Kazuyuki Atsuzawa (厚澤 和幸, Atsuzawa Kazuyuki; born August 11, 1972) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Kazuyuki Atsuzawa (厚澤 和幸, Atsuzawa Kazuyuki; born August 11, 1972) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is the current pitching coach for the Orix Buffaloes.
Raita Suzuki (鈴木 雷太, Suzuki Raita; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's cross-country…Raita Suzuki (鈴木 雷太, Suzuki Raita; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's cross-country mountain biking event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Takayuki Inubushi (犬伏 孝行, Inubushi Takayuki; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…Takayuki Inubushi (犬伏 孝行, Inubushi Takayuki; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Tatsuya Murata (村田 達哉, Murata Tatsuya; born August 8, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager He is the…Tatsuya Murata (村田 達哉, Murata Tatsuya; born August 8, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager He is the currently assistant manager Japan Football League club Briobecca Urayasu.
Nobuyuki Satō (佐藤 信之, Satō Nobuyuki; born 8 August 1972 in Kariya, Aichi) is a former Japanese marathon runner. After…Nobuyuki Satō (佐藤 信之, Satō Nobuyuki; born 8 August 1972 in Kariya, Aichi) is a former Japanese marathon runner. After finishing second in the Fukuoka Marathon 1998 with his career best of 2:08:48, he won the bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics. At the Olympics 2000, he finished in 41st place.
Ikuto Hidaka (日高郁人, Hidaka Ikuto) (born August 5, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for…Ikuto Hidaka (日高郁人, Hidaka Ikuto) (born August 5, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah). Hidaka was the regular partner of Minoru Fujita, with whom he has held the Zero1-Max International Lightweight Tag Team and Intercontinental Tag Team Titles, making them the only team to do so. He has also worked for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
Atsunori Inaba (稲葉 篤紀, born August 3, 1972) is a Japanese professional baseball manager, coach and former player. He…Atsunori Inaba (稲葉 篤紀, born August 3, 1972) is a Japanese professional baseball manager, coach and former player. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Japan Series. He is currently the general manager for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League. As a player, he won the Japan Series MVP in 2006 and the Fighting Spirit Award in 2012. He is one of just eight players to win both Japan Series awards alongside Hiromichi Ishige, Hiroshi Oshita, Hisashi Yamada, Isao Shibata, Joe Stanka, Kazuhisa Inao, and Takashi Nishimoto. After the retirement, he became Japan national baseball team at the 2013 exhibition game against Chinese Taipei, 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series, 2015 exhibition game against All Euro, 2015 WBSC Premier12, 2016 exhibition game against Chinese Taipei, 2016 exhibition game against Mexico and Netherlands, 2017 exhibition game against CPBL All-Stars, and 2017 World Baseball Classic. On July 31, 2017, he became Japan national baseball team manager. He managed at the 2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship, 2018 exhibition game against Australia, 2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup and 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.
Natsue Koikawa (鯉川 なつえ, Koikawa Natsue) is a former Japanese track athlete and current university professor and coach…Natsue Koikawa (鯉川 なつえ, Koikawa Natsue) is a former Japanese track athlete and current university professor and coach at Juntendo University in Chiba, Japan.
Kinue Kodama (児玉絹枝, Kodama Kinue; born 2 August 1972) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual and…Kinue Kodama (児玉絹枝, Kodama Kinue; born 2 August 1972) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual and team events at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Nako Hirasawa (平澤 奈古, Hirasawa Nako; born 1 August 1972) is a Japanese Paralympic archer. Hirasawa began archery in…Nako Hirasawa (平澤 奈古, Hirasawa Nako; born 1 August 1972) is a Japanese Paralympic archer. Hirasawa began archery in 1996 and she made her international debut in 2003. She completed at the Paralympic Games in 2004, where she won a bronze medal in the individual W1/W2 event, and in 2016.
Juichi Wakisaka (脇阪寿一, Wakisaka Juichi; born July 29, 1972 in Nara) is a Japanese former racing driver who was a 2002…Juichi Wakisaka (脇阪寿一, Wakisaka Juichi; born July 29, 1972 in Nara) is a Japanese former racing driver who was a 2002, 2006 and 2009 champion in Japan's Super GT series in the GT500 category. Prior to the 1998 Formula One season he tested for the Jordan Grand Prix team. In 2002, Wakisaka raced the Toyota Supra GT with Akira Iida, in 2006 and 2009 Wakisaka raced the Lexus SC 430 with André Lotterer. He retired from driving after the conclusion of the 2015 Super GT Series season, becoming the team director of Lexus Team LeMans Wako's. Wakisaka was also a regular presenter of Best Motoring and is brother to Shigekazu, who also competes in Super GT.
Takashi Shimizu (清水 崇 Shimizu Takashi, born 27 July 1972) is a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for being the…Takashi Shimizu (清水 崇 Shimizu Takashi, born 27 July 1972) is a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for being the creator of the Ju-On franchise, directing the first four installments, in addition to directing the first two installments in its American remake franchise, The Grudge. According to film scholar Wheeler Winston Dixon, Shimizu is "one of a new breed of Japanese horror directors" who prefers to "suggest menace and violence rather than directly depict it".
Yoshinori Okihara (沖原 佳典, born July 27, 1972, in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Yoshinori Okihara (沖原 佳典, born July 27, 1972, in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Kaiō Hiroyuki (born 24 July 1972 as Hiroyuki Koga) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan.…Kaiō Hiroyuki (born 24 July 1972 as Hiroyuki Koga) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his debut in 1988, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1993. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for eleven years from 2000 to 2011, and is the longest-serving ōzeki of all time in terms of number of tournaments fought. In his career, Kaiō won five top division yūshō or tournament championships, the last coming in 2004. This is the modern record for someone who has not ultimately made the top rank of yokozuna. He was a runner-up in eleven other tournaments, and also won 15 sanshō or special prizes, the third highest ever. In November 2009 he broke the record previously held by Takamiyama for the most tournaments ranked in the top division, and in January 2010 he surpassed Chiyonofuji's record of most top division bouts won. In the May 2010 tournament he became the only wrestler besides Chiyonofuji to reach one thousand career wins, and he surpassed Chiyonofuji's career wins record of 1045 in July 2011. He retired in the same tournament to become a coach at Tomozuna stable under the elder name Asakayama. In 2014, he established the latest incarnation of the Asakayama stable.
Masaki Tsuchihashi (土橋 正樹, Tsuchihashi Masaki; born July 23, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Masaki Tsuchihashi (土橋 正樹, Tsuchihashi Masaki; born July 23, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Shogo Arai (荒井 昭吾, Arai Shōgo; born July 21, 1972, Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese former professional…Shogo Arai (荒井 昭吾, Arai Shōgo; born July 21, 1972, Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played for the Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Pacific League from 1994 to 1998.
Shinjiro Otani (大谷晋二郎, Ōtani Shinjirō; born July 21, 1972) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and the…Shinjiro Otani (大谷晋二郎, Ōtani Shinjirō; born July 21, 1972) is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler and the current acting president of Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). He is currently inactive from pro-wrestling competition due to a cervical spine injury sustained in April 2022. A product of the New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) dojo, Otani is best known for his longtime association with Zero1, a promotion he founded in 2001 along with Shinya Hashimoto. Starting his career in NJPW as a junior heavyweight, Otani gained a reputation as a gutsy underdog and would go on to hold several championships during his nine-year run with the promotion, including the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and the J-Crown, as well as forming a successful tag team with dojo classmate Tatsuhito Takaiwa, twice holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. After jumping to the heavyweight division in 2001, Otani would leave New Japan the same year, joining Shinya Hashimoto as one of the founders of Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). Following the departure of Hashimoto in 2004, Otani was pushed as one of the promotions top stars, becoming a six time Intercontinental Tag Team Champion, a one time World Heavyweight Champion and a four-time winner of the Fire Festival. In addition to his role as a wrestler, Otani has also served as acting company president since 2007.
Ai Haruna (はるな 愛, Haruna Ai; born 21 July 1972) is a Japanese transgender TV personality and singer. In October 2009…Ai Haruna (はるな 愛, Haruna Ai; born 21 July 1972) is a Japanese transgender TV personality and singer. In October 2009, Haruna won the "Miss International Queen 2009" transgender beauty pageant held in Pattaya, Thailand, becoming the first Japanese contestant to win the title. On 24 August 2021, she appeared at the beginning of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics held at the National Stadium, where she performed a dance performance. A biopic of Haruna, titled This Is I, was released on Netflix on 10 February 2026.
Hikaru Tanaka (田中 光, Tanaka Hikaru; born 19 July 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. He finished in eighteenth place in the…Hikaru Tanaka (田中 光, Tanaka Hikaru; born 19 July 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. He finished in eighteenth place in the all around at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Kazuya Kojima (児嶋 一哉, Kojima Kazuya; born 16 July 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian and actor. He…Kazuya Kojima (児嶋 一哉, Kojima Kazuya; born 16 July 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian and actor. He performs boke (he can also perform Kire Gei or tsukkomi) in the comedy duo Unjash with his partner Ken Watabe. Kojima's most well known gag is the mispronunciation or mistake of his last name "Kojima", as he is frequently called other names on purpose such as "Ooshima" for comedic effects. He would then loudly respond to the mistake with "I'm Kojima!" as a part of the gag.
Atsushi Koga (古賀篤, Koga Atsushi; born 14 July 1972) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Atsushi Koga (古賀篤, Koga Atsushi; born 14 July 1972) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 2021 to 2022, he served as deputy minister of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. From 2021 to 2022, he served as chairman of the environment committee. From 2023 to 2024, he served as deputy minister of the Cabinet Office.
Kei Taniguchi (谷口 けい, Taniguchi Kei, 14 July 1972 – 22 December 2015) was a Japanese mountaineer. Her accomplishments…Kei Taniguchi (谷口 けい, Taniguchi Kei, 14 July 1972 – 22 December 2015) was a Japanese mountaineer. Her accomplishments included climbing new technical routes on various mountains in Alaska, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan and China. In 2009, she became the first female mountaineer to win the prestigious International Climbing award Piolet d'Or (Golden Ice Axe) after completing the first ascent of the Southeast Face of Kamet (7756 m) in India, sharing the award with her climbing partner Kazuya Hiraide. She was known for her fearless Alpinist climbing style with no Sherpa support and was considered a pioneer among her peers.
Moomin (むーみん) (born July 13, 1972) and styled as MOOMIN is a Japanese reggae artist. Along with a number of colleagues…Moomin (むーみん) (born July 13, 1972) and styled as MOOMIN is a Japanese reggae artist. Along with a number of colleagues, he is responsible for the growth and popularity of Japan's reggae scene. He is originally from Chigasaki, Kanagawa, and is married with two children. He works at Overheat Studios, and keeps his real name secret. Moomin first appeared on the reggae scene in 1992, and traveled to Jamaica the following year. His official debut with a record label was in 1997 (under Kioon Records), and since 2003 he has been with Universal Music Group.
Keiichiro Yamamiya (born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. A veteran of 90 fights…Keiichiro Yamamiya (born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. A veteran of 90 fights who began his career in 1996 and last competed in 2015, he fought in the UFC, Pancrase, DEEP, and World Victory Road. He was the inaugural King of Pancrase Light Heavyweight Champion.
Naomi Eto (江藤 直美, Etō Naomi; born (1972-07-12)12 July 1972) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. Eto helped the…Naomi Eto (江藤 直美, Etō Naomi; born (1972-07-12)12 July 1972) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. Eto helped the Japan women's national volleyball team win the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg. Eto competed with the national team at the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan, where she finished in eighth place.
Takeshi Kawakami (川上 猛, Kawakami Takeshi; born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Takeshi Kawakami (川上 猛, Kawakami Takeshi; born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 7-dan.
Shōsuke Tanihara (谷原 章介, Tanihara Shōsuke; born July 8, 1972) is a Japanese actor probably best known outside Japan for…Shōsuke Tanihara (谷原 章介, Tanihara Shōsuke; born July 8, 1972) is a Japanese actor probably best known outside Japan for his portrayal of Riki Fudoh in Fudoh: The New Generation and Hajime Kudo in Godzilla vs. Megaguirus. Tanihara hosts Tokyo Twenty-Four Living Supported by FLET'S Hikari, a podcast produced by TOKYO FM. The podcast began airing on January 7, 2006, with a guest appearance by the former Yokohama Bay Stars pitcher Takashi Saitō. He made the announcement at the 8th Best Formalist Award ceremony.
Takashi Manei (万永 貴司, Manei Takashi; born July 7, 1972 in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Takashi Manei (万永 貴司, Manei Takashi; born July 7, 1972 in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Kenichiro Arai (新井 健一郎, Arai Ken'ichirō; born July 7, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his time…Kenichiro Arai (新井 健一郎, Arai Ken'ichirō; born July 7, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his time with the Japanese promotion Dragon Gate.
Shigeki Abe (阿部 茂樹, Abe Shigeki; born July 5, 1972 in Ogata, Akita) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball player.…Shigeki Abe (阿部 茂樹, Abe Shigeki; born July 5, 1972 in Ogata, Akita) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yakult Swallows in 1999.
Kazunori Ohara (小原 一典, Ohara Kazunori; born 5 July 1972) is a Japanese football manager of Cambodia national under-20…Kazunori Ohara (小原 一典, Ohara Kazunori; born 5 July 1972) is a Japanese football manager of Cambodia national under-20 football team. He was the manager of the Bhutan national football team from 2012 to 2014. He became technical director of the Football Federation of Cambodia before taking over as Cambodia national team manager in 2015. The start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round was difficult as Cambodia lost big to Singapore, and Ohara could not settle with a squad right away. He left the Football Federation of Cambodia in January 2024, and was replaced as technical director by another Japanese, Shigeaki Ichikawa.
Satoru Tanigawa (谷川 聡, Tanigawa Satoru; born 5 July 1972 in Tokyo) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialised in the…Satoru Tanigawa (谷川 聡, Tanigawa Satoru; born 5 July 1972 in Tokyo) is a retired Japanese athlete who specialised in the 110 metres hurdles. He represented his country at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics reaching the second round on both occasions. His personal best of 13.39 (+1.5 m/s), set in the heats of the 2004 Olympic Games, is the current national record.
Tatsuhito Takaiwa (高岩竜一, Takaiwa Tatsuhito; born Go Yong-Il; Korean: 고용일; July 5, 1972) is a Korean-Japanese…Tatsuhito Takaiwa (高岩竜一, Takaiwa Tatsuhito; born Go Yong-Il; Korean: 고용일; July 5, 1972) is a Korean-Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Pro Wrestling Zero1, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and Pro Wrestling Noah. Known for his work as a tag team specialist, Takaiwa has won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship a number of times alongside Shinjiro Otani.
Kendo Kobayashi (ケンドーコバヤシ, Kendō Kobayashi; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real and former…Kendo Kobayashi (ケンドーコバヤシ, Kendō Kobayashi; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real and former stage name is Tomoharu Kobayashi (小林 友治, Kobayashi Tomoharu). He is nicknamed Ken Koba (ケンコバ), Koba (コバ), and Mr. Yaritai Hōdai (Mr.やりたい放題, Misutā Yaritai Hōdai). He is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency of Yoshimoto Kogyo in Tokyo. He graduated from the Yoshimoto New Star Creation (NSC) in Osaka. Kobayashi graduated from Osaka Municipal Higashitanabe Elementary School, Osaka Municipal Nakano Junior High School, and Hatsushiba Tondabayashi High School. He served as a captain of the rugby club in high school.
Tomio Okamura (岡村 富夫, Okamura Tomio; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese-born Czech far-right politician and entrepreneur…Tomio Okamura (岡村 富夫, Okamura Tomio; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese-born Czech far-right politician and entrepreneur, serving as the president of the Chamber of Deputies since November 2025. Okamura was the founder of the political parties Dawn of Direct Democracy and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). He has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2013. Okamura served in the Senate representing Zlín from 2012 to 2013.
Shiori Koseki (小関 しおり, Koseki Shiori) (born June 30, 1972) is a Japanese softball player who played in the 2000 Summer…Shiori Koseki (小関 しおり, Koseki Shiori) (born June 30, 1972) is a Japanese softball player who played in the 2000 Summer Olympics mostly as a Left field, but on one occasion played as a Pinch Runner in the game against New Zealand. She won the silver medal for Japan.
Kyoko Seo (瀬尾京子, Seo Kyōko; born 28 June 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in five events at the 1992 Summer…Kyoko Seo (瀬尾京子, Seo Kyōko; born 28 June 1972) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in five events at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Asako Tajimi (多治見麻子 Tajimi Asako, born 26 June 1972) is a Japanese former volleyball player and three-time Olympian.…Asako Tajimi (多治見麻子 Tajimi Asako, born 26 June 1972) is a Japanese former volleyball player and three-time Olympian. She competed with the Japanese women's national volleyball team at the 1992, 1996, and 2008 Olympics. Tajimi helped Japan win the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg.
Mari Kaneko (金子 真理, Kaneko Mari; born on (1972-06-24)June 24, 1972) is a Japanese female karateka and mixed martial…Mari Kaneko (金子 真理, Kaneko Mari; born on (1972-06-24)June 24, 1972) is a Japanese female karateka and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Kaneko has competed for MMA promotions Ax, Smackgirl, Deep and Jewels.
Gō Ōiwa (大岩 剛, Ōiwa Gō; born 23 June 1972) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of the…Gō Ōiwa (大岩 剛, Ōiwa Gō; born 23 June 1972) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is the manager of the Japan under-23 national team.
Ryūshi Yanagisawa (柳澤 龍志; born June 22, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and kickboxer.…Ryūshi Yanagisawa (柳澤 龍志; born June 22, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and kickboxer. His real name is Atsushi Yanagisawa (柳澤 敦史). As a martial artist, he competed in K-1, Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling (Pancrase) and Fighting Network RINGS. As a professional wrestler he competed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Inoki Genome Federation (IGF).