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.
Yoshihiro Kawaoka (河岡 義裕, Kawaoka Yoshihiro; born November 14, 1955) is a virologist specializing in the study of the…Yoshihiro Kawaoka (河岡 義裕, Kawaoka Yoshihiro; born November 14, 1955) is a virologist specializing in the study of the influenza and Ebola viruses. He holds a professorship in virology in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, and at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Following the West African Ebola virus epidemic of 2014, Kawaoka attempted to develop an Ebola vaccine working in close coordination with Alhaji N'jai, a toxicologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and his non-profit organization Project 1808, Inc.
Koichi Nakano (中野 浩一, Nakano Kōichi) (born November 14, 1955) of Japan is a former professional track cyclist and…Koichi Nakano (中野 浩一, Nakano Kōichi) (born November 14, 1955) of Japan is a former professional track cyclist and ten-consecutive-time world champion in track cycling sprint. He is among the best track sprinters of modern times. From 1977 to 1986, he won an unprecedented 10 consecutive gold medals in professional sprint events at the UCI Track World Championships. He was one of the most successful competitors of all-time on the Japanese professional keirin circuit.
Yasushi Ueta (植田 恭史, Ueta Yasushi; born 13 November 1955) is a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the…Yasushi Ueta (植田 恭史, Ueta Yasushi; born 13 November 1955) is a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the men's triple jump at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He is currently a professor of sports science at Tokai University.
Mitsuo Hashimoto (はしもと みつお or 橋本 光男, Hashimoto Mitsuo; born 5 November 1955 in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a…Mitsuo Hashimoto (はしもと みつお or 橋本 光男, Hashimoto Mitsuo; born 5 November 1955 in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. After winning an honorable mention at the 11th Tezuka Awards in 1976 for his work Mīnya no Negai, he made his professional debut the following year in a special issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump with his work The Two Are Rivals (二人はライバル, Futari wa Raibaru). Since that time, he has published works in a variety of Shogakukan shōnen and seinen manga magazines. His definitive works include Tsukiji Uogashi Sandaime (art) and Itsumo Hōkago. Manga artist Hidenori Hara was his assistant for a time. Hashimoto was the assistant for Motoka Murakami for a time.
Yukihiko Tsutsumi (堤幸彦, Tsutsumi Yukihiko; born November 3, 1955 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese television and film…Yukihiko Tsutsumi (堤幸彦, Tsutsumi Yukihiko; born November 3, 1955 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese television and film director. He began directing commercials and music promotion videos as an employee of Nippon Television. After spending time abroad, he returned and started his own production company, Office Crescendo, from which he works independently. His first television drama on Nippon Television was called Kora! Tonneruzu and ran from 1985 to 1989. He directed Taitei no Ken, an original work by Baku Yumemakura, in 2007.
Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji; November 2, 1955 – May 26, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played…Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji; November 2, 1955 – May 26, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Masato Wakayama (Japanese: 若山 正人, romanized: Wakayama Masato; born November 1955) is a Japanese mathematician…Masato Wakayama (Japanese: 若山 正人, romanized: Wakayama Masato; born November 1955) is a Japanese mathematician specializing in representation theory, number theory, and mathematical physics. He is the Research Principal of the NTT Institute of Fundamental Mathematics, President of ZEN University and Professor Emeritus at Kyushu University. He worked to improve research collaboration in mathematics between academia and industry and the development of mathematics among young people in Japan.
Mikio Oyama (大山 三喜雄, Ōyama Mikio; born 29 October 1955) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the…Mikio Oyama (大山 三喜雄, Ōyama Mikio; born 29 October 1955) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Etsuko Shihomi (志穂美 悦子, Shihomi Etsuko), born October 29, 1955, in Okayama City, Japan, as Etsuko Shiomi (塩見 悦子, Shiomi…Etsuko Shihomi (志穂美 悦子, Shihomi Etsuko), born October 29, 1955, in Okayama City, Japan, as Etsuko Shiomi (塩見 悦子, Shiomi Etsuko), now known by her married name Etsuko Nagabuchi (長渕 悦子, Nagabuchi Etsuko), is a Japanese actress and martial artist who appeared in several Japanese martial arts films and samurai film and TV productions of the 1970s and 1980s.
Yuko Yamaguchi (山口 裕子, Yamaguchi Yūko; born October 24, 1955) is a Japanese character designer and illustrator. She is…Yuko Yamaguchi (山口 裕子, Yamaguchi Yūko; born October 24, 1955) is a Japanese character designer and illustrator. She is well known as the third character designer of Hello Kitty.
Setsuko Shinoda (篠田 節子, Shinoda Setsuko; born 1955) is a Japanese writer of the fiction genre. She has won the Shōsetsu…Setsuko Shinoda (篠田 節子, Shinoda Setsuko; born 1955) is a Japanese writer of the fiction genre. She has won the Shōsetsu Subaru Literary Prize for Newcomers, the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize, the Naoki Prize, the Shibata Renzaburo Prize, a MEXT Award, and the Chuo Koron Literary Prize. Several of her works have been adapted for television.
Yasukazu Hamada (浜田 靖一, Hamada Yasukazu; born 21 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of…Yasukazu Hamada (浜田 靖一, Hamada Yasukazu; born 21 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Defense of Japan from 2008 to 2009 and from 2022 to 2023. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he also serves in the House of Representatives, having taken office in 1993. In September 2008, under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Tarō Asō, Hamada was appointed Minister of Defense. This was Hamada's first Cabinet position. He was appointed to the same position under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2022. His father, Kōichi Hamada, also served in the House of Representatives.
Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井…Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井, Rasāru Ishii), is a Japanese TV personality, actor, director, writer, columnist, and politician. He named himself after his high school Japanese La Salle Academy. His best-known anime role is Kankichi Ryotsu the lead character in Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo which ran from 1999 to 2004 for 373 episodes. In 2025, he ran in the House of Councillors election in the proportional representation district as a member of the Social Democratic Party, winning a seat. On September 24 the same year, the managerial committee of SDP announced it approved his inauguration as its Vice-Chairman.
Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 弘志, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of…Hiroshi Kajiyama (梶山 弘志, Kajiyama Hiroshi; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from October 2019 to October 2021. He is a member of the House of Representative since 2000, representing the Ibaraki 4th district.
Hiromi Go (郷 ひろみ, Gō Hiromi; born October 18, 1955), is a Japanese singer, part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. His…Hiromi Go (郷 ひろみ, Gō Hiromi; born October 18, 1955), is a Japanese singer, part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. His real name is Hiromi Haratake (原武 裕美, Haratake Hiromi). In the 1970s, he was called the "New Big Three" (新御三家, shin gosanke) with Goro Noguchi and Hideki Saijo. He belonged to Johnny & Associates, but three years after debut in 1975, left the agency. He also effectively became the Japanese answer to Ricky Martin after his 1999 Japanese version of "Livin' la Vida Loca," which was called "Goldfinger '99". His stage name's initials are "HG", and that, combined with his remake of Ricky Martin's "Livin la Vida Loca" made him a direct and frequent target of comedian Hard Gay. Go featured Japanese hip hop musician Dohzi-T in his R&B-style song "Kimi Dake o," released on May 14, 2008. "Kimi Dake o" was included in his album Place to Be, and the remix of the song was included as a bonus track in Dohzi-T's album 12 Love Stories. Go appeared in the Canadian film Samurai Cowboy with Catherine Mary Stewart and Robert Conrad, which was released in 1993. He was also invited to the Japanese touring ice show Fantasy on Ice in 2014, where he performed live with figure skater and two-time Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu, to the song "Ienai yo" (lit. "I can't say it") amongst others.
Yoji Muto (武藤 容治, Mutō Yōji; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a…Yoji Muto (武藤 容治, Mutō Yōji; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Gifu, Gifu and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House for the first time in 2005. His father is former foreign minister Kabun Muto, and his grandfather is former member of the House of Representatives Kaichi Muto. He served as state minister of economy, trade and industry.
Keiichi Oku (奥 慶一, Oku Keiichi; born October 14, 1955, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese keyboardist, composer…Keiichi Oku (奥 慶一, Oku Keiichi; born October 14, 1955, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese keyboardist, composer and arranger. He was the keyboardist in the Japanese band Spectrum from 1979 to 1981. In 2009, he won the JASRAC International Award for the background music used in the Ashita no Nadja anime television series from Toei Animation.
Megumi Asaoka (麻丘めぐみ, Asaoka Megumi) (born October 11, 1955) is a Japanese pop singer, and actress. Her real name is…Megumi Asaoka (麻丘めぐみ, Asaoka Megumi) (born October 11, 1955) is a Japanese pop singer, and actress. Her real name is Kayoko Fujii.
Tetsurō Amino (アミノ テツロー, Amino Tetsurō; birth name: 網野 哲郎) is a Japanese anime director, born on October 10, 1955, in…Tetsurō Amino (アミノ テツロー, Amino Tetsurō; birth name: 網野 哲郎) is a Japanese anime director, born on October 10, 1955, in Chiba Prefecture. In 1988, he started using his name in katakana.
Toshimitsu Motegi (茂木 敏充, Motegi Toshimitsu; born 7 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who is serving as Minister…Toshimitsu Motegi (茂木 敏充, Motegi Toshimitsu; born 7 October 1955) is a Japanese politician who is serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs and as a member of the House of Representatives. He has previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2019 to 2021, and as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2012 to 2014. He served as the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2021 to 2024. He was the leader of the Heisei Kenkyūkai faction within the LDP, before its dissolution in 2024.
Teruaki Masumoto (増元照明; born October 5, 1955, in Kagoshima Prefecture) is the secretary general of the Japanese…Teruaki Masumoto (増元照明; born October 5, 1955, in Kagoshima Prefecture) is the secretary general of the Japanese Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, which advocates for the return of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea and calls for the Japanese government to impose sanctions on the country. His older sister Rumiko is one of the victims. On February 1, 2007, he married actress Yuuko Wakamiya. in May 2012 he testified at North Korean human rights in European Parliament about his sister and other abductees including Megumi Yokota and Yaeko Taguchi.
Kaoru Fukuda (福田 薫, Fukuda Kaoru; born 4 October 1955) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the…Kaoru Fukuda (福田 薫, Fukuda Kaoru; born 4 October 1955) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Takashi Ikenoue (池ノ上 孝司, Ikenoue Takashi; born 29 September 1955) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in…Takashi Ikenoue (池ノ上 孝司, Ikenoue Takashi; born 29 September 1955) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Akio Ishii (石井 昭男, Ishii Akio; born September 26, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…Akio Ishii (石井 昭男, Ishii Akio; born September 26, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Chunichi Dragons. He is currently the second team hitting coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Shinbo Nomura (のむら しんぼ, Nomura Shinbo; born Shin Nomura (野村 伸, Nomura Shin); 24 September 1955 in Minamikayabe, now…Shinbo Nomura (のむら しんぼ, Nomura Shinbo; born Shin Nomura (野村 伸, Nomura Shin); 24 September 1955 in Minamikayabe, now part of Hakodate, Hokkaido) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known as the author of the yonkoma manga Tsurupika Hagemaru (つるピカハゲ丸; lit. 'Little Baldy Hagemaru'), which was adapted as a 58-episode anime television series and for which he received the 1988 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga. He also later created a manga adaption of Ratchet & Clank. He began his career as an assistant to Kenshi Hirokane.
Atsuko Tokuda (徳田 敦子, Tokuda Atsuko; born 15 September 1955) is a retired badminton player of Japan who won Japanese…Atsuko Tokuda (徳田 敦子, Tokuda Atsuko; born 15 September 1955) is a retired badminton player of Japan who won Japanese national and international titles in the late 1970s and the 1980s. Her international victories included the All-England women's doubles with Mikiko Takada in 1978 and the Danish Open women's doubles in 1978 and 1987 with Takada and Yoshiko Yonekura Tago respectively. Though most of Tokuda's international success came in doubles, she won the Japanese national singles title in 1978. She earned a bronze medal at the 1980 IBF World Championships in women's doubles with Yonekura. Tokuda helped Japan win world team titles in the Uber Cup competitions of 1978 and 1981 with a strong winning record in her individual matches. Tokuda and Takada were the first ever women's doubles world number ones in the first IBF world rankings released in 1978.
Matsuyoshi Takahashi (高橋 松吉, Takahashi Matsuyoshi; born 3 September 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in…Matsuyoshi Takahashi (高橋 松吉, Takahashi Matsuyoshi; born 3 September 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the individual road race event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He also competed at the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games. He served as one of the coaches for the Japanese cycling team at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Hiromi Itō (伊藤 比呂美, Itō Hiromi; born September 13, 1955) is a Japanese poet, novelist and essayist. Having won two…Hiromi Itō (伊藤 比呂美, Itō Hiromi; born September 13, 1955) is a Japanese poet, novelist and essayist. Having won two Akutagawa Prizes and a Mishima Yukio Prize, she is considered one of the most prominent women writers of contemporary Japan. She is currently teaching at School of Culture, Media and Society in Waseda University.
Yoshitami Kameoka (亀岡 偉民, Kameoka Yoshitami; born 10 September 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yoshitami Kameoka (亀岡 偉民, Kameoka Yoshitami; born 10 September 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tochigi Prefecture and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected for the first time in 2005 after unsuccessful runs in 2000 and 2003.
Hiromi Mitsubayashi (三ッ林 裕巳, Mitsubayashi Hiromi; born 7 September 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hiromi Mitsubayashi (三ッ林 裕巳, Mitsubayashi Hiromi; born 7 September 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Mayumi Asaka (朝加 真由美 or あさか まゆみ, Asaka Mayumi) (born September 6, 1955) is a Japanese actress. One of her television…Mayumi Asaka (朝加 真由美 or あさか まゆみ, Asaka Mayumi) (born September 6, 1955) is a Japanese actress. One of her television roles was as the ninja Sagiri in the jidaigeki Abarenbo Shogun. As of 2005, she is still active in television commercials. On August 31, 2006, she played a guest-star role in the prime-time series Shin Kasōken no Onna File 8 on TV Asahi. She also guest-starred in the episode of Mito Komon for broadcast on August 20, 2007 (season 37, episode 20). A year later, Mayumi appeared in a TV Tokyo Wednesday night mystery show, Ryokō Sakka Chaya Jirō #8.
Yoshinori Oguchi (大口 善徳, Ōguchi Yoshinori; born 5 September 1955) is a former Japanese politician who served as a…Yoshinori Oguchi (大口 善徳, Ōguchi Yoshinori; born 5 September 1955) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet for the Komeito Party. A native of Osaka and graduate of Soka University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993.
Kazuhiro Yamakura (山倉 和博, born September 2, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He spent his…Kazuhiro Yamakura (山倉 和博, born September 2, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He spent his entire 13-year playing career with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. He was the 1987 Central League MVP.
