Masahiko Ohta (Japanese: 太田雅彦, Hepburn: Ōta Masahiko) (born January 4, 1967) is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist…Masahiko Ohta (Japanese: 太田雅彦, Hepburn: Ōta Masahiko) (born January 4, 1967) is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and animation director.
Katsuhito Ishii (石井 克人, Ishii Katsuhito; born 31 December 1966) is a Japanese film director best known for directing…Katsuhito Ishii (石井 克人, Ishii Katsuhito; born 31 December 1966) is a Japanese film director best known for directing The Taste of Tea (2004), Funky Forest (2005), and Smuggler (2011).
Mamiko Takai (高井麻巳子, Takai Mamiko, born December 28, 1966) is a Japanese idol from the eighties, who debuted in 1985…Mamiko Takai (高井麻巳子, Takai Mamiko, born December 28, 1966) is a Japanese idol from the eighties, who debuted in 1985 with the J-pop girl band Onyanko Club, and its first sub-group, duo Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi with her co-worker Yukiko Iwai. She quit those two bands in 1987, becoming a solo artist, and released four albums before marrying producer Yasushi Akimoto and subsequently retiring. Her older sister Masayo made her record debut in July 1986 as a part of a 20-member dance group named Dee-Dee (Dee-Dee). She has two other younger sisters.
Tortoise Matsumoto (トータス松本 Tōtasu Matsumoto, born December 28, 1966, as 松本敦 Atsushi Matsumoto) is the lead singer of…Tortoise Matsumoto (トータス松本 Tōtasu Matsumoto, born December 28, 1966, as 松本敦 Atsushi Matsumoto) is the lead singer of the Japanese guitar group, Ulfuls. He has also had a couple of acting roles in TV dramas, starting with Namida o Fuite (涙をふいて) in 2000. Trigun character Nicholas D. Wolfwood is modeled after him. On July 11, 2018, Matsumoto, Tamio Okuda, Kazuyoshi Saito, Yohito Teraoka (Jun Sky Walkers), Takashi Hamazaki (Flying Kids) and Yo-King (Magokoro Brothers) announced the formation of a supergroup called the Curling Sitones (カーリングシトーンズ, Kāringu Shitōnzu). Each member is a multi-instrumentalist with all of them at-least being able to provide vocals and guitar and, like the Traveling Wilburys, each uses a pseudonym featuring "Sitone". They formed for a concert on September 23, 2018, at Zepp Tokyo celebrating Teraoka's 25th anniversary as a musician.
Masahiro Fukuda (福田 正博, Fukuda Masahiro; born December 27, 1966) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Masahiro Fukuda (福田 正博, Fukuda Masahiro; born December 27, 1966) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. He was normally a forward but sometimes also played in midfield.
Atsushi Kaneko (カネコアツシ, Kaneko Atsushi) (born 26 December 1966) is a Japanese manga artist from Sakata, Yamagata…Atsushi Kaneko (カネコアツシ, Kaneko Atsushi) (born 26 December 1966) is a Japanese manga artist from Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture. Two of his works, Bambi and Her Pink Gun and Soil, have been published in French. Bambi and Her Pink Gun has been published in English, with Search and Destroy published in English in May 2024. Soil has been adapted into a television drama series.
Toshihiro Arai (新井敏弘, Arai Toshihiro; born December 25, 1966) is a Japanese rally driver and team owner. He is the…Toshihiro Arai (新井敏弘, Arai Toshihiro; born December 25, 1966) is a Japanese rally driver and team owner. He is the first Japanese FIA world champion. Arai was born in Isesaki, Gunma. He made his debut in 1987 and drove for the Subaru World Rally Team in the Group N World Rally Championship from 1997 to 2000 and 2002–2003, and in the Group A Championship in 2000–2001. In 2004, Arai established his own team, Subaru Team Arai, and won the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship for Drivers in 2005 and 2007 driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which made him the first Japanese FIA world champion. He scored class victories in Turkey, Japan and Australia on his way to the title. Arai was also the winner of the short-lived FIA Teams' Cup in 2000.
Masanori Morita (Japanese: 森田まさのり, Hepburn: Morita Masanori; born December 22, 1966) is a Japanese manga artist known…Masanori Morita (Japanese: 森田まさのり, Hepburn: Morita Masanori; born December 22, 1966) is a Japanese manga artist known for his works Rokudenashi Blues and Rookies. He made his debut while still in high school and was an assistant of Tetsuo Hara on Fist of the North Star.
Sayuri Kokushō (国生さゆり or 國生さゆり, Kokusho Sayuri; born December 22, 1966 in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a…Sayuri Kokushō (国生さゆり or 國生さゆり, Kokusho Sayuri; born December 22, 1966 in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actress, singer, and tarento. She was an original member of Onyanko Club. She works for the talent management firm Sony Music Artists. Her debut single, "Valentine Kiss", is the most popular Valentine's Day song in Japan.
Kazufumi Miyazawa (宮沢和史, Miyazawa Kazufumi; born January 18, 1966) is the founder of the Japanese bands The Boom and…Kazufumi Miyazawa (宮沢和史, Miyazawa Kazufumi; born January 18, 1966) is the founder of the Japanese bands The Boom and Ganga Zumba. The former was noted in the 1990s for a fusion of rock, pop, and local Okinawan folk music. Miyazawa is responsible for virtually all lyrics and music for The Boom, who are best known for their 1993 hit song "Shima Uta". In 2006, he founded the band Ganga Zumba which includes Marcos Suzano and incorporates Brazilian and other Latin American and Caribbean influences in its music.
Nobuyuki Kojima (小島 伸幸, Kojima Nobuyuki; born January 17, 1966) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Nobuyuki Kojima (小島 伸幸, Kojima Nobuyuki; born January 17, 1966) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for the Japan national team. He played for several clubs, including Bellmare Hiratsuka, Avispa Fukuoka and Thespa Kusatsu. He played for the Japan national team (4 matches) and was a participant at the 1998 World Cup.
George Morikawa (森川 常次 (stylized as ジョージ), Morikawa Jōji; born January 17, 1966) is a Japanese manga author known for…George Morikawa (森川 常次 (stylized as ジョージ), Morikawa Jōji; born January 17, 1966) is a Japanese manga author known for the long-running series Hajime no Ippo. Born in Tokyo, Morikawa was inspired to become a manga artist upon reading Tetsuya Chiba's Harris no Kaze in elementary school. He was previously an assistant to Shuichi Shigeno, while known mangaka Kentaro Miura and Kaori Saki were past assistants to him. Hajime no Ippo, as of December 2024, has released 142 tankōbon volumes. It has been adapted into several anime series, the first of which began airing in 2000 and was produced by Madhouse studio. The first series contains 76 episodes, while the second series, which started in 2009, contains 26. The third series, named Hajime no Ippo: Rising, was produced in 2013 and contains 25 episodes. Morikawa won the Kodansha Manga Award in 1991 for Hajime no Ippo. He is also the owner of JB Sports Gym in Tokyo.
Reiji Yamada (山田玲司, Yamada Reiji; born January 1, 1966 in Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. His first big hit was a…Reiji Yamada (山田玲司, Yamada Reiji; born January 1, 1966 in Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. His first big hit was a romantic comedy B Virgin, and he is also known for the manga adaptation of Zebraman. He is very concerned with societal problems, and has spent the last several years drawing Zetsubō ni Kiku Kusuri, a series of manga interviews with people he believes are setting a positive example.
Tadao Kitajima (北島 忠雄, Kitajima Tadao; born January 4, 1966) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He…Tadao Kitajima (北島 忠雄, Kitajima Tadao; born January 4, 1966) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He is a former director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Kitakachidoki Hayato (born 1 January 1966 as Hayato Kuga) is a former sumo wrestler from Obihiro, Hokkaidō, Japan. He…Kitakachidoki Hayato (born 1 January 1966 as Hayato Kuga) is a former sumo wrestler from Obihiro, Hokkaidō, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1981, and reached the top division in 1989. His highest rank was maegashira 3. After retirement he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. He took over as head coach at Isenoumi stable, when former head coach Fujinokawa reached mandatory retirement age in September 2011.
Kazuo Echigo (越後 和男, Echigo Kazuo; born December 28, 1965) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He also…Kazuo Echigo (越後 和男, Echigo Kazuo; born December 28, 1965) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He also played for the Japanese National Team.
Fumiya Satō (さとう ふみや, Satō Fumiya; born Fumiko Satō (佐藤文子, Satō Fumiko), 22 December 1965 in Omiya, Saitama, Japan) is…Fumiya Satō (さとう ふみや, Satō Fumiya; born Fumiko Satō (佐藤文子, Satō Fumiko), 22 December 1965 in Omiya, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known for the manga series The Kindaichi Case Files and Detective School Q. In 1995, she received the Kodansha Manga Award for her work on The Kindaichi Case Files.
Masato Kanda (神田 眞人) is a Japanese bureaucrat at the Ministry of Finance. Since 2021, he has served as Vice Minister of…Masato Kanda (神田 眞人) is a Japanese bureaucrat at the Ministry of Finance. Since 2021, he has served as Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs (財務官, zaimukan), the country's top currency diplomat. Due to the yen being traded in the weakest range in the past three decades during his tenure, his remarks on the possibility of currency intervention often make news headlines, in which he is sometimes referred to as the country's 'FX Tsar'. He was born in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, on January 17th, 1965. He attended Nada High School in Kobe, then went on to study law at the University of Tokyo. At the university, he learnt international politics from Yōichi Masuzoe, later Governor of Tokyo. After graduation, he started working for the Ministry of Finance. From 1989, he studied economics at St Hugh's College, Oxford, from which he graduated with an MPhil. Although most of his career has been spent at the ministry, he has also spent a few years each working for the World Bank and the OECD. In November 2024, Kanda was elected the 11th President of the Asian Development Bank and assumed office on 24 February 2025.
Hiroaki Uchikura (内倉 浩昭, Uchikura Hiroaki; born January 11, 1965) is a Japanese military general who serves as the…Hiroaki Uchikura (内倉 浩昭, Uchikura Hiroaki; born January 11, 1965) is a Japanese military general who serves as the incumbent Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. General Uchikura previously served as the Chief of the Air Staff of the JASDF, commander of the Air Defense Command, and as wing commander of the 5th Air Wing. Born and raised from Tarumizu, Kagoshima, Uchikura served into various positions in the Air Self-Defense Force and later served as a fighter pilot flying the Mitsubishi F-15J. Uchikura later served into various administrative and staff positions within the Air Self Defense Force Staff Office and the Ministry of Defense, both being located in Ichigaya, Shinjuku, before being named in major positions such as being the commander of the Air Defense Command and later as the Chief of the Air Staff in March 2023.
Hiroshi Hirakawa (平川 弘, Hirakawa Hiroshi; born January 10, 1965) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Hiroshi Hirakawa (平川 弘, Hirakawa Hiroshi; born January 10, 1965) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Masami Tsuchiya (土谷 正実, Tsuchiya Masami; 6 January 1965 – 6 July 2018) was a Japanese convicted terrorist and senior…Masami Tsuchiya (土谷 正実, Tsuchiya Masami; 6 January 1965 – 6 July 2018) was a Japanese convicted terrorist and senior member of Aum Shinrikyo, responsible for the deaths of a combined 19 people and for the production of sarin, VX nerve agent, PCP, and LSD. He served in Aum's "Ministry of Health". Prosecutors described him as "the second most important figure involved in the gas attacks by the Aum Shinrikyo cult" after Aum leader Shoko Asahara himself.
Reimi Horikawa (堀川 麗美, Horikawa Reimi; born January 6, 1965, in Ginowan, Okinawa), better known by her stage name REIMY…Reimi Horikawa (堀川 麗美, Horikawa Reimi; born January 6, 1965, in Ginowan, Okinawa), better known by her stage name REIMY (stylized in all caps), is a Japanese singer-songwriter and composer. She has released 11 solo albums, and through the musical project Remedios, has produced and composed multiple anime and film scores.
Jiro Okamoto (岡元 次郎, Okamoto Jirō) (born January 5, 1965) is a Japanese veteran suit actor. He did some stunt work for…Jiro Okamoto (岡元 次郎, Okamoto Jirō) (born January 5, 1965) is a Japanese veteran suit actor. He did some stunt work for Kamen Rider Series, Super Sentai and Metal Hero.
Ippongi Bang (一本木 蛮, Ippongi Ban; born January 4, 1965) is a multimedia and manga artist. She has been called "one of…Ippongi Bang (一本木 蛮, Ippongi Ban; born January 4, 1965) is a multimedia and manga artist. She has been called "one of the most well-known manga artists in America in the mid-1990s."
Tatsuya Nakamura (中村 達也, Nakamura Tatsuya; born January 4, 1965, in Toyama) is a Japanese musician, drummer and actor.…Tatsuya Nakamura (中村 達也, Nakamura Tatsuya; born January 4, 1965, in Toyama) is a Japanese musician, drummer and actor. After performing with several prominent punk rock bands, Nakamura rose to fame as drummer of Blankey Jet City from 1987 to 2000. In 1996, he founded his solo project Losalios, where he performs every instrument. He is also a member of Friction, Mannish Boys with Kazuyoshi Saito, and Gokumontō Ikka.
Hirofumi Ryu (笠 浩史, Ryū Hirofumi; born 3 January 1965) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Hirofumi Ryu (笠 浩史, Ryū Hirofumi; born 3 January 1965) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Koji Masunari (Japanese: 舛成孝二, Hepburn: Masunari Kōji; born January 1, 1965) is a Japanese anime director. After…Koji Masunari (Japanese: 舛成孝二, Hepburn: Masunari Kōji; born January 1, 1965) is a Japanese anime director. After debuting in 1985, he has directed many series, including the anime adaptation of Kamichu!, which won an excellence award at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2005, the anime adaptation of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, and the anime adaptation of Blue Period.
Miki Higashino (東野 美紀, Higashino Miki; born January 1, 1965) is a Japanese video game composer best known for her works…Miki Higashino (東野 美紀, Higashino Miki; born January 1, 1965) is a Japanese video game composer best known for her works in the Suikoden series.
Mitsuko Tottori (鳥取 三津子, Tottori Mitsuko; born 31 December 1964) is a Japanese airline executive. She was named…Mitsuko Tottori (鳥取 三津子, Tottori Mitsuko; born 31 December 1964) is a Japanese airline executive. She was named representative director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Japan Airlines (JAL) in April 2024, becoming the first woman to lead the company. Tottori began her career as a flight attendant. She joined Toa Domestic Airlines (TDA) in 1985 after graduating from Kwassui Women's Junior College. TDA (later JAS) was merged with JAL in 2001. "Her leadership style is often described as calm, methodical, and people-focused, with a strong emphasis on safety, discipline, and corporate responsibility." She was ranked number 5 on the 2024 Fortune Most Powerful Women Asia list, and number 10 on the same list in 2025. Her estimated salary in 2026 is ¥240 million per year.
Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics…Erika Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 エリカ, born December 31, 1964, Fukuoka) is a retired Japanese rhythmic gymnast, a gymnastics coach. She competed for Japan in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around competition at two Olympic Games: in 1984 in Los Angeles in 1988 in Seoul. In 1984 she was 13th in the qualification and advanced to the final, placing 13th overall, in 1988 she tied for 17th place in the qualification and again advanced to the final, placing 15th overall.
Kaori Yamaguchi (山口香, Yamaguchi Kaori; born 28 December 1964) is a Japanese university professor and retired judoka.…Kaori Yamaguchi (山口香, Yamaguchi Kaori; born 28 December 1964) is a Japanese university professor and retired judoka. Yamaguchi won the All-Japan Judo Championships 10 consecutive times from 1978 to 1987 (twice in the –50 kg division, seven times in the –52 kg division) and won her first medal at the 1980 World Judo Championships. Yamaguchi went on to win 4 silver medals and one gold medal at the World Judo Championships. Yamaguchi also won a bronze medal in the –52 kg division at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, where women's judo was held as a demonstration sport. She retired from competitive judo in 1989 when she graduated from the University of Tsukuba. She worked as an instructor for the University of Tsukuba and Musashi University since retiring. Yamaguchi is currently Associate professor of Tsukuba. Yamaguchi is the model for the protagonist in Naoki Urasawa's judo manga, Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl, and makes a cameo appearance in the film version of the manga as well.
Emiko Okagawa (岡川恵美子, Okagawa Emiko, born 26 December 1964), later known as Emiko Sakaguchi (坂口恵美子 Sakaguchi Emiko) is…Emiko Okagawa (岡川恵美子, Okagawa Emiko, born 26 December 1964), later known as Emiko Sakaguchi (坂口恵美子 Sakaguchi Emiko) is a former professional tennis player from Japan.
Osamu Yamazaki (山崎 修, Yamazaki Osamu; born 25 December 1964) is a Japanese freestyle skier. He competed in the men's…Osamu Yamazaki (山崎 修, Yamazaki Osamu; born 25 December 1964) is a Japanese freestyle skier. He competed in the men's moguls event at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Kazuhiro Koshi (越 和宏, Koshi Kazuhiro; born December 23, 1964) is a Japanese skeleton racer who has competed since 1991.…Kazuhiro Koshi (越 和宏, Koshi Kazuhiro; born December 23, 1964) is a Japanese skeleton racer who has competed since 1991. Competing in three Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of eighth in the men's skeleton event at Salt Lake City in 2002. He was the oldest member of the Japanese team at the 2010 Winter Olympics and, because of this, was referred to in media reports as, "the hope of the middle class."
Reversi is an abstract strategy board game for two players, played on an 8×8 uncheckered board. It was invented in…Reversi is an abstract strategy board game for two players, played on an 8×8 uncheckered board. It was invented in 1883. Othello, a variant with a fixed initial setup of the board, was patented in 1971. Two players compete, using 64 identical game pieces ("disks") that are light on one side and dark on the other. Each player chooses one color to use throughout the game. Players take turns placing one disk on an empty square, with their assigned color facing up. After a play is made, any disks of the opponent's color that lie in a straight line bounded by the one just played and another one in the current player's color are turned over. When all playable empty squares are filled, the player with more disks showing in their own color wins the game.
Keita Inoue (井上 慶太, Inoue Keita; born January 17, 1964) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a…Keita Inoue (井上 慶太, Inoue Keita; born January 17, 1964) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a former executive director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Makoto Iwasaki (born January 15, 1964) from the Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan was named Fellow of the…Makoto Iwasaki (born January 15, 1964) from the Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan was named Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2015 for contributions to fast and precise positioning in motion controller design.
Kenta Wakabayashi (若林 健太, Wakabayashi Kenta; born 11 January 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kenta Wakabayashi (若林 健太, Wakabayashi Kenta; born 11 January 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Osamu Kobayashi (小林 治, Kobayashi Osamu) (January 10, 1964 – April 17, 2021) was a Japanese animator, illustrator…Osamu Kobayashi (小林 治, Kobayashi Osamu) (January 10, 1964 – April 17, 2021) was a Japanese animator, illustrator, mechanical designer, and animation director primarily known for BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad and Paradise Kiss; his guest appearance as director of episode 4 of Gurren Lagann, and, most recently, episode 15 of Dororo. After graduating from high school, he worked as a designer and manga artist, but following his participation in Grandia he was mainly active in the field of animation. He originally directed avant-garde shorts and music videos for Studio 4°C and has more recently done two TV series for Madhouse Studios. Kobayashi was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2019, and died on April 17, 2021, at 57 years old, from a colon infection caused by the disease. His name is occasionally rendered in full katakana to differentiate from Osamu Kobayashi, an unrelated anime episode director.
Yasunori Takami (高見 泰範, Takami Yasunori) (born January 6, 1964, in Gifu, Gifu, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He…Yasunori Takami (高見 泰範, Takami Yasunori) (born January 6, 1964, in Gifu, Gifu, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. He has also coached the Japan national baseball team at the international level.
Kaori Moriyama (森山 かおり, Moriyama Kaori; née Hachinohe Hachinohe (八戸); born 4 January 1964) is a retired Japanese judo…Kaori Moriyama (森山 かおり, Moriyama Kaori; née Hachinohe Hachinohe (八戸); born 4 January 1964) is a retired Japanese judo wrestler. Moriyama is from Hakodate, Hokkaidō and began judo at the age of a junior high school second grader. When she was a student of Tokai University, she studied under former world champion, Nobuyuki Sato and got bronze medal of World Championships in 1984. In the next year, she won the gold medal at Asian Championships, All-Japan Selected Championships, Kodokan Cup and All-Japan University Championships with her specialty techniques, Osotogari and Newaza. She retired and became a teacher of the senior high school in Hokkaidō after graduation at a university in 1986. As of 2010, Moriyama coaches judo at high school in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Kenji Nakanishi (中西健治, Nakanishi Kenji; Born January 4, 1964) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of…Kenji Nakanishi (中西健治, Nakanishi Kenji; Born January 4, 1964) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives. A former executive of JP Morgan Securities Japan, he was elected to the House of Councillors in 2010 as a member of Your Party for the Kanagawa at-large district, and he later joined the Liberal Democratic Party House of Councillors parliamentary group.
Riki Takeuchi (Japanese: 竹内 力, Hepburn: Takeuchi Riki; born January 4, 1964) is a Japanese actor best known for his…Riki Takeuchi (Japanese: 竹内 力, Hepburn: Takeuchi Riki; born January 4, 1964) is a Japanese actor best known for his roles in v-cinema yakuza movies. Takeuchi has starred in many yakuza films and action films, such as Dead or Alive by Takashi Miike. Takeuchi also starred in Battle Royale II: Requiem, in which he played a fictionalized version of himself. Takeuchi had also a short stint at the end of the professional wrestling promotion Hustle in 2009, posing as a villainous character based on himself called "King RIKI". The same year, Takeuchi recorded with Avex Group a version of Morning Musume's "Love Machine" for the song's tenth anniversary, appearing under his RIKI persona along with wrestlers Riki Choshu and Yoshihiro Takayama.