Kozo Inoue (井上 公造, Inoue Kōzō; born December 30, 1956, in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Kozo Inoue (井上 公造, Inoue Kōzō; born December 30, 1956, in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese reporter who is represented by Kozo Creators with his wife. He graduated from Seinan Gakuin University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Shigeru Kitamura (北村 滋, Kitamura Shigeru; born 27 December 1956) is a Japanese police officer who served as Secretary…Shigeru Kitamura (北村 滋, Kitamura Shigeru; born 27 December 1956) is a Japanese police officer who served as Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat from 2019 to 2021 and Director of Cabinet Intelligence from 2011 to 2019. Kitamura was a trusted advisor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on matters of national security.
Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional…Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka. He worked for numerous Japanese promotions such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Hiroaki Murakami (村上 弘明, Murakami Hiroaki; born December 22, 1956) is a Japanese actor. He specializes in jidaigeki…Hiroaki Murakami (村上 弘明, Murakami Hiroaki; born December 22, 1956) is a Japanese actor. He specializes in jidaigeki roles, and has also taken parts in tokusatsu and modern productions.
Atsushi Oshima (大島 敦, Ōshima Atsushi; born 21 December 1956) is a Japanese politician in the House of Representatives…Atsushi Oshima (大島 敦, Ōshima Atsushi; born 21 December 1956) is a Japanese politician in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kitamoto, Saitama and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected for the first time in 2000.
Merzbow (Japanese: メルツバウ, Hepburn: Merutsubau) is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, best known…Merzbow (Japanese: メルツバウ, Hepburn: Merutsubau) is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, best known for a style of harsh noise music. Since 1980, Akita has released over 500 recordings and collaborated with numerous artists. The name Merzbow comes from the German dada artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork Merzbau, in which Schwitters transformed the interior of his house using found objects. The name was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic. In addition to this, Akita has cited a wide range of musical influences from progressive rock, heavy metal, free jazz, and early electronic music to non-musical influences like dadaism, surrealism and fetish culture. Since the early 2000s, he has been inspired by animal rights and environmentalism, and began to follow a vegan, straight edge lifestyle. In addition to being a prolific musician, he has been a writer and editor for several books and magazines in Japan, and has written several books of his own. He has written about a variety of subjects, mostly about music, modern art, and underground culture. His more renowned works were on the topics of BDSM and Japanese bondage. Other art forms Akita has been interested in include painting, photography, filmmaking, and Butoh dance. In 2000, Extreme Records released the 50 CD box set Merzbox. Akita's work has been the subject of several remix albums and at least one tribute album. This, among other achievements, has helped Merzbow to be regarded by some as the "most important artist in noise".
Hiroshi Hasebe (長谷部 浩, Hasebe Hiroshi) is the professional pseudonym of Makoto Matsuno (松野 誠, Matsuno Makoto; born 17…Hiroshi Hasebe (長谷部 浩, Hasebe Hiroshi) is the professional pseudonym of Makoto Matsuno (松野 誠, Matsuno Makoto; born 17 December 1956), a Japanese theatre critic and professor at Tokyo University of the Arts (Fine Arts, Department of Inter Media Art).
Tomihisa Taue (田上 富久, Taue Tomihisa; born December 10, 1956) is a Japanese politician and who served as the mayor of…Tomihisa Taue (田上 富久, Taue Tomihisa; born December 10, 1956) is a Japanese politician and who served as the mayor of Nagasaki, the capital city of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan from 2007 to 2023.
Akio Miyazawa (Japanese: 宮沢 章夫 Miyazawa Akio; 9 December 1956 – 12 September 2022) was a Japanese playwright, writer…Akio Miyazawa (Japanese: 宮沢 章夫 Miyazawa Akio; 9 December 1956 – 12 September 2022) was a Japanese playwright, writer, and academic.
Hōō Tomomichi, born Tomomichi Kabetani (7 December 1956 – 16 January 2013) was a sumo wrestler from Gamagōri, Aichi…Hōō Tomomichi, born Tomomichi Kabetani (7 December 1956 – 16 January 2013) was a sumo wrestler from Gamagōri, Aichi, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1971, and reached the top division in July 1979. His highest rank was sekiwake. He is the only sekiwake since the six-tournaments-a-year schedule began in 1958 to never win a sanshō or special prize. He was one of the few wrestlers to face both Takanohana Kenshi and his son Takanohana Kōji, having fought the latter in the makushita division towards the end of his career. He left the sumo world upon retirement in May 1990. He died of heart disease in 2013.
Masaru Wakasa (若狭 勝, Wakasa Masaru; born 12 December 1956) is a Japanese lawyer, politician and former member of the…Masaru Wakasa (若狭 勝, Wakasa Masaru; born 12 December 1956) is a Japanese lawyer, politician and former member of the House of Representatives in Japan.
Mieko Fukui (福井 美恵子, Fukui Mieko; 3 December 1956 – 30 November 1980) was a Japanese basketball player. She competed in…Mieko Fukui (福井 美恵子, Fukui Mieko; 3 December 1956 – 30 November 1980) was a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Ryuzo Sasaki (笹木 竜三, Sasaki Ryūzō; 27 November 1956 – 28 June 2022) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Ryuzo Sasaki (笹木 竜三, Sasaki Ryūzō; 27 November 1956 – 28 June 2022) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Hisashi Okamoto (岡本 久, Okamoto Hisashi, born 23 November 1956) is a Japanese applied mathematician, specializing in…Hisashi Okamoto (岡本 久, Okamoto Hisashi, born 23 November 1956) is a Japanese applied mathematician, specializing in mathematical fluid mechanics and computational fluid dynamics. Okamoto graduated from the University of Tokyo in March 1979. In April 1981 he became a research associate to Hiroshi Fujita (known for the Fujita-Kato theorem) at the University of Tokyo. There in 1985 he received his Doctorate of Science with Fujita as advisor. For the academic year 1986–1987 Okamoto was a visiting fellow at the University of Minnesota's Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications. In August 1987 Okamoto became an associate professor in the University of Tokyo's Department of Applied Science. In 1988 he visited the National University of Singapore. At Kyoto University's Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences (RIMS), he became an associate professor in April 1990 and a full professor in April 1994. At RIMS he was Head of the Computer Science Research Laboratory from 2004 to 2005 and deputy director in 2006, 2009, and 2011. He is editor-in-chief of the Japan Journal of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (JJIAM). Okamoto is the author or co-author of over 100 articles in refereed journals or in books of conference proceedings. He wrote, with Mayumi Shōji, the 2001 monograph The mathematical theory of permanent progressive water-waves.
Mitsugu Nomura (野村 貢, Nomura Mitsugu; born November 21, 1956) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Mitsugu Nomura (野村 貢, Nomura Mitsugu; born November 21, 1956) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Kōji Gushiken (具志堅 幸司, Gushiken Kōji) (born November 12, 1956, in Ōsaka) is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984…Kōji Gushiken (具志堅 幸司, Gushiken Kōji) (born November 12, 1956, in Ōsaka) is an Olympic gymnast for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won a total number of five medals, including two gold. He broke an ankle in May 1985 which prevented him from training for 3 months and hindered his performances at the 1985 World Championships. Gushiken announced his retirement at the 1985 Chūnichi Cup. He currently coaches other Olympic contenders, including two-time Olympic individual all-around gold medallist Kōhei Uchimura.
Akira Mitake (見岳 章; born November 11, 1956) is a Japanese composer from Tokyo. He is known for his collaborations with…Akira Mitake (見岳 章; born November 11, 1956) is a Japanese composer from Tokyo. He is known for his collaborations with director Yukihiko Tsutsumi, including such films as Chinese Dinner (2001), 2LDK (2003), EGG (2005) and Taitei no Ken (2007). Mitake composed "Kawa no nagare no yō ni" (川の流れのように), Like the Flow of the River, a song recorded by Japanese enka singer Hibari Misora.
Anna Ogino (荻野 アンナ, Ogino Anna; born November 7, 1956) is a Japanese author and emeritus professor of literature at…Anna Ogino (荻野 アンナ, Ogino Anna; born November 7, 1956) is a Japanese author and emeritus professor of literature at Keio University. She has won the Akutagawa Prize, the Yomiuri Prize, and the Itō Sei Literature Prize.
Kazuyo Sejima (妹島 和世, Sejima Kazuyo; born 29 October 1956) is a Japanese architect and director of her own firm, Kazuyo…Kazuyo Sejima (妹島 和世, Sejima Kazuyo; born 29 October 1956) is a Japanese architect and director of her own firm, Kazuyo Sejima & Associates. In 1995, she co-founded the firm SANAA (Sejima + Nishizawa & Associates). In 2010, Sejima was the second woman to receive the Pritzker Prize, which was awarded jointly with Nishizawa. They were only the second partnership to be honored with this prize.
Masayuki Suo (周防 正行, Suo Masayuki; born October 29, 1956) is a Japanese film director. He is best known for his two…Masayuki Suo (周防 正行, Suo Masayuki; born October 29, 1956) is a Japanese film director. He is best known for his two Japan Academy Prize-winning films, Sumo Do, Sumo Don't (1992) and Shall We Dance? (1996).
Daitetsu Tadamitsu (大徹 忠晃; born 29 October 1956 as Tadamitsu Minami (南 忠晃)) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōno, Fukui…Daitetsu Tadamitsu (大徹 忠晃; born 29 October 1956 as Tadamitsu Minami (南 忠晃)) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōno, Fukui, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, and reached the top division in November, 1983. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in September 1990, and has worked as a coach at both the original Nishonoseki stable and the new version of the stable, under the elder name Minatogawa.
Edward Erich Anderson (October 24, 1956 – June 1, 2024) was an American actor and novelist. He starred in film and on…Edward Erich Anderson (October 24, 1956 – June 1, 2024) was an American actor and novelist. He starred in film and on television, and was widely known for his role in the 1984 horror film Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter as Rob Dier. He also starred in the 1988 film Bat*21 and in the 2002 drama film Unfaithful.
Mamoru Miura (Miura Mamoru; born October 23, 1956) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the…Mamoru Miura (Miura Mamoru; born October 23, 1956) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan since 2018.
Akie Sato (佐藤 秋恵, Satō Akie; née Shuto (首藤, Shutō), born October 23, 1956, in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), better…Akie Sato (佐藤 秋恵, Satō Akie; née Shuto (首藤, Shutō), born October 23, 1956, in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), better known as Akie Asaka (浅香 あき恵, Asaka Akie), is a Japanese comedian who is represented by the talent agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo. Asaka was a resident in Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. She is also an actress for Yoshimoto Shinkigeki.
Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行, Nagashima Toshiyuki) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for Best Newcomer at the 3rd…Toshiyuki Nagashima (永島敏行, Nagashima Toshiyuki) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for Best Newcomer at the 3rd Hochi Film Awards for Kaerazaru hibi and for Best Actor at the 6th Hochi Film Awards for Enrai.
Minoru Mukaiya (向谷 実, Mukaiya Minoru; born 20 October 1956) is a Japanese musician best known as the former keyboardist…Minoru Mukaiya (向谷 実, Mukaiya Minoru; born 20 October 1956) is a Japanese musician best known as the former keyboardist of the jazz fusion band Casiopea and producer of the Train Simulator series of Japanese video games. Mukaiya joined Casiopea during its formation in 1977 (with guitarist Issei Noro, drummer Takashi Sasaki and bassist Tetsuo Sakurai) and remained in the group until their hiatus in 2006. Since leaving the band he has created his own musical production team, "Mukaiya Club." He also serves as the president and CEO of the company Ongakukan, which produces professional train simulators for Japanese transit systems and has distributed video games to the general public. Mukaiya has also appeared in the event of Nico Nico Douga. Mukaiya has composed around 200 distinct melodies for over 110 subway stations in Japan. In 2019, British television presenter James May interviewed Mukaiya for episode 3 of James May: Our Man in Japan, discussing Mukaiya's involvement in composing melodies for train stations. In episode 11 of Great Japanese Railway Journeys, broadcast in April 2026, Mukaiya was interviewed by Michael Portillo and a figure of about 300 melodies was given by Mukaiya.
Junko Kido (木戸 順子, Kido Junko; 17 October 1956 – 4 January 2020), better known by her birth name, Junko Hirotani (広谷…Junko Kido (木戸 順子, Kido Junko; 17 October 1956 – 4 January 2020), better known by her birth name, Junko Hirotani (広谷 順子, Hirotani Junko), was a Japanese singer.
Kazushi Hosaka (保坂 和志, Hosaka Kazushi; born 15 October 1956) is a Japanese writer. He has won the Noma Literary New…Kazushi Hosaka (保坂 和志, Hosaka Kazushi; born 15 October 1956) is a Japanese writer. He has won the Noma Literary New Face Prize, the Akutagawa Prize, and the Tanizaki Prize.
Hiroshi Michinaga (道永 宏, Michinaga Hiroshi) (born 8 October 1956) is an archer from Japan, who was born in Hyogo…Hiroshi Michinaga (道永 宏, Michinaga Hiroshi) (born 8 October 1956) is an archer from Japan, who was born in Hyogo, Japan. He competed for Japan in the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in the individual event where he finished in second place behind American Darrell Pace .
Joji Tani (Japanese: 谷譲治, Hepburn: Tani Jōji), known as Screaming Mad George (October 7, 1956 – February 10, 2026), was…Joji Tani (Japanese: 谷譲治, Hepburn: Tani Jōji), known as Screaming Mad George (October 7, 1956 – February 10, 2026), was a Japanese special effects artist, film director and musician. He was born in Osaka, Japan, and emigrated to the United States, where he became known for his surreal, grotesque and gory special effects. He collaborated with director and producer Brian Yuzna on many films.
MIQ (三玖, Miku; born October 3, 1955), previously known as MIO, is a Japanese pop singer and vocal trainer from Minato…MIQ (三玖, Miku; born October 3, 1955), previously known as MIO, is a Japanese pop singer and vocal trainer from Minato, Tokyo. She is known for her performances on the soundtracks of various anime, notably the theme songs of Sunrise's Combat Mecha Xabungle, Aura Battler Dunbine, Heavy Metal L-Gaim, Star Musketeer Bismark and Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory. The throaty, soulful timbre of her voice was uncharacteristic of Japanese vocalists of the 1980s (although it has become more commonplace today). MIQ has listed Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, and Chaka Khan as influences on her vocal style. Her vocal delivery was a major reason she was signed to a contract with King Records. She is also fairly fluent in English as is evident by her English renditions of "Dunbine Tobu" and "Time for L-Gaim" and noted by fellow anime theme singer Ichirou Mizuki at ANIME JAPAN FES IN HK 2007 in Hong Kong.
Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in…Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played most of his career for the Seibu Lions. Ishige was the 1986 Pacific League Most Valuable Player, a seven-time Best Nine Award-winner, and a ten-time Gold Glove winner. A 14-time All-Star, he left a track record in 16 years as a shortstop and third baseman in the Pacific League. Ishige was drafted by the Lotte Orions in the third round of the 1974 NPB draft, but went to college instead. He won a Tokyo Metropolitan University League batting title and made six Best Nines in college. He was then picked in the first round of the 1980 NPB draft by the Seibu Lions. Ishige made the All-Star team as a rookie with Seibu and would make it all 14 seasons he was with them. He hit .311/.380/.531 that first year with 21 homers and 25 steals (in 34 tries). He won a Gold Glove, made his first Best Nine and won Rookie of the Year honors. Ishige's production slipped to a .259/.337/.401 line in 1982 though he stole 22 in 26 tries and won a Gold Glove and Best Nine. He hit .296/.321/.370 in his first Japan Series, to help Seibu take the 1982 Series but was thrown out in two of three steal attempts. In 1983, Ishige hit .303/.593/.503 with 29 steals in 34 tries, hit 16 homers, scored 86 runs, won another Gold Glove, earned a third Best Nine spot and tied Yutaka Fukumoto and Hiromi Matsunaga for the PL lead with 7 triples. He hit .276/.276/.379 as Seibu won another Japan Series, but was 0 for 1 in steals. The next year, Ishige batted .259/.338/.498 with 91 runs, 26 homers and 26 steals (in 36 tries); Keijiro Yumioka beat him out for the Best Nine that time. While he only stole 11 bases (in 14 tries) in 1985, Ishige remained a potent offensive force, chipping in at a .280/.386/.508 clip with 96 runs, 27 homers and 88 walks. His 26 doubles led the league and he won another Gold Glove and Best Nine. In the 1985 Japan Series, Hiromichi hit .208/.296/.583 with 3 home runs in a losing effort. Ishige won his MVP in 1986, when he batted .329/.386/.531, won another Gold Glove at short, scored 91 runs, drove in 89, smacked 27 home runs and stole 19 bases. He set a Nippon Pro Baseball record by leading off eight games with home runs and set a Seibu club record with a 23-game hitting streak. He hit .297/.297/.405 as Seibu won a hard-fought 1986 Japan Series over the Hiroshima Carp. In '87, Hiromichi hit .269/.331/.370 in an off-year but still won a Gold Glove and made the Best Nine. He batted .348/.423/.652 in the 1987 Japan Series to win his fourth ring. That winter, he assumed chairmanship of the board of directors of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, replacing Hiromitsu Ochiai; two years later, Akinobu Okada would take the role. The 31-year-old had his third and last 20-20 year in 1988 (21 HR, 22 SB in 26 tries; he would never hit 20 homers again) and batted .283/.364/.441 and won his 7th Gold Glove. He had his best Series, the 1989 Japan Series, hitting .389/.389/.944 with 3 HR, 5 runs and 6 RBI in five games to win the Series MVP award. In '89, Ishige stole 28 in 33 tries for his final 20-steal season and batted .270/.395/.428. He drew 98 walks, a career-best and led the PL in that category. Ishige hit .298/.364/.429 in 1990 and was 7 for 8 in steals. Now a third baseman, he fielded .991, a Pacific League record for the position. He went 1 for 12 in the 1990 Japan Series but drew four walks as his club won a sixth Series. At one point, he had hit in 17 straight games in a Japan Series, a record. In '91, the veteran still produced at a .269/.331/.424 rate and he hit .280/.333/.440 in the 1991 Japan Series, Seibu's seventh victory in his time with the club. He won his first Gold Glove in three years. In 1992, Ishige batted .297/.359/.413, won a Gold Glove and made his seventh Best Nine, the first in five years. He hit .240/.286/.440 as Seibu took the 1992 Japan Series for their eighth Series win in his 12 seasons, marking it as the greatest Pacific League dynasty ever — other key contributors in the run had included Koji Akiyama, Kimiyasu Kudoh, Hisanobu Watanabe, Orestes Destrade, Kazuhiro Kiyohara, Taigen Kaku, Osamu Higashio, and Tetsuya Shiozaki. Ishige was the captain of the team during the last stretch of Series victories at least. Destrade recalls that Ishige was the team's motivator. Ishige continued to produce as the 36-year-old put up a .306/.389/.479 batting line in 1993, won his last Gold Glove and made his final Best Nine. He hit .304/.385/.304 in the 1993 Japan Series as Seibu fell in 7 games to the Yakult Swallows to end their dynastic run. In '94, Hiromichi hit .266/.335/.397 and made his last All-Star appearance. He went 1 for 12 with three walks in the 1994 Japan Series. Leaving Seibu after 14 All-Star seasons and 8 titles in 14 years, Ishige moved on to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, where the 38-year-old hit .200/.260/.275 to signal that his glory days were definitely gone. Fellow faded star Matsunaga was the primary third baseman that year. In 1996, Ishige concluded his playing career by going 3 for 23 for Daiei. Overall, Ishige hit .283/.362/.450 in 7,570 plate appearances, cracked 236 homers and stole 243 in 314 tries. Through 2006, Hiromichi ranks 25th all-time in NPB in runs (1,049, 10 behind Matsunaga), 18th in sacrifice bunts (218; manager Masahiko Mori often had him bunt as he felt Ishige hit into too many double plays in the clutch. Destrade, on the other hand, described him as a timely player who drove in key runs, showing how different perceptions of "clutch play" can be) and 22nd in strikeouts (1,127). With one more year as a regular, he likely would have been in the top 30 in walks as well. After retiring as a player, Ishige was a minor league manager for Seibu for two years then spent a year as a commentator for NHK in 1999. When manager Akira Ohgi was let go after the 2001 season, the Orix BlueWave hired Ishige to replace him as manager. The club fell from above-.500 in '01 to 50-87-3 and last place. The next year, they started poorly and Ishige lambasted high-strikeout sluggers Fernando Seguignol and Scott Sheldon. After a 7-12-1 start, Ishige was let go and they brought in Leon Lee as the new manager, the first African-American manager in NPB history. Lee fared no better with the sorry lot and they finished last again. In 2005, Ishige founded the independent Shikoku Island League (now known as Shikoku Island League Plus).
Jun Yamazaki (山崎 潤, Yamazaki Jun; born 22 September 1956) is a Japanese diplomat and the current Ambassador of Japan to…Jun Yamazaki (山崎 潤, Yamazaki Jun; born 22 September 1956) is a Japanese diplomat and the current Ambassador of Japan to Singapore. He was formerly a United Nations Assistant Secretary-General at the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, and Controller. He was appointed to the position by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in August 2008. Yamazaki worked the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a number of years. He was Counsellor in the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia. He also acted as deputy director in the United Nations Administration Division of the Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this capacity, he was in charge of administrative and budgetary affairs of the United Nations. He later became Director of the International Peace Cooperation Division and Deputy Director-General for Global Issues in the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan and served until August 2008. From 2003 to 2007, he was a member of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). Yamazaki obtained his BA degree in international relations from The University of Tokyo.
Osamu Kodama (児玉修, Kodama Osamu; born 21 September 1956 in Nagano) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in…Osamu Kodama (児玉修, Kodama Osamu; born 21 September 1956 in Nagano) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics and 1984 Winter Olympics.
Makiko Kinoshita (木下 牧子, Kinoshita Makiko; born 1956) is a Japanese composer. She was born in Tokyo, and studied…Makiko Kinoshita (木下 牧子, Kinoshita Makiko; born 1956) is a Japanese composer. She was born in Tokyo, and studied composition at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Kazuharu Sonoda (薗田 一治, Sonoda Kazuharu; September 16, 1956 – November 28, 1987) also known under the ring names Haru…Kazuharu Sonoda (薗田 一治, Sonoda Kazuharu; September 16, 1956 – November 28, 1987) also known under the ring names Haru Sonoda (ハル 薗田) and Magic Dragon (マジック・ドラゴン, Majikku Doragon), was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was a former NWA Western States Tag Team Champion, NWA/WWC North American Tag Team Champion with Mitsu Ishikawa and the WCCW All Asia Tag Team Championship with the Great Kabuki in 1982.
O Sonfa (Japanese: 呉 善花; オ・ソンファ, born 15 September 1956), also known by her Korean name Oh Seon-hwa (Korean: 오선화), is a…O Sonfa (Japanese: 呉 善花; オ・ソンファ, born 15 September 1956), also known by her Korean name Oh Seon-hwa (Korean: 오선화), is a former professor in the School of International Relations at Takushoku University in Tokyo. She is currently a professor of International Relations at Tokyo International University. She is also active as an author and journalist in Japan. She is a critic in many fields such as current issues, history, and culture, particularly in East Asian Countries. Originally from Jeju Island, South Korea, she left for Japan in 1983. She received a BA degree from Daito Bunka University and an MA degree from the Graduate School of North American Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. She went on to naturalise as a Japanese citizen. In 1998, she lost her South Korean nationality as she had acquired Japanese nationality in 1991. In 2007 and 2013, she was refused entry to South Korea. She has since been a source of controversy in Korea due to her open criticism of not only the South Korean government, but Korean culture as a whole. After the 2014 sinking of MV Sewol disaster, she described Koreans as "having no patriotism and completely selfish", and argued that Japan should not try to reconcile its differences with South Korea. O denies that "comfort women", a euphemism for Korean women who are considered by international consensus to have been forced prostitutes during World War II, were forced to work at all.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (長渕 剛, Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi; born September 7, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, poet, and…Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi (長渕 剛, Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi; born September 7, 1956) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, poet, and human-rights advocate, who is a prominent figure in Japanese popular music. He has sold more than 20 million records worldwide and has appeared in movies and television dramas. His wife Etsuko Shihomi is an actress.
Yoshiko Ishiba (née Nakamura; born 26 August 1956) is the wife of Shigeru Ishiba, the former prime minister of Japan.…Yoshiko Ishiba (née Nakamura; born 26 August 1956) is the wife of Shigeru Ishiba, the former prime minister of Japan. She previously worked for Marubeni.
Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi; born August 25, 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played…Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi; born August 25, 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently the owner of FC Imabari.
Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice…Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 to 2014.
Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He…Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, joining the original Isegahama stable, recruited by former yokozuna Terukuni, and reached the top division in March 1982. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Following his retirement from active competition he remained in the sumo world as a sewanin under his real name Saisu, and was a member of Asahiyama stable and then the new Isegahama stable. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for sumo personnel in August 2021 and left his position. In November 1973 he won out in an extraordinary twelve-way playoff for the Jonidan championship, winning four additional bouts for a final score of 6–1–PPPP.
