Keiji Kaimoto (海本 慶治, Kaimoto Keiji; born November 26, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Keiji Kaimoto (海本 慶治, Kaimoto Keiji; born November 26, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His younger brother Kojiro Kaimoto is also a former footballer.
Makiko Sanada (真田マキ子, Sanada Makiko; born 25 November 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Makiko Sanada (真田マキ子, Sanada Makiko; born 25 November 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Masaaki Sakata (坂田正彰, Sakata Masaaki) (born 25 November 1972 in Nagaokakyō), is a Japanese former rugby union player…Masaaki Sakata (坂田正彰, Sakata Masaaki) (born 25 November 1972 in Nagaokakyō), is a Japanese former rugby union player who played as hooker.
Yoshiko Kira (born 14 November 1972) is a Japanese sports shooter. She competed in the women's double trap event at the…Yoshiko Kira (born 14 November 1972) is a Japanese sports shooter. She competed in the women's double trap event at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Hideki Sakamoto (坂本 英城, Sakamoto Hideki) is a Japanese music composer, best known for his contributions in video games.…Hideki Sakamoto (坂本 英城, Sakamoto Hideki) is a Japanese music composer, best known for his contributions in video games. He serves as the representative director of Noisycroak, a Tokyo-based sound design company focused on game soundtracks. Echochrome II holds the Guinness World Record for the longest single musical track in a video game, lasting 75 minutes and 7 seconds.
Eiji Shotsu (正津 英志, Shotsu Eiji; born November 13, 1972) is a Japanese professional Nippon Professional Baseball…Eiji Shotsu (正津 英志, Shotsu Eiji; born November 13, 1972) is a Japanese professional Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is currently with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League.
Kazumi Inamura (稲村 和美, Inamura Kazumi; born 10 November 1972) is a Japanese politician. She was the mayor of Amagasaki…Kazumi Inamura (稲村 和美, Inamura Kazumi; born 10 November 1972) is a Japanese politician. She was the mayor of Amagasaki from 13 December 2010 until 1 December 2022. She is member of the Greens Japan political party and was its co-president from 2008 to 2010. She was a student at the University of Kobe during the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. She was a member of the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly.
Terufumi Horiuchi (堀内 照文, Horiuchi Terufumi; born November 2, 1972) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party, former…Terufumi Horiuchi (堀内 照文, Horiuchi Terufumi; born November 2, 1972) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party, former serving in the House of Representatives. He was born in the center of the Osaka (the second largest metropolitan area in Japan) in 1972. He graduated from Shumiyoshi High School, and Kobe University in 1991. He was elected to this position in 2014, representing the Kinki region. Horiuchi was critical of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to reduce the turnover rate of people giving up their jobs to care for the elderly to zero by improving nursing care as unrealistic. He said that to make Abe's policy work, one would need to increase the wages of those working in nursing care and to give more state funding to facilities.
Takafumi Horie (堀江 貴文, Horie Takafumi; born October 29, 1972) is a Japanese entrepreneur who founded Livedoor, a…Takafumi Horie (堀江 貴文, Horie Takafumi; born October 29, 1972) is a Japanese entrepreneur who founded Livedoor, a website design operation that grew into a popular internet portal. After being arrested and charged with securities fraud in 2006, he severed all connections with the company. His trial began on September 4, 2006. On March 16, 2007, Horie was sentenced to imprisonment of 2 years and 6 months. He is popularly known as Horiemon (ホリエモン) due to his resemblance to Doraemon, the chubby robot cat in a popular Japanese cartoon. The name Horiemon was also given to a racehorse he owned, after the name had been chosen by voting on a Livedoor website.
Yasunori Uchitomi (Japanese: 内冨 恭則; born 29 October 1972), is a Japanese former long-distance runner who specialized in…Yasunori Uchitomi (Japanese: 内冨 恭則; born 29 October 1972), is a Japanese former long-distance runner who specialized in the 3000 meters steeplechase. His personal best for the event is 8:26.48 minutes, set in 1997. He was one of Japan's top steeplechasers during his career, taking three titles at the Japan Championships in Athletics and six at the Japanese National Games. His greatest achievement was a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games, having won bronze four years earlier. He was twice a medalist at the Asian Athletics Championships (silver in 1998, bronze in 2003). He had much success at the East Asian Games, winning back-to-back titles in 1997 to 2001 with games record times before finally taking silver in 2005 (his last international performance). Uchitomi also represented Japan at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1999 and was a corporate team runner for Chugoku Electric Power Company, winning several Japan corporate titles.
Kuniaki Takahashi (高橋邦明, Takahashi Kuniaki; born 27 October 1972, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a retired Japanese…Kuniaki Takahashi (高橋邦明, Takahashi Kuniaki; born 27 October 1972, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a retired Japanese professional drifting driver. He competed in the D1 Grand Prix series for his own team, Team Kunny'z. Alongside D1, he also competed in Formula Drift Japan events. He currently served as a judge for D1GP.
Sayuri Uchida (内田 さゆり, Uchida Sayuri; born October 25, 1972 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress who…Sayuri Uchida (内田 さゆり, Uchida Sayuri; born October 25, 1972 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress who appeared in the Super Sentai TV series Choujin Sentai Jetman. The program is the fifteenth entry of Toei Company's Super Sentai series. It aired on TV Asahi on February 15, 1991 to February 14, 1992 with a total of 51 episodes. She played the character "Ako Hayasaka" in the series.
Jun Hayashi (林 潤, Hayashi Jun; born 23 October 1972) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Jun Hayashi (林 潤, Hayashi Jun; born 23 October 1972) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kamakura, Kanagawa and graduate of Keio University, he worked at the national newspaper Mainichi Shimbun from 1995 to 2001. In 2005 he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time, after running unsuccessfully in 2003.
Toshinori Yonekura (米倉 利紀, Yonekura Toshinori) born October 21, 1972, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record…Toshinori Yonekura (米倉 利紀, Yonekura Toshinori) born October 21, 1972, is a Japanese singer-songwriter and record producer originally from Toyonaka, Osaka. Known as "Yone" to fans, Toshinori made his major label debut with the single "Mikan no Android" in 1992 on Geneon Entertainment. Aside from his own music career, Yonekura has crafted songs for some of Japan's best known acts such as KinKi Kids, Hiromi Go, Akiko Wada, and SMAP. In 2008, he made his first foray into acting joining the Japanese production of the Broadway musical, Rent.
Nobuko Motomura (Japanese: 本村 伸子, Hepburn: Motomura Nobuko; born 20 October 1972) is a Japanese politician of the…Nobuko Motomura (Japanese: 本村 伸子, Hepburn: Motomura Nobuko; born 20 October 1972) is a Japanese politician of the Japanese Communist Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2014 to 2026.
Sayaka Aoki (あおき さやか, Aoki Sayaka; October 19, 1972) is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Bell…Sayaka Aoki (あおき さやか, Aoki Sayaka; October 19, 1972) is a Japanese voice actress. She is affiliated with Bell Production management. She is originally from Akita Prefecture. She sometimes uses Shizuka Aoki (青木 静香, Aoki Shizuka) for stage performances.
Noritada Saneyoshi (實好 礼忠, Saneyoshi Noritada; born October 19, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Noritada Saneyoshi (實好 礼忠, Saneyoshi Noritada; born October 19, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is currently the Manager of Ehime FC.
Mika Ninagawa (蜷川 実花, Ninagawa Mika; born October 18, 1972) is a Japanese photographer and director, known for her…Mika Ninagawa (蜷川 実花, Ninagawa Mika; born October 18, 1972) is a Japanese photographer and director, known for her brightly colored photographs of flowers, goldfish, and landscapes.
Yoshihito Wayama (和山 義仁, Wayama Yoshihito; born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage name JIRO, is a Japanese…Yoshihito Wayama (和山 義仁, Wayama Yoshihito; born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage name JIRO, is a Japanese musician best known as the bassist of the rock band Glay. He is also the bassist in the sideband The Predators.
Soichi Fujita (藤田 宗一, Fujita Soichi; born October 17, 1972 in Yawata, Kyoto, Japan) is a retired Japanese left-handed…Soichi Fujita (藤田 宗一, Fujita Soichi; born October 17, 1972 in Yawata, Kyoto, Japan) is a retired Japanese left-handed relief pitcher who played most of his career in Nippon Professional Baseball. Fujita was part of the Japanese national baseball team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He pitched every game of his career in relief and holds the Japanese record for most pitching appearances.
Mie Nanamori (七森 美江, Nanamori Mie; born 16 October 1972) is a Japanese former actress and tarento. She was represented…Mie Nanamori (七森 美江, Nanamori Mie; born 16 October 1972) is a Japanese former actress and tarento. She was represented with Sadeeca.
Hiroshige Yanagimoto (柳本 啓成, Yanagimoto Hiroshige; born October 15, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He…Hiroshige Yanagimoto (柳本 啓成, Yanagimoto Hiroshige; born October 15, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Nanami Abe (阿部 奈々美, Abe Nanami; born November 11, 1972) is a Japanese figure skating coach and choreographer. She…Nanami Abe (阿部 奈々美, Abe Nanami; born November 11, 1972) is a Japanese figure skating coach and choreographer. She studied under Hiroshi Nagakubo, and coached Yuzuru Hanyu. She has choreographed routines for many skaters, including Daisuke Takahashi, Tatsuki Machida, and Akiko Suzuki.
Hiroshi Nagano (長野 博, Nagano Hiroshi) is a Japanese singer, actor, and television host. He is a former member of V6, a…Hiroshi Nagano (長野 博, Nagano Hiroshi) is a Japanese singer, actor, and television host. He is a former member of V6, a dance-vocal group formed in 1995 by Johnny & Associates, and its subunit 20th Century. He is best-known for his role in the popular tokusatsu series Ultraman Tiga, as the lead character, Daigo Madoka/Ultraman Tiga.
Keiichi Sanada (真田 圭一, Sanada Keiichi; born October 6, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 8-dan. He…Keiichi Sanada (真田 圭一, Sanada Keiichi; born October 6, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 8-dan. He is a former director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Claude Maki (真木蔵人, Maki Kurōdo) (born October 3, 1972) is a Japanese surfing and flight champion, actor and hip hop…Claude Maki (真木蔵人, Maki Kurōdo) (born October 3, 1972) is a Japanese surfing and flight champion, actor and hip hop singer, under the stage name A.K.T.I.O.N., from Akasaka, Tokyo. He is the eldest son of actor and singer Mike Maki. His mother is Bibari Maeda (前田 美波里, Maeda Bibari), a Japanese-American actress.
Mayumi Kawasaki (born 1 October 1972) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the…Mayumi Kawasaki (born 1 October 1972) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Taizo Son (Japanese: 孫泰蔵, romanized: Son Taizō, Korean: 손태장, born September 29, 1972) is a Japanese businessman of…Taizo Son (Japanese: 孫泰蔵, romanized: Son Taizō, Korean: 손태장, born September 29, 1972) is a Japanese businessman of Korean ancestry. He is CEO of Mistletoe, a company that he founded in 2013, and chairman of mobile gaming company GungHo, which he founded in 2002. GungHo's market value in 2013 was $10.4 billion, making Son a billionaire. He is the youngest brother of SoftBank magnate Masayoshi Son.
Shinya Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya; born September 29, 1972), better known by his ring name Togi Makabe (真壁 刀義…Shinya Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya; born September 29, 1972), better known by his ring name Togi Makabe (真壁 刀義, Makabe Tōgi) is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, two-time NEVER Openweight Champion and one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. Debuting in 1997, Makabe originally wrestled under his birthname as a junior heavyweight (100 kilograms (220 lb), before gaining several kilograms during a global excursion in 2001 and 2002. He changed his given name to "Togi" during the 2004 G1 Climax tournament. His status in New Japan rose significantly in 2007, making it to the finals of the New Japan Cup and the semifinals of the G1 Climax, and challenging Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. After a number of unsuccessful challenges at the title, Makabe finally won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on May 3, 2010, by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. Makabe's wrestling style and character is heavily influenced by the late Bruiser Brody. Known as the "Unchained Gorilla", Makabe is known for his violent, bloody style of wrestling, often illegally employing steel chairs and chains into his offense, including a lariat with a chain wrapped around his arm (like Brody). He also uses Brody's Japan theme "Immigrant Song" (albeit a cover made by Tomoyasu Hotei) as his own.
Takeharu Yamanaka (山中 竹春, Yamanaka Takeharu; born 27 September 1972) is a Japanese politician and current mayor of…Takeharu Yamanaka (山中 竹春, Yamanaka Takeharu; born 27 September 1972) is a Japanese politician and current mayor of Yokohama, the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture. He defeated incumbent mayor Fumiko Hayashi in the 2021 Yokohama mayoral election. His independent campaign was supported by the Constitutional Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, and the Communist Party of Japan. Yamanaka's campaign focused on the opposition for a planned integrated resort development and casino for the city which was to be built on Yamashita Pier, criticism against the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and additional sister city relationship with San Francisco, California. Yamanaka formerly worked as a professor at Yokohama City University and as a data scientist. On 16 January 2026, Yamanaka issued a public apology after Yokohama's human resource chief, Jun Kubota, accused Yamanaka of using terms such as "idiot" and "human scum" to disparage staff. In July 2026, a third-party investigation confirmed these allegations and also Yamanaka saying things like "everyone over 55 is stubborn and useless", even telling an official to "disembowel" if he failed to secure a bid to host an international conference. On 28 August 2026, two weeks after some of Japan's major political parties urged him to step down from his post, Yamanaka announced his intention to resign as the mayor of Yokohama.
Noriko Narazaki (楢崎 教子, Narazaki Noriko; née Sugawara Sugawara (菅原); born on 27 September 1972 in Yamato, Kanagawa…Noriko Narazaki (楢崎 教子, Narazaki Noriko; née Sugawara Sugawara (菅原); born on 27 September 1972 in Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan) is a retired Japanese judoka.
Fumiya Nishiguchi (西口 文也, Nishiguchi Fumiya), (born September 26, 1972) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Fumiya Nishiguchi (西口 文也, Nishiguchi Fumiya), (born September 26, 1972) is a Japanese former professional baseball right-handed pitcher and current manager for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played 21 seasons in NPB, all for the Lions.
Ken Watabe (渡部建, Watabe Ken; born 23 September 1972), is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He performs…Ken Watabe (渡部建, Watabe Ken; born 23 September 1972), is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He performs tsukkomi in the comedy duo "Unjash" with his partner Kazuya Kojima. Watabe currently serves as a co-MC with Chisato Moritaka in the Fuji TV program Love Music.
Hitoshi Morishita (森下 仁志, Morishita Hitoshi; born September 21, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Hitoshi Morishita (森下 仁志, Morishita Hitoshi; born September 21, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager. he is the currently assistant manager of J1 League club Tokyo Verdy.
Masataka Endoh (遠藤 政隆, Endō Masataka) is a former professional baseball player in Japan. He played for the Chunichi…Masataka Endoh (遠藤 政隆, Endō Masataka) is a former professional baseball player in Japan. He played for the Chunichi Dragons in the Japan Central League He was born in Tokyo, Japan.
Jiro Takeda (武田 治郎, Takeda Jiro; born September 18, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He is the current…Jiro Takeda (武田 治郎, Takeda Jiro; born September 18, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He is the current goalkeeper coach J2 League club of Machida Zelvia.
Daisuke Miyagawa (宮川 大輔, Miyagawa Daisuke; born 16 September 1972, in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Daisuke Miyagawa (宮川 大輔, Miyagawa Daisuke; born 16 September 1972, in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and actor. Miyagawa grew up in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture. He is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency from Yoshimoto Kogyo. Miyagawa should not be confused with Daisuke Miyagawa of the comedy duo Daisuke and Hanako Miyagawa.
Toh EnJoe (Japanese: 円城 塔, Hepburn: Enjō Tō; pen name, also written as En Joe Toh) (born September 15, 1972) is a…Toh EnJoe (Japanese: 円城 塔, Hepburn: Enjō Tō; pen name, also written as En Joe Toh) (born September 15, 1972) is a Japanese author and television writer. Most of his works are literary fiction or speculative fiction.
Kenta Fukasaku (深作 健太, Fukasaku Kenta; born September 15, 1972) is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter. He is the son…Kenta Fukasaku (深作 健太, Fukasaku Kenta; born September 15, 1972) is a Japanese filmmaker and screenwriter. He is the son of film director Kinji Fukasaku and actress Sanae Nakahara.
