Yumiko Takahashi (高橋 由美子, Takahashi Yumiko; born 7 January 1974, in Ōmiya-ku (formerly Ōmiya), Saitama, Saitama) is a…Yumiko Takahashi (高橋 由美子, Takahashi Yumiko; born 7 January 1974, in Ōmiya-ku (formerly Ōmiya), Saitama, Saitama) is a Japanese actress and singer. She is nicknamed "Good-P" short for Good Personality. She has had prominent roles in a number of television series, feature films and stage productions. As a singer she has released ten albums. Following the prominence of idols such as Momoe Yamaguchi in the 1970s, and Seiko Matsuda, Akina Nakamori, Kyoko Koizumi, and Yoko Minamino in the 1980s, the 1990s was characterized as the "Idol Winter" due to a decline in the genre's popularity. During this period, the media referred to Takahashi as "the last orthodox idol of the 20th century." She has been represented with several agencies, including Big Apple, Hirata Office, Toho Entertainment, and Konni.
Sang-il Lee (Japanese: 李 相日, Hepburn: Ri San'iru; Korean: 이상일, born January 6, 1974) is a film director based in Japan.…Sang-il Lee (Japanese: 李 相日, Hepburn: Ri San'iru; Korean: 이상일, born January 6, 1974) is a film director based in Japan. He is a third-generation Zainichi Korean born in Niigata and raised in Yokohama, Japan. His films often explore human conflict and societal issues. He has received multiple awards at the Japan Academy Film Prize, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year. Lee began his career with his graduation project from the Japan Institute of the Moving Image, Blue – Chong (1999). The coming-of-age film, featuring a main character who attends a North Korean-affiliated high school mirroring Lee's own background, won four awards including the Grand Prize at the 2000 Pia Film Festival (PFF). His 2006 film Hula Girls, which depicts coal miners' daughters saving their declining town through hula dancing, won Best Picture and Best Director at the Japan Academy Film Prize, and was selected as Japan's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Academy Awards. He subsequently directed adaptations of Shuichi Yoshida's novels. Villain (2010), which depicts the aftermath of a murder, and Rage (2016), an ensemble drama exploring suspicion and trust, both received numerous Japan Academy nominations and acting awards. In addition to directing a Japanese remake of Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (2013) and the kidnapping drama The Wandering Moon (2022), Lee directed his third Yoshida adaptation, Kokuho (2025). The film, which depicts the lives of kabuki actors, grossed over 20.34 billion yen, surpassing Bayside Shakedown 2 to become the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film in history. It won 10 categories at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize and earned a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 98th Academy Awards. In 2025, Lee received the Akira Kurosawa Award at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival. The following year, he was awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, as well as the Japan Art Academy Prize.
Yutaka Yoshie (Japanese: 吉江 豊, Hepburn: Yoshie Yutaka; January 5, 1974 – March 10, 2024) was a Japanese professional…Yutaka Yoshie (Japanese: 吉江 豊, Hepburn: Yoshie Yutaka; January 5, 1974 – March 10, 2024) was a Japanese professional wrestler, who worked as a freelancer in Japan, performing most notably for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he was a former World Tag Team Champion. He had previously worked for promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a former IWGP Tag Team Champion, Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1.
Kengo Hanazawa (花沢 健吾, Hanazawa Kengo; born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his seinen works. He…Kengo Hanazawa (花沢 健吾, Hanazawa Kengo; born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his seinen works. He won the Topic Award of the 2005 Sense of Gender Awards for Ressentiment and was nominated for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Manga Taisho for I Am a Hero. In 2013, I Am a Hero won the 58th Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category. I Am a Hero has received a live-action film adaptation, directed by Shinsuke Sato. His series Boys on the Run was also adapted into a live-action film in 2010. He formerly worked as Osamu Uoto's assistant.
Hiroko Kurumizawa (胡桃沢 ひろこ, Kurumizawa Hiroko) is a Japanese singer. In 1991, she became a member of Sakurakko Club…Hiroko Kurumizawa (胡桃沢 ひろこ, Kurumizawa Hiroko) is a Japanese singer. In 1991, she became a member of Sakurakko Club, together with Anza Oyama, Miki Nakatani, Miho Kanno, and Noriko Katō. Her real name is Hiroko Yamazaki (山崎 裕子, Yamazaki Hiroko).
Hiroko Tamoto (田本 博子, Tamoto Hiroko) (born January 3, 1974) is a Japanese softball player who played as a Center Field.…Hiroko Tamoto (田本 博子, Tamoto Hiroko) (born January 3, 1974) is a Japanese softball player who played as a Center Field. She won the silver medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Hisashi Namekata (行方 尚史, Namekata Hisashi; born December 30, 1973) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked…Hisashi Namekata (行方 尚史, Namekata Hisashi; born December 30, 1973) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is also a non-executive director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Rumina Sato (佐藤 ルミナ, Satō Rumina; born December 29, 1973) (Japanese pronunciation: [satoː ɾɯmina], kanji for given…Rumina Sato (佐藤 ルミナ, Satō Rumina; born December 29, 1973) (Japanese pronunciation: [satoː ɾɯmina], kanji for given name: 留美奈) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, famous for his career in the Shooto organization. In the past he fought mostly in the 155 lb division, but he moved down to the 145 lb division.
Kyohei Mikami (三上 恭平, Mikami Kyōhei; born December 28, 1973), known by his stage name Mikami (stylized as MIKAMI), is a…Kyohei Mikami (三上 恭平, Mikami Kyōhei; born December 28, 1973), known by his stage name Mikami (stylized as MIKAMI), is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is best known for his work for Dramatic Dream Team both as a singles wrestler and with Thanomsak Toba in a tag team called Suicide Boyz.
Nobuhiko Matsunaka (松中 信彦, Matsunaka Nobuhiko; born December 26, 1973) is a former left fielder and designated hitter…Nobuhiko Matsunaka (松中 信彦, Matsunaka Nobuhiko; born December 26, 1973) is a former left fielder and designated hitter for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. He is currently the hitting coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. He played in the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as the 2006 World Baseball Classic, hitting cleanup in 1996 and 2006.
Shinya Kote (小手 伸也, Kote Shin'ya; born 25 December 1973, in Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor, voice actor…Shinya Kote (小手 伸也, Kote Shin'ya; born 25 December 1973, in Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, writer, and director. He is represented with Office PSC. Kote graduated from Takehaya Senior High School. He also graduated from Waseda University School of Education. After belonging to the theatre club in the university, Waseda University Theater Club, Kote presided over the Gekidan innerchild. He specializes in psychology and mythical specialized drama, he is deeply aware of Japanese mythology, especially Kojiki. Kote is familiar with his own style and the gap as an actor is intense.
Tadatoshi Masuda (増田 忠俊, Masuda Tadatoshi; born December 25, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played once…Tadatoshi Masuda (増田 忠俊, Masuda Tadatoshi; born December 25, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played once for Japan national team.
Gouichi Motomura (本村 剛一, Motomura Gōichi) (born 25 December 1973) is a retired Challenger tour and Japan Davis Cup team…Gouichi Motomura (本村 剛一, Motomura Gōichi) (born 25 December 1973) is a retired Challenger tour and Japan Davis Cup team tennis player. Over a 16-year period, Motomura captured four Challenger titles, all in doubles, and is tied for the most Davis Cup ties played by a Japanese player, with 23. His career high singles ranking is World No. 134 and doubles ranking is World No. 159.
Shiko Yamashita (born December 22, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the welterweight and…Shiko Yamashita (born December 22, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
Yoko Miyake (born 22 December 1973) is a Japanese snowboarder. She competed in the women's halfpipe event at the 2002…Yoko Miyake (born 22 December 1973) is a Japanese snowboarder. She competed in the women's halfpipe event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Takahiro Sunada (砂田貴裕, Sunada Takahiro; born 19 January 1973) is a Japanese ultramarathon and marathon runner born in…Takahiro Sunada (砂田貴裕, Sunada Takahiro; born 19 January 1973) is a Japanese ultramarathon and marathon runner born in Osaka. He was the World Athletics male world record holder over the 100 km ultramarathon distance, with a time of 6:13:33 (Lake Saroma-Tokoro Japan June 21, 1998) until it was broken by Nao Kazami in 2018 with a time of 6:09:14. His personal best time for the marathon is 2:10:07 (Berlin, Germany September 10, 2000), where he finished in 4th place.
Maki Miyamae (宮前 真樹, Miyamae Maki; born 16 January 1973) is a Japanese pop singer, and the oldest member of the group…Maki Miyamae (宮前 真樹, Miyamae Maki; born 16 January 1973) is a Japanese pop singer, and the oldest member of the group Coco. She was born in Tōkamachi, Niigata, but grew up in Tokyo. Miyamae was a member of Coco from September 1989 until the group's dissolution in 1994. She worked as a solo singer for a while but she left the entertainment industry in 2004 to attend Le Cordon Bleu. She is now a professional chef and food education instructor, running her own restaurant, "CAFE RESTAURANT M.NATURE", in Aoyama, Tokyo.
Eriko Tamura (田村 英里子, Tamura Eriko; born on January 16, 1973, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan), sometimes credited only as…Eriko Tamura (田村 英里子, Tamura Eriko; born on January 16, 1973, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan), sometimes credited only as Eriko, is a Japanese actress and singer. Her anime series Idol Densetsu Eriko (Legendary Idol Eriko) has been syndicated worldwide, airing in such countries as France, Italy, India and Spain. In live action series, she portrayed Princess Yaeko in the television show Heroes and Mai, the villainess in the feature film Dragonball Evolution.
Yuko Kitai (北井 裕子, Kitai Yūko; born 15 January 1973 in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic dressage rider.…Yuko Kitai (北井 裕子, Kitai Yūko; born 15 January 1973 in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic dressage rider. Representing Japan, she competed at two Summer Olympics (in 2008 and 2016). Her best Olympic results came in 2008 when she placed 9th in the team and 45th in the individual dressage events. She also competed at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, where she achieved 13th and 54th positions in team and individual competitions, respectively.
Eri Yamaguchi (山口 衛里, Yamaguchi Eri; born 14 January 1973 in Takino, Hyogo) is a Japanese long-distance runner who…Eri Yamaguchi (山口 衛里, Yamaguchi Eri; born 14 January 1973 in Takino, Hyogo) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the marathon race. She won the 1999 Tokyo International Women's Marathon and finished seventh at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Her personal best time is 2:22:12 hours.
Eri Fukatsu (深津 絵里, Fukatsu Eri; born January 11, 1973) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at…Eri Fukatsu (深津 絵里, Fukatsu Eri; born January 11, 1973) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 18th Yokohama Film Festival for Haru and the best actress award at the 2010 Montreal World Film Festival for her performance in Villain. She also received acclaim for her role in the Japanese TV series Bayside Shakedown and the subsequent spin-off films of the series. In 1988, she starred in "Christmas Express" commercials for the Central Japan Railway Company.
Katsumasa Kuroki (黒木克正, Kuroki Katsumasa; born January 9, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by…Katsumasa Kuroki (黒木克正, Kuroki Katsumasa; born January 9, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Magnum Tokyo (マグナムTOKYO, Magunamu Tōkyō). Most closely associated with the now-defunct Toryumon Japan, he also competed for World Championship Wrestling, HUSTLE professional wrestling promotion and Dragon Gate as Tokyo Magnum and Magnum Tokyo. Magnum debuted in 1997 and become popular in Japan for both his high-flying junior-heavyweight style (a style common amongst students of Último Dragón) and his elaborate entrances, which included dancing through the crowd and dance sequences in the ring with his own dance troupe. His character was immensely popular with women, and was instrumental in building a large female fanbase in Toryumon's early years. Kuroki initially retired in 2007 after a persistent eye injury, but briefly returned two years later for the Hustle promotion before retiring again in late 2009. Currently, Kuroki works as a Daido-juku Kudo trainer in both Japan and Colombia.
Matsumoto Kōshirō X (十代目 松本幸四郎, Jūdaime Matsumoto Kōshirō; born January 8, 1973 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actor and…Matsumoto Kōshirō X (十代目 松本幸四郎, Jūdaime Matsumoto Kōshirō; born January 8, 1973 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actor and kabuki actor. His yagō is the Kōraiya. His mon is the Mitsu Ichō, and his kaemon (the alternative emblem) is Yotsu Hana-bishi. His buyō name is Matsumoto Kinshō (松本 錦升). His real name is Terumasa Fujima (藤間 照薫, Fujima Terumasa).
Rintaro Ogata (緒方林太郎, Ogata Rintaro; born 8 January 1973) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House…Rintaro Ogata (緒方林太郎, Ogata Rintaro; born 8 January 1973) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2021, having previously served from 2009 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2017. From 1994 to 2005, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Michiyo Nakajima (中嶋 美智代, Nakajima Michiyo; born 2 January 1973 in Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese actress, voice…Michiyo Nakajima (中嶋 美智代, Nakajima Michiyo; born 2 January 1973 in Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and former pop singer. Nakajima made her debut on 30 January 1991. Her final JPOP release was on 10 June 1998. She sang the ending theme for the animated (anime) version of Ranma ½, Season 5 (1991) - "Red Poppy" (Hinageshi). She also sang the opening and ending themes of Floral Magician Mary Bell (1992–93). The track 'Ano Subarashii Ai Wo Mou Ichido' from her 1992 Album 'Tanpopo' featured in the ending credits for Hideaki Anno's 1998 film Love & Pop. She played a role in the adventure game "Moon Cradle" released in 1995 for the Panasonic 3DO, which was later ported to the Sega Saturn in 1997.
Shinobu Terajima (寺島 しのぶ, Terajima Shinobu; born December 28, 1972) is a Japanese actress. Her feature films include…Shinobu Terajima (寺島 しのぶ, Terajima Shinobu; born December 28, 1972) is a Japanese actress. Her feature films include Akame 48 Waterfalls (2003) and Vibrator (2003). For her role in Caterpillar (2010), Terajima won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 60th Berlin Film Festival while her performance in Oh Lucy! (2017) earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress.
Kozo Takeda (Japanese: 武田幸三 Japanese pronunciation: [takeda koːzoː]; born December 27, 1972) is a Japanese actor and…Kozo Takeda (Japanese: 武田幸三 Japanese pronunciation: [takeda koːzoː]; born December 27, 1972) is a Japanese actor and former welterweight kickboxer who was competing in K-1 MAX. He won Rajadamnern Stadium champion at welterweight in Muay Thai on January 21, 2001. He has made both the Welterweight and Super Welterweight Rajadamnern Stadium rankings. He is currently a chief adviser of International Sohgoh Budo Federation (ISBF) and he was certified as black belt of the 5th dan in karate by ISBF.
Yuko Emoto (恵本 裕子, Emoto Yūko; born 23 December 1972 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido) is a Japanese judoka and Olympic champion.…Yuko Emoto (恵本 裕子, Emoto Yūko; born 23 December 1972 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido) is a Japanese judoka and Olympic champion. She won the gold medal in the half middleweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Emoto received a silver medal at the 1994 Asian Games. Emoto is married to South Korean judoka Kim Hyuk. In 2016, Emoto provided input to a manga series written by Makoto Kobayashi titled JJM: Joshi Judou-bu Monogatari.
Nobuyuki Yashiki (屋敷 伸之, Yashiki Nobuyuki; January 18, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He…Nobuyuki Yashiki (屋敷 伸之, Yashiki Nobuyuki; January 18, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Kisei title holder and also holds the professional shogi record for being the fastest to win a major title since turning professional.
Akinori Otsuka (Japanese: 大塚 晶則, Hepburn: Ōtsuka Akinori; born January 13, 1972) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher…Akinori Otsuka (Japanese: 大塚 晶則, Hepburn: Ōtsuka Akinori; born January 13, 1972) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher who coaches for the Chunichi Dragons in Nippon Professional Baseball. He was the setup man for the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers. He was also the closer for Japan's 2006 World Baseball Classic–winning team. Otsuka threw a low-90's 4-seam fastball (tops out at about 94 mph) that is very straight, along with a hard, late-breaking slider. He employed an unorthodox pitching delivery wherein he lifted his lead leg up very slowly, tapped his glove, then fired to home plate, making his pitches look faster coming out of his hand and thus harder to pick up.
Motoharu Kawashima (川島素晴; surname Kawashima; born 12 January 1972 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese composer of…Motoharu Kawashima (川島素晴; surname Kawashima; born 12 January 1972 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music.
Shuntaro Furukawa (古川 俊太郎, Furukawa Shuntarō; born January 10, 1972) is a Japanese executive who currently serves as…Shuntaro Furukawa (古川 俊太郎, Furukawa Shuntarō; born January 10, 1972) is a Japanese executive who currently serves as the president of the video game company Nintendo. He succeeded Tatsumi Kimishima as the company's sixth president in June 2018.
Kyoko Shimazaki (島崎 京子, Shimazaki Kyōko; born 7 January 1972) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1992…Kyoko Shimazaki (島崎 京子, Shimazaki Kyōko; born 7 January 1972) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1992, 1994 and the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Tamakasuga Ryōji (born January 7, 1972, as Ryōji Matsumoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Seiyo, Ehime Prefecture…Tamakasuga Ryōji (born January 7, 1972, as Ryōji Matsumoto) is a former sumo wrestler from Seiyo, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. A former amateur sumo champion, he made his professional debut in 1994 and reached a highest rank of sekiwake in 1997. He fought in the top makuuchi division for twelve years, won five special prizes and earned seven gold stars for defeating yokozuna. He retired in 2008 and is now a sumo coach. In February 2010 he took over the running of Kataonami stable.
Kaworu Watashiya (私屋カヲル, Watashiya Kaworu; born 3 January 1972) is a Japanese manga artist from Tokyo, Japan. She is…Kaworu Watashiya (私屋カヲル, Watashiya Kaworu; born 3 January 1972) is a Japanese manga artist from Tokyo, Japan. She is notable for the creation of Kodomo no Jikan, the first of her works selected to be translated into English – though the publication of the English version was cancelled by the licensee, Seven Seas Entertainment, due to concerns as to North American reaction to controversial content, and was never released. However, in late 2016 it was picked up by digitalmanga, and funded for translation through a Kickstarter campaign, with the digital version readily available on Project Hentai. It is also the first of her works to be adapted into an anime.
Kouji Shishido (宍戸 幸之, Shishido Kōji; born February 2, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler who competes for…Kouji Shishido (宍戸 幸之, Shishido Kōji; born February 2, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler who competes for Dragon Gate.
Harumi Yoshida (吉田 晴美, Yoshida Harumi; born 1 January 1972) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Harumi Yoshida (吉田 晴美, Yoshida Harumi; born 1 January 1972) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives for Tokyo's 8th district. She defeated Nobuteru Ishihara in the 2021 Japanese general election. She stood in the 2024 CDP leadership election, where she placed fourth.
Akihiro Kitada (北田 暁大, Kitada Akihiro; born December 28, 1971) is a Japanese sociologist and a professor at the…Akihiro Kitada (北田 暁大, Kitada Akihiro; born December 28, 1971) is a Japanese sociologist and a professor at the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, University of Tokyo. He received his PhD from the University of Tokyo in 2004. Before he took his current position in 2003, he was teaching at the University of Tsukuba. He was a visiting professor at Leipzig University in 2011. His research topics include theoretical sociology, cultural sociology and history of media. He has acquired a reputation for his analysis of advertising, early cinema, magazines, TV, internet and other forms of media in modern and contemporary Japan as well as for his theoretical writings on culture and media. He is known among the reading public in Japan for co-editing the journal Shiso chizu (思想地図) with the cultural critic Hiroki Azuma during its first years.
Junichi Inoue (井上純一, Inoue Junichi; born 26 December 1971) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994…Junichi Inoue (井上純一, Inoue Junichi; born 26 December 1971) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. He was born in Arakawa, Saitama. In 1992 he won the bronze medal in the 500 metres event. Two years later he finished sixth in the 500 metres competition and eighth in the 1000 metres contest.
Yumi Kokamo (小鴨 由水, Kokamo Yumi) (born December 26, 1971, in Akashi, Hyogo) is a retired female long-distance runner…Yumi Kokamo (小鴨 由水, Kokamo Yumi) (born December 26, 1971, in Akashi, Hyogo) is a retired female long-distance runner from Japan. She won the 1992 edition of the Osaka Ladies Marathon. She clocked a winning time of 2:26:26 on January 26, 1992. Later that year Kokamo competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics, finishing in 29th place in the women's marathon race.
Yoji Shinkawa (Japanese: 新川洋司, Hepburn: Shinkawa Yōji; born 25 December 1971) is a Japanese artist. He is best known…Yoji Shinkawa (Japanese: 新川洋司, Hepburn: Shinkawa Yōji; born 25 December 1971) is a Japanese artist. He is best known for collaborating extensively with video game director Hideo Kojima as the lead character and mechanical designer, and art director, for most of his games, including the entirety of the Metal Gear Solid franchise and the Death Stranding duology.
Atsuko Hiyajo (Japanese: 比屋定 篤子, Hepburn: Hiyajō Atsuko; born 24 December 1971) is a Japanese singer and radio…Atsuko Hiyajo (Japanese: 比屋定 篤子, Hepburn: Hiyajō Atsuko; born 24 December 1971) is a Japanese singer and radio personality. Born in Naha, she performed for a band while at Musashino Art University, as well as her own concerts in Tokyo. Making her major label debut in 1997, she released several albums and singles with Epic Records Japan and Sony Music Entertainment Japan in the 1990s and 2000s. Following her return to Okinawa, she began working as an independent musician, collaborating with Ryusenkei and other musicians, and served as the Wednesday host for RBC iRadio's At BBS . One of her songs, "Maware Maware", received renewed popularity from the city pop boom of the 2010s.
Yoshitsugu Kobayashi (小林 快次, Kobayashi Yoshitsugu, born 1971) is a Japanese vertebrate paleontologist. He is a…Yoshitsugu Kobayashi (小林 快次, Kobayashi Yoshitsugu, born 1971) is a Japanese vertebrate paleontologist. He is a professor and the assistant director in Hokkaido University Museum. His major achievements include the description and naming of several dinosaurs from Japan, for example, Kamuysaurus, Yamatosaurus and Paralitherizinosaurus. He is also a research affiliate of Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a member of Jurassic Foundation, a councilor of Palaeontological Society of Japan.