionally as Kōji Yakusho (役所 広司, Yakusho…Kōji Hashimoto (橋本 広司, Hashimoto Kōji; born 1 January 1956), known professionally as Kōji Yakusho (役所 広司, Yakusho Kōji), is a Japanese actor. He is known internationally for his starring roles in Shall We Dance? (1996), Cure (1997), 13 Assassins (2010), The Third Murder (2017), The Blood of Wolves (2018), Under the Open Sky (2020) and The Days (2023). For his performance in Perfect Days (2023), he was awarded the Best Actor award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
Mitsu Shimojo (下条 みつ, Shimojō Mitsu; born 29 December 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…Mitsu Shimojo (下条 みつ, Shimojō Mitsu; born 29 December 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Matsumoto, Nagano and graduate of Shinshu University, he was elected for the first time in 2003 after an unsuccessful run in 2000.
Shin-Ichi Fukuda (福田 進一, Fukuda Shin'ichi; born in Osaka, Japan on December 25, 1955) is a Japanese classical…Shin-Ichi Fukuda (福田 進一, Fukuda Shin'ichi; born in Osaka, Japan on December 25, 1955) is a Japanese classical guitarist. He has released more than 60 albums, including in Memoriam: Takemitsu: Guitar Works, his interpretation of works by the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Shin-ichi Fukuda Official Website
Mizuho Fukushima (福島 瑞穂, Fukushima Mizuho; born 24 December 1955) is a Japanese politician and attorney. A native of…Mizuho Fukushima (福島 瑞穂, Fukushima Mizuho; born 24 December 1955) is a Japanese politician and attorney. A native of Nobeoka, Miyazaki, she has been a member of the House of Councillors since 1998, was re-elected in 2004 and 2010, and was the head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDP), from 2003 to 2013. She was elected as the leader of the party for a second time in February 2020.
Junji Nishimura (西村 純二, Nishimura Junji; born December 23, 1955) is a Japanese anime director and producer currently…Junji Nishimura (西村 純二, Nishimura Junji; born December 23, 1955) is a Japanese anime director and producer currently residing in Karatsu, Saga. After graduating from Meiji Gakuin University in 1980, Nishimura entered into the anime studio Nishiko Production. Nishimura had his first job as a producer for Baldios in 1980, and went on to be in charge of production in other series such as Six God Combination Godmars, and Magical Princess Minky Momo in 1982. An episode of Urusei Yatsura he directed in 1982, "After You've Gone" (episode #44), was voted the favorite episode of the TV series by Japanese fans. In 1984, Nishimura resigned from Nishiko and in 1985 had his director debut with Pro Golfer Saru. Since then, he has worked as the director on many anime produced by Studio Deen, notably Ranma ½ (serving as series director on later television seasons and for the OVA series as well) and Kyo Kara Maoh!. In 2019, he was named as director of a new anime series, Vladlove, about a girl vampire that was written by Mamoru Oshii and financed by Ichigo Inc.
Hideki Noda (野田 秀樹, Noda Hideki; born 20 December 1955) is a Japanese actor, playwright and theatre director who has…Hideki Noda (野田 秀樹, Noda Hideki; born 20 December 1955) is a Japanese actor, playwright and theatre director who has written and directed more than 40 plays in Japan.
Shinsuke Suematsu (末松 信介, Suematsu Shinsuke; born December 17, 1955) is a Japanese politician who serves as a member of…Shinsuke Suematsu (末松 信介, Suematsu Shinsuke; born December 17, 1955) is a Japanese politician who serves as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. He has represented the Hyogo at-large district as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party since 2004. He served as Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology from 2021 to 2022.
Nanako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 奈々子, Hepburn: Satō Nanako; born 1955) is a Japanese musician. Originally a competitive…Nanako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 奈々子, Hepburn: Satō Nanako; born 1955) is a Japanese musician. Originally a competitive gymnast during her youth before an accident, she worked as a solo singer for Nippon Columbia and Victor Entertainment, releasing five solo albums with both labels. She also worked as a commercial photographer in the 1980s, before returning to releasing music in 1995. She is among several artists who have been associated with city pop, with her music appearing in several city pop compilations.
Chiharu Matsuyama (松山千春, born December 16, 1955) is a Japanese folk singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the…Chiharu Matsuyama (松山千春, born December 16, 1955) is a Japanese folk singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the single Tabidachi in 1977, and success soon followed with the two hits Toki no Itazura and Kisetsu no Nakade. Matsuyama has been portrayed in film by Shunsuke Daitō. Daitō played him in a 2008 film based on Matsuyama's autobiographical work Ashoro Yori, published in 1979.
Masanori Sera (Japanese: 世良公則) (born 14 December 1955) is a Japanese singer and actor from Fukuyama. He graduated from…Masanori Sera (Japanese: 世良公則) (born 14 December 1955) is a Japanese singer and actor from Fukuyama. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts. As a singer Sera's rock band, Sera Masanori&TWIST appeared in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen twice (1978 and 1979). He made his solo debut with the single Tokyo rouge (Tokyo指紅) in 1982. As an actor, he appeared in popular detective drama Taiyō ni Hoero! from 1982 to 1984. In 1998, he won Best Supporting Actor award at the 22nd Japan Academy Prize (film award) for his role in Dr. Akagi.
Shinichi Mitsui (三井 進一, Mitsui Shin'ichi; born 12 December 1955), better known as Nakamura Baijaku II (二代目 中村 梅雀…Shinichi Mitsui (三井 進一, Mitsui Shin'ichi; born 12 December 1955), better known as Nakamura Baijaku II (二代目 中村 梅雀, Nidaime Nakamura Baijaku), is a Japanese actor, bassist, and composer. He graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Ogikubo High School and later graduated from Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music. Nakamura also has relatives who are kabuki actors. Great-grandfather: Nakamura Kanemon II. Grandfather: Nakamura Kanemon III. Father: Nakamura Umenosuke IV. His trade name is Narikomaya (成駒屋) and debuted in 1965. Nakamura learned about kabuki and modern theater at the Zenshinza troupe. His initial name was Manabu Nakamura (中村 まなぶ, Nakamura Manabu). Nakamura took on the name of his great-grandfather Baijaku in 1980 during the 50th Anniversary Performance of Zenshinza and became "Baijaku II". At the final performance of Otose in 2007, Nakamura announced he was leaving Zenshinza and turning freelance.
Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡辺 裕之, Watanabe Hiroyuki; December 9, 1955 – May 3, 2022) was a Japanese actor. He primarily acted…Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡辺 裕之, Watanabe Hiroyuki; December 9, 1955 – May 3, 2022) was a Japanese actor. He primarily acted in dramas, of which a handful are tokusatsu series. One of his latest roles was as Taiga Saejima in the tokusatsu series GARO. He also played Kamen Rider Gaoh in the Kamen Rider Den-O movie, Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born!.
Takeshi Masu (升毅, Masu Takeshi; born December 9, 1955) is a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 80 films since…Takeshi Masu (升毅, Masu Takeshi; born December 9, 1955) is a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 80 films since 1981.
Shigeyuki Goto (後藤 茂之, Gotō Shigeyuki; born 9 December 1955) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Shigeyuki Goto (後藤 茂之, Gotō Shigeyuki; born 9 December 1955) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives.
Admiral Eiichi Funada (鮒田英一, Funada Eiichi; born 6 December 1955) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as…Admiral Eiichi Funada (鮒田英一, Funada Eiichi; born 6 December 1955) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as Commander of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 2014 to 2015. He was the 47th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Yasushi Matsushita, and was himself succeeded in 2015 by Yasuhiro Shigeoka.
Miyuki Kawanaka (川中 美幸, Kawanaka Miyuki; December 5, 1955) is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over…Miyuki Kawanaka (川中 美幸, Kawanaka Miyuki; December 5, 1955) is a Japanese enka singer. Her singing career spanned over four decades. She married Katsuo Yamada in 1991.
Yōjirō Takita (滝田 洋二郎 Takita Yōjirō, born December 4, 1955) is a Japanese filmmaker. Takita received an Oscar for Best…Yōjirō Takita (滝田 洋二郎 Takita Yōjirō, born December 4, 1955) is a Japanese filmmaker. Takita received an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for his 2008 drama Departures. It marked the first time a Japanese film won the award after the category first became competitive in 1957.
Kimito Funatsu (船津 公人, Funatsu Kimito; born December 3, 1955) is a Japanese chemist specializing in chemoinformatics…Kimito Funatsu (船津 公人, Funatsu Kimito; born December 3, 1955) is a Japanese chemist specializing in chemoinformatics and data-driven chemistry, a professor emeritus at University of Tokyo, and the research director of the Data Science Center at Nara Institute of Science and Technology.
William Marvin Bodiford (born December 3, 1955) is an American professor and author. He teaches Buddhist Studies and…William Marvin Bodiford (born December 3, 1955) is an American professor and author. He teaches Buddhist Studies and religion in the cultures of Japan and East Asia at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Toshikazu Kawasaki (川崎敏和, Kawasaki Toshikazu; November 26, 1955 – March 4, 2026) was a Japanese paperfolder and origami…Toshikazu Kawasaki (川崎敏和, Kawasaki Toshikazu; November 26, 1955 – March 4, 2026) was a Japanese paperfolder and origami theorist who was known for his geometrically innovative models. He was particularly famous for his series of fourfold symmetry "roses", all based on a twisting maneuver that allows the petals to seem to curl out from the center of the flower. Kawasaki also taught mathematics at Sasebo Technical Junior College.
Nobuto Hosaka (保坂 展人, Hosaka Nobuto) (born 26 November 1955) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Setagaya…Nobuto Hosaka (保坂 展人, Hosaka Nobuto) (born 26 November 1955) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Setagaya in Tokyo. In addition, he was a member of the House of Representatives for the Social Democratic Party until 21 July 2009. Hosaka campaigned and won the mayor's job on an anti-nuclear platform in April 2011, just over a month after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. According to The Wall Street Journal, Hosaka "is determined to turn this city ward of 840,000 people, the largest in Tokyo, into the front-runner of a movement that will put an end to Japan's reliance on atomic power and accelerate the use of renewable energy". Hosaka opposes the death penalty, and held the position of secretary general of the Parliamentary League for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. He is also highly critical of continued Japanese moral panic against the Otaku subculture in the nation, with one notable case of criticism displayed against public and media related assumptions and gossip surrounding the incidents of 17 November 2004, when Kaoru Kobayashi murdered a 7-year-old girl. In 2006 and 2007, Hosaka joined the gay parade in Tokyo. Mizuho Fukushima, then-leader of the Social Democratic Party, also joined the event with him in 2007.
Takashi Yuasa (湯浅 卓, Yuasa Takashi, born on November 24, 1955 in Tokyo) is a Japanese lawyer (admitted in Washington…Takashi Yuasa (湯浅 卓, Yuasa Takashi, born on November 24, 1955 in Tokyo) is a Japanese lawyer (admitted in Washington D.C., but not in Japan) and television personality. He belongs to the Horipro (Hori Productions) talent agency.
Reizo Kato (Japanese: 加藤 礼三, born 23 November 1955) is a Japanese chemist specializing in the development and physical…Reizo Kato (Japanese: 加藤 礼三, born 23 November 1955) is a Japanese chemist specializing in the development and physical characterization of molecular conductors and superconductors which is a field of materials science.
Katsunobu Katō (加藤 勝信, Katō Katsunobu; born 22 November 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of…Katsunobu Katō (加藤 勝信, Katō Katsunobu; born 22 November 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Finance under Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba from 2024 to 2025. Previously, he was served as the three-time Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare under Shinzo Abe from 2017 to 2018 and from 2019 to 2020, and under Fumio Kishida from 2022 to 2023, and as the Chief Cabinet Secretary under Yoshihide Suga from 2020 to 2021. Belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party, he has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2003. Born and raised in Tokyo and a graduate of the University of Tokyo, Kato had a bureaucratic career in the Ministry of Finance before going into politics.
Kazuhiko Takemoto (竹本 一彦, Takemoto Kazuhiko; born November 22, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Kazuhiko Takemoto (竹本 一彦, Takemoto Kazuhiko; born November 22, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager. His wife is former footballer Asako Takakura.
Satoshio Matsuura (松浦 敏夫, Matsuura Satoshio; born November 20, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Satoshio Matsuura (松浦 敏夫, Matsuura Satoshio; born November 20, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Jun Kunimura (國村 隼, Kunimura Jun; born Yoshihiro Yonemura (米村 喜洋, Yonemura Yoshihiro); November 15, 1955) is a Japanese…Jun Kunimura (國村 隼, Kunimura Jun; born Yoshihiro Yonemura (米村 喜洋, Yonemura Yoshihiro); November 15, 1955) is a Japanese actor who has acted in Japan, the United States, Hong Kong, and South Korea. He won Best Supporting Actor and the Popular Star Award at the 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards for his performance in the South Korean horror film The Wailing, directed by Na Hong-jin.