Akihiro Yonekawa (米河 彰大, Yonekawa Akihiro) is a Japanese professional wrestler and singer, better known for his ring…Akihiro Yonekawa (米河 彰大, Yonekawa Akihiro) is a Japanese professional wrestler and singer, better known for his ring name Kesen Numajiro (気仙 沼二郎, Kesen Numajirō). He has had a long career in Michinoku Pro Wrestling, where he currently wrestles, being a three-time Tohoku Tag Team champion and a one-time Tohoku Junior Heavyweight champion.
Nobuyuki Ebisu (戎 信行, Ebisu Nobuyuki) is a former baseball player in Japan. He primarily played for the Orix BlueWave…Nobuyuki Ebisu (戎 信行, Ebisu Nobuyuki) is a former baseball player in Japan. He primarily played for the Orix BlueWave in the Pacific League He attended Spring Training with the Seattle Mariners.
Izam (stylized as IZAM, born 23 April 1972, in Fuchū, Tokyo) is a Japanese musician, tarento, and actor. His real name…Izam (stylized as IZAM, born 23 April 1972, in Fuchū, Tokyo) is a Japanese musician, tarento, and actor. His real name is Yoshikazu Hine (日根 良和, Hine Yoshikazu). He is best known as the singer of the visual kei rock band Shazna. He graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Matsugatani High School. He is represented with Sun Music Production. He is the president of the Benibara Usagi-dan.
Kenichi Yoshizumi (吉住 健一, Yoshizumi Ken'ichi; born 22 April 1972) is a Japanese politician serving as the current mayor…Kenichi Yoshizumi (吉住 健一, Yoshizumi Ken'ichi; born 22 April 1972) is a Japanese politician serving as the current mayor of Shinjuku, one of the special wards of Tokyo, since 2014.
Takashi Akai (赤 井貴, Akai Takashi; born April 20, 1972, in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan), better known as Dayu Koume (コウメ 太夫…Takashi Akai (赤 井貴, Akai Takashi; born April 20, 1972, in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan), better known as Dayu Koume (コウメ 太夫, Kōme Dayū), is a Japanese comedian represented by SMA Neet Project. He dropped out from Asahikawa University.
Natsuki Ozawa (Japanese: 小沢 なつき, Hepburn: Ozawa Natsuki) (born April 19, 1972) is a Japanese singer, actress and AV…Natsuki Ozawa (Japanese: 小沢 なつき, Hepburn: Ozawa Natsuki) (born April 19, 1972) is a Japanese singer, actress and AV actress who has appeared in mainstream films and adult videos.
Yuichi Nishimura (西村 雄一, Nishimura Yūichi; born 17 April 1972) is a Japanese football referee. He has refereed in the…Yuichi Nishimura (西村 雄一, Nishimura Yūichi; born 17 April 1972) is a Japanese football referee. He has refereed in the Japanese J. League Division 1 since 1999 and has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2004. He refereed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he was appointed to several prestigious matches, including as fourth official on the final. He also refereed the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup between hosts Brazil and Croatia, and the second leg of the 2014 AFC Champions League final between Al Hilal and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Kuniko Obinata (大日方 邦子, Obinata Kuniko) (born April 16, 1972) is a Paralympic alpine skier from Japan. She has competed…Kuniko Obinata (大日方 邦子, Obinata Kuniko) (born April 16, 1972) is a Paralympic alpine skier from Japan. She has competed at every Winter Paralympic Games since 1994, winning a total of two gold, three silver, and three bronze medals up to 2006. At the 2010 Winter Paralympics, she won two bronze medals in the women's sitting class of slalom and giant slalom.
Toshitaka Ōoka (Japanese: 大岡敏孝) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the…Toshitaka Ōoka (Japanese: 大岡敏孝) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives from Shiga Prefecture. First elected in 2014, he was most recently elected in the 2021 election defeating Alex Saito who ran as the candidate of Democratic Party for the People. In 2024, he lost a rematch against Saito who this time represented Nippon Ishin no Kai.
Fumiko Okuno (Japanese: 奥野史子 Okuno Fumiko; born April 14, 1972, in Kyoto) is a former competitor in synchronised…Fumiko Okuno (Japanese: 奥野史子 Okuno Fumiko; born April 14, 1972, in Kyoto) is a former competitor in synchronised swimming from Japan. She competed in both the women's solo and women's duet events at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and won two bronze medals.
Kunihiko Sakurai (桜井 邦彦, Sakurai Kunihiko; born 11 April 1972) is a Japanese former ice hockey right winger. He…Kunihiko Sakurai (桜井 邦彦, Sakurai Kunihiko; born 11 April 1972) is a Japanese former ice hockey right winger. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Mayumi Oiwa (大岩真由美, Ōiwa Mayumi) (born April 11, 1972, in Muroran, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese football referee. She became…Mayumi Oiwa (大岩真由美, Ōiwa Mayumi) (born April 11, 1972, in Muroran, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese football referee. She became a first class referee in 1999 and began officiating games in the L. League and was placed on the FIFA list of international referees in 2002. Her first international tournament was the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in which she officiated two games including the third place play-off. Following her performance in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, in which she refereed a Quarter final match, Oiwa was promoted to the Japan Football League. She became the first female referee to officiate in the 84th Nationwide Highschool soccer championship conference on January 22, 2006, and then refereed the final at the 2006 AFC Women's Championship. Selected by FIFA to officiate in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China, she refereed two games and was fourth official in the Final between Germany and Brazil.
Hideo Yoshizawa (吉澤 英生, Yoshizawa Hideo; born April 10, 1972) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Hideo Yoshizawa (吉澤 英生, Yoshizawa Hideo; born April 10, 1972) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who was last the manager of J3 League club AC Nagano Parceiro.
Shingo Katsurayama (葛山 信吾, Katsurayama Shingo; born April 7, 1972, in Kameyama, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese actor who is…Shingo Katsurayama (葛山 信吾, Katsurayama Shingo; born April 7, 1972, in Kameyama, Mie, Japan) is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agency CES. He is known as Kaoru Ichijo in Kamen Rider Kuuga and Keisuke Okuni in Ju-On: The Grudge 2. Katsurayama's hobbies include recreational driving, collecting mini-cars, karaoke, outdoor sports, as well as playing the saxophone.
Kumiko Yokoyama (横山 久美子, Yokoyama Kumiko; born 7 April 1972) is a Japanese cross-country skier. She competed in five…Kumiko Yokoyama (横山 久美子, Yokoyama Kumiko; born 7 April 1972) is a Japanese cross-country skier. She competed in five events at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Rinko Kawauchi HonFRPS (川内 倫子, Kawauchi Rinko, born 1972) is a Japanese photographer. Her work is characterized by a…Rinko Kawauchi HonFRPS (川内 倫子, Kawauchi Rinko, born 1972) is a Japanese photographer. Her work is characterized by a serene, poetic style, depicting the ordinary moments in life.
Yasuhiro Takemoto (Japanese: 武本 康弘, Hepburn: Takemoto Yasuhiro; April 5, 1972 – July 18, 2019) was a Japanese animator…Yasuhiro Takemoto (Japanese: 武本 康弘, Hepburn: Takemoto Yasuhiro; April 5, 1972 – July 18, 2019) was a Japanese animator and television and film director. He worked at Kyoto Animation for almost his entire animation career after joining the company in 1996 until his death in 2019.
Hiromi Katayama (Japanese: 片山裕美, Hepburn: Katayama Hiromi; born April 5, 1972), known by the stage name Marina Ōno…Hiromi Katayama (Japanese: 片山裕美, Hepburn: Katayama Hiromi; born April 5, 1972), known by the stage name Marina Ōno (大野まりな, Ōno Marina), is a Japanese voice actress. She has also been known as Hiromi Matsumoto (松本裕美) and Hiromi Asō (麻生ひろみ). Some of her major roles in anime are: Faury Carat in Tristia of the Deep Blue Sea, Chiaki Nakahara in Dai-Guard, Aihara in Angel Links and Komoe Harumachi in Eiken. In video games, she voices Aki Nitta in Soul Link, Remit Marlena in Eternal Melody, Ayaka Nanase in First Kiss Story and Uriko in the Bloody Roar series.
Masahiro Ando (安藤 正裕, Andō Masahiro; born April 2, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masahiro Ando (安藤 正裕, Andō Masahiro; born April 2, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Makoto Nagano (長野 誠, Nagano Makoto; born March 30, 1972, in Kitakata, Miyazaki) (sometimes known as the World's…Makoto Nagano (長野 誠, Nagano Makoto; born March 30, 1972, in Kitakata, Miyazaki) (sometimes known as the World's Strongest Fisherman) is a Japanese commercial fisherman, captain, and musician. He is captain of his vessel F/V Konpira Maru 50 (第50金比羅丸), and was previously captain of the F/V Konpira Maru 28 (第28金比羅丸). He is regularly seen on the Japanese television show Sasuke (Ninja Warrior) where he was one of the "SASUKE All-Stars," a group of favored competitors who were thought to possess the greatest potential in completing the obstacle courses. He can also be seen on the lesser known spinoff to Ninja Warrior, Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course, where he was one of few competitors to make it to the final round. Winning in the 17th Sasuke competition (2006) he is the second of only four victors of the competition. By the time he retired in July 2017, he had competed in 26 versions of Sasuke, and has since competed in a 27th version in 2020.
Hisako Mizui (水井 妃佐子, Mizui Hisako; born 29 March 1972) is a Japanese badminton player, born in Nara, Nara. She…Hisako Mizui (水井 妃佐子, Mizui Hisako; born 29 March 1972) is a Japanese badminton player, born in Nara, Nara. She competed in women's singles and women's doubles at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and in women's singles at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She won a silver medal in women's singles at the 1994 Asian Games. She is a sister of badminton player Yasuko Mizui.
Junichi Suwabe (諏訪部 順一, Suwabe Jun'ichi; born March 29, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. He is affiliated…Junichi Suwabe (諏訪部 順一, Suwabe Jun'ichi; born March 29, 1972) is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo. He is affiliated with Haikyō. His popular roles include Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in Bleach, Omega Zero in Megaman Zero 3, Keigo Atobe in The Prince of Tennis, Victor Nikiforov in Yuri!!! on ICE, Freed Justine in Fairy Tail, Masataka Ninomiya in World Trigger, Yami Sukehiro in Black Clover, Sentinel Prime in Transformers: Animated and Transformers One, Ryomen Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, Archer in Fate/stay night, Ren Jinguji in Uta no Prince-sama, Undertaker in Black Butler, Leone Abbacchio in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Daiki Aomine in Kuroko's Basketball, Jurota Shishida and Shōta Aizawa in My Hero Academia, Dandy in Space Dandy, Bercouli Synthesis One in Sword Art Online, Akira Hayama in Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, Dark Choco Cookie in Cookie Run: Kingdom, Shoei Barou in Blue Lock, Oda Sakunosuke in Bungo Stray Dogs, and Ryoh Grantz in Mashle: Magic and Muscles. He was nominated for a Best Singing Award at the 6th Seiyu Awards, and received a Best Supporting Actor award at the 7th Seiyu Awards. He has also provided dubbing for Korean actor Gong Yoo. He is in a group called PHERO☆MEN (フェロ☆メン) with fellow voice actor Kohsuke Toriumi.
Minoru Furuya (古谷 実, Furuya Minoru; born March 28, 1972) is a Japanese manga artist from Saitama Prefecture. His debut…Minoru Furuya (古谷 実, Furuya Minoru; born March 28, 1972) is a Japanese manga artist from Saitama Prefecture. His debut work is The Ping Pong Club, published in Young Magazine. It was adapted into a 26-episode anime series in 1995. In 1996, he won the Kodansha Manga Award for The Ping Pong Club. In March 2021, Kodansha USA licensed Ciguatera. Two of his series have been adapted to the big screen, namely Himizu in 2011, and Himeanole in 2016.
Masaki Morinaga (森長 正樹, Morinaga Masaki; born March 27, 1972) is a Japanese retired long jumper. He won the long jump…Masaki Morinaga (森長 正樹, Morinaga Masaki; born March 27, 1972) is a Japanese retired long jumper. He won the long jump at the 1998 Asian Championships and the 1998 Asian Games.
Satoshi Saida (斎田 悟司, Saida Satoshi; born March 26, 1972 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese pioneering wheelchair tennis…Satoshi Saida (斎田 悟司, Saida Satoshi; born March 26, 1972 in Yokkaichi, Mie) is a Japanese pioneering wheelchair tennis player and 2004 Summer Paralympics gold medalist (Men's doubles with Shingo Kunieda). Saida, a big baseball enthusiast in his childhood, lost his left leg because of bone cancer at age twelve. At first, he used to play wheelchair basketball with his friends. Saida started his career in wheelchair tennis when he was fourteen years old. As a competitor, his first Paralympics was the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, USA; at the succeeding games in Sydney, Australia, he got eighth place. With Shingo Kunieda, he participated in the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece, and won the men's doubles event. The two competed together again at the 2008 Beijing Games and took bronze in the doubles event.
Naoko Kijimuta (Japanese: 雉子牟田 直子, Kijimuta Naoko, born March 26, 1972) is a retired tennis player and winner of five…Naoko Kijimuta (Japanese: 雉子牟田 直子, Kijimuta Naoko, born March 26, 1972) is a retired tennis player and winner of five professional doubles tournaments. She has been a representative of Japan in the Federation Cup.
Katsushi Ōta (太田 克史, Ōta Katsushi; born March 22, 1972) is a Japanese editor. As of 2020, he is president of Seikaisha…Katsushi Ōta (太田 克史, Ōta Katsushi; born March 22, 1972) is a Japanese editor. As of 2020, he is president of Seikaisha, a publishing company established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kodansha.
Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992…Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992 (coxless pair) and 1996 Olympics (lightweight coxless four). He won a gold medal at the 2000 World Rowing Championships in Zagreb with the lightweight men's quadruple scull.
Izumi Inamori (稲森 いずみ, Inamori Izumi; born March 19, 1972 in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress signed to…Izumi Inamori (稲森 いずみ, Inamori Izumi; born March 19, 1972 in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress signed to Burning Production.
Kazune Kawahara (Japanese: 河原 和音, Hepburn: Kawahara Kazune) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for creating…Kazune Kawahara (Japanese: 河原 和音, Hepburn: Kawahara Kazune) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for creating the romantic comedy shōjo manga High School Debut (Koukou Debut). Kawahara has also published and authored several other manga series, most notably Ai no Tame ni and Aozora Yell, and mostly specialises in the genre of romance.
Kaori Hasegawa (長谷川 歌織, Hasegawa Kaori) (born March 11, 1972), simply known by the stage name Ua (Japanese…Kaori Hasegawa (長谷川 歌織, Hasegawa Kaori) (born March 11, 1972), simply known by the stage name Ua (Japanese pronunciation: [ɯːa]), is a Japanese singer. She made her debut under Speedstar Records in 1995 with the single "Horizon". She is also the vocalist for AJICO.
Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972) is a Japanese entertainment personality who has performed as…Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972) is a Japanese entertainment personality who has performed as comedian, actor, singer, presenter, and music producer affiliated with the Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo and was the popular host of Matthew's Best Hit TV (as the character Matthew Minami (マシュー南, Mashū Minami), and various other related shows on TV Asahi. He was born in Toyonaka, Osaka. On May 7, 2005, he officially announced his intention to marry Otoha (乙葉), a Japanese idol. They married on July 30, 2005, at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo, with an audience of 340 guests including many famous Japanese personalities and celebrities. They have one daughter. In 2022, he was the co-host of Love Is Blind: Japan, and host of the Audible podcast Matthew's Matthew: Matthew in Matthew's Room.
Takashi Watari (Japanese: 亘崇詞; born 8 March 1972) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played…Takashi Watari (Japanese: 亘崇詞; born 8 March 1972) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Peruvian side Sporting Cristal. After retiring from professional football, he worked as a manager. He has also worked as a translator, and obtained a JFA S Class Coaching License. Watari was born in Okayama but moved to Argentina at a young age.
Tetsuya "Teddy" Kumakawa (熊川 哲也, Kumakawa Tetsuya; born 5 March 1972) is a Japanese ballet dancer and a former…Tetsuya "Teddy" Kumakawa (熊川 哲也, Kumakawa Tetsuya; born 5 March 1972) is a Japanese ballet dancer and a former principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.
Kataoka Ainosuke VI (Japanese: 六代目 片岡 愛之助, Hepburn: Rokudaime Kataoka Ainosuke; born March 4, 1972) is a Japanese…Kataoka Ainosuke VI (Japanese: 六代目 片岡 愛之助, Hepburn: Rokudaime Kataoka Ainosuke; born March 4, 1972) is a Japanese actor, kabuki actor and TV host. His yagō is matsushimaya. His mon is the Oikake Go-mai Ichō. His current stage name is Ainosuke Kataoka. He is a renowned tachiyaku, specializing in both the aragoto and wagoto styles, which is rare, considering he hails from the Kansai area, where most kabuki actors specialize in the wagoto style.
Megumi Yabushita (藪下 めぐみ, Yabushita Megumi; born on (1972-03-02)March 2, 1972) is a retired Japanese female mixed…Megumi Yabushita (藪下 めぐみ, Yabushita Megumi; born on (1972-03-02)March 2, 1972) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler and judoka. She has participated in several Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promotions. She is a Japanese national judo champion and a former Smackgirl open weight champion and tournament winner.
Kotoryū Hiroo (born 2 March 1972 as Katsumi Nakano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyōgo, Japan. He joined professional…Kotoryū Hiroo (born 2 March 1972 as Katsumi Nakano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyōgo, Japan. He joined professional sumo in 1987, reaching the top division in 1996. He defeated yokozuna three times and earned one Fighting Spirit Prize (kanto-sho). His highest rank was maegashira 1.
Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her…Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her real name is Rieko Yasumi (休 理英子, Yasumi Rieko).
Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi; born 28 February 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actor…Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi; born 28 February 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actor, tarento, and professional wrestler. He is a former member of Hikaru Genji (later changed the name to Hikaru Genji Super 5). Yamamoto graduated from Hachioji-shi Linnan Middle School and Sumida Industrial High School. He is nicknamed Bungee (バンジー, Banjī) and Jun-kun (淳くん). Yamamoto is currently represented with Wing Run.
Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from…Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from Konohana-ku, Osaka. He is the boke of the manzai duo, Yoiko, with his partner Masaru Hamaguchi. He is best known outside Japan as the star of the long-running gaming variety show, GameCenter CX.
Masayoshi Kan (簡 優好, Kan Masayoshi; born 25 February 1972) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400…Masayoshi Kan (簡 優好, Kan Masayoshi; born 25 February 1972) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres. He competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He won bronze medals in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1993 and 1995 World Indoor Championships In 1998 he won the silver medal at the Asian Championships, and was subsequently selected to represent Asia in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1998 IAAF World Cup. The Asian team finished sixth with teammates Ibrahim Ismail Faraj, Sugath Tillakaratne and fellow Japanese Kenji Tabata. In May the same year he clocked a career best time of 45.33 seconds in Osaka.