Tetsu Nagasawa (長澤 徹, Nagasawa Tetsu; born May 28, 1968) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Tetsu Nagasawa (長澤 徹, Nagasawa Tetsu; born May 28, 1968) is a Japanese professional football manager and former footballer who is the manager of J2 League club Shonan Bellmare.
Kiyohiko Azuma (あずまきよひこ, Azuma Kiyohiko; born May 27, 1968) is a Japanese manga artist. From 1999 to 2002, he authored…Kiyohiko Azuma (あずまきよひこ, Azuma Kiyohiko; born May 27, 1968) is a Japanese manga artist. From 1999 to 2002, he authored the yonkoma comedy manga series Azumanga Daioh, which was later adapted as an anime series by J.C.Staff. In 2003, he began Yotsuba&!, a slice-of-life manga series about the adventures of a five-year-old girl; it is serialized in the monthly magazine Dengeki Daioh. Both the manga and anime of Azumanga Daioh have been praised for their humor driven by eccentric characters, with Azuma acclaimed as a "master of the four-panel form" for both his art style and comic timing. Yotsuba&! has received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences due to Azuma's artistic talent, writing, and the creation and development of the titular character, with the manga earning multiple awards and nominations.
Masanori Sugiura (杉浦 正則, born May 23, 1968) is a retired Japanese Olympic baseball player from Kudoyama, Wakayama…Masanori Sugiura (杉浦 正則, born May 23, 1968) is a retired Japanese Olympic baseball player from Kudoyama, Wakayama, Japan. Sugiura was the ace pitcher of the Nippon Life Insurance Company baseball team, and was chosen to join the Japanese national team in the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal. He returned to the olympics four years later, winning a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Professional players were allowed to participate in the 2000 Summer Olympics, but Sugiura was still chosen as the captain of the Japanese national team, and the captain of the entire Japanese olympic team in 2000 Summer Olympics. The Japanese team did not win a medal that year. Sugiura refused numerous offers to join the Japanese professional leagues and retired in 2000. The Nippon Life Insurance Company baseball team won the Intercity Baseball Tournament twice during the 10 years Sugiura played with the team. He also marked a record five career wins in the olympic tournaments. He served as a pitching coach for his team from 2001 to 2004 and became the manager in 2006.
Sanae Kimura (Japanese: 木村 早苗; born 17 May 1968), known by her birth name of Sanae Jōnouchi (Japanese: 城之内早苗), is a…Sanae Kimura (Japanese: 木村 早苗; born 17 May 1968), known by her birth name of Sanae Jōnouchi (Japanese: 城之内早苗), is a Japanese enka singer, actress and radio presenter.
Hiroshi Narahara (奈良原 浩, Narahara Hiroshi; born May 16, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and…Hiroshi Narahara (奈良原 浩, Narahara Hiroshi; born May 16, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and current first squad head coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Seibu Lions, Nippon-Ham Fighters/Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and Chunichi Dragons. After his retirement, Narahara was the infield defense and base running coach for the Chunichi Dragons during the 2007–2011 season. He served as the Saitama Seibu Lions first squad and second squad the infield defense and base running coach from the 2012–2016 seasons. He again served as the infield defense and base running coach for the Chunichi Dragons from 2017 to 2019 season. On October 14, 2019, Narahara become second squad manager for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and served through the 2023 season. On October 31, 2023, Narahara became the first squad head coach of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Kotonowaka Terumasa (Japanese: 琴ノ若 晴將; born May 15, 1968, as Konno Mitsuya (鎌谷 今野, Mitsuya Konno)) is a Japanese former…Kotonowaka Terumasa (Japanese: 琴ノ若 晴將; born May 15, 1968, as Konno Mitsuya (鎌谷 今野, Mitsuya Konno)) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler from Obanazawa. He made his professional debut in 1984 and after reaching the top makuuchi division in 1990, he remained there for 15 years until his retirement in 2005. His highest rank was sekiwake and he earned seven special prizes and eight gold stars during his long makuuchi career. He is now the head coach of Sadogatake stable.
Jutaro Kimura (木村 重太郎, Kimura Jūtarō; born May 12, 1968) is a Japanese baseball pitcher who won a silver medal in the…Jutaro Kimura (木村 重太郎, Kimura Jūtarō; born May 12, 1968) is a Japanese baseball pitcher who won a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Atsushi Matsuura (松浦 篤志, Matsuura Atsushi; born 10 May 1968) is a Japanese guitarist born in Shiojiri, Nagano, Japan.…Atsushi Matsuura (松浦 篤志, Matsuura Atsushi; born 10 May 1968) is a Japanese guitarist born in Shiojiri, Nagano, Japan. He currently resides in the Philippines.
Masahiko Harada (原田 雅彦, Harada Masahiko) (born 9 May 1968) is a Japanese former ski jumper. He is best remembered for a…Masahiko Harada (原田 雅彦, Harada Masahiko) (born 9 May 1968) is a Japanese former ski jumper. He is best remembered for a meltdown at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, which cost the Japanese national team a victory, and his subsequent redemption at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano; the latter of which led to him being affectionately called "Happy Harada".
Kensaku Maeda is a Japanese former professional Kickboxer, former K-1 WORLD GP Japan producer. He is also renowned as…Kensaku Maeda is a Japanese former professional Kickboxer, former K-1 WORLD GP Japan producer. He is also renowned as the founder and head trainer of the successful kickboxing gym Team Dragon.
Hisashi Kurosaki (黒崎 久志, Kurosaki Hisashi; born May 8, 1968) is a Japanese former football player and manager who is…Hisashi Kurosaki (黒崎 久志, Kurosaki Hisashi; born May 8, 1968) is a Japanese former football player and manager who is currently the head coach of the Myanmar U23 national team. He played for Japan national team. His first name was written "比差支" (same pronunciation) from 1992 to 1999.
Hiroyuki Kanno (菅野 ひろゆき, 8 May 1968 – 19 December 2011) was a Japanese video game designer who wrote and directed…Hiroyuki Kanno (菅野 ひろゆき, 8 May 1968 – 19 December 2011) was a Japanese video game designer who wrote and directed visual novels and eroge adventure games starting in the 1990s. Some of his most well-known games include Desire, EVE Burst Error (at C's Ware) and Yu-no (at ELF Corporation), which had a major influence on the visual novel genre. His games often feature multiple narrative layers, such as different character viewpoints or overlapping mystery story arcs. He was friends with Ryu Umemoto, who often worked closely with him and composed music for the games. In December 1997, he founded Abel corporation and became its CEO. In 2011, Kanno died due to cerebral infarction and brain hemorrhage.
Tadashi Shimizu (清水 忠史, Shimizu Tadashi) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party who served in the House of…Tadashi Shimizu (清水 忠史, Shimizu Tadashi) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party who served in the House of Representatives. He is against the passed anti-conspiracy bill. He is also against paying welfare benefits with pre-paid credit cards, saying that it would only benefit credit card companies.
Momoko Kikuchi (菊池 桃子, Kikuchi Momoko; born May 4, 1968) is a Japanese actress, entertainer, singer, and scholar who…Momoko Kikuchi (菊池 桃子, Kikuchi Momoko; born May 4, 1968) is a Japanese actress, entertainer, singer, and scholar who was formerly represented by the talent agency, Parfit Production. On June 22, 2020, Kikuchi announced that she has left Parfit Production and gone independent. Her ex-husband is professional golfer Tetsu Nishikawa. Kikuchi was also a brand adviser for such women's goods as Emom and Momokoselection.
Tetsu Nishikawa (西川 哲, Nishikawa Tetsu; born 2 May 1968) is a Japanese professional golfer and ex-husband of singer and…Tetsu Nishikawa (西川 哲, Nishikawa Tetsu; born 2 May 1968) is a Japanese professional golfer and ex-husband of singer and actress Momoko Kikuchi.
Masako Usui (笛吹 雅子, Usui Masako; born May 2, 1968, in Nara, Nara) is a newscaster in Japan, and a former Nihon Terebi…Masako Usui (笛吹 雅子, Usui Masako; born May 2, 1968, in Nara, Nara) is a newscaster in Japan, and a former Nihon Terebi announcer.
Yoshitaka Mizuo (水尾 嘉孝, Mizuo Yoshitaka; born May 2, 1968, in Toyonaka, Osaka) is a former Japanese baseball player. He…Yoshitaka Mizuo (水尾 嘉孝, Mizuo Yoshitaka; born May 2, 1968, in Toyonaka, Osaka) is a former Japanese baseball player. He played professionally for the Yokohama BayStars and the Orix BlueWave. From 2003 to 2004, Mizuo played for minor league affiliates of Major League Baseball's Anaheim Angels.
Akiko Kijimuta (雉子牟田 明子, Kijimuta Akiko) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She was born on May 1, 1968…Akiko Kijimuta (雉子牟田 明子, Kijimuta Akiko) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She was born on May 1, 1968, in Japan and played on the WTA tour from 1986 to 1992. She reached the fourth round at Roland Garros in 1992, where she led the world number-one-ranked player Monica Seles 4 games to 1 in the final set. Seles won the match 6–4 in the third set. She retired with a 63–100 singles record.
Yasuhiro Kai (甲斐 康浩, Kai Yasuhiro; born 30 April 1968) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-heavyweight…Yasuhiro Kai (甲斐 康浩, Kai Yasuhiro; born 30 April 1968) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-heavyweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Shuji Tazawa (田澤 修治, Tazawa Shūji; born 29 April 1968) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 2004 Summer…Shuji Tazawa (田澤 修治, Tazawa Shūji; born 29 April 1968) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Kikuko Mikawa (born 29 April 1968) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996…Kikuko Mikawa (born 29 April 1968) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Yoshiaki Koizumi (小泉 歓晃, Koizumi Yoshiaki; born April 29, 1968) is a Japanese video game designer, director, producer…Yoshiaki Koizumi (小泉 歓晃, Koizumi Yoshiaki; born April 29, 1968) is a Japanese video game designer, director, producer, and business executive. He is a senior executive officer at Nintendo and a senior general manager at Nintendo EPD, where he is known for his work within their Mario and The Legend of Zelda series, and as the General Producer of the Nintendo Switch. In 2009, he was chosen by IGN as one of the top 100 game creators of all time. Koizumi is also on the board of directors of Nintendo Pictures.
Akiko Ikuina (生稲 晃子, Ikuina Akiko; born April 28, 1968 in Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actress, tarento, and…Akiko Ikuina (生稲 晃子, Ikuina Akiko; born April 28, 1968 in Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actress, tarento, and politician. She joined the Japanese pop idol group Onyanko Club in 1986.
Yuji Nagata (永田 裕志, Nagata Yūji; born April 24, 1968) is a Japanese professional wrestler, and former mixed martial…Yuji Nagata (永田 裕志, Nagata Yūji; born April 24, 1968) is a Japanese professional wrestler, and former mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is the fifth longest-reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion with a reign of 392 days, and formerly held the record for most successful title defenses with 10, until Hiroshi Tanahashi broke the record at Wrestle Kingdom VI. He is the only wrestler to have won Japanese professional wrestling's three biggest singles tournaments; New Japan Pro-Wrestling's G1 Climax (in 2001), All Japan Pro Wrestling's Champion Carnival (in 2011) and Pro Wrestling Noah's Global League (in 2013). Nagata debuted and has worked for NJPW since 1992, where he was recognised as company ace in the early 2000s and is a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a one-time NEVER Openweight Champion in addition to having won the New Japan Cup in 2007 and 2011, the G1 Tag League in 2000 and 2010, and the G1 Climax in 2001. Outside of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he has held the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the GHC Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling Noah, making him a four-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions and one of five men to have held all three major heavyweight championships in Japanese professional wrestling. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2018.
Asako Takakura (高倉 麻子, Takakura Asako; born 19 April 1968), also known as Asako Takakura-Takemoto or Asako Takemoto due…Asako Takakura (高倉 麻子, Takakura Asako; born 19 April 1968), also known as Asako Takakura-Takemoto or Asako Takemoto due to her marriage, is a Japanese football manager and former player. She played for Japan national team. She is a former manager of the Japan national team. Her husband is former footballer Kazuhiko Takemoto.
Takeyuki Watanabe (born April 18, 1968, in Gifu Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member…Takeyuki Watanabe (born April 18, 1968, in Gifu Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2010. He represents the Gifu at-large district and is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He is one of three State Ministers for Reconstruction in the Second Kishida Cabinet.
Kenji Ozawa (小沢 健二, Ozawa Kenji) is a Japanese musician, designer and writer. Ozawa was a member of the pop duo…Kenji Ozawa (小沢 健二, Ozawa Kenji) is a Japanese musician, designer and writer. Ozawa was a member of the pop duo Flipper's Guitar, and is among the earliest practitioners of the Shibuya-kei musical genre. He graduated from the University of Tokyo. His uncle, Seiji Ozawa, was a noted conductor.
Toru Aoyanagi (青柳 徹, Aoyanagi Tōru; born 12 April 1968 in Kushiro, Hokkaidō) is a former speed skater from Japan, who…Toru Aoyanagi (青柳 徹, Aoyanagi Tōru; born 12 April 1968 in Kushiro, Hokkaidō) is a former speed skater from Japan, who represented his native country in four consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1988 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Yuichiro Kamiyama (born 7 April 1968) is a Japanese former track cyclist. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics and…Yuichiro Kamiyama (born 7 April 1968) is a Japanese former track cyclist. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Kagaya Yutaka (かがやゆたか; born 1968 in Saitama) is a Japanese digital artist, illustrator and photographer who is known…Kagaya Yutaka (かがやゆたか; born 1968 in Saitama) is a Japanese digital artist, illustrator and photographer who is known for painting elaborately detailed and spectacularly colored images of space and utopian worlds.
Takako Kobayashi (小林 貴子, Kobayashi Takako; born 2 April 1968) is a Japanese judoka. She competed in the women's…Takako Kobayashi (小林 貴子, Kobayashi Takako; born 2 April 1968) is a Japanese judoka. She competed in the women's half-middleweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Tadashi Tokieda (Japanese: 時枝正; born 1968) is a Japanese mathematician, working in mathematics and physics. He is a…Tadashi Tokieda (Japanese: 時枝正; born 1968) is a Japanese mathematician, working in mathematics and physics. He is a professor of mathematics at Stanford University; he formerly was a fellow and Director of Studies of Mathematics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He also invents, collects, and studies toys that uniquely reveal and explore real-world surprises of mathematics and physics. In comparison with most mathematicians, he had an unusual path in life: he started as a painter, and then became a classical philologist, before transitioning to mathematics. Tokieda is known for his public lectures where he demonstrates mathematical phenomena.
Ryota Takeda (武田 良太, Takeda Ryōta; born 1 April 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Internal…Ryota Takeda (武田 良太, Takeda Ryōta; born 1 April 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications from September 2020 to October 2021. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he previously served as the Minister in Charge of Public Safety, Measures for National Land Strengthening and Disaster Management.
Masumi Kuwata (桑田 真澄 Kuwata Masumi, born 1 April 1968 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former right-handed pitcher.…Masumi Kuwata (桑田 真澄 Kuwata Masumi, born 1 April 1968 in Yao, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former right-handed pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1986 to 2006 for the Yomiuri Giants. He also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007. He is the older brother of professional golfer Izumi Kuwata.
Kishu Izuchi (井土紀州, Izuchi Kishū; born 1968) is a film director and screenwriter from Japan. He has often collaborated…Kishu Izuchi (井土紀州, Izuchi Kishū; born 1968) is a film director and screenwriter from Japan. He has often collaborated with Takahisa Zeze.
Naoya Ogawa (Japanese: 小川 直也, Ogawa Naoya) (born 31 March 1968) is a Japanese world champion judoka, retired…Naoya Ogawa (Japanese: 小川 直也, Ogawa Naoya) (born 31 March 1968) is a Japanese world champion judoka, retired professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist. He won a total of seven medals at the All-Japan Judo Championships (second only behind Yasuhiro Yamashita), and set a record of seven medals at the World Judo Championships. Ogawa won the silver medal in the +95 kg judo weight class at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Ogawa is also known for his career in professional wrestling, where he primarily worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and took part in one of the promotion's most high-profile feuds of the 1990s with Shinya Hashimoto. Ogawa was also professional wrestling's two-time National Wrestling Alliance World's Heavyweight Champion.
Yōsuke Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田 洋介, Hepburn: Kuroda Yōsuke; born 29 March 1968) is a Japanese anime screenwriter from Mie…Yōsuke Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田 洋介, Hepburn: Kuroda Yōsuke; born 29 March 1968) is a Japanese anime screenwriter from Mie Prefecture, Japan. He has his own studio, Studio Orphee. Kuroda is noted for his work on authoring the scenario, screenplay, and story composition of the anime series Excel Saga, Please Teacher! and its sequel Please Twins!, Honey and Clover, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, and numerous others. In 2003, Kuroda won the Individual Award at the 8th Animation Kobe event. He has collaborated with fellow screenwriter and novelist Hideyuki Kurata on multiple series, including Goblin Slayer, Hellsing Ultimate, and Drifters.
Ademir Santos (三渡洲 アデミール, Santosu Ademīru; born March 28, 1968) is a Brazilian former football player who moved to…Ademir Santos (三渡洲 アデミール, Santosu Ademīru; born March 28, 1968) is a Brazilian former football player who moved to Japan at age 16 to complete his high school studies and obtained his Japanese citizenship in 1995. His son Maito Santos is also former footballer.
Ichirō Ōkouchi (大河内 一楼, Ōkouchi Ichirō; born 28 March 1968) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist. He is a graduate…Ichirō Ōkouchi (大河内 一楼, Ōkouchi Ichirō; born 28 March 1968) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist. He is a graduate of the School of Human Sciences in Waseda University. Ōkouchi is best known for collaborating with director Gorō Taniguchi for composing the story and script of the Sunrise original production, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion in 2006 and its sequel Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 in 2008.
Sachie Yuki (Japanese: 結城幸枝; born March 23, 1968) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She placed 5th at the…Sachie Yuki (Japanese: 結城幸枝; born March 23, 1968) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She placed 5th at the 1983 World Junior Championships, held in December 1982 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Competing internationally on the senior level, she won the bronze medal at the 1983 Ennia Challenge Cup, silver at the 1983 Prague Skate, silver at the 1985 Prague Skate and bronze at the 1985 Danubius Thermal Trophy. She became a three-time Japanese national medalist, winning silver in 1985–86 and bronze in 1982–83 and 1984–85.
Kazuya Maekawa (前川 和也, Maekawa Kazuya; born March 22, 1968) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Kazuya Maekawa (前川 和也, Maekawa Kazuya; born March 22, 1968) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His son Daiya Maekawa is also footballer.
Sean K (ショーン K, Shōn Kei; born 21 March 1968) is a former Japanese radio personality, narrator and tarento. His…Sean K (ショーン K, Shōn Kei; born 21 March 1968) is a former Japanese radio personality, narrator and tarento. His business name is Sean McArdle Kawakami (ショーン･マクアードル川上, Shōn Makuādoru Kawakami). His real name is Shinichiro Kawakami (川上 伸一郎, Kawakami Shin'ichirō). He is represented with Sunday. Sean K's career as a Japanese news and business commentator abruptly ended in 2016 after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun exposed his fabricated academic background including claims of an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Kenji Tamura (田村 謙治, Tamura Kenji; born 19 March 1968) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of…Kenji Tamura (田村 謙治, Tamura Kenji; born 19 March 1968) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. A native of Shizuoka, Shizuoka and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Finance from 1991 to 2002 and attended the Ford School at the University of Michigan in 1993. He was elected for the first time in 2004 after an unsuccessful run in 2003. He is an assenter of the movie The Truth about Nanjing.
