Mitsuhiro Takemura (武邑 光裕; born 1954-10-25 in Tokyo) is a Japanese scholar specializing in the study of media design…Mitsuhiro Takemura (武邑 光裕; born 1954-10-25 in Tokyo) is a Japanese scholar specializing in the study of media design, professor at Sapporo City University. Takemura graduated from Nihon University in 1976 and received a master's degree from the same school in 1978.
Masanobu Kikukawa (喜久川 政信) is a Japanese martial artist and chairman of the Shorin-ryu Shinkokai style of Okinawan…Masanobu Kikukawa (喜久川 政信) is a Japanese martial artist and chairman of the Shorin-ryu Shinkokai style of Okinawan Karate. Kikukawa was a longtime student of Sokuichi Gibu-hanshi (or "Grand Master Sokuichi Gibu") and Seiki Toma-hanshi. After withdrawal from Gibu's association in 1985, Kikukawa co-founded the Shinkokai association along with colleague Tatsunori Azuma in 1985. In the early 1990s, Kikukawa emigrated to Victoria, British Columbia where he founded the Canadian division of the Shinkokai association, while Tatunori Azuma(東辰徳 1952~2012) continued representing the organization in Okinawa. Kikukawa opened an acupuncture clinic in Surrey; he works with a group of family practitioners in Victoria.
Naoyuki Kinoshita (木下 直之, Kinoshita Naoyuki; born 1954) is a Japanese art historian. He currently works in the…Naoyuki Kinoshita (木下 直之, Kinoshita Naoyuki; born 1954) is a Japanese art historian. He currently works in the University of Tokyo. He was born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture and graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He took part in publishing the book The History of Japanese Photography as an essayist along with Kōtarō Iizawa. He is also known for his research of Nishiki-e such as Yoarashi Okinu. In 2010, Kinoshita praised Kengo Kuma for his decision in which a part of old structures of kabuki-za would remain in the new institution.
Gen Suwa (born 1954) is a Japanese paleoanthropologist. He is known for his contributions to the understanding of the…Gen Suwa (born 1954) is a Japanese paleoanthropologist. He is known for his contributions to the understanding of the evolution of early hominids, including the discovery of a tooth from a hominid that was more than one million years older than the oldest previously known hominid. The discovery changed scientific opinion regarding the ancestral splits between humans, chimps and gorillas. A professor at The University Museum of the University of Tokyo, Suwa is a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of the Asahi Prize.
Toshiro Nomura (野村 敏郎, Nomura Toshirō; born 1954) is a Japanese astronomer and co-discoverer of 13 asteroids with…Toshiro Nomura (野村 敏郎, Nomura Toshirō; born 1954) is a Japanese astronomer and co-discoverer of 13 asteroids with astronomers Kōyō Kawanishi and Matsuo Sugano. He is also an earth-science teacher of Nada Junior and High School. The main-belt asteroid 6559 Nomura is named in his honor.
Amanoyama Shizuo (born Shizuo Ogata; December 28, 1953 – September 17, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Taku Saga, Japan.…Amanoyama Shizuo (born Shizuo Ogata; December 28, 1953 – September 17, 1997) was a sumo wrestler from Taku Saga, Japan. He was an amateur champion at Komazawa University and so was given makushita tsukedashi status upon entering professional sumo. He made his professional debut in March 1976, fighting under surname of Ogata, winning the third-division championship in September 1976, in an eight-way playoff, but following up with a losing record of six losses. In July 1977 he would win the third-division championship again, this time undefeated, and earning promotion to Jūryō. He then reached the top division in March 1978. In his top division debut he defeated ozeki Takanohana and scored 11 wins against 4 losses, winning the Fighting Spirit prize for the only time. He made his makuuchi debut in the same tournament as Kotowaka and as both were unusually tall, they were nicknamed "Jumbo Jet" and "Concorde". His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Tatsutayama. He died while an active oyakata in September 1997 at the age of 43. He had been suffering from diabetes and liver disease since his days as an active wrestler.
Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰巳, Fujinami Tatsumi; ring name: 藤波 辰爾) (born December 28, 1953) is a Japanese professional…Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰巳, Fujinami Tatsumi; ring name: 藤波 辰爾) (born December 28, 1953) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for his long tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and four-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. He is also the owner and founder of the Dradition wrestling promotion. Known for his fluid catch wrestling submission style, Fujinami is nicknamed "The Dragon"; he is credited with inventing moves such as the dragon sleeper and the dragon suplex. Other championships held by Fujinami include the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Champion and World Wrestling Federation (WWF) International Heavyweight Champion. He is an inductee of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, and WWE Hall of Fame. Bret Hart said of Fujinami: "I always wanted to be the great wrestler that Tatsumi Fujinami was."
Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治, Ueda Eiji; born December 22, 1953) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed the…Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治, Ueda Eiji; born December 22, 1953) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed the Japan women's national team.
Nami Asada (麻田奈美, Asada Nami; born 1953–54) is a gravure model who was active in Japan in the 1970s. She became a star…Nami Asada (麻田奈美, Asada Nami; born 1953–54) is a gravure model who was active in Japan in the 1970s. She became a star after a photograph known as the Apple Nude (りんごヌード, ringo nūdo), and was elevated to the status of an idol among young people of the time.
Teru Fukui (福井 照, Fukui Teru; born 14 December 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member…Teru Fukui (福井 照, Fukui Teru; born 14 December 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Masahito Moriyama (盛山 正仁, Moriyama Masahito) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic…Masahito Moriyama (盛山 正仁, Moriyama Masahito) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and a former member of the House of Representatives in the National Diet (national legislature). A native of Nishinomiya, Hyogo, and an alumnus of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Transport in 1977. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2005 but lost his seat in the 2009 General Election, regaining it in 2012. During his time out of office, he matriculated as a postgraduate student and studied international law and business at Kobe University, which is located in his constituency. He earned a Master’s degree in Law in 2011, a PhD in International Law in 2013, and an additional PhD in Business Studies in 2014. In 2024, Moriyama won a no-confidence motion issued by the Constitutional Democratic Party after reports emerged that he received a letter of recommendation and campaign support from an organization linked to the Unification Church during the 2021 Japanese general election. On 10 April 2024, Moriyama was among the guests invited to the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in honor of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.
Hidanohana Shigeyoshi (born 13 December 1953 as Osamu Hirabayashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Asahi, Gifu, Japan.…Hidanohana Shigeyoshi (born 13 December 1953 as Osamu Hirabayashi) is a former sumo wrestler from Asahi, Gifu, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1969 and reached the top division in September 1980. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onoe. He left the Sumo Association in March 1994.
Osao Chosei Funahara (born December 10, 1953) is a musician and film director and producer. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture of…Osao Chosei Funahara (born December 10, 1953) is a musician and film director and producer. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan, Chosei Funahara was educated in both the United States and Japan. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Nihon University College of Art's Cinema department in Tokyo. While pursuing New York University's NYU Graduate School of Arts and Science (Cinema Studies), he performed as bassist and founding member of the cult punk rock group the Plasmatics.
Keiko Nagaoka (永岡 桂子, Nagaoka Keiko; born 8 December 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Keiko Nagaoka (永岡 桂子, Nagaoka Keiko; born 8 December 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Tokyo and graduate of Gakushuin University she was elected for the first time in 2005. Her husband was politician Yoji Nagaoka, who committed suicide on 1 August 2005.
Shigeru Mukai (向井 茂, Mukai Shigeru; born 1953) is a Japanese mathematician at Kyoto University specializing in…Shigeru Mukai (向井 茂, Mukai Shigeru; born 1953) is a Japanese mathematician at Kyoto University specializing in algebraic geometry.
Naka Bokunen (名嘉 睦稔; born 1953) is an artist from Okinawa, Japan, famous for his brightly coloured prints of Okinawan…Naka Bokunen (名嘉 睦稔; born 1953) is an artist from Okinawa, Japan, famous for his brightly coloured prints of Okinawan landscapes. Many of these prints are of, or inspired by, the island of Izena in the north of Okinawa, where he was born. Naka Bokunen has been involved in collaborations with, among others, the novelist Banana Yoshimoto and the biologist James Lovelock.
Masami Kurumada (車田 正美, Kurumada Masami; born December 6, 1953) is a Japanese manga artist and writer, known for…Masami Kurumada (車田 正美, Kurumada Masami; born December 6, 1953) is a Japanese manga artist and writer, known for specializing in fighting manga featuring bishōnen and magical boys. He is the founder of the manga studio Kurumada Productions or Kurumadapro for short. He achieved fame as the creator of popular manga, such as Ring ni Kakero, Fūma no Kojirō, Saint Seiya and B't X. The male characters in his works often display very masculine qualities and traits, and display courage through sacrifice, selflessness and true heroism. He has won the Best Success award with Saint Seiya and the Best Inspiration award with Ring ni Kakero.
Sachiko Kobayashi (小林 幸子, Kobayashi Sachiko; born December 5, 1953) is a female Japanese enka singer and occasional…Sachiko Kobayashi (小林 幸子, Kobayashi Sachiko; born December 5, 1953) is a female Japanese enka singer and occasional voice actress and voice provider of VOCALOID 4 Sachiko developed by YAMAHA co. She previously worked alongside the Pokémon Company, under the alias "Garura Kobayashi".
Yoshikazu Sugata (菅田 順和, Sugata Yoshikazu; 4 December 1953) is a Japanese former track cyclist who won a silver medal…Yoshikazu Sugata (菅田 順和, Sugata Yoshikazu; 4 December 1953) is a Japanese former track cyclist who won a silver medal in the sprint competition at the 1977 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and a bronze medal in the same event in 1976. He was also a professional keirin cyclist with over 500 wins.
Yasuhiro Oe (大江 康弘, Ōe Yasuhiro; born December 4, 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Yasuhiro Oe (大江 康弘, Ōe Yasuhiro; born December 4, 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Chieno Shibata (柴田 智恵野, Shibata Chieno; born 30 November 1953) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed at the 1968…Chieno Shibata (柴田 智恵野, Shibata Chieno; born 30 November 1953) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Asami Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林麻美; born 29 November 1953), which is the stage name for Toshiko Tanabe (Japanese: 田邉 稔子)…Asami Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林麻美; born 29 November 1953), which is the stage name for Toshiko Tanabe (Japanese: 田邉 稔子), is a Japanese singer, actress and model.
Mariko Suga (菅 真理子, Suga Mariko; born 28 November 1953) is the wife of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide…Mariko Suga (菅 真理子, Suga Mariko; born 28 November 1953) is the wife of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga.
Ken Matsudaira (松平 健, Matsudaira Ken; familiarly shortened as Matsuken, born November 28, 1953) is a Japanese actor and…Ken Matsudaira (松平 健, Matsudaira Ken; familiarly shortened as Matsuken, born November 28, 1953) is a Japanese actor and musician from Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. His real name is Sueshichi Suzuki (鈴木 末七, Suzuki Sueshichi).
Taeko Ōnuki (大貫 妙子, Ōnuki Taeko; born November 28, 1953) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician who achieved…Taeko Ōnuki (大貫 妙子, Ōnuki Taeko; born November 28, 1953) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician who achieved success and popularity during the 1970s and 80s in the city pop music scene.
Masahiro Sayama (佐山 雅弘, Sayama Masahiro; November 26, 1953 – November 14, 2018) was a Japanese pianist, active in jazz…Masahiro Sayama (佐山 雅弘, Sayama Masahiro; November 26, 1953 – November 14, 2018) was a Japanese pianist, active in jazz and video game soundtracks. Sayama began playing piano as a child and became interested in jazz after seeing the film The Glenn Miller Story. He studied music at Kunitachi College of Music and began playing jazz professionally in the early 1970s, working with Toshiyuki Honda, Shigeharu Mukai, and Kazunori Takeda. He was a member of Shuichi Murakami's trio Ponta Box and also led his own ensembles. In 1991 he began playing with Masahiko Osaka. Sayama also played for video game soundtracks, including Final Fantasy X-2. Sayama died on November 14, 2018, at the age of 64.
Hiroyuki Shimatani (Japanese: 島谷 弘幸, Shimatani Hiroyuki; born November 26, 1953) is a Japanese scholar of antique art.…Hiroyuki Shimatani (Japanese: 島谷 弘幸, Shimatani Hiroyuki; born November 26, 1953) is a Japanese scholar of antique art. After serving as the director of the Kyushu National Museum, he became the president of the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage. He is from Okayama Prefecture.
Masahiro Maehara is a Japanese former international table tennis player. He won a silver medal at the 1977 World Table…Masahiro Maehara is a Japanese former international table tennis player. He won a silver medal at the 1977 World Table Tennis Championships in the Swaythling Cup (men's team event) with Tetsuo Inoue, Mitsuru Kono, Norio Takashima and Tokio Tasaka for Japan. He then won two bronze medals at the 1979 World Table Tennis Championships and 1981 World Table Tennis Championships. He was later the Director of the Japanese Table Tennis Association.
Wakako Sawara (佐原 若子) (born November 22, 1953) is a Japanese politician and dentist. She is a member of the House of…Wakako Sawara (佐原 若子) (born November 22, 1953) is a Japanese politician and dentist. She is a member of the House of Representatives (1 term) and a director of the Aomori Prefectural Medical Association.
Hajime Funada (船田 元, Funada Hajime; born 22 November 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Hajime Funada (船田 元, Funada Hajime; born 22 November 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serve as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) and a former Minister of Economic Planning. A native of Utsunomiya, Tochigi he attended Keio University both as undergraduate and graduate. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1979.
Atsushi Yamaguchi (born November 6, 1953) is a Japanese lawyer and academic who has served as an associate justice of…Atsushi Yamaguchi (born November 6, 1953) is a Japanese lawyer and academic who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2017 to 2023.
Mitsuru Hirata (平田満, Hirata Mitsuru) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 7th Hochi Film Award…Mitsuru Hirata (平田満, Hirata Mitsuru) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 7th Hochi Film Award and the award for best supporting actor at the 4th Yokohama Film Festival for Fall Guy.
Ryosei Kokubun (Japanese: 國分 良成, romanized: Kokubun Ryōsei; November 1, 1953) is a Japanese academic and author. He is…Ryosei Kokubun (Japanese: 國分 良成, romanized: Kokubun Ryōsei; November 1, 1953) is a Japanese academic and author. He is currently professor emeritus at Keio University and served as the President of the National Defense Academy of Japan from April 2012 to March 2021. Kokubun's main interests are Sino-Japanese relations and Chinese politics, and he previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Law and Politics of the Graduate School of Law at Keio University from 2007 to 2012 as well as being President of the Japan Association for Asian Studies from 2008 to 2012 and president of the Japan Association of International Relations. He also served as the director of the Keio University East Asian Institute, Japan from 1999 to 2007 at Keio University.
Kenjirō Ishimaru (石丸 謙二郎, Ishimaru Kenjirō; born 1 November 1953) is a Japanese actor and TV narrator. He is best known…Kenjirō Ishimaru (石丸 謙二郎, Ishimaru Kenjirō; born 1 November 1953) is a Japanese actor and TV narrator. He is best known for his role in Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Den-O as the owner of the DenLiner. He has also appeared in multiple competitions of Sasuke as a competitor and during that time has become one of only two people to fall off the Rolling Log obstacle in the First Stage and take the log with them. Ishimaru is the narrator in the anime series Toriko. He also narrates TV Asahi's series See the World by Train, which has run since June 1987.
Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his…Taikō Yoshio (born 30 October 1953 as Yoshio Yokoyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1968, and reached the top division in May 1978. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He left the sumo world upon retirement in November 1980.
Yoshimi Uchida (Japanese: 内田 善美, Hepburn: Uchida Yoshimi; born October 28, 1953) is a Japanese manga artist. She is…Yoshimi Uchida (Japanese: 内田 善美, Hepburn: Uchida Yoshimi; born October 28, 1953) is a Japanese manga artist. She is well-known for her detailed and emotional art style. Her career ended in 1986 after publishing her last long work, Liddell of Star Clock (three volumes). None of her works have been republished in accordance with her wishes. Representative works of hers include Liddell of Star Clock and Sō Labyrinth, Sō Space.
Nobuo Ikeda (池田 信夫, Ikeda Nobuo; born 1953) is a Japanese economist originally from Kyoto Prefecture. He used to be a…Nobuo Ikeda (池田 信夫, Ikeda Nobuo; born 1953) is a Japanese economist originally from Kyoto Prefecture. He used to be a professor at Jobu University until 2012. His current appointments are a visiting professor at SBI Graduate School in Yokohama, Kanagawa, a lecturer at Aoyama Gakuin University, and the Chief Executive Officer of Agora Institute.
Kunihiko Mitamura (Japanese: 三田村 邦彦, Hepburn: Mitamura Kunihiko; born October 22, 1953 in Niigata) is a Japanese actor…Kunihiko Mitamura (Japanese: 三田村 邦彦, Hepburn: Mitamura Kunihiko; born October 22, 1953 in Niigata) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is well known for his role in Taiyō ni Hoero! and Hide in the Hissatsu series.
Yasunori Imamura (今村 泰典, Imamura Yasunori; born 19 October 1953 in Sakai, Osaka) is a Japanese lutenist. Imamura has…Yasunori Imamura (今村 泰典, Imamura Yasunori; born 19 October 1953 in Sakai, Osaka) is a Japanese lutenist. Imamura has appeared on more than 150 CDs, both as a soloist and as a member of ensembles. His solo recordings include the complete lute works by Johann Sebastian Bach (two versions : for Naxos in 2018 and for Etcetera in 1991), three volumes of lute sonatas by Silvius Leopold Weiss (for Claves and Capriccio), pièces pour théorbe by Robert de Visée, Spanish music for vihuela from the time of Charles V (Querstand) and the complete lute fantasies by Simone Molinario (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi). His teachers included lute with Eugen Müller-Dombois and Hopkinson Smith at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where, in 1981, he received his soloist's diploma. In addition, he studied interpretation and basso continuo with Ton Koopman and Johann Sonnleitner and composition with Wolfgang Neininger. Imamura has collaborated with such artists as Cecilia Bartoli, Teresa Berganza, Gérard Lesne, Marc Minkowski, Michael Schneider, Martin Gester, Maurice Steger, Masaaki Suzuki, Alan Curtis and Paul Goodwin. Mr. Imamura is a member of La Stagione Frankfurt, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Camerata Köln, Le Parlement de Musique and Il Complesso Barocco. Imamura created the ensemble "Fons Musicae" in 1997. They have released five recordings - "Airs de cour" (Michel Lambert), and recording dedicated exclusively to works by Giovanni Bononcini, Agostino Steffani, Antonio Caldara, Francesco Gasparini and Barbara Strozzi. These recordings have received awards including "Classica" (France) and "Star of the Month" (Germany). Imamura teaches lute at the Conservatoire National de Région, Strasbourg since 1984. In 1989, he began teaching at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. He gives master-classes in Europe and throughout the Far East.
Toru Kikawada (黄川田 徹, Kikawada Tōru; born 14 October 1953) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Toru Kikawada (黄川田 徹, Kikawada Tōru; born 14 October 1953) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Kazumi Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 香津美, Hepburn: Watanabe Kazumi; born October 14, 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese guitarist.…Kazumi Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 香津美, Hepburn: Watanabe Kazumi; born October 14, 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese guitarist. Other guitarists such as Luke Takamura and Sugizo have cited him as an influence.
Kazuko Kadoya (門屋 加壽子, Kadoya Kazuko; born 7 October 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Kazuko Kadoya (門屋 加壽子, Kadoya Kazuko; born 7 October 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Yoshikazu Cho (長 義和, Chō Yoshikazu; born 3 October 1953) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed at the 1972 Summer…Yoshikazu Cho (長 義和, Chō Yoshikazu; born 3 October 1953) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics and 1976 Summer Olympics.
Shigeyuki Tomita (富田 茂之, Tomita Shigeyuki; born 1 October 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Shigeyuki Tomita (富田 茂之, Tomita Shigeyuki; born 1 October 1953) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the New Komeito Party. A native of Choshi, Chiba and graduate of Hitotsubashi University, he was elected for the first time in 1990.
Hitoshi Ishigaki (石垣 仁, Ishigaki Hitoshi) (born September 25, 1953 in Yamagata) is a retired amateur boxer from Japan…Hitoshi Ishigaki (石垣 仁, Ishigaki Hitoshi) (born September 25, 1953 in Yamagata) is a retired amateur boxer from Japan, who won the gold medal at the 1974 Asian Games in the men's bantamweight (– 54 kg) division. He represented his native country at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, falling to eventual bronze medal winner Viktor Rybakov in the third round.
Kazunari Dōmen (born September 24, 1953) is a Japanese chemist and materials scientist specializing in heterogeneous…Kazunari Dōmen (born September 24, 1953) is a Japanese chemist and materials scientist specializing in heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, and solar-driven water splitting. He is a University Professor in the Office of University Professors at the University of Tokyo and a Distinguished University Professor at the Institute for Aqua Regeneration, Shinshu University.
