Eiko Hiraiwa (平岩 英子, Hiraiwa Eiko; 17 February 1971 – 31 March 2021) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. After studying…Eiko Hiraiwa (平岩 英子, Hiraiwa Eiko; 17 February 1971 – 31 March 2021) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. After studying Dalcroze eurhythmics as a child and college student, she made her major-label debut in 1995. She released several singles and albums with Epic Records Japan and Village Records until 2000, entering into a hiatus afterwards.
Gaku Hasegawa (長谷川 岳, Hasegawa Gaku; born 16 February 1971) is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from…Gaku Hasegawa (長谷川 岳, Hasegawa Gaku; born 16 February 1971) is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from Hokkaido. He belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Noriko Sakai (酒井 法子, Sakai Noriko; born February 14, 1971) is a Japanese singer and actress. Under her former stage…Noriko Sakai (酒井 法子, Sakai Noriko; born February 14, 1971) is a Japanese singer and actress. Under her former stage name Nori-P (のりピー, Noripī), Sakai released her first single, "Otoko no Ko ni Naritai" (男のコになりたい; "I Want to Be a Boy") on February 5, 1987, nine days short of her sixteenth birthday. Over 40,000 copies of the single were sold. She is particularly popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Her best-selling single to date is "Aoi Usagi". In August 2009, Sakai was arrested on suspicion of possession and abuse of drugs and sentenced to probation for three years. She divorced her husband Yūichi Takasō (高相 祐一, Takasō Yūichi) after the incident and temporarily stayed away from the media circle until her probation ended, at which she began rehearsals for the theater, and signed on with Office Nigun Niiba, as a first step towards returning to the media community. On May 1, 2021, she left Office Nigun Niiba and joined Smile.
Masaki Tokudome (徳留 真紀, Tokudome Masaki; born 14 February 1971) is a Japanese occasional motorcycle racer. Tokudome…Masaki Tokudome (徳留 真紀, Tokudome Masaki; born 14 February 1971) is a Japanese occasional motorcycle racer. Tokudome competed in international Grand Prix motorcycle racing between 1994 and 2005, finishing second in the 125cc World Championship behind countryman Haruchika Aoki while riding for the Aprilia factory team in 1996. Tokudome won five Grand Prix races during his career. Tokudome was a longtime competitor in the All-Japan Road Race Championship after departing the international scene. He was the J-GP3 Champion in the class for the first time in 2012, after being runner up on three separate occasions, and again in 2016. Tokudome retired from full-time competition in 2024.
Makoto Iijima (飯島 誠, Iijima Makoto; born February 12, 1971) is a Japanese former professional road and track cyclist.…Makoto Iijima (飯島 誠, Iijima Makoto; born February 12, 1971) is a Japanese former professional road and track cyclist. Considered one of Japan's most successful cyclists in his decade, Iijima has claimed a total of nine track cycling medals (two golds, three silver, and four bronze) at the Asian Championships, two silvers at the Asian Games (1998 and 2002), and three national time trial titles at the Japanese Championships (1998, 2004, and 2005). He also represented his nation Japan in three editions of the Olympic Games (2000, 2004, and 2008). He announced his retirement from professional cycling in October 2010 as a member of the Bridgestone–Anchor team.
Mana Endo (遠藤 愛, Endō Mana) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She was born on February 6, 1971, in…Mana Endo (遠藤 愛, Endō Mana) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She was born on February 6, 1971, in Hiroshima and resides in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. She started playing tennis at age seven with her father and coach Hiroshi and played on the WTA Tour from 1991 until 1998. She graduated from the University of Tsukuba while on the tour in March 1993.
Keizoh Kawano (河野啓三, Kawano Keizō; born February 4, 1971) is a Japanese pianist, keyboardist, and composer who served…Keizoh Kawano (河野啓三, Kawano Keizō; born February 4, 1971) is a Japanese pianist, keyboardist, and composer who served as keyboardist and pianist for the band T-Square until August 2020.
Teppei Arita (有田 哲平, Arita Teppei; born 3 February 1971, in Higashi-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese…Teppei Arita (有田 哲平, Arita Teppei; born 3 February 1971, in Higashi-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter and television writer who performs boke of the comedy duo Cream Stew. His partner is Shinya Ueda. He is nicknamed Aripei (アリペイ) and Aripē (アリペー). Arita is represented by Natural Eight.
Sarutoki Minagawa (Japanese: 皆川 猿時, Hepburn: Minagawa Sarutoki; born 1 February 1971) is a Japanese actor. He worked…Sarutoki Minagawa (Japanese: 皆川 猿時, Hepburn: Minagawa Sarutoki; born 1 February 1971) is a Japanese actor. He worked with Suzuki Matsuo in the theater group, Otona Keikaku.
Tomomi Hayashi (林 知充, born February 1, 1971, in Toyama, Japan) is a Japanese-Estonian architect. From 1990 to 1994…Tomomi Hayashi (林 知充, born February 1, 1971, in Toyama, Japan) is a Japanese-Estonian architect. From 1990 to 1994 Tomomi Hayashi studied in the Yokohama National University (横浜国立大学 Yokohama Kokuritsu Daigaku) in the department of architecture. From 1995 to 1999 he studied in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, at the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC). From 1994 to 1995 Tomomi Hayashi worked in the Maki and Associates architectural bureau as an assistant. From 1999 to 2001 he worked in the Rafael Viñoly Architects architectural bureau. From 2001 to present he works in Estonia - from 2001 to 2003 in HEAD Arhitektid OÜ architectural office, in 2003 in KOSMOS OÜ architectural office and from 2004 to present in Hayashi-Grossschmidt Arhitektuur (HGA). Most notable works of Tomomi Hayashi are the Lasnamäe track and field hall (2003), Museum of Occupations (2003), FOORUM department store (2007), the Rotermann's Old and New Flour Storage (reconstruction and extension of the Old Flour Storage in Rotermanni Quarter) (2009) as well as the renovation of Machinery Hall of the A. M. Lutheri Furniture Factory (2017). HGA was involved with the Estonian National Museum project from 2008 till its completion as the collaborating local architects. Tomomi Hayashi has received the annual architecture prize of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia in 2003 and 2009, and in 2017 architectural grand prize for the Estonian National Museum project. He was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Prize in 2005, 2009 and 2019. Recently received the Gold prize in the Work category for the IFI Design Distinction Award and Special Mentions in 2020 European Heritage Awards – Europa Nostra Awards for the renovation of Machinery Hall of the A. M. Lutheri Furniture Factory. Since 2012 he has taught at TTK, Tallinn University of Applied Sciences. Between 2012 and 2017 lead the Institute of Architecture in Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Engineering. At the same institute he teaches as an associate professor (2016-2020) and then as a professor (2021-). Tomomi Hayashi is a member of the Union of Estonian Architects and Chartered architect-expert VIII.
Yasuo Manaka (眞中 靖夫, Manaka Yasuo; born January 31, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. His elder…Yasuo Manaka (眞中 靖夫, Manaka Yasuo; born January 31, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. His elder brother Mikio Manaka is also a former footballer.
Takeshi Yamanaka (山中 武司, Yamanaka Takeshi; born 30 January 1971) is a former professional Japanese ice hockey player…Takeshi Yamanaka (山中 武司, Yamanaka Takeshi; born 30 January 1971) is a former professional Japanese ice hockey player and current coach. He competed with Team Japan as a defenceman in the men's ice hockey tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He also was the head coach of the women's ice hockey tournament Team Japan at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Having coached professionally in the Asia League and at the national level, he is currently the assistant coach for the Japanese Men's National Ice Hockey Team.
Yuji Yasuraoka (安良岡裕二 Yasuraoka Yuji) (born January 28, 1971) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He is best…Yuji Yasuraoka (安良岡裕二 Yasuraoka Yuji) (born January 28, 1971) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in Wrestle Association R, where he became a one-time Tenryu Project International Junior Heavyweight Champion and a four-time Tenryu Project International Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
Tomoefuji Toshihide (born 27 January 1971 as Toshihide Kurosawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture…Tomoefuji Toshihide (born 27 January 1971 as Toshihide Kurosawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Akita Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi.
Takanori Aki (安藝 貴範, Aki Takanori; born 26 January 1971), also known as 'Aki-san', is the president and CEO of Good…Takanori Aki (安藝 貴範, Aki Takanori; born 26 January 1971), also known as 'Aki-san', is the president and CEO of Good Smile Company. He was born in Sanuki, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. As the CEO of Good Smile Company he works to provide new content to fans of character figures and goods. He has also been involved in the production and planning of a number of anime series and films, which has led him to become one of the founding board members of the Ultra Super Pictures animation studio.
Hideki Nagai (永井 秀樹, Nagai Hideki; born 26 January 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is…Hideki Nagai (永井 秀樹, Nagai Hideki; born 26 January 1971) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is current manager of Tokyo Verdy. His younger brother Atsushi Nagai is also a former footballer.
Eri Imai (今井 恵理, Imai Eri; born January 26, 1971 in Yawata, Kyoto) is a Japanese actress and model. In April 1994, she…Eri Imai (今井 恵理, Imai Eri; born January 26, 1971 in Yawata, Kyoto) is a Japanese actress and model. In April 1994, she won the "Shape Up Girl Audition" Grand Prix, and made appearances with three other models under the "Shape Up Girl" name. She made numerous appearances on television, film, v-cinema, photobooks and on stage during the 1990s. She and her husband, actor Yūjin Nomura, announced the birth of their first child, a son, in October 2009. At the end of that year Imai appeared in the "Shape-Up Girl" calendar with her fellow alumni of that group. She returned for this calendar the following year.
Masayuki Izumikawa (泉川 正幸, Izumikawa Masayuki) (born 22 January 1971) is a Japanese former volleyball player who…Masayuki Izumikawa (泉川 正幸, Izumikawa Masayuki) (born 22 January 1971) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He also competed in the Summer Universiade in 1993 as the main outside hitter of his national squad, winning a gold medal.
Mito Kakizawa (柿沢未途, Kakizawa Mito; born 21 January 1971) is a Japanese politician and former member of the House of…Mito Kakizawa (柿沢未途, Kakizawa Mito; born 21 January 1971) is a Japanese politician and former member of the House of Representatives. He represented the Tokyo 15th district in the House of Representatives. His father was Koji Kakizawa, a former foreign minister and member of both houses of the Diet, serving in the House of Representatives for seven terms until 2003.
Zentaro Kamei (亀井 善太郎, Kamei Zentarō; born January 20, 1971) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Zentaro Kamei (亀井 善太郎, Kamei Zentarō; born January 20, 1971) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Isehara, Kanagawa and graduate of Keio University, he was elected for the first time in 2006. In the 45th House of Representatives general election held on August 30, 2009, he ran unsuccessfully for re-election as a candidate endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party. Prior to be in politics, he worked for Industrial Bank of Japan and Boston Consulting Group. He is the son of the late Japanese politician Yoshiyuki Kamei, who was Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries during the government of Junichiro Koizumi and Minister of Transport during the government of Ryutaro Hashimoto. In April 2026 he was appointed as a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, a National University led by Hiroko Ota, formerly a minister in the government of Shinzo Abe.
Satoshi Yanagisawa (Japanese: 柳澤 哲; born January 19, 1971, in Nagano) is a retired male race walker from Japan. He set…Satoshi Yanagisawa (Japanese: 柳澤 哲; born January 19, 1971, in Nagano) is a retired male race walker from Japan. He set his personal best (1:19.29) in the men's 20 km on January 30, 2000, in Kobe.
Youki Kudoh (工藤 夕貴, Kudō Yūki; born 17 January 1971) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best…Youki Kudoh (工藤 夕貴, Kudō Yūki; born 17 January 1971) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best newcomer at the 6th Yokohama Film Festival for The Crazy Family. She also won the awards for best actress at the 16th Hochi Film Award and at the 1992 Blue Ribbon Award for War and Youth. Additionally, Kudoh has been nominated three times for Best Actress, in the 5th independent Spirit Award for Mystery Train, in the 15th Japanese Academy Prize for War and Youth, and in the 4th Golden Satellite Award for Snow Falling on Cedars.
Yusuke Naora (直良 有祐, Naora Yūsuke) (born January 9, 1971) is a Japanese video game art director and character designer…Yusuke Naora (直良 有祐, Naora Yūsuke) (born January 9, 1971) is a Japanese video game art director and character designer who worked for Square Enix (formerly Square). A former member of Toaplan, Naora served as the art director for several Final Fantasy and Compilation of Final Fantasy VII titles. He also served as the producer of the Code Age franchise. On October 1, 2016 he announced on Twitter that he had left the company, but would continue to contribute to Square Enix games as a freelancer.
Masako Asada (浅田雅子, Asada Masako; born 8 January 1971) is a Japanese diver. She competed in two events at the 1988…Masako Asada (浅田雅子, Asada Masako; born 8 January 1971) is a Japanese diver. She competed in two events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Mitsuru Manaka (真中 満, born January 6, 1971, in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Mitsuru Manaka (真中 満, born January 6, 1971, in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder. On October 8, 2014, he was named manager of the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, replacing Junji Ogawa. Manaka had previously been managing the Swallows' farm team.
Lynn Okamoto (岡本 倫, Okamoto Rin) is a Japanese manga artist and a former employee of Bandai and Arc System Works. His…Lynn Okamoto (岡本 倫, Okamoto Rin) is a Japanese manga artist and a former employee of Bandai and Arc System Works. His most famous work is the series Elfen Lied which was adapted into a 13-episode anime series by the studio Arms.
Mayuko Takata (高田万由子 Takata Mayuko, born January 5, 1971) is a Japanese actress, best known in the western world for…Mayuko Takata (高田万由子 Takata Mayuko, born January 5, 1971) is a Japanese actress, best known in the western world for her appearances on the Japanese TV show Iron Chef.
Takashi Koshimoto (越本 隆志, Koshimoto Takashi; born January 5, 1971, in Fukuoka) is a former Japanese professional boxer…Takashi Koshimoto (越本 隆志, Koshimoto Takashi; born January 5, 1971, in Fukuoka) is a former Japanese professional boxer in the featherweight (126 lb) division. He is a former WBC world featherweight champion.
Junichi Kakizaki (柿崎 順一, Kakizaki Jun'ichi; January 4, 1971 – June 2026) was a Japanese artist, sculptor, floral and…Junichi Kakizaki (柿崎 順一, Kakizaki Jun'ichi; January 4, 1971 – June 2026) was a Japanese artist, sculptor, floral and nature artist, land artist, environmental artist, and media artist. He exhibits regularly both in Japan and internationally, mainly in Sweden. Since 1992, he has mainly worked on scenography. He brought a floral design representation in area of contemporary art, and worked with several artists across different art fields. His daughter, Memi, is a former member of Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46.
Kenji Ogiya (Japanese: 扇谷 健司 Oogiya Kenji) is a Japanese association football referee who has refereed in the J-League…Kenji Ogiya (Japanese: 扇谷 健司 Oogiya Kenji) is a Japanese association football referee who has refereed in the J-League, J. League Division 2 as well as the Polish Ekstraklasa and I liga. He is also an international referee, having officiated two international games since 2007.
Sachiko Hirayama (born January 3, 1971, in Shizuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Sachiko Hirayama (born January 3, 1971, in Shizuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2016. She represents the Shizuoka at-large district and is an independent. She is a member of the following committees (as of 2021): Committee on Environment
Hideko Nihei (二瓶 秀子, Nihei Hideko; née Kijinami (雉子波), born 2 January 1971 in Fukushima Prefecture) is a Japanese…Hideko Nihei (二瓶 秀子, Nihei Hideko; née Kijinami (雉子波), born 2 January 1971 in Fukushima Prefecture) is a Japanese retired sprinter. She competed in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1997 World Championships. She is the former Japanese record holder in the 100 metres (11.36 seconds), 200 metres (23.82 seconds) and 4 × 100 metres relay (44.41 seconds). She is currently the head coach at the Fukushima University Track Club.
Yutaka Takenouchi (竹野内 豊 (hiragana:たけのうちゆたか), Takenouchi Yutaka; born January 2, 1971) is a Japanese actor. His…Yutaka Takenouchi (竹野内 豊 (hiragana:たけのうちゆたか), Takenouchi Yutaka; born January 2, 1971) is a Japanese actor. His on-screen acting debut was in the drama 「ボクの就職」 (Boku no Syūshoku) in 1994, after winning a modeling contest. He also appeared in commercials.
Fumi Yoshinaga (Japanese: よしなが ふみ, Hepburn: Yoshinaga Fumi; born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo…Fumi Yoshinaga (Japanese: よしなが ふみ, Hepburn: Yoshinaga Fumi; born 1971) is a Japanese manga artist known for her shōjo and boys' love works.
Kentaro Iwata (岩田 健太郎, Iwata Kentarō; born 1971) is a Japanese physician, professor and infectious diseases expert at…Kentaro Iwata (岩田 健太郎, Iwata Kentarō; born 1971) is a Japanese physician, professor and infectious diseases expert at Kobe University.
Tomohiro Okada (岡田智博) is an interdisciplinary creative and innovation developer, researcher, policymaker, and art…Tomohiro Okada (岡田智博) is an interdisciplinary creative and innovation developer, researcher, policymaker, and art curator of contemporary and technology field, Director of Creative Cluster. Since 1995 he has been active in electronic media and creative innovation in Japan especially promoting young talent in new media art, interaction design as a researcher, producer, curator, writer and organizer of numerous creative productions, and policy designs for government and institutions for economic and industry and culture affairs. He has written various policy papers for art and creative and civil development of various local governments and agencies, lectured and held positions at various universities, participated in conferences and symposia, and has worked as a consultant. As a curator and producer Tomohiro OKADA created Fantasista series (2005 – Evolution Cafe, Electrical Fantasista, Creative Fantasista), an independent new talent media art and design exhibition, certification of "Emerging people in the field of Media Arts - 2010. Agency for Cultural Affairs (JAPAN)", "Cultural Promoting Project – 2010 (Fine art). Tokyo Metropolitan Government". Tokyo Art Beat magazine signed most wanted art show in Tokyo, 2008 summer, by online reader voting, Super Robot Exhibition (2014, 2015) were hundreds of global media coverages introducing robotic art and design in Japan, also promoting new media and digital art talents thorough out of his curating and management works such as shown first art show at public art venue of TeamLab and Yoichi Ochiai, and contributing to promote Media Arts in Japan region by Japan Media Arts Festival exhibition (2010, 2017, 2019) as a director, Agency of Cultural Affair.
Hajime Narukawa (鳴川肇, Narukawa Hajime) is a Japanese architect. He was born in 1971 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa and lives and…Hajime Narukawa (鳴川肇, Narukawa Hajime) is a Japanese architect. He was born in 1971 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa and lives and practices in Tokyo.
Ryota Kuwakubo (born 1971) is a Japanese multimedia artist. Kuwakubo was born in Tochigi Prefecture. In 1998 he…Ryota Kuwakubo (born 1971) is a Japanese multimedia artist. Kuwakubo was born in Tochigi Prefecture. In 1998 he co-produced the project BITMAN with the art unit Maywa Denki. Kuwakubo works with varying mediums, most commonly utilizing digital or electronic aspects, and a typical theme his works center on is contrasting matter. In 2010 Kuwakubo exhibited at Cyber Arts Japan, a special media art exhibition hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo. A 2011 interactive art piece of his, The Tenth Sentiment, was displayed at the "Ways of Worldmaking" exhibit at the National Museum of Art, Osaka. In The Tenth Sentiment the viewers walk around a room as a model train with an LED light maneuvers along a set of tracks, focusing a light at commonplace objects on the ground which subsequently cast large shadows on the walls of the room. These shadows change from crowds of people, to cityscapes, to tunnels as the piece continues. The Tenth Sentiment was awarded a prize of excellence at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival which described it as an "attractive work" which avoids the "cliché interactive art works that tend to depend too much on technology", and described by art critic for The Japan Times, Matthew Larking, as "arguably the most attractive work" of the exhibit.
Ryoko Kimura (木村了子, Kimura Ryoko, born 1971) is a Japanese contemporary artist who works in Nihonga painting. She…Ryoko Kimura (木村了子, Kimura Ryoko, born 1971) is a Japanese contemporary artist who works in Nihonga painting. She studied at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, graduating from the oil painting course in 1995, and earning her master's degree in 1997. Her artwork subject weigh is traditional Bijin-ga (literally "beautiful person picture") but rather than depicting women, she instead observes the male figure from the "sexual gaze from a heterosexual female standpoint." Her artwork has been exhibited in Japan, Taiwan, China, France, Germany, and USA.
Nobuyuki Tanaka (田中 伸幸, Tanaka Nobuyuki) is an economic botanist at the Tokyo Metropolitan University, the Makino…Nobuyuki Tanaka (田中 伸幸, Tanaka Nobuyuki) is an economic botanist at the Tokyo Metropolitan University, the Makino Botanical Garden in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Tanaka is an expert on the family Cannaceae, and in 2001 published a revision of the family Cannaceae in the New World and Asia. Another contribution by Dr. Tanaka is to revise the Flora of Myanmar.
Yoshinori Akazawa (Japanese: ⾚澤 嘉則, romanized: Akazawa Yoshinori, born 1971 -) is a contemporary artist and ceramicist.…Yoshinori Akazawa (Japanese: ⾚澤 嘉則, romanized: Akazawa Yoshinori, born 1971 -) is a contemporary artist and ceramicist. He is known as the 5th generation head of the Akazawa Roseki studio (Akazawa Roseki V), specializing in traditional and contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Shohei Manabe (Japanese: 真鍋昌平, Hepburn: Manabe Shōhei) is a Japanese manga artist. Writing and drawing gritty seinen…Shohei Manabe (Japanese: 真鍋昌平, Hepburn: Manabe Shōhei) is a Japanese manga artist. Writing and drawing gritty seinen manga about the Japanese underworld, he is best known for Ushijima the Loan Shark (2004–2019), which won the Shogakukan Manga Award and spawned several films and series.
