Miyo Okamoto (岡本三代, Okamoto Miyo; born 1 July 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a…Miyo Okamoto (岡本三代, Okamoto Miyo; born 1 July 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a midfielder. She was most recently the head coach of the Thailand senior and under-20 women's national teams.
Miki Nakao (中尾 美樹, Nakao Miki) (born June 25, 1978, in Nagasaki, Nagasaki) is a former backstroke swimmer from Japan…Miki Nakao (中尾 美樹, Nakao Miki) (born June 25, 1978, in Nagasaki, Nagasaki) is a former backstroke swimmer from Japan, who won the bronze medal in the 200m Backstroke at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Shunsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 俊輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shunsuke; born 24 June 1978) is a Japanese former professional…Shunsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 俊輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shunsuke; born 24 June 1978) is a Japanese former professional footballer. He is currently working as an assistant coach of the Japan national football team. He is the only person to have been named J.League Most Valuable Player more than once, receiving the award in 2000 and 2013. Renowned as one of Japan's greatest ever footballers, Nakamura was known for his free-kicks; Steve Perryman once remarked that Nakamura "could open a tin of beans with his left foot". Nakamura began his professional career with J1 League club Yokohama Marinos in 1997, eventually making 338 league appearances during two spells at the club totalling just over twelve seasons. In between his spells at Marinos, Nakamura played in Europe with Espanyol, Celtic, and Reggina. During his time at Celtic, he became one of the best Asian players to have ever played in Europe; he was nominated for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, was named Scottish Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in 2007, and became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League. His team accomplishments at Celtic include winning the Scottish Premier League in 2006, 2007, and 2008, the Scottish League Cup in 2006 and 2009, and the Scottish Cup in 2007. Nakamura has 98 caps and 24 goals for the Japan national football team, including appearances in the FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and 2010 and winning the AFC Asian Cup in 2000 and 2004; he was named Most Valuable Player of the 2004 competition. He also appeared in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship as a member of the Japan under-20 team and the 2000 Summer Olympics as a member of the Japan under-23 team.
Shūhei Morita (Japanese: 森田 修平, Hepburn: Morita Shūhei); born June 22, 1978) is a Japanese anime filmmaker…Shūhei Morita (Japanese: 森田 修平, Hepburn: Morita Shūhei); born June 22, 1978) is a Japanese anime filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for directing the critically successful 2013 film Possessions for which Morita was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, as well as the 2014 anime series Tokyo Ghoul for its first and second seasons.
Shogen Itokazu (尚玄; born 20 June 1978), known mononymously as Shogen, is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his…Shogen Itokazu (尚玄; born 20 June 1978), known mononymously as Shogen, is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his role as Nao Tsuchiyama in Gensan Punch (2021), which had a joint win for the Kim Jiseok award with The Rapist (2021) at the 26th Busan International Film Festival. Born in Okinawa, he formerly worked as a model before making his acting debut in Bloody Snake Under the Sun (2005).
Yasuhiro Suzuki (鈴木 康弘, Suzuki Yasuhiro; born June 18, 1978), better known by the ring name Kotaro Suzuki (鈴木 鼓太郎…Yasuhiro Suzuki (鈴木 康弘, Suzuki Yasuhiro; born June 18, 1978), better known by the ring name Kotaro Suzuki (鈴木 鼓太郎, Suzuki Kotarō), is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Gleat. He is best known for working for the Pro Wrestling Noah and All Japan Pro Wrestling promotions, where he was a four-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion for Noah and a one-time World Junior Heavyweight Champion for AJPW.
Masato Uchishiba (内柴 正人, Uchishiba Masato; born 17 June 1978) is a Japanese judoka who won the gold medal in the men's…Masato Uchishiba (内柴 正人, Uchishiba Masato; born 17 June 1978) is a Japanese judoka who won the gold medal in the men's under 66 kg division at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, and at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Mika Haruna (春名 美佳, Haruna Mika; born 14 June 1978) is a former Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer…Mika Haruna (春名 美佳, Haruna Mika; born 14 June 1978) is a former Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Tomoaki Satoh (佐藤 友亮, Satō Tomoaki; born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is…Tomoaki Satoh (佐藤 友亮, Satō Tomoaki; born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is currently with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. In 2008, he was selected Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Asia Series.
Shinichiro Koyama (小山 伸一郎, Koyama Shinichiro; born June 13, 1978) is a former pitcher and now who played for the…Shinichiro Koyama (小山 伸一郎, Koyama Shinichiro; born June 13, 1978) is a former pitcher and now who played for the Chunichi Dragons and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He is currently a pitching coach for the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Hirotaka Yokoi (横井宏考) (born June 8, 1978) is a Japanese former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A…Hirotaka Yokoi (横井宏考) (born June 8, 1978) is a Japanese former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A professional MMA competitor from 2000 until 2007, Yokoi fought for PRIDE, Shooto, RINGS, and DEEP, while in professional wrestling he wrestled mainly for Pro Wrestling Zero1.
Hiroyuki Kobayashi (小林 宏之, 小林宏, Kobayashi Hiroyuki, Kobayashi-Hiro; born June 4, 1978) is a Japanese professional…Hiroyuki Kobayashi (小林 宏之, 小林宏, Kobayashi Hiroyuki, Kobayashi-Hiro; born June 4, 1978) is a Japanese professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic for Japan. As a relief pitcher Kobayashi throws a fastball that sits in 87-91 mph (tops out at 93 mph), silder, change-up, and an effective forkball as his out pitch.
Ayako Ikeda (池田 綾子, Ikeda Ayako) (born 1 June 1978) is a Japanese song writer and singer. She is signed onto Sony Music…Ayako Ikeda (池田 綾子, Ikeda Ayako) (born 1 June 1978) is a Japanese song writer and singer. She is signed onto Sony Music Japan. She debuted with her single "Yasashii Uta" (優しい歌) on 21 February 2002, her single 'Life' became the theme song of the TV drama "Ai nante iranee yo, natsu" (愛なんていらねえよ、夏), and she has composed and sung the opening and ending themes to the anime Dennou Coil.
Takanori Kumagae (熊谷皇紀, Kumagai kōki; born 1 January 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a…Takanori Kumagae (熊谷皇紀, Kumagai kōki; born 1 January 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a lock. He spent his whole career playing for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's domestic Top League, playing a single season. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearance in the tournament. He made a further 25 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try.
Shogo Yamamoto (山本 省吾, Yamamoto Shōgo; born May 28, 1978 in Ishikawa, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Shogo Yamamoto (山本 省吾, Yamamoto Shōgo; born May 28, 1978 in Ishikawa, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Miwako Yamanaka (山中 美和子, Yamanaka Miwako; born 24 May 1978) is a retired Japanese long-distance runner. Her first and…Miwako Yamanaka (山中 美和子, Yamanaka Miwako; born 24 May 1978) is a retired Japanese long-distance runner. Her first and only international medal came at the 1997 Summer Universiade where she took the bronze in the 10,000 metres. She won the Kobe Women's Half Marathon in 2001, setting a personal best time of 1:08:54 for the event. Her greatest achievements came in 2002 when she won the Fukuoka International Cross Country and went on to finish in fourth in the long race at the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. She also won the Chiba International Cross Country competition in 2005.
Hideaki Kitajima (北嶋 秀朗, Kitajima Hideaki; born May 23, 1978) is a former Japanese football player and last play for…Hideaki Kitajima (北嶋 秀朗, Kitajima Hideaki; born May 23, 1978) is a former Japanese football player and last play for Japan national team. He's to set manager of JFL club, Criacao Shinjuku from 2024.
Yuji Yoshimi (吉見 祐治, born May 21, 1978, in Wakayama, Wakayama) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in…Yuji Yoshimi (吉見 祐治, born May 21, 1978, in Wakayama, Wakayama) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played with the Yokohama BayStars from 2001 to 2010 and for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2010 to 2013. He also played for Team Japan at the 2000 Olympics.
Toru Yano (矢野 通, Yano Tōru; born May 18, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler, signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling…Toru Yano (矢野 通, Yano Tōru; born May 18, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler, signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He was one-third of the inaugural NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions. He is also a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and two-time GHC Tag Team Champion, and was the KOPW 2020 and the KOPW 2021 Provisional Champion. He is mainly known as a comic relief wrestler, often cheating in an attempt to secure quick wins in his matches. Though often positioned below NJPW's top wrestlers, Yano has gained a reputation as a spoiler, occasionally scoring upset wins over bigger names and feuding with other elite wrestlers.
Masasumi Kakizaki (Japanese: 柿崎正澄, Hepburn: Kakizaki Masasumi; born May 18, 1978) is a Japanese manga artist. He…Masasumi Kakizaki (Japanese: 柿崎正澄, Hepburn: Kakizaki Masasumi; born May 18, 1978) is a Japanese manga artist. He debuted in 2001 with the one-shot Two Tops prior to launching his first series, X-Gene, in 2002. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin, which he illustrated, won the Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category in 2005.
Ryuji Hijikata (土方 隆司, Hijikata Ryūji) (born May 17, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler also known under the…Ryuji Hijikata (土方 隆司, Hijikata Ryūji) (born May 17, 1978) is a Japanese professional wrestler also known under the ring name Toshizo (歳三, Toshizō). Hijikata is best known for his tenure in Battlarts and All Japan Pro Wrestling since 2002 where he is a former World Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Takashi Aiki (相木 崇, Aiki Takashi; born May 16, 1978 in Kumamoto, Japan) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball…Takashi Aiki (相木 崇, Aiki Takashi; born May 16, 1978 in Kumamoto, Japan) is a retired Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Orix Buffaloes and the Hanshin Tigers.
Hideki Sahara (佐原 秀樹, Sahara Hideki; born May 15, 1978) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently the…Hideki Sahara (佐原 秀樹, Sahara Hideki; born May 15, 1978) is a former Japanese football player. He is currently the assistant manager of J1 League club, Kawasaki Frontale.
Kosei Inoue (井上 康生, Inoue Kōsei; born 15 May 1978) is a Japanese judoka. He won the gold medal in the under 100 kg…Kosei Inoue (井上 康生, Inoue Kōsei; born 15 May 1978) is a Japanese judoka. He won the gold medal in the under 100 kg class at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He is well known for his specialty throws, Uchi Mata (内股, inner thigh throw) and Ōuchi gari (大内刈, major inner reap). He is considered by the Judo community as one of the best competitive judoka. His notable accomplishments include three golds at the World Championships and All Japan Championships (one of four Judokas who have accomplished this). His older brother, Tomokazu Inoue is also judoka and former Asian champion. He is affiliated with Sohgo Security Services (Alsok), a security firm.
Shingo Kawabata (川畑 伸吾, Kawabata Shingo; born 15 May 1978) is a Japanese former sprinter who competed in the 2000…Shingo Kawabata (川畑 伸吾, Kawabata Shingo; born 15 May 1978) is a Japanese former sprinter who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Yusuke Kawakita (川北 裕介, Kawakita Yusuke; born May 13, 1978) is a Japanese football coach and former football player…Yusuke Kawakita (川北 裕介, Kawakita Yusuke; born May 13, 1978) is a Japanese football coach and former football player, who is the goalkeeper coach of Thailand U23.
Takafumi Yoshimoto (吉本 岳史, Yoshimoto Takafumi; born May 13, 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former player who…Takafumi Yoshimoto (吉本 岳史, Yoshimoto Takafumi; born May 13, 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former player who play as a Defender. He currently manager of Tokushima Vortis.
Yūsuke Kozaki (Japanese: コザキユースケ, Hepburn: Kozaki Yūsuke; born May 12, 1978) is a Japanese manga artist and character…Yūsuke Kozaki (Japanese: コザキユースケ, Hepburn: Kozaki Yūsuke; born May 12, 1978) is a Japanese manga artist and character designer.
Masahiro Abe (阿部 真宏, Abe Masahiro; born May 12, 1978 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…Masahiro Abe (阿部 真宏, Abe Masahiro; born May 12, 1978 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player.
Ushiomaru Motoyasu (born Motoyasu Sano; May 11, 1978 – December 13, 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Shizuoka,.…Ushiomaru Motoyasu (born Motoyasu Sano; May 11, 1978 – December 13, 2019) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Shizuoka,. He began his professional career in 1994 and first reached the top division in 2002. His highest rank was maegashira 10. He retired in May 2009 to take over the Azumazeki stable.
Daisuke Yamai (山井 大介, Yamai Daisuke; born May 10, 1978) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played…Daisuke Yamai (山井 大介, Yamai Daisuke; born May 10, 1978) is a former Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons. He is most noted for his combined perfect game with Hitoki Iwase in the 2007 Japan Series to clinch the title for the Dragons for the first time since 1954.
Atsushi Sato (佐藤 敦之, Satō Atsushi; born 8 May 1978) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon races.…Atsushi Sato (佐藤 敦之, Satō Atsushi; born 8 May 1978) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon races. He is the Asian record holder in the half marathon with his time of 60:25 minutes. His marathon best of 2:07:13 hours is the fourth fastest by a Japanese athlete. He is married to Miho Sato (née Sugimori), who was a 2004 Japanese Olympian. At major championships, he has twice finished in the top ten in the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics, including sixth at the 2009 World Championships marathon. He has also had two top ten finishes at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. He represented Japan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was last in the marathon. He also competed for Japan in the 10,000 metres at the 2002 Asian Games.
Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japanese: 川尻達也, Kawajiri Tatsuya; born May 8, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes…Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japanese: 川尻達也, Kawajiri Tatsuya; born May 8, 1978) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. He is a former Shooto Lightweight Champion, and has also competed in the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Strikeforce, ONE FC, and Rizin Fighting Federation. Kawajiri also participated in the Yarennoka! event as well as Dynamite!! 2009 and Dynamite!! 2010, representing DREAM in both events. Kawajiri's fight at PRIDE Bushido 9 with Takanori Gomi was voted as PRIDE Fighting Championship's Fight of the Year for 2005. In the same year, Kawajiri was considered by many mixed martial arts publications to be the #1 Lightweight fighter in the world.
Neko Nitta (新田猫子, Nitta Neko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and is best known for her tenure with the…Neko Nitta (新田猫子, Nitta Neko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotion Ice Ribbon where she is a former Triangle Ribbon Champion.
