Kazuhiro Kawata (川田 和宏, Kawata Kazuhiro; born June 11, 1982 in Fukuoka) is a former Japanese football player who last…Kazuhiro Kawata (川田 和宏, Kawata Kazuhiro; born June 11, 1982 in Fukuoka) is a former Japanese football player who last appeared for Blaublitz Akita. Kamata previously played for Oita Trinita in J. League Division 1.
Keiko Tamai (born January 6, 1982) is a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter. She is known for her flamboyant ring…Keiko Tamai (born January 6, 1982) is a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter. She is known for her flamboyant ring attire and personality.
Yoshito Okubo (大久保 嘉人, Ōkubo Yoshito; born 9 June 1982) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Yoshito Okubo (大久保 嘉人, Ōkubo Yoshito; born 9 June 1982) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He played for the Japan national team, scoring six goals in 60 appearances. He was the J.League Top Scorer and J.League Best XI in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Tadatoshi Fujimaki (藤巻 忠俊, Fujimaki Tadatoshi; born June 9, 1982) is a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator…Tadatoshi Fujimaki (藤巻 忠俊, Fujimaki Tadatoshi; born June 9, 1982) is a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of sports manga Kuroko's Basketball and Robot × LaserBeam, as well as Kill Blue, all of which have been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Aya Shimokozuru (下小鶴 綾, Shimokozuru Aya; born 7 June 1982) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan…Aya Shimokozuru (下小鶴 綾, Shimokozuru Aya; born 7 June 1982) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Kenichi Matsuoka (松岡 健一, Matsuoka Ken'ichi; born June 7, 1982) is a professional Japanese baseball player and coach. He…Kenichi Matsuoka (松岡 健一, Matsuoka Ken'ichi; born June 7, 1982) is a professional Japanese baseball player and coach. He pitched for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows from 2005 through 2018, and has been a pitching coach for the Swallows since the 2019 season. Matsuoka played the one season with the Waikiki BeachBoys of the now defunct Hawaii Winter Baseball league, an MLB off-season developmental league that sought to develop Japanese players much like the Arizona Fall League. Matsuoka was picked up by the Swallows in 2005 as a pre-round draft pick from Kyushu Tokai University.
Azusa Nojiri (野尻 あずさ, Nojiri Azusa; born 6 June 1982) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon…Azusa Nojiri (野尻 あずさ, Nojiri Azusa; born 6 June 1982) is a Japanese long-distance runner who competes in marathon races. Her personal best for the distance is 2:24:57 hours. She represented Japan in the marathon at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, coming in 19th. Originally a cross-country skier, she participated at the 2005 Winter Universiade but switched to distance running instead. She competed at the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and shared in the team bronze medal. She formerly ran for the Dai-Ichi Life corporate team and won the ekiden corporate title with them in 2011.
Akihisa Makida (牧田 明久, born June 3, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and currently second…Akihisa Makida (牧田 明久, born June 3, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and currently second squad coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Golden Eagles from 2005 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2016. On October 14, 2019, Makita become second squad fielding coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of NPB.
Yoshihiro Ito (伊藤 義弘, Ito Yoshihiro; June 2, 1982 – October 6, 2025) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He…Yoshihiro Ito (伊藤 義弘, Ito Yoshihiro; June 2, 1982 – October 6, 2025) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2008 to 2015 for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Tadashi Settsu (攝津 正, Settsu Tadashi; born 1 June 1982 in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese baseball player. He has been…Tadashi Settsu (攝津 正, Settsu Tadashi; born 1 June 1982 in Sendai, Miyagi) is a Japanese baseball player. He has been with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks since 2009, and plays as pitcher, wearing number 50. In 2009, he was voted Most Valuable Rookie. The next year, he became the first pitcher ever to make 70 or more appearances in his first two seasons in the league. He won the 2012 Sawamura Award with a record of 17-5 and a 1.91 ERA, with 153 strikeouts in 193+1⁄3 innings, and 3 complete games with 2 shutouts. Settsu is a 5 ft 11 in, 200 lb right-handed pitcher. With an overhand delivery he throws a fastball that usually sits in 86-88 mph (tops out at 92 mph), curveball, slider, and a solid-average screwball around 80 mph. He also has decent command, posting a walks per nine innings rate of 2.38 in his career (until 2012 season).
Kazumasa Azuma (東 和政, Azuma Kazumasa; born June 1, 1982) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher…Kazumasa Azuma (東 和政, Azuma Kazumasa; born June 1, 1982) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League.
Kentaro Tone (Japanese: 利根 健太朗, Hepburn: Tone Kentarō; born May 29, 1982) is a Japanese voice actor from Hiroshima…Kentaro Tone (Japanese: 利根 健太朗, Hepburn: Tone Kentarō; born May 29, 1982) is a Japanese voice actor from Hiroshima Prefecture, affiliated with I'm Enterprise. He made his voice acting debut in digital content made for a 2006 exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki, and he later starred as Akita Hattori in Bakuman, Tetsuo Kinoshita in Danchi Tomoo, Oshtor and Haku in Utawarerumono, the President in This Art Club Has a Problem!, and Zion Kunikida in Ingress.
Yōsuke Kataoka (片岡 洋介, Kataoka Yōsuke; born 26 May 1982 in Iruma District, Saitama) is a former Japanese football…Yōsuke Kataoka (片岡 洋介, Kataoka Yōsuke; born 26 May 1982 in Iruma District, Saitama) is a former Japanese football player who lastly featured for Gainare Tottori.
Yuko Miyamoto (宮本 裕向, Miyamoto Yūkō; born May 25, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He originally started his…Yuko Miyamoto (宮本 裕向, Miyamoto Yūkō; born May 25, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He originally started his career in Wrestling Marvelous Future in August 2003, but later left the promotion and in 2004, signed with Wrestling of Darkness 666 (Triple Six). Miyamoto has since appeared in Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW), DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). Miyamoto is a former one-time DDT Extreme Champion, two-time BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight and a two-time Dove Pro Heavyweight Champion and a one-time CZW Ultraviolent Underground Champion. He is also known as one half of the tag team Yankee Nichokenju (ヤンキー二丁拳銃, Yankī Nichōkenjū; "Yankee Pistols Akimbo") with Isami Kodaka, where they are one-time KO-D Tag Team Champions, three-time BJW Tag Team Champions, one-time Wave Tag Team Champions, two-time All Asia Tag Team Champions and have also won the Dai Nihon Saikyo Tag League three times. In 2016, Miyamto formed a tag team with Harashima, named Smile Yankees (スマイル・ヤンキース, Sumairu yankīsu), where they were one-time KO-D Tag Team Champions.
Kenichi Sakai (坂井 謙一, Sakai Kenichi), (born May 25, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to…Kenichi Sakai (坂井 謙一, Sakai Kenichi), (born May 25, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently signed to Michinoku Pro Wrestling where he competes under the ring name Ken45° and is one half of the reigning Tohoku Tag Team Champions and UWA World Tag Team Champions with Kengo.
Hiroyasu Tanaka (Japanese:田中 浩康, born May 24, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He was the…Hiroyasu Tanaka (Japanese:田中 浩康, born May 24, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He was the number 1 draft pick for the Yakult Swallows in 2005.
Takahiro Shibasaki (柴崎 貴広, Shibasaki Takahiro; born May 23, 1982) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kataller…Takahiro Shibasaki (柴崎 貴広, Shibasaki Takahiro; born May 23, 1982) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kataller Toyama.
Masaki Okimoto (沖本 摩幸, Okimoto Masaki) (born May 21, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler from Neyagawa, Japan…Masaki Okimoto (沖本 摩幸, Okimoto Masaki) (born May 21, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler from Neyagawa, Japan; he's a current member of the Michinoku Pro Wrestling roster as Rasse (ラッセ). He mainly uses a high-flying style.
Kota Ibushi (飯伏幸太, Ibushi Kōta; born May 21, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler and martial artist. He is signed…Kota Ibushi (飯伏幸太, Ibushi Kōta; born May 21, 1982) is a Japanese professional wrestler and martial artist. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is currently inactive due to a broken femur, suffered during the October 11, 2025 AEW Collision taping. Ibushi began his career with DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT) in 2004. Over the next 11 years, he became a three-time KO-D Openweight Champion, five-time KO-D Tag Team Champion, and two-time KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champion. Two of his KO-D Tag Team title reigns were with Kenny Omega as the Golden☆Lovers, and their combined total of 351 days is still a DDT record. In 2009, Ibushi started working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and eventually signed with them in 2013. In NJPW, he is a one-time NEVER Openweight Champion, three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. He resigned from both DDT and NJPW in February 2016 and has performed in several different organizations as a freelancer, including both DDT and NJPW. He also participated in WWE's 2016 Cruiserweight Classic tournament. After continuing to perform as a freelancer for NJPW after 2016 (including as Tiger Mask W from 2016 to 2017), Ibushi signed a new full-time contract with NJPW in 2019, winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first and only time in his career in 2021. he later unified it with the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to become the inaugural IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. He is also a former IWGP Tag Team Champion. He has won several tournaments for NJPW, including the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors, the 2015 New Japan Cup, and the 2019 and 2020 editions of the G1 Climax; he is the only wrestler to have won all three tournaments. He is also one of only four wrestlers to win two consecutive G1 Climax tournaments, alongside Masahiro Chono, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Kazuchika Okada, as well as the only wrestler to reach the final stage of four consecutive G1 Climax tournaments.
Hiroki Yamada (山田 大禧, Yamada Hiroki) (born 19 May 1982) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup he finished four…Hiroki Yamada (山田 大禧, Yamada Hiroki) (born 19 May 1982) is a Japanese ski jumper. In the World Cup he finished four times among the top 10, his best results being two fourth places from Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1 January 2002) and Hakuba (24 January 2002). He participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, finishing 33rd in the normal hill and 5th in the team event.
Masaki Chugo (中後 雅喜, Chūgo Masaki; born May 16, 1982) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who…Masaki Chugo (中後 雅喜, Chūgo Masaki; born May 16, 1982) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who is the assistant manager of J1 League club Kashima Antlers.
Tatsuya Fujiwara (藤原 竜也, Fujiwara Tatsuya; born May 15, 1982) is a Japanese actor. Internationally, he is best known…Tatsuya Fujiwara (藤原 竜也, Fujiwara Tatsuya; born May 15, 1982) is a Japanese actor. Internationally, he is best known for his leading roles as Shuya Nanahara in the Battle Royale films, Light Yagami in the Death Note films, Kaiji Itō in the Kaiji films, and Rikuhiko Yuki in Hideo Nakata's The Incite Mill. In 2014, he portrayed the villain Shishio Makoto in the live action Rurouni Kenshin films.
Eiji Ando (安藤英次, Andō Eiji; born 14 May 1982) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a fly-half. He was…Eiji Ando (安藤英次, Andō Eiji; born 14 May 1982) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a fly-half. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but didn't make an appearance at the tournament. He did though make 13 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 55 points.
Ai Shibata (柴田 亜衣, Shibata Ai; born May 14, 1982) is a Japanese former swimmer. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she won…Ai Shibata (柴田 亜衣, Shibata Ai; born May 14, 1982) is a Japanese former swimmer. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle race. She was the first ever female gold medalist for Japan in a freestyle event. She attended the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. In 2008 Shibata announced her retirement.
Shigeyuki Dejima (出島 茂幸, Dejima Shigeyuki; born 12 May 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at…Shigeyuki Dejima (出島 茂幸, Dejima Shigeyuki; born 12 May 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Taizo Kawabe (川辺泰三, Kawabe Taizou) is the head coach of the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B.League. He…Taizo Kawabe (川辺泰三, Kawabe Taizou) is the head coach of the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Konan University. Kawabe was drafted second overall by the Kyoto Hannaryz in the 2009 bj league draft.
Kenichi Nakata (中田 賢一, born November 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current first…Kenichi Nakata (中田 賢一, born November 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current first squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Chunichi Dragons, the Hawks, and the Hanshin Tigers.
Mitsuhiro Seki (関 光博, Seki Mitsuhiro; born May 8, 1982) is a Japanese footballer. Seki previously played for Roasso…Mitsuhiro Seki (関 光博, Seki Mitsuhiro; born May 8, 1982) is a Japanese footballer. Seki previously played for Roasso Kumamoto in the J2 League.
Takanori Hoshi (星 孝典, Hoshi Takanori; born May 4, 1982) is a former Japanese professional baseball catcher for the…Takanori Hoshi (星 孝典, Hoshi Takanori; born May 4, 1982) is a former Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Yomiuri Giants and Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. He was born in Natori, Miyagi, Japan.
Norihito Kobayashi (小林 範仁, Kobayashi Norihito; born May 4, 1982) is a Japanese Nordic combined skier who has been…Norihito Kobayashi (小林 範仁, Kobayashi Norihito; born May 4, 1982) is a Japanese Nordic combined skier who has been competing since 2000. He won a gold medal in the 4 x 5 km team event at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 in Liberec and earned his best individual finish of fifth in the 10 km individual normal hill at those same championships. Kobayashi also competed in three Winter Olympics, earning his best finish of sixth twice (4 x 5 km team: 2006, 2010 while his best individual finish was seventh in the 10 km individual normal hill event at Vancouver in 2010. His best World Cup finish was fourth twice, both in 7.5 km sprint events (2006, 2008). He has four individual victories, all in lesser events (One in 2001, two in 2003, and one in 2009).
Tetsuya Utsumi (内海 哲也, Utsumi Tetsuya; born April 29, 1982 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball player…Tetsuya Utsumi (内海 哲也, Utsumi Tetsuya; born April 29, 1982 in Kyoto, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball(NPB). He previously played for the Yomiuri Giants.
Satomi Kubokura (久保倉 里美, Kubokura Satomi; born 27 April 1982 in Asahikawa) is a Japanese track and field athlete who…Satomi Kubokura (久保倉 里美, Kubokura Satomi; born 27 April 1982 in Asahikawa) is a Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the 200 metres, the 400 metres and the 400 m hurdles. Her personal bests are 24.32 in the 200 m achieved at Kobe on 27 April 2008; 38.12 in the 300 metres at Izumo on 22 April 2007; 53.08 in the 400 metres in Osaka on 30 June 2007; and 55.34 in the 400 m hurdles at Osaka on 26 June 2011. She competed in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she qualified for the second round with the twelfth fastest overall time of 55.82 seconds. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she reached the semi-finals of 400 metre hurdles.
Tadahiro Ogino (荻野 忠寛, Ogino Tadahiro; born April 26, 1982 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Tadahiro Ogino (荻野 忠寛, Ogino Tadahiro; born April 26, 1982 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League.
Masashi Joho (城宝匡史, Jōhō Masashi; born April 24, 1982) is a retired Japanese professional basketball player who played…Masashi Joho (城宝匡史, Jōhō Masashi; born April 24, 1982) is a retired Japanese professional basketball player who played for the Ehime Orange Vikings of the B.League in Japan. He is the first and only Japanese bj leaguer that acquired the regular season MVP award.
Fumiyuki Hashimoto (橋本 史之, Hashimoto Fumiyuki) (born April 21, 1982), known by his ring name Kagetora (formerly…Fumiyuki Hashimoto (橋本 史之, Hashimoto Fumiyuki) (born April 21, 1982), known by his ring name Kagetora (formerly stylized in all capitals), is a Japanese professional wrestler who works for Dragon Gate. He wrestles in independent wrestling leagues all around Japan and has wrestled in the United States for Chikara and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He has wrestled many famous wrestlers including Jinsei Shinzaki.
Keiichiro Nagashima (長島 圭一郎, Nagashima Keiichirō; born 20 April 1982) is a Japanese long track speed skater…Keiichiro Nagashima (長島 圭一郎, Nagashima Keiichirō; born 20 April 1982) is a Japanese long track speed skater specialising in the sprint distances 500 and 1000 metres. Nagashima has won two World Cup races and has three Japanese domestic titles. He is a member of the Nidec Sankyo speed skating team.
Daisuke Hosokawa (細川 大輔, Hosokawa Daisuke) (born April 18, 1982, in Amagasaki, Hyōgo) is a Japanese freestyle swimmer.…Daisuke Hosokawa (細川 大輔, Hosokawa Daisuke) (born April 18, 1982, in Amagasaki, Hyōgo) is a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He is married to former swimmer Aya Terakawa.