Cho Kwi-jae (born 16 January 1969) is a former Zainichi Korean football player and manager who is currently the manager…Cho Kwi-jae (born 16 January 1969) is a former Zainichi Korean football player and manager who is currently the manager of J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds.
Kiyoshi Sekiguchi is a Japanese professional football manager. he the current technical Director J1 League club of…Kiyoshi Sekiguchi is a Japanese professional football manager. he the current technical Director J1 League club of Shonan Bellmare. Besides Japan, he has managed in Laos and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Hiroshi Toyooka (豊岡 弘, Toyooka Hiroshi; born 14 January 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the 1 km…Hiroshi Toyooka (豊岡 弘, Toyooka Hiroshi; born 14 January 1969) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the 1 km time trial event at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Yūichi Suzumoto (涼元 悠一, Suzumoto Yūichi; born January 13, 1969) is a male Japanese novelist originally from Shimizu-ku…Yūichi Suzumoto (涼元 悠一, Suzumoto Yūichi; born January 13, 1969) is a male Japanese novelist originally from Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan, though he now lives in Osaka, Japan. As of 2006, he works for Aquaplus, known for being the publishing company of Leaf. Before going to Leaf, Suzumoto worked at the publishing company VisualArt's as a scenario writer for brands under the company. He is notable for having had a hand in the production of three Key visual novels: Air, Clannad, and Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet.
Kōshun Takami (高見 広春, Takami Kōshun; born 10 January 1969) is a Japanese author and journalist. He is best known for…Kōshun Takami (高見 広春, Takami Kōshun; born 10 January 1969) is a Japanese author and journalist. He is best known for his 1999 novel Battle Royale, which was later adapted into two live-action films, directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and four manga series. Takami was born on 10 January 1969 in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture near Osaka and grew up in the Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku. After graduating from Osaka University with a degree in literature, he dropped out of Nihon University's liberal arts correspondence course program. From 1991 to 1996, he worked for the news company Shikoku Shimbun, reporting on various fields including politics, police reports, and economics. Kōshun Takami was born Hiroharu Takami (高見宏治, Takami Hiroharu). His new given name is a play on word on his original one. Hiroharu is a homophone of ''large spring''. The author then adopted the kanjis 広春 (large spring) and used their on'yomi pronunciation to form his new name: Kōshun. Battle Royale was completed after Takami left the news company. It was rejected in the final round of the 1997 literary competition Japan Grand Prix Horror Novel, due to its controversial content depicting Junior High School children forced to kill one another. When finally published in April 1999, it went on to become a bestseller, and only a year later was made into both a manga and a feature film. The novel was translated into English by Yuji Oniki and published by Viz Media in 2003. An expanded English edition was later published by Haika Soru, a division of Viz Media, in 2009. The first manga also began being released in English in 2003, by Tokyopop, with the last volume published in 2006. As well as being critically acclaimed, the Battle Royale series has become infamous not only in Japan, but around the world and has earned cult status. Since Battle Royale, Takami has not released any work.
Takahito Nomura (野村 貴仁, born January 10, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the…Takahito Nomura (野村 貴仁, born January 10, 1969) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Orix BlueWave, Yomiuri Giants, and Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Macoto Cobras of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). Nomura played under the name Takaki Nomura from 2000 to 2003. Nomura was one of the relief pitchers in the Pacific League during his early career, and his team won two championships (1995 and 1996) with his contributions from the bullpen. He was valued as a left-handed reliever, and was known for his wide curve. However, he was only effective for his first 7 seasons (1991–1997), and has gone downhill ever since.
Eiji Mizuguchi (水口 栄二, Mizuguchi Eiji; born January 9, 1969) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Eiji Mizuguchi (水口 栄二, Mizuguchi Eiji; born January 9, 1969) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Hiroki Ioka (井岡 弘樹, Ioka Hiroki; born January 8, 1969, in Sakai, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former professional boxer…Hiroki Ioka (井岡 弘樹, Ioka Hiroki; born January 8, 1969, in Sakai, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 1999. He has held world championships in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) mini-flyweight title from 1987 to 1988, and the World Boxing Association (WBA) light-flyweight title from 1991 to 1992. He was the inaugural WBC mini-flyweight champion, winning the title immediately after the mini-flyweight division was created. He is also known for defeating WBC light-flyweight champion Yuh Myung-woo, handing him the only loss of his career.
Mikiko Futagami (二上美紀子, Futagami Mikiko), better known by her ring name Gami (stylized in capital letters as GAMI), is…Mikiko Futagami (二上美紀子, Futagami Mikiko), better known by her ring name Gami (stylized in capital letters as GAMI), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, Arsion and JWP Joshi Puroresu.
Eisaku Yoshida (吉田 栄作, Yoshida Eisaku; born January 3, 1969, in Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese freelance actor…Eisaku Yoshida (吉田 栄作, Yoshida Eisaku; born January 3, 1969, in Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese freelance actor and singer. His ex-wife is model Risa Hirako.
Makihiro Motomiya (本宮万記弘, Motomiya Makihiro; born 31 December 1968) is a Japanese water polo coach. He was the head…Makihiro Motomiya (本宮万記弘, Motomiya Makihiro; born 31 December 1968) is a Japanese water polo coach. He was the head coach of the Japan women's national water polo team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Koji Bonishi (坊西 浩嗣, Bōnishi Kōji) (born December 30, 1968) is a former baseball player based in Japan. He played for…Koji Bonishi (坊西 浩嗣, Bōnishi Kōji) (born December 30, 1968) is a former baseball player based in Japan. He played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the Japan Pacific League.
Kenichi Kimura (木村 賢一, Kimura Ken'ichi; born 18 February 1968 in Osaka) is a former rugby union footballer who played…Kenichi Kimura (木村 賢一, Kimura Ken'ichi; born 18 February 1968 in Osaka) is a former rugby union footballer who played for Japan. He played as a prop.
Akihiko Hoshide (Japanese: 星出 彰彦, Hepburn: Hoshide Akihiko; born December 28, 1968) is a Japanese engineer, JAXA…Akihiko Hoshide (Japanese: 星出 彰彦, Hepburn: Hoshide Akihiko; born December 28, 1968) is a Japanese engineer, JAXA astronaut, and former commander of the International Space Station. On August 30, 2012, Hoshide became the third Japanese astronaut to walk in space.
Byron P. Howard (born December 26, 1968) is an American animator, character designer, story artist, film director…Byron P. Howard (born December 26, 1968) is an American animator, character designer, story artist, film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is one of the directors of the Walt Disney Animation Studios films Bolt (2008), Tangled (2010), Zootopia (2016), Encanto (2021), and Zootopia 2 (2025). He received four Academy Award nominations, with the latter two won for Zootopia and Encanto.
Koichi Ogata (緒方 孝市, Ogata Kōichi; born December 25, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball player.…Koichi Ogata (緒方 孝市, Ogata Kōichi; born December 25, 1968) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. Throughout his 22-year career, he played only with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He served as the manager of the Carp from 2015 to 2019, during which he won the Central League for three consecutive years (2016–2018). His accomplishments as a player include: 200 home runs (241) 1500 games played (1808) 5000 at bats (5342) 1500 hits (1506) 900 runs (906) 200 doubles (257) 2500 total bases (2546) 200 stolen bases (268) 600 walks (630) In 1996, he married singer Kanako Ogata; they had two daughters and a son, including singer and voice actress Yuna Ogata.
Yuki Motobuchi (元渕 幸, Motobuchi Yuki; born 23 December 1968) is a Japanese diver. She competed at the 1988 Summer…Yuki Motobuchi (元渕 幸, Motobuchi Yuki; born 23 December 1968) is a Japanese diver. She competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Ikuko Kawai (Japanese: 川井郁子, Hepburn: Kawai Ikuko; born January 19, 1968, Takamatsu) is a classically trained Japanese…Ikuko Kawai (Japanese: 川井郁子, Hepburn: Kawai Ikuko; born January 19, 1968, Takamatsu) is a classically trained Japanese violinist and composer.
Kenichi Obinata (born 17 January 1968) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's lightweight double sculls event at…Kenichi Obinata (born 17 January 1968) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's lightweight double sculls event at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Hideaki Sena, Ph.D. (瀬名 秀明, Sena Hideaki; born January 17, 1968 in Shizuoka City) is a Japanese pharmacologist and…Hideaki Sena, Ph.D. (瀬名 秀明, Sena Hideaki; born January 17, 1968 in Shizuoka City) is a Japanese pharmacologist and novelist. Sena was a graduate student at Tohoku University when he wrote his prizewinning debut novel, Parasite Eve.
Miwa Watabiki (綿引 美和, Watabiki Miwa; born January 13, 1968), better known by her stage name Chara (ちゃら), is a Japanese…Miwa Watabiki (綿引 美和, Watabiki Miwa; born January 13, 1968), better known by her stage name Chara (ちゃら), is a Japanese singer, actress and video jockey. She debuted in 1991 with the single Heaven. She is known for her song "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)", the theme song for the 1996 Shunji Iwai film Swallowtail Butterfly in which she starred, her 1997 hit single "Yasashii Kimochi", and her collaboration with Judy and Mary vocalist Yuki, "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange". Chara later formed a band with Yuki, called Mean Machine.
Takae Itō (born January 13, 1968, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…Takae Itō (born January 13, 1968, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2016. She represents the Hyogo at-large district and is a member of the Komeito party.
Junichi Masuda (増田 順一, Masuda Jun'ichi; born January 12, 1968) is a Japanese video game composer, director, designer…Junichi Masuda (増田 順一, Masuda Jun'ichi; born January 12, 1968) is a Japanese video game composer, director, designer, producer, singer, programmer and trombonist, best known for his work in the Pokémon franchise. He was a member of Game Freak where he was an employee and executive at the company since 1989 after Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori founded it, starting as a music composer. In 2022, Masuda was appointed to be Chief Creative Fellow at The Pokémon Company. With the development of new Pokémon games, Masuda took new roles in future projects. He began to produce and direct games, starting with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and became responsible for approving new character models. His style seeks to keep games accessible while still adding increasing levels of complexity. His work sticks to older mainstays of the series, including a focus on handheld game consoles and 2D graphics. His music draws inspiration from the work of celebrated modern composers like Dmitri Shostakovich, though he used the Super Mario series as a model of good video game composition.
Toru Shioya (born January 9, 1968) is a former professional basketball Head coach for the Hitachi High-Technologies…Toru Shioya (born January 9, 1968) is a former professional basketball Head coach for the Hitachi High-Technologies Cougars of Women's Japan Basketball League .
Sachiko Fujita (Japanese: 藤田 幸子; born 9 January 1968) is a Japanese former volleyball and beach volleyball player who…Sachiko Fujita (Japanese: 藤田 幸子; born 9 January 1968) is a Japanese former volleyball and beach volleyball player who competed in the 1988 and in the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1988, she finished third with the Japanese team in the Olympic tournament in Seoul. Eight years later, she finished fifth with her partner Yukiko Takahashi in the beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Keiko Aoki (青木 恵子, Aoki Keiko; née Nakano (中野), born 8 January 1968) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and…Keiko Aoki (青木 恵子, Aoki Keiko; née Nakano (中野), born 8 January 1968) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and professional golfer better known as Bull Nakano (ブル中野, Burunakano). She began competing in All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) as a teenager under the ring name Bull Nakano. As a wrestler she was a villain, who often teamed with her mentor Dump Matsumoto. In Japan, she held several of AJW's singles and tag team championships. After being phased out by the company in the early 1990s, she traveled to North America, where she first competed in Mexico's Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), becoming its first World Women's Champion. In 1994, she made her way to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where she had feuded with Alundra Blayze over the WWF Women's Championship. After holding the title once, she also competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). In 1998, Nakano began competing as a professional golfer, and in 2006, she joined a tour with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2001 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024.
Sakura Uchikoshi (born Sakura Muraki on January 6, 1968, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as…Sakura Uchikoshi (born Sakura Muraki on January 6, 1968, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2019. She represents the Niigata at-large district and is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. She is a member of the following committees (as of 2021): Committee on Health, Welfare and Labour Committee on Budget Special Committee on North Korean Abduction Issue and Related Matters Commission on the Constitution
Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has…Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has also published instructional books for Korean learners of Japanese. He used to write under the pen name Shunsui Nohira (野平俊水, Nohira Shunsui).
Noboru Asahi (Japanese: 朝日 昇, Asahi Noboru; born January 5, 1968) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, a…Noboru Asahi (Japanese: 朝日 昇, Asahi Noboru; born January 5, 1968) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, a designer, and an owner of MMA gym. He was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan on January 5, 1968, as Shin'ichi Asahi (Japanese: 朝日 愼一, Asahi Shin'ichi).
Goichi Suda (須田 剛一, Suda Gōichi; born January 2, 1968), known by his alias Suda51, is a Japanese video game designer…Goichi Suda (須田 剛一, Suda Gōichi; born January 2, 1968), known by his alias Suda51, is a Japanese video game designer and writer. Affiliated with Human Entertainment from 1994 to 1998, he founded Grasshopper Manufacture in 1998 with a number of other Human Entertainment staff to produce their own titles. His best-known work has come from Grasshopper Manufacture, including The Silver Case (1999), Killer7 (2005), the No More Heroes series, and Lollipop Chainsaw (2012). Suda is from Nagano Prefecture, moving to Tokyo at the age of 18 and eventually being hired by Human Entertainment after having a number of other jobs including as an undertaker. His first projects were in the Fire Pro Wrestling and Twilight Syndrome series. At Grasshopper Manufacture, he worked on their debut title The Silver Case as writer and director. The Silver Case helped establish both Suda and his company in Japan, but Suda and Grasshopper gained international attention with the release of Killer7, Suda's first title to be released outside Japan. He has contributed to most of the company's projects, taking on a more managerial role following No More Heroes in 2007. Suda's work is characterized by a focus on themes of crime, and the clash of people with different ideals. While his early works adopted a serious tone, his later projects incorporated elements of humor. Sexual elements have also made appearances in his work to the point where he became worried they would become too heavily associated with him. Aspects of his work have been influenced by film and literature, with one of his favorite authors being Franz Kafka. He frequently incorporates references to pop culture in his games.
Yōsuke Eguchi (江口 洋介, Eguchi Yōsuke; born December 31, 1967) is a Japanese actor and singer. Since 1986, he has…Yōsuke Eguchi (江口 洋介, Eguchi Yōsuke; born December 31, 1967) is a Japanese actor and singer. Since 1986, he has appeared in a number of television series and movies.
Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best…Takashi Komatsu (小松 隆志, Komatsu Takashi; born 30 December 1967) is a male triple jumper from Japan. His personal best jump is 16.65 metres, achieved in October 2003 in Hyderabad.
Miki Takai (Japanese: 高井 美紀, romanized: Takai Miki; 28 December 1967 – 25 January 2023) was an announcer who belonged…Miki Takai (Japanese: 高井 美紀, romanized: Takai Miki; 28 December 1967 – 25 January 2023) was an announcer who belonged to Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS), and was the former deputy announcer of the Mainichi Broadcasting System. She died suddenly during her tenure as "chief announcer". She is survived by one daughter .
Fumitoshi Ishino (石野 文敏, Ishino Fumitoshi; born 26 December 1967), better known by his stage name Takkyu Ishino (石野 卓球…Fumitoshi Ishino (石野 文敏, Ishino Fumitoshi; born 26 December 1967), better known by his stage name Takkyu Ishino (石野 卓球, Ishino Takkyū), is a Japanese musician, DJ, record producer, and singer from Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. He is a member of Denki Groove.
Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music…Takenobu Mitsuyoshi (光吉 猛修, Mitsuyoshi Takenobu; born December 25, 1967) is a Japanese composer of video game music, singer, and video game voice actor. He has composed music for various games produced by Sega, including Virtua Fighter 2 and Shenmue. He first gained major recognition after the release of Daytona USA, for which he wrote music and personally sang vocals. He also recorded live orchestras for the arcade games Derby Owners Club, World Club Champion Football, and Star Horse. Aside from original compositions, he also arranges, provides vocals, and is a performer for various projects, including S.S.T from 1988 to 1993, and [H.] from 2004 onwards. He is well-known for voicing the character Kage-Maru in the Virtua Fighter franchise. His younger brother, Kenji Mitsuyoshi (光吉 賢司, Mitsuyoshi Kenji), is a manga artist and member of the artist-writer duo Ark Performance along with Kōichi Ishikawa.
Yusuke Kawada (河田 雄祐, Kawada Yusuke; born December 22, 1967 in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan) is a former Japanese Nippon…Yusuke Kawada (河田 雄祐, Kawada Yusuke; born December 22, 1967 in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player.
Chiyomi Hashiguchi (橋口 千代美, Hashiguchi Chiyomi; née Nakayama (中山), January 19, 1967 – May 10, 1998), known by her pen…Chiyomi Hashiguchi (橋口 千代美, Hashiguchi Chiyomi; née Nakayama (中山), January 19, 1967 – May 10, 1998), known by her pen name Nekojiru (ねこぢる), was a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional debut in 1990 in the monthly manga anthology Garo with Nekojiru Udon, a work that is now widely regarded as her most representative and influential creation.
Tsuneo Gōda (合田 経郎, Gōda Tsuneo) is a Japanese stop motion animator. He is known for creating the character Domo…Tsuneo Gōda (合田 経郎, Gōda Tsuneo) is a Japanese stop motion animator. He is known for creating the character Domo (Domo-kun), the official mascot of Japanese public broadcasting company NHK, as well as directing an animated TV series starring Domo. He is also the founder of studio dwarf inc., an animation studio specializing in stop motion animation and character design. He has also directed the stop motion animation film Komaneko – The Curious Cat and the three-minute stop motion music video "I am a Bear," which is based on the Hikaru Utada song "Boku wa Kuma." In 2011, Gōda was awarded the Inkpot Award for his work on Domo and other animated productions from dwarf studios.
Dandy Sakano (ダンディ坂野) (born Kenichi Sakano in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan on January 16, 1967) is a Japanese…Dandy Sakano (ダンディ坂野) (born Kenichi Sakano in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan on January 16, 1967) is a Japanese comedian, best known for his flamboyant clothing and "Gets" catch phrase. A former noodle shop owner, Sakano began his comedy career in 1996. His career took off in 2003 after he featured in an advert for one of Japan's biggest pizza chains, after which he appeared on chat shows and his catchphrase became known all over Japan. In recent years, he formed a group called One Hit Wonder with three other comedians that gained temporary fame for a single gimmick. Sakano has also appeared in an advert for the insect spray Kincho, which is famous for producing silly ads in Japan. Although he can't speak English, Sakano travelled to Dundee, Scotland, in February 2011, with the aim of making 100 people laugh. He chose the city because its name sounded similar to his. Sakano's trip was filmed for a TV show being made for Teijin Ltd, a synthetic-fibre recycling company from Japan; the premise was the "recycling" of a TV star. In one of the show's scenes, Sakano was made an honorary "Dundonian" (native of Dundee). In December 2012 it was announced that Sakano will be appearing in a film version of Kazuto Okada's dark romantic comedy manga Ibitsu, directed by Toshiyuki Morioka. Sakano will play the role of a bar owner.
Reiichi Mikata (三ヶ田 礼一, Mikata Reiichi) (born January 14, 1967) is a Japanese Nordic combined skier who competed during…Reiichi Mikata (三ヶ田 礼一, Mikata Reiichi) (born January 14, 1967) is a Japanese Nordic combined skier who competed during the early 1990s. He won the 3 x 10 km team event at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.
Akira Morikawa (森川亮, Morikawa Akira; born 13 January 1969) is the current president of NHN Corporation. Morikawa joined…Akira Morikawa (森川亮, Morikawa Akira; born 13 January 1969) is the current president of NHN Corporation. Morikawa joined Nippon Television Network Corporation after graduating from the University of Tsukuba in 1989. While serving for the systems division at the TV firm, he got involved in a wide range of media businesses from online advertising and video distribution, mobile service, international broadcast, to BS digital broadcast. Received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Aoyama Gakuin University in 1999. Joined Sony Corp. in 2000, where he was in charge of new mobile content and broadband businesses and was responsible for overall content business, including business/service planning and sales. Joined Hangame Japan (predecessor of NHN Japan) in 2003, where he served as general manager overseeing overall gaming business and then as director, before becoming vice president in October 2006. Appointed president in October 2007 and doubled as president of newly established Naver Japan the following month. Remained president of NHN Japan after the company, Naver Japan and Livedoor Co. merged to form the NHN Japan group in January 2012.
Akira Morikawa (森川亮, Morikawa Akira; born 13 January 1969) is the current president of NHN Corporation. Morikawa joined…Akira Morikawa (森川亮, Morikawa Akira; born 13 January 1969) is the current president of NHN Corporation. Morikawa joined Nippon Television Network Corporation after graduating from the University of Tsukuba in 1989. While serving for the systems division at the TV firm, he got involved in a wide range of media businesses from online advertising and video distribution, mobile service, international broadcast, to BS digital broadcast. Received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Aoyama Gakuin University in 1999. Joined Sony Corp. in 2000, where he was in charge of new mobile content and broadband businesses and was responsible for overall content business, including business/service planning and sales. Joined Hangame Japan (predecessor of NHN Japan) in 2003, where he served as general manager overseeing overall gaming business and then as director, before becoming vice president in October 2006. Appointed president in October 2007 and doubled as president of newly established Naver Japan the following month. Remained president of NHN Japan after the company, Naver Japan and Livedoor Co. merged to form the NHN Japan group in January 2012.
Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦, Inoue Takehiko; born 12 January 1967) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for the…Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦, Inoue Takehiko; born 12 January 1967) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for the basketball series Slam Dunk (1990–1996), and the jidaigeki manga Vagabond, which are two of the best-selling manga series in history. Many of his works are about basketball, Inoue himself being a huge fan of the sport. His works sold in North America through Viz Media are Slam Dunk, Vagabond and Real, although Slam Dunk was earlier translated by Gutsoon! Entertainment. In 2012, Inoue became the first recipient of the Cultural Prize at the Asia Cosmopolitan Awards. In 2024, Inoue received the MEXT Arts Encouragement Prize (Media Arts division).
Yumiko Hotta (堀田 祐美子, Hotta Yumiko; born January 10, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial…Yumiko Hotta (堀田 祐美子, Hotta Yumiko; born January 10, 1967) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Hotta was trained by and started her career in the All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) promotion in June 1985. She worked for the promotion until 2003, becoming a three-time WWWA World Single and WWWA World Tag Team Champion. In June 2003, Hotta took over the Hyper Visual Fighting Arsion promotion and renamed it Major Girl's Fighting AtoZ. Under Hotta's leadership, the promotion lasted only three years, before folding in 2006, after which Hotta became a freelancer. In January 2011, Hotta joined the new Universal Woman's Pro Wrestling Reina promotion, but just sixteen months later she announced that the promotion was folding. Afterwards, she affiliated herself with the World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana promotion, becoming the leader of the villainous Bousou-gun stable. She resigned from Diana in July 2016 to once again become a freelancer. Since 1995, Hotta has also fought several mixed martial arts matches, mostly at events put together by joshi puroresu promotions.
