Ginko Abukawa-Chiba (虻川-千葉 吟子, born Abukawa; February 25, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all…Ginko Abukawa-Chiba (虻川-千葉 吟子, born Abukawa; February 25, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964. Her best individual achievement was tenth place on the vault in 1964.
Sadanoyama Shinmatsu (Japanese: 佐田の山 晋松; born Shinmatsu Sasada (佐々田 晋松), February 18, 1938 – April 27, 2017) was a…Sadanoyama Shinmatsu (Japanese: 佐田の山 晋松; born Shinmatsu Sasada (佐々田 晋松), February 18, 1938 – April 27, 2017) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nagasaki Prefecture. He was the sport's 50th yokozuna. After his retirement he was the head coach of Dewanoumi stable and served as head of the Japan Sumo Association.
Torao Tokuda (Japanese: 徳田虎雄 Tokuda Torao; 17 February 1938 – 10 July 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Torao Tokuda (Japanese: 徳田虎雄 Tokuda Torao; 17 February 1938 – 10 July 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party and later the Liberal League, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2005.
Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光, Yamada Yoshimitsu; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido…Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光, Yamada Yoshimitsu; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido teacher. He was ranked eighth dan in the Aikikai. He was chief instructor at the New York Aikikai, and president of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF).
Kojiro Hongo (本郷功次郎, Hongō Kōjirō; 15 February 1938 – 14 February 2013) was a Japanese actor. Hongo won an Elan d'or…Kojiro Hongo (本郷功次郎, Hongō Kōjirō; 15 February 1938 – 14 February 2013) was a Japanese actor. Hongo won an Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year in 1959. His notable international performances were in the Daiei Studios Gamera films.
Miho Nakayama (中山 美保, Nakayama Miho; 13 February 1938 – 7 February 2017) was a Japanese comedian. Her real name was…Miho Nakayama (中山 美保, Nakayama Miho; 13 February 1938 – 7 February 2017) was a Japanese comedian. Her real name was Mihoko Ishida (石田 美保子, Ishida Mihoko). Nakayama was born in Tokushima, Tokushima. She was represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency in Osaka.
Masayuki Tanemo (種茂 雅之, Tanemo Masayuki; born February 13, 1938) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Masayuki Tanemo (種茂 雅之, Tanemo Masayuki; born February 13, 1938) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. He played for the Toei Flyers from 1961 to 1971 and the Hankyu Braves from 1972 to 1974. He and teammate Masayuki Dobashi split the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1962.
Tarō Kimura (木村 太郎, Kimura Tarō; born 12 February 1938 in Berkeley, California, USA) is a Japanese veteran journalist…Tarō Kimura (木村 太郎, Kimura Tarō; born 12 February 1938 in Berkeley, California, USA) is a Japanese veteran journalist who provides commentary and analysis with Yūko Andō on Japan's Fuji Television Super News. He is also the managing director of Shonan Beach FM, a community radio station.
Shiro Suzuki (鈴木 史朗, 鈴木 史郎, Suzuki Shirō; born 10 February 1938 in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese…Shiro Suzuki (鈴木 史朗, 鈴木 史郎, Suzuki Shirō; born 10 February 1938 in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese announcer and tarento. He was born in Kamigamo Shrine of the Shinto shrine of bushi samurais. After being a Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) announcer he later became a free announcer. Suzuki is nicknamed Shiro-san (史朗さん, Shirō-san).
Takamitsu Muraoka (村岡 崇光, Muraoka Takamitsu; 9 February 1938 – 10 February 2026) was a Japanese Semitist. He was Chair…Takamitsu Muraoka (村岡 崇光, Muraoka Takamitsu; 9 February 1938 – 10 February 2026) was a Japanese Semitist. He was Chair of Hebrew, Israelite Antiquities, and Ugaritic at Leiden University in the Netherlands from 1991 to 2003 and is most notable for his studies of Hebrew and Aramaic linguistics and the ancient translations of the Bible, notably of the Septuagint.
Yoshiya Kakimoto is a Japanese politician. An independent, he served as the governor of Nara Prefecture from 1991 to…Yoshiya Kakimoto is a Japanese politician. An independent, he served as the governor of Nara Prefecture from 1991 to 2007. Prior to his career in electoral politics, Kakimoto was employed as director of the administrative affairs bureau in the Ministry of Home Affairs. In April 1990, he became the Vice Governor of Nara Prefecture, and would ascend to the governorship in 1991, when Shigeki Ueda resigned from the office. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.
Gō Katō (加藤剛, Katō Gō; 4 February 1938 – 18 June 2018) was a Japanese entertainer and actor. Katō starred in the…Gō Katō (加藤剛, Katō Gō; 4 February 1938 – 18 June 2018) was a Japanese entertainer and actor. Katō starred in the long-running TV series Ōoka Echizen (1970~2006).
Isao Inokuma (猪熊 功, Inokuma Isao; February 4, 1938 – September 28, 2001) was a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal in…Isao Inokuma (猪熊 功, Inokuma Isao; February 4, 1938 – September 28, 2001) was a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal in the heavyweight division (above 80 kg) at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and a world title in 1965.
Tomoharu Katsumata (勝間田 具治, Katsumata Tomoharu; born in February 4, 1938 in Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese…Tomoharu Katsumata (勝間田 具治, Katsumata Tomoharu; born in February 4, 1938 in Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese film director best known for his work on various anime works. A leading director at the Toei Animation studio during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Katsumata worked as a director on several of Toei's anime television adaptations of manga by Go Nagai, including Devilman (1972), Mazinger Z (1972), Cutey Honey (1973), Great Mazinger (1974), UFO Robo Grendizer (1975) and Gaiking (1976) (both Grendizer and Gaiking became later part of Jim Terry's Force Five package on U.S. television). Katsumata also directed a TV adaptation of Silver Fang -The Shooting Star Gin- in 1986.
Katsuki Ishihara (石原 勝記, Ishihara Katsuki; born March 10, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at…Katsuki Ishihara (石原 勝記, Ishihara Katsuki; born March 10, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics. In 1960, he won a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay, by swimming for the Japanese team in the preliminary round. In 1964, his 4 × 100 m freestyle relay team finished in fourth place.
Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of…Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of the first Japanese team that succeeded to win gold medals in the team event at the Summer Olympics (1960) and World Championships (1962). In 2008 he was inducted to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Hiroshi Kojima (born 27 January 1938) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the…Hiroshi Kojima (born 27 January 1938) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō; 25 January 1938 – 28 January 1998), né Onodera (小野寺 章太郎, Onodera…Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō; 25 January 1938 – 28 January 1998), né Onodera (小野寺 章太郎, Onodera Shōtarō), was a Japanese manga artist, cartoonist, writer and director. Known as the "King of Manga" (漫画の帝王 (Manga no Teiō) or 漫画の王様 (Manga no Ōsama)), he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential manga artists of all time. Outside of manga he is also one of the most prolific creators in the history of anime, tokusatsu, and Japanese superhero fiction, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009, the Super Sentai series (later adapted into the Power Rangers series which Ishinomori has also been credited for co-creating), and the Kamen Rider series. He was twice awarded by the Shogakukan Manga Awards, in 1968 for Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae and in 1988 for Hotel and Manga Nihon Keizai Nyumon. He was also known as Shotaro Ishimori (石森 章太郎, Ishimori Shōtarō) prior to 1986, when he changed his family name to Ishinomori by adding the no (ノ) character in katakana.
Leiji Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本零士, Hepburn: Matsumoto Reiji; born Akira Matsumoto (松本晟); January 25, 1938 – February 13…Leiji Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本零士, Hepburn: Matsumoto Reiji; born Akira Matsumoto (松本晟); January 25, 1938 – February 13, 2023) was a Japanese manga artist, and creator of several anime and manga series. He was best known for masterminding legendary franchises, such as Space Battleship Yamato, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and Galaxy Express 999. His style was characterized by mythological and often tragic storylines with strong moral themes, noble heroes, feminine heroines, and a love of strange worlds and melancholic atmosphere. He received Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2001, Order of the Rising Sun in 2010 and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012.
Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba…Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba (ジャイアント馬場, Jaianto Baba), was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and professional baseball player. He is best known as a co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972 along with Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota, the sons of his mentor Rikidōzan. For the first 10 years of its existence, Baba was the top star of All Japan, while also serving as the booker, promoter, head trainer and president of the promotion from its inception in 1972 till his death in 1999. Baba was also responsible for recruiting much of the talent for All Japan, and was the public face of the promotion for much of his lifetime. Considered one of the most beloved Japanese wrestlers ever, Baba was a national hero with a level of popularity in Japan comparable to that of Hulk Hogan in the United States. The 2006 Top 100 Historical Persons in Japan survey ranked Baba the 93rd greatest person in the history of Japan, as voted for by the general public. Among his many accomplishments, Baba was a record seven-time winner of the Champion Carnival, a four-time PWF World Heavyweight Champion, three time NWA International Heavyweight Champion and a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Aiko Kitahara (北原 亞以子; January 20, 1938 – March 12, 2013) was a Japanese novelist. She is best known for writing…Aiko Kitahara (北原 亞以子; January 20, 1938 – March 12, 2013) was a Japanese novelist. She is best known for writing historical novels.
Takaharu Kyōgoku (京極 高晴, Kyōgoku Takaharu; January 18, 1938 – May 6, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and Shinto…Takaharu Kyōgoku (京極 高晴, Kyōgoku Takaharu; January 18, 1938 – May 6, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and Shinto priest. Kyōgoku was the 15th head of the Kyōgoku clan (the former Tajima Toyooka clan) which held power in Toyooka before and during the Edo period. He was among descendants of the Meiji period kazoku (peerage) which was abolished in 1947. Kyōgoku died from a epidural hematoma on May 6, 2024, at the age of 86.
From Osaka came the 'musical anarchist' Tadamaru Sakuragawa (桜川 唯丸, Sakuragawa Tadamaru), who sang in a style called…From Osaka came the 'musical anarchist' Tadamaru Sakuragawa (桜川 唯丸, Sakuragawa Tadamaru), who sang in a style called Goshu ondo. With the backing of the now disbanded Spiritual Unity, Tadamaru broke out of the festival circuit with his only album, Ullambana, released in 1991. Ullambana is a Sanskrit word that refers to a Buddhism sutra, and is the origin of the Japanese word Urabonne whose shortened form Bon or Obon is now widely used throughout Japan. Tadamaru's music is characterized as a radical new workout of summer festival music from Kansai area of Japan. The song Yui Maru Bushi from the album can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/guidejapan2.shtml https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1W7EGULc6s Tadamaru retired in 1995 and passed his name to one of his pupils who now sings as Tadamaru Sakuragawa II (二代目 桜川唯丸). Music of Japan
Bunmei Ibuki (伊吹 文明, Ibuki Bunmei; born 9 January 1938) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Speaker of…Bunmei Ibuki (伊吹 文明, Ibuki Bunmei; born 9 January 1938) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2014.
Nobuhiko Obayashi (大林 宣彦, Ōbayashi Nobuhiko; 9 January 1938 – 10 April 2020) was a Japanese director, screenwriter, and…Nobuhiko Obayashi (大林 宣彦, Ōbayashi Nobuhiko; 9 January 1938 – 10 April 2020) was a Japanese director, screenwriter, and editor of films and television advertisements. He began his filmmaking career as a pioneer of Japanese experimental films before transitioning to directing more mainstream media, and his resulting filmography as a director spanned almost 60 years. He is best known as the director of the 1977 comedy horror film House, which has garnered a cult following. He was notable for his distinct surreal filmmaking style, as well as the anti-war themes commonly embedded in his films.
Kanoko Tsutani-Mabuchi (津谷-馬淵 鹿乃子, January 6, 1938 – January 4, 2025) was a Japanese diver who won five medals in the 3…Kanoko Tsutani-Mabuchi (津谷-馬淵 鹿乃子, January 6, 1938 – January 4, 2025) was a Japanese diver who won five medals in the 3 m. springboard and 10 m. platform events at the Asian Games in 1954–74. Together with her husband Ryo Mabuchi she competed in the springboard and platform at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics and placed 7th–16th. Her daughter Yoshino Mabuchi also became an Olympic diver. Mabuchi died from pneumonia on January 4, 2025, at the age of 87.
Masayoshi Mitani (見谷 昌禧, born January 5, 1938) is a retired Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the downhill, slalom…Masayoshi Mitani (見谷 昌禧, born January 5, 1938) is a retired Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the downhill, slalom and giant slalom events at the 1960 Winter Olympics with the best result of 33rd place in the giant slalom. While preparing for the 1964 Winter Olympics, Mitani suffered a serious head injury, which left him bedridden for 3 months and forced him to retire from competitions. After graduating from Waseda University, Mitani joined Tokyu Corporation and was transferred to the affiliated Hakuba Tourism Development. He then returned to Waseda University to work as a skiing coach and researcher. In 1969 he became head coach of the national alpine skiing team, and prepared it to the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo. After the Olympics, he worked at a ski school and provided commentaries and reports on major international skiing competitions.
Kazuhiko Sakazaki (坂崎一彦, Sakazaki Kazuhiko; January 5, 1938 – January 28, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player who…Kazuhiko Sakazaki (坂崎一彦, Sakazaki Kazuhiko; January 5, 1938 – January 28, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player who played as an outfielder. Born in Toyonaka, Osaka, he played for the Yomiuri Giants (1956–1964) and the Toei Flyers (1965–1967). After he retired from baseball, he took over the electric construction family business, and was also a member of the "Japan Baseball Promotion Association". He died on January 28, 2014, from stomach cancer.
Tyzen Hsiao (Chinese: 蕭泰然; pinyin: Xiāo Tàirán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siau Thài-jiân; 1 January 1938 – 24 February 2015) was a…Tyzen Hsiao (Chinese: 蕭泰然; pinyin: Xiāo Tàirán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siau Thài-jiân; 1 January 1938 – 24 February 2015) was a Taiwanese composer of the neo-Romantic school. Many of his vocal works set poems written in Taiwanese Hokkien, the mother tongue of the majority of the island's residents at the time. His compositions stand as a musical manifestation of the Taiwanese literature movement that revitalized the island's literary and performing arts in the 1970s and 1980s. Hsiao's career in music included additional success as a pianist and conductor.
Shoji Ueda (Japanese: 上田正治; 1 January 1938 – 16 January 2025) was a Japanese cinematographer. He worked several times…Shoji Ueda (Japanese: 上田正治; 1 January 1938 – 16 January 2025) was a Japanese cinematographer. He worked several times with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work in the film Ran (1985). Ueda died from a heart attack on 16 January 2025 in Yokohama, at the age of 87.
Hideki Omori (大森英樹, born December 3, 1938) is a Japanese mathematician who specialized in geometry and worked at Tokyo…Hideki Omori (大森英樹, born December 3, 1938) is a Japanese mathematician who specialized in geometry and worked at Tokyo University of Science.
Yasuo Higa (比嘉 康雄, Higa Yasuo; 1938-2000) was an Okinawan photographer, ethnologist and anthropologist. He served ten…Yasuo Higa (比嘉 康雄, Higa Yasuo; 1938-2000) was an Okinawan photographer, ethnologist and anthropologist. He served ten years as a police officer near a US military base before becoming a photographer, with much of his early work centered on life in postwar Okinawa. Higa is most known for his research on ancient rituals and shamanesses from the Ryukyu Islands, mainland Japan, and Asia, conducted over the span of nearly 40 years. Through his photographs and extensive notes, Higa has preserved critical documentation on maternal rituals that have been effectively rendered extinct in areas such as Kudaka and Miyakojima. From the 1990s onwards, Higa was also active as an educator of folklore studies, having served as an affiliate lecturer at Meiji Gakuin University and the Research Institute of Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, and as a panelist at numerous symposiums.
