Yasutaka Nakasone (Japanese: 中曽根康隆; born 19 January 1982) is a Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House…Yasutaka Nakasone (Japanese: 中曽根康隆; born 19 January 1982) is a Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2017. He also served as a Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida from 2021 to 2022. From 2024 to October 2025, he served as director of the LDP Youth Division. From October 2025 to September 2026, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee, Liberal Democratic Party. He serves as State Minister for Foreign Affairs. He is the son of Hirofumi and Mariko Nakasone, and a grandson of Yasuhiro Nakasone.
Masanao Takahashi (高橋 正直, Takahashi Masanao; born 18 January 1982) is a Japanese Olympic dressage rider. Representing…Masanao Takahashi (高橋 正直, Takahashi Masanao; born 18 January 1982) is a Japanese Olympic dressage rider. Representing Japan, he competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro where he finished 58th in the individual and 11th in the team competitions. Takahashi also competed at the 2006 Asian Games, where he won a bronze medal in team dressage.
Hayato Chiba (千葉 逸人, born 18 January 1982) is a Japanese mathematician and professor at the Advanced Institute for…Hayato Chiba (千葉 逸人, born 18 January 1982) is a Japanese mathematician and professor at the Advanced Institute for Materials Research of Tōhoku University. He mainly concerns himself with the theory of dynamical systems, especially bifurcation theory, and proved the Kuramoto conjecture about infinite-dimensional differential equations with chaotic behavior. He obtained his doctorate degree in information sciences at the University of Kyoto.
Hōchiyama Kōkan (born January 18, 1982, as Yukimi Munakata) is a former sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture…Hōchiyama Kōkan (born January 18, 1982, as Yukimi Munakata) is a former sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. He joined professional sumo in 2000. His highest rank was maegashira 14, achieved in 2006. After illness saw him demoted to the third makushita division in 2008, he returned to the second highest jūryō division in 2010 and the top makuuchi division in September 2011. After winning the sandanme division he had just been demoted to in November 2013, he chose to retire. He is now a coach at Sakaigawa stable under the name of Tatsutagawa (立田川).
Junya Sano (佐野 淳哉, Sano Jun'ya; born January 9, 1982) is a Japanese former-professional road bicycle racer, who last…Junya Sano (佐野 淳哉, Sano Jun'ya; born January 9, 1982) is a Japanese former-professional road bicycle racer, who last rode for the cycling team Matrix Powertag.
Kenta Kurihara (栗原 健太, Kurihara Kenta; born January 8, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who…Kenta Kurihara (栗原 健太, Kurihara Kenta; born January 8, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He was last a batting coach for the Chunichi Dragons. The Carp's main cleanup hitter during the early 2000s, Kurihara blossomed into one of the most feared power threats in the Central League. He played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic as an emergency replacement for Shuichi Murata, who suffered an injury in the second round of the tournament.
Ayako Matsumura (松村 亜矢子, Matsumura Ayako; born 8 January 1982) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer who competed in the…Ayako Matsumura (松村 亜矢子, Matsumura Ayako; born 8 January 1982) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Simi Taitoko Fale (born 8 January 1982) is a Tongan professional wrestler and former rugby union player. He is signed…Simi Taitoko Fale (born 8 January 1982) is a Tongan professional wrestler and former rugby union player. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where performs under the ring name as Don Fale (ドン・ファレ, Don Fare) and is a member of House of Torture. Best known by his longtime ring name Bad Luck Fale (バッドラック・ファレ, Baddorakku Fare), he is a former three-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, a one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion. His surname translates to "house" in Tongan, which suits his wrestling persona as an immovable force. Fale is one of the founding members of Bullet Club, an originally all-foreigner stable that saw great success in the company. Fale remained the only founding member to have never left the group until 15 June 2025, when he joined House of Torture. Fale also operates a wrestling school called Fale Dojo, which has helped provide a bridge for non-Japanese wrestlers to perform for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Ryang Yong-gi (Korean: 량용기; Hancha: 梁勇基; born 7 January 1982) is a former professional footballer who played as a…Ryang Yong-gi (Korean: 량용기; Hancha: 梁勇基; born 7 January 1982) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Japan, he represented North Korea internationally. Ryang served as the captain of his club where he played as a creative midfielder. Ryang has made one appearance for the Korea DPR national football team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds and was named as one of the North Korean squad for the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup. Ryang won the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards at the competition that guided Korea DPR to win the title and qualify for 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
Takaya Kawauchi (河内 貴哉, Kawauchi Takaya; born January 6, 1982 in Yawata, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Takaya Kawauchi (河内 貴哉, Kawauchi Takaya; born January 6, 1982 in Yawata, Kyoto, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Norichika Aoki (青木 宣親, Aoki Norichika; born January 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…Norichika Aoki (青木 宣親, Aoki Norichika; born January 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Aoki is one of only six players, alongside Ichiro Suzuki, Matt Murton, Alex Ramirez, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and Shogo Akiyama, to amass 200 or more hits in a single season in Japanese professional baseball and the only individual to do so in two separate seasons. He played in the 2006, 2009, and 2017 World Baseball Classics as well as the 2008 Summer Olympics.
her0ism is a music producer and songwriter, based in Los Angeles, California. Since debuting in 2007, her0ism has sold…her0ism is a music producer and songwriter, based in Los Angeles, California. Since debuting in 2007, her0ism has sold over 60 million units and received more than 200 #1 records and more than 180 Platinum/Gold Awards globally.
Kojiro Horimizu (堀水 宏次郎, Horimizu Kōjirō, born 1 January 1982) is a Japanese sports shooter from Zentsūji in Kagawa…Kojiro Horimizu (堀水 宏次郎, Horimizu Kōjirō, born 1 January 1982) is a Japanese sports shooter from Zentsūji in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Daisuke Tenbata (born 29 December 1981) is a Japanese politician and a researcher. He was awarded PhD from Ritsumeikan…Daisuke Tenbata (born 29 December 1981) is a Japanese politician and a researcher. He was awarded PhD from Ritsumeikan University in 2019. A member of Reiwa Shinsengumi, he has been an incumbent in the House of Councilors since 2022 as part of the proportional representation block. He developed a severe disability at the age of 14 due to a medical malpractice incident, and refers to himself as 'the most severely physically disabled researcher in Japan.'
Daisuke Uehara (上原 大祐, Uehara Daisuke; born 27 December 1981 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture) is a Japanese ice sledge…Daisuke Uehara (上原 大祐, Uehara Daisuke; born 27 December 1981 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture) is a Japanese ice sledge hockey player. He was part of the Japanese sledge hockey team that won a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. He was born with spina bifida.
Rui Kitada (北田 瑠衣; born 25 December 1981) is a Japanese professional golfer on the LPGA of Japan Tour. Kitada has won…Rui Kitada (北田 瑠衣; born 25 December 1981) is a Japanese professional golfer on the LPGA of Japan Tour. Kitada has won six times on the LPGA of Japan Tour between 2004 and 2010. In February 2005, she teamed with Ai Miyazato to win the inaugural Women's World Cup of Golf in South Africa.
Nihito Arakawa (荒川 仁人, Arakawa Nihito; born 23 December 1981 in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional boxer…Nihito Arakawa (荒川 仁人, Arakawa Nihito; born 23 December 1981 in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional boxer nicknamed "Japanese Rocky". He made his mark in the twelve-round lightweight slugfest against Omar Figueroa in July 2013, that earned him the nickname after the film Rocky. "The Japanese lefty gained a zillion fans with his rumble last year against Figueroa," TheSweetScience.com's Michael Woods said in 2014. He is the former Japanese and OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) lightweight champion.
Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the…Shinsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 真介、born December 22, 1981) is a Japanese professional basketball player. He plays for the SeaHorses Mikawa of the B.League. Kashiwagi was a member of the Japan national basketball team. He played for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. In the 2009-10 season, Kashiwagi entered the month-long winter break averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Seahorses. He was named to the West squad for the 2009-10 JBL Super League All-Star game.
Yuichiro Mukae (迎 祐一郎, Mukae Yuichiro; born December 22, 1981 in Nishimatsuura District, Saga, Japan) is a professional…Yuichiro Mukae (迎 祐一郎, Mukae Yuichiro; born December 22, 1981 in Nishimatsuura District, Saga, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Sayaka Sasaki (born 18 January 1981) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors of Japan…Sayaka Sasaki (born 18 January 1981) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2013 to 2025.
Naoyuki Daigo (醍醐 直幸, Daigo Naoyuki; born 18 January 1981 in Tokyo) is a retired male high jumper from Japan. His…Naoyuki Daigo (醍醐 直幸, Daigo Naoyuki; born 18 January 1981 in Tokyo) is a retired male high jumper from Japan. His personal best jump is 2.33 metres, achieved in July 2006 in Kobe. This was the Japanese record until February 2019, when Naoto Tobe broke it by two centimetres.
Kazunari Sanematsu (實松 一成, Sanematsu Kazunari; born January 18, 1981) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player…Kazunari Sanematsu (實松 一成, Sanematsu Kazunari; born January 18, 1981) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League. Before playing for the Fighters he was a member of the Yomiuri Giants.
Kensuke Miyazaki (宮崎 謙介, Miyazaki Kensuke; born 17 January 1981) is a Japanese politician. He served as a member of the…Kensuke Miyazaki (宮崎 謙介, Miyazaki Kensuke; born 17 January 1981) is a Japanese politician. He served as a member of the House of Representatives for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) between 2012 and 2016.
Yūya Oikawa (及川 佑, Oikawa Yūya) (born 16 January 1981) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the 500 meter speed…Yūya Oikawa (及川 佑, Oikawa Yūya) (born 16 January 1981) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the 500 meter speed skating events in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Winter Olympics.
Chiharu Niiyama (新山千春, Nīyama Chiharu; born January 14, 1981) is a Japanese actress, tarento, and former gravure idol.…Chiharu Niiyama (新山千春, Nīyama Chiharu; born January 14, 1981) is a Japanese actress, tarento, and former gravure idol. She is affiliated with Horipro.
Yujiro Takahashi (高橋 裕二郎, Takahashi Yūjirō; born January 13, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to…Yujiro Takahashi (高橋 裕二郎, Takahashi Yūjirō; born January 13, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture. Takahashi entered New Japan in November 2003 with an extensive amateur background, advancing through the dojo and debuting on July 26, 2004, under his full name. He later shortened his name to Yujiro (裕次郎, Yūjirō). From 2007 to 2008, he was a member of the stable Samurai Gym with El Samurai and Ryusuke Taguchi, which ended when Samurai left the company. In 2010, he joined Chaos, where he was a one-time IWGP Tag Team and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Tetsuya Naito, with whom he teamed as No Limit. In 2014, Takahashi defected to Bullet Club, becoming the first non-gaijin member to join the stable. As a member of Bullet Club and House of Torture, he is a one-time NEVER Openweight Champion and a four-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. During his time in Chaos, he had a "ladies' man" gimmick, which was carried on in Bullet Club. He is referred to as the "Tokyo Pimp" and is often accompanied to the ring by go-go dancer, the "Tokyo Latina" Pieter.
Ryotaro Doi (土居 龍太郎, Doi Ryōtarō) (born January 11, 1981) is a former professional baseball player in Japan. Doi for a…Ryotaro Doi (土居 龍太郎, Doi Ryōtarō) (born January 11, 1981) is a former professional baseball player in Japan. Doi for a period played for the Yokohama BayStars. Doi played as a pitcher.
Shoko Mikami (三上 尚子, Mikami Shōko; born January 8, 1981) is a former Japanese football player and manager. She played…Shoko Mikami (三上 尚子, Mikami Shōko; born January 8, 1981) is a former Japanese football player and manager. She played for Japan national team.
Yoshihiko Matsumoto (松本 慶彦, Matsumoto Yoshihiko; born 7 January 1981) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in…Yoshihiko Matsumoto (松本 慶彦, Matsumoto Yoshihiko; born 7 January 1981) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Riki Fukuda (Japanese: 福田 力, Fukuda Riki; born January 6, 1981), is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing…Riki Fukuda (Japanese: 福田 力, Fukuda Riki; born January 6, 1981), is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, he has formerly competed for the UFC, EliteXC, DEEP, DREAM, K-1 (MMA), Shooto, and Pancrase. Currently, he runs an izakaya-style restaurant in Leiden, The Netherlands.
Aki Shibata (芝田安希 Shibata Aki, born January 6, 1981) was a Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows. She…Aki Shibata (芝田安希 Shibata Aki, born January 6, 1981) was a Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows. She served as captain of the team between 2008 and 2010. Toray announced that she retired in June 2010.
Takamasa Oe (大江 崇允, Ōe Takamasa; born 6 January 1981) is a Japanese screenwriter. He was co-nominated with Ryusuke…Takamasa Oe (大江 崇允, Ōe Takamasa; born 6 January 1981) is a Japanese screenwriter. He was co-nominated with Ryusuke Hamaguchi for an Academy Award in the category Best Adapted Screenplay for the film Drive My Car.
Rinko Kikuchi () (菊地 凛子, Kikuchi Rinko; born Yuriko Kikuchi (菊地 百合子, Kikuchi Yuriko), January 6, 1981) is a Japanese…Rinko Kikuchi () (菊地 凛子, Kikuchi Rinko; born Yuriko Kikuchi (菊地 百合子, Kikuchi Yuriko), January 6, 1981) is a Japanese actress. She was the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years, for her work in Babel (2006). Kikuchi's other notable films include Norwegian Wood (2010), which screened in competition at the 67th Venice Film Festival and Guillermo del Toro's science fiction action film Pacific Rim (2013). For her role in the drama film Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014), Kikuchi received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. She played a supporting role in the HBO Max crime drama series Tokyo Vice.
Hitomi Obara née Sakamoto (小原 日登美, Obara Hitomi; 4 January 1981 – 18 July 2025) was a Japanese female wrestler from…Hitomi Obara née Sakamoto (小原 日登美, Obara Hitomi; 4 January 1981 – 18 July 2025) was a Japanese female wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori. She was Captain in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. On 8 August 2012, Obara won the women's 48kg freestyle wrestling gold in her first Olympic Games at London's Excel Arena. She had retired from competitive wrestling after winning the gold medal at the London Olympics. Hitomi Obara died on 18 July 2025, at the age of 44. She had previously been diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder.
Kenji Ishijima (石島健至, Ishijima Kenji; born January 3, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known under the…Kenji Ishijima (石島健至, Ishijima Kenji; born January 3, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known under the ring name Guts Ishijima (ガッツ石島, Gattsu Ishijima). He is currently working as a freelancer and is best known for having founded the Japanese promotions Guts World Pro-Wrestling and Total Triumph Team Pro-Wrestling (TTT).
Yoshihiro Horigome (堀籠 佳宏, Horigome Yoshihiro; born 2 January 1981) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specializes in…Yoshihiro Horigome (堀籠 佳宏, Horigome Yoshihiro; born 2 January 1981) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres. His personal best time is 45.77 seconds, achieved in September 2006 in Yokohama.
Yuki Hayashi (林 ゆうき, Hayashi Yūki; born 31 December 1980) is a Japanese composer and arranger best known for his work…Yuki Hayashi (林 ゆうき, Hayashi Yūki; born 31 December 1980) is a Japanese composer and arranger best known for his work on the soundtracks for anime, television series, and films. His notable works include Triangle (in collaboration with Hiroyuki Sawano), Zettai Reido, Diabolik Lovers, Asa ga Kita, Haikyū!!, and My Hero Academia.
Fumie Suguri (村主 章枝, Suguri Fumie; born December 31, 1980) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is a…Fumie Suguri (村主 章枝, Suguri Fumie; born December 31, 1980) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is a three-time World medalist, a three-time Four Continents champion, the 2003 Grand Prix Final champion, and a five-time Japanese national champion.
Yuki Sunaga (須長 由季, Sunaga Yuki; born 28 December 1980 in Sakado, Saitama) is a Japanese windsurfer, who specialized in…Yuki Sunaga (須長 由季, Sunaga Yuki; born 28 December 1980 in Sakado, Saitama) is a Japanese windsurfer, who specialized in Neil Pryde RS:X class. As of September 2013, Sunaga is ranked no. 53 in the world for the sailboard class by the International Sailing Federation. Sunaga competed in the women's RS:X class at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by finishing thirty-third and receiving a berth from the ISAF World Championships in Perth, Western Australia. Struggling to attain a top position in the opening series, Sunaga accumulated a net score of 180 points for a twenty-first-place finish in a fleet of twenty-six windsurfers.
Shuichi Murata (村田 修一, Murata Shūichi; born December 28, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball third…Shuichi Murata (村田 修一, Murata Shūichi; born December 28, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. He played 15 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2003 to 2017 for the Yokohama BayStars and Yomiuri Giants. Murata led the Central League in home runs in both 2007 and 2008 and is one of the few pure home run hitters in Japanese professional baseball today. He played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a member of the Japanese national team and hit cleanup for much of the latter tournament.
Kenichiro Suehiro (末廣 健一郎, Suehiro Kenichirō; born December 27, 1980) is a Japanese composer and arranger, known for…Kenichiro Suehiro (末廣 健一郎, Suehiro Kenichirō; born December 27, 1980) is a Japanese composer and arranger, known for his work on many television dramas, anime series, and films. He is currently represented by ONE MUSIC, a music production company.
Fumitake Fujita (藤田 文武, Fujita Fumitake; born 27 December 1980) is a Japanese businessman and politician. A member of…Fumitake Fujita (藤田 文武, Fujita Fumitake; born 27 December 1980) is a Japanese businessman and politician. A member of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party), he has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2019 and co-leader of Ishin since August 2025, serving alongside Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. He previously served as the party’s Secretary-General from 2021 to 2024.