Tadao Tannaka (淡中 忠郎, Tannaka Tadao; December 27, 1908 – October 25, 1986) was a Japanese mathematician who worked in…Tadao Tannaka (淡中 忠郎, Tannaka Tadao; December 27, 1908 – October 25, 1986) was a Japanese mathematician who worked in algebraic number theory.
Shingo Yamada (15 December 1908 – 7 July 1977) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting event in the…Shingo Yamada (15 December 1908 – 7 July 1977) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Kuma Mukai (向井 久万, Mukai Kuma; 14 December 1908 – 20 January 1987) was a Japanese painter born in Osaka Prefecture…Kuma Mukai (向井 久万, Mukai Kuma; 14 December 1908 – 20 January 1987) was a Japanese painter born in Osaka Prefecture, Japan in 1908. He lived for some time in Kamakura before his death in Tokyo in 1987. He is well known for his paintings of nude women, Buddhist images, and floral designs.
Hideo Sekigawa (関 川 秀雄, Sekigawa Hideo; 1 December 1908 – 16 December 1977) was a Japanese film director known mainly…Hideo Sekigawa (関 川 秀雄, Sekigawa Hideo; 1 December 1908 – 16 December 1977) was a Japanese film director known mainly for films with a left-wing agenda made in the late 1940s and early 1950s. His most noted works are the anti-war films Listen to the Voices of the Sea (1950) and Hiroshima (1953).
Satoko Togano (Japanese: 戸叶里子; 29 November 1908 – 7 November 1971) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first…Satoko Togano (Japanese: 戸叶里子; 29 November 1908 – 7 November 1971) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946, serving in parliament until her death in 1971.
Tameo Ide (井出 多米夫, Ide Tameo; November 27, 1908 – August 17, 1998) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Tameo Ide (井出 多米夫, Ide Tameo; November 27, 1908 – August 17, 1998) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kurihara Yasuhide (栗原 安秀; November 17, 1908 – July 12, 1936) was an Imperial Japanese Army officer and lieutenant of…Kurihara Yasuhide (栗原 安秀; November 17, 1908 – July 12, 1936) was an Imperial Japanese Army officer and lieutenant of infantry. He participated in the February 26 incident.
Norio Nanjo (南條 範夫; November 14, 1908 – October 30, 2004), born Koga Hidemasa, was a Japanese novelist and economist.…Norio Nanjo (南條 範夫; November 14, 1908 – October 30, 2004), born Koga Hidemasa, was a Japanese novelist and economist. Over the course of his life he authored numerous period novels and short stories. He was awarded Naoki Prize in 1956 for his work Toudaiki. His works played an influential role in the development of the zankoku monogatari subgenre of films.
Sadako Sawamura (沢村貞子, Sawamura Sadako; 11 November 1908 – 16 August 1996) was a Japanese stage and film actress who…Sadako Sawamura (沢村貞子, Sawamura Sadako; 11 November 1908 – 16 August 1996) was a Japanese stage and film actress who appeared in more than 200 films between 1935 and 1976.
Kenkichi Oshima (大島 鎌吉, Ōshima Kenkichi; November 10, 1908 – March 30, 1985) was a Japanese triple jumper who won a…Kenkichi Oshima (大島 鎌吉, Ōshima Kenkichi; November 10, 1908 – March 30, 1985) was a Japanese triple jumper who won a bronze medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He was the flag bearer for Japan at the 1936 Games in Berlin. Ōshima was born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. While still a student, he set a new unofficial world record for the triple jump, and was widely expected to secure the gold medal in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. However, Ōshima suffered from severe burns in a bathing accident shortly before the start of the Olympics, and was not in the best form for the competition. He finished third with a jump of 15.12 meters behind the teammate Chuhei Nambu who took gold. Ōshima also participated in the same event in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, but came in sixth place, while teammates Naoto Tajima and Masao Harada took the gold and silver medals, respectively. Fluent in the German language, during the Berlin Olympics, Ōshima had a 20-minute interview of Adolf Hitler, who apparently mistook Ōshima for a Japanese military attache of the same surname. Ōshima asked Hitler many questions on Nazi initiatives to improve on the physical education of German youth. After graduation from Kansai University, Ōshima was employed by the Mainichi Shimbun, working as a reporter in the sports section of the newspaper until retirement. He then accepted the post of professor emeritus and later vice president of Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, where he undertook reforms of the athletic department to strengthen the Japanese team in preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was also an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee and an author of numerous books on sports.
Teizo Takeuchi (竹内 悌三, Takeuchi Teizō; 6 November 1908 – 12 April 1946) was a Japanese football player. He played for…Teizo Takeuchi (竹内 悌三, Takeuchi Teizō; 6 November 1908 – 12 April 1946) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. Lighting designer Motoko Ishii is his daughter.
Paik Too-chin or Baek Du-jin (Korean: 백두진; October 7, 1908 – September 5, 1993) was a South Korean politician. He was…Paik Too-chin or Baek Du-jin (Korean: 백두진; October 7, 1908 – September 5, 1993) was a South Korean politician. He was acting prime minister until confirmed in office by the National Assembly on April 24, 1953, when he became the prime minister of South Korea.
Kenji Miyamoto (宮本 顕治, Miyamoto Kenji; 17 October 1908 – 18 July 2007) was a Japanese communist politician. He was the…Kenji Miyamoto (宮本 顕治, Miyamoto Kenji; 17 October 1908 – 18 July 2007) was a Japanese communist politician. He was the leader of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) from 1958 to 1977.
Mitsu Yashima (八島 光, Yashima Mitsu; born Tomoe Sasako (笹子 智江, Sasako Tomoe); October 11, 1908 – December 7, 1988) was…Mitsu Yashima (八島 光, Yashima Mitsu; born Tomoe Sasako (笹子 智江, Sasako Tomoe); October 11, 1908 – December 7, 1988) was an artist, children's book author, and civic activist.
Masao Shimizu (清水将夫, Shimizu Masao; 5 October 1908 – 5 October 1975) was a Japanese actor. His wife was actress Yumi…Masao Shimizu (清水将夫, Shimizu Masao; 5 October 1908 – 5 October 1975) was a Japanese actor. His wife was actress Yumi Takano. His first starring role in the film was in Momoiro no Yuwaku in 1931. In 1947, he formed the Mingei Theatre Company. Shimizu often worked with Akira Kurosawa. He appeared in more than 250 films between 1931 and 1976.
Dick Mine (ディック・ミネ, Dikku Mine; Japanese pronunciation: [dikku͍ mine]) October 10, 1908 – June 10, 1991 was a Japanese…Dick Mine (ディック・ミネ, Dikku Mine; Japanese pronunciation: [dikku͍ mine]) October 10, 1908 – June 10, 1991 was a Japanese singer. His recording career spanned nearly the entire Shōwa era.
Heigoro Kuriyagawa (born 4 October 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed in the…Heigoro Kuriyagawa (born 4 October 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed in the men's 18 kilometre event at the 1932 Winter Olympics.
Yoshio Fujita (藤田 良雄, Fujita Yoshio; 28 September 1908 – 13 January 2013) was a Japanese astronomer known for his…Yoshio Fujita (藤田 良雄, Fujita Yoshio; 28 September 1908 – 13 January 2013) was a Japanese astronomer known for his contributions on spectroscopic observations of low temperature stars. He also served as president of the Japan Academy from April 1994 to April 2000.
Saizo Saito (斎藤 才三, Saitō Saizō; September 24, 1908 – 2004) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Saizo Saito (斎藤 才三, Saitō Saizō; September 24, 1908 – 2004) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Taro Yashima (八島 太郎, Yashima Tarō; born Atsushi Iwamatsu (岩松 淳, Iwamatsu Atsushi); September 21, 1908 — June 30, 1994)…Taro Yashima (八島 太郎, Yashima Tarō; born Atsushi Iwamatsu (岩松 淳, Iwamatsu Atsushi); September 21, 1908 — June 30, 1994) was a Japanese-American artist and children's book author. He immigrated to the United States in 1939 and assisted the U.S. war effort.
Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫, Shimabuku Tatsuo; September 19, 1908 – May 30, 1975) was an Okinawan, Japanese martial artist.…Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫, Shimabuku Tatsuo; September 19, 1908 – May 30, 1975) was an Okinawan, Japanese martial artist. He is the founder of Isshin-ryū ("One Heart Style/One Heart Way") style of karate.
Admiral Sugie Ichizo (杉江 一三, Ichizo Sugie; 18 September 1908 – 27 July 1999) was a Japanese naval officer who served in…Admiral Sugie Ichizo (杉江 一三, Ichizo Sugie; 18 September 1908 – 27 July 1999) was a Japanese naval officer who served in both the Imperial Japanese Navy and the post-war Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). A staff officer during the Second World War Ichizo joined the post-war Coastal Security Force in 1953 before transferring to the JMSDF the following year where he most notably served as the second Chairman of Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Force, from 1964 until his retirement in 1966.
Shigekazu Shimazaki (嶋崎 重和, Shimazaki Shigekazu; 9 September 1908 – 9 January 1945) was a Japanese career officer in…Shigekazu Shimazaki (嶋崎 重和, Shimazaki Shigekazu; 9 September 1908 – 9 January 1945) was a Japanese career officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II.
Ryuichi Obitani (帯谷 竜一; older form 帶谷 龍一, Obitani Ryūichi; born September 4, 1908, date of death unknown) was a…Ryuichi Obitani (帯谷 竜一; older form 帶谷 龍一, Obitani Ryūichi; born September 4, 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese figure skater. He represented Japan at the 1932 Winter Olympics and World Figure Skating Championships in 1932.
Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He…Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He was known for using naniwa-bushi's kobushi vocalism in Japanese popular music. He was killed in action during the eastern New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War.
Hiroshi Ohchi (Japanese: 大智 浩, Hepburn: Ōchi Hiroshi; 1908 – 1974) was a Japanese graphic designer as well as a visual…Hiroshi Ohchi (Japanese: 大智 浩, Hepburn: Ōchi Hiroshi; 1908 – 1974) was a Japanese graphic designer as well as a visual designer best known for his work as the first art director of IDEA magazine. He also designed the logo for Idemitsu Kosan.
Jirō Ishiba (Japanese: 石破 二朗, Hepburn: Ishiba Jirō; 29 July 1908 – 16 September 1981) was a Japanese bureaucrat and…Jirō Ishiba (Japanese: 石破 二朗, Hepburn: Ishiba Jirō; 29 July 1908 – 16 September 1981) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the governor of Tottori and as a member of the House of Councillors. He also held other high-ranking positions, including Minister of Home Affairs and Vice Minister of Construction. His son Shigeru Ishiba, served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2024 to 2025.
Fuku Akino (秋野 不矩, Akino Fuku; July 25, 1908 - October 11, 2001) was a Japanese painter. She was born in Futamata…Fuku Akino (秋野 不矩, Akino Fuku; July 25, 1908 - October 11, 2001) was a Japanese painter. She was born in Futamata, Iwata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture (currently, Nimata Town, Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City). She became known by her paintings of Indian themes, landscapes and peoples.
Tanaka Takashi (田中 孝, 22 July 1908 – 11 September 1977), known by his art name Tanaka Isson (田中 一村), was a Japanese…Tanaka Takashi (田中 孝, 22 July 1908 – 11 September 1977), known by his art name Tanaka Isson (田中 一村), was a Japanese Nihonga painter from the Shōwa period noted for his flower-and-bird paintings of the Amami Islands.
Hideo Noda (野田 英夫, Noda Hideo; July 15, 1908 – January 12, 1939), also known as Hideo Benjamin Noda and Benjamin Hideo…Hideo Noda (野田 英夫, Noda Hideo; July 15, 1908 – January 12, 1939), also known as Hideo Benjamin Noda and Benjamin Hideo Noda, was a Japanese-American modernist painter and muralist, member of the Shinseisakuha movement in Japan, student of Arnold Blanch, and uncle of Japanese printmaker Tetsuya Noda, as well as alleged communist spy recruited by Whittaker Chambers.
Yu Chi-hwan (Korean: 유치환; 1908–1967), also known by his art name Cheongma (청마), was a leading twentieth-century Korean…Yu Chi-hwan (Korean: 유치환; 1908–1967), also known by his art name Cheongma (청마), was a leading twentieth-century Korean poet.
Kaii Higashiyama (東山 魁夷, Higashiyama Kaii; July 8, 1908 – May 6, 1999) was a Japanese writer and artist particularly…Kaii Higashiyama (東山 魁夷, Higashiyama Kaii; July 8, 1908 – May 6, 1999) was a Japanese writer and artist particularly renowned for his Nihonga style paintings. As one of the most popular artists in post-war Japan, Higashiyama was awarded the Japan Art Academy Prize in 1956 and the Order of Culture in 1969.
Kazuo Noda (野田 一雄, Noda Kazuo; 30 June 1908 – 31 March 1995) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1924…Kazuo Noda (野田 一雄, Noda Kazuo; 30 June 1908 – 31 March 1995) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics and in the 1928 Summer Olympics. He was born in Shizuoka. In 1924 he was eliminated in the first round of the 400 metre freestyle event as well as of the 1500 metre freestyle competition. He was also a member of the Japanese relay team which finished fourth in the 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay event. Four years later he helped the Japanese relay team to qualify for the final of the 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay competition when he swam in the semi-final. His compatriots won the silver medal, but Noda did not swim in the final and was not awarded with a medal.
Kazu Wakita (Japanese: 脇田和; 7 June 1908 – 27 November 2005) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting…Kazu Wakita (Japanese: 脇田和; 7 June 1908 – 27 November 2005) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Shirō Hattori (服部四郎, Hattori Shirō; May 29, 1908 – January 29, 1995) was a Japanese academic and writer. Born in…Shirō Hattori (服部四郎, Hattori Shirō; May 29, 1908 – January 29, 1995) was a Japanese academic and writer. Born in Kameyama, Mie, Hattori was a linguist known particularly for his work on premodern Japanese and Japonic languages and the Ainu language. He was a professor at the University of Tokyo.
Misao Ono (小野 操, Ono Misao; born 27 May 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He…Misao Ono (小野 操, Ono Misao; born 27 May 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the men's high jump at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Tomiko Itooka (née Yano; Japanese: 糸岡 富子, romanized: Itooka Tomiko; 23 May 1908 – 29 December 2024) was a Japanese…Tomiko Itooka (née Yano; Japanese: 糸岡 富子, romanized: Itooka Tomiko; 23 May 1908 – 29 December 2024) was a Japanese supercentenarian who was recognized as the world's oldest verified living person in September 2024. She managed her family's textile business during World War II and lived to the age of 116 years and 220 days.
Tatsuzo Fujita (藤田 辰三, Fujita Tatsuzō; born 19 May 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese hurdler. He competed in…Tatsuzo Fujita (藤田 辰三, Fujita Tatsuzō; born 19 May 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese hurdler. He competed in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Motonari Iguchi 井口 基成 (Iguchi Motonari) (17 May 1908, in Tokyo – 29 September 1983, in Tokyo) was a Japanese pianist…Motonari Iguchi 井口 基成 (Iguchi Motonari) (17 May 1908, in Tokyo – 29 September 1983, in Tokyo) was a Japanese pianist and educator.
Akira Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 明, Hepburn: Watanabe Akira; May 13, 1908 – 1999) was a Japanese special effects art…Akira Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 明, Hepburn: Watanabe Akira; May 13, 1908 – 1999) was a Japanese special effects art director who worked on 38 films in a career spanning 25 years.
Yasuo Kawamura (Japanese: 河村 泰男; 7 May 1908 – 13 October 1997) was a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1932 and…Yasuo Kawamura (Japanese: 河村 泰男; 7 May 1908 – 13 October 1997) was a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1932 and 1936 Winter Olympics. In 1932 he participated in the 500 metres competition, in the 1500 metres event, in the 5000 metres competition, and in the 10000 metres event, but was eliminated in the heats in all four contests. Four years later he finished 28th in the 1500 metres competition.
Lieutenant Colonel Inaba Masao (稲葉 正夫, Inaba Masao; May 1, 1908 - October 10, 1973) was a Japanese officer during World…Lieutenant Colonel Inaba Masao (稲葉 正夫, Inaba Masao; May 1, 1908 - October 10, 1973) was a Japanese officer during World War II of the Military Affairs Bureau. In 1945, after the Emperor and his ministers were seeking to surrender, he urged Korechika Anami, the War Minister, that the soldiers be told to keep fighting, especially with the Soviet Union massing its forces. He prepared a statement urging soldiers to fight to the bitter end, without reference to surrender. Two lieutenant colonels, one of them Masahiko Takeshita, came to tell him that the Cabinet was about to issue a statement hinting at surrender, and they hastened to broadcast his message without Anami's approval. The Director of the Information Bureau, Hiroshi Shimomura, concluded that without its broadcast, Anami might be assassinated by younger officers, and so broadcast it. This caused consternation in the government, which feared that his statement would provoke a third atomic bomb, and arranged for the message to be sent as a news broadcast, in English and Morse code, to escape military censors and so arrive in time. When the Kyūjō Incident was plotted, to prevent the emperor's declaration of surrender from being broadcast, Inaba refused to join the conspiracy and told the conspirators that the attempt was useless.
Kanki Izumigawa (泉川 寛喜, Izumigawa Kanki; 1908 – 1967) was a karate master who learned Goju-Ryu from Seiko Higa on…Kanki Izumigawa (泉川 寛喜, Izumigawa Kanki; 1908 – 1967) was a karate master who learned Goju-Ryu from Seiko Higa on Okinawa and Saipan. Higa had studied under Kanryo Higashionna (of Naha-Te) and trained with Chojun Miyagi (the founder of Goju-Ryu). In his youth Izumigawa also studied karate under Juhatsu Kyoda, who was himself a senior student of Kanryo Higashionna. Izumigawa was born in Okinawa to a samurai family and was the founder of the Senbukan Dojo, which had its headquarters in Kawasaki City and branches in Tokyo, Osaka, Ota, Yokoyama, Nagoya and even Hawaii. The Senbukan dojo was established in 1939 and was the first dojo of Okinawan Goju-Ryu on mainland Japan. Today, It's currently the oldest Goju-Ryu dojo in the world. Kanki Izumigawa was the first student of Seiko Higa to receive the bubishi from him in 1937. Before dan rank and titles the bubishi was used as a sort of menkyo kaiden in Goju-Ryu. This tradition is still carried on by some instructors from Izumigawa's lineage. In 1942 Kanki Izumigawa was presented with the coveted title of Renshi from the prestigious Dai Nippon Butokai. He would later be promoted to Hanshi in 1957. Kanki Izumikawa was instrumental in the establishment of the Nihon Karate do Rengokai. Several of his senior students held positions in the organisation such as Tsutomu Takato and Sosui Ichikawa. In both 1961 and 1964 he travelled to Hawaii to instruct at the branch dojo founded by Kenneth Murakami and George Miyasaki. These two men trained with Izumigawa at the Senbukan honbu in Kawasaki during the 1950s while they were stationed in Japan. Upon their return to Hawaii they opened a Senbukan branch dojo which continues to this day. In 1961 Izumigawa was accompanied by Ryoichi Yanase (4th dan). In 1964 He brought both Yanase (now 5th dan) and Busen Arakawa (6th dan) to act as his assistants while teaching at the Hawaii dojo. Kanki Izumigawa was also a shihan of Ryukyu Kobudo, in addition to Goju Ryu and was listed in Shinken Taira's Ryukyo Kobudo Encyclopedia as an advisor. Kanki Izumigawa died in 1967 at the age of 59. His oldest son Kanbun Izumigawa carried on his School in Japan as the second soke of the Senbukan. Seiichi Akamine helped him to spread Goju-Ryu and Seiko Higa tradition in mainland Japan, travel to South-America to spread Karate-do and founded the Ken-Shin-Kan school. Kanki Izumigawa's senior students included Busen Arakawa (Rinbukan), Sosui Ichikawa (Sosuikan), Tsutomu Takato (Ota Senbukan Branch Chief), Hyotaro Harada (Seishin Juku), Kenneth Murakami (Hawaii Senbukan), Keisetsu Yoshimaru, Satoru Suzuki, Kazunari Sekishiro and Ryoichi Yanase. Ultimately the main senior students that taught and preserved Izumigawa's teachings in Japan were Busen Arakawa and Sosui Ichikawa. After Kanbun Izumigawa died in 1982, the dojo was inherited by the second son Katsuya Izumigawa (the 3rd soke) who continues to head the dojo and organisation today. In 2016 the organisation was officially renamed to the International Karate Do Goju Ryu Senbukai by Katsuya Izumigawa.
Masaru Ibuka (井深 大 Ibuka Masaru; April 11, 1908 – December 19, 1997) was a Japanese electronics industrialist and…Masaru Ibuka (井深 大 Ibuka Masaru; April 11, 1908 – December 19, 1997) was a Japanese electronics industrialist and co-founder of Sony, along with Akio Morita.
Shigeru Sugiura (杉浦 茂, Sugiura Shigeru; 3 April 1908 – 23 April 2000) was a Japanese manga artist famous for his…Shigeru Sugiura (杉浦 茂, Sugiura Shigeru; 3 April 1908 – 23 April 2000) was a Japanese manga artist famous for his surreal, nonsense gag manga.
Ryoji Naraoka (奈良岡 良二, Naraoka Ryōji; 2 April 1908 – 2 June 1992) was a Japanese racewalker. He competed in the men's…Ryoji Naraoka (奈良岡 良二, Naraoka Ryōji; 2 April 1908 – 2 June 1992) was a Japanese racewalker. He competed in the men's 50 kilometres walk at the 1936 Summer Olympics.