Mitsuo Fukuda (福田 己津央, Fukuda Mitsuo) (born October 28, 1960) is a Japanese animation director and scriptwriter from…Mitsuo Fukuda (福田 己津央, Fukuda Mitsuo) (born October 28, 1960) is a Japanese animation director and scriptwriter from Tochigi Prefecture. He was married to anime screenwriter Chiaki Morosawa until her death in 2016.
Momiji Yamamura (山村 紅葉, Yamamura Momiji; born 27 October 1960) is a Japanese actress. Her real name is Momiji Yoshikawa…Momiji Yamamura (山村 紅葉, Yamamura Momiji; born 27 October 1960) is a Japanese actress. Her real name is Momiji Yoshikawa (吉川 紅葉, Yoshikawa Momiji; née Yamamura (山村)). Yamamura is represented by Misa Yamamura Office and Toho Entertainment. She is a graduate of Kyoto University of Education Kindergarthen, Elementary School, Junior High, and High School and Waseda University Political Science and Economics. Yamamura's mother was Misa Yamamura and her husband is a former Ministry of Finance bureaucrat. Her uncle is Hiroshi Kimura. Yamamura's hobby is ice skating. Her skills are speaking English, German, and Kyoto words and playing the piano. Yamamura is nicknamed Momi-chan (もみちゃん) and Momiji-san (紅葉さん).
Masahisa Sato (佐藤 正久, Satō Masahisa; born October 23, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Masahisa Sato (佐藤 正久, Satō Masahisa; born October 23, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Fukushima Prefecture, he graduated from National Defense Academy of Japan with a major in applied physics and joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). In the JGSDF, he was the commander of the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group. After his retirement as colonel in 2007, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Takeshi Koshida (越田 剛史, Koshida Takeshi; born October 19, 1960) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer.…Takeshi Koshida (越田 剛史, Koshida Takeshi; born October 19, 1960) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer. He is the technical director of Vietnam national football team and Vietnam women's national football team.
Masamitsu Hidaka (日高 政光, Hidaka Masamitsu; 19 October 1960 – 9 March 2022) was a Japanese anime director and storyboard…Masamitsu Hidaka (日高 政光, Hidaka Masamitsu; 19 October 1960 – 9 March 2022) was a Japanese anime director and storyboard artist of television anime. He notably served as the supervising director of the Pokémon television anime series from 1997 to 2006.
Jun Hashizume (橋爪 淳, Hashizume Jun; born 13 October 1960) is a Japanese actor who has appeared in a number of feature…Jun Hashizume (橋爪 淳, Hashizume Jun; born 13 October 1960) is a Japanese actor who has appeared in a number of feature films and television series. He graduated from Nihon University High School and Nihon University College of Art. He is represented with Toho Entertainment.
Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese: 真田 広之; né Shimozawa; born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has…Hiroyuki Sanada (Japanese: 真田 広之; né Shimozawa; born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor and martial artist. He has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a British Academy Television Award, a Japan Academy Film Prize, two Hochi Film Awards, a Mainichi Film Award, three Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Actor, four Kinema Junpo Awards, and honors from the Yokohama Film Festival. In 2018, he received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government for his "artistic developments, improvements, and accomplishments", and in 2025, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Sanada began his career in the mid-1960s at the age of five, and was the protégé of actor Sonny Chiba. A black belt in Kyokushin karate, he initially gained prominence for his roles in Japanese and Hong Kong action films, later establishing himself as a dramatic actor. He is best known to international audiences for his roles as Ryuji Takayama in Ring (1998) where he played alongside Nanako Matsushima, who was also his co-star in a 1997 television drama A Story of Love. His role as the Fool in a production of the Shakespeare play King Lear (1999–2000) gave him theatrical attention, and led to his appointment as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. Beginning in the 2000s, Sanada grew his Hollywood presence with such roles as Seibei Iguchi in The Twilight Samurai (2002), Ujio in The Last Samurai (2003), and Kenji in Rush Hour 3 (2007). Sanada's appearances in Hollywood films include Sunshine (2007), Speed Racer (2008), The Wolverine, 47 Ronin (both 2013), Minions (2015), Life (2017), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Army of the Dead (2021), as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion in Mortal Kombat (2021), Bullet Train (2022), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). He also had roles on Lost (2010) and the HBO series Westworld (2018–2020). Sanada gained awards for his role in the FX historical drama series Shōgun (2024) as Yoshii Toranaga, a fictionalized version of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Yasushige Sasaki (born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the…Yasushige Sasaki (born 12 October 1960) is a Japanese weightlifter. He competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Kazuaki Okazaki (岡崎一明, Okazaki Kazuaki; October 8, 1960 – July 26, 2018) was a Japanese convicted multiple murderer and…Kazuaki Okazaki (岡崎一明, Okazaki Kazuaki; October 8, 1960 – July 26, 2018) was a Japanese convicted multiple murderer and former member of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo who co-perpetrated the Sakamoto family murder and another murder in 1989. Immediately after the Sakamoto murders, he abandoned the cult and turned himself in to the police after the Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995. He was tried and was sentenced to death for those crimes, for which he pleaded clemency. The petition was repeatedly dismissed by the courts and he was executed in July 2018.
Kyosuke Himuro (Japanese: 氷室 京介, Hepburn: Himuro Kyōsuke; born October 7, 1960, in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese…Kyosuke Himuro (Japanese: 氷室 京介, Hepburn: Himuro Kyōsuke; born October 7, 1960, in Takasaki, Gunma) is a Japanese former musician and singer-songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock band Boøwy from 1981 to 1988. After the band disbanded, he went on to have a successful solo career, becoming one of Japan's best-selling artists, with 16.25 million sales. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked Boøwy at number 22 and Himuro himself at number 76 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. Himuro retired from live performances in 2016 due to hearing impairment. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Shun Medoruma (目取真 俊, Medoruma Shun; born 10 October 1960) is a Japanese writer, who, along with Tatsuhiro Oshiro, Tami…Shun Medoruma (目取真 俊, Medoruma Shun; born 10 October 1960) is a Japanese writer, who, along with Tatsuhiro Oshiro, Tami Sakiyama, and Eiki Matayoshi, is one of the most important contemporary writers from Okinawa, Japan. Early in his career he won the 11th Ryukyu Shimpō Short Story Prize in 1983 for "Taiwan Woman: Record of a Fish Shoal" ("Gyogunki"), translated by Shi-Lin Loh in Islands of Protest: Japanese Literature from Okinawa, and the New Okinawan Literature Prize in 1986 for "Walking the Street Named Peace Boulevard" ("Heiwa doori to nazukerareta machi o aruite"). He was awarded the 27th Kyushu Arts Festival Literary Prize and the 117th Akutagawa Prize in 1997 for his short story "A Drop of Water" ("Suiteki"). (Also translated as "Droplets" by Michael Molasky, appearing in the collection of translated stories and poems from Japanese into English titled Southern Exposure: Modern Japanese literature from Okinawa.) In 2000, his short story "Mabuigumi" ("Spirit Stuffing," 1998) won the prestigious Kawabata Yasunari and Kiyama Shōhei literary prizes. Medoruma also wrote the screenplay for the film Fūon: The Crying Wind, which received the Montreal Film Festival Innovation Prize in 2004, and published a novel based on the screenplay the same year. His critically acclaimed novel In the Woods of Memory (眼の奥の森, Me no oku no mori; translated by Kasumi Sminkey) is the first full-length novel by an Okinawan writer to be translated and published in English.
Hitomi Kuroki (Japanese: 黒木 瞳; born October 5, 1960) is a Japanese actress and film director. She was born in Fukuoka…Hitomi Kuroki (Japanese: 黒木 瞳; born October 5, 1960) is a Japanese actress and film director. She was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in what was formerly called Kurogi in Yame District (now incorporated into Yame City). Her stage name derives from her hometown of Kuroki, and writer Hiroyuki Itsuki who was an alumnus of her Middle School came up with this full stage name.。 Kuroki was a member of the Takarazuka Revue, belonging to the Moon Troupe (Tsuki-gumi). Kuroki was the voice of Helen Parr/Elastigirl/Mrs. Incredible in the Japanese dub of The Incredibles. She won the award for best actress at the 22nd Hochi Film Award for Lost Paradise (1997).
Shinji Aramaki (荒牧 伸志, Aramaki Shinji; born 2 October 1960) is a Japanese anime director and mechanical designer from…Shinji Aramaki (荒牧 伸志, Aramaki Shinji; born 2 October 1960) is a Japanese anime director and mechanical designer from Fukuoka Prefecture. He graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Fukuoka High School and Okayama University. He was a member of Artmic and is currently the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Sola Digital Arts. He is a leading figure in 3DCG animation in Japan.
Mikio Kudō (工藤幹夫, Kudō Mikio; September 30, 1960 – May 13, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He…Mikio Kudō (工藤幹夫, Kudō Mikio; September 30, 1960 – May 13, 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played five seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, all for the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Shuichi Takatori (高鳥 修一, Takatori Shūichi; born 29 September 1960) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House…Shuichi Takatori (高鳥 修一, Takatori Shūichi; born 29 September 1960) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet for the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Joetsu, Niigata he was elected for the first time in 2005.
Hiromi Matsunaga (松永 浩美, Matsunaga Hiromi; born September 27, 1960) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. In…Hiromi Matsunaga (松永 浩美, Matsunaga Hiromi; born September 27, 1960) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. In 1998, he attempted to win a roster spot with the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.
Shinji Tanaka (田中 真二, Tanaka Shinji; born September 25, 1960) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Shinji Tanaka (田中 真二, Tanaka Shinji; born September 25, 1960) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Chihiro Minato (港 千尋, Minato Chihiro; born 1960) is a Japanese photographer, filmmaker, arts curator and art theorist.…Chihiro Minato (港 千尋, Minato Chihiro; born 1960) is a Japanese photographer, filmmaker, arts curator and art theorist. He is also Professor at the Tama Art University since 1995. In 2000, Minato served as curator of the arts exhibition Serendipity: Photography, Video, Experimental Film and Multimedia Installation from Asia. Among his other major curatorial works is the Japanese Pavilion at the Venezia Biennale (Venice, Italy) in 2007.
Hiroaki Okuno (奥野 浩昭, Okuno Hiroaki; born 23 September 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the…Hiroaki Okuno (奥野 浩昭, Okuno Hiroaki; born 23 September 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Toshiyuki Kamioka Kamioka Toshiyuki (上岡 敏之; born 20 September 1960) is a Japanese conductor and pianist, who lives and…Toshiyuki Kamioka Kamioka Toshiyuki (上岡 敏之; born 20 September 1960) is a Japanese conductor and pianist, who lives and works predominantly in Germany since 1984.
Yorihisa Matsuno (松野 頼久, Matsuno Yorihisa; born 19 September 1960) is a former Japanese politician. He was a member of…Yorihisa Matsuno (松野 頼久, Matsuno Yorihisa; born 19 September 1960) is a former Japanese politician. He was a member of the Japan Restoration Association (JRA), and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). On 3 October 2012, he was selected as the parliamentary leader of the JRA and held this position until the party dissolved in September 2014. He is the member for the Kumamoto No. 1 seat and has been elected four times.
Kensuke Kazama (風間 健介, Kazama Kensuke; 18 September 1960 – June 2017) was a Japanese photographer who photographed the…Kensuke Kazama (風間 健介, Kazama Kensuke; 18 September 1960 – June 2017) was a Japanese photographer who photographed the one-time mining town of Yūbari, Hokkaidō. Born in Mie Prefecture, Kazama moved to Tokyo in 1978. He held exhibitions in Tokyo two years later. In 1987 he moved to Nanporo in Hokkaidō, and two years later to Yūbari. He lived there for 18 years. Kazama's photographs of the town of Yūbari and its abandoned mines and mining paraphernalia are in black and white, and employ a medium-format camera for detail and small aperture for great depth of field, often allied with a formal composition. Mitsugu Ōnishi points out that the results "run counter to the ruins photography trend". From 1994 his photographs of Yūbari appeared in the magazines Nippon Camera and Asahi Camera; he also participated regularly in Higashikawa Photofesta. Kazama won the 18th Higashikawa Special Prize in 2002 and (for his book Yūbari) the PSJ newcomer's award and the 18th Society of Photography Award in 2006. In March 2006, Kazama moved to Mitaka, Tokyo. His subsequent photographs of nearby Inokashira Park, which employ the same techniques as his photographs of Yūbari, have been published. He would sell his prints for as little as 1,000 yen each. Kazama later moved to Sayama (Saitama), where in 2010 he was working more with photograms, mounting both food specimens and potato crisps lightly edited to resemble faces in a specially constructed negative carrier and enlarging from this. In 2014 Kazama finally moved to Tateyama (Chiba), where he continued his photography. Kazama had great trouble making a living. Despite complaining about ill-health, he would not go to a hospital. He posted his final comment on Facebook on 3 June 2017; his body was discovered at home on 17 June.
Katsuyoshi Shinto (信藤 健仁, Shinto Katsuyoshi; born September 15, 1960) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Katsuyoshi Shinto (信藤 健仁, Shinto Katsuyoshi; born September 15, 1960) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He used his name "信藤 克義" until 1992.
Kazuhiro Kiuchi (きうちかずひろ [木内一裕], Kiuchi Kazuhiro; born September 14, 1960 in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese…Kazuhiro Kiuchi (きうちかずひろ [木内一裕], Kiuchi Kazuhiro; born September 14, 1960 in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist, film director and novelist. As a manga writer, he is best known for the series Be-Bop High School, which won the 1988 Kodansha Manga Award for the general category and was adapted as series of live-action movies and as a 7 episode anime OVA series. He was director of one segment of Killers.
Fumio Iwai (Japanese: 岩井文男) (born 17 July 1960), is a Japanese politician who currently serves as the ambassador of…Fumio Iwai (Japanese: 岩井文男) (born 17 July 1960), is a Japanese politician who currently serves as the ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia, and previously served as the Ambassador of Japan to Iraq.
Hiroshi Amano (天野 浩, Amano Hiroshi; born September 11, 1960) is a Japanese electrical engineer specializing in the…Hiroshi Amano (天野 浩, Amano Hiroshi; born September 11, 1960) is a Japanese electrical engineer specializing in the field of semiconductor technology. He is a co-inventor of the blue LED, for which he was awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics along with Isamu Akasaki and Shuji Nakamura.
Aguri Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 亜久里, Hepburn: Suzuki Aguri; born 8 September 1960) is a Japanese former racing driver and…Aguri Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 亜久里, Hepburn: Suzuki Aguri; born 8 September 1960) is a Japanese former racing driver and motorsport executive who competed in Formula One from 1988 to 1995. Suzuki entered 88 Formula One Grands Prix, achieving a best result of third at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the first Asian driver to score a podium finish. He also won the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship in 1988, and later finished third overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998. He was also a race-winner in the All-Japan GT Championship. Suzuki became involved in team ownership after his Formula One career, first forming Autobacs Racing Team Aguri (ARTA) in 1997 in partnership with Autobacs. ARTA has competed mostly in Super GT, where they have won titles in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. He was the owner of the Super Aguri F1 team, which participated in Formula One from 2006 to 2008. He also formed Team Aguri, which raced in Formula E from 2014 to 2016.
Misako Konno (紺野 美沙子 Konno Misako), born Misako Shinoda (篠田 美佐子 Shinoda Misako, born September 8, 1960) is a Japanese…Misako Konno (紺野 美沙子 Konno Misako), born Misako Shinoda (篠田 美佐子 Shinoda Misako, born September 8, 1960) is a Japanese actress and essayist. Her maiden name is Misako Satō (佐藤美佐子 Satō Misako). In 2022, she became the third woman appointed in an organization linked to the Japan Sumo Association, by being appointed to the Yokozuna Deliberation Council.
Tetsuya Endō (遠藤 徹哉 or えんどうてつや, Endō Tetsuya; born September 7, 1960) is a Japanese anime director, storyboard artist…Tetsuya Endō (遠藤 徹哉 or えんどうてつや, Endō Tetsuya; born September 7, 1960) is a Japanese anime director, storyboard artist, and sound director. He worked as the assistant director (演出助手, enshutsu joshu) of My Neighbor Totoro in 1988, and directed Floral Magician Mary Bell in 1992–93.
Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and…Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his pop-music career in 1980s and '90's-era Japanese city pop music'. Among his releases (totaling 45 singles and 18 original albums), from the 1980s to the 1990s, are eight albums which received Japan's Gold Disc Award (Japan's equivalent to a Grammy for Best Album). He was also awarded the Gold Disc Award for Best Male Pop Artist in 1989. Senri Oe's pop music garnered mass popularity in Japan following his first single "Wallabee Shoes" in 1983. He has held concerts in Japan's largest stadiums, including Nippon Budokan, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama Stadium, Chiba Marine Stadium, Seibu Dome, NHK Hall, and Osaka Castle Hall. He has also written and produced music for many artists, including Seiko Matsuda, Misato Watanabe, Hiromi Go, Hikaru Genji and Sayuri Ishikawa also composing music for the soundtrack of the film Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure in the South Seas, as well as "Believe" which was featured in Sanrio Puroland.
Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and…Senri Oe (大江 千里, Ōe Senri; born 6 September 1960) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, producer, actor, singer, and songwriter. He is best known for his pop-music career in 1980s and '90's-era Japanese city pop music'. Among his releases (totaling 45 singles and 18 original albums), from the 1980s to the 1990s, are eight albums which received Japan's Gold Disc Award (Japan's equivalent to a Grammy for Best Album). He was also awarded the Gold Disc Award for Best Male Pop Artist in 1989. Senri Oe's pop music garnered mass popularity in Japan following his first single "Wallabee Shoes" in 1983. He has held concerts in Japan's largest stadiums, including Nippon Budokan, Yokohama Arena, Yokohama Stadium, Chiba Marine Stadium, Seibu Dome, NHK Hall, and Osaka Castle Hall. He has also written and produced music for many artists, including Seiko Matsuda, Misato Watanabe, Hiromi Go, Hikaru Genji and Sayuri Ishikawa also composing music for the soundtrack of the film Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure in the South Seas, as well as "Believe" which was featured in Sanrio Puroland.
Toshiro Yoshino (吉野俊郎, Yoshino Toshiro) (born Ibaraki, 5 September 1960) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He…Toshiro Yoshino (吉野俊郎, Yoshino Toshiro) (born Ibaraki, 5 September 1960) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as a wing or as centre.
Seiko Noda (野田 聖子, Noda Seiko; born 3 September 1960) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister-in-charge of…Seiko Noda (野田 聖子, Noda Seiko; born 3 September 1960) is a Japanese politician who served as Minister-in-charge of Measures against Declining Birthrate from October 2021 to August 2022. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, she previously served as Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications from 2017 to 2018 under Shinzo Abe. Noda has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1993. She is a self-described conservative and was a candidate in the 2021 Liberal Democratic Party Leadership Election, however she was eliminated in a run-off, placing fourth in the first round.
Michimasa Fujino (藤野 道格, Fujino Michimasa) (born March 1960) is a retired Japanese aeronautical engineer, entrepreneur…Michimasa Fujino (藤野 道格, Fujino Michimasa) (born March 1960) is a retired Japanese aeronautical engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Honda Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company. Fujino worked as chief engineer within Honda R&D, then as vice president, before he was named the project leader for HondaJet development. He was also a Honda Motor managing officer. At Honda Aircraft, he played a crucial role in the growth of the company, and was responsible for the overall strategy of its design, development, certification, marketing, sales, and production of the HondaJet. For his work at Honda Aircraft, Fujino has received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aircraft Design Award (2012), the SAE International Award, the Clarence L. Kelly Johnson Aerospace and Vehicle Design Award (2014), and the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences Award for Innovation in Aeronautics. He is the first aircraft designer to receive all four awards, as well as the first individual of Asian descent to win the AIAA award, making him a notable figure in the contemporary aviation and very light jet industry. Fujino was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2017 for the creation of the HondaJet and the formation of the Honda Aircraft Company. In 2022, it was announced that he would retire as president and CEO of the company in April, a post he held since its founding in 2006, and continue as a consultant following his retirement.
Taeko Watanabe (渡辺 多恵子, Watanabe Taeko; born August 29, 1960, in Shinagawa, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. She made…Taeko Watanabe (渡辺 多恵子, Watanabe Taeko; born August 29, 1960, in Shinagawa, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional debut in 1979 with the short story Waka-chan no Netsuai Jidai (和佳ちゃんの熱愛時代; "Love Struck Days of Waka"). In 1987, she won the Excellence Award at the 16th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards for her comedy series St. 14 Graffiti. She has twice received the Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category: in 1991 for Hajime-chan ga Ichiban! and in 2003 for Kaze Hikaru.
Takashi Yano (矢野 隆司, Yano Takashi; born 29 August 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Takashi Yano (矢野 隆司, Yano Takashi; born 29 August 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka, Osaka and graduate of Kwansei Gakuin University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Takashi Miike (三池 崇史, Miike Takashi; born 24 August 1960) is a Japanese filmmaker and actor. He has directed over 100…Takashi Miike (三池 崇史, Miike Takashi; born 24 August 1960) is a Japanese filmmaker and actor. He has directed over 100 films and television productions, in a variety of genres such as action, children's films, comedy, drama, horror, musicals, and jidaigeki period dramas. He is best known internationally for the horror films Audition (1999), Ichi the Killer (2001), Visitor Q (2001), Gozu (2003), and One Missed Call (2003). He is also known for samurai and yakuza films such as Dead or Alive (1999), Graveyard of Honor (2002), 13 Assassins (2010), earning a Japan Academy Film Prize nomination for Director of the Year, and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011). He has also acted in more than 20 films. Miike spent much of his career as a controversial figure who had several of his films criticized for their extreme graphic violence and other transgressive content, especially Ichi the Killer, which was banned in several countries. However, in his later career, he shifted towards work more acceptable to the mainstream; his films Hara-Kiri and Straw Shield (2013) were both nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while both Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) and 13 Assassins were nominated for the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion. Several of his films have developed cult followings.
Shinji Kobayashi (小林 伸二, Kobayashi Shinji; born August 24, 1960) is a Japanese football manager and a former player…Shinji Kobayashi (小林 伸二, Kobayashi Shinji; born August 24, 1960) is a Japanese football manager and a former player, who is the manager of J3 League club Tochigi SC.
Sumio Mabuchi (馬淵 澄夫, Mabuchi Sumio; born 23 August 1960) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of…Sumio Mabuchi (馬淵 澄夫, Mabuchi Sumio; born 23 August 1960) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Hattori Yūji (born Yūji Hattori; 20 August 1960 – 6 June 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Obu, Aichi. While an…Hattori Yūji (born Yūji Hattori; 20 August 1960 – 6 June 2025) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Obu, Aichi. While an amateur at Doshisha University he won a then–record seventeen collegiate sumo titles. He joined Isenoumi stable and for a time used the prestigious shikona Fujinokawa, the fighting name of Isenoumi Oyakata, formerly sekiwake Fujinokawa Takeo. He made his professional debut in March 1983 and reached the top division in March 1985. However, he was very injury-prone and never made the san'yaku ranks, his highest rank being maegashira 3. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in July 1987 at the age of just 26. Yūji later became a sumo commentator. He died from liver cancer on 6 June 2025, at the age of 64.
Yoshihiro Murai (村井 嘉浩, Murai Yoshihiro; born 20 August 1960) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of…Yoshihiro Murai (村井 嘉浩, Murai Yoshihiro; born 20 August 1960) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Miyagi Prefecture since 2005. A native of Toyonaka, Osaka and a former officer in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, he was first elected governor in 2005 after serving in the Miyagi Prefectural Assembly since 1995. In July 2017 Murai approved the online publication of a tourism promotion video that was created using 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami reconstruction funds and starred actress and gravure idol Mitsu Dan. Female members of the Miyagi Prefectural Assembly, along with members of the public, claimed that the video was sexually suggestive and demanded that it be taken down. Murai initially defended the video on the grounds that it successfully brought attention to the prefecture, but hundreds of complaints were filed in the month after publication, and he ordered the video withdrawn in August 2017.