Shinji Hashimoto (橋本 真司, Hashimoto Shinji; born May 24, 1958) is a Japanese former game producer at Square Enix and…Shinji Hashimoto (橋本 真司, Hashimoto Shinji; born May 24, 1958) is a Japanese former game producer at Square Enix and currently senior advisor at Sony Music Entertainment Japan and a board member at Forwardworks. He served as the Final Fantasy series brand manager for over a decade, was an executive officer at Square Enix board of directors and he was the Head of Square Enix's Business Division 3 for 6 years. He is also the co-creator of the Kingdom Hearts series. He served as corporate executive of the company's 1st Production Department during its entire existence. In May 2021, Hashimoto announced he would be working in Square Enix Holdings as Corporate Advisor training future leaders of the company, after he stepped down from his position of executive director and Final Fantasy brand manager at Square Enix Co. Hashimoto retired from his duties at Square Enix on May 31, 2022. On June 16, 2022, Hashimoto announced he would be a senior advisor at Sony Music Entertainment Japan, as well as board member for ForwardWorks.
Mineko Nishikawa (仁支川 峰子, Nishikawa Mineko; born May 23, 1958 in Aka, Fukuoka; real name Fukuda Mineko, 福田 峰子) is a…Mineko Nishikawa (仁支川 峰子, Nishikawa Mineko; born May 23, 1958 in Aka, Fukuoka; real name Fukuda Mineko, 福田 峰子) is a Japanese actress and Enka singer who scored a number one hit in 1975 with Anata Ni Ageru.
Hideyo Hanazumi (花角 英世, Hanazumi Hideyo; born 22 May 1958) is a Japanese politician serving as the Governor of Niigata…Hideyo Hanazumi (花角 英世, Hanazumi Hideyo; born 22 May 1958) is a Japanese politician serving as the Governor of Niigata Prefecture, following his election in June 2018. Prior to his election, Hanazumi served as a vice commandant in the Japan Coast Guard and as Vice Governor of Niigata.
Taku Ashibe (芦辺 拓, Ashibe Taku; born 21 May 1958) is a Japanese mystery writer. He is a member of the Honkaku Mystery…Taku Ashibe (芦辺 拓, Ashibe Taku; born 21 May 1958) is a Japanese mystery writer. He is a member of the Honkaku Mystery Writers Club of Japan and one of the representative writers of the new traditionalist movement in Japanese mystery writing.
Hiroyuki Arai (荒井 広幸, Arai Hiroyuki; born 1958) is a former Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of…Hiroyuki Arai (荒井 広幸, Arai Hiroyuki; born 1958) is a former Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tamura, Fukushima and graduate of Waseda University, he had served in the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly for one term starting in 1987. He was elected to House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after running unsuccessfully in 1990. After losing the seat in 2003, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Makoto Kobayashi (小林 まこと, Kobayashi Makoto) (born May 13, 1958) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for his…Makoto Kobayashi (小林 まこと, Kobayashi Makoto) (born May 13, 1958) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for his unusual drawing style. One of his best known manga is What's Michael?, a manga about a curious orange cat and his many adventures that is often compared with Garfield. His earliest work is Grapple Three Brothers, which won the Shōnen magazine New manga artist award. He has twice won the Kodansha Manga Award, for Sanshiro of 1, 2 in 1981 and What's Michael? in 1986.
Sayuri Kume (Japanese: 久米小百合 (Kume Sayuri)), also known as Saki Kubota (Japanese: 久保田早紀 (Kubota Saki)), is a Japanese…Sayuri Kume (Japanese: 久米小百合 (Kume Sayuri)), also known as Saki Kubota (Japanese: 久保田早紀 (Kubota Saki)), is a Japanese singer-songwriter whose song Ihojin (1979) (Japanese: 異邦人) sold more than 1.4 million copies and reached number 1 in the Japanese singles chart. The song was used in the "Silk Road" television commercial for Sanyo. Her album Yumegatari (Japanese: 夢がたり) stayed at number 1 in the Oricon chart for seven consecutive weeks from 31 December 1979 to 11 February 1980. Her album Tenkai (Japanese: 天界) reached number 11 in the Japanese chart in 1980. Her album Saudade (Japanese: サウダーデ) reached number 54 in the Japanese chart. Her album Yoruno Sokowa Yawarakana Maboroshi (1984) has been described as her greatest masterpiece. Her single Nijūgoji (1980) (Japanese: 25時) reached number 19 in the Japanese chart. Her single Kugatsu No Iro (Japanese: 九月の色) (1980) reached number 51 in the Japanese chart. Her single Orange Airmail Special (Japanese: オレンジ・エアメール・スペシャル) (1981) reached number 62 in the Japanese chart. She appeared on The Best Ten, Yoru no Hit Studio, and Music Fair. She sang songs in the new music genre (Japanese: ニューミュージック, nyū myūjikku). She has been described as the standard bearer of that genre. She was awarded the female newcomer award (Japanese: 女性新人賞) at the 13th Japan Record Sales Awards (Japanese: 日本レコードセールス大賞) in 1980. In January 2020, a box set was released under the title Saki Kubota Premium to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her debut in 1979.
Takashi Irie (Japanese: 入江 隆, born May 10, 1958) is a retired Japanese light-flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a…Takashi Irie (Japanese: 入江 隆, born May 10, 1958) is a retired Japanese light-flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics and a gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games. In 1986, he secured third place at the Asian Games.
Junichi Hirokami (広上 淳一, Hirokami Jun'ichi; born May 5, 1958) is a Japanese conductor. Born in Tokyo, Hirokami studied…Junichi Hirokami (広上 淳一, Hirokami Jun'ichi; born May 5, 1958) is a Japanese conductor. Born in Tokyo, Hirokami studied conducting, piano, musicology, and viola at the Tokyo College of Music. He won the first Kondrashin International Conducting Competition in Amsterdam in September 1984 at age 26. One of the judges of that competition, pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy, then engaged Hirokami to conduct the NHK Symphony Orchestra on a tour of Japan with Ashkenazy in May 1985. From 1991-1996, he was Chief Conductor of the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. He served as Chief Conductor of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra from 1998 to 2000. He has also been the Principal Guest Conductor of both the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Hirokami became the music director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on June 1, 2006, with an initial contract for 3 years. During the orchestra's 2008 financial crisis, Hirokami strongly supported the musicians during a protracted contract dispute, which caused strained relations between Hirokami and the orchestra's board and management. On November 13, 2008, in a letter to the orchestra's musicians, Hirokami announced that the board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra had dismissed him from his post, effective immediately. Since April 2008, he has served as Chief Conductor of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, with an initial contract of 3 years. Hirokami and his wife Yukari have a daughter, Kimiko. In 1973, pop singer Junko Sakurada's music inspired then 15-year-old Hirokami so that he started a fan club dedicated to her.
Satoshi Inoue (井上 哲士, Inoue Satoshi; born 5 May 1958 in Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a Japanese politician and a former…Satoshi Inoue (井上 哲士, Inoue Satoshi; born 5 May 1958 in Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a Japanese politician and a former member of the House of Councillors for the Japanese Communist Party. He had elected to this position forth times, in 2001, 2007, 2013, and 2019.
The WE League (Japanese: WEリーグ, Hepburn: WE Rīgu), officially the Japan Women's Empowerment Professional Football…The WE League (Japanese: WEリーグ, Hepburn: WE Rīgu), officially the Japan Women's Empowerment Professional Football League (日本女子プロサッカーリーグ, Nihon Joshi Puro Sakkā Rīgu; "Japan Women Pro Football League"), also known as the SOMPO WE League (SOMPO WEリーグ, SOMPO WE Rīgu) for sponsorship reasons, is the top flight of women's association football in Japan, starting from the 2021–22 season. It is the first fully-professional women's football league in Japan. The current (2024–25) title holders are Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
Mayumi Horikawa (堀川 まゆみ, Horikawa Mayumi) is a Japanese model and singer-songwriter born on 2 May 1958 in Okinawa…Mayumi Horikawa (堀川 まゆみ, Horikawa Mayumi) is a Japanese model and singer-songwriter born on 2 May 1958 in Okinawa Prefecture. Horikawa was selected as the fourth Clarion Girl in 1978, and debuted as a singer that same year under producer Masataka Matsutōya. Horikawa has written and composed songs for popular artists including Miki Imai, Jun'ichi Inagaki, Yukiko Okada, Kyōko Koizumi, Yuki Saito, Noriko Sakai, Miho Nakayama, Yū Hayami, Chiemi Hori, Saori Yagi, and Marina Watanabe.
Yuko Takada Keller (高田ケラー有子, Yuko Takada Keller; born May 1, 1958) is an artist, curator and essayist based in…Yuko Takada Keller (高田ケラー有子, Yuko Takada Keller; born May 1, 1958) is an artist, curator and essayist based in Helsinge, Denmark since 1997. The first exhibition in Denmark was in 1996, container '96 in Copenhagen. She started her art activities in 1982 with woolen tapestries, though, 1985, she traveled around Northern Europe to change her art expression to be hanging sculpture. She creates delicate and ethereal hanging sculptures using tracing paper. After she moved to Denmark in 1997, she primarily exhibits her works in cultural centers and other public spaces, excelling in site-specific installations. In addition to showcasing her own creations, she also works as a curator, organizing exhibitions that introduce numerous Japanese artists to Denmark. Notably, the exhibition "Japanese Suppleness" that she curated was a great success, as Queen Margrethe II visited and guided her exhibition tour. She has also collaborated with musicians in the context of her exhibitions. In recent years, while continuing to use laminated tracing paper, she has incorporated elements of light into her works, utilizing mirror sheets, holographic sheets, and other flexible materials that enhance durability for the public space. She has also written some essays in Japanese newspapers, magazines etc. From 2004 to 2010, she wrote essays for JMM (Japanese Mail Media) as a Japanese citizen residing abroad. Her book about Danish child rearing was published in 2005, from NHK Publishing Co., Ltd. As a volunteer, she has been supporting the school exchange project between Nordstjerneskolen in Helsinge, where her son used to be a student, and the primary school and junior high school in Miyama, Kyoto, Japan, since 2016. Additionally, she contributes to cultural exchange between the two countries through art workshops and by introducing lifestyles and social backgrounds.
Takashi Uemura (植村 隆, Uemura Takashi) is a Japanese academic and former journalist who, while a reporter for The Asahi…Takashi Uemura (植村 隆, Uemura Takashi) is a Japanese academic and former journalist who, while a reporter for The Asahi Shimbun, wrote about comfort women. He later came under scrutiny for alleged inaccuracy of terminology and omissions of information. Rival newspapers attacked him for twisting the truth, and more far-right figures went so far as to accuse him of fabrication. His mother-in-law is Yang Sun-Im, a Korean activist who heads the Association for the Pacific War Victims and plaintiff groups for lawsuits by former comfort women. Yang was charged with fraudulently misleading donors to her organization, but has been acquitted, according to Uemura.
Tochitsukasa Tetsuo (born 25 April 1958 as Tetsuo Goto) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi…Tochitsukasa Tetsuo (born 25 April 1958 as Tetsuo Goto) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakagawa, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake. After his retirement from sumo in 1992 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and established Irumagawa stable in 1993, which he ran until 2023.
Michiko Ueno (上野 通子, Ueno Michiko; born April 21, 1958) is a Japanese politician. She is a member of the House of…Michiko Ueno (上野 通子, Ueno Michiko; born April 21, 1958) is a Japanese politician. She is a member of the House of Councillors, the upper house of the National Diet of Japan. She was first elected to the House of Councillors in 2010 and was re-elected in 2016. Prior to that, she was a member of the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly from 2003 to 2010. She belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party. Ueno is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Yoshito Usui (臼井 儀人, Usui Yoshito; April 21, 1958 – September 11, 2009) was a Japanese manga artist known for the…Yoshito Usui (臼井 儀人, Usui Yoshito; April 21, 1958 – September 11, 2009) was a Japanese manga artist known for the popular Crayon Shin-chan series. He was born in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Ryoichi Kimizuka (君塚良一, Kimizuka Ryōichi; born 21 April 1958, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and director…Ryoichi Kimizuka (君塚良一, Kimizuka Ryōichi; born 21 April 1958, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and director for television and film.
Yoichiro Esaki (江崎 洋一郎, Esaki Yōichirō; born 20 April 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yoichiro Esaki (江崎 洋一郎, Esaki Yōichirō; born 20 April 1958) 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 Shinjuku, Tokyo and a graduate of Keio University, he worked at the Industrial Bank of Japan from 1981 to 1993. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000 as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan after running unsuccessfully in 1996 as a member of the New Frontier Party. He later joined the LDP.
Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子, Sakurada Junko; born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in…Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子, Sakurada Junko; born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in 1973, which included Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori. Sakurada then became successful in a solo music career, with 18 top ten singles in the 1970s. Her acting career ran from 1973 to 1993. She received multiple awards for her acting roles, including the Hochi Film Award, Award of the Japanese Academy, Kinema Junpo Award, and Mainichi Film Concours. Following her marriage, in a Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church in 1992, she retired from performing. In 2013, Sakurada made a comeback.
Hisako Manda (萬田 久子, Manda Hisako; born April 13, 1958, in Osaka) is a Japanese actress. She represented Japan at Miss…Hisako Manda (萬田 久子, Manda Hisako; born April 13, 1958, in Osaka) is a Japanese actress. She represented Japan at Miss Universe 1978 in Acapulco, Mexico, but did not advance to the semifinals.
Hyōichi Kōno (河野 兵市, Kōno Hyōichi; April 12, 1958 – May 17, 2001) was a Japanese adventurer, best known for circling…Hyōichi Kōno (河野 兵市, Kōno Hyōichi; April 12, 1958 – May 17, 2001) was a Japanese adventurer, best known for circling Japan on bicycle and traveling to the North Pole. He was born in the town of Ikata, Ehime, Japan. Kōno died in 2001 while attempting to walk from the North Pole back to his hometown. Kono went missing in the Canadian Arctic, and was found in the Arctic Ocean. A memorial display entitled "Reaching Home" was erected at the Seto Agriculture Park in Ikata to honor him. It includes a signpost noting the names, dates, and distances of locations he traveled to. It reads as follows:
Atsuko Taneya, known professionally as Ako or Ako Dachs, is a Japanese actress who is the founding Artistic Director of…Atsuko Taneya, known professionally as Ako or Ako Dachs, is a Japanese actress who is the founding Artistic Director of the Amaterasu Za theatre company. She received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2019.
Aiko Morishita (森下 愛子, Morishita Aiko; born 8 April 1958) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a number of feature…Aiko Morishita (森下 愛子, Morishita Aiko; born 8 April 1958) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a number of feature films and television series. Her real name is Kayo Yoshida (吉田 佳代, Yoshida Kayo). Her husband is singer-songwriter Takuro Yoshida.
Yasuo Kubo (久保 康生, Kubo Yasuo; born April 8, 1958 in Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Yasuo Kubo (久保 康生, Kubo Yasuo; born April 8, 1958 in Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Ryoichi Kawakatsu (川勝 良一, Kawakatsu Ryōichi; born April 5, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Ryoichi Kawakatsu (川勝 良一, Kawakatsu Ryōichi; born April 5, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Masakuni Yamamoto (山本 昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni; born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Masakuni Yamamoto (山本 昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni; born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Shigefumi Matsuzawa (松沢 成文, Matsuzawa Shigefumi; born 2 April 1958) is a Japanese politician and a current member of…Shigefumi Matsuzawa (松沢 成文, Matsuzawa Shigefumi; born 2 April 1958) is a Japanese politician and a current member of the House of Councillors for the Kanagawa at-large district in the Diet of Japan.
Hiromi Kawakami (川上 弘美, Kawakami Hiromi; born April 1958) is a Japanese writer, known for her off-beat fiction, poetry…Hiromi Kawakami (川上 弘美, Kawakami Hiromi; born April 1958) is a Japanese writer, known for her off-beat fiction, poetry, and literary criticism. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Tanizaki Prize, the Yomiuri Prize, and the Izumi Kyōka Prize for Literature. Her work has been adapted for film and has been translated into more than 15 languages.
Dai Sentai Goggle-V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ, Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu; Great Squadron Goggle-V) is a Japanese television tokusatsu…Dai Sentai Goggle-V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ, Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu; Great Squadron Goggle-V) is a Japanese television tokusatsu series broadcast by TV Asahi. The series is the sixth installment of Super Sentai. Directed by Shohei Tojo, Takafumi Hattori, Makoto Tsuji, Minoru Yamada and Michio Konishi, it stars Ryōji Akagi, Jyunichi Haruta, Shigeki Ishii, Sanpei Godai, Megumi Ōkawa, Mayumi Yoshida, Toshimichi Takahashi and Yosuke Naka. It aired from February 6, 1982 to January 29, 1983, replacing Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan and was replaced by Kagaku Sentai Dynaman. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Goggle V.
Masako Bandō (坂東 眞砂子, Bandō Masako; March 30, 1958 – January 27, 2014) was a Japanese novelist. She was awarded the…Masako Bandō (坂東 眞砂子, Bandō Masako; March 30, 1958 – January 27, 2014) was a Japanese novelist. She was awarded the prestigious Naoki Prize in 1996 for the novel Yamahaha.
Tsutomu Sonobe (園部 勉, Sonobe Tsutomu; born March 29, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the…Tsutomu Sonobe (園部 勉, Sonobe Tsutomu; born March 29, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Masahito Arai (新井 正人, Arai Masahito) is a Japanese singer and composer. Debuting with the band Diary in 1977, he joined…Masahito Arai (新井 正人, Arai Masahito) is a Japanese singer and composer. Debuting with the band Diary in 1977, he joined the group Pal in 1979 and had a solo debut in 1987, performing the song "Anime ja Nai" for the 1986 anime Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ.
Shinya Tasaki (Japanese name: 田崎真也 born: 21 March 1958) is a Japanese sommelier who was named best sommelier in the…Shinya Tasaki (Japanese name: 田崎真也 born: 21 March 1958) is a Japanese sommelier who was named best sommelier in the world in 1995 by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. Tasaki is the only Asian national ever to win the title of the Best Sommelier of the World, and he was awarded the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor by the Emperor of Japan.
Keiichi Ishii (石井 啓一, Ishii Keiichi; born 20 March 1958) is a Japanese politician who serves as Vice Speaker of the…Keiichi Ishii (石井 啓一, Ishii Keiichi; born 20 March 1958) is a Japanese politician who serves as Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives since February 2026. He was previously chief representative of Komeito in 2024, secretary general of the same party from 2020 to 2024, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from 2015 to 2019. Born in Tokyo and educated as an engineer at the University of Tokyo, he served as an official in the Ministry of Construction before entering politics. He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1993 and served in the House until his defeat in 2024. He resigned as Komeito chief representative after his defeat, having held the position for just over a month. Ishii returned to the House of Representatives in the 2026 election as a candidate of the Centrist Reform Alliance and was elected Vice Speaker of the House.
Kazuhiro Nakata (中多 和宏, Nakata Kazuhiro; born Kazuhiro Nakata (中田 和宏, Nakata Kazuhiro)) is a Japanese voice actor…Kazuhiro Nakata (中多 和宏, Nakata Kazuhiro; born Kazuhiro Nakata (中田 和宏, Nakata Kazuhiro)) is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Ken Production. He played Bear in .hack//Sign and Fei-Wang Reed in Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.
Shuji Kira (吉良 州司, Kira Shūji; born 16 March 1958) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives…Shuji Kira (吉良 州司, Kira Shūji; born 16 March 1958) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (the national legislature of Japan), representing Ōita 1st district. He was a member of the Democratic Party of Japan until its dissolution and later Yūshi no Kai. A native of Ōita and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of Ōita Prefecture in 2003. In the same year, he ran for the House of Representatives as an independent and was elected for the first time. After failing to get reelected in 2026, he announced his retirement from politics.
Mari Igata (Japanese: 井形 マリ, romanized: Igata Mari; March 16, 1958 – August 13, 2024) was a pioneering Japanese…Mari Igata (Japanese: 井形 マリ, romanized: Igata Mari; March 16, 1958 – August 13, 2024) was a pioneering Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. She would become the first woman to race in the Suzuka 8 Hours and the All Japan Road Race Championship. A member of the Showa era, Igata is remembered for breaking barriers for Japanese women in sport, as well as creating opportunities for the next generation with her Team Mari racing school. Igata was the elder sister of championship racer Tomoko Igata.
Nobuhiro Ishizaki (石﨑 信弘, Ishizaki Nobuhiro; born March 14, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager of…Nobuhiro Ishizaki (石﨑 信弘, Ishizaki Nobuhiro; born March 14, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager of Matsumoto Yamaga FC.
Tetsurō Oda (織田 哲郎, Oda Tetsurō; born March 11, 1958) is a Japanese composer, record producer, and singer-songwriter.…Tetsurō Oda (織田 哲郎, Oda Tetsurō; born March 11, 1958) is a Japanese composer, record producer, and singer-songwriter. Oda is the third best-selling composer in the history of the Japanese singles chart, with over 40 million units being sold.
Mitsuyo Nemoto (根本 美鶴代, Nemoto Mitsuyo) (born March 9, 1958, in Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese singer and actress…Mitsuyo Nemoto (根本 美鶴代, Nemoto Mitsuyo) (born March 9, 1958, in Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese singer and actress, better known by her stage name Mie (未唯mie (みい), Mī). She is a member of the popular 1970s idol group Pink Lady (ピンク・レディー, Pinku Redī), known in the United States for their self-titled TV program. Mie is represented by her own management firm MHO Artist Co., Ltd.
Shuichi Shigeno (重野 秀一, Shigeno Shūichi; pen name: しげの 秀一; born March 8, 1958) is a Japanese manga artist famous for…Shuichi Shigeno (重野 秀一, Shigeno Shūichi; pen name: しげの 秀一; born March 8, 1958) is a Japanese manga artist famous for creating Initial D. Shigeno has also created Bari Bari Densetsu, Dopkan, and Tunnel Nuketara Sky Blue ("First Love in Summer"). In 1985, he received the Kodansha Manga Award in shōnen for Bari Bari Densetsu.
Harry Glicken (March 7, 1958 – June 3, 1991) was an American volcanologist. He researched Mount St. Helens in the…Harry Glicken (March 7, 1958 – June 3, 1991) was an American volcanologist. He researched Mount St. Helens in the United States before and after its 1980 eruption, and was very distraught about the death of volcanologist David A. Johnston, who was Glicken's mentor and supervisor in Spring 1980 at Mount St. Helens. Glicken was initially assigned to the USGS observation post in the weeks leading up to the eruption but had to leave the night before the eruption, in order to attend a work appointment. In 1991, while conducting avalanche research on Mount Unzen in Japan, Glicken and fellow volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft were killed by a pyroclastic flow. His remains were found four days later and were cremated in accordance with his parents' request. Glicken and Johnston remain the only American volcanologists known to have died in volcanic eruptions. Despite a long-term interest in working for the United States Geological Survey, Glicken never received a permanent post there because there was a hiring freeze for federal agencies when he graduated with his PhD. While conducting research from sponsorships granted by the National Science Foundation and other organizations, Glicken accrued expertise in the field of volcanic debris avalanches. He also wrote several major publications on the topic, including his doctoral dissertation based on his research at Mount St. Helens titled "Rockslide-debris Avalanche of May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens Volcano, Washington" that initiated widespread interest in the phenomenon. Since being published posthumously by Glicken's colleagues in 1996, the report has been acknowledged by many other publications on debris avalanches. Following his death, Glicken was praised by associates for his love of volcanoes and commitment to his field.
Alan Hale (March 7, 1958 – June 6, 2026) was an American professional astronomer who co-discovered Comet Hale–Bopp…Alan Hale (March 7, 1958 – June 6, 2026) was an American professional astronomer who co-discovered Comet Hale–Bopp independently of its other co-discoverer, Thomas Bopp, an amateur astronomer. Hale specialized in the study of Sun-like stars and the search for extra-solar planetary systems, and had side interests in the fields of comets and near-Earth asteroids. He was an astronomer most of his life and served as the president of the Earthrise Institute, which he founded, and which has as its mission the use of astronomy as a tool for breaking down international and intercultural barriers. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named an asteroid in Hale's honor, 4151 Alanhale, in recognition of his numerous comet observations.
Chosei Komatsu (小松 長生, Komatsu Chōsei; born March 1, 1958) is a Japanese conductor who, from 2003 to 2010, was artistic…Chosei Komatsu (小松 長生, Komatsu Chōsei; born March 1, 1958) is a Japanese conductor who, from 2003 to 2010, was artistic director of Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica. Also, after five years as music director of Japan’s Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, he assumed the title of Conductor Laureate.
Noritoshi Hirata (平田 倫敏, Hirata Noritoshi; born 1 March 1958) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984…Noritoshi Hirata (平田 倫敏, Hirata Noritoshi; born 1 March 1958) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.