Tomokazu Ohka (大家 友和, Ōka Tomokazu; IPA: [oːka tomokazɯ]) (born 18 March 1976) is a Japanese former professional…Tomokazu Ohka (大家 友和, Ōka Tomokazu; IPA: [oːka tomokazɯ]) (born 18 March 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox (1999–2001), Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals (2001–2005), Milwaukee Brewers (2005–2006), Toronto Blue Jays (2007), Cleveland Indians (2009), in Japan's Baseball Challenge League for the Fukushima Hopes, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yokohama BayStars. He throws right-handed and is a switch hitter.
Rieko Amano (天野 理恵子, Amano Rieko; born March 16, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler better known by the…Rieko Amano (天野 理恵子, Amano Rieko; born March 16, 1976) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler better known by the ring name Carlos Amano (カルロス天野, Karurosu Amano). Amano made her debut for JWP Joshi Puroresu in December 1994 and early on began also making appearances for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she most notably became one of the four founding members of the Oz Academy stable. Amano joined Gaea Japan full-time in 2002 and remained with the promotion until its folding in 2005, becoming a one-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. Afterwards, Amano began working for Oz Academy, now a full-time promotion, where she went on to become a two-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion and a three-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion. Amano retired from professional wrestling in August 2014.
Mari Asato (安里 麻里, Asato Mari; born 14 March 1976) is a Japanese film director. Primarily known for the film Ju-On…Mari Asato (安里 麻里, Asato Mari; born 14 March 1976) is a Japanese film director. Primarily known for the film Ju-On: Black Ghost (2009), part of The Grudge film installments, her other films include the politically undertoned Samurai Chicks (Dokuritsu Shôjo Gurentai) (2004), the cinematic rendition of Boy From Hell (2004), Twilight Syndrome: Dead Go Round (2008), Ring of Curse (2011), Bilocation (2012) and Fatal Frame (2014).
Takanori Sugibayashi (Japanese: 杉林 孝法; born 14 March 1976) is a retired Japanese triple jumper. His personal best is…Takanori Sugibayashi (Japanese: 杉林 孝法; born 14 March 1976) is a retired Japanese triple jumper. His personal best is 17.02 metres, achieved in July 2000 in Sapporo. He has competed at the Olympic Games twice.
Koji Mise (Japanese: 三瀬 幸司, Hepburn: Mise Koji; born March 11, 1976) is a Japanese baseball player who played as a…Koji Mise (Japanese: 三瀬 幸司, Hepburn: Mise Koji; born March 11, 1976) is a Japanese baseball player who played as a left-handed relief pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Fukoka Hawks from 2004–2010 and the Chunichi Dragons from 2010–2014. He was named the Pacific League's Rookie of the Year for 2004, with 55 appearances, throwing 67 and 2/3 innings, a 4-3-1 record and a 3.06 ERA with 28 saves. His nickname is "Mise manager".
Tadashi Matsuura (Japanese: 松浦忠史; born March 10, 1976), known exclusively by his stage name Kisaki (きさき), is a Japanese…Tadashi Matsuura (Japanese: 松浦忠史; born March 10, 1976), known exclusively by his stage name Kisaki (きさき), is a Japanese musician, record producer and businessman, whose career in the visual kei scene spans more than 30 years. He is best known for having been the bassist of several bands, including La:Sadie's, Mirage, Syndrome, Kisaki Project, and Phantasmagoria. When Phantasmagoria disbanded in 2007, Kisaki announced his retirement as an active musician. However, in 2010, he ended his retirement and formed the band Lin -The End of Corruption World-. Kisaki also works as a record producer, including for his two former visual kei record labels, Matina and Under Code Production. These labels launched the careers of many bands, including Vidoll, The Gazette and 12012. In 2023, Matenrou Opera vocalist Sono stated that the visual kei scene would not be what it is today without Kisaki.
Gen Nakagawa, full name Motonobu Nakagawa (仲川元庸), has been the mayor of Nara, capitol city of Nara Prefecture, Japan…Gen Nakagawa, full name Motonobu Nakagawa (仲川元庸), has been the mayor of Nara, capitol city of Nara Prefecture, Japan, since 2009. He is politically independent. Nakagawa supports investing more in child care.
Haruko Miyaguchi (née Fukuda, born 5 March 1976) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of…Haruko Miyaguchi (née Fukuda, born 5 March 1976) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors (the upper house of the National Diet) since 2021. She represents the Hiroshima at-large district. She was a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, before leaving the party in January 2025.
Iwakiyama Ryūta (born March 2, 1976, as Ryūta Tsushima in Aomori Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. A…Iwakiyama Ryūta (born March 2, 1976, as Ryūta Tsushima in Aomori Prefecture, Japan), is a former sumo wrestler. A former amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 2000 and reached the top division at the end of 2002. The highest rank he reached was komusubi. He was a runner-up in one tournament and earned two special prizes in his career. After his retirement in 2010 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Sekinoto.
Hiroomi Fujita (藤田 博臣, Fujita Hiroomi; born 23 February 1976) is a Japanese judoka. Fujita is from Goshogawara, Aomori.…Hiroomi Fujita (藤田 博臣, Fujita Hiroomi; born 23 February 1976) is a Japanese judoka. Fujita is from Goshogawara, Aomori. He began judo at the junior high school days and won gold medal at World Junior Championships in 1994, World University Championships in 1996, East Asian Games in 1997, and so on. After graduation from Tokai University, He belonged to Asahi Kasei. Fujita retired in 2000.
Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in…Kohei Dojima (堂島 孝平, Dōjima Kōhei; born February 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. He made his major debut in 1995 and gained nationwide recognition in 1997 through his work as the theme song performer for the anime series KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops. Dojima has received high acclaim for his skills as a songwriter and sound producer, having provided compositions and production work for a wide array of artists, including the KinKi Kids, Fumiya Fujii, Tomohisa Yamashita, Sexy Zone, Puffy, The Collectors, Takashi Fujii, Negicco, and Angerme.
Tatsukichi Nishiura (西浦たつき, Nishiura Tatsuki; born 20 February 1976) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played…Tatsukichi Nishiura (西浦たつき, Nishiura Tatsuki; born 20 February 1976) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He spent his whole career playing for Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 50 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 14 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try against Italy.
Sachimi Iwao (岩尾 幸美, Iwao Sachimi; born February 20, 1976, in Kokonoe, Oita) is a field hockey player from Japan. She…Sachimi Iwao (岩尾 幸美, Iwao Sachimi; born February 20, 1976, in Kokonoe, Oita) is a field hockey player from Japan. She has represented her native country at the Summer Olympics three times (2004, 2008 and 2012). She was named Best Player at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Rome, Italy.
Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with…Yasu Urano (ヤス・ウラノ, Yasu Urano) is a Japanese freelance professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenures with the Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) and Active Advance Pro Wrestling wrestling promotions.
Hidekazu Ichinose (市瀬 秀和, Ichinose Hidekazu; born March 16, 1975 in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese voice…Hidekazu Ichinose (市瀬 秀和, Ichinose Hidekazu; born March 16, 1975 in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese voice actor. His most notable role was playing Hayato Gokudera in Reborn!.
Keiko Miura (三浦恵子, Miura Keiko; born 16 March 1975 in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture) is a female field hockey field player from…Keiko Miura (三浦恵子, Miura Keiko; born 16 March 1975 in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture) is a female field hockey field player from Japan, who is playing for Sony Bravia Ladies. She plays as a defender and is the striker of the penalty corner in her league team as well as the national team. She can strike the ball up to 120 km/h. She was the team captain of the women's national team that participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece as well as a member of the team of the women's national team that participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku; born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, stuntman…Tak Sakaguchi (坂口 拓, Sakaguchi Taku; born March 15, 1975) is a Japanese actor, director, fight choreographer, stuntman and martial artist. He is known for his role in Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has worked with Kitamura several times, often appearing alongside fellow Kitamura staple Hideo Sakaki. He has also worked with frequent Kitamura collaborators Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura. Sakaguchi is a martial artist, and most often appears in films featuring fight scenes, usually performing all of his own stunts. He is reportedly skilled in Bajiquan, Shorinji Kempo, Boxing, Kickboxing, and while recently filming Re:Born learned Zero Range Combat developed by Yoshitaka Inagawa.
Masayoshi Shintani is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Representatives of Japan. He was a medical…Masayoshi Shintani is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Representatives of Japan. He was a medical doctor before he was elected in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2021.
Tsuyoshi Kikuchihara (菊地原 毅, Kikuchihara Tsuyoshi; born March 7, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Tsuyoshi Kikuchihara (菊地原 毅, Kikuchihara Tsuyoshi; born March 7, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the China Times Eagles, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and Orix Buffaloes.
Yutaka Arai (荒井 優, Arai Yutaka; 28 February 1975) is a Japanese politician of the CDP and a member of the House of…Yutaka Arai (荒井 優, Arai Yutaka; 28 February 1975) is a Japanese politician of the CDP and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet from 2021 to 2026.
Masato Shimizu (清水 真人, Shimizu Masato; born 26 February 1975) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Nikai Faction…Masato Shimizu (清水 真人, Shimizu Masato; born 26 February 1975) is a Japanese politician belonging to the Nikai Faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), serving his first term in the House of Councillors, representing Gumma Prefecture.
Junko Moriyama (森山 淳子, Moriyama Junko; born (1975-02-26)26 February 1975) is a retired Japanese female volleyball…Junko Moriyama (森山 淳子, Moriyama Junko; born (1975-02-26)26 February 1975) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team at the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan.
Atsushi Koga (古賀淳, Koga Atsushi), sometimes translated erroneously as Jun Koga, (born Kanagawa Prefecture, 25 February…Atsushi Koga (古賀淳, Koga Atsushi), sometimes translated erroneously as Jun Koga, (born Kanagawa Prefecture, 25 February 1975) is a Japanese former rugby union player who played as Centre.
Chiemi Chiba (千葉 千恵巳, Chiba Chiemi; born February 25, 1975) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and singer. She was…Chiemi Chiba (千葉 千恵巳, Chiba Chiemi; born February 25, 1975) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and singer. She was born in Kawaguchi, Saitama, and made her professional singing debut on April 7, 1993, as a member of the J-Pop group Aurora Gonin Musume. She is best known for her roles from the anime series as Yuzuriha Nekoi in Tsubasa Chronicle, Hinako in Sister Princess, Doremi Harukaze in Ojamajo Doremi, Nanaka Kirisato in Nanaka 6/17, Wanya in UFO Baby and Kyoko Kirisaki in Black Cat. She announced on February 25, 2013, that she had gotten married and had a child.
Koji Abe (あべ こうじ, Abe Kōji; born 19 February 1975, in Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian…Koji Abe (あべ こうじ, Abe Kōji; born 19 February 1975, in Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian (pin entertainer), comic chat artist, actor and lyricist. His wife is former Morning Musume member and tarento Ai Takahashi. Abe is represented with Yoshimoto Kogyo in Tokyo (Tokyo Yoshimoto, a subsidiary of Yoshimoto Creative Agency).
Kōhei Kiyasu (喜安 浩平,, Kiyasu Kouhei; born February 19, 1975) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and scriptwriter from…Kōhei Kiyasu (喜安 浩平,, Kiyasu Kouhei; born February 19, 1975) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and scriptwriter from Ehime Prefecture. He is a graduate of Hiroshima University, where he majored in art. He is a member of the Nylon 100 °C theater troupe, as well as the chairman of his own troupe Bull Docking Headlock (ブルドッキングヘッドロック).
Hiroyoshi Takayama (高山啓義, Takayama Hiroyoshi; born 18 March 1974) is a Japanese football referee who has been a full…Hiroyoshi Takayama (高山啓義, Takayama Hiroyoshi; born 18 March 1974) is a Japanese football referee who has been a full international referee for FIFA. Takayama became a FIFA referee in 2004. He also refereed in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Hideaki Ozawa (小澤 英明, Ozawa Hideaki; born 17 March 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Hideaki Ozawa (小澤 英明, Ozawa Hideaki; born 17 March 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Yasunari Iwata (岩田 康誠, Iwata Yasunari) (born March 12, 1974; from Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese jockey who…Yasunari Iwata (岩田 康誠, Iwata Yasunari) (born March 12, 1974; from Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture) is a Japanese jockey who rode the winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues. It was Iwata's first race outside Japan. He debuted in the Hyōgo Keiba, one of the racing organizations in National Association of Racing (NAR). He has started riding in selected events in Japan Racing Association (JRA) since 2002. In 2005, Iwata won the 19th World Super Jockey Series Archived 2007-07-15 at the Wayback Machine. Despite not having passed the written test in the past, he was allowed to transfer to JRA in the following year due to "Ankatsu's Rule". He was awarded JRA most winning-jockey in 2011 and 2012, in races won and money earned. His son, Mirai, is also a jockey.
Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大祐, Watanabe Daisuke) is a Japanese video game writer employed by Square Enix. He is mostly known…Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大祐, Watanabe Daisuke) is a Japanese video game writer employed by Square Enix. He is mostly known for his work on the role-playing video game series Final Fantasy and the action RPG series Kingdom Hearts.
Noriaki Sugiyama (杉山 紀彰, Sugiyama Noriaki) is a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He voiced Uryū Ishida in Bleach…Noriaki Sugiyama (杉山 紀彰, Sugiyama Noriaki) is a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He voiced Uryū Ishida in Bleach, England in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto, and Shirō Emiya in the Fate franchise.
Miho Oki (沖美穂, Miho Oki; born 8 March 1974, in Shimizu, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese former women's racing cyclist.…Miho Oki (沖美穂, Miho Oki; born 8 March 1974, in Shimizu, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese former women's racing cyclist. Born in the northern island of Hokkaido, she originally trained to be a speed skater, but switched to cycling when she was 22. She won the first Japanese National Road Race Championships for women held in 1998, a title she ended up winning eleven straight times. From 2002, she became the first Japanese to participate on the women's pro tour in Europe, riding for French, Italian, and Dutch teams. She won the Trophée des Grimpeurs in 2002. She represented Japan at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympics. She retired in 2008 and currently serves as an adviser for women's keirin.
Takanori Ōyama (大山 鎬則, Ōyama Takanori; born March 8, 1974) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and playwright from Aichi…Takanori Ōyama (大山 鎬則, Ōyama Takanori; born March 8, 1974) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and playwright from Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He is probably most known for the roles as Kanji Sasahara (Genshiken) and Yasunobu Hattori (Suzuka).
Daisuke Nakata (中田 大輔, Nakata Daisuke; born March 2, 1974 in Mikawa, Ishikawa, Japan) is a trampoline gymnast who…Daisuke Nakata (中田 大輔, Nakata Daisuke; born March 2, 1974 in Mikawa, Ishikawa, Japan) is a trampoline gymnast who competed for Japan in the 2000 Summer Olympics. Daisuke also performs on SASUKE (known in America as Ninja Warrior), where he is one of the most well-known competitors. On the trampoline, Nakata can jump as high as 26 feet.
Hiroyasu Shimizu (清水 宏保, Shimizu Hiroyasu; born 27 February 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. A five-time world…Hiroyasu Shimizu (清水 宏保, Shimizu Hiroyasu; born 27 February 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. A five-time world champion in the 500 meters, Shimizu became the first Japanese speed skater to win a gold medal with his performance at the 1998 Winter Olympics. At the 1998 World Championships, Shimizu set a world record (34.82) and became the first person to break the 35-second barrier in the event. Shimizu later broke this record at the 2001 World Championships with a time of 34.42. He was married to Japanese fashion model Reiko Takagaki.
Shigenori Yamazaki (山崎樹範, Yamazaki Shigenori; born February 26, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and voice…Shigenori Yamazaki (山崎樹範, Yamazaki Shigenori; born February 26, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He has been married to actress Rei Yoshii since November 11, 2016.
Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974, as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa…Tochinonada Taiichi (栃乃洋 泰一 born February 26, 1974, as Taiichi Gotō) is a former sumo wrestler from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. An amateur sumo champion, he turned professional in 1996 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1997. He earned twelve kinboshi or gold stars for defeating yokozuna, the second highest ever, and he was a runner-up in two tournaments. His highest rank was sekiwake. He is now a coach at Kasugano stable under the name Takenawa Oyakata.
Shigenori Soejima (副島 成記, Soejima Shigenori; born February 24, 1974) is a Japanese character artist best known for his…Shigenori Soejima (副島 成記, Soejima Shigenori; born February 24, 1974) is a Japanese character artist best known for his work in the Persona series of role-playing video games by Atlus. He initially worked in minor roles on several games after joining Atlus and took over as series art director from his mentor Kazuma Kaneko with Persona 3 in 2006.
Takuma Aoki (青木 拓磨, Aoki Takuma; born February 24, 1974 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former road racer of motorcycles at…Takuma Aoki (青木 拓磨, Aoki Takuma; born February 24, 1974 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former road racer of motorcycles at Grand Prix level. He began his Grand Prix career in 1993. From 1994 to 1996, Aoki competed in the World Superbike Championship, winning one race in that series. In 1996, he won All Japan Championship Superbike class champion. He returned to Grand Prix racing with Honda in 1997, enjoying his best season when he finished fifth in the 500cc world championship. A spinal injury in a 1998 motorcycle crash left him paralyzed below the waist. Aoki has continued to work with Honda, helping them develop cars for disabled people. He is the brother of Grand Prix racers, Nobuatsu and Haruchika Aoki. Aoki has been involved in motorsports again. Using specially-modified 4-wheel drive vehicles, he has been involved in many cross country rallies, notably the Dakar Rally, the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy and the Asia Cross Country Rally. On July 10, 2019, Aoki took a test ride on the Team Honda Dream CBR1000 Suzuka 8 Hours machine. In 2021, Aoki competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of Frédéric Sausset's SRT41 team.