Yoshiko Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本佳子, born 6 March 1970) is a Japanese former marathon runner who won the 1990 Paris…Yoshiko Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本佳子, born 6 March 1970) is a Japanese former marathon runner who won the 1990 Paris Marathon, came second at the 1992 Boston Marathon, and third at the 1992 New York City Marathon.
Tetsuya Kakiuchi (垣内 哲也, Kakiuchi Tetsuya; born June 6, 1970 in Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Tetsuya Kakiuchi (垣内 哲也, Kakiuchi Tetsuya; born June 6, 1970 in Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Yoko Taro (横尾 太郎, Yokoo Tarō; born June 6, 1970) is a Japanese director and scenario writer for video games. Starting…Yoko Taro (横尾 太郎, Yokoo Tarō; born June 6, 1970) is a Japanese director and scenario writer for video games. Starting his career at the now defunct game developer Cavia, his best-known work is on the action role-playing video game series Drakengard, and its spin-offs, Nier and Nier: Automata. Yoko was born in Nagoya, Aichi, and studied at the Kobe Design University in the 1990s. While he did not initially intend to pursue a career in video games, after working at Namco and Sony, he joined Cavia and became the director and scenario writer for the first Drakengard game. He has since worked extensively on every game in the series (except Drakengard 2), and on mobile titles after becoming a freelancer following Cavia's absorption into AQ Interactive. Furthermore, Yoko Taro has been assigned as the writer of the upcoming Neon Genesis Evangelion series teased in 2026. Critics have noted Yoko's unconventional game design and writing style. One of the main aspects of his work is exploring the darker aspects of humanity, such as why they are motivated to kill each other, although he typically does not share a common opinion on his story's dark natures. His writing technique, described as "backwards scriptwriting", involves outlining the ending of the story first and building the narrative backward from that point. Due to his disdain for being photographed, he generally wears a mask when giving interviews or presenting games.
Koji Noguchi (野口 幸司, Noguchi Koji; born June 5, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played once for the…Koji Noguchi (野口 幸司, Noguchi Koji; born June 5, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played once for the Japan national team.
Toru Kawashima (川島 透, Kawashima Toru; June 4, 1970 – January 19, 2024) was a Japanese footballer who played as a…Toru Kawashima (川島 透, Kawashima Toru; June 4, 1970 – January 19, 2024) was a Japanese footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Otsuka Pharmaceutical.
Yasufumi Fujino (藤野 保史, Fujino Yasufumi) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party serving in the House of…Yasufumi Fujino (藤野 保史, Fujino Yasufumi) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party serving in the House of Representatives. He was criticized for his remarks calling the budget for the Japan Self-Defense Forces money to "kill people".
Daisuke Nishikawa (born 2 June 1970) is a retired Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the…Daisuke Nishikawa (born 2 June 1970) is a retired Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he won bronze medals in both team events.
Hiroyuki Yoshino (吉野 弘幸, Yoshino Hiroyuki; born June 2, 1970 in Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese screenwriter. He has…Hiroyuki Yoshino (吉野 弘幸, Yoshino Hiroyuki; born June 2, 1970 in Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese screenwriter. He has written several anime series for Sunrise, including My-HiME and My-Otome.
Takuya Jinno (神野 卓哉, Jinno Takuya; born June 1, 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who was most…Takuya Jinno (神野 卓哉, Jinno Takuya; born June 1, 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who was most recently manager of J3 League club Iwate Grulla Morioka.
Takashi Sugiura (杉浦 貴, Sugiura Takashi; born May 31, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former freestyle…Takashi Sugiura (杉浦 貴, Sugiura Takashi; born May 31, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former freestyle wrestler. As of 2000, he is signed to Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah). Known mostly as the "Killing Machine", he is a four-time, longest reigning and most successfully-defensive GHC Heavyweight Champion. He is currently a member of Team 2000X. Sugiura, an accomplished amateur wrestler, joined the AJPW dojo in 1999, and later the Noah dojo after the exodus, making his professional debut on December 23, 2000, and thus becoming the first wrestler to make their debut in Noah. He has also competed in mixed martial arts with a notable victory over Giant Silva. Sugiura wrestled as a junior heavyweight in his earlier pro career and is a former GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion. Sugiura moved up to heavyweight and became the second longest reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion in his first reign, having held the title for 581 days between December 2009 and July 2011.
Tetsuhiro Monna (門奈哲寛, Monna Tetsuhiro; born 30 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Monna was…Tetsuhiro Monna (門奈哲寛, Monna Tetsuhiro; born 30 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Monna was part of the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1993 to 1999. He later played in the Netherlands and Croatia, representing the Croatian national baseball team from 2003 to 2005.
Tsunomaru (つの丸; born 27 May 1970 in Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist who writes mostly shōnen manga. He debuted…Tsunomaru (つの丸; born 27 May 1970 in Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist who writes mostly shōnen manga. He debuted in 1991 with "Go Go Pocho Mukin" (GOGOポチョムキン), which received the Shōnen Weekly Jump newcomer's award. Tsunomaru is best known for the horse-racing comedy Midori no Makibaō, which was adapted as a 61-episode anime television series and received the 1997 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga.
Nobuhiro Nishiwaki (Japanese: 西脇 伸宏, Hepburn: Nishiwaki Nobuhiro; born May 26, 1970), better known by his pen name…Nobuhiro Nishiwaki (Japanese: 西脇 伸宏, Hepburn: Nishiwaki Nobuhiro; born May 26, 1970), better known by his pen name Nobuhiro Watsuki (和月 伸宏, Watsuki Nobuhiro), is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for his samurai-themed series Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story (1994–1999), which has over 70 million copies in circulation, and a sequel he is currently creating, Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc (2017–present). Watsuki has written three more manga series, Gun Blaze West (2001), Buso Renkin (2003–2005), and Embalming: The Another Tale of Frankenstein (2007–2015). He has mentored several well-known manga artists, including One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, Shaman King creator Hiroyuki Takei, and Mr. Fullswing creator Shinya Suzuki. Watsuki was convicted of possessing child pornography in 2018.
Go Kuroda (黒田 剛, Kuroda Go; born 26 May 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of J1…Go Kuroda (黒田 剛, Kuroda Go; born 26 May 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of J1 League club Machida Zelvia.
Takuo Komori (小森 卓郎, Komori Takuo; born 21 May 1970) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who…Takuo Komori (小森 卓郎, Komori Takuo; born 21 May 1970) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Ryuichi Kawamura (Japanese: 河村 隆一, Hepburn: Kawamura Ryūichi; born May 20, 1970) is a Japanese singer, songwriter…Ryuichi Kawamura (Japanese: 河村 隆一, Hepburn: Kawamura Ryūichi; born May 20, 1970) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer, actor and author. He is best known as lead singer of the rock band Luna Sea since 1989. They are regarded as one of the most influential bands in the visual kei scene. After they disbanded in 2000, he focused on his solo career as a pop singer, which began in 1997. In 2005, Kawamura formed Tourbillon with fellow Luna Sea member Inoran and Hiroaki Hayama. He rejoined Luna Sea when they reunited in August 2010. Kawamura's first full-length album Love topped the Oricon Albums Chart with sales of 1,021,000 copies, making him the only male solo artist to have an album sell over one million copies within its initial week in the chart's history. It went on to sell 3.2 million copies, making it the best-selling male solo album in Japan. In 1997 alone, with his mini and full-length albums and four singles (of which "Glass" sold over one million itself), he sold over six million records.
Nobuyasu Ikeda (池田 伸康, Ikeda Nobuyasu; born 18 May 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently the…Nobuyasu Ikeda (池田 伸康, Ikeda Nobuyasu; born 18 May 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently the assistant manager of J1 League club, Urawa Red Diamonds.
Asa Higuchi (Japanese: ひぐち アサ, Hepburn: Higuchi Asa; born May 17, 1970) is a Japanese manga artist, born in Urawa…Asa Higuchi (Japanese: ひぐち アサ, Hepburn: Higuchi Asa; born May 17, 1970) is a Japanese manga artist, born in Urawa, Saitama Prefecture (now part of Saitama City). She graduated from Saitama Prefecture's prestigious Urawanishi High School and Hosei University's department of psychology, with a major in sports psychology. During her high school days, she was a member of her school's softball team, which would go on to be an inspiration in her work Big Windup! as well as her high school which is featured in detail (the school now advertising the manga and anime on their website). In 1998, Higuchi won noted seinen manga magazine Monthly Afternoon's Shiki competition with her work Yuku Tokoro. It was noted for the unique relationships shared by its characters and was subsequently published in the August issue of the magazine, thus marking her debut as a manga artist. She is currently working on Big Windup!, which has spanned 37 volumes to date and is serialized in Monthly Afternoon. It won the 10th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize for best creative work in 2006, and the 31st Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 2007.
Kentaro Sawada (沢田 謙太郎, Sawada Kentaro; born May 15, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Kentaro Sawada (沢田 謙太郎, Sawada Kentaro; born May 15, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (辰吉丈一郎, Tatsuyoshi Jōichirō; born May 15, 1970) is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) world…Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (辰吉丈一郎, Tatsuyoshi Jōichirō; born May 15, 1970) is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) world bantamweight champion from Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. His record is 20–7–1 (14 KOs). He is popular for his fight style and unique personality, and has appeared in several television variety shows. He is named after Joe Yabuki, the main character of the boxing anime, Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow's Joe). Coincidentally, he fights in the same weight class (bantamweight) as the character he is named after. He has a large reach in comparison with his height (Tatsuyoshi is 164 cm tall with a reach of 178 cm) and is known for his distinctively low guard. He often keeps his hands in front of his chest, unlike other boxers who usually keep their hands closer to the head. He is managed by the Osaka Teiken boxing gym.
Takehiko Orimo (折茂 武彦, Orimo Takehiko; born 14 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. He became…Takehiko Orimo (折茂 武彦, Orimo Takehiko; born 14 May 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. He became the first Japanese player to reach 10,000 points in the history of the men's top league.
Kenichi Shimokawa (下川 健一, Shimokawa Kenichi; born May 14, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Kenichi Shimokawa (下川 健一, Shimokawa Kenichi; born May 14, 1970) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Ryuji Ishii (石井 龍司, Ishii Ryūji; born Fukuoka, 13 March 1970) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as…Ryuji Ishii (石井 龍司, Ishii Ryūji; born Fukuoka, 13 March 1970) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as flanker.
Ken Hashikawa (橋川 健, Hashikawa Ken; born 8 May 1970) is a Japanese former road cyclist. He is currently the manager for…Ken Hashikawa (橋川 健, Hashikawa Ken; born 8 May 1970) is a Japanese former road cyclist. He is currently the manager for the developmental team Team Eurasia.
Shinichi Takagi (高木真一, Takagi Shin'ichi; born 6 May 1970) is a Japanese professional racing driver. He won the GT300…Shinichi Takagi (高木真一, Takagi Shin'ichi; born 6 May 1970) is a Japanese professional racing driver. He won the GT300 class Super GT championship in 2002 and 2019.
Kenji Eno (飯野賢治, Japanese pronunciation: [iꜜːno̞ ke̞ꜜɲd͡ʑi], Iino Kenji; May 5, 1970 – February 20, 2013) was a…Kenji Eno (飯野賢治, Japanese pronunciation: [iꜜːno̞ ke̞ꜜɲd͡ʑi], Iino Kenji; May 5, 1970 – February 20, 2013) was a Japanese musician and video game designer. He gained a reputation as a maverick during the mid-1990s for creating unorthodox games like Real Sound and is perhaps best remembered today for his rebellious marketing techniques. Outside of his homeland he was best known for his survival horror video games, D and Enemy Zero. Apart from creating video games, Eno was also a well-regarded electronic musician and he created the scores for several of his games. Eno founded the video game development companies EIM, Warp (later called Super Warp), and From Yellow to Orange. He also worked in a variety of fields apart from video games and music including the automotive, cellphone, tobacco, and hotel industries.
Naoki Satō (佐藤 直紀, Satō Naoki; born May 2, 1970 in Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese composer. He has provided the music for…Naoki Satō (佐藤 直紀, Satō Naoki; born May 2, 1970 in Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese composer. He has provided the music for several popular anime series and films, including the first five Pretty Cure series, X, Eureka Seven, Sword of the Stranger, Assassination Classroom, and Blood-C. He graduated from the Tokyo College of Music in 1993. At the 29th Japan Academy Prize in 2006, he won the Best Music prize for his work on the film Always Sanchōme no Yūhi (Always Sunset on Third Street). He also composed music for anime films such as Pretty Cure All Stars DX trilogy, Stand By Me Doraemon. In live-action dramas, he provided music and soundtracks for TV dramas Good Luck!! Water Boys, H2: Kimi to Ita Hibi and Ryōmaden. He provided the music for the Space Battleship Yamato film, as well as the Rurouni Kenshin and Parasyte live-action film series. For the 38th Japan Academy Prize in 2015, he was nominated in the Best Score category for his work in The Eternal Zero. While he did not win the award, The Eternal Zero won several awards including Best Picture, and Stand By Me Doraemon won for Best Animated Film. He composed the music for victory ceremonies at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Concerto Moon (コンチェルト・ムーン, Koncheruto Mūn) is a Japanese neoclassical metal/power metal band formed in 1996 and led by…Concerto Moon (コンチェルト・ムーン, Koncheruto Mūn) is a Japanese neoclassical metal/power metal band formed in 1996 and led by guitarist Norifumi Shima. The band's first two albums were reissued by InsideOut Music in 2003.
Tsutomu Matsuda (松田努, Matsuda Tsutomu) (born 30 April 1970) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as…Tsutomu Matsuda (松田努, Matsuda Tsutomu) (born 30 April 1970) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as fullback and wing.
Yuji Nakamura (中村 祐二, Nakamura Yūji; born 29 April 1970) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specialized in the…Yuji Nakamura (中村 祐二, Nakamura Yūji; born 29 April 1970) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specialized in the marathon. He finished twelfth at the 1995 World Championships in 2:17:30 hours.
Tsukasa Kotobuki (ことぶき つかさ, Kotobuki Tsukasa; born 1970) is a Japanese character designer for various games and anime…Tsukasa Kotobuki (ことぶき つかさ, Kotobuki Tsukasa; born 1970) is a Japanese character designer for various games and anime series such as Saber Marionette J, VS Knight Lamune & 40 Fire, Cyber Team in Akihabara and Battle Arena Toshinden. He also did the art for Sword of the Dark Ones. His real name is unknown; his title name is rather a pen name, majorly derived from animator Tsukasa Dokite. In 2001, he attended A-Kon as a guest. In 2003, he attended Otakon as a guest.
Mayu Tsuruta (鶴田 真由, born April 25, 1970, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan) is an actress. In 1996, she was nominated by…Mayu Tsuruta (鶴田 真由, born April 25, 1970, in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan) is an actress. In 1996, she was nominated by the Award of the Japanese Academy for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film Kike wadatsumi no koe Last Friends. Following the chaos of Kenya's 2007 presidential election, on March 30, 2008, she visited thousands of internal refugees at Kenya's Nakuru ASK grounds, as a goodwill ambassador for Tokyo International Conference on African Development. While surveying the situation at the refugee camp, she spent time with several families and helped distribute food aid.
Toshinao Nakagawa (中川 俊直, Nakagawa Toshinao) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party. The scion…Toshinao Nakagawa (中川 俊直, Nakagawa Toshinao) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party. The scion of an elite political family, Nakagawa resigned in April 2017 following reports of an extramarital affair.
Sadawo Abe (阿部 サダヲ, Abe Sadawo; born Abe Takashi (阿部 隆史); April 23, 1970) is a Japanese actor, stage actor, and…Sadawo Abe (阿部 サダヲ, Abe Sadawo; born Abe Takashi (阿部 隆史); April 23, 1970) is a Japanese actor, stage actor, and musician from Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. He started his acting career after joining a theater company/talent agency, Otona Keikaku, in around 1992 and gained his popularity after the drama series Team Medical Dragon and as being the lead singer of the Japanese comedy rock band Group Tamashii. His stage name is a pun on notorious geisha Sada Abe. Abe was nominated for best actor in the 31st Japanese Academy Award for Maiko Haaaan!!!.
Hiromi Yamamoto (later Yamanaka, 山本 宏美 later 山中, Yamamoto Hiromi, later Yamanaka; born 21 April 1970) is a Japanese…Hiromi Yamamoto (later Yamanaka, 山本 宏美 later 山中, Yamamoto Hiromi, later Yamanaka; born 21 April 1970) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics. She was born in Shiraoi, Hokkaido and is the wife of Takeshi Yamanaka. In 1994 she won the bronze medal in the 5000 metres event. In the 3000 metres competition she finished seventh and in the 1500 metres contest she finished 15th.
Shigeo Kobayashi (小林 成男, Kobayashi Shigeo; born April 21, 1970) is a Japanese actor. Born and raised in Tokyo…Shigeo Kobayashi (小林 成男, Kobayashi Shigeo; born April 21, 1970) is a Japanese actor. Born and raised in Tokyo, Kobayashi worked on over 80 films, theatrical productions and TV drama series. In 2008, he played the leading role in a short film "Todai (the Light House)" a part of Otokotachi no Uta. His most recent work includes the role of a Japanese Lieutenant in The Flowers of War, starring Christian Bale and directed by Zhang Yimou. Shigeo continues to build a unique career as an actor, noted for his ability to express subtle emotions. While attending Keio University, he studied acting as an apprentice of renowned kabuki actor Yorozuya Kinnosuke. After performing in historical plays with Yorozuya, during which he trained for Japanese swordfights, he broadened his scope to film and television. In 1999, he appeared in Railroad Man with Ken Takakura. Over the years he earned recognition as both a film and theatrical actor who specialises in Yakuza, samurai, soldier and detective roles.
Satoshi Takayama (高山 智司, Takayama Satoshi; born 20 April 1970) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House…Satoshi Takayama (高山 智司, Takayama Satoshi; born 20 April 1970) 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 Tokyo and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected for the first time in 2003.
Fumito Ueda (上田 文人, Ueda Fumito; born April 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer, game director and visual…Fumito Ueda (上田 文人, Ueda Fumito; born April 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer, game director and visual artist. Ueda is best known as the director and lead designer of Ico (2001) and Shadow of the Colossus (2005) during his tenure at Sony Computer Entertainment's Japan Studio, and The Last Guardian (2016) through his own development company GenDesign. His games have achieved cult status and are distinguished by their usage of minimal plot and scenario using fictional languages, and use of overexposed, desaturated light. He has been described by some as an auteur.
Takahiro Saeki (佐伯 貴弘, born April 18, 1970, in Osaka, Osaka, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.…Takahiro Saeki (佐伯 貴弘, born April 18, 1970, in Osaka, Osaka, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. Under former manager Motonobu Tanishige he was a fielding coach for the Chunichi Dragons, but with Tanishige's dismissal as manager on 10 August 2016, Saeki was also relieved from his position.
Mikiko Hagiwara (萩原 美樹子, Hagiwara Mikiko; born April 17, 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. She…Mikiko Hagiwara (萩原 美樹子, Hagiwara Mikiko; born April 17, 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. She won a silver medal with the Japan women's national basketball team at the 1994 Asian Games. Hagiwara also competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where Japan's team came in seventh place. Hagiwara would also play in the WNBA for one year from June 1997 to July 1998. Hagiwara was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs with the 14th pick in the WNBA Elite Draft. Her WNBA debut took place on June 21, 1997 in a 73 - 61 win over the Utah Starzz where she recorded 3 points in 16 minutes of playing time. She was traded to the Phoenix Mercury on July 31, 1997 and played 12 games for them, averaging 2.8 points and 1.2 rebounds. She remained with the Mercury partially for the 1998 season, playing 10 games for them between June 26 - July 20, 1998 but played significantly fewer minutes (5.9 minutes per game) and averaged 2.2 points. Hagiwara was waived by the Mercury on July 31, 1998 (exactly one year after being traded to the team) and would never play in the WNBA afterwards. Her final WNBA game was played on July 20, 1998 in a 88 - 67 win over her former team, the Sacramento Monarchs. Hagiwara recorded two points and no other stats in her final game.