Masashi Mito (水戸 将史, Mito Masashi; born July 28, 1962) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Masashi Mito (水戸 将史, Mito Masashi; born July 28, 1962) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, and a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tomamae District, Hokkaidō and 1985 graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007 after serving in the assembly of Kanagawa Prefecture for three terms from 1995 until 2007.
Toshinobu "Toshi" Kubota (久保田 利伸, Kubota Toshinobu; born 24 July 1962) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, musician…Toshinobu "Toshi" Kubota (久保田 利伸, Kubota Toshinobu; born 24 July 1962) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, musician, music producer, and radio personality. He has produced six million-seller records and thirty-three Top 40 singles during his career. Kubota is currently part of Sony Music Japan. In addition, he has composed and written songs for many singers including Hiromi Iwasaki, Misia, Toshinori Yonekura, Kyōko Koizumi, and many other recording artists. Kubota's musical genre has varied throughout his career including R&B, Go-go, soul, funk, blues, reggae, old skool, psychedelia, jazz, and pop. His artistic influences include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, and Sly Stone. Kubota has pioneered in the sound "Japanese hip hop" and "Japanese soul", an amalgam of funk, pop, R&B and go that has influenced many other musicians. Kubota has a tenor and falsetto vocal range and is known for his signature songs "Dance If You Want It", "Missing", "Love Rain (Koi no Ame)", "You Were Mine", "Give You My Love", and "La La La Love Song", which was the theme song of the television drama Long Vacation. Kubota has a total of seventeen studio albums and ten compilation albums. He is among the all-time best-selling Japanese music artists, having sold over 16 million records worldwide to date.
Shin Kibayashi (樹林 伸, Kibayashi Shin; born July 22, 1962, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese manga storywriter, novelist…Shin Kibayashi (樹林 伸, Kibayashi Shin; born July 22, 1962, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese manga storywriter, novelist and screenwriter. Under the name Yuma Ando, he received the 2003 Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen for writing Kunimitsu no Matsuri. The pen name "Tadashi Agi" (亜樹 直) is shared with his sister Yūko Kibayashi (樹林ゆう子, Kibayashi Yūko). He graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Musashi Senior High School and Waseda University School of Economics & Political Science.
Katsuhiko Nakagawa (中川 勝彦, Nakagawa Katsuhiko; July 20, 1962 – September 17, 1994) was a Japanese actor and musician…Katsuhiko Nakagawa (中川 勝彦, Nakagawa Katsuhiko; July 20, 1962 – September 17, 1994) was a Japanese actor and musician from Tokyo. He is the father of the multi-tarento Shoko Nakagawa. He appeared in the 1986 adaptation of Toki o Kakeru Shōjo, voiced the lead character of Superpowered Robo Garat, and released 10 singles and 9 albums before his death in 1994, with two albums released posthumously. After his debut appearance as a musician in NHK's Young Music Festival, he started to become known after appearing in the movies Narawareta Gakuen (1981) and Tenkōsei (1982). On February 22, 1984, he released simultaneously his debut album and single entitled Shite Mitai through Warner Pioneer. In September 1992 he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He passed 9 months fighting against the disease and managed to make a comeback to Japanese entertainment, but his leukemia reappeared in August 1994, leading to his death on September 17, 1994.
Mari Hamada (Japanese: 浜田麻里, Hepburn: Hamada Mari; born July 18, 1962) is a Japanese rock singer and songwriter. Having…Mari Hamada (Japanese: 浜田麻里, Hepburn: Hamada Mari; born July 18, 1962) is a Japanese rock singer and songwriter. Having performed in bands since high school, Hamada made her professional debut as a solo act in 1983. She quickly became known as the "Queen of Heavy Metal" (ヘヴィメタルの女王, Hevī Metaru no Joō). In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Hamada the eighth best vocalist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election". In 2019, she became the first Japanese musician to top the vocalist category of heavy metal magazine Burrn!'s readers poll in its 36 year history. Throughout her career, she has released 25 singles and 23 studio albums.
Naomi Tokashiki (渡嘉敷 奈緒美, Tokashiki Naomi; born 16 July 1962) is a Japanese politician who is serving in the House of…Naomi Tokashiki (渡嘉敷 奈緒美, Tokashiki Naomi; born 16 July 1962) is a Japanese politician who is serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Masashi Sugawara (菅原 正志; (born July 14, 1962 in Kanagawa) is a Japanese voice actor who voiced Vigoro in Skies of…Masashi Sugawara (菅原 正志; (born July 14, 1962 in Kanagawa) is a Japanese voice actor who voiced Vigoro in Skies of Arcadia, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette, and George Joestar in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Maha Harada (原田 マハ, Harada Maha; born 1962) is a Japanese writer and filmmaker. She has won the Japan Love Story Grand…Maha Harada (原田 マハ, Harada Maha; born 1962) is a Japanese writer and filmmaker. She has won the Japan Love Story Grand Prize, the Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize, and the Nitta Jiro Literature Prize, she has been nominated multiple times for the Naoki Prize, and several of her novels have been adapted for film and television.
Fumiya Fujii (藤井 フミヤ, Fujii Fumiya; born July 11, 1962) is a Japanese musician, actor and former lead singer of The…Fumiya Fujii (藤井 フミヤ, Fujii Fumiya; born July 11, 1962) is a Japanese musician, actor and former lead singer of The Checkers born in Kurume. His younger brother is Naoyuki Fujii, a musician and former sax player for The Checkers. His eldest son is Fuji TV announcer Kōki Fujii. He formerly belonged to Yamaha Music Foundation and Three Star Pro (both during the Checkers era), and now he is part of a private agency, FFM Co.
Yasuo Fujii (藤井 康雄, Fujii Yasuo; born July 7, 1962 in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Yasuo Fujii (藤井 康雄, Fujii Yasuo; born July 7, 1962 in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Kenya Akiba (秋葉 賢也, Akiba Ken'ya; born 3 July 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member…Kenya Akiba (秋葉 賢也, Akiba Ken'ya; born 3 July 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Miyagi Prefecture, he attended Chuo University as an undergraduate and received his master's degree from Tohoku University. He was elected to the first of his three terms in the assembly of Miyagi Prefecture in 1995 and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Misugisato Kōji (born 1 July 1962 as Kōji Okamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Shiga Prefecture, Japan. He made his…Misugisato Kōji (born 1 July 1962 as Kōji Okamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Shiga Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1979, and his highest rank was komusubi which he reached in 1989. He earned six gold stars for defeating yokozuna and one special prize for Fighting Spirit. He retired in 1998 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association before leaving the sumo world in 2006.
Seiji Rokkaku (六角 精児, Rokkaku Seiji; born June 24, 1962) is a Japanese actor from Hyōgo Prefecture. He was born in…Seiji Rokkaku (六角 精児, Rokkaku Seiji; born June 24, 1962) is a Japanese actor from Hyōgo Prefecture. He was born in Himeji and raised in Takasago. Rokkaku is the vocalist of Rokkaku Seiji Band. He dropped out of Gakushuin University. Rokkaku became famous in Japan for his role as Mamoru Yonezawa in Aibou Series. He landed the lead role in AIBOU Series: Yonezawa Mamoru no Jikenbo spin-off film of AIBOU series.
Shōhei Takada (高田 尚平, Takada Shōhei; June 21, 1962) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the…Shōhei Takada (高田 尚平, Takada Shōhei; June 21, 1962) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 7-dan.
Masanao Sasaki (佐々木 雅尚, Sasaki Masanao), born June 19, 1962, is a former Japanese football player. He played for the…Masanao Sasaki (佐々木 雅尚, Sasaki Masanao), born June 19, 1962, is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Yuzo Ishikawa (石川 雄三, Ishikawa Yūzō; born June 18, 1962, in Asahi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan), better known as…Yuzo Ishikawa (石川 雄三, Ishikawa Yūzō; born June 18, 1962, in Asahi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan), better known as Tajin (タージン, Tājin), is a Japanese comedian, reporter, and radio personality who is represented by the talent agency, Wako Promotion. Tajin is an active reporter mainly in the Kansai region, by the nicknames Kansai No. 1 Reporter (関西No.1リポーター, Kansai Nanbā 1 Ripōtā) and Location God (King-Emperor) (ロケの神様（王様・帝王）, Roke no Kamisama (Ōsama Teiō)).
Mitsuharu Misawa (三沢 光晴, Misawa Mitsuharu; born Mitsuharu Kotake (小竹 光晴), June 18, 1962 – June 13, 2009) was a Japanese…Mitsuharu Misawa (三沢 光晴, Misawa Mitsuharu; born Mitsuharu Kotake (小竹 光晴), June 18, 1962 – June 13, 2009) was a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter. He spent most of his career with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he became the promotion's leading wrestler during the 1990s, before founding Pro Wrestling Noah in 2000. Misawa was one of AJPW's Four Heavenly Kings (プロレスの四天王, Puroresu no shiten'nō), alongside Toshiaki Kawada, Kenta Kobashi, and Akira Taue; their matches became closely associated with AJPW's ōdō, or King's Road, style. Misawa debuted for AJPW in 1981 and wrestled as the second Tiger Mask from 1984 until unmasking in 1990. His victory over Jumbo Tsuruta that June established him as a rising main-event wrestler, and after Tsuruta's career was curtailed by illness, Misawa became AJPW's principal star. He won the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship five times; his first reign, from 1992 to 1994, lasted 705 days, the longest in the championship's history. His rivalry with Kawada produced their June 3, 1994 match, which has been cited as one of the greatest professional wrestling matches of all time and became especially influential among overseas fans through tape trading. After Giant Baba died in 1999, Misawa became president of AJPW, but conflicts with Baba's widow and majority shareholder Motoko Baba led to his removal from the position in May 2000. He then led most of AJPW's native roster out of the company and founded Pro Wrestling Noah, serving as its president and one of its leading wrestlers. Misawa became the inaugural GHC Heavyweight Champion and held the title three times. As Noah's business declined in the later 2000s, he continued wrestling a full schedule despite accumulating injuries and worked to establish younger wrestlers as the promotion's future stars. On June 13, 2009, Misawa died at age 46 after taking a back suplex during a tag-team match in Hiroshima. The reported injury was a cervical fracture resulting in atlanto-axial dislocation. His death prompted renewed discussion in Japan about the regulation and safety of professional wrestling. Over his career, Misawa was an eight-time world champion, winning the Triple Crown five times and the GHC Heavyweight Championship three times, and he was named Wrestler of the Year by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1995, 1997, and 1999.
Issei Tajima (田島 一成, Tajima Issei; born 15 June 1962) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Issei Tajima (田島 一成, Tajima Issei; born 15 June 1962) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. A native of Hikone, Shiga he earned his undergraduate degree in Chuo University, study-abroad credit in Carleton College in Minnesota, United States and master's degree in Doshisha University. He was elected for the first time in 2005.
Sidmar Antônio Martins (born 13 June 1962) is a former Brazilian football player who played as a goalkeeper. He is…Sidmar Antônio Martins (born 13 June 1962) is a former Brazilian football player who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently goalkeeper coach of Vissel Kobe.
Akie Abe (安倍 昭恵, Abe Akie; née Matsuzaki; born 10 June 1962) is the widow of Shinzo Abe, who served as Prime Minister…Akie Abe (安倍 昭恵, Abe Akie; née Matsuzaki; born 10 June 1962) is the widow of Shinzo Abe, who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.
Masashi Tanaka (田中 政志, born June 10, 1962) is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating Gon, a silent manga…Masashi Tanaka (田中 政志, born June 10, 1962) is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating Gon, a silent manga starring a miniature dinosaur.
Naoki Okada (岡田 直樹, Okada Naoki; born June 9, 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member…Naoki Okada (岡田 直樹, Okada Naoki; born June 9, 1962) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Takuya Kurosawa (Shinjitai: 黒澤琢弥, Kurosawa Takuya; born in Ibaraki, June 7, 1962) is a Japanese race car driver.…Takuya Kurosawa (Shinjitai: 黒澤琢弥, Kurosawa Takuya; born in Ibaraki, June 7, 1962) is a Japanese race car driver. Kurosawa raced in All-Japan Formula Three from 1988 to 1989, Japanese Formula 3000 from 1990 to 1995 and the JGTC series from 1994 to 1999, also driving in the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing tenth. Kurosawa then obtained sponsorship to drive in the American CART series for Dale Coyne Racing in 2000. He made eight starts with a best finish of 12th at the Detroit Grand Prix. He became the first Japanese driver to lead a Champ Car race when he led seven laps at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Kurosawa then returned to JGTC for the next three seasons, drove in the Super Taikyu series in 2004. He currently competes in the Super GT series, driving a Porsche Boxster for Arktech Motorsports. Kurosawa is the son of Best Motoring presenter Motoharu Kurosawa, and elder brother of Haruki and Tsubasa Kurosawa, all of whom are racing drivers.
Hirokazu Kore-eda (是枝 裕和, Koreeda Hirokazu; born 6 June 1962) is a Japanese filmmaker. He rose to prominence with his…Hirokazu Kore-eda (是枝 裕和, Koreeda Hirokazu; born 6 June 1962) is a Japanese filmmaker. He rose to prominence with his drama films Nobody Knows (2004), Still Walking (2008) and Like Father, Like Son (2013), for the latter he won the Jury Prize at the 66th Cannes Film Festival. His drama film Shoplifters (2018) won the Palme d'Or at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film representing Japan. He has since directed Broker (2022) and Monster (2023), to critical acclaim.
Sachiko Yamazaki (山崎 幸子, Yamazaki Sachiko; born 3 June 1962) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed in…Sachiko Yamazaki (山崎 幸子, Yamazaki Sachiko; born 3 June 1962) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed in two events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Keiichi Tomita (冨田 恵一, Tomita Keiichi; born January 1, 1962) is a Japanese music producer, composer, and arranger.…Keiichi Tomita (冨田 恵一, Tomita Keiichi; born January 1, 1962) is a Japanese music producer, composer, and arranger. Known in Japan as a "pop maestro" and "master of sound," Tomita has produced several tracks that have achieved popularity in Japan, including Misia’s song "Everything" and Mika Nakashima’s debut single "Stars." He has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians, including Kirinji, Bird, Maaya Sakamoto, Ringo Sheena, and Kaela Kimura.
Misako Miyahara (宮原 美佐子; born May 29, 1962) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. She represented her native…Misako Miyahara (宮原 美佐子; born May 29, 1962) is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. She represented her native country in the women's marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, alongside Eriko Asai and Kumi Araki. She won the silver medal in the women's marathon at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea.
Yutsuko Chūsonji (Japanese: 中尊寺ゆつこ, Hepburn: Chūsonji Yutsuko; May 28, 1962 – January 31, 2005) was the pen name of…Yutsuko Chūsonji (Japanese: 中尊寺ゆつこ, Hepburn: Chūsonji Yutsuko; May 28, 1962 – January 31, 2005) was the pen name of Japanese manga artist Yukiko Kobayashi (小林 幸子; born Yukiko Fujiwara).
Ikuyo Shiotani (Japanese: 塩谷育代, Hepburn: Ikuyo Shiotani; born 28 May 1962) is a professional golfer. Inspired by Hisako…Ikuyo Shiotani (Japanese: 塩谷育代, Hepburn: Ikuyo Shiotani; born 28 May 1962) is a professional golfer. Inspired by Hisako Higuchi to begin playing golf, Shiotani joined a golf driving range and passed the professional exam in 1983. She joined the 43th class of the Ladies Professional Golfers' Association of Japan (LPGA of Japan). In 1985, three years after her debut, she began incorporating scientific training under the guidance of professor Seiichi Tanaka of Tokai University. She won the 1987 Asian Circuit Malaysian Ladies Open, followed by her first championship win in the LPGA of Japan Tour in March 1989, when she competed in the Yakult Mill Mill Ladies Tournament. Shiotani got married in December 1993. In January 1998, she found out she was pregnant, and went on maternity leave after the Nasu Ogawa Ladies Tournament in late April. On 21 August of the same year, she gave birth to her first son. She returned at the start of the 1999 season. In September 2003, she won the Fujisankei LadiestTournament, marking her 20th championship win in her 21st year as a professional. In 2011, she retired and instead participated on the senior tour, served as a television commentator, and began training young professionals and juniors. In 2022, Shiotani was inducted into the Japan Professional Golf Hall of Fame.
Tochinowaka Kiyotaka (born 22 May 1962 as Kiyotaka Kaseda) is a former sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. A…Tochinowaka Kiyotaka (born 22 May 1962 as Kiyotaka Kaseda) is a former sumo wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 1985, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1987. His highest rank was sekiwake. He was a runner-up in one tournament and earned six special prizes and four kinboshi. After 76 tournaments and 1114 bouts in the top division he retired in 1999. He is now an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and the head coach of Kasugano stable.
Kiyomi Sato (佐藤 清美, Satō Kiyomi; born May 26, 1962) is a current basketball head coach for JX-Eneos Sunflowers in Japan…Kiyomi Sato (佐藤 清美, Satō Kiyomi; born May 26, 1962) is a current basketball head coach for JX-Eneos Sunflowers in Japan and the former head coach for Tokoha University.
Katsumi Watanabe (渡部 勝美, Watanabe Katsumi; born May 16, 1962) is a Japanese baseball player. He was awarded the bronze…Katsumi Watanabe (渡部 勝美, Watanabe Katsumi; born May 16, 1962) is a Japanese baseball player. He was awarded the bronze medal, along with the rest of the Japanese team, during baseball's first ever appearance as an official Olympic sport, during the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Yasushi Suzuki (鈴木 靖, Suzuki Yasushi; born 15 May 1962) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres…Yasushi Suzuki (鈴木 靖, Suzuki Yasushi; born 15 May 1962) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres event at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Takao Nakano (中野貴雄, Nakano Takao; born May 15, 1962) is a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor who has worked…Takao Nakano (中野貴雄, Nakano Takao; born May 15, 1962) is a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor who has worked in pink film, adult videos (AV), and in mainstream comedy, horror and fantasy films. Film critic Jasper Sharp describes him as one of the few figures in the Japanese erotic film scene who have made a name for themselves overseas.
Shin-ya Koyama (小山 信也, Koyama Shin'ya; born 1962, Niigata) is a Japanese mathematician working in number theory. He is…Shin-ya Koyama (小山 信也, Koyama Shin'ya; born 1962, Niigata) is a Japanese mathematician working in number theory. He is currently a professor at Toyo University.
Kaori Ishibashi (石橋かおりIshibashi Kaori; born May 6, 1962) is a Japanese confectionery researcher, baking instructor, and…Kaori Ishibashi (石橋かおりIshibashi Kaori; born May 6, 1962) is a Japanese confectionery researcher, baking instructor, and author known for her specialty in cheesecakes. She has written 48 baking cookbooks and over 400 cheesecake recipes.
Takayuki Suzui (鈴井 貴之, Suzui Takayuki; born 6 May 1962) is a tarento who mainly works in Hokkaido, film director and…Takayuki Suzui (鈴井 貴之, Suzui Takayuki; born 6 May 1962) is a tarento who mainly works in Hokkaido, film director and broadcast writer. He is the chairman of Board of Directors of Creative Office Cue Co., Ltd., and the Board of Cure Products Co., Ltd., and Manhole Film Limited. He is nicknamed Mister (ミスター, Misutā). His ex-wife is Creative Office Cue President Ayumi Ito.
Mitsuhiko Kato (加藤三彦, Katō Mitsuhiko; born May 5, 1962), nicknamed Semi, is a current college basketball head coach for…Mitsuhiko Kato (加藤三彦, Katō Mitsuhiko; born May 5, 1962), nicknamed Semi, is a current college basketball head coach for Bunri University of Hospitality in Japan and the former head coach for Noshiro Technical High School and Link Tochigi Brex.
Kazuo Takikawa (滝川 一夫, born 4 May 1962) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1988…Kazuo Takikawa (滝川 一夫, born 4 May 1962) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Masuaki Kiyota (清田 益章, Kiyota Masuaki; born 1962) is a Japanese psychic known for his alleged ability of…Masuaki Kiyota (清田 益章, Kiyota Masuaki; born 1962) is a Japanese psychic known for his alleged ability of thoughtography. Kiyota was tested by investigators in London by Granada Television and the results were negative. It was discovered that with tight controls, Kiyota was unable to project mental images onto film. He could only achieve success when he had the film in his possession without any control for at least 2 hours. Kiyota feats such as metal bending were endorsed by Walter and Mary Jo Uphoff as evidence for psychokinesis. However, skeptics and magicians have written that Kiyota is a clever "trickster" who performed his feats by magic tricks. According to James Randi "Kiyota's Polaroid photos were apparently produced by preexposing the film, since it was noted that he made great efforts to obtain a film pack and spend time with it in private." In a 1984 television interview, Kiyota confessed to fraud.
Seiji Maehara (前原 誠司, Maehara Seiji; born 30 April 1962) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the…Seiji Maehara (前原 誠司, Maehara Seiji; born 30 April 1962) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan since 1993. Maehara has served as a leader and a member of various political parties, and has run in several party leadership elections. As of 2026, he sits in the Diet as a member of Ishin no Kai. Beginning his political career in Kyoto, Maehara was initially a member of smaller opposition parties before joining the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), serving as its leader from 2005 to 2006. After the DPJ was victorious in the 2009 general election, Maehara served as Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Minister of Foreign Affairs under the cabinets of Prime Ministers Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, before resigning from the cabinet in March 2011 after he acknowledged receiving illegal donations from a South Korean national living in Japan. In 2016, Maehara contested for the leadership of the Democratic Party, the successor party of the DPJ, losing to Renho. He later replaced her as leader on 1 September 2017 until its dissolution later that month. After spending some time with Kibō no Tō and the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP), Maehara founded a new party in 2023, Free Education for All, which was broadly centrist and focused on building a coalition against the LDP. In preparation for the 2024 general election, the party merged with the Osaka-based Ishin no Kai party (Japan Innovation Party). Two months later, he was elected the party's co-leader and representative in the National Diet, serving alongside Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. Maehara would resign the following summer to take responsibility for the party's lackluster results in the 2025 Upper House elections. Being succeed by Fujita Fumitake, Maehra has remained on the backbenches since. Maehara is viewed as a "China war hawk" and a proponent of close ties with the United States. He is also often viewed as being politically conservative, while supporting socially liberal policies, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro (born 26 April 1962 as Masahiro Tamura) is a former sumo wrestler from Niiharu, Gunma, Japan. He…Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro (born 26 April 1962 as Masahiro Tamura) is a former sumo wrestler from Niiharu, Gunma, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1978, and reached the top division in 1987. His highest rank was komusubi and he earned two special prizes. After retirement he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and as of 2016 he is a coach at Sadogatake stable under the name Kumegawa.
Tomoko Namba (南場智子, Namba Tomoko; born April 21, 1962) is a Japanese entrepreneur, and the former CEO of DeNA. She is…Tomoko Namba (南場智子, Namba Tomoko; born April 21, 1962) is a Japanese entrepreneur, and the former CEO of DeNA. She is vice-chair of the Japan Business Federation. In 1999 she founded DeNA, one of Japan's largest mobile social network and mobile game companies. She transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman of DeNA in 2011 to focus on her family and personal life. In 2021, she was appointed vice-chair of the Japan Business Foundation to become the first woman in the post in its 75-year history. Namba received an MBA from Harvard Business School and was the third Japanese woman to become a partner at McKinsey & Co. She started DeNA after working on a consulting assignment with Sony's So-net while she was a consultant at McKinsey.
Yuko Fujigaki (Japanese: 藤垣 裕子; born 1962) is a Japanese academic and researcher specializing in science and technology…Yuko Fujigaki (Japanese: 藤垣 裕子; born 1962) is a Japanese academic and researcher specializing in science and technology studies (STS) and scientometrics. She is a professor at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and has held several senior academic leadership positions at the university. In September 2026, she was selected as the university's 32nd president, becoming the first woman chosen to lead the institution since its establishment in 1877. She is scheduled to assume office on April 1, 2027, succeeding Teruo Fujii. Fujigaki's research examines relationships between scientific knowledge, public policy, and society, with particular emphasis on the social responsibility of scientists, scientific expertise, research evaluation, and public engagement in science and technology. She has contributed to the development of science and technology studies in Japan through academic publications, professional society leadership, and international scholarly collaboration.
Kenji Midori (緑 健児, Midori Kenji; born April 18, 1962) is a Japanese martial artist and an instructor of the…Kenji Midori (緑 健児, Midori Kenji; born April 18, 1962) is a Japanese martial artist and an instructor of the Full-contact Karate. He has an 8th Dan black belt in World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai.
