1970: 312 people
Hina Aoyama (蒼山日菜) (born December 27, 1970, in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese paper-cutting artist and illustrator. She…
Hina Aoyama (蒼山日菜) (born December 27, 1970, in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese paper-cutting artist and illustrator. She has been creating super fine lacy-paper-cuttings since 2000. Aoyama currently lives and works in Ferney-Voltaire, France.
Makoto Yonekura (米倉 誠, Yonekura Makoto; born 28 December 1970) is a former Japanese football player.
Kazuhiko Hosokawa (Japanese: 細川和彦, born 28 December 1970) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Keiko Sugiura (杉浦佳子, Sugiura Keiko; born December 26, 1970) is a Japanese road and track cyclist in the C3 category…
Keiko Sugiura (杉浦佳子, Sugiura Keiko; born December 26, 1970) is a Japanese road and track cyclist in the C3 category from Shizuoka Prefecture. She changed her surname from Noguchi (野口) to her maiden name Sugiura in 2018. She belongs to Team Bridgestone Cycling. She has also been active under the name of Yoshiko Sugiura since around 2019. Sugiura won the gold medal at the women's road time trial, at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics,
Nigö (ニゴー, Nigō; born Tomoaki Nagao (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970) is a Japanese fashion designer, disc jockey (DJ)…
Nigö (ニゴー, Nigō; born Tomoaki Nagao (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970) is a Japanese fashion designer, disc jockey (DJ), record producer and entrepreneur. He is best known as the creator of the streetwear brand, A Bathing Ape (Bape), and currently serves as artistic director for Kenzo. Additionally, he is a member of the Japanese group Teriyaki Boyz, serving as their official in-house DJ since the group's 2005 debut.
Mima Shimoda (下田 美馬, Shimoda Mima; born on December 23, 1970, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler, who…
Mima Shimoda (下田 美馬, Shimoda Mima; born on December 23, 1970, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler, who is working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Japanese promotion World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana. She is most well known for being half of Las Cachorras Orientales with Etsuko Mita.
Ryoko Sekiguchi (Japanese: 関口 涼子; Tokyo, December 21, 1970) is a Japanese poet and translator. She studied journalism…
Ryoko Sekiguchi (Japanese: 関口 涼子; Tokyo, December 21, 1970) is a Japanese poet and translator. She studied journalism at Waseda University. After graduating, she studied History of Art at the Sorbonne and received a doctorate in comparative literature and cultural studies at the University of Tokyo. She publishes her books in both French and Japanese and works for institutions like Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales. A quote in French, attributed to Sekiguchi, appears at the top of the label of 2016 vintage Moulis-en-Médoc from Château Chasse-Spleen in Bordeaux: "Percevoir l'énigme sans prétendre la résoudre: la seule façon de vivre sa vie." ("To see the mystery, but not to solve it: the only way to live a life.")
Motonobu Tanishige (Japanese: 谷繁 元信, born December 21, 1970, in Hiroshima) is a retired Japanese professional baseball…
Motonobu Tanishige (Japanese: 谷繁 元信, born December 21, 1970, in Hiroshima) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager. Tanishige played 27 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), appearing in more games (3,021) than any other player in NPB history. Making his debut for the Taiyo Whales in 1989 at age 18, he played for the franchise for 13 years. In 2002, he moved to the Chunichi Dragons, where he played for 14 seasons, until 2015. He was the player-manager of the Chunichi Dragons from 2014 to 2015, staying on as manager in 2016. Tanishige played in five Japan Series. He played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, when Japan won the championship. In 2024, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Nagaru Tanigawa (谷川 流, Tanigawa Nagaru; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese author. He is a graduate of the law…
Nagaru Tanigawa (谷川 流, Tanigawa Nagaru; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese author. He is a graduate of the law school at Kwansei Gakuin University. He is best known as the creator of the Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series, which was adapted into an anime television series and film, and for which he won the Grand Prize at the eighth annual Sneaker Awards. While Tanigawa was on hiatus from writing his light novel series, he wrote the manga series Amnesia Labyrinth, which was serialized in Dengeki Bunko Magazine.
Hideki Kamiya (神谷 英樹, Kamiya Hideki; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer and director. He is the…
Hideki Kamiya (神谷 英樹, Kamiya Hideki; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer and director. He is the founder of the independent studio Clovers and a co-founder of PlatinumGames. In 2009, he was named one of the top 100 game creators by IGN. Kamiya began his career in 1994 with Capcom, directing Resident Evil 2 (1998), Devil May Cry (2001), Viewtiful Joe (2003), and Ōkami (2006). From 2004 to 2006, he worked for the Capcom subsidiary Clover Studio. After leaving Capcom, Kamiya and other former staff members founded PlatinumGames in 2006, where he served as vice president from 2017 to 2023. His projects with PlatinumGames include Bayonetta (2009) and The Wonderful 101 (2013). Kamiya left PlatinumGames in 2023 to form Clovers.
Yutaka Aihara (相原 豊, Aihara Yutaka; born 18 December 1970) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer…
Yutaka Aihara (相原 豊, Aihara Yutaka; born 18 December 1970) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the team event. At the 1991 World Championships, he won a bronze medal on the vault.
Satoru Yoshida (吉田 悟, Yoshida Satoru; born December 18, 1970) is a former Japanese football player.
Shikishima Katsumori (born 15 December 1970 as Hiromichi Yoshitane) is a former sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Chiba…
Shikishima Katsumori (born 15 December 1970 as Hiromichi Yoshitane) is a former sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1989, and reached the top division in November 1994. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He defeated Takanohana twice in 1998 to earn his only two kinboshi for a yokozuna upset. His stablemaster, former sekiwake Aonosato retired in November 2000 and he moved from Tatsutagawa stable to Michinoku stable. He retired in May 2001 after being diagnosed with a heart ailment, and has remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and coach at Michinoku. He has borrowed a succession of elder names since his retirement. Since 2013 he has been known as Urakaze.
Kanako Nishi (西加南子, Nishi Kanako; born 13 December 1970, in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese women's racing…
Kanako Nishi (西加南子, Nishi Kanako; born 13 December 1970, in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese women's racing cyclist who currently rides for Luminaria. She won the Japanese National Road Race Championships for women in 2009, the first to win the national title after Miho Oki's eleven straight victories.
Takashi Kanemoto (Japanese: 兼本貴司; born 12 December 1970) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Hayashiya Sanpei II (2代目 林家 三平, Nidaime Hayashiya Sanpei; real name Taisuke Ebina (海老名 泰助, Ebina Taisuke), born 11…
Hayashiya Sanpei II (2代目 林家 三平, Nidaime Hayashiya Sanpei; real name Taisuke Ebina (海老名 泰助, Ebina Taisuke), born 11 December 1970, in Negishi, Taitō, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese rakugo comedian and tarento. His debayashi is "Matsuri-bayashi". He is sometimes called Nidai Hayashiya Sanpei (二代 林家 三平). He was known as Hayashiya Ippei (林家 いっ平). Hayashiya was the star performer of Rakugo Kyodai. He was once represented with Horipro. Hayashiya is now represented with Negishi Sanpeido. He is not only good in English, he can also speak Chinese. From May 2016 Hayashiya became a member of "Ōgiri" of Shōten. He is left-handed.
Lê Minh Hưng (Vietnamese pronunciation: [le˧˧ mïŋ˧˧ hɨŋ˧˧]; born 11 December 1970) is a Vietnamese economist and…
Lê Minh Hưng (Vietnamese pronunciation: [le˧˧ mïŋ˧˧ hɨŋ˧˧]; born 11 December 1970) is a Vietnamese economist and politician who is serving as the 9th Prime Minister of Vietnam since 2026. A member of the Politburo, he was previously the Head of the Central Organization Commission, and Chief of the Office of the Central Committee. In 2016, at the age of 46, Hưng became the second-youngest Governor in the history of the State Bank of Vietnam, a position he held until 2020 in the cabinet of Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. At the 14th Party Congress, he was elevated to the Politburo and quickly became the presumptive designate to succeed Phạm Minh Chính as the Prime Minister.
Hiromi Sato (佐藤 ひろ美, Satō Hiromi; born December 10, 1970) is a Japanese former singer and songwriter from Iwate…
Hiromi Sato (佐藤 ひろ美, Satō Hiromi; born December 10, 1970) is a Japanese former singer and songwriter from Iwate Prefecture. She has performed for songs for games and anime, such as Mizuiro, Please Twins!, Green Green, and the Galaxy Angel games. She has also written songs for other artists. Prior to December 10, 2005, her name was written as 佐藤裕美. She is affiliated with ARIA Entertainment and their composing group Elements Garden. She runs the company S Inc.
Kiyomi Niwata (Japanese: 庭田清美, born 10 December 1970 in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture) is a professional triathlete from…
Kiyomi Niwata (Japanese: 庭田清美, born 10 December 1970 in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture) is a professional triathlete from Japan, triple Olympian (Sydney, Athens, Beijing), multiple-time National Champion (2004, 2005, 2006), and an Asian Aquathlon Champion and Oceanian Triathlon Champion of the year 2009. Kiyomi Niwata and Anja Dittmer are the only triathletes who took part in all three Olympic triathlons. In Sydney and in Athens, Niwata placed 14th, in Beijing, 9th. She is coached by Col Stewart.
YUKA, formally Yuka Muraishi (村石有香, Muraishi Yuka) and formerly Yuka Sato (佐藤有香 Satō Yuka), is a Japanese singer, born…
YUKA, formally Yuka Muraishi (村石有香, Muraishi Yuka) and formerly Yuka Sato (佐藤有香 Satō Yuka), is a Japanese singer, born on December 10, 1970. She is best known for her work in Japanese animation, including the ending themes of several Dragon Ball Z theatrical films (with Hironobu Kageyama), as well as singing "Mirai no Kioku", the opening theme of the series Kiddy Grade. In June 2000, she married drummer Muraishi Masayuki (村石 雅行), and in 2003, gave birth to a son. Previously, she had also assumed the stage name Asakura Miyū (麻倉未有) in addition to her other names. More recently, her songs "Destiny of the Desert" and "Shinkirō" (Mirage) also appeared in the anime Desert Punk as the opening and closing songs respectively.
Nobuaki Yanagida (柳田 伸明, Yanagida Nobuaki; born December 9, 1970) is a former Japanese football player and manager.
Yoshinori Furube (古邊 芳昇, Furube Yoshinori; born December 9, 1970) is a former Japanese football player.
Hiroshi Tsuruya (born December 8, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight and…
Hiroshi Tsuruya (born December 8, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.
Daisuke Hideshima (秀島大介, Hideshima Daisuke; born December 7, 1970 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese judoka. He began judo at…
Daisuke Hideshima (秀島大介, Hideshima Daisuke; born December 7, 1970 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese judoka. He began judo at the age of 6. He won the gold medal in the Lightweight (71 kg) division at the 1995 World Judo Championships.
Hajime Tsutsui (筒井 はじめ, Tsutsui Hajime) (born on December 7, 1970, in Tokyo) is a Japanese artist and designer.…
Hajime Tsutsui (筒井 はじめ, Tsutsui Hajime) (born on December 7, 1970, in Tokyo) is a Japanese artist and designer. Currently, he works as a fashion designer for the design firms Tsusuihajime×Hyouzaemon, Tsutsui Hajime×L'Homos, and Ninita.
Shigeru Toyama (藤山 茂, Tōyama Shigetu; born December 3, 1970) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Ōbu, Aichi, and began…
Shigeru Toyama (藤山 茂, Tōyama Shigetu; born December 3, 1970) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Ōbu, Aichi, and began judo at the age of a first grader. After graduating from Tokai University, He entered the Sohgo Security Services. He won a gold medal at the -71 kg category of the Asian Championships in 1993 and silver medal at Asian Games in 1994. . Toyama retired in 1996 and as of 2009, Toyama coaches judo at his alma mater, Doho high school, where he previously studied as an undergraduate.
Hiroshi Kobayashi (小林 宏, Kobayashi Hiroshi; born November 30, 1970) is a retired Japanese professional pitcher, who…
Hiroshi Kobayashi (小林 宏, Kobayashi Hiroshi; born November 30, 1970) is a retired Japanese professional pitcher, who currently coaches for Orix Buffaloes.
Ichikawa Shun'en II (二代目 市川 春猿, Nidaime Ichikawa Shun'en; b. 29 November 1970) is a Japanese kabuki actor. He is an…
Ichikawa Shun'en II (二代目 市川 春猿, Nidaime Ichikawa Shun'en; b. 29 November 1970) is a Japanese kabuki actor. He is an onnagata actor, specializing in playing female roles. He has been described as a rapidly rising star, and is said to be particularly superb when portraying tragic figures. Born Gen Kondō in 1970, in March 1988, at the age of 18, he completed the formal kabuki actor training course at the National Theatre of Japan. The following month he made his kabuki stage debut under his real name, performing a number of minor roles in a production of Chūshingura at the Kabuki-za. He became the apprentice or disciple of actor Ichikawa Ennosuke III in July the same year, and performed several minor roles in Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura under the name Ichikawa Shun'en II, officially becoming Ennosuke's heyago (a certain type of formal apprentice) in 1994. Shun'en was promoted to nadaiyakusha (名題役者, an actor who plays major roles) in 2000. He is active in the entertainment world offstage, frequently appearing on television variety shows, and has appeared in television dramas and video games as well.
Masatsugu Ono (小野 正嗣, Ono Masatsugu; born 1970) is a Japanese writer. He resides in Ōita Prefecture and is associate…
Masatsugu Ono (小野 正嗣, Ono Masatsugu; born 1970) is a Japanese writer. He resides in Ōita Prefecture and is associate professor at the Rikkyo University. He was awarded the 152nd Akutagawa Prize (for 2014, presented in 2015), for the novel Kyūnen-mae no inori ("A Prayer Nine Years Ago").
Tatsuo Sugimoto (杉本 龍勇, Sugimoto Tatsuo; born 25 November 1970) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100…
Tatsuo Sugimoto (杉本 龍勇, Sugimoto Tatsuo; born 25 November 1970) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Hiroshi Matsuyama (Japanese: 松山洋), born in November 23, 1970 in Fukuoka, is a Japanese game designer. He is the CEO of…
Hiroshi Matsuyama (Japanese: 松山洋), born in November 23, 1970 in Fukuoka, is a Japanese game designer. He is the CEO of the company CyberConnect2. He developed multiple games including the .hack franchise as well as adaptations of the anime series including Naruto and Dragon Ball. Besides developing games, Matsuyama has participated in directing two .hack films as well as voicing a character from the series.
Hiroshi Miyazawa (宮澤 浩, Miyazawa Hiroshi; born November 22, 1970) is a former Japanese football player and football…
Hiroshi Miyazawa (宮澤 浩, Miyazawa Hiroshi; born November 22, 1970) is a former Japanese football player and football manager. He is currently the assistant manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Kholood.
Satoshi Shiki (士貴智志, Shiki Satoshi) is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator, whose works include Kamikaze and Riot.…
Satoshi Shiki (士貴智志, Shiki Satoshi) is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator, whose works include Kamikaze and Riot. He's also an artist of hentai manga, and this influence can be seen even in his non-hentai works like Kamikaze and Daphne in the Brilliant Blue. He worked on XBlade in the magazine Monthly Shōnen Sirius, and then illustrated the manga adaptation of Attack on Titan: Before the Fall, a light novel that acts as a prequel to the Attack on Titan manga series, also serialized at Monthly Shōnen Sirius.
Hideyuki Takei (竹井 秀行, Takei Hideyuki; born 19 November 1970) is a Japanese former pole vaulter. He was twice champion…
Hideyuki Takei (竹井 秀行, Takei Hideyuki; born 19 November 1970) is a Japanese former pole vaulter. He was twice champion at the Asian Athletics Championships, winning in 1991 and 1995. He represented his country at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics and represented Asia at the 1992 IAAF World Cup. At national level, he won at the 1995 National Sports Festival of Japan, and was twice winner at the Japan Championships in Athletics (1992 and 1995). His personal best jump is 5.57 metres, achieved in July 1994.
Shigeyuki Dobashi (土橋 茂之, Dobashi Shigeyuki) (born November 19, 1970, in Chiba) is a retired boxer from Japan, who…
Shigeyuki Dobashi (土橋 茂之, Dobashi Shigeyuki) (born November 19, 1970, in Chiba) is a retired boxer from Japan, who competed for his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Dobashi competed in the Men's Lightweight (– 60 kg) division. He defeated Jamaica's Delroy Leslie in the first round on points (11:5) before falling to France's Julien Lorcy (RSC-2) in the second round.
Marina Watanabe (渡辺 満里奈, Watanabe Marina; born November 18, 1970) is a Japanese actress, singer, and TV-personality.…
Marina Watanabe (渡辺 満里奈, Watanabe Marina; born November 18, 1970) is a Japanese actress, singer, and TV-personality. She was born in Ota, Tokyo, Japan, and is currently married to Jun Nagura of the comedy trio Neptune. She is a former Japanese idol singer who is now known as a television commentator and author who speaks about fashion, travel, personal health, and contemporary issues.
Shigeru Joshima (城島 茂, Jōshima Shigeru; born November 17, 1970) is a Japanese musician, actor and agricultural…
Shigeru Joshima (城島 茂, Jōshima Shigeru; born November 17, 1970) is a Japanese musician, actor and agricultural entrepreneur. He was the leader and main guitarist of Tokio, a musical group of Starto Entertainment, formerly from Johnny & Associates, until its disbandment in 2025.
Kōshi Rikudō (六道 神士, Rikudō Kōshi; born November 16, 1970) is a Japanese manga artist. Rikudō is a graduate of Kyushu…
Kōshi Rikudō (六道 神士, Rikudō Kōshi; born November 16, 1970) is a Japanese manga artist. Rikudō is a graduate of Kyushu Sangyo University and lives in Dazaifu, Fukuoka. His most popular work is Excel Saga, and Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn. a manga which he describes as a work dealing with the everyday aspects of living in Japan. The anime version of Excel Saga contains stories from the first five volumes of the manga, and even features Rikdo as a character (voiced by Wataru Takagi).
Masahiro Kōmura (高村正大, Kōmura Masahiro; born 14 November 1970) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…
Masahiro Kōmura (高村正大, Kōmura Masahiro; born 14 November 1970) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2017. He is the son of Masahiko Kōmura.
Jutaro Nakao Japanese: 中尾受太郎 (born November 30, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competes in both the…
Jutaro Nakao Japanese: 中尾受太郎 (born November 30, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competes in both the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions. A judo based fighter, Nakao is known for his chiseled physique and high defensive abilities on the ring, being difficult to finish off by his opponents. He is also famous for his prowess with the triangle choke, having received the nickname of "King of Triangle" by the Japanese press due to his multiple victories through said technique. He is also one of the few fighters who have a legal win through the popularly called "rape choke" or two-handed stranglehold, after defeating Thomas Denny with it.
Takako Tezuka (手塚 貴子, Tezuka Takako; born 6 November 1970) is a former Japanese football player and manager. She played…
Takako Tezuka (手塚 貴子, Tezuka Takako; born 6 November 1970) is a former Japanese football player and manager. She played for Japan national team.
Shinya Miyamoto (宮本 慎也, Miyamoto Shin'ya; born November 5, 1970) is a former professional baseball player from Suita…
Shinya Miyamoto (宮本 慎也, Miyamoto Shin'ya; born November 5, 1970) is a former professional baseball player from Suita, Osaka, Japan. He played shortstop. He was chosen as the captain of the Japanese olympic baseball team for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal in 2004. He was also part of the 2006 World Baseball Classic Japanese baseball team.
Hiroki Endo (遠藤 浩輝, Endō Hiroki; born November 3, 1970 in Akita Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist. He graduated…
Hiroki Endo (遠藤 浩輝, Endō Hiroki; born November 3, 1970 in Akita Prefecture) is a Japanese manga artist. He graduated from Musashino Art University. He is most known for his science-fiction series Eden: It's an Endless World!, which has been translated into English by Dark Horse.
Tomohito Ito (伊藤 智仁; born October 30, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball player from Kyoto, Japan. He…
Tomohito Ito (伊藤 智仁; born October 30, 1970) is a Japanese former professional baseball player from Kyoto, Japan. He played for the Yakult Swallows from 1993–2003 before retiring. He currently works as a pitching coach for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Eisuke Mochizuki (望月衛介, Mochizuki Eisuke; born October 1970, in Tokyo, Japan), birth name Mamoru Mochizuki, is a…
Eisuke Mochizuki (望月衛介, Mochizuki Eisuke; born October 1970, in Tokyo, Japan), birth name Mamoru Mochizuki, is a Japanese pianist, composer, npo director, producer and former member of the pop group B.B.Queens.
Kikka Hanazawa (花沢 菊香 born October 26, 1970) is a social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader focused on social impact…
Kikka Hanazawa (花沢 菊香 born October 26, 1970) is a social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader focused on social impact, women’s entrepreneurship, and sustainability in the fashion world. Kikka is the co-Founder and CEO of Yabbey, a digital fashion library, and co-founder of Fashion Girls for Humanity, an award-winning nonprofit organization. She also serves on the board of Mercari, a publicly listed Japanese e-commerce company. Previously, she was the CEO of VPL, a U.S.-based fashion brand and a Certified B Corporation.
Takanobu Okabe (岡部 孝信, Okabe Takanobu) (born 26 October 1970) is a Japanese former ski jumper.
Kiminobu Kimura (木村 公宣, Kimura Kiminobu; born 24 October 1970 in Aomori Prefecture) is a Japanese alpine skier. He…
Kiminobu Kimura (木村 公宣, Kimura Kiminobu; born 24 October 1970 in Aomori Prefecture) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in slalom and giant slalom at the 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002 Winter Olympics.
Takeshi Kimura (木村 武史, Kimura Takeshi; born 22 October 1970 in Matsudo) is a Japanese racing driver who last competed…
Takeshi Kimura (木村 武史, Kimura Takeshi; born 22 October 1970 in Matsudo) is a Japanese racing driver who last competed in the European Le Mans Series for Kessel Racing. He is an Asian Le Mans Series class champion and also won 2022 GT World Challenge Asia overall. Kimura founded Ruf Co., Ltd. in 2001 and still serves as its CEO as of 2026. In February 2015, Kimura founded CarGuy Racing and also launched SeaGuy in 2024.
Yoshio Nakamura (中村 佳央, Nakamura Yoshio; born 22 October 1970) is a retired Japanese judoka, and former world champion.…
Yoshio Nakamura (中村 佳央, Nakamura Yoshio; born 22 October 1970) is a retired Japanese judoka, and former world champion. His younger brothers, Yukimasa and Kenzo are also former world champions. Nakamura is from Fukuoka, Fukuoka. He began Judo at the age of 3rd grader. After graduation from Tokai University, He belonged to Asahi Kasei. He won the gold medal in the -86 kg weight class at the 1993 World Judo Championships. In 1995, after All-Japan Championships, he moved up in weight class, from -86 kg to -95 kg. He finished in seventh place in the -95 kg weight class at the Olympic Games in 1996 and won the bronze medal in the -95 kg weight class at the World Championships in 1997. Nakamura was good at Uchimata, Ōuchi gari, Harai goshi and especially Newaza. He is well known that he destroyed Hirotaka Okada's elbow by Juji-gatame at the All-Japan selected championships in 1994. He was also known as a rival of Hidehiko Yoshida. In July 2004, after All-Japan Businessgroup Championships, Nakamura retired. As of 2010, he has coached at Asahi Kasei since 2001. Among his pupil are world champion Hiroshi Izumi, Masato Uchishiba and so on.