Hiromi Ōta (太田 裕美 Ōta Hiromi, born on January 20, 1955, in Kasukabe, Saitama Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…
Hiromi Ōta (太田 裕美 Ōta Hiromi, born on January 20, 1955, in Kasukabe, Saitama Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese female singer. She is a popular singer who is considered an idol in Japan during the 1970s, and is thought to be representative of that era. She also collaborated with the composer-musician Ayuo and the Japanese koto player Kazue Sawai singing a unique blend of New Age, Classical and traditional Eastern music. Her collaborations with Ayuo were also released in the US on the CD "Red Moon" on Tzadik label. She debuted in 1974. In 1975, she released Momen no handkerchief (木綿のハンカチーフ, Cotton handkerchief)(ja), which became her trademark song. She got married in 1985. Her real name became Hiromi Fukuoka.(福岡弘美) Recently, she often holds joint concerts with Shozo Ise and Masumi Ōno.
Famous People Born in 1950s
1950s: 1,954 people
Kazuro Morita (森田 和郎, Morita Kazurō) (1955 – July 27, 2012) was a Japanese video game designer known for his work on…
Kazuro Morita (森田 和郎, Morita Kazurō) (1955 – July 27, 2012) was a Japanese video game designer known for his work on the Morita's Shogi video game series. Becoming interested in computer programming during high school, he entered magazine competitions during his university years, creating video game versions of board games. He won a competition organised by Enix in 1982 with the video game Morita's Battlefield, which was published the following year to great commercial success. Following this success he established Random House, developing his Shogi series and several other game projects, several published by Enix. From 1999, he remained as a programmer for Yuki Entertainment (later Examu) following their acquisition of Random House's properties. He continued acting as a company manager while contributing to the programming of titles including Samurai Shodown V and VI. Among those whom he was survived by are his wife Sakicho, and his brother politician Takashi Morita.
Mami Koyama (小山 茉美, Koyama Mami; born January 17, 1955) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator affiliated…
Mami Koyama (小山 茉美, Koyama Mami; born January 17, 1955) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator affiliated with Aoni Production. Her best-known voice roles include Ophiuchus Shaina in Saint Seiya, Arale Norimaki in Dr. Slump, Minky Momo in Magical Princess Minky Momo, Lunch in Dragon Ball, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in Naruto: Shippuden, Korosuke in Kiteretsu Daihyakka, Ryoko Mendo in Urusei Yatsura, and Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom) in One Piece, Vermouth in Detective Conan. Some of her notable roles in the 1990s and 2000s anime include Balalaika in Black Lagoon, Talia Gladys in Gundam Seed Destiny, Eva Heinemann in Monster, and Yōko Itoigawa in Hyōka. In feature films, she voiced Kei in Akira, and the adult Chiyoko Fujiwara in Millennium Actress.
Tomoko Kami (紙 智子, Kami Tomoko), also known as Tomoko Uchiyama (born January 13, 1955), is a Japanese politician and…
Tomoko Kami (紙 智子, Kami Tomoko), also known as Tomoko Uchiyama (born January 13, 1955), is a Japanese politician and former member of the House of Councillors for the Japanese Communist Party. She first assumed office in the House of Councillors in 2001 and has been elected four times. A member of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee, Kami is an advocate of policies that support family farming.
Mikio Igarashi (いがらしみきお or 五十嵐 三喜夫, Igarashi Mikio) is a Japanese manga artist born 13 January 1955 in the town of…
Mikio Igarashi (いがらしみきお or 五十嵐 三喜夫, Igarashi Mikio) is a Japanese manga artist born 13 January 1955 in the town of Nakaniida (now Kami), Kami District, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, though he lives in the city of Sendai. He is best known for his manga series Bonobono and Ninpen Manmaru. In 1988, he won the Kodansha Manga Award for general manga for Bonobono and the Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga for Ninpen Manmaru.
Ran Itō (伊藤 蘭, Itō Ran; born 13 January 1955) is a Japanese actress and previous member of the 1970s idol group…
Ran Itō (伊藤 蘭, Itō Ran; born 13 January 1955) is a Japanese actress and previous member of the 1970s idol group Candies. As the leading member of Candies, Itō was in charge of the solo of most of the trio's hit songs. Itō was born in Kichijōji, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan. She is married to actor Yutaka Mizutani. Itō won the award for best supporting actress at the 2nd Yokohama Film Festival for Disciples of Hippocrates. In 2019, Itō released her first solo album, My Bouquet. On 15 February 2020, she kicked off her first concert tour, My Bouquet & My Dear Candies!, which featured several Candies songs in the set list.
Mamoru Fujieda (藤枝 守, Fujieda Mamoru; born 1955) is a Japanese composer associated with the postminimalist movement of…
Mamoru Fujieda (藤枝 守, Fujieda Mamoru; born 1955) is a Japanese composer associated with the postminimalist movement of contemporary classical music.
Mikio Katagiri (片桐 幹雄, Katagiri Mikio; born 9 January 1955) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the 1976 Winter…
Mikio Katagiri (片桐 幹雄, Katagiri Mikio; born 9 January 1955) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Kunimitsu Itō (伊藤 国光, Itō Kunimitsu; born January 6, 1955 in Ina, Nagano) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan…
Kunimitsu Itō (伊藤 国光, Itō Kunimitsu; born January 6, 1955 in Ina, Nagano) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan, who finished second in the 1981 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon on December 6, 1981.
Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり, Watanabe Eri), who was previously known as Eriko Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, Eriko Watanabe), is a Japanese…
Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり, Watanabe Eri), who was previously known as Eriko Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, Eriko Watanabe), is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 21st Hochi Film Awards for Shall We Dance?.
Hiromi Yano (矢野 広美, Yano Hiromi) (born 5 January 1955) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yano was a…
Hiromi Yano (矢野 広美, Yano Hiromi) (born 5 January 1955) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yano was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Naoko Sato (佐藤 直子, Satō Naoko; born 2 January 1955) is a retired Japanese professional tennis player.
Masakazu Suzuki (鈴木 政一, Suzuki Masakazu; born January 1, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager who is…
Masakazu Suzuki (鈴木 政一, Suzuki Masakazu; born January 1, 1955) is a former Japanese football player and manager who is currently the assistant coach of the Myanmar national football team.
Shoko Takahashi (高橋 省子, Takahashi Shōko) is a former Japanese international table tennis player.
Kayo Sugaya (菅谷 佳代) is a former Japanese international table tennis player.
Taku Satoh (佐藤卓, Satō Taku; born 1955) is a Japanese graphic designer born in Tokyo. He graduated in 1979 from Tokyo…
Taku Satoh (佐藤卓, Satō Taku; born 1955) is a Japanese graphic designer born in Tokyo. He graduated in 1979 from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (currently Tokyo University of the Arts) in the Department of Design. He completed his master's degree in 1981. In 1984 he founded Taku Satoh Design Office after working at Dentsu Inc. His work in graphic design includes "Pleats Please Issey Miyake" and the logos of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa and the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo. Along with Issey Miyake, Naoto Fukasawa and Noriko Kawakami, he is director of 21 21 Design Sight in Tokyo, where he curated their second exhibition, "Water," in 2007, and "Design Ah!" in 2013. In 2014, he directed the exhibition "Kome: The Art Of Rice" with anthropologist Shinichi Takemura. In 2016, Satoh directed the exhibition "Design Anatomy, a method for seeing the world through familiar objects" at 21 21 Design Sight.
Yuko Hasegawa (長谷川祐子, Hasegawa Yuko, born 1957) is the director of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art…
Yuko Hasegawa (長谷川祐子, Hasegawa Yuko, born 1957) is the director of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa and professor of curatorial and art theory at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Chieko Akaishi (Japanese: 赤石千衣子, Akaishi Chieko; born 1955) is a Japanese activist who served as the founding…
Chieko Akaishi (Japanese: 赤石千衣子, Akaishi Chieko; born 1955) is a Japanese activist who served as the founding chairperson of the nonprofit Single Mothers' Forum until June 28, 2025, when she officially announced her retirement.
Jun Mitsui (born 1955 in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan) is a Japanese architect known for designing high-rise buildings and…
Jun Mitsui (born 1955 in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan) is a Japanese architect known for designing high-rise buildings and high-end retail buildings in Japan and other countries. After graduating from Tokyo University, Jun Mitsui worked for Architect Shin'ichi Okada in Japan until 1982. After he received his Master of Architecture from Yale University in 1984, he practiced at Cesar Pelli & Associates, Inc. until 1992. He returned to Tokyo as a principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects Japan and went on to found Jun Mitsui & Associates, Architects in 1995. Jun Mitsui is a member of American Institute of Architects, Japan Institute of Architects and Japan Architects Academy, and is a licensed architect in both Japan and the United States. In 2007, he served as a president of AIA Japan. He and his firm have been honored with numerous architectural awards.
Joji Nagashima (born 1955; 永島譲二) is a Japanese automobile designer for BMW. He is best known for the exterior designs…
Joji Nagashima (born 1955; 永島譲二) is a Japanese automobile designer for BMW. He is best known for the exterior designs of the E90 versions of the BMW 3 Series, the E39 version of the BMW 5 Series, and the Z3 Roadster. As of November 2007, he held 22 patents in car design.
Hitoshi Kawakatsu is a Japanese seismologist and University of Tokyo professor. He won a Beno Gutenberg Medal from the…
Hitoshi Kawakatsu is a Japanese seismologist and University of Tokyo professor. He won a Beno Gutenberg Medal from the European Geosciences Union in 2017 and a Inge Lehmann Medal in 2025. He is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union.
Seiji Nishino is a Japanese neuroscientist and writer. He is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences…
Seiji Nishino is a Japanese neuroscientist and writer. He is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University. He is also the director of Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine. Nishino, a well-known sleep researcher, he researches sleep disorders, sleep and circadian physiology using animal models. Since 2016, he has been director of Good Quality Sleep Research Organization. He is also the author of a best-selling Japanese book on sleep.
Kōichi Kusano (Kusano Koichi; born March 22, 1955) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate justice of the…
Kōichi Kusano (Kusano Koichi; born March 22, 1955) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2019 to 2025.
Takashi Iwashige (いわしげ孝, Iwashige Takashi; 1954–2013) was a Japanese manga artist who wrote primarily martial-arts…
Takashi Iwashige (いわしげ孝, Iwashige Takashi; 1954–2013) was a Japanese manga artist who wrote primarily martial-arts manga celebrating individuality. He is best known for the judo series Hanamaru Legend and its sequel, New Hanamaru Legend. He received the 1986 Shogakukan Manga Award for seinen/general manga for Bokkemon. Iwashige died at age 58 on 6 March 2013.
Toshiaki Imai (今井 敏明, Imai Toshiaki; born 29 December 1954) is a Japanese football manager and former player.
Norihito, Prince Takamado (高円宮憲仁親王, Takamado-no-miya Norihito Shinnō; 29 December 1954 – 21 November 2002) was a…
Norihito, Prince Takamado (高円宮憲仁親王, Takamado-no-miya Norihito Shinnō; 29 December 1954 – 21 November 2002) was a Japanese member of the Imperial House of Japan and the third son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was seventh in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the time of his death.
Jiro Kase (加瀬 次郎, Kase Jirō; born 27 December 1954) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kase is from Sumida, Tokyo and began…
Jiro Kase (加瀬 次郎, Kase Jirō; born 27 December 1954) is a retired Japanese judoka. Kase is from Sumida, Tokyo and began judo at Kodokan at the age of a 4th grader. He belonged to Keiyo Gas Co., Ltd after graduation from Meiji University in 1977. In 1981, he won a silver medal at the World Championships held in Maastricht. He also participated All-Japan Championships 5 times from 1977 to 1985. As of 2010, Kase coaches judo at Keiyo Gas.
Kazunori Itō (伊藤 和典, Itō Kazunori; born December 24, 1954) is a Japanese anime screenwriter and artist who is well…
Kazunori Itō (伊藤 和典, Itō Kazunori; born December 24, 1954) is a Japanese anime screenwriter and artist who is well known for his work in the .hack franchise and his writing for the 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie. Itō supervised the writing for the novel, .hack//Another Birth which was written by his student, Miu Kawasaki. He is a member of the artist group known as Headgear. Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies calls him "one of the best screenwriters in anime".
Yoichi Machishima (町島 洋一, Machishima Yōichi; born 23 December 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the…
Yoichi Machishima (町島 洋一, Machishima Yōichi; born 23 December 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the individual and team pursuit events at the 1976 Summer Olympics and 1974 Asian Games. He was mostly known in Japan as a professional keirin cyclist.
Hideshi Matsuda (松田 秀士, Matsuda Hideshi; born 22 December 1954) is a Japanese car racer and TV reporter. He is the…
Hideshi Matsuda (松田 秀士, Matsuda Hideshi; born 22 December 1954) is a Japanese car racer and TV reporter. He is the brother-in-law of Beat Takeshi.
Masayoshi Watanabe (渡邉 正義, Watanabe Masayoshi; born December 20, 1954) is a Japanese chemist and professor of Yokohama…
Masayoshi Watanabe (渡邉 正義, Watanabe Masayoshi; born December 20, 1954) is a Japanese chemist and professor of Yokohama National University.
Hideo Ohno (Japanese: 大野 英男; Hideo Ōno; born 18 December 1954, Tokyo) is a Japanese physicist. He is the 22nd president…
Hideo Ohno (Japanese: 大野 英男; Hideo Ōno; born 18 December 1954, Tokyo) is a Japanese physicist. He is the 22nd president of Tohoku University, succeeding Susumu Satomi in April 2018.
Norihiko Kitahara (北原 憲彦, Kitahara Norihiko; 11 December 1954 – 30 May 2026) was a Japanese basketball player. He…
Norihiko Kitahara (北原 憲彦, Kitahara Norihiko; 11 December 1954 – 30 May 2026) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Kitahara died on 30 May 2026, at the age of 71.
Hiroshi Yamamoto (山本 博司, Yamamoto Hiroshi; born 1954) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a former…
Hiroshi Yamamoto (山本 博司, Yamamoto Hiroshi; born 1954) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yawatahama, Ehime and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007 after working at IBM.
Ichiro Furutachi (古舘 伊知郎, Furutachi Ichirō; born December 7, 1954) is a Japanese announcer, tarento, television…
Ichiro Furutachi (古舘 伊知郎, Furutachi Ichirō; born December 7, 1954) is a Japanese announcer, tarento, television presenter, and newscaster represented by Furutachi-Project. He was an announcer for TV Asahi. He graduated from Kita Kuritsu Takinogawa Daini (No. 2) Elementary School, Chiyoda Kuritsu Kanda Hitotsubashi Junior High School, Rikkyo Niiza Junior and Senior High School, and Rikkyo University, where he studied Economics with a focus on Business Administration. Controversy erupted when he stepped down as the anchor of TV Asahi's evening news broadcast, Hōdō Station, a removal reportedly due to political pressure in response to the show's critical tone.
Akiko Tamei (溜井 昭子, Tamei Akiko; born 5 December 1954), better known by her former stage name as Aki Mizusawa (水沢 アキ…
Akiko Tamei (溜井 昭子, Tamei Akiko; born 5 December 1954), better known by her former stage name as Aki Mizusawa (水沢 アキ, Mizusawa Aki), is a Japanese actress, tarento, model, and singer.
Satoru Miyano (宮野 悟, Miyano Satoru; born December 5, 1954) is a professor and the director of the M&D Data Science…
Satoru Miyano (宮野 悟, Miyano Satoru; born December 5, 1954) is a professor and the director of the M&D Data Science Center at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. He was awarded fellowship of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) in 2013 for outstanding contributions to the fields of computational biology and bioinformatics.
Yasutaka Okayama (岡山恭崇, Okayama Yasutaka; born November 29, 1954) is a Japanese former professional basketball player…
Yasutaka Okayama (岡山恭崇, Okayama Yasutaka; born November 29, 1954) is a Japanese former professional basketball player and coach. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors as the 171st pick of the eighth round of the 1981 NBA draft, although he did not sign with them. At 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m), he is the tallest player to be drafted in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. Okayama was the only player from Japan drafted into the NBA until Rui Hachimura was selected in the 2019 NBA draft. Okayama practiced judo at junior high and high school, and obtained a second degree black belt. He started playing basketball at Osaka University of Commerce when he was eighteen. In 1975, when his height was about 2.08 metres (6 ft 10 in), he was recruited by the University of Portland; he spent two years there, but a medical check revealed gigantism and he never played for the varsity team. After graduation, he joined the Sumitomo Metal Sparks basketball club. He represented Japan between 1979 and 1986 before retiring in 1996. After being selected in the 1981 NBA draft, Okayama opted to stay in Japan. As of 2005, he worked for Sumitomo Metal Industries and was active as a basketball coach. Okayama wrote a book for young basketball players in 1989.
Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi; born 28 November 1954) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th…
Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi; born 28 November 1954) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces from 2014 to 2019 — the longest tenure of anyone who has held that specific post since its creation. Prior to his appointment, he was Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Japan's maritime military service.
Hideshi Ishikawa (石川 日出志, Ishikawa Hideshi; born 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist. Since 1978 he has been on the…
Hideshi Ishikawa (石川 日出志, Ishikawa Hideshi; born 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist. Since 1978 he has been on the faculty of Meiji University, in the Archaeology Department. He is considered an expert in the Yayoi period and the Bronze-Iron Age history and culture of the Korean peninsula, and Jōmon culture and pottery. He has published several books and papers, including books about ruins of the Yayoi era (2008) and on agrarian society in ancient Japanese history (2010).
Mitsuru Miura (三浦 みつる, Miura Mitsuru; born 25 November 1954) is a Japanese manga artist from Yokohama. He is best known…
Mitsuru Miura (三浦 みつる, Miura Mitsuru; born 25 November 1954) is a Japanese manga artist from Yokohama. He is best known for the series The Kabocha Wine, which was adapted as an anime television series, and for which he received the 1983 Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen.
Shigekazu Mori (森 繁和, born November 18, 1954, in Chosei, Chiba Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional baseball…
Shigekazu Mori (森 繁和, born November 18, 1954, in Chosei, Chiba Prefecture) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He has held coaching positions at 4 different teams most notably including a 10 years stint at the Seibu Lions and 10 years at current employers, the Chunichi Dragons. On 9 August 2016 it was announced that Mori would become the interim manager of the Dragons following the dismissal of Motonobu Tanishige. On 29 September 2016, following the end of the 2016 NPB season where the Dragons finished last in the Central League, Mori was announced as permanent full-time manager for the 2017 season.
Kiyoko Nomura (17 November 1954 – 17 February 2016) was a Japanese former professional tennis player. Nomura, a…
Kiyoko Nomura (17 November 1954 – 17 February 2016) was a Japanese former professional tennis player. Nomura, a multiple medalist at the 1978 Asian Games, represented the Japan Federation Cup team from 1978 to 1981. She was the singles winner at the All Japan Championships in 1979 and 1981, as well as a five-time national champion in doubles. While competing on the international tour she featured in the main draw of the Australian Open.
Mari Matsunaga (born 13 November 1954) is a Japanese editor, author, and businesswoman. She is also the representative…
Mari Matsunaga (born 13 November 1954) is a Japanese editor, author, and businesswoman. She is also the representative of the Matsunaga Mari Office. After working at Japan Recruit Center Co., Ltd. and Recruit Co., Ltd., she served as head of the planning office in the Gateway Business Division at NTT Mobile Communications Network Corporation.
Sir Kazuo Ishiguro (Japanese: 石黒 一雄, Hepburn: Ishiguro Kazuo; ; born 8 November 1954) is a Japanese-British novelist…
Sir Kazuo Ishiguro (Japanese: 石黒 一雄, Hepburn: Ishiguro Kazuo; ; born 8 November 1954) is a Japanese-British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short-story writer. He is one of the most critically acclaimed contemporary fiction authors writing in English, having been awarded several major literary prizes, including the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature. In its citation, the Swedish Academy described Ishiguro as a writer "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world". Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki, Japan, and moved to Britain in 1960 with his parents when he was five. His first two novels, A Pale View of Hills and An Artist of the Floating World, were noted for their explorations of Japanese identity and their mournful tone. He has since explored themes more typically associated with science fiction and historical fiction, while continuing a focus on the outsider's perspective, the search for an unattainable truth, and the sense of recent history as a spider's web in which humans vainly struggle. He has been nominated for the Booker Prize four times, winning in 1989 for The Remains of the Day, which was adapted into a film of the same name in 1993. Salman Rushdie praised the novel as Ishiguro's masterpiece, in which he "turned away from the Japanese settings of his first two novels and revealed that his sensibility was not rooted in any one place, but capable of travel and metamorphosis". Time named Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go as the best novel of 2005 and one of the 100 best English-language novels published between 1923 and 2005. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 2022 film Living.
Minoru Yanagida (柳田 稔, Yanagida Minoru; born 6 November 1954) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…
Minoru Yanagida (柳田 稔, Yanagida Minoru; born 6 November 1954) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party For the People who served as member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima, Kagoshima and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998 after serving in the House of Representatives for two terms since 1990.
Hidehiko Shimizu (清水 秀彦, Shimizu Hidehiko; born November 4, 1954) is a former Japanese football player and manager.
Tochiakagi Takanori (born Masao Kanaya; October 31, 1954 – August 18, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Numata, Gunma…
Tochiakagi Takanori (born Masao Kanaya; October 31, 1954 – August 18, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Numata, Gunma, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1973, and reached the top division in May 1977. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he first reached in May 1979. Unusually he kept the rank for the following tournament even though he had a majority of losses (7–8), because there were few wrestlers below him with good enough records to replace him. This was the first such occurrence since the establishment of the six tournaments per year system in 1958. He beat three yokozuna, Wajima, Wakanohana and Mienoumi, in one tournament in November 1979, and was to win eight kinboshi in total during his top division career. He won four Outstanding Performance and four Fighting Spirit prizes. He was one of the few wrestlers to employ the rare foot sweep technique of susoharai. In 1980 he was tipped alongside Kotokaze and Asashio as a possible ozeki candidate, but never achieved his potential due to an apparent aversion to hard training, and a smoking habit. He missed the November 1980 tournament because of a leg injury and thereafter had chronic problems with both his ankles. In addition he had a poor diet and suffered from diabetes towards the end of his career. He fought in the unsalaried makushita division for 27 tournaments after being demoted from the jūryō division in 1985, longer than any other former sekiwake. He decided to retire when his stable master, former yokozuna Tochinishiki died in January 1990, although his name remained on the banzuke for the following tournament in the sandanme division, making him the first former sanyaku wrestler to fall this low since Ōyutaka in November 1985. He left the sumo world upon retirement. He died of a heart attack in 1997.
Hisao Sekiguchi (関口 久雄, Sekiguchi Hisao; born October 29, 1954) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…
Hisao Sekiguchi (関口 久雄, Sekiguchi Hisao; born October 29, 1954) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Junzo Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 順三, Hepburn: Yamamoto Junzō; born October 27, 1954) is a Japanese politician of the…
Junzo Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 順三, Hepburn: Yamamoto Junzō; born October 27, 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the assembly of Ehime Prefecture for six terms since 1983. In October 2015 Yamamoto was appointed state minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, state minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan and state minister for reconstruction, he was active in these posts until August 2016.