Shoko Takayanagi (高柳 昌子, Takayanagi Shōko) (born 13 September 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic…Shoko Takayanagi (高柳 昌子, Takayanagi Shōko) (born 13 September 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Takayanagi was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 義則, born September 11, 1954, in Okushiri District, Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Yoshinori Sato (佐藤 義則, born September 11, 1954, in Okushiri District, Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Seitaro Hattori (服部誠太郎, Hattori Seitarō; born 11 September 1954) is a Japanese politician. He currently serves as…Seitaro Hattori (服部誠太郎, Hattori Seitarō; born 11 September 1954) is a Japanese politician. He currently serves as governor of Fukuoka Prefecture since 2021.
Takuya Miyama (深山 卓也, Miyama Takuya; born September 2, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who previously served as an associate…Takuya Miyama (深山 卓也, Miyama Takuya; born September 2, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who previously served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2018 to 2024.
Cheng Yonghua (Chinese: 程永华; born September 1954) is a Chinese diplomat who served as Ambassador to Japan from 2010 to…Cheng Yonghua (Chinese: 程永华; born September 1954) is a Chinese diplomat who served as Ambassador to Japan from 2010 to 2019.
Junichi Iijima (born August 28, 1954), Japanese, Enterprise Engineer and Professor of the Department of Industrial…Junichi Iijima (born August 28, 1954), Japanese, Enterprise Engineer and Professor of the Department of Industrial Management and Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan.
Osamu Nakako (中子修, Nakako Osamu; born August 20, 1954) is a Japanese former professional racing driver. He is a…Osamu Nakako (中子修, Nakako Osamu; born August 20, 1954) is a Japanese former professional racing driver. He is a five-time champion of the Japanese Touring Car Championship, having won titles in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1997. The first four of these titles came in the sub-1,600 cc division of the Group A era and the final one during the Super Touring era, on all occasions driving Honda cars for Mugen. He was also a race winner for Honda and Mugen in the GT500 class of the All-Japan GT Championship and the Suzuka 1000km, and contributed to their first titles in the series in 2000.
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature…Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature films, including Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (2007), which was selected for inclusion in the 31st annual Hong Kong International Film Festival, Messengers (1999), Embrace Me as Many Times as There Are Waves (1991), and Take Me Out to the Snowland (1987).
Saburo Tokura (戸倉 三郎, Tokura Saburo; born August 11, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of…Saburo Tokura (戸倉 三郎, Tokura Saburo; born August 11, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of Japan from 2022 to 2024, having previously served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Japan from 2017 to 2022.
Yasuaki Shimizu (清水靖晃, Shimizu Yasuaki) (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is…Yasuaki Shimizu (清水靖晃, Shimizu Yasuaki) (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is known for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, in particular the "Cello Suites 1-6" re-arranged for and performed on tenor saxophone. Since 1981 he has composed, produced or arranged for artists as diverse as jazz vocalist Helen Merrill, composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, and DJ Towa Tei. During this time he has lived in London, Paris and Tokyo.
Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾, Kuma Kengo; born August 8, 1954) is a Japanese architect and emeritus professor in the Department of…Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾, Kuma Kengo; born August 8, 1954) is a Japanese architect and emeritus professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo. Frequently compared to contemporaries Shigeru Ban and Kazuyo Sejima, Kuma designed the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, built for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Lin Mun-lee (Chinese: 林曼麗; born 8 August 1954) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer. She served as Deputy Director of…Lin Mun-lee (Chinese: 林曼麗; born 8 August 1954) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer. She served as Deputy Director of National Palace Museum from 2004 to 2006, and its Director between 2006 and 2008.
Akihiko Tanaka (田中 明彦, Tanaka Akihiko; born 7 August 1954) is a Japanese international relations scholar who serves as…Akihiko Tanaka (田中 明彦, Tanaka Akihiko; born 7 August 1954) is a Japanese international relations scholar who serves as president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency since April 2022. He is specializing in theories of international systems, contemporary international relations in East Asia, Japan–United States relations and China–Japan relations. He was also the president of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. Tanaka was a professor of international politics at The University of Tokyo's Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia from 1990 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2017, and served a previous term as president of JICA from 2012 to 2015. He served in various advisory panels commissioned by the Japanese government.
Kosaburo Nishime (西銘 恒三郎, Nishime Kōsaburō; born 7 August 1954), is a Japanese politician who has served in the House…Kosaburo Nishime (西銘 恒三郎, Nishime Kōsaburō; born 7 August 1954), is a Japanese politician who has served in the House of Representatives representing Okinawa since 2012. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently…Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently coach. In his player career, he played as flanker.
Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves…Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves insects but he is a naturalist at heart.
Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a…Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a movie producer and the president of Sekine Production production company (関根プロ). He was born in Tokyo in 1954, and died in 2019. He mainly directs films produced by independent studios. He is married to the actress Izumi Aki, who has appeared in his films. Many of his films are urban love stories.
Kumiko Onodera (小野寺 久美子, Onodera Kumiko) (born July 29, 1954), better known as Kumiko Akiyoshi (秋吉 久美子, Akiyoshi…Kumiko Onodera (小野寺 久美子, Onodera Kumiko) (born July 29, 1954), better known as Kumiko Akiyoshi (秋吉 久美子, Akiyoshi Kumiko), is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Hochi Film Award for Banka, Saraba natsuno hikariyo and Brother and Sister.
Kazuo Shii (志位 和夫, Shii Kazuo; born 29 July 1954) is a Japanese politician who has been the chairman of the Central…Kazuo Shii (志位 和夫, Shii Kazuo; born 29 July 1954) is a Japanese politician who has been the chairman of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) since 2024. He previously served as the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Committee of the JCP from 24 November 2000 to 18 January 2024. Born in Yotsukaidō in Chiba Prefecture, Shii first joined the JCP while studying engineering physics at the University of Tokyo. He participated in the JCP's Tokyo Committee after graduation, and worked in the Party Central Committee from 1982. He became the head of the secretariat in 1990, and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1993. He became the chairman of the Party Executive Committee in 2000. He led the party until 18 January 2024, when he resigned as the executive committee chairman, and was succeeded by Tomoko Tamura. On the same day, Shii was appointed as the chairman of the Central Committee.
Mariko Yoshida (吉田 真理子, Yoshida Mariko) (born 27 July 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.…Mariko Yoshida (吉田 真理子, Yoshida Mariko) (born 27 July 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yoshida was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic Games.
Tamaryū Daizō (born 22 July 1954 as Daizō Nagata) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagasaki, Japan. He made his debut in…Tamaryū Daizō (born 22 July 1954 as Daizō Nagata) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagasaki, Japan. He made his debut in 1970, retiring in 1992. He was one of the lighter sekitori wrestlers. His highest rank was komusubi. He was a member of Kataonami stable.
Jun Watanabe (渡辺 純, Watanabe Jun; born 20 July 1954, in Tokyo) is a Japanese architect and a former professor at Chubu…Jun Watanabe (渡辺 純, Watanabe Jun; born 20 July 1954, in Tokyo) is a Japanese architect and a former professor at Chubu University (until 2009). After studying at the University of Tokyo, Jun finished the master's degree of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University in 1983. His work experiences include Kenzo Tange & URTEC (1978–81), I.M.Pei & Partners (1983–85), and Maki and Associates (1985–90). After completing the award-winning Makuhari Messe as a project architect with Maki & Associates, he was appointed as an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Texas at Austin in 1990, where he received the tenure professorship in 1996. He moved to Chubu University as a professor in 1996, and was honorably appointed as a visiting professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2014. He founded Jun Watanabe & Associates in 1990. He received 2 local AIA Awards in 1993 and 1995 in Austin. In 2003 he received the gold medal, Residential/ Interior category of Bienal Miami + Beach 2003, with his work of Villa Gamagori. In 2011 he received the Good Design Award, with his work of Hiroo Flat. In 2012,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2020 & 2021, the received the Good Design Awards, as well.
Takashi Amano (天野尚, Amano Takashi; 18 July 1954 – 4 August 2015) was a professional Japanese track cyclist…Takashi Amano (天野尚, Amano Takashi; 18 July 1954 – 4 August 2015) was a professional Japanese track cyclist, photographer, designer, and aquarist. He founded Aqua Design Amano (ADA), a Japanese company that specializes in the design of aquariums and their production. Amano was the author of Nature Aquarium World (TFH Publications, 1994), a three-book series on aquascaping, freshwater aquarium plants, and fish. He also published the book Aquarium Plant Paradise (TFH Publications, 1997). A species of freshwater shrimp, the "Amano shrimp" or "Yamato shrimp" (Caridina multidentata; previously Caridina japonica), was named after him. Amano discovered the species' ability to eat large quantities of algae. Amano ordered several thousand of them from a local distributor. They have since become widely used in freshwater planted aquariums. Amano also developed a line of aquarium products under the Aqua Design Amano (ADA) brand. His aquarium column, "Nature Aquarium," appeared in the monthly magazines Practical Fishkeeping and Tropical Fish Hobbyist. He died of pneumonia in 2015 at the age of 61.
Chikashi Toyoshima (Japanese: 豊島 近, Hepburn: Toyoshima Chikashi; born July 17, 1954) is a Japanese biophysicist, a…Chikashi Toyoshima (Japanese: 豊島 近, Hepburn: Toyoshima Chikashi; born July 17, 1954) is a Japanese biophysicist, a professor at the University of Tokyo and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. His research focuses on two proteins: the Ca2+ ATPase, and the Na+/ K+-ATPase. Toyoshima's research about Ca2+ ATPase started in 1989. He and his colleagues obtained the world's first series of images of Ca2+ ATPase at the atomic level. He has determined the crystal structures of ten intermediates of Ca2+ ATPase via X-ray crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), among other methods. Toyoshima and Poul Nissen were awarded the Gregori Aminoff Prize in 2016 by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their fundamental contributions to understanding the structural basis for ATP-driven translocation of ions across membranes.
Tomio Tashiro (田代 富雄, Tashiro Tomio; born July 9, 1954 in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Tomio Tashiro (田代 富雄, Tashiro Tomio; born July 9, 1954 in Odawara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball player and coach who is currently a hitting coach for Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Feng Zhenghu (born 1 July 1954) is a Chinese economist and scholar based in Shanghai. Citing Amnesty International, The…Feng Zhenghu (born 1 July 1954) is a Chinese economist and scholar based in Shanghai. Citing Amnesty International, The Guardian said that Feng was "a prominent human rights defender" in mainland China. In 2001 he was sent to prison for three years ostensibly for "illegal business activity". He was released in 2004 and has since written critical pieces highlighting alleged malpractice by local governments and forced evictions. Outside mainland China, Feng is best known for having been refused re-entry into mainland China eight times in 2009, despite being a Chinese citizen. He protested and remained in the immigration hall of Narita International Airport for 92 days, attracted concern from Asian activists, and received worldwide media attention.
Takafumi Kawabata (川端 隆普美, Kawabata Takafumi; born 26 June 1954) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal…Takafumi Kawabata (川端 隆普美, Kawabata Takafumi; born 26 June 1954) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and large hill events at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Tomoyo Nonaka (野中 ともよ, Nonaka Tomoyo; born June 18, 1954) is a television personality and businesswoman from Japan. She…Tomoyo Nonaka (野中 ともよ, Nonaka Tomoyo; born June 18, 1954) is a television personality and businesswoman from Japan. She was the CEO of Sanyo Electric from 2005 to 2007.
Ichiro Aisawa (逢沢 一郎, Aisawa Ichirō; born 10 June 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who…Ichiro Aisawa (逢沢 一郎, Aisawa Ichirō; born 10 June 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Mitsu District, Okayama and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986. In 2003, he was appointed as Senior Vice-Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was appointed as Chairmen of several Standing Committees of House of Representatives; Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1997, Committee on Rules and Administration in 2006, Committee on Budget in 2007 and Committee on Fundamental National Policies in 2014. He serves as Vice-President of the Japan Scout Parliamentary Association. In 2022, it was revealed that Aisawa had attended events affiliated with the Unification Church and received campaign support from members. Previously his father Hideo Aisawa (1926–2016) and grandfather Ken Aizawa (1888–1982, first elected in 1942) had also represented Okayama in the Diet.
Fumi Dan (檀ふみ, Dan Fumi) (born June 5, 1954) is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at…Fumi Dan (檀ふみ, Dan Fumi) (born June 5, 1954) is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 17th Japan Academy Prize for her role in Bloom in the Moonlight. Her father is the novelist Kazuo Dan and she herself has won awards for her essays.
Yuji Iwasawa (岩沢雄司; born 4 June 1954) is a Japanese jurist and professor. He has been a member of the International…Yuji Iwasawa (岩沢雄司; born 4 June 1954) is a Japanese jurist and professor. He has been a member of the International Court of Justice since 22 June 2018, following the resignation of Judge Hisashi Owada. Before he was elected a judge, he was a professor of international law at the University of Tokyo. He was re-elected on 12 November 2020. He formerly chaired the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Following the resignation of former president Nawaf Salam on 14 January 2025, he was elected as President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 3 March 2025. He is expected to fulfill the rest of Salam's term until 5 February 2027.
Shuichi Toyama (外山 秀一, Toyama Shūichi; born June 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist and historian, Professor in the…Shuichi Toyama (外山 秀一, Toyama Shūichi; born June 1954) is a Japanese archaeologist and historian, Professor in the Faculty of Letters at Kogakkan University. He specializes in archaeological geography, environment archeology, geomorphology, and the history of geography, and is an expert in ancient Japanese farming practices and the history of the Yamanashi Prefecture. He has conducted much research into rice cultivation in ancient Japan in particular, which has been quoted in numerous publications. In his work related to the environment and archaeology, he has examined the relationship history between nature and human beings, which was the subject of a 2008 book. In 2009 he was a co-author of a book on archaeology of the Jōmon period.
Sakihito Ozawa (小沢 鋭仁, Ozawa Sakihito; born 31 May 1954) is a Japanese politician and former banker. He was a member of…Sakihito Ozawa (小沢 鋭仁, Ozawa Sakihito; born 31 May 1954) is a Japanese politician and former banker. He was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan and previously served as leader of the Vision of Reform party, which he formed in December 2015. A native of Kofu, Yamanashi, he graduated from the University of Tokyo and received a master's degree in political science from Saitama University. Shortly after graduating, he studied economics and policy under Eisuke Sakakibara. Before joining the House of Representatives, he worked at Tokyo Bank and served as an advisor to several lawmakers. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 as a member of Morihiro Hosokawa's Japan New Party. He was the Minister of the Environment during Yukio Hatoyama's prime ministership in 2009–2010.
Nobuhiro Takashiro (高代 延博, Takashiro Nobuhiro; 27 May 1954 – 9 December 2025) was a Japanese Nippon Professional…Nobuhiro Takashiro (高代 延博, Takashiro Nobuhiro; 27 May 1954 – 9 December 2025) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. Takashiro died from esophageal cancer in Osaka, on 9 December 2025, at the age of 71.
Hakubun Shimomura (下村 博文, Shimomura Hakubun; born 23 May 1954) is a Japanese political activist of the Liberal…Hakubun Shimomura (下村 博文, Shimomura Hakubun; born 23 May 1954) is a Japanese political activist of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in for Tokyo 11th district the Diet (national legislature). Shimomura is affiliated with the openly revisionist organization Nippon Kaigi. As Minister of Education, he oversaw the approval of textbooks that have been described as minimizing Japan's role in the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II, to avoid a "masochistic view of history". He has advocated for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to deny the Nanjing Massacre and the existence of the comfort women system. Shimomura held a seat in the Diet for nearly three decades, winning nine consecutive terms until losing in the 2024 Japanese general election. But he regained his seat in 2026 Japanese general election.
Shuji Nakamura (中村 修二, Nakamura Shūji; born May 22, 1954) is a Japanese–American electrical engineer and co-inventor of…Shuji Nakamura (中村 修二, Nakamura Shūji; born May 22, 1954) is a Japanese–American electrical engineer and co-inventor of the blue LED, a major breakthrough in lighting technology. For this achievement, Nakamura, together with Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014. Nakamura specializes in the field of semiconductor technology. He is Professor of Materials and of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) since 1999.
Toshiyuki Adachi (Japanese: 足立 敏之; May 20, 1954 – December 27, 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a Liberal…Toshiyuki Adachi (Japanese: 足立 敏之; May 20, 1954 – December 27, 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2016, after serving as vice minister for engineering affairs. He represented the National proportional representation block. At the time of his death, he was serving on the following committees: Committee on Land and Transport (Director) Special Committee on Disasters (Director) Research Committee on National Life and Economy Committee on Audit
Hideki Maeda (前田 秀樹, Maeda Hideki; born May 13, 1954) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for…Hideki Maeda (前田 秀樹, Maeda Hideki; born May 13, 1954) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Wataru Mimura (三村 渉, Mimura Wataru; May 7, 1954 – August 26, 2021) was a Japanese screenwriter with a career largely…Wataru Mimura (三村 渉, Mimura Wataru; May 7, 1954 – August 26, 2021) was a Japanese screenwriter with a career largely focused around Toho's Godzilla series. On August 26, 2021, Mimura died from multiple system atrophy.
Tatsuo Hirano (平野 達男, Hirano Tatsuo; born May 2, 1954) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tatsuo Hirano (平野 達男, Hirano Tatsuo; born May 2, 1954) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and was formerly a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. He was formerly a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Kuniko Tanioka (谷岡 郁子, Tanioka Kuniko; born 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member…Kuniko Tanioka (谷岡 郁子, Tanioka Kuniko; born 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka Prefecture, she graduated from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada and gained a bachelor's degree in developmental biology. She was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007. She is president of Shigakkan University.
Akihiro Maeta (前田 昭博, Maeta Akihiro) (from Tottori, Japan, born May 1, 1954) is a Japanese ceramic artist known for…Akihiro Maeta (前田 昭博, Maeta Akihiro) (from Tottori, Japan, born May 1, 1954) is a Japanese ceramic artist known for white porcelain. He is a Living National Treasure of Japan and a member of the Japan Kōgei Association. Maeta's style is achieved by hand-forming his works as opposed to forming them on a potter's wheel. He uses his fingers, palms, and a blade to perfect the shape of his white porcelain sculptures.
Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the…Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Kazuko Kurosawa (黒澤 和子, Kurosawa Kazuko; born April 29, 1954) is a Japanese costume designer. She is the daughter of…Kazuko Kurosawa (黒澤 和子, Kurosawa Kazuko; born April 29, 1954) is a Japanese costume designer. She is the daughter of filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and actress Yōko Yaguchi.
Masaaki Suzuki (鈴木 雅明, Suzuki Masaaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and the…Masaaki Suzuki (鈴木 雅明, Suzuki Masaaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and the founder and music director of the Bach Collegium Japan. With this ensemble he is recording the complete choral works of Johann Sebastian Bach for the Swedish label BIS Records, for which he is also recording Bach's concertos, orchestral suites, and solo works for harpsichord and organ. He is also an artist-in-residence at Yale University and the principal guest conductor of its Schola Cantorum, and has conducted orchestras and choruses around the world.
Noboru Uchiyama (内山 昇, Uchiyama Noboru; born April 20, 1954) is a retired Japanese amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal…Noboru Uchiyama (内山 昇, Uchiyama Noboru; born April 20, 1954) is a retired Japanese amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games and competed at the 1976 Olympics, where he was eliminated in the first bout.
Isshō Fujita (藤田 一照, Fujita Isshō; b. 18 April 1954) was born in Niihama, Ehime, Japan and was head teacher at Valley…Isshō Fujita (藤田 一照, Fujita Isshō; b. 18 April 1954) was born in Niihama, Ehime, Japan and was head teacher at Valley Zendo, a Sōtō Zen practice center in Charlemont, Massachusetts, USA. Fujita had done studies in child psychology at Tokyo University Graduate School, but abandoned them and became a Zen monk. At the age of twenty-nine, on 8 December, Fujita was ordained a Zen priest, along with Ryōdō Yamashita, by Kōhō Watanabe at Antai-ji temple. In 1987, Fujita assumed the role of abbot at Valley Zendo, where he lived until his return to Japan in 2005. From 2010 to 2018, he was the Director of the Soto Zen International Center.
