Akiko Kumai (熊井明子, Kumai Akiko; June 11, 1940 – September 21, 2024) was a Japanese writer and researcher focusing on…Akiko Kumai (熊井明子, Kumai Akiko; June 11, 1940 – September 21, 2024) was a Japanese writer and researcher focusing on potpourri, known for introducing the fragrant decoration to Japan. She was married to the Japanese film director Kei Kumai.
Yuriko Kuronuma (黒沼 ユリ子, Kuronuma Yuriko) (born 4 June 1940, in Tokyo) is a Japanese violinist. Starting the violin at…Yuriko Kuronuma (黒沼 ユリ子, Kuronuma Yuriko) (born 4 June 1940, in Tokyo) is a Japanese violinist. Starting the violin at age 8, she won in 1956 the first prize and special award in The Music Competition of Japan, one of the most prestigious music contests in Japan. After that, she studied in the Musical Arts Academy of Prague in Czech Republic.
Koichi Kishi (岸 宏一, Kishi Kōichi; June 3, 1940 – October 16, 2017) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Koichi Kishi (岸 宏一, Kishi Kōichi; June 3, 1940 – October 16, 2017) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kaneyama, Yamagata and graduate of Waseda University, he served in the town assembly of Kaneyama from 1967. He then served as mayor of the town for seven terms from 1971 until 1998 when he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Homare Suguro (勝呂 誉, Suguro Homare; June 1, 1940 – January 23, 2026) was a Japanese actor and singer. He worked for…Homare Suguro (勝呂 誉, Suguro Homare; June 1, 1940 – January 23, 2026) was a Japanese actor and singer. He worked for Shochiku Geino.
Taihō Kōki (Japanese: 大鵬 幸喜; born Kōki Naya (納谷 幸喜, Naya Kōki), Ukrainian: Іва́н Маркіянович Бори́шко, Ivan…Taihō Kōki (Japanese: 大鵬 幸喜; born Kōki Naya (納谷 幸喜, Naya Kōki), Ukrainian: Іва́н Маркіянович Бори́шко, Ivan Markiyanovych Boryshko; May 29, 1940 – January 19, 2013) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He became the 48th yokozuna in 1961 at the age of 21, the youngest ever at the time. Taihō won 32 tournament championships between 1960 and 1971, a record that was unequaled until 2014. His dominance was such that he won six tournaments in a row on two occasions, and he won 45 consecutive matches between 1968 and 1969, which at the time was the best winning streak since Futabayama in the 1930s. He is the only wrestler to win at least one championship every year of his top division career. He was a popular grand champion, especially amongst women and children. After retiring from active competition, he became a sumo coach, although health problems meant he had limited success. Taihō was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2004, and became the first sumo wrestler to be honored as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government in 2009. When he died in January 2013, he was widely cited as the greatest sumo wrestler of the post-war period.
Takashi Tachibana (立花 隆, Tachibana Takashi; 28 May 1940 – 30 April 2021, Nagasaki) was a Japanese journalist. He was…Takashi Tachibana (立花 隆, Tachibana Takashi; 28 May 1940 – 30 April 2021, Nagasaki) was a Japanese journalist. He was known for his articles on Japanese social problems.
Hiroshi Katayama (片山 洋, Katayama Hiroshi; born May 28, 1940) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Hiroshi Katayama (片山 洋, Katayama Hiroshi; born May 28, 1940) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His father Yutaka Katayama was the former president of Nissan USA.
Kyōhei Tsutsumi (筒美 京平, Tsutsumi Kyouhei) (born Eikichi Watanabe, 28 May 1940 - 7 October 2020), was a Japanese…Kyōhei Tsutsumi (筒美 京平, Tsutsumi Kyouhei) (born Eikichi Watanabe, 28 May 1940 - 7 October 2020), was a Japanese composer, record producer and arranger. Tsutsumi began his career as a songwriter about 1966, and he came to prominence as a composer of Ayumi Ishida's chart-topping hit "Blue Light Yokohama" in the late 1960s. He has released nearly 3,000 compositions to date, over 500 of which have entered the Japanese Oricon singles chart. Tsutsumi is the most commercially successful composer of the Japanese popular music of last five decades, selling over 76 million units on the country's singles chart from 1968 onwards. Two of his compositions won the grand prix of Japan Record Award— "Mata Au Hi Made" performed by Kiyohiko Ozaki in 1971 and "Miserarete" by Judy Ongg in 1979. Tsutsumi himself has also won the awards for best songwriting category five times. Recognized for his long-term contribution to establish Japanese popular music, Tsutsumi received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon by the Government of Japan in November 2003. Tsutsumi died of aspiration pneumonia on October 7, 2020, after home recuperation, at age 80.
Daiyū Tatsumi (born 27 May 1940 as Tatsumi Yanagida) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōnejime, Kagoshima, Japan. He made…Daiyū Tatsumi (born 27 May 1940 as Tatsumi Yanagida) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōnejime, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1956 and reached the top division in May 1963. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kabutoyama, coaching at Izutsu stable. In 1989 he branched out from Izutsu and started up Kabutoyama stable, which he ran until it folded in December 2002. He became a coach at Minato stable, and worked there until he reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65.
Nobuyoshi Araki (荒木 経惟, Araki Nobuyoshi; born May 25, 1940), professionally known by the mononym Arākii (アラーキー), is a…Nobuyoshi Araki (荒木 経惟, Araki Nobuyoshi; born May 25, 1940), professionally known by the mononym Arākii (アラーキー), is a Japanese photographer and contemporary artist. Known primarily for photography that blends eroticism and bondage in a fine art context, he has published over 500 books.
Sadaharu Oh (Japanese: 王貞治, Ō Sadaharu; born May 20, 1940), also known as Wang Chen-chih (simplified Chinese: 王贞治…Sadaharu Oh (Japanese: 王貞治, Ō Sadaharu; born May 20, 1940), also known as Wang Chen-chih (simplified Chinese: 王贞治; traditional Chinese: 王貞治; pinyin: Wáng Zhēnzhì), is a Chinese-Japanese former professional baseball player and manager who is currently the chairman of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Oh played for 22 consecutive seasons, all of them for the Yomiuri Giants. He holds the world career home run record at 868, over 100 more than MLB record holder Barry Bonds. Oh batted and threw left-handed and primarily played first base. Originally signed with the powerhouse Giants in 1959 as a pitcher, Oh was soon converted to a full-time hitter. Under the tutelage of coach Hiroshi Arakawa, Oh developed his distinctive "flamingo" leg kick. It took Oh three years to blossom, but he went on to dominate Nippon Professional Baseball. He was a 15-time home run champion and was named to the Central League All-Star team 18 times. More than just a power hitter, Oh was a five-time batting champion and won the Japanese Central League's batting triple crown twice. With Oh at first base, the Yomiuri Giants won 11 Japan Series championships, including 9 in a row from 1965 to 1973. Oh was named the Central League's Most Valuable Player nine times, including having the rare honor of winning Central League MVP while not on the team that won the season's pennant, which he did twice, in 1964 by virtue of breaking NPB's single season home run record with 55 home runs, a record that would stand until 2013 when Wladimir Balentien set a new record with 60 home runs that season, and 1974, when he earned his second batting Triple Crown in a row. Oh and Balentien are the only Central League players to win the Central League MVP while not on the pennant winning team the years that they won MVP. In addition to the world career home run record, Oh set many other NPB batting records, including runs batted in (RBI) (2,170), slugging percentage (.634), bases on balls (2,390), and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) (1.080). In 1977, Oh became the first recipient of the People's Honour Award, and he became the second baseball player to receive the Order of Culture in 2025. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. After retiring as a player, Oh served as the Giants' manager from 1984 to 1988. He also managed the Fukuoka Daiei/Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 1995 to 2008. He was the manager of the Japanese national team in the inaugural World Baseball Classic, which defeated Cuba for the championship. He is currently the chairman of the Hawks.
Keiichi Tsuruoka (鶴岡 啓一, Tsuruoka Keiichi; born 18 May 1940 in Chiba City) is the former mayor of Chiba City in Japan…Keiichi Tsuruoka (鶴岡 啓一, Tsuruoka Keiichi; born 18 May 1940 in Chiba City) is the former mayor of Chiba City in Japan, serving from his election in 2001 until his arrest and subsequent retirement in 2009 for corruption-related charges. He was an independent politician who had served in the Home Affairs Ministry after graduating from the University of Tokyo.
Kōkichi Tsuburaya (円谷 幸吉, Tsuburaya Kōkichi) (born Kokichi Tsumuraya (円谷 幸吉, Tsumuraya Kōkichi); May 13, 1940 – January…Kōkichi Tsuburaya (円谷 幸吉, Tsuburaya Kōkichi) (born Kokichi Tsumuraya (円谷 幸吉, Tsumuraya Kōkichi); May 13, 1940 – January 9, 1968) was a Japanese athlete who competed mainly as a marathoner. Kokichi was also a 1st lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Daisuke Inoue (井上 大佑, Inoue Daisuke; born May 10, 1940) is a Japanese businessman best known as an inventor of the…Daisuke Inoue (井上 大佑, Inoue Daisuke; born May 10, 1940) is a Japanese businessman best known as an inventor of the karaoke machine. Inoue, a musician in his youth employed in backing businesspeople who wanted to sing in bars, invented the machine as a means of allowing them to sing without live back-up. He did not patent the machine and so did not directly profit, but he continued to work in the industry it generated, including patenting a protective pesticide for karaoke machines. Named one of Time magazine's "Most Influential Asians of the Century" in 1999, he was awarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 and in 2005 was the subject of the Japanese biographical film Karaoke. Recent studies have revealed the existence of several people who invented and commercialized karaoke machines prior to Inoue.
Ryoun Yamada, a.k.a. Yamada Ryoun or Yamada Masamichi, the son of the late Yamada Koun, is the current Zen master of…Ryoun Yamada, a.k.a. Yamada Ryoun or Yamada Masamichi, the son of the late Yamada Koun, is the current Zen master of San'un Zendo in Kamakura, Japan and the Abbot of the Sanbo Zen school of Zen Buddhism.
Tatsuo Itoh (5 May 1940 — 4 March 2021), was an electrical engineer who was professor and holder of the Northrop…Tatsuo Itoh (5 May 1940 — 4 March 2021), was an electrical engineer who was professor and holder of the Northrop Grumman Chair in Microwave and Millimeter Wave Electronics in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he taught and conducted research on microwave and millimeter wave electronics, guided wave structures, low power wireless electronics, and integrated passive components and antennas. Itoh was born on 5 May 1940 in Tokyo. He received the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Yokohama National University in 1964 and 1966, respectively. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1969. Itoh served as Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques (1983–1985), and of the IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters (1991–1994). He served as President of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society in 1990. He has received a number of awards, including the 1998 Shida Award from the Japanese Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the 1998 Japan Microwave Prize. Itoh died on 4 March 2021.
Kyosuke Kinoshita (木下 恭輔, Kinoshita Kyōsuke; born 1941) is the chairman of Acom Co., Ltd., a major consumer loan…Kyosuke Kinoshita (木下 恭輔, Kinoshita Kyōsuke; born 1941) is the chairman of Acom Co., Ltd., a major consumer loan company in Japan. He is the eldest son of Masao Kinoshita, founder of Acom. He graduated from Ritsumeikan University with a bachelor's degree.
Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A…Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he served in the House of Councillors from 1998 to 2004. Honda died on 22 July 2022, at the age of 82.
Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and…Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Tomomi Muramatsu (村松友視, Muramatsu Tomomi; born 10 April 1940) is a Japanese novelist active during the late Shōwa and…Tomomi Muramatsu (村松友視, Muramatsu Tomomi; born 10 April 1940) is a Japanese novelist active during the late Shōwa and Heisei eras.
Ken'ichiro Kobayashi (小林 研一郎, Kobayashi Ken'ichirō; born 9 April 1940) is a Japanese conductor and composer. In Japan…Ken'ichiro Kobayashi (小林 研一郎, Kobayashi Ken'ichirō; born 9 April 1940) is a Japanese conductor and composer. In Japan he is known among his fans as “Kobaken.”
Tokiyasu Fujita (Japanese 藤⽥宙靖; born April 6, 1940, in Tokyo) is a Japanese jurist, former judge of the Supreme Court…Tokiyasu Fujita (Japanese 藤⽥宙靖; born April 6, 1940, in Tokyo) is a Japanese jurist, former judge of the Supreme Court of Japan (September 30, 2002-April 5, 2010), Professor Emeritus of Tohoku University, member of the Japan Academy, and member of the Imperial Household Council. His specialty is administrative law (PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1981). He was actively involved in the public debate surrounding the legal transformation of Japanese National Universities into corporations in 2004.
Eiji Bandō (板東 英二, Bandō Eiji; April 5, 1940 – July 22, 2026) was a Japanese television entertainer, baseball player…Eiji Bandō (板東 英二, Bandō Eiji; April 5, 1940 – July 22, 2026) was a Japanese television entertainer, baseball player and YouTuber. He pitched many innings in his high school career. The Japan High School Baseball Federation was afraid that he would injure his arm, so they set a new rematch rule in 1958. However, he pitched 18 innings in a 1958 quarterfinal game, which resulted in the first rematch in the National High School Baseball Championship. He reached the final, but did not win. His record of 83 strikeouts in the tournament remains unbroken. He joined Chunichi Dragons but it is said that he did not regain his pitching strength. He could not extend his elbow even then. Bandō died from chronic heart failure on July 22, 2026, at the age of 86.
Yukiko Takayama (Japanese: 高山 由紀子, Hepburn: Takayama Yukiko; 4 April 1940 – 2 June 2023) was a Japanese screenwriter…Yukiko Takayama (Japanese: 高山 由紀子, Hepburn: Takayama Yukiko; 4 April 1940 – 2 June 2023) was a Japanese screenwriter and director known for Terror of Mechagodzilla, Hoshi no Ko Chobin, Monarch: The Big Bear of Tallac, Hissatsu Shigotonin, and Genji Monogatari: Sennen no Nazo.
Seiichi Motohashi (本橋 成一, Motohashi Seiichi; 1940 – December 20, 2025) was a Japanese photographer and film director.…Seiichi Motohashi (本橋 成一, Motohashi Seiichi; 1940 – December 20, 2025) was a Japanese photographer and film director. He died on December 20, 2025, at the age of 85.
Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa…Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, serving three terms from 1998 until 2010. In 2009 he announced he would not contest the 2010 election and was succeeded by Keizō Hamada.
Yuriko Handa (半田 百合子, Handa Yuriko; born 31 March 1940) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. She was a member of…Yuriko Handa (半田 百合子, Handa Yuriko; born 31 March 1940) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. She was a member of the Japanese winning teams, Oriental Witches, at the 1962 World Championships and 1964 Summer Olympics.
Junichi Yamaguchi (born 30 March 1940) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the…Junichi Yamaguchi (born 30 March 1940) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Junichi was a key official of the Nagano Olympic bid committee, which spent approximately $14 million to entertain the 62 International Olympic Committee (IOC) members and many of their companions. The precise figures are unknown since Nagano, after the IOC asked that the entertainment expenditures not be made public, destroyed the financial records.
Tatsuo Fujimoto (藤本 達夫, Fujimoto Tatsuo) (born 29 March 1940 in Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese swimmer and Olympic…Tatsuo Fujimoto (藤本 達夫, Fujimoto Tatsuo) (born 29 March 1940 in Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese swimmer and Olympic medalist. He participated at the 1960 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay.
Takayuki Okazaki (岡崎 高之, Okazaki Takayuki; born 28 March 1940) is a Japanese former long jumper who competed in the…Takayuki Okazaki (岡崎 高之, Okazaki Takayuki; born 28 March 1940) is a Japanese former long jumper who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics and in the 1964 Summer Olympics. Okazaki finished third behind Jorma Valkama in the long jump event at the British 1962 AAA Championships.
Hiroyuki Ebihara (海老原 博幸, Ebihara Hiroyuki; March 26, 1940 – April 20, 1991) was a Japanese former professional boxer…Hiroyuki Ebihara (海老原 博幸, Ebihara Hiroyuki; March 26, 1940 – April 20, 1991) was a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1959 to 1969. He held the WBA, WBC, and The Ring flyweight titles from 1963 to 1964 and the WBA flyweight title again in 1969. Yuri Arbachakov used the ring name Yuri Ebihara in honor of him and the Pokémon Ebiwalar (エビワラー, Ebiwarā), known as Hitmonchan in English, is named after him.
Katsu Ryuzaki (竜崎 勝, Ryūzaki Masaru; March 25, 1940 – December 18, 1984) was a Japanese actor. His real name and former…Katsu Ryuzaki (竜崎 勝, Ryūzaki Masaru; March 25, 1940 – December 18, 1984) was a Japanese actor. His real name and former stage name is Fumiaki Takashima (Japanese: 高島 史旭; たかしま ふみあき). His eldest son is former actor Go Takashima, his eldest daughter is freelance announcer Aya Takashima, and his son-in-law is Yujin Kitagawa.
Kosei Fukunaga (福永 嫮生, Fukunaga Kosei) (born Aisin Gioro Husheng; 13 March 1940) is a Manchu-Japanese noblewoman. She…Kosei Fukunaga (福永 嫮生, Fukunaga Kosei) (born Aisin Gioro Husheng; 13 March 1940) is a Manchu-Japanese noblewoman. She was born in the Aisin Gioro clan, the imperial clan of the Qing dynasty. She is the younger daughter of Pujie, the younger brother of the last Chinese Emperor Xuantong, and her mother was Hiro Saga, a Japanese noblewoman who was distantly related to Emperor Shōwa.
Katsumi Asaba (浅葉 克己; born March 18, 1940 in Yokohama) is a Japanese art director known for producing several acclaimed…Katsumi Asaba (浅葉 克己; born March 18, 1940 in Yokohama) is a Japanese art director known for producing several acclaimed commercials and posters.
Naotake Okubo (born 16 March 1940) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's coxed four event at the 1960 Summer…Naotake Okubo (born 16 March 1940) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's coxed four event at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
In quantum mechanics, internal measurement refers to the measurement of a quantum system by an observer (referred to as…In quantum mechanics, internal measurement refers to the measurement of a quantum system by an observer (referred to as an internal observer or endo-observer). A quantum measurement represents the action of a measuring device on a quantum system. When the measuring device is a part of the measured quantum system, the measurement proceeds internally in relation to the whole system. Internal measurement theory was first introduced by Koichiro Matsuno and developed by Yukio-Pegio Gunji. They expanded on the original ideas of Robert Rosen and Howard Pattee regarding quantum measurement in living systems viewed as natural internal observers that belong to the same scale of the observed objects. According to Matsuno, an internal measurement is accompanied by a redistribution of probabilities that leave them entangled in accordance with the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics by Everett. However, this form of quantum entanglement does not survive in an external measurement, in which the mapping to real numbers takes place and the result is revealed in classical spacetime, as the Copenhagen interpretation suggests. This means that the internal measurement concept unifies the current alternative interpretations of quantum mechanics.
Katsuji Watanabe (渡辺 勝治, Watanabe Katsuji; 11 March 1940 – 7 February 2021) was a Japanese boxer. He competed in the…Katsuji Watanabe (渡辺 勝治, Watanabe Katsuji; 11 March 1940 – 7 February 2021) was a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's light welterweight event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, he lost to Piero Brandi of Italy in the Round of 32. He died on 7 February 2021.
Mitsuhiro Adachi (足立 光宏, Adachi Mitsuhiro; born 10 March 1940) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. Mitsuhiro played…Mitsuhiro Adachi (足立 光宏, Adachi Mitsuhiro; born 10 March 1940) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. Mitsuhiro played with the Hankyu Braves from 1959 to 1979. As one of the most relied upon pitchers for the Braves for two decades, Adachi was a part of nine Japan Series rosters for the Braves. He won the Pacific League MVP Award in 1967, going 20-10 with a 1.97 ERA as the Braves won their first ever Pacific League pennant. Unfortunately, the Braves ran head-on with the Yomiuri Giants, who were in the midst of established the most famed dynasty in NPB history. The Braves would run into the Giants five times from 1967 to 1972 in the Japan Series and lost each time. Adachi was named the Fighting Spirit Award winner (awarded to the best player on the losing team) twice in that span. The Braves returned to the Japan Series for a sixth time in 1975 and finally broke through. He had a no-decision in three of his starts, but the Braves didn't lose any games in the series, winning four and tying twice to prevail over Hiroshima in six games for their first championship. He won two of his starts the following Japan Series and then got a small bit of revenge against the Giants when the Braves defeated them in the 1977 Japan Series for Adachi's third and final championship. In his penultimate season in 1978, the Braves made it back to the Series one more time and lost in seven games, with Adachi (who went 1-1) winning the Fighting Spirit Award once again. No player has won the Fighting Spirit Award more than him. After his career ended, he served as a minor league pitching coach for the Braves and a scout for the Orix BlueWave.
Tsunehiko Kamijō (上條 恒彦, Kamijō Tsunehiko; March 7, 1940 – July 22, 2025) was a Japanese singer, actor and voice actor.…Tsunehiko Kamijō (上條 恒彦, Kamijō Tsunehiko; March 7, 1940 – July 22, 2025) was a Japanese singer, actor and voice actor. Kamijō died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 85.
Kazuo Kamimura (上村 一夫, Kamimura Kazuo; March 7, 1940 in Yokosuka – January 11, 1986) was a Japanese manga artist born…Kazuo Kamimura (上村 一夫, Kamimura Kazuo; March 7, 1940 in Yokosuka – January 11, 1986) was a Japanese manga artist born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa. He was best known as the illustrator of Lady Snowblood, which was adapted into film in 1973. Hitoshi Iwaaki, a manga artist was his assistant. He has been called "the ukiyo-e master of Shōwa-era manga." Kamimura died on January 11, 1986, at age 45, of a pharynx tumor.
Tetsuya Noda (野田 哲也, Noda Tetsuya; born 5 March 1940) is a contemporary artist, printmaker and educator. He is widely…Tetsuya Noda (野田 哲也, Noda Tetsuya; born 5 March 1940) is a contemporary artist, printmaker and educator. He is widely considered to be Japan’s most important living print-artist, and one of the most successful contemporary print artists in the world. He is a professor emeritus of the Tokyo University of the Arts. Noda is most well-known for his visual autobiographical works done as a series of woodblock, print, and silkscreened diary entries that capture moments in daily life. His innovative method of printmaking involves photographs scanned through a mimeograph machine and then printed the images over the area previously printed by traditional woodblock print techniques onto the Japanese paper. Although this mixed-media technique is quite prosaic today, Noda was the first artist to initiate this breakthrough. Noda is the nephew of Hideo Noda an oil painter and muralist.
Fumiko Ito (伊藤 文子, Itō Fumiko; born March 5, 1940) is a retired Japanese long jumper. She placed 12th at the 1960…Fumiko Ito (伊藤 文子, Itō Fumiko; born March 5, 1940) is a retired Japanese long jumper. She placed 12th at the 1960 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal at the 1962 Asian Games.
Katsuya Saito (斎藤 勝也, Saitō Katsuya; born 3 March 1940) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit…Katsuya Saito (斎藤 勝也, Saitō Katsuya; born 3 March 1940) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Yoshio Harada (原田 芳雄, Harada Yoshio; 29 February 1940 – 19 July 2011) was a Japanese actor and singer, known for his…Yoshio Harada (原田 芳雄, Harada Yoshio; 29 February 1940 – 19 July 2011) was a Japanese actor and singer, known for his portrayals of rugged and complex antiheroes. He received a variety of accolades, including a Japan Academy Film Prize, two Blue Ribbon Awards, two Hochi Film Awards, and five Kinema Junpo Awards. Harada also was a blues musician, releasing a number of records throughout his career.
Makoto Fukui (福井 誠, Fukui Makoto; February 28, 1940 – October 18, 1992) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He was part…Makoto Fukui (福井 誠, Fukui Makoto; February 28, 1940 – October 18, 1992) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He was part of the Japanese teams that won Olympic medals in 1960 and 1964, and set three world records in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay in 1959 and 1963. At the 1960 Olympics Fukui also reached the final of the individual 400 m event. He was the flag bearer for Japan at the 1964 Olympics.
Takashi Matsui (born 27 February 1940) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the individual event at the 1960 Winter…Takashi Matsui (born 27 February 1940) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the individual event at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Toshiko Hayashi (Japanese: 林 紀子, Hepburn: Hayashi Toshiko; 27 February 1940 - 25 January 2022) was a member of the…Toshiko Hayashi (Japanese: 林 紀子, Hepburn: Hayashi Toshiko; 27 February 1940 - 25 January 2022) was a member of the Japanese Communist Party and former member of the House of Councillors. She was educated at Gunma University. In 1989, she was elected to the House of Councillors, and she took office in 1990. Hayashi died on 25 January 2022 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Tsunenari Tokugawa (徳川 恒孝, Tokugawa Tsunenari; born 26 February 1940) is the 18th generation head of the Tokugawa clan.…Tsunenari Tokugawa (徳川 恒孝, Tokugawa Tsunenari; born 26 February 1940) is the 18th generation head of the Tokugawa clan. He is the son of Ichirō Matsudaira and Toyoko Tokugawa. His great-grandfather was the famed Matsudaira Katamori of Aizu and his maternal great-grandfather was Tokugawa Iesato. As a great-grandson of Shimazu Tadayoshi, the last lord of Satsuma Domain, he is also a second cousin of the former Emperor, Akihito. Tsunenari was active for many years in the shipping company Nippon Yūsen, retiring in June, 2002, and is the head of the nonprofit Tokugawa Foundation. The nonprofit aims to preserve the remaining cultural treasures of the Tokugawa family, many of which were lost in the Meiji Restoration and World War II U.S. bombings. In 2007, Tsunenari published a book entitled Edo no idenshi (江戸の遺伝子), released in English in 2009 as The Edo Inheritance, which seeks to counter the common belief among Japanese that the Edo period (throughout which members of his Tokugawa clan ruled Japan as shōguns) was like a Dark Age, when Japan, cut off from the world, fell behind. On the contrary, he argues, the roughly 250 years of peace and relative prosperity saw great economic reforms, the growth of a sophisticated urban culture, and the development of the most urbanized society on the planet. Tokugawa stepped down from being the head of the Tokugawa clan on 1 January 2023. His son, author and translator Iehiro Tokugawa, took over the role.
