Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (Japanese: 北瀬海 弘光; July 2, 1948 – July 26, 2026), born Takashi Tsuchiya (土谷 孝), was a Japanese sumo…Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (Japanese: 北瀬海 弘光; July 2, 1948 – July 26, 2026), born Takashi Tsuchiya (土谷 孝), was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kitahiyama, Hokkaidō. He made his professional debut in July 1964, and reached the top division in March 1972. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in May 1979 and was an active elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name "Kimigahama". As Kimigahama he first coached at Kokonoe stable, but in 1993, moved to Hakkaku stable when it was started up by former Kokonoe wrestler Hokutoumi (the 61st Yokozuna). He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in July 2013. The Kimigahama toshiyori-kabu (or elder name) was acquired by Hakkaku wrestler Okinoumi in October 2013. Hiromitsu died at a hospital in Tokyo, on July 26, 2026, at the age of 78.
Kōkichi Sugihara (Japanese: 杉原厚吉, born June 29, 1948, in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and artist known…Kōkichi Sugihara (Japanese: 杉原厚吉, born June 29, 1948, in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and artist known for his three-dimensional optical illusions that appear to make marbles roll uphill, pull objects to the highest point of a building's roof, and make circular pipes look rectangular. His illusions, which often involve videos of three-dimensional objects shown from carefully chosen perspectives, won first place at the Best Illusion of the Year Contest in 2010, 2013, 2018,and 2020 and second place in 2015 and 2016.
Minoru Kamata (鎌田 實 Kamata Minoru, born June 28, 1948) is a Japanese physician, writer, and humanitarian. Throughout…Minoru Kamata (鎌田 實 Kamata Minoru, born June 28, 1948) is a Japanese physician, writer, and humanitarian. Throughout his medical career he has been an advocate of patient-centered care, and he has also been actively involved in international medical and humanitarian aid. As a founding member of the Japan Chernobyl Foundation, Kamata has been particularly active in promoting medical aid programs for victims of the Chernobyl disaster, and subsequently for victims of other international and domestic disasters and conflicts. His book Gambaranai, which became a best seller in Japan in 2000, was dramatized for Japanese television. Kamata has been the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to medicine, publishing and broadcasting, as well as for his overseas aid work and peace efforts.
Ken Ishikawa (石川賢, Ishikawa Ken; June 28, 1948 – November 15, 2006) was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the…Ken Ishikawa (石川賢, Ishikawa Ken; June 28, 1948 – November 15, 2006) was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator (with Go Nagai) of the Getter Robo anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations. According to Nagai, he considered Ishikawa his greatest friend and ally.
Kenji Sawada (Japanese: 沢田 研二, Hepburn: Sawada Kenji; born June 25, 1948; real surname written as 澤田) is a Japanese…Kenji Sawada (Japanese: 沢田 研二, Hepburn: Sawada Kenji; born June 25, 1948; real surname written as 澤田) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and actor, best known as vocalist of the rock band The Tigers. Nicknamed "Julie" (ジュリー, Jurī) because of his self-professed adoration of Julie Andrews, he was born in Tsunoi, Iwami, Japan (now part of Tottori), and raised in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto from the age of age 3. As a singer, songwriter and actor, Sawada prospered greatly in Japanese popular culture in the last three decades of the Shōwa era. At the end of the 1960s, he had great success as the lead singer of the band The Tigers. After the breakup of The Tigers and another project Pyg, he began his own solo career. Sawada has sold over 15.55 million records.
Shōhaku Okumura (奥村 正博, born June 22, 1948) is a Japanese Sōtō Zen priest and the founder and abbot of the Sanshin Zen…Shōhaku Okumura (奥村 正博, born June 22, 1948) is a Japanese Sōtō Zen priest and the founder and abbot of the Sanshin Zen Community located in Bloomington, Indiana, where he and his family currently live. From 1997 until 2010, Okumura also served as director of the Sōtō Zen Buddhism International Center in San Francisco, California, which is an administrative office of the Sōtō school of Japan.
Shunichi Tokura (Japanese: 都倉 俊一, Hepburn: Tokura Shun'ichi; born 21 June 1948) is a Japanese composer and was the…Shunichi Tokura (Japanese: 都倉 俊一, Hepburn: Tokura Shun'ichi; born 21 June 1948) is a Japanese composer and was the chair of the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) from 12 August 2010 to 31 March 2016. In April 2021, he was appointed commissioner for Cultural Affairs of Japan.
Susumu Satomi (里見 進, Satomi Susumu; born 18 June 1948) is a Japanese surgeon and academic administrator. He was the…Susumu Satomi (里見 進, Satomi Susumu; born 18 June 1948) is a Japanese surgeon and academic administrator. He was the 21st president of Tohoku University and the president of the Japan Association of National Universities. Satomi previously served as the director of the Tohoku University Hospital, and the vice president of Tohoku University. He was the president of the Japan Surgical Society from 2008-2012.
Sho Kosugi (ショー・コスギ, Shō Kosugi; born Shōichi Kosugi (小杉 正一, Kosugi Shōichi) on June 17, 1948) is a Japanese actor…Sho Kosugi (ショー・コスギ, Shō Kosugi; born Shōichi Kosugi (小杉 正一, Kosugi Shōichi) on June 17, 1948) is a Japanese actor, martial artist and writer with extensive training in Shindō jinen-ryū Karate, Kendo, Judo, Iaido, Kobudo, Aikido and Ninjutsu. A former All Japan Karate Champion, he gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, often playing ninjas. He starred in a trilogy of martial arts ninja films produced by Cannon Films (Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination), before starring in the primetime television series The Master. His work helped establish ninjas in popular culture, leading to a "ninja boom" or "ninjamania" during the early-to-mid-1980s.
Nejime Shōichi (ねじめ 正一, 祢寝 正一; born June 16, 1948) is a Japanese poet and novelist born on June 16, 1948. He dropped…Nejime Shōichi (ねじめ 正一, 祢寝 正一; born June 16, 1948) is a Japanese poet and novelist born on June 16, 1948. He dropped out of Aoyama Gakuin University while he was majoring in economics.
Haruo Wakō (和光 晴生, Wakō Haruo; June 12, 1948 – November 4, 2023) was a Japanese communist militant, member of the…Haruo Wakō (和光 晴生, Wakō Haruo; June 12, 1948 – November 4, 2023) was a Japanese communist militant, member of the Japanese Red Army (JRA). Wakō attended Keio University, but dropped out in 1970. Later he worked for a time as an assistant for Kōji Wakamatsu's Wakamatsu Productions, a producer of leftist movies.
Fumio Ueda (上田 文雄, Ueda Fumio; June 11, 1948 – September 18, 2025) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of…Fumio Ueda (上田 文雄, Ueda Fumio; June 11, 1948 – September 18, 2025) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido.
Toshio Jingu (神宮 敏男, Jingū Toshio; born 11 June 1948) is a Japanese fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil…Toshio Jingu (神宮 敏男, Jingū Toshio; born 11 June 1948) is a Japanese fencer. He competed in the individual and team foil events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Shoukichi Kina (喜納昌吉, Kina Shōkichi; born June 10, 1948 in Koza, Okinawa), is a Japanese rock musician and politician.…Shoukichi Kina (喜納昌吉, Kina Shōkichi; born June 10, 1948 in Koza, Okinawa), is a Japanese rock musician and politician. He, along with his band Champloose, played a large role in the Okinawan home-grown "folk rock" scene in the 1970s and 1980s. His first big hit was "Haisai Ojisan" ("Hey, old man") in 1972, which he wrote when he was in high school. A Song from the 1980 album Blood Lines, "Hana" also named "Subete no Hito no Kokoro ni Hana o", is frequently heard in international markets. He was elected a member of the House of Councillors in July 2004. In 2010 he ran for a second term but lost.
Seiji Suzuki (鈴木 政二, Suzuki Seiji; born June 6, 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a…Seiji Suzuki (鈴木 政二, Suzuki Seiji; born June 6, 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Masashi Daidōji (大道寺将司, Daidōji Masashi) (5 June 1948 – 24 May 2017) was a Japanese far-left militant who founded the…Masashi Daidōji (大道寺将司, Daidōji Masashi) (5 June 1948 – 24 May 2017) was a Japanese far-left militant who founded the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front and formulated the group's ideology, anti-Japaneseism. Following the group's bombing of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries headquarters in 1974, Daidōji was arrested, and sentenced to death for his role in the bombing. Daidōji remained on death row until he died of natural causes in 2017.
Tetsuya Nakayashiki (Japanese: 中屋敷哲也, Hepburn: Nakayashiki Tetsuya) is a Japanese actor, suit actor and stuntman. He is…Tetsuya Nakayashiki (Japanese: 中屋敷哲也, Hepburn: Nakayashiki Tetsuya) is a Japanese actor, suit actor and stuntman. He is known for appearing in a large number of Kamen Rider productions in the Showa era.
Asanobori Toshimitsu (born 3 June 1948 as Toshiaki Shimofuri) is a former sumo wrestler from Yubari, Hokkaidō, Japan.…Asanobori Toshimitsu (born 3 June 1948 as Toshiaki Shimofuri) is a former sumo wrestler from Yubari, Hokkaidō, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1963 and reached the top division in March 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. He left the Sumo Association in June 1979.
Hiroshi Maruyama (丸山 博, Maruyama Hiroshi; born 1949) is a Japanese diplomat who served as Japanese Ambassador to…Hiroshi Maruyama (丸山 博, Maruyama Hiroshi; born 1949) is a Japanese diplomat who served as Japanese Ambassador to Estonia and Finland from 2009 to 2012. He studied economics at the University of Tokyo. He entered the Japanese Ministry of Transport in 1972, and served as director of the Public Relations Office, the Aviation Industries Division and the Road Transport Bureau. From 2005 to 2009 he served as Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Ryo Fukui (福居良, Fukui Ryō; [ɸɯ.kɯꜜi ɾʲoː]; June 1, 1948 – March 15, 2016) was a Japanese jazz pianist based in Sapporo.…Ryo Fukui (福居良, Fukui Ryō; [ɸɯ.kɯꜜi ɾʲoː]; June 1, 1948 – March 15, 2016) was a Japanese jazz pianist based in Sapporo. He played regularly at the "Slowboat" jazz club in Sapporo, which he and his wife Yasuko owned. Fukui taught and performed internationally until his death in 2016. His work has seen a spike in popularity after his death, with several reissues of his albums.
Hiro Yamagata (born 山形 博導 Hiromichi Yamagata, May 30, 1948, in Maihara, in Shiga prefecture, Japan) is a…Hiro Yamagata (born 山形 博導 Hiromichi Yamagata, May 30, 1948, in Maihara, in Shiga prefecture, Japan) is a painter/artist, based in Los Angeles, California. As a silkscreen artist, he is known for his use of vivid colors in his pieces. He is also known for his use of laser and hologram technology recently, and is recognized as a pioneer in the former.
Kimitaka Fujino (Japanese: 藤野公孝 Fujino Kimitaka; 29 May 1948 – 9 July 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Kimitaka Fujino (Japanese: 藤野公孝 Fujino Kimitaka; 29 May 1948 – 9 July 2026) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 2003 to 2007. Fujino died in Yokohama on 9 July 2026, at the age of 78.
Teruichi Okamura (岡村 輝一, Okamura Teruichi; born 27 May 1948) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1972…Teruichi Okamura (岡村 輝一, Okamura Teruichi; born 27 May 1948) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Jun Mayuzumi (黛ジュン; born 26 May 1948, in Chōfu, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer. Her best known songs include "Tenshi-no…Jun Mayuzumi (黛ジュン; born 26 May 1948, in Chōfu, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer. Her best known songs include "Tenshi-no Yūwaku" (Angel's Temptation 1968). She won a Japan Record Award in 1969, and won the inaugural Yamaha Popular Song Contest Grand Prix at the Nemu no Sato Indoor Hall, on November 5, 1970. She appeared on the New Year's Eve Kōhaku Uta Gassen show for four years, 1967-1970.
Toshinori Koga (古賀 俊憲, Toga Toshinori; born 24 May 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event…Toshinori Koga (古賀 俊憲, Toga Toshinori; born 24 May 1948) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Hideji Katō (加藤 秀司, Katō Hideji) (born May 24, 1948) is a Japanese former professional baseball first baseman in Nippon…Hideji Katō (加藤 秀司, Katō Hideji) (born May 24, 1948) is a Japanese former professional baseball first baseman in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Hankyu Braves from 1969 to 1982, Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1983, Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1984 to 1985, Yomiuri Giants in 1986 and the Nankai Hawks in 1987. He was the Pacific League MVP in 1975.
Ryūichi Kaneko (金子 隆一, Kaneko Ryūichi; May 18, 1948 – June 30, 2021) was a photography historian and critic, photobook…Ryūichi Kaneko (金子 隆一, Kaneko Ryūichi; May 18, 1948 – June 30, 2021) was a photography historian and critic, photobook collector, and curator. He also worked as a monk at the Shōgyōin (正行院) temple in the Taitō district of Tokyo while he researched the history of Japanese photography.
Yutaka Enatsu (江夏 豊, Enatsu Yutaka; born May 15, 1948) is a Japanese former pitcher regarded as one of the best…Yutaka Enatsu (江夏 豊, Enatsu Yutaka; born May 15, 1948) is a Japanese former pitcher regarded as one of the best Japanese strikeout pitchers of all-time. In 1968, he recorded 401 strikeouts, which is still the world record. Enatsu was a big player in the Black Mist Scandal which embroiled Japanese baseball from 1969 to 1971. In November 1970 he received a stern warning from the Central League president due to "involvement with persons in baseball gambling." He recorded nine consecutive strikeouts in one of the 1971 All-Star games, and 15 consecutive strikeouts in three of the All-Star games between 1970 and 1971. His consecutive strikeouts were broken up by Katsuya Nomura. The two records are still unbroken. A starting pitcher for the first part of his career, in 1977 he became a relief specialist, altogether accumulating 193 saves. While playing with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1979, Enatsu was the Central League MVP, as he compiled a 9–5 record with a 2.67 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 104-2/3 innings. That year the Carp won the Central League pennant and the Japan Series. In 1981, with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, Enatsu was the Pacific League MVP, garnering 25 saves and a 2.82 ERA, as the Fighters won the Pacific League pennant. He is one of just two players to win the MVP in both leagues of NPB and the only one to do so until Michihiro Ogasawara. Enatsu joined the Milwaukee Brewers for spring training in 1985 at age 36 in an attempt to play Major League Baseball. Enatsu finished spring training with a 4.91 ERA in 11 innings and was among the team's final cuts before the season. He ranks fifth all-time in NPB history for strikeouts with 2,987. He has the most strikeouts of any player not in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Kiyoshi Ueda (上田 清司, Ueda Kiyoshi; born 15 May 1948) is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the…Kiyoshi Ueda (上田 清司, Ueda Kiyoshi; born 15 May 1948) is a Japanese politician currently serving as a member of the Senate for the Saitama at-large district after winning a by-election in 2019. He has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, signaling his opposition to any and all tax increases. He previously served as governor of Saitama Prefecture from 2003 to 2019, when he subsequently retired.
Shigeru Izumiya (泉谷 しげる Izumiya Shigeru, born May 11, 1948) is a Japanese poet, folk singer, actor, tarento. He…Shigeru Izumiya (泉谷 しげる Izumiya Shigeru, born May 11, 1948) is a Japanese poet, folk singer, actor, tarento. He established the record company For Life Records with Takuro Yoshida, Yosui Inoue, and Hitoshi Komuro in 1975. He also directed the 1986 film Death Powder (Desu Paudā). Between August 1995 and March 1996, Izumiya co-hosted the Satellaview-based weekly SoundLink Magazine, "King of After School" (放課後の王様, Houkago no Ousama), with Ayumi Hamasaki. Izumiya was born in Aomori, Japan, and raised in Meguro, Tokyo.
Mitsuyoshi Yanagisawa (柳沢 光美, Yanagisawa Mitsuyoshi; born May 5, 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Mitsuyoshi Yanagisawa (柳沢 光美, Yanagisawa Mitsuyoshi; born May 5, 1948) 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 Tōmi, Nagano and graduate of Seijo University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after an unsuccessful run in 2001.
Takashi Kuwahara (桑原 隆, Kuwahara Takashi; born May 5, 1948) is a Japanese former football player and manager. His…Takashi Kuwahara (桑原 隆, Kuwahara Takashi; born May 5, 1948) is a Japanese former football player and manager. His brother Katsuyoshi Kuwahara is also former footballer.
Hirotaka Akamatsu (赤松 広隆, Akamatsu Hirotaka; born 3 May 1948) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional…Hirotaka Akamatsu (赤松 広隆, Akamatsu Hirotaka; born 3 May 1948) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, a former minister and Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan.
Kōhei Tsuka (つか こうへい, Tsuka Kōhei; 24 April 1948 – 10 July 2010) was a Korean-Japanese playwright, theater director…Kōhei Tsuka (つか こうへい, Tsuka Kōhei; 24 April 1948 – 10 July 2010) was a Korean-Japanese playwright, theater director, and screenwriter. He was one of Japan's most influential theater figures, to the extent that recent Japanese theatrical history has been divided into pre-Tsuka and post-Tsuka periods. He died of lung cancer in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture at age 62.
Tomoko Abe (阿部 知子, Abe Tomoko; born 24 April 1948) is a Japanese former politician who served as a member of the House…Tomoko Abe (阿部 知子, Abe Tomoko; born 24 April 1948) is a Japanese former politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives. She is currently a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party. She was formerly the policy chief of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SDP), and later the president and sole member of the short-lived Tomorrow Party of Japan. She has been elected to Kanagawa 12th District constituency eight times. As of February 2024, she was the Deputy Director-General for the CDP’s Office for Tsunagaru Networking.
Mitsuhide Hata (畑 満秀, Hata Mitsuhide; born April 23, 1948) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the early to…Mitsuhide Hata (畑 満秀, Hata Mitsuhide; born April 23, 1948) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the early to mid-1970s. He was eliminated in the repechages of the C-2 1000 m event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Four years later in Montreal, paired with Atsunobu Ogata, Hata was eliminated in the semifinals of the C-2 1000 m event while being disqualified in the repechages of the C-2 500 m event.
Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after working at Fuji Television where he produced news and opinion shows. He died of pneumonia on January 3, 2025, at the age of 76.
Takao Koyama (Japanese: 小山 高生, Hepburn: Koyama Takao; born April 21, 1948, in Akishima, Tokyo) is a Japanese…Takao Koyama (Japanese: 小山 高生, Hepburn: Koyama Takao; born April 21, 1948, in Akishima, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions. His name was written as 小山 高男 until 1987.
Shinichi Kitaoka (北岡 伸一, Kitaoka Shin'ichi; born 20 April 1948) is a Japanese political scientist. He has held many…Shinichi Kitaoka (北岡 伸一, Kitaoka Shin'ichi; born 20 April 1948) is a Japanese political scientist. He has held many roles such as the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), president of the International University of Japan, professor at Japan's GRIPS-Tokyo School of Security and International Studies, and Japanese ambassador to the United Nations. His area of expertise is the history of Japanese politics and diplomacy, as a political scientist and a historian.
Yoshio Kimura (木村義雄, Kimura Yoshio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a…Yoshio Kimura (木村義雄, Kimura Yoshio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Sanuki, Kagawa and graduate of Chuo University, Kimura worked at Sumitomo Bank from 1972 to 1975. After serving in the Kagawa Prefectural Assembly for one term, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986. He was a Senior Vice-Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. Kimura also served in the House of Representatives between 1986 and 2009 as a member of the Kagawa old 1st district and Kagawa 2nd district. Kimura ran in the national PR block in the 2022 House of Councillors election, but was defeated. In February 2026, he entered the House of Councillors as the next candidate on the LDP list, after Shigeharu Aoyama resigned to contest the 2026 general election.
Akio Fukuda (福田 昭夫, Fukuda Akio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Akio Fukuda (福田 昭夫, Fukuda Akio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Imaichi, Tochigi and graduate of Tohoku University, he joined the city government of Imaichi in 1971 and became the mayor of the city in 1991, serving for three terms. He was elected to be the governor of Tochigi Prefecture in 2000 but lost his re-election in 2004. In 2005, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time. In the February 2026 election, Fukuda was the candidate of the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance in Tochigi 2nd district, but lost to Liberal Democratic Party candidate Kiyoshi Igarashi. He subsequently left the alliance, criticising the decision to form a new party and the placement of Komeito-affiliated candidates at the top of the party’s proportional representation lists.
Sukehiro Tomita (Japanese: 富田 祐弘, Hepburn: Tomita Sukehiro; born April 14, 1948) is a Japanese anime screenwriter. He…Sukehiro Tomita (Japanese: 富田 祐弘, Hepburn: Tomita Sukehiro; born April 14, 1948) is a Japanese anime screenwriter. He is known for his work on Sailor Moon, Wedding Peach, Phantom Thief Jeanne, Digimon Frontier, Gall Force and Macross II. At the 2024 Tokyo Anime Award Festival, Tomita won the Lifetime Achievement Award in the scriptwriter category.
Daiko Nagato (長戸 大幸, Nagato Daikō; born 6 April 1948) is a Japanese musical producer, musical arranger, writer and…Daiko Nagato (長戸 大幸, Nagato Daikō; born 6 April 1948) is a Japanese musical producer, musical arranger, writer and composer. He's mostly known as the founder of music company B Zone (formerly known as Being Inc.), which provided million-seller hits during the 1990s and provided more than 80 theme songs for anime television series Detective Conan. He was the recording producer for artists such as Boøwy, Loudness, TUBE, B'z, ZARD, WANDS, Maki Ohguro, DEEN, T-BOLAN, Mai Kuraki, Garnet Crow, Rina Aiuchi and Sard Underground. His brother, Shuusuke Nagato (長戸秀介) is also musical producer, guitarist, writer and founder of the music company Rey's in.
Michiko Kihara (木原 美知子, Kihara Michiko; April 5, 1948 – October 18, 2007) was a Japanese swimmer and TV actress. She…Michiko Kihara (木原 美知子, Kihara Michiko; April 5, 1948 – October 18, 2007) was a Japanese swimmer and TV actress. She competed at the 1964 Olympics in the 100 m backstroke, 4 × 100 m freestyle relay and 4 × 100 m medley relay and finished fourth in the medley relay. After retiring from swimming, Kihara became a model, businesswoman and TV actress, playing in several Japanese TV series in the 1970s–80s. In 2005, she was appointed as director of the Japan Swimming Federation. She died of subarachnoid hemorrhage at age 59.
Hatsuo Royama (盧山 初雄, Royama Hatsuo; March 31, 1948 – August 3, 2026) also known by his Korean name of Noh Cho Woong…Hatsuo Royama (盧山 初雄, Royama Hatsuo; March 31, 1948 – August 3, 2026) also known by his Korean name of Noh Cho Woong (Korean: 노초웅; Hanja: 盧初雄) was a master of Kyokushin Karate, was Kancho (Director) and then Kaicho (Honorary Director) of the Kyokushin-kan International Organization Honbu, one faction of the International Karate Organization (IKO) founded by Mas Oyama (1923–1994) until April 2022.