Kyōko Nagatsuka (Japanese: 長塚京子, born February 22, 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She achieved…Kyōko Nagatsuka (Japanese: 長塚京子, born February 22, 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 28 on 14 August 1995. In doubles, she reached as high as No. 31 in June 1995. She won the 12-and-under championships of Japan in 1986, and the under-16 in 1989. Nagatsuka reached three singles finals on the WTA Tour but failed to win the title in any of them. She did, however, win two doubles titles as well as achieving a further three runner-ups in doubles competition. She reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament twice in singles: at the 1995 Australian Open, where she beat a young Martina Hingis and Amy Frazier, and that same year at the French Open. Playing for the Japan Fed Cup team, she has a win–loss record of 2–4. Since her retirement, she has briefly worked as a coach with Akiko Morigami.
Tomonori Jinnai (陣内 智則, Jinnai Tomonori; born 22 February 1974, in Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento…Tomonori Jinnai (陣内 智則, Jinnai Tomonori; born 22 February 1974, in Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento and presenter.
SMAP (Japanese: スマップ, Hepburn: Sumappu) was a Japanese boy band, composed of Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro…SMAP (Japanese: スマップ, Hepburn: Sumappu) was a Japanese boy band, composed of Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori. The group was created in 1988 by music producer Johnny Kitagawa, founder of Johnny & Associates, originally as a six-piece with Katsuyuki Mori, until his departure from the band in 1996. The name stands for "Sports Music Assemble People". After making their debut in 1991, the group took the Japanese entertainment industry by storm, becoming one of the most successful boy bands in Asia. The group is often referred to as a "national treasure" and a "fortune and property of the country" in Japan. SMAP was regarded as an iconic group in Japan, after achieving an unprecedented level of success in numerous genres in the entertainment industry, including music, television, film, radio, and theater, as a group and individually. SMAP was credited for changing the Japanese entertainment and music industry, in terms of prolonging longevity of boy bands and broadening careers by creating new opportunities for bands that followed. After starting out as a typical boy band, with a fan base predominantly of female teens, they gradually transformed into a band with a wider audience, expanding their fan base to preteens, male adults, and even the elderly, after their success as actors and television personalities. SMAP released 55 singles, all of which reached the top 10 in the charts, 22 consecutive number-one singles, and 33 number-one singles in total. The band has had 24 top-10 albums and 14 number-one albums. "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana", released in 2003, is the best selling single in the 21st century and the third best selling single in Japanese history and has become the most recognized song in Japan, as it appears in text books used in school and children are taught to learn the song at a young age. Other best selling singles by the group include, "Beyond the Night Sky", "Lion Heart", "Shake", "Aoi Inazuma", which also have become some of the most popular songs in Japan. Throughout their career, the band has sold over 38.5 million records in Japan alone. In April 1996, the group launched their weekly variety show, SMAP×SMAP, which quickly gained high ratings and became one of the most famous television shows in Japan. The distinct format of the program has received widespread critical praise. The show ranked No. 1 in the annual household share ratings in 1996, 1997, 1999–2002, 2006, and 2016, making it the most watched television show in Japan. The episode that aired in January 2002 is currently ranked No. 7 for the most watched Japanese variety show in history, with 34.2 million viewers. It is the eighth longest-running prime-time television program in Japan, as of 2016. SMAP officially disbanded on December 31, 2016.
Hideki Todaka (戸高 秀樹, Todaka Hideki; born March 16, 1973 in Miyazaki, Japan) is a former professional boxer who fought…Hideki Todaka (戸高 秀樹, Todaka Hideki; born March 16, 1973 in Miyazaki, Japan) is a former professional boxer who fought in the super flyweight and bantamweight divisions. He is the former WBA super flyweight champion, and former WBA bantamweight interim champion.
Yasuyuki Yamauchi (山内 泰幸, Yamauchi Yasuyuki; born March 16, 1973, in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan) is a…Yasuyuki Yamauchi (山内 泰幸, Yamauchi Yasuyuki; born March 16, 1973, in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Yuka Oda (小田 由香, Oda Yuka; born 15 March 1973) is a retired Japanese ice hockey goaltender. She competed in the women's…Yuka Oda (小田 由香, Oda Yuka; born 15 March 1973) is a retired Japanese ice hockey goaltender. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Masayuki Naruse (Japanese: 成瀬 昌由, Hepburn: Naruse Masayuki) (born March 15, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist…Masayuki Naruse (Japanese: 成瀬 昌由, Hepburn: Naruse Masayuki) (born March 15, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, competing in the light heavyweight division who fought most of his career in Fighting Network RINGS (RINGS). As a professional wrestler, he notably competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). In MMA, Naruse was the first and only RINGS Light-Heavyweight Champion and a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in professional wrestling.
Shuhei Yomoda (四方田 修平, Yomoda Shūhei; born March 14, 1973) is a Japanese professional football manager and former…Shuhei Yomoda (四方田 修平, Yomoda Shūhei; born March 14, 1973) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player.
Norimasa Iwai (岩井則賢, Iwai Norimasa; born 12 March 1973) is a Japanese gymnast. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics…Norimasa Iwai (岩井則賢, Iwai Norimasa; born 12 March 1973) is a Japanese gymnast. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where he placed seventh in the still rings final.
Wataru Sakata (坂田 亘, Sakata Wataru; born March 11, 1973 in Inazawa, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese retired mixed martial…Wataru Sakata (坂田 亘, Sakata Wataru; born March 11, 1973 in Inazawa, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A professional MMA competitor from 1994 until 2016, Sakata fought for Fighting Network RINGS, Pride FC, Deep and Rizin Fighting Federation, and holds notable victories over RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament runner up Valentijn Overeem, UFC 23 Middleweight Tournament winner Kenichi Yamamoto, ADCC bronze medallist and RINGS Light Heavyweight title contender Chris Haseman, and NCAA All-American and UFC veteran Branden Lee Hinkle.
Etsuko Nishio (西尾 悦子, Nishio Etsuko; born March 9, 1973 in Toyota, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actress and…Etsuko Nishio (西尾 悦子, Nishio Etsuko; born March 9, 1973 in Toyota, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actress and model, known for her songs Ja Ja Uma ni Sasenaide and Don't mind Lay Lay Boy from the Ranma ½ anime. In 1992 she became a gravure idol, releasing several nude photobooks and videos. She also starred in a couple feature films.
Aya Koyama (小山 亜矢, Koyama Aya; 8 March 1973 – 27 August 2018), better known by her stage name Aliya (亜利弥’), was a…Aya Koyama (小山 亜矢, Koyama Aya; 8 March 1973 – 27 August 2018), better known by her stage name Aliya (亜利弥’), was a Japanese female mixed martial artist and a professional wrestler. She started her career as a pro wrestler in 1996 before starting to compete in mixed martial arts from 2001.
Erika Haneda (羽田恵理香, Haneda Erika; born 7 March 1973) is a J-pop singer, and a member of the group CoCo. She was born…Erika Haneda (羽田恵理香, Haneda Erika; born 7 March 1973) is a J-pop singer, and a member of the group CoCo. She was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1973. Her solo debut was on 21 September 1991. She changed the spelling of her name to はねだえりか and はねだ・えりか.
Katsumi Yamamoto (山本勝巳, Yamamoto Katsumi; born March 5, 1973) is a Japanese professional racing driver. A native of…Katsumi Yamamoto (山本勝巳, Yamamoto Katsumi; born March 5, 1973) is a Japanese professional racing driver. A native of Fukuoka, he has notably raced in Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Formula Nippon, as well as Super GT.
Kanako Ogata (Japanese: 緒方 かな子, Hepburn: Ogata Kanako; born 4 March 1973), previously known as Kanako Nakajō (Japanese…Kanako Ogata (Japanese: 緒方 かな子, Hepburn: Ogata Kanako; born 4 March 1973), previously known as Kanako Nakajō (Japanese: 中條 かな子, Hepburn: Nakajō Kanako), is a Japanese singer and television personality from Naka-ku, Hiroshima. Originally part of the Sakurakko Club, she released a few solo singles and had a career as an actress, gravure idol, and radio personality, before retiring after her marriage to baseball player Koichi Ogata. Afterwards, she became a painter whose work was exhibited nationwide, and she returned as a local talent in her native Hiroshima, being a part of NHK Hiroshima radio's Kin'yō Yūgata; Dōkai no and Hiroshima Television's Terebiha .
Ryō Michigami (道上龍, Michigami Ryō; born March 1, 1973 in Nara) is a Japanese racing driver. He last drove a Honda NSX…Ryō Michigami (道上龍, Michigami Ryō; born March 1, 1973 in Nara) is a Japanese racing driver. He last drove a Honda NSX GT3 Evo for Yogibo Drago Corse in Super GT in the 2021 Super GT Season. He won the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship in 2000. Michigami competed in the GT500 category of the Super GT series in 1995 and then from 1998 to 2013. He drove for Mugen from 1998 to 2002, for Dome from 2003 to 2009, and for Nakajima Racing from 2010 to 2013. Apart from 1995, he always drove for Honda teams, and became Honda's first champion in the series in 2000. He also won the Suzuka 1000 km three times; in 1999, 2003 and 2004. After his initial retirement, Michigami formed the Drago Corse team, which competed in Super GT's GT500 class in 2015 and 2016 before withdrawing from the series. Michigami and the Drago Corse team would return to Super GT in 2018, albeit competing in the GT300 class with the NSX GT3. This marked Michigami's return as a full-time competitor, and his first season as a driver-owner in the series. Drago Corse also competed in All-Japan Formula Three Championship as the ThreeBond Racing team. In 2017, Michigami drove a factory Honda Civic in the World Touring Car Championship. He became the first Japanese driver in the series to finish on the podium at the Race of Macau.
Mei Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 メイ, romanized: Shigenobu Mei; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ me̞ː]; born March 1, 1973) is a Japanese…Mei Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 メイ, romanized: Shigenobu Mei; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ me̞ː]; born March 1, 1973) is a Japanese journalist. She is the daughter of Japanese Red Army leader Fusako Shigenobu and of an unknown Palestinian who was reportedly a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Some news agencies have given her name as May Shigenobu.
Tochinohana Hitoshi (栃乃花 仁; born 28 February 1973 as Hitoshi Yachi) is a former Japanese sumo wrestler from Yamagata…Tochinohana Hitoshi (栃乃花 仁; born 28 February 1973 as Hitoshi Yachi) is a former Japanese sumo wrestler from Yamagata, Iwate. A former amateur champion, he turned professional in 1995, reaching the top makuuchi division in 2000. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in 2008 and is now a sumo coach.
Masato Tanaka (田中 正人, ring name: 田中 将斗, Tanaka Masato; born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He…Masato Tanaka (田中 正人, ring name: 田中 将斗, Tanaka Masato; born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is currently working for both promotions Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) and Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). He is best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) in Japan where he was a one-time FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion and a one-time WEW World Heavyweight Champion and in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in the United States where he was a one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion. He is overall a ten-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions.
Celes Kobayashi (セレス小林, born Shoji Kobayashi, February 27, 1973) is a former professional boxer from Ibaraki, Japan. He…Celes Kobayashi (セレス小林, born Shoji Kobayashi, February 27, 1973) is a former professional boxer from Ibaraki, Japan. He is a former WBA Super flyweight champion. He got his ring name, "Celes", from a company he used to work for. He lives in Chiba, Japan, with his wife and daughter.
Luvsannyamyn Gantömör (Mongolian: Лувсаннямын Гантөмөр; born 26 February 1973) is a Mongolian politician and leader of…Luvsannyamyn Gantömör (Mongolian: Лувсаннямын Гантөмөр; born 26 February 1973) is a Mongolian politician and leader of the Democratic Party from 2023 to 2025. He was a member of the State Great Khural from 2004 to 2016, and was re-elected as a member of parliament (MP) in 2024. He previously served as Minister of Education under the Altankhuyag and Saikhanbileg cabinets from 2012 to 2016, and as deputy leader of the Democratic Party caucus between 2009 and 2012.
Kiyoko Ichiki (市来貴代子, Ichiki Kiyoko) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best…Kiyoko Ichiki (市来貴代子, Ichiki Kiyoko) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time in the Japanese promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Toku (styled TOKU) is a Japanese jazz musician from Niigata Prefecture, Japan. In addition to being one of the few…Toku (styled TOKU) is a Japanese jazz musician from Niigata Prefecture, Japan. In addition to being one of the few professional jazz vocalists and flugelhorn players in Japan, he is known for promoting jazz in Japan and bringing elements of the genre into J-pop through collaborations with other artists. He has worked with clammbon, Miki Imai, Maki Oguro, Yuji Ohno, Mariko Takahashi, Ken Hirai, DOUBLE, m-flo, and Exile.
Masafumi Kawaguchi (born February 19, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football linebacker. He was born…Masafumi Kawaguchi (born February 19, 1973) is a Japanese former professional American football linebacker. He was born in Kawanishi, Hyogo and introduced to football during his senior year at San Clemente High School in California, when he moved there at the age of 17. He enrolled at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto as an international relations major. He played for seven years with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe from 1997 to 2004. He was named to the All-NFL Europe Team in 1999. In 1998, he was among the first four Japanese players to participate in a National Football League training camp when he participated in the Green Bay Packers camp and played in the 1998 American Bowl in Tokyo. In 2003, he was invited to the San Francisco 49ers training camp in 2003, and participated in the American Bowl exhibition game in the Osaka game between the 49ers and the Washington Redskins. He signed with the 49ers in 2003 but was released before the start of the season. Kawaguchi played a key role on the Japanese national team that won the International Federation of American Football 1999 World Cup.
Takahiro Kimino (君野 貴弘, Kimino Takahiro; born 19 February 1973 in Hachiōji) is a Japanese retired high jumper. His…Takahiro Kimino (君野 貴弘, Kimino Takahiro; born 19 February 1973 in Hachiōji) is a Japanese retired high jumper. His personal best jump is 2.32 metres, achieved in September 1993 in Fukuoka. This is the former Japanese record and current Japanese university record. He competed at the 1999 World Championships without reaching the final.
Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992…Kazuaki Mimoto (三本 和明, Mimoto Kazuaki; born 20 March 1972) is a Japanese lightweight rower. He competed at the 1992 (coxless pair) and 1996 Olympics (lightweight coxless four). He won a gold medal at the 2000 World Rowing Championships in Zagreb with the lightweight men's quadruple scull.
Izumi Inamori (稲森 いずみ, Inamori Izumi; born March 19, 1972 in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress signed to…Izumi Inamori (稲森 いずみ, Inamori Izumi; born March 19, 1972 in Kagoshima Prefecture) is a Japanese actress signed to Burning Production.
Kazune Kawahara (Japanese: 河原 和音, Hepburn: Kawahara Kazune) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for creating…Kazune Kawahara (Japanese: 河原 和音, Hepburn: Kawahara Kazune) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for creating the romantic comedy shōjo manga High School Debut (Koukou Debut). Kawahara has also published and authored several other manga series, most notably Ai no Tame ni and Aozora Yell, and mostly specialises in the genre of romance.
Kaori Hasegawa (長谷川 歌織, Hasegawa Kaori) (born March 11, 1972), simply known by the stage name Ua (Japanese…Kaori Hasegawa (長谷川 歌織, Hasegawa Kaori) (born March 11, 1972), simply known by the stage name Ua (Japanese pronunciation: [ɯːa]), is a Japanese singer. She made her debut under Speedstar Records in 1995 with the single "Horizon". She is also the vocalist for AJICO.
Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972) is a Japanese entertainment personality who has performed as…Takashi Fujii (藤井隆, Fujii Takashi), born March 10, 1972) is a Japanese entertainment personality who has performed as comedian, actor, singer, presenter, and music producer affiliated with the Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo and was the popular host of Matthew's Best Hit TV (as the character Matthew Minami (マシュー南, Mashū Minami), and various other related shows on TV Asahi. He was born in Toyonaka, Osaka. On May 7, 2005, he officially announced his intention to marry Otoha (乙葉), a Japanese idol. They married on July 30, 2005, at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo, with an audience of 340 guests including many famous Japanese personalities and celebrities. They have one daughter. In 2022, he was the co-host of Love Is Blind: Japan, and host of the Audible podcast Matthew's Matthew: Matthew in Matthew's Room.
Takashi Watari (Japanese: 亘崇詞; born 8 March 1972) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played…Takashi Watari (Japanese: 亘崇詞; born 8 March 1972) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Peruvian side Sporting Cristal. After retiring from professional football, he worked as a manager. He has also worked as a translator, and obtained a JFA S Class Coaching License. Watari was born in Okayama but moved to Argentina at a young age.
Tetsuya "Teddy" Kumakawa (熊川 哲也, Kumakawa Tetsuya; born 5 March 1972) is a Japanese ballet dancer and a former…Tetsuya "Teddy" Kumakawa (熊川 哲也, Kumakawa Tetsuya; born 5 March 1972) is a Japanese ballet dancer and a former principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.
Kataoka Ainosuke VI (Japanese: 六代目 片岡 愛之助, Hepburn: Rokudaime Kataoka Ainosuke; born March 4, 1972) is a Japanese…Kataoka Ainosuke VI (Japanese: 六代目 片岡 愛之助, Hepburn: Rokudaime Kataoka Ainosuke; born March 4, 1972) is a Japanese actor, kabuki actor and TV host. His yagō is matsushimaya. His mon is the Oikake Go-mai Ichō. His current stage name is Ainosuke Kataoka. He is a renowned tachiyaku, specializing in both the aragoto and wagoto styles, which is rare, considering he hails from the Kansai area, where most kabuki actors specialize in the wagoto style.
Megumi Yabushita (藪下 めぐみ, Yabushita Megumi; born on (1972-03-02)March 2, 1972) is a retired Japanese female mixed…Megumi Yabushita (藪下 めぐみ, Yabushita Megumi; born on (1972-03-02)March 2, 1972) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist, kickboxer, professional wrestler and judoka. She has participated in several Japanese professional wrestling and mixed martial arts promotions. She is a Japanese national judo champion and a former Smackgirl open weight champion and tournament winner.
Kotoryū Hiroo (born 2 March 1972 as Katsumi Nakano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyōgo, Japan. He joined professional…Kotoryū Hiroo (born 2 March 1972 as Katsumi Nakano) is a former sumo wrestler from Hyōgo, Japan. He joined professional sumo in 1987, reaching the top division in 1996. He defeated yokozuna three times and earned one Fighting Spirit Prize (kanto-sho). His highest rank was maegashira 1.
Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her…Rie Yasumi (やすみ りえ) (born 1 March 1972 in Kobe, Hyogo) is a Japanese senryū poet, a graduate of Otemae University. Her real name is Rieko Yasumi (休 理英子, Yasumi Rieko).
Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi; born 28 February 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actor…Junichi Yamamoto (山本 淳一, Yamamoto Jun'ichi; born 28 February 1972, in Hachiōji, Tokyo) is a Japanese singer, actor, tarento, and professional wrestler. He is a former member of Hikaru Genji (later changed the name to Hikaru Genji Super 5). Yamamoto graduated from Hachioji-shi Linnan Middle School and Sumida Industrial High School. He is nicknamed Bungee (バンジー, Banjī) and Jun-kun (淳くん). Yamamoto is currently represented with Wing Run.
Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from…Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from Konohana-ku, Osaka. He is the boke of the manzai duo, Yoiko, with his partner Masaru Hamaguchi. He is best known outside Japan as the star of the long-running gaming variety show, GameCenter CX.
Masayoshi Kan (簡 優好, Kan Masayoshi; born 25 February 1972) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400…Masayoshi Kan (簡 優好, Kan Masayoshi; born 25 February 1972) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specialized in the 400 metres. He competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He won bronze medals in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1993 and 1995 World Indoor Championships In 1998 he won the silver medal at the Asian Championships, and was subsequently selected to represent Asia in 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1998 IAAF World Cup. The Asian team finished sixth with teammates Ibrahim Ismail Faraj, Sugath Tillakaratne and fellow Japanese Kenji Tabata. In May the same year he clocked a career best time of 45.33 seconds in Osaka.
Tomoko Ishimura (石村 知子, Ishimura Tomoko; born February 24, 1972 in Zama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress…Tomoko Ishimura (石村 知子, Ishimura Tomoko; born February 24, 1972 in Zama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress who works for 81 Produce. She was formerly credited as Mifuyu Hiiragi (柊 美冬, Hiiragi Mifuyu) and Kyoko Tsuruno (鶴野 恭子, Tsuruno Kyōko).
Masashi Kawakami (川上 雅史, Kawakami Masashi) (born February 23, 1972, in Tochigi) is a retired boxer from Japan, who…Masashi Kawakami (川上 雅史, Kawakami Masashi) (born February 23, 1972, in Tochigi) is a retired boxer from Japan, who competed for his native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Japan sent four boxers to the Barcelona Games. Kawakami competed in the Men's Welterweight (– 67 kg) division. He was defeated in his first match by Great Britain's Adrian Dodson after the referee stopped the contest in the third round.
Ito Ōgure (Japanese: 大暮 維人, Hepburn: Ōgure Ito; born February 22, 1972), known professionally as Oh! great, is a…Ito Ōgure (Japanese: 大暮 維人, Hepburn: Ōgure Ito; born February 22, 1972), known professionally as Oh! great, is a Japanese manga artist best known for his manga series Tenjho Tenge (1997–2010) and Air Gear (2002–2012). In 2006, Air Gear earned him the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.