Kanematsu Yamada (山田 兼松, September 16, 1903 – August 27, 1977) was a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the…Kanematsu Yamada (山田 兼松, September 16, 1903 – August 27, 1977) was a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the 1928 Olympics marathon, finishing in fourth place.
Tomoji Abe (阿部 知二, Abe Tomoji; 26 June 1903 – 23 April 1973) was a Japanese novelist, social critic, humanist, and…Tomoji Abe (阿部 知二, Abe Tomoji; 26 June 1903 – 23 April 1973) was a Japanese novelist, social critic, humanist, and translator of English and American literature. Although he began writing as a modernist, in his later works he represented the intellectual movement in Japanese literature. This movement departed from Japanese traditional thinking and from established forms of narration, which focused on aesthetic values and emotional states of mind (such as appear in the works of Junichiro Tanizaki and Ryunosuke Akutagawa); it also departed from modernist views, which continued to be popular in world literature and in Japan (Japanese modernist writers included Haruo Satō, Sei Ito, Tatsuo Hori, Riichi Yokomitsu and Yasunari Kawabata). Abe's intellectual approach was incompatible with the socio-political atmosphere of Japan in the early Shōwa period (1926–1945), with rising fascism and militarism, and the crusade to preserve Japanese feudal traditions.
Satomu Shimizu (清水 三十六, Shimizu Satomu; June 22, 1903 – February 14, 1967), better known by the pen name of Shūgorō…Satomu Shimizu (清水 三十六, Shimizu Satomu; June 22, 1903 – February 14, 1967), better known by the pen name of Shūgorō Yamamoto (山本 周五郎, Yamamoto Shūgorō), was a Japanese novelist and short-story writer active during the Shōwa period of Japan. He was noted for his popular literature, and is known to have published works under at least fourteen different pen names.
Jiro Horikoshi (堀越 二郎, Horikoshi Jirō; 22 June 1903 – 11 January 1982) was a Japanese aeronautical engineer. He was the…Jiro Horikoshi (堀越 二郎, Horikoshi Jirō; 22 June 1903 – 11 January 1982) was a Japanese aeronautical engineer. He was the chief engineer of several Japanese fighter aircraft designs used during World War II, most notably the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, as well as the NAMC YS-11.
Kunio Maruyama (Japanese: 丸山 邦雄, June 2, 1903 – October 17, 1981) was a Japanese businessman, adventurer, and college…Kunio Maruyama (Japanese: 丸山 邦雄, June 2, 1903 – October 17, 1981) was a Japanese businessman, adventurer, and college professor of English and economics. He was one of the three Japanese men who were secretly sent from Xinjing's Japanese Society, that led to the successful repatriation of most of the 1.6 million Japanese who had been trapped in the former Manchukuo at the end of World War II.
Gotō Toshio (後藤寿夫; 30 May 1903 – 9 October 1975), known by his pen name Hayashi Fusao (林 房雄), was a Japanese novelist…Gotō Toshio (後藤寿夫; 30 May 1903 – 9 October 1975), known by his pen name Hayashi Fusao (林 房雄), was a Japanese novelist and literary critic in Shōwa period Japan. He is known for his early works in the proletarian literature movement, although he later became an ultranationalist. He also used the alias Shirai Akira.
Kazuto Ishida (Japanese: 石田和外; May 20, 1903 – May 9, 1979) was a Japanese jurist who served as Chief Justice of the…Kazuto Ishida (Japanese: 石田和外; May 20, 1903 – May 9, 1979) was a Japanese jurist who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 1969 to 1973. He was a practitioner of kendo. He was a graduate of the University of Tokyo. As an associate justice in the mid-1960s, Ishida penned a dissenting opinion in a Grand Bench decision limiting criminal prosecution of labor leaders. This was a contributing factor to his appointment as Chief Justice by Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1968, in an attempt to give the court more conservative leadership at a time when Japan saw massive radical student demonstrations. One of Ishida's final decisions, in 1973, expanded police powers to punish demonstrators. Ishida's court was the first in a line of conservative Supreme Court benches that continued into the early 21st century. After his tenure as Chief Justice, Ishida became chairman of the All Japan Kendo Federation. He also became the first chairman of the Eirei ni Kotaeru Kai (英霊にこたえる会, Society to Honour the War Dead), which supports Yasukuni Shrine, in June 1976. Ishida formed the National Congress to Achieve Legislation of the Gengo System in order to establish a law formalizing the system of imperial era names. Ishida was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Tsune Sakai (Japanese: 酒井 恒, May 19, 1903 – February 22, 1986) was a Japanese zoologist known for his research on…Tsune Sakai (Japanese: 酒井 恒, May 19, 1903 – February 22, 1986) was a Japanese zoologist known for his research on crabs. He was a professor at Yokohama National University and served as the first president of the Carcinological Society of Japan.
Shinpei Kusano (草野心平, Kusano Shinpei, 12 May 1903 – 12 November 1988) was a Japanese poet. He was born in Iwaki…Shinpei Kusano (草野心平, Kusano Shinpei, 12 May 1903 – 12 November 1988) was a Japanese poet. He was born in Iwaki, Fukushima. He was a member of the Japan Art Academy, a Person of Cultural Merit, and a recipient of the Order of Culture. After dropping out of Keio University, he studied art at Lingnan University in Guangdong, China, and published "The Hundredth Grade" in 1928, and joined "Rekitei", a poetry magazine founded by Itzumi Naokichi in 1935. Later, he became an advisor to the propaganda department of the Wang Zhaoming government in the Japanese puppet regime of Nanjing. Some critics have pointed out the influence of the regime's ideology in "Fuji" (1943), which was published in Nanjing. After the war, he republished "Rekitei" and trained many poets and loved frogs.
Yukiharu Miki (三木 行治, Miki Yukiharu; 1 May 1903 – 21 September 1964) was a Japanese physician and politician. He served…Yukiharu Miki (三木 行治, Miki Yukiharu; 1 May 1903 – 21 September 1964) was a Japanese physician and politician. He served as Governor for the Okayama Prefecture from 3 May 1951 until his death on 21 September 1964. During his period as governor, the prefecture went through considerable modernisation, becoming an important industrial district. Yukiharu Miki was awarded the 1964 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.
Wataru Kaji (鹿地 亘, Kaji Wataru; 1 May 1903 – 26/27 July 1982) was the nom de guerre for Mitsugi Seguchi (瀬口 貢, Seguchi…Wataru Kaji (鹿地 亘, Kaji Wataru; 1 May 1903 – 26/27 July 1982) was the nom de guerre for Mitsugi Seguchi (瀬口 貢, Seguchi Mitsugi), a Japanese writer, literary critic, and political activist. During his lifetime, he worked as an anti-militarist activist in pre-war Japan, and, after the outbreak of World War II, joined the Chinese resistance to Imperial Japan. After the war, he would be kidnapped and tortured by US intelligence under suspicion of being a Soviet spy.
Nagamasa Kawakita (川喜多長政, Kawakita Nagamasa; April 20, 1903 – May 24, 1981) was a Japanese entrepreneur, film producer…Nagamasa Kawakita (川喜多長政, Kawakita Nagamasa; April 20, 1903 – May 24, 1981) was a Japanese entrepreneur, film producer and importer. Together with his wife Kashiko Kawakita and daughter Kazuko Kawakita, he was instrumental in the development of the Japanese film industry, sponsoring actors and actresses, and in promoting Japanese cinema to overseas audiences.
Taro Morishima (森嶋 太郎, Morishima Tarō; 1903 – 1989) was a Japanese mathematician specializing in algebra who attended…Taro Morishima (森嶋 太郎, Morishima Tarō; 1903 – 1989) was a Japanese mathematician specializing in algebra who attended University of Tokyo in Japan. Morishima published at least thirteen papers, including his work on Fermat's Last Theorem. and a collected works volume published in 1990 after his death. He also corresponded several times with American mathematician H. S. Vandiver.
Jikōson (璽光尊; 22 April 1903 – 1983/1984), born Naga Ōsawa (大沢 奈賀, Ōsawa Naga) and later known as Nagako Nagaoka (長岡 良子…Jikōson (璽光尊; 22 April 1903 – 1983/1984), born Naga Ōsawa (大沢 奈賀, Ōsawa Naga) and later known as Nagako Nagaoka (長岡 良子, Nagaoka Nagako), was a Japanese medium, spiritual healer and the leader of a new religion known as "Jiu". She claimed to be the representative of Amaterasu and the ruler of Japan. She was the first of several female leaders of Japanese new religions to attract public attention in the late 1940s.
Misuzu Kaneko (金子 みすゞ, Kaneko Misuzu; April 11, 1903 – March 10, 1930) was a Japanese poet, known for her poetry for…Misuzu Kaneko (金子 みすゞ, Kaneko Misuzu; April 11, 1903 – March 10, 1930) was a Japanese poet, known for her poetry for children. She was born Teru Kaneko (金子 テル, Kaneko Teru) in the fishing village of Senzaki, now part of Nagato, Yamaguchi prefecture. Motifs of fishing and the sea often make appearances in her poems. Celebrated during her lifetime, her works fell into obscurity after her death, until being rediscovered in the 1980s. Since then, she has been regarded as one of Japan's most beloved children's poets. Kaneko has been compared to Christina Rossetti. Her poems have been translated into eleven languages.
Masayoshi Ueki (植木 正義, Ueki Masayoshi; March 30, 1903 – March 31, 1983), known professionally as Chiezō Kataoka (片岡…Masayoshi Ueki (植木 正義, Ueki Masayoshi; March 30, 1903 – March 31, 1983), known professionally as Chiezō Kataoka (片岡 千恵蔵, Kataoka Chiezō), was a Japanese film and television actor most famous for his starring roles in jidaigeki.
Itaru Tachibana (立花 止, Tachibana Itaru; 1903-1954) was a Japanese spy active in the United States. USC PhD student…Itaru Tachibana (立花 止, Tachibana Itaru; 1903-1954) was a Japanese spy active in the United States. USC PhD student Pedro Loureiro wrote that Tachibana's arrest by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) "became the most publicized and sensational Japanese espionage case in the United States during 1941."
Yoshio Okita (Japanese: 沖田 芳夫, March 28, 1903 – April 28, 2001) was a Japanese track and field athlete who won a gold…Yoshio Okita (Japanese: 沖田 芳夫, March 28, 1903 – April 28, 2001) was a Japanese track and field athlete who won a gold medal in the discus throw at the 1927 Far Eastern Championship Games. He competed in the hammer and discus throw at the 1928 Summer Olympics and placed 15th and 30th, respectively. He also attended the 1932 and 1936 Olympics as a field coach for the Japanese athletics team. In 1993 Okita took part in the World Masters Athletics Championships. Being the sole hammer throw competitor in the over 90 years age group he won the event with a result of 12.1 m.
Nobuo Aoyagi (青柳信雄, Aoyagi Nobuo) (27 March 1903 - 17 May 1976) was a Japanese film director and film producer. Born in…Nobuo Aoyagi (青柳信雄, Aoyagi Nobuo) (27 March 1903 - 17 May 1976) was a Japanese film director and film producer. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, he attended Meiji University but left before graduating. He worked at the Zenshinza theater troupe before joining the Toho studio in 1937. He debuted as a director in 1940 and was known for a series of live action films starring the manga character Sazae-san. He also helped produce the Mito Komon series on television.
Japanese supercentenarians are citizens, residents or emigrants from Japan who have attained or surpassed the age of…Japanese supercentenarians are citizens, residents or emigrants from Japan who have attained or surpassed the age of 110 years. As of January 2015, the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) had validated the longevity claims of 263 Japanese supercentenarians, most of whom are women. As of 18 October 2026, the oldest-known living Japanese person is Fuyo Kishimoto (born in Hamasaka on 20 December 1911), who is aged 114 years, 302 days. The oldest verified Japanese and Asian person ever is Kane Tanaka (1903–2022), who lived to the age of 119 years and 107 days, making her the second-oldest validated person ever as well. Japan was also home to the world's oldest man ever, Jiroemon Kimura (1897–2013), who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days.
Kyūya Fukada (深田 久弥, Fukada Kyūya; 11 March 1903 – 21 March 1971) was a Japanese writer and mountaineer active during…Kyūya Fukada (深田 久弥, Fukada Kyūya; 11 March 1903 – 21 March 1971) was a Japanese writer and mountaineer active during the Shōwa period in Japan.
Nagako (良子; 6 March 1903 – 16 June 2000), posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后, Kōjun Kōgō), was a member of…Nagako (良子; 6 March 1903 – 16 June 2000), posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后, Kōjun Kōgō), was a member of the Imperial House of Japan, the wife of Emperor Hirohito and the mother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. She served as Empress of Japan from 1926 until her husband's death in 1989, making her the longest-serving empress consort in Japanese history.
Tsunao Okumura (奥村 綱雄, Okumura Tsunao) (5 March 1903 – 7 November 1972) was the president of Nomura Securities from…Tsunao Okumura (奥村 綱雄, Okumura Tsunao) (5 March 1903 – 7 November 1972) was the president of Nomura Securities from 1948 to 1959. He served as the King of Japanese stockbroking in the 1950s. Born as the son of a wealthy confectioner, Okumura exhibited little ambition early in life. At the age of nineteen, he enrolled in Kyoto University where he enjoyed the luxuries afforded to a privileged student as such. His father granted him a monthly allowance of 100 Yen, a substantial sum in an era where twenty yen could provide a comfortable lifestyle. Preferring leisure over academics pursuits, he dedicated much of his time frequenting Kyoto's dance halls, with his affluent peers. Despite graduating with mediocre grades and facing initial rejection from banks such as Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Yamaguchi, Okumura secured a position in Nomura's research department through personal connections.
Tokihiko Okada (岡田 時彦) (February 18, 1903 – January 16, 1934) was a silent film star in Japan during the 1920s and…Tokihiko Okada (岡田 時彦) (February 18, 1903 – January 16, 1934) was a silent film star in Japan during the 1920s and early 1930s. A native of Tokyo, he first started at the Taikatsu studio and later became a leading player for Japanese directors such as Yasujirō Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi. Film critic Tadao Sato recounts that Okada was among the handsome and favorite Japanese actors of the era. Throughout his career, Okada played the role of the quintessential nimaime (translated as "second line") which were romantic, sensitive men as opposed to the rugged and hard-boiled leading men known as tateyaku. He was the father of film actress Mariko Okada. Tokihiko Okada died of tuberculosis at age 30.
Hiroo Wada (和田 博雄, Wada Hiroo; 17 February 1903 – 4 March 1967) was a Japanese politician and bureaucrat of the…Hiroo Wada (和田 博雄, Wada Hiroo; 17 February 1903 – 4 March 1967) was a Japanese politician and bureaucrat of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. He served as the 4th Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the 4th Director-General of the Economic Stabilization Board, and the 4th Director-General of the Price Agency. He was a member of the House of Representatives (six terms) and the House of Councillors (one term).
Masauji Hachisuka (蜂須賀 正氏, Hachisuka Masauji; February 15, 1903 Tokyo – May 14, 1953 Atami), 18th Marquess Hachisuka…Masauji Hachisuka (蜂須賀 正氏, Hachisuka Masauji; February 15, 1903 Tokyo – May 14, 1953 Atami), 18th Marquess Hachisuka, was a Japanese nobleman, ornithologist and aviculturist.
Shizue Tatsuta (Japanese: 龍田 静枝) (3 November 1903 - 21 January 1962) was the stage name of Shizue Shiono, a Japanese…Shizue Tatsuta (Japanese: 龍田 静枝) (3 November 1903 - 21 January 1962) was the stage name of Shizue Shiono, a Japanese actress who starred in silent movies. Born in Yamagata Prefecture, she briefly attended Japan Women's University but did not graduate. Moving to Kyoto and joining the Shochiku Studio in 1924, she subsequently starred in over seventy silent films, primarily in the role of modern girl. Her last film, Educating Father (おやぢ教育) was released in 1935. After retiring from acting, she opened a bar in Tokyo, the city in which she ultimately died aged 58.
Tomizo Yoshida (吉田 富三, Yoshida Tomizō; 1903–1973) was a prominent Japanese pathologist, famous for discovering the…Tomizo Yoshida (吉田 富三, Yoshida Tomizō; 1903–1973) was a prominent Japanese pathologist, famous for discovering the Yoshida sarcoma. In addition, he is known for demonstrating the chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats with his mentor Takaoki Sasaki. Yoshida received the Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy twice (1936 and 1953) as well as the Robert Koch Gold Medal (1963).
Noboru Itō (伊藤昇, Itō Noboru; 31 January 1903 – 7 February 1993) was a Japanese composer who wrote experimental pieces…Noboru Itō (伊藤昇, Itō Noboru; 31 January 1903 – 7 February 1993) was a Japanese composer who wrote experimental pieces for, among others, piano, chamber orchestra, and ballet suites. His work was part of the Art competitions at the 1936 Summer Olympics. During the 1930s and 1940s, he also wrote the music scores for films produced by the P.C.L. film studios and its successor, the Toho film studios, including early works by directors Mikio Naruse and Satsuo Yamamoto.
Kiyoshi Mutō (武藤 清, Mutō Kiyoshi; 29 January 1903 – 12 March 1989) was a Japanese architect and structural engineer. He…Kiyoshi Mutō (武藤 清, Mutō Kiyoshi; 29 January 1903 – 12 March 1989) was a Japanese architect and structural engineer. He is considered the "father of the Japanese skyscraper" for his contributions to earthquake engineering.
Eizaburō Nishibori (西堀 栄三郎, Nishibori Eizaburō; January 28, 1903 – April 13, 1989) was a Japanese scientist, alpinist…Eizaburō Nishibori (西堀 栄三郎, Nishibori Eizaburō; January 28, 1903 – April 13, 1989) was a Japanese scientist, alpinist and technologist. He is also known as the captain of the primary Japanese Antarctica wintering party.
Kaneko Fumiko (金子 文子, Kaneko Fumiko; January 25, 1903 – July 23, 1926) or rarely Pak Fumiko and Pak Munja (Korean: 박문자…Kaneko Fumiko (金子 文子, Kaneko Fumiko; January 25, 1903 – July 23, 1926) or rarely Pak Fumiko and Pak Munja (Korean: 박문자; Hanja: 朴文子), was a Japanese anarchist and nihilist. She was convicted of plotting to assassinate members of the Japanese Imperial family.
Torahiko Miyahata (宮畑 虎彦, Miyahata Torahiko; 23 January 1903 – 16 May 1988 in Shimanto) was a Japanese freestyle…Torahiko Miyahata (宮畑 虎彦, Miyahata Torahiko; 23 January 1903 – 16 May 1988 in Shimanto) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics. In 1924, he did not show for the semi-finals of the 100 metre freestyle event. He was also a member of the Japanese relay team which finished fourth in the 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay competition.
Uchimaru Deguchi (出口宇知麿/出口宇知丸) (January 15, 1903 – May 6, 1973), also known as Isao Deguchi (出口伊佐男), was an assistant…Uchimaru Deguchi (出口宇知麿/出口宇知丸) (January 15, 1903 – May 6, 1973), also known as Isao Deguchi (出口伊佐男), was an assistant to the spiritual leader of the Japanese new religious organization Oomoto and its president. He was the adopted son of Onisaburo Deguchi, who was one of the founders of Oomoto.
Yukie Chiri (知里 幸恵, Chiri Yukie; June 8, 1903 – September 18, 1922) was an Ainu transcriber and translator of Yukar…Yukie Chiri (知里 幸恵, Chiri Yukie; June 8, 1903 – September 18, 1922) was an Ainu transcriber and translator of Yukar (Ainu epic tales).
Genjū Sasa (佐々元十, Sasa Genjū) (14 January 1900 – 7 July 1959) was a left-wing Japanese film director and film critic.…Genjū Sasa (佐々元十, Sasa Genjū) (14 January 1900 – 7 July 1959) was a left-wing Japanese film director and film critic. He was a founding member of the Proletarian Film League of Japan (Prokino), providing inspiration to the movement through his writings and his films.
Kanbei Hanaya (ハナヤ 勘兵衛, Hanaya Kanbei; 1903–1991) was a Japanese photographer. He was born in Osaka in 1903. In his…Kanbei Hanaya (ハナヤ 勘兵衛, Hanaya Kanbei; 1903–1991) was a Japanese photographer. He was born in Osaka in 1903. In his twenties, he travelled in China and studied photography in Shanghai. In 1929, he purchased a photography supply shop in Ashiya, a city in Japan's Hyōgo Prefecture. The Ashiya Camera Club, a prominent feature of the New Photography movement, formed at the shop in 1930. Later museum accounts, including the Osaka section of the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum exhibition Avant-Garde Rising: The Photographic Vanguard in Modern Japan, situated the club within the wider Kansai avant-garde and included Hanaya among the photographers represented. Its membership included Iwata Nakayama, Kichinosuke Benitani, Juzo Matsubara, and Korai Seiji. The group began exhibiting in 1930 and published its first yearbook in 1931.
Toshikazu Kase (加瀬 俊一, Kase Toshikazu; January 12, 1903 – May 21, 2004) was a Japanese civil servant and career…Toshikazu Kase (加瀬 俊一, Kase Toshikazu; January 12, 1903 – May 21, 2004) was a Japanese civil servant and career diplomat. During World War II he was a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official. Hideaki Kase (1936–2022) was his son and Yoko Ono is his niece.
Toshikazu Kase (加瀬 俊一, Kase Toshikazu; January 12, 1903 – May 21, 2004) was a Japanese civil servant and career…Toshikazu Kase (加瀬 俊一, Kase Toshikazu; January 12, 1903 – May 21, 2004) was a Japanese civil servant and career diplomat. During World War II he was a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official. Hideaki Kase (1936–2022) was his son and Yoko Ono is his niece.
Tanino Setsu (谷野せつ) was a textile worker who graduated from Japan Women's University's Department of Social Work in…Tanino Setsu (谷野せつ) was a textile worker who graduated from Japan Women's University's Department of Social Work in 1925, and became the first female factory supervisor in 1928. She aided in organizing women's strikes for higher wages, and wrote prolifically about her observances of female factory worker's struggles.
Mari Mori (森 茉莉, Mori Mari; 7 January 1903 – 6 June 1987) was a Japanese author, best known for writing male homosexual…Mari Mori (森 茉莉, Mori Mari; 7 January 1903 – 6 June 1987) was a Japanese author, best known for writing male homosexual romances.
Hiroshi Tamiya (田宮 博, Tamiya Hiroshi; born January 5, 1903, Tokyo; died March 20, 1984) was an important Japanese plant…Hiroshi Tamiya (田宮 博, Tamiya Hiroshi; born January 5, 1903, Tokyo; died March 20, 1984) was an important Japanese plant biochemist and microbiologist. He is notable for mid-twentieth century research he did on the thermodynamics of the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.
Michihiko Hachiya (蜂谷道彦, Hachiya Michihiko; 1903 in Okayama Prefecture - 1980) was a Japanese physician who survived…Michihiko Hachiya (蜂谷道彦, Hachiya Michihiko; 1903 in Okayama Prefecture - 1980) was a Japanese physician who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in August 1945. He kept a personal diary of his experience in the aftermath of the bombing which was later published as Hiroshima Diary in 1955.
Lee Eun-sang (Korean: 이은상; October 22, 1903 – September 18, 1982) was a Korean poet and historian. He was dedicated to…Lee Eun-sang (Korean: 이은상; October 22, 1903 – September 18, 1982) was a Korean poet and historian. He was dedicated to the revival and modernization of sijo, a form of Korean poetry.