Ippei Mizuhara (水原一平, Mizuhara Ippei; born December 31, 1984) is a Japanese interpreter and convicted fraudster.…Ippei Mizuhara (水原一平, Mizuhara Ippei; born December 31, 1984) is a Japanese interpreter and convicted fraudster. Mizuhara served as the interpreter for Major League Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, translating Japanese to English and vice versa for Ohtani's media appearances and teammate interactions. He previously worked for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as an interpreter for several of the team's Anglophone players. Mizuhara had gained popularity among baseball fans for his close association with Ohtani. He frequently aided Ohtani in non-interpreting contexts, such as catching his bullpen sessions or throwing with him during pregame warmups. During the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby, Mizuhara served as Ohtani's catcher. On March 20, 2024, the Dodgers fired Mizuhara after Ohtani's representatives accused him of "massive theft" of Ohtani's funds to repay debts owed to a bookmaker. He was charged by the US government for bank fraud and tax evasion. On June 4, Mizuhara pled guilty to those charges, and he was sentenced to 57 months in prison plus three years of supervised release on February 6, 2025.
Yasuharu Nakajima (中島 康晴, Nakajima Yasuharu; born 27 December 1984 in Echizen, Fukui) is a Japanese former professional…Yasuharu Nakajima (中島 康晴, Nakajima Yasuharu; born 27 December 1984 in Echizen, Fukui) is a Japanese former professional cyclist, who last rode for UCI Continental team Kinan Racing Team. He has won a stage at the HC classified Tour of Hainan and won the overall classification twice in a row at the Tour of Thailand. He now works as a directeur sportif for UCI Continental team Kinan Racing Team.
Sadanofuji Akihiro (佐田の富士 哲博) (born December 25, 1984, as Akihiro Yamamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Kazusa…Sadanofuji Akihiro (佐田の富士 哲博) (born December 25, 1984, as Akihiro Yamamoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Kazusa, Nagasaki, Japan. He was a jūryō division champion in 2012. The highest rank he reached was maegashira 2. He retired in 2017 and was a coach at Sakaigawa stable under the name of Furiwake (振分) until 2024.
Masaki Ōtake (Japanese: 大竹正輝, Hepburn: Ōtake Masaki; born 24 December 1984), known by the stage name Durian…Masaki Ōtake (Japanese: 大竹正輝, Hepburn: Ōtake Masaki; born 24 December 1984), known by the stage name Durian Lollobrigida (ドリアン・ロロブリジーダ, Dorian Roroburijīda), is a Japanese actor, drag performer, singer, and television host. A native of Tokyo, Lollobrigida began dressing in drag in 2006. He appeared in Daishi Matsunaga's 2022 queer drama Egoist, and was a commentator on the Japanese television series The Boyfriend. He uses the pronouns he/him in and out of drag.
Nachu (なちゅ; born 23 December 1984, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese tarento who is a former member of the female idol…Nachu (なちゅ; born 23 December 1984, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese tarento who is a former member of the female idol group SDN48. Her real name is Natsuko Takekawa (竹川 奈津子, Takekawa Natsuko). Nachu grew up in Tokyo. She is represented with Watanabe Entertainment.
Yuya Hasegawa (長谷川 勇也, Hasegawa Yūya; born 22 December 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and…Yuya Hasegawa (長谷川 勇也, Hasegawa Yūya; born 22 December 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder, and current research and development coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Hasegawa played for Fukuoka starting in 2007, wearing number 24. In 2009, he batted .312.
Sayaka Araki (荒木 さやか, Araki Sayaka; born December 22, 1984) is a Japanese fashion model, disc jockey, and…Sayaka Araki (荒木 さやか, Araki Sayaka; born December 22, 1984) is a Japanese fashion model, disc jockey, and businesswoman. She is best known for her stint as a model for the cabaret-gyaru fashion magazine Koakuma Ageha . She was a major contributor to Koakuma Ageha for 4 years and 10 months, since the magazine's very early days. She left Koakuma Ageha in 2011, and has since become a main model for its sister magazine Ane Ageha.
Sachiko Masumi (桝見 咲智子, Masumi Sachiko; born 20 December 1984) is a retired Japanese track and field athlete who…Sachiko Masumi (桝見 咲智子, Masumi Sachiko; born 20 December 1984) is a retired Japanese track and field athlete who competes in the long jump. She has a personal best of 6.65 metres for the long jump and occasionally competes in the triple jump, having a best of 13.34 m for that event. She was the Japanese Champion in the event in 2008 and 2009. She was the gold medallist at the Asian Athletics Championships in 2013 and was the bronze medallist at the competition in 2009. She represented her country at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics and has also competed for Japan at the Asian Games and the Summer Universiade.
Kazumasa Takagi (高木 和正, Takagi Kazumasa; born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kamatamare…Kazumasa Takagi (高木 和正, Takagi Kazumasa; born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kamatamare Sanuki.
Asuka Fukuda (福田 明日香, Fukuda Asuka) (born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese pop singer, and she was a member of Japanese…Asuka Fukuda (福田 明日香, Fukuda Asuka) (born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese pop singer, and she was a member of Japanese girl group Morning Musume from 1997 until April 18, 1999. Her only album with the group is the 1998 release First Time. She was the first ever Hello! Project member to graduate.
Reiko Takeda (武田 麗子, Takeda Reiko; born 14 December 1984 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping…Reiko Takeda (武田 麗子, Takeda Reiko; born 14 December 1984 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider. Representing Japan, she competed at two Summer Olympics (in 2012 and 2016). Her best Olympic results came in 2016, when she placed 13th in the team competition and 44th in the individual portion. Takeda also competed at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Reiko Takeda is the daughter of Kunio Takeda, chairman of Takeda pharmaceutical company.
Motohiro Shima (嶋 基宏, Shima Motohiro; born December 13, 1984 in Kaizu, Gifu) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Motohiro Shima (嶋 基宏, Shima Motohiro; born December 13, 1984 in Kaizu, Gifu) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and Tokyo Yakult Swallows from 2007 to 2022. He is currently a coach for the Chunichi Dragons.
Nobuhiro Kato (加藤 順大, Katō Nobuhiro; born 11 December 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as…Nobuhiro Kato (加藤 順大, Katō Nobuhiro; born 11 December 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Hisayoshi Chōno (長野 久義, Chōno Hisayoshi ; born December 6, 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder.…Hisayoshi Chōno (長野 久義, Chōno Hisayoshi ; born December 6, 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants and Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 2010 to 2025.
Hiroaki Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 博昭; born December 6, 1984) is a Japanese shoot boxer and mixed martial artist currently…Hiroaki Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 博昭; born December 6, 1984) is a Japanese shoot boxer and mixed martial artist currently signed to Rizin Fighting Federation. He has also competed for ONE Championship. In shoot boxing, Suzuki is a former SHOOT BOXING World Champion, S-cup World Tournament Champion, and two-time SHOOT BOXING Japan Champion. As of April 2015 he was ranked No. 6 Featherweight kickboxer in the world by Liverkick.
Yuichi Hosoda (細田 雄一, Hosoda Yūichi; born 6 December 1984) is a Japanese triathlete. He was a competitor for Japan at…Yuichi Hosoda (細田 雄一, Hosoda Yūichi; born 6 December 1984) is a Japanese triathlete. He was a competitor for Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics where Hosoda finished 43rd overall with a total time of 1:51:40. Hosoda won the gold medal in Triathlon at the 2010 Asian Games in a time of 1:52:15.56. He is the winner of the 2014 ITU Aquathlon World Championship.
Shuhei Aoyama (born December 5, 1984, in Ichihara, Chiba) is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He is the…Shuhei Aoyama (born December 5, 1984, in Ichihara, Chiba) is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He is the younger brother of MotoGP rider Hiroshi Aoyama. Aoyama rode in the All-Japan Road Racing Championship until 2005, when he won the 250cc championship with Honda. He previously won the 125cc championship in 2003, also with Honda. He also rode a couple of events as wildcard rider in the Grand Prix World Championships during his stint in Japan.
Takayuki Kishi (Japanese: 岸 孝之, born December 4, 1984, in Taihaku-ku, Sendai) is a Japanese professional baseball…Takayuki Kishi (Japanese: 岸 孝之, born December 4, 1984, in Taihaku-ku, Sendai) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Saitama Seibu Lions. He was the 2008 Japan Series MVP.
Kenichi Yumoto (Japanese: 湯元健一; born 4 December 1984 in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese freestyle…Kenichi Yumoto (Japanese: 湯元健一; born 4 December 1984 in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he won the bronze medal in his category (60 kilograms). His twin brother Shinichi is also an Olympic-medal winning wrestler.
Shin'ichi Yumoto (湯元進一, Yumoto Shin'ichi) (born 4 December 1984 in Wakayama) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He…Shin'ichi Yumoto (湯元進一, Yumoto Shin'ichi) (born 4 December 1984 in Wakayama) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed in the 2009 World Wrestling Championships, reaching the round of 16. He competed in the 2011 World Wrestling Championships, reaching the quarterfinals. He competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he lost to Vladimer Khinchegashvili in the semi-final. In the repechage, he defeated Radoslav Velikov in his bronze medal match. Yumoto's twin brother Kenichi is also an Olympic medal winner in wrestling.
Fuminori Yokogawa (横川 史学, Yokogawa Fuminori; born December 3, 1984) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for…Fuminori Yokogawa (横川 史学, Yokogawa Fuminori; born December 3, 1984) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Daigo Watanabe (渡邉 大剛, Watanabe Daigō; born 3 December 1984) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder. His…Daigo Watanabe (渡邉 大剛, Watanabe Daigō; born 3 December 1984) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder. His younger brothers Kazuma Watanabe and Mitsuki Watanabe are also footballers.
Sayuri Yoshii (吉井 小百合, Yoshii Sayuri; born 28 November 1984) is a Japanese speed skater. She won silver in the 1000 m…Sayuri Yoshii (吉井 小百合, Yoshii Sayuri; born 28 November 1984) is a Japanese speed skater. She won silver in the 1000 m and bronze in the 500 m during the 2008–09 World Cup season. She competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics and placed 5th in the 500 m of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The biggest success of Sayuri Yoshii's career occurred in 2010, when she won the silver medal at the world sprint championships in Obihiro. In these competitions two others took the podium alongside her, Lee Sang-hwa of South Korea and a Jenny Wolf of Germany. This was the only medal won by Sayuri Yoshii at an international event of this magnitude. She was also fourth in women's 500 meters at the distance world championships in Inzell in 2005, where Lee Sang-hwa defeated her by only a matter of seconds. Sayuri Yoshii has, on numerous occasions, been on the podium of the World Cup, with 500 m victories on February 20, 2005 and March 3, 2006 in Heerenveen. Her top results were achieved in the 2004/2005 season, when she was fourth in the final standings on 500 m and 1000 m. In 2006, she took part in the Olympics in Turin, taking ninth place in the race for 500 m and fifteenth place in the 1000 meters. Then, four years later, the Olympics in Vancouver allowed for her best result, a fifth place at the 500 m race.
Takuya Sonoda (園田 拓也, Sonoda Takuya; born November 23, 1984 in Miyazaki) is a Japanese footballer who plays for FC…Takuya Sonoda (園田 拓也, Sonoda Takuya; born November 23, 1984 in Miyazaki) is a Japanese footballer who plays for FC Imabari, as a defender.
Yusuke Maeda (前田 悠佑, born 23 November 1984) is a retired Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder for V-Varen…Yusuke Maeda (前田 悠佑, born 23 November 1984) is a retired Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder for V-Varen Nagasaki.
Kohei Hasegawa (長谷川 恒平, Hasegawa Kōhei; born November 22, 1984 in Yaizu, Shizuoka) is an amateur Japanese Greco-Roman…Kohei Hasegawa (長谷川 恒平, Hasegawa Kōhei; born November 22, 1984 in Yaizu, Shizuoka) is an amateur Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's featherweight category. He won two gold medals in his division at the 2009 Asian Wrestling Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, and at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, defeating India's Jogender Singh and pinning Kyrgyzstan's Kanybek Zholchubekov, respectively. Hasegawa is also a member of the wrestling team for Fukuichi Gyogyo Co. Ltd., and is coached and trained by Hiroshi Ohta. Hasegawa represented Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he competed in the men's 55 kg class. He defeated Belarus' Elbek Tazhyieu in the preliminary round of sixteen, before losing out the quarterfinal match to Danish wrestler and two-time Olympian Håkan Nyblom, who was able to score four points in two straight periods, leaving Hasegawa without a single point.
Tatsuya Shimozono (下園 辰哉, Shimozono Tatsuya; born November 22, 1984 in Sadowara, Miyazaki, Japan) is a professional…Tatsuya Shimozono (下園 辰哉, Shimozono Tatsuya; born November 22, 1984 in Sadowara, Miyazaki, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
Taku Yamazoe (Japanese: 山添 拓; born 20 November 1984, Muko, Kyoto) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party serving…Taku Yamazoe (Japanese: 山添 拓; born 20 November 1984, Muko, Kyoto) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party serving as Senator from Tokyo, where he was elected with 10.7% of the vote in 2016. He was educated at the University of Tokyo and at Waseda Law School, in 2007 and 2010 respectively. In 2010, he passed the National Bar Examination and became a lawyer in 2011. During his time as a lawyer, he represented workers that worked at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Yamazoe is a supporter of LGBT rights.
Moe Meguro (目黒 萌絵, Meguro Moe) is a Japanese curler. She was born November 20, 1984, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, but grew up…Moe Meguro (目黒 萌絵, Meguro Moe) is a Japanese curler. She was born November 20, 1984, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, but grew up in Minamifurano, Hokkaido.
Kenji Otonari (大隣 憲司, Ōtonari Kenji; born November 19, 1984), nicknamed "Tonarin", is a former Japanese baseball…Kenji Otonari (大隣 憲司, Ōtonari Kenji; born November 19, 1984), nicknamed "Tonarin", is a former Japanese baseball pitcher.
Yuichi Honda (本多 雄一, Honda Yūichi; born 19 November 1984, in Onojo, Fukuoka-ken) is a Japanese former professional…Yuichi Honda (本多 雄一, Honda Yūichi; born 19 November 1984, in Onojo, Fukuoka-ken) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder, and current first squad infield defense and base running coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Hawks as second baseman from 2006 to 2018, and wore number 46.
W-inds (ウィンズ, Uinzu; pronounced "winds" and stylized as w-inds.) is a Japanese pop boy band managed by Vision Factory…W-inds (ウィンズ, Uinzu; pronounced "winds" and stylized as w-inds.) is a Japanese pop boy band managed by Vision Factory and signed to the Pony Canyon label since 2000. The group consists of Ryohei Chiba and Keita Tachibana; Ryuichi Ogata left the group in 2020. Tachibana is the lead singer of the group, while Chiba and Ogata provide backing vocals and rap. W-inds released their debut single, "Forever Memories", in 2001. They were named "Best New Artists" at the Japan Cable Awards and Japan Record Awards for the release of "Paradox." In addition to selling 5 million copies of CDs in Japan, W-inds has earned numerous awards and accolades from China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
Atsushi Ichimura (市村 篤司, Ichimura Atsushi; born November 18, 1984) is a Japanese former football player who last played…Atsushi Ichimura (市村 篤司, Ichimura Atsushi; born November 18, 1984) is a Japanese former football player who last played for Kamatamare Sanuki.
Toyohibiki Ryūta (Japanese: 豊響 隆太; born November 16, 1984 as Ryūta Kadomoto (門元 隆太)) is a former Japanese professional…Toyohibiki Ryūta (Japanese: 豊響 隆太; born November 16, 1984 as Ryūta Kadomoto (門元 隆太)) is a former Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyoura, Yamaguchi. He turned professional in 2005, reaching the top makuuchi division in July 2007. He has earned two special prizes for Fighting Spirit, and one gold star for a yokozuna upset. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was from Sakaigawa stable, which had four other wrestlers with top division experience for much of the time he was in makuuchi: Myōgiryū, Sadanofuji, Sadanoumi and Gōeidō, the last of whom joined at the same time as him. He had one of the most tournaments ranked in makuuchi without reaching ever san'yaku. His ring name roughly translates as "abundant echo". He retired in June 2021 to become a coach and elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name of Yamashina Oyakata.
Mahau Camargo Suguimati (born November 13, 1984) is a Brazilian track hurdler of Japanese ancestry. Since the age of…Mahau Camargo Suguimati (born November 13, 1984) is a Brazilian track hurdler of Japanese ancestry. Since the age of eight, Suguimati had lived and studied for sixteen years in Niiza, Japan. Suguimati also attended schools around the prefecture, where he discovered his natural ability and talent of running and hurdling, under his personal coach and trainer Atsushi Hishinuma. He made his international debut, and represented his birth nation Brazil at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he finished seventh in the final of the 400 m hurdles, with his personal best time of 49.63 seconds. Suguimati qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, after claiming the gold medal from the Brazil Trophy Box in São Paulo, with an A-standard time of 49.15 seconds. He ran in the first heat of the men's 400 m hurdles, against six other athletes, including Bershawn Jackson of the United States, who eventually won the bronze medal in the final. He finished the race in third place by a quarter second margin (0.25) behind Jackson, and twenty-one hundredths of a second behind South Africa's Pieter de Villiers, with a time of 49.45 seconds. Suguimati qualified directly for the next round, as he secured the last mandatory place from the first heat. In the semi-final round, Suguimati, however, felt short in his bid to advance into the final round, when he placed seventh in the second heat, outside his personal best of 50.16 seconds. At the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Suguimati missed out of the medal podium, when he finished fifth in the final of the men's 400 m hurdles, by two hundredths of a second faster from his first personal best, with a time of 49.61 seconds.
Masayuki Haga (羽賀 理之, Haga Masayuki; born November 12, 1984) is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays…Masayuki Haga (羽賀 理之, Haga Masayuki; born November 12, 1984) is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays for PeptiDream/AXE and the Japanese national team.
Saasa (さぁさ, Saasa) is a Japanese singer. Between 2008 and 2013 she was under the recording label Giza Studio and since…Saasa (さぁさ, Saasa) is a Japanese singer. Between 2008 and 2013 she was under the recording label Giza Studio and since 2014 she's active as an independent artist.
Aya Terakawa (寺川綾, Terakawa Aya) (born November 12, 1984) is a retired Japanese backstroke swimmer; she announced her…Aya Terakawa (寺川綾, Terakawa Aya) (born November 12, 1984) is a retired Japanese backstroke swimmer; she announced her retirement from competitions in early December 2013. She is married to former swimmer Daisuke Hosokawa.
Toshikazu Irie (入江 利和, Irie Toshikazu; born 11 November 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Toshikazu Irie (入江 利和, Irie Toshikazu; born 11 November 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Naoki Kobayashi (小林 直己, Kobayashi Naoki; born 10 November 1984, in Inzai, Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese actor…Naoki Kobayashi (小林 直己, Kobayashi Naoki; born 10 November 1984, in Inzai, Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese actor, dancer, choreographer, and model. He is a performer of J-Pop dance and vocal group Exile, and is a leader and performer of J-Pop dance and vocal group Sandaime J Soul Brothers. He was also a member of Nidaime J Soul Brothers until their migration to Exile in 2009. As a member of Sandaime J Soul Brothers, he has received the Japan Record Awards twice, and has received the same award three times as a member of Exile. He choreographed the famous "Pocky Dance" (Pocky Sharehappi Dance) for Pocky's advertisement in 2015. Besides, he has also taken up acting and made his international debut in Netflix's original film Earthquake Bird. He has also worked as a model for the fashion brand "Yohji Yamamoto". With his fluent-spoken English and understanding of American culture, he serves as a creative career advisor in the Executive Management Team of LDH USA. He has a strong interest in traditional Japanese culture, which has motivated him to take part in a few projects focusing on promoting the art of samurai and Japanese swords.
Kazuhisa Makita (牧田 和久, Makita Kazuhisa; born November 10, 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher…Kazuhisa Makita (牧田 和久, Makita Kazuhisa; born November 10, 1984) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, and current the third squad pitching coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Saitama Seibu Lions and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the CTBC Brothers.
Tokushima Vortis (徳島ヴォルティス, Tokushima Vorutisu) is a Japanese professional football club located in Tokushima, capital…Tokushima Vortis (徳島ヴォルティス, Tokushima Vorutisu) is a Japanese professional football club located in Tokushima, capital of Tokushima Prefecture. The club currently playing in the J2 League, the Japanese second tier of professional football league.