Makoto Nagano (長野 誠, Nagano Makoto; born March 30, 1972, in Kitakata, Miyazaki) (sometimes known as the World's…Makoto Nagano (長野 誠, Nagano Makoto; born March 30, 1972, in Kitakata, Miyazaki) (sometimes known as the World's Strongest Fisherman) is a Japanese commercial fisherman, captain, and musician. He is captain of his vessel F/V Konpira Maru 50 (第50金比羅丸), and was previously captain of the F/V Konpira Maru 28 (第28金比羅丸). He is regularly seen on the Japanese television show Sasuke (Ninja Warrior) where he was one of the "SASUKE All-Stars," a group of favored competitors who were thought to possess the greatest potential in completing the obstacle courses. He can also be seen on the lesser known spinoff to Ninja Warrior, Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course, where he was one of few competitors to make it to the final round. Winning in the 17th Sasuke competition (2006) he is the second of only four victors of the competition. By the time he retired in July 2017, he had competed in 26 versions of Sasuke, and has since competed in a 27th version in 2020.
Hisako Mizui (水井 妃佐子, Mizui Hisako; born 29 March 1972) is a Japanese badminton player, born in Nara, Nara. She…Hisako Mizui (水井 妃佐子, Mizui Hisako; born 29 March 1972) is a Japanese badminton player, born in Nara, Nara. She competed in women's singles and women's doubles at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and in women's singles at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She won a silver medal in women's singles at the 1994 Asian Games. She is a sister of badminton player Yasuko Mizui.
Junichi Suwabe (諏訪部 順一, Suwabe Jun'ichi; born March 29, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. He is affiliated…Junichi Suwabe (諏訪部 順一, Suwabe Jun'ichi; born March 29, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. He is affiliated with Haikyō. His popular roles include Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in Bleach, Omega Zero in Megaman Zero 3, Keigo Atobe in The Prince of Tennis, Victor Nikiforov in Yuri!!! on ICE, Freed Justine in Fairy Tail, Masataka Ninomiya in World Trigger, Yami Sukehiro in Black Clover, Sentinel Prime in Transformers: Animated and Transformers One, Ryomen Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, Archer in Fate/stay night, Ren Jinguji in Uta no Prince-sama, Undertaker in Black Butler, Leone Abbacchio in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Daiki Aomine in Kuroko's Basketball, Jurota Shishida and Shōta Aizawa in My Hero Academia, Dandy in Space Dandy, Bercouli Synthesis One in Sword Art Online, Akira Hayama in Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, Dark Choco Cookie in Cookie Run: Kingdom, Shoei Barou in Blue Lock, Oda Sakunosuke in Bungo Stray Dogs, and Ryoh Grantz in Mashle: Magic and Muscles. He was nominated for a Best Singing Award at the 6th Seiyu Awards, and received a Best Supporting Actor award at the 7th Seiyu Awards. He has also provided dubbing for Korean actor Gong Yoo. He is in a group called PHERO☆MEN (フェロ☆メン) with fellow voice actor Kohsuke Toriumi.
Minoru Furuya (古谷 実, Furuya Minoru; born March 28, 1972) is a Japanese manga artist from Saitama Prefecture. His debut…Minoru Furuya (古谷 実, Furuya Minoru; born March 28, 1972) is a Japanese manga artist from Saitama Prefecture. His debut work is The Ping Pong Club, published in Young Magazine. It was adapted into a 26-episode anime series in 1995. In 1996, he won the Kodansha Manga Award for The Ping Pong Club. In March 2021, Kodansha USA licensed Ciguatera. Two of his series have been adapted to the big screen, namely Himizu in 2011, and Himeanole in 2016.
Masaki Morinaga (森長 正樹, Morinaga Masaki; born March 27, 1972) is a Japanese retired long jumper. He won the long jump…Masaki Morinaga (森長 正樹, Morinaga Masaki; born March 27, 1972) is a Japanese retired long jumper. He won the long jump at the 1998 Asian Championships and the 1998 Asian Games.
Satoshi Saida (斎田 悟司, Saida Satoshi; born March 26, 1972 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese pioneering wheelchair tennis…Satoshi Saida (斎田 悟司, Saida Satoshi; born March 26, 1972 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese pioneering wheelchair tennis player and 2004 Summer Paralympics gold medalist (Men's doubles with Shingo Kunieda). Saida, a big baseball enthusiast in his childhood, lost his left leg because of bone cancer at age twelve. At first, he used to play wheelchair basketball with his friends. Saida started his career in wheelchair tennis when he was fourteen years old. As a competitor, his first Paralympics was the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, USA; at the succeeding games in Sydney, Australia, he got eighth place. With Shingo Kunieda, he participated in the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece, and won the men's doubles event. The two competed together again at the 2008 Beijing Games and took bronze in the doubles event.
Naoko Kijimuta (Japanese: 雉子牟田 直子, Kijimuta Naoko, born March 26, 1972) is a retired tennis player and winner of five…Naoko Kijimuta (Japanese: 雉子牟田 直子, Kijimuta Naoko, born March 26, 1972) is a retired tennis player and winner of five professional doubles tournaments. She has been a representative of Japan in the Federation Cup.
Katsushi Ōta (太田 克史, Ōta Katsushi; born March 22, 1972) is a Japanese editor. As of 2020, he is president of Seikaisha…Katsushi Ōta (太田 克史, Ōta Katsushi; born March 22, 1972) is a Japanese editor. As of 2020, he is president of Seikaisha, a publishing company established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kodansha.
Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992…Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992 (coxless pair) and 1996 Olympics (lightweight coxless four). He won a gold medal at the 2000 World Rowing Championships in Zagreb with the lightweight men's quadruple scull.
Izumi Inamori (稲森 いずみ, Inamori Izumi; born March 19, 1972 in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress signed to…Izumi Inamori (稲森 いずみ, Inamori Izumi; born March 19, 1972 in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress signed to Burning Production.
Kazune Kawahara (Japanese: 河原 和音, Hepburn: Kawahara Kazune) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for creating…Kazune Kawahara (Japanese: 河原 和音, Hepburn: Kawahara Kazune) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for creating the romantic comedy shōjo manga High School Debut (Koukou Debut). Kawahara has also published and authored several other manga series, most notably Ai no Tame ni and Aozora Yell, and mostly specialises in the genre of romance.
Kaori Hasegawa (長谷川 歌織, Hasegawa Kaori) (born March 11, 1972), simply known by the stage name Ua (Japanese…Kaori Hasegawa (長谷川 歌織, Hasegawa Kaori) (born March 11, 1972), simply known by the stage name Ua (Japanese pronunciation: [ɯːa]), is a Japanese singer. She made her debut under Speedstar Records in 1995 with the single "Horizon". She is also the vocalist for AJICO.
Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972) is a Japanese entertainment personality who has performed as…Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972) is a Japanese entertainment personality who has performed as comedian, actor, singer, presenter, and music producer affiliated with the Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo and was the popular host of Matthew's Best Hit TV (as the character Matthew Minami (マシュー南, Mashū Minami), and various other related shows on TV Asahi. He was born in Toyonaka, Osaka. On May 7, 2005, he officially announced his intention to marry Otoha (乙葉), a Japanese idol. They married on July 30, 2005, at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo, with an audience of 340 guests including many famous Japanese personalities and celebrities. They have one daughter. In 2022, he was the co-host of Love Is Blind: Japan, and host of the Audible podcast Matthew's Matthew: Matthew in Matthew's Room.
Takashi Watari (Japanese: 亘崇詞; born 8 March 1972) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played…Takashi Watari (Japanese: 亘崇詞; born 8 March 1972) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Peruvian side Sporting Cristal. After retiring from professional football, he worked as a manager. He has also worked as a translator, and obtained a JFA S Class Coaching License. Watari was born in Okayama but moved to Argentina at a young age.
Tetsuya "Teddy" Kumakawa (熊川 哲也, Kumakawa Tetsuya; born 5 March 1972) is a Japanese ballet dancer and a former…Tetsuya "Teddy" Kumakawa (熊川 哲也, Kumakawa Tetsuya; born 5 March 1972) is a Japanese ballet dancer and a former principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.
Kataoka Ainosuke VI (Japanese: 六代目 片岡 愛之助, Hepburn: Rokudaime Kataoka Ainosuke; born March 4, 1972) is a Japanese…Kataoka Ainosuke VI (Japanese: 六代目 片岡 愛之助, Hepburn: Rokudaime Kataoka Ainosuke; born March 4, 1972) is a Japanese actor, kabuki actor and TV host. His yagō is matsushimaya. His mon is the Oikake Go-mai Ichō. His current stage name is Ainosuke Kataoka. He is a renowned tachiyaku, specializing in both the aragoto and wagoto styles, which is rare, considering he hails from the Kansai area, where most kabuki actors specialize in the wagoto style.
Megumi Yabushita (藪下 めぐみ, Yabushita Megumi; born on (1972-03-02)March 2, 1972) is a retired Japanese female mixed…Megumi Yabushita (藪下 めぐみ, Yabushita Megumi; born on (1972-03-02)March 2, 1972) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler and judoka. She has participated in several Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promotions. She is a Japanese national judo champion and a former Smackgirl open weight champion and tournament winner.
Kotoryū Hiroo (born 2 March 1972 as Katsumi Nakano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyōgo, Japan. He joined professional…Kotoryū Hiroo (born 2 March 1972 as Katsumi Nakano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyōgo, Japan. He joined professional sumo in 1987, reaching the top division in 1996. He defeated yokozuna three times and earned one Fighting Spirit Prize (kanto-sho). His highest rank was maegashira 1.
Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her…Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her real name is Rieko Yasumi (休 理英子, Yasumi Rieko).
Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi; born 28 February 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actor…Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi; born 28 February 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actor, tarento, and professional wrestler. He is a former member of Hikaru Genji (later changed the name to Hikaru Genji Super 5). Yamamoto graduated from Hachioji-shi Linnan Middle School and Sumida Industrial High School. He is nicknamed Bungee (バンジー, Banjī) and Jun-kun (淳くん). Yamamoto is currently represented with Wing Run.
Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from…Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from Konohana-ku, Osaka. He is the boke of the manzai duo, Yoiko, with his partner Masaru Hamaguchi. He is best known outside Japan as the star of the long-running gaming variety show, GameCenter CX.
Masayoshi Kan (簡 優好, Kan Masayoshi; born 25 February 1972) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400…Masayoshi Kan (簡 優好, Kan Masayoshi; born 25 February 1972) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres. He competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He won bronze medals in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1993 and 1995 World Indoor Championships In 1998 he won the silver medal at the Asian Championships, and was subsequently selected to represent Asia in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1998 IAAF World Cup. The Asian team finished sixth with teammates Ibrahim Ismail Faraj, Sugath Tillakaratne and fellow Japanese Kenji Tabata. In May the same year he clocked a career best time of 45.33 seconds in Osaka.
Tomoko Ishimura (石村 知子, Ishimura Tomoko; born February 24, 1972 in Zama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress…Tomoko Ishimura (石村 知子, Ishimura Tomoko; born February 24, 1972 in Zama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress who works for 81 Produce. She was formerly credited as Mifuyu Hiiragi (柊 美冬, Hiiragi Mifuyu) and Kyoko Tsuruno (鶴野 恭子, Tsuruno Kyōko).
Masashi Kawakami (川上 雅史, Kawakami Masashi) (born February 23, 1972, in Tochigi) is a retired boxer from Japan, who…Masashi Kawakami (川上 雅史, Kawakami Masashi) (born February 23, 1972, in Tochigi) is a retired boxer from Japan, who competed for his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Japan sent four boxers to the Barcelona Games. Kawakami competed in the Men's Welterweight (– 67 kg) division. He was defeated in his first match by Great Britain's Adrian Dodson after the referee stopped the contest in the third round.
Ito Ōgure (Japanese: 大暮 維人, Hepburn: Ōgure Ito; born February 22, 1972), known professionally as Oh! great, is a…Ito Ōgure (Japanese: 大暮 維人, Hepburn: Ōgure Ito; born February 22, 1972), known professionally as Oh! great, is a Japanese manga artist best known for his manga series Tenjho Tenge (1997–2010) and Air Gear (2002–2012). In 2006, Air Gear earned him the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.
Manabu Horii (堀井 学, Horii Manabu) (born February 19, 1972) is a former Japanese politician and speed skater. He won an…Manabu Horii (堀井 学, Horii Manabu) (born February 19, 1972) is a former Japanese politician and speed skater. He won an Olympic bronze medal in 1994, and also competed in the 1998 and 2002 Olympics. He ended his speed skating career in 2002. Horii represented Noboribetsu in the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2007 to 2012. In the 2012 general election of the House of Representatives, he was elected the as LDP candidate in Hokkaido 9th district seeking to succeed retiring Democrat Yukio Hatoyama. He was nominated in July 2012 when Hatoyama was still expected to run for re-election. In July 2024, Horii left the LDP. On 28 August 2024, Horii resigned from the House of Representatives following a scandal over his giving out condolence money to constituents for funerals he did not personally attend in violation of election laws.
Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics…Shoko Fujibayashi (藤林 聖子, Fujibayashi Shōko; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese lyricist who has written the lyrics for several tokusatsu television series' theme songs. Most recently, Fujibayashi has worked with Shuhei Naruse on the soundtracks of Kamen Rider Den-O, Kamen Rider Kiva, and their films. She has also worked with Nana Mizuki, May'n, BoA, Ken Hirai, Sowelu, 2PM, Mikuni Shimokawa, Crystal Kay, Beni Arashiro, Daisuke Hasegawa, Issa of Da Pump, Lead, and Miho Kanno.
Takashi Kiyama (木山 隆之, Kiyama Takashi; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Takashi Kiyama (木山 隆之, Kiyama Takashi; born February 18, 1972) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who is the manager of J1 League club Fagiano Okayama.
Takashi Ishizeki (石関 貴史, Ishizeki Takashi; born 18 February 1972) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic…Takashi Ishizeki (石関 貴史, Ishizeki Takashi; born 18 February 1972) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Tosanoumi Toshio (born February 16, 1972, as Toshio Yamamoto in Aki City, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo…Tosanoumi Toshio (born February 16, 1972, as Toshio Yamamoto in Aki City, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. He first reached the top division of professional sumo in 1995, winning 13 special prizes and earning 11 kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna over his long career. The highest rank he reached was sekiwake. He retired in 2010 to become a coach at his stable, Isenoumi stable under the name of Tatekawa.
Naoko Ogigami (荻上 直子, Ogigami Naoko; born 1972 in Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and…Naoko Ogigami (荻上 直子, Ogigami Naoko; born 1972 in Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. She first began gaining attention after winning several prizes at the PIA Film Festival for her short film Hoshino-Kun, Yumeno-Kun (2001). Among her most notable works are her films Kamome Shokudo and Megane. Her filmography is typified by their minimalistic quality and a common theme of questioning national identity. At the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival Megane won the Manfred Salzgeber Award, for "broadening the boundaries of cinema today."
Musōyama Masashi (born February 14, 1972, as Takehito Oso) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. A…Musōyama Masashi (born February 14, 1972, as Takehito Oso) is a former sumo wrestler from Mito, Ibaraki, Japan. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in January 1993, and he won promotion to the top makuuchi division in just four tournaments. He won thirteen special prizes and spent a total of 31 tournaments at komusubi and sekiwake before finally reaching the second highest rank of ōzeki in 2000, shortly after winning his only top division tournament championship or yūshō. He retired in 2004. He is now the head coach of Fujishima stable.
Kōichi Fukaura (深浦 康市, Fukaura Kōichi; born February 14, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He…Kōichi Fukaura (深浦 康市, Fukaura Kōichi; born February 14, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a three-time winner of the Ōi tournament, and also a former member of the Japan Shogi Association's board of directors.
Junichi Kogawa (古川 純一, Kogawa Jun'ichi; born 12 February 1972) is a Japanese skier. He competed in the Nordic combineds…Junichi Kogawa (古川 純一, Kogawa Jun'ichi; born 12 February 1972) is a Japanese skier. He competed in the Nordic combineds at the 1994 Winter Olympics and the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Mayumi Gojo (五條 真由美, Gojō Mayumi; born February 12, 1972) is a Japanese singer from Ibaraki Prefecture. She formerly…Mayumi Gojo (五條 真由美, Gojō Mayumi; born February 12, 1972) is a Japanese singer from Ibaraki Prefecture. She formerly worked under Hyper Voice Managements. Currently she is affiliated with the Love&Light talent management agency. Gojo is known for her theme song performances for anime series such as Ojamajo Doremi, Pretty Cure, and Yumeiro Patissiere. She has performed as part of Project.R and also provides backup chorus for other artists.
Yoshihiko Saito (斎藤 嘉彦, Saitō Yoshihiko; born 12 February 1972 in Tomioka, Gunma) is a retired Japanese athlete who…Yoshihiko Saito (斎藤 嘉彦, Saitō Yoshihiko; born 12 February 1972 in Tomioka, Gunma) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialized in the 400 metres hurdles. He was the first Asian to run under 49 seconds in the event. With a personal best time of 48.64 seconds, achieved in October 1998 in Kumamoto, he is a former Asian record holder. The Asian record currently belongs to Hadi Soua'an Al-Somaily with 47.53 seconds, and the Japanese record to Dai Tamesue.
Noboru Yamaguchi (ヤマグチ ノボル, Yamaguchi Noboru; February 11, 1972 – April 4, 2013) was a Japanese light novel and game…Noboru Yamaguchi (ヤマグチ ノボル, Yamaguchi Noboru; February 11, 1972 – April 4, 2013) was a Japanese light novel and game scenario author from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. He was well known for being the author of The Familiar of Zero light novels and visual novels by Frontwing.
Akiko Suwanai (諏訪内 晶子, Suwanai Akiko; born February 7, 1972) is a Japanese classical violinist. At the age of 18, she…Akiko Suwanai (諏訪内 晶子, Suwanai Akiko; born February 7, 1972) is a Japanese classical violinist. At the age of 18, she became the youngest winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1990. In addition, she was awarded second prize in the Paganini Competition in 1988 and Queen Elisabeth Competition in 1989 and is a laureate of the Music Competition of Japan. She has studied with Toshiya Eto at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, with Dorothy DeLay and Cho-Liang Lin at the Juilliard School of Music while at Columbia University, and with Uwe-Martin Haiberg at the Universität der Künste Berlin. Until 2019 she played the 1714 Dolphin Stradivarius, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. After it was returned she received the "Charles Reade" Guarneri del Gesù on loan from Japanese collector Ryuji Ueno.
Hisashi Tonomura (外村 尚, Tonomura Hisashi; born February 2, 1972), better known by his stage name HISASHI, is a Japanese…Hisashi Tonomura (外村 尚, Tonomura Hisashi; born February 2, 1972), better known by his stage name HISASHI, is a Japanese musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Glay. He is particularly associated with the brand Tokai, designing a series of personal signature guitars, based on their Talbo model.
Makio Madarame (班目 真紀夫, Madarame Makio; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Makio Madarame (班目 真紀夫, Madarame Makio; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He later became a teacher and coach at a high school in Fukushima Prefecture.
Yuriko Nanahara (七原由理子, Nanahara Yuriko; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the…Yuriko Nanahara (七原由理子, Nanahara Yuriko; born 1 February 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Hiroshi Moriyasu (森保 洋, Moriyasu Hiroshi; born January 29, 1972) is a Japanese former football player. His brother…Hiroshi Moriyasu (森保 洋, Moriyasu Hiroshi; born January 29, 1972) is a Japanese former football player. His brother Hajime Moriyasu is also a former footballer.
Noriko Kubo (久保 紀子, Kubo Noriko; born 29 January 1972) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and…Noriko Kubo (久保 紀子, Kubo Noriko; born 29 January 1972) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual and team épée events at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Sachiko Morimura (森村幸子, Morimura Sachiko; born 28 January 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at…Sachiko Morimura (森村幸子, Morimura Sachiko; born 28 January 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.