Yoichi Doi (土肥 洋一, Doi Yōichi; born 25 July 1973) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Yoichi Doi (土肥 洋一, Doi Yōichi; born 25 July 1973) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for Japan national team. He is the current goalkeeper coach of J2 League club Yokohama FC.
Norihiro Nakamura (中村 紀洋, Nakamura Norihiko; born July 24, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball third…Norihiro Nakamura (中村 紀洋, Nakamura Norihiko; born July 24, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. Nakamura spent almost all of his professional career in Japan with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. Nakamura had a .266 career batting average, 404 home runs and 1348 RBI, and was an eight-time All-Star and four-time Golden Glove winner. Nakamura is one of only 16 players to have hit 400 or more home runs in NPB. He also played briefly for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball in 2005.
Masanori Suda (born July 7, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight, Middleweight and…Masanori Suda (born July 7, 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Welterweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions. Suda is known primarily for his time in Shooto, where he is a former Light Heavyweight Champion.
Akeomi Nitta (新田明臣, born July 23, 1973) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is one of Japan's kickboxers in the welterweight…Akeomi Nitta (新田明臣, born July 23, 1973) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is one of Japan's kickboxers in the welterweight division.
Anna Umemiya (梅宮 アンナ, Umemiya Anna; born August 20, 1972) is a Japanese television personality and model. Born in…Anna Umemiya (梅宮 アンナ, Umemiya Anna; born August 20, 1972) is a Japanese television personality and model. Born in Tokyo, she is the daughter of a Japanese father and an American mother, herself a former model. Her father, Tatsuo Umemiya, was an actor, and former original Iron Chef judge. Umemiya has a daughter, Momoka, by her former husband, identified only as "Mr C", whom she divorced on 28 January 2003 after an 18-month marriage.
Masahiro Nakai (中居 正広, Nakai Masahiro; born August 18, 1972) is a Japanese former television personality, actor, radio…Masahiro Nakai (中居 正広, Nakai Masahiro; born August 18, 1972) is a Japanese former television personality, actor, radio personality, and singer. He debuted as the leader of the boy band SMAP, which had been the best-selling boy band in Asia. While working as a member of a boy band, he worked extensively as a television presenter, hosting many of his own talk shows, variety shows, music shows, news programs, and several Olympic games as a sportscaster. He is credited for changing the Japanese entertainment industry, becoming the first non-comedian celebrity to have a career as a television host and expanding the capacity of a boy band. He is one of the wealthiest and highest-paid celebrities in Japan, identified as the highest tax payer in the Japanese entertainment industry by the Japanese National Tax Bureau in 2003. In December 2024 reports surfaced in Japanese tabloids that Nakai sexually assaulted a woman in her twenties in June 2023. Despite Nakai issuing an apology the following month, many of his TV and radio programs were suspended, cancelled, or removed Nakai as a presenter following the withdrawal of numerous sponsors. Nakai subsequently announced his retirement on January 23, 2025.
Keiko Yamada (山田 桂子, Yamada Keiko; born August 18, 1972) is the lead vocalist of the pop group Globe. Since 2001, she…Keiko Yamada (山田 桂子, Yamada Keiko; born August 18, 1972) is the lead vocalist of the pop group Globe. Since 2001, she has had a solo career, starting with the single "A Song Is Born" in collaboration with Ayumi Hamasaki. In late 2003, she released her first solo EP called KCO. Keiko, under the name KCO, released her first solo album O-Crazy Luv on Universal in 2008. The album contains a total of 11 tracks, including her first single under the new name, "Haru no Yuki" (Spring Snow).
Natsuki Mizu (水夏希 Mizu Natsuki, born 1972) is the former top star (otokoyaku) for Snow Troupe of Takarazuka Revue from…Natsuki Mizu (水夏希 Mizu Natsuki, born 1972) is the former top star (otokoyaku) for Snow Troupe of Takarazuka Revue from December 24, 2006 to September 12, 2010. She joined the company in 1993 and became the top star in December 2006 upon the resignation of Hikaru Asami. She is from Chiba-shi, Chiba-ken and her birthday is August 16. Her nickname is Mizu and Chika.
Hikaru Nishida (西田 ひかる, Nishida Hikaru; born August 16, 1972) is a Japanese pop singer and actress. She was born in…Hikaru Nishida (西田 ひかる, Nishida Hikaru; born August 16, 1972) is a Japanese pop singer and actress. She was born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and made her singing debut on April 6, 1988 with the release of the single "Fifteen", named after her age at the time. Nishida is affiliated with Manase Productions.
Katsuhisa Fujii (藤井 克久, Fujii Katsuhisa; born August 15, 1972), also known under the ring name Shamoji Fujii (藤井軍鶏侍…Katsuhisa Fujii (藤井 克久, Fujii Katsuhisa; born August 15, 1972), also known under the ring name Shamoji Fujii (藤井軍鶏侍, Fujii Shamoji) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, mostly known for his work in Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Hustle. A professional MMA competitor from 1996 until 2010, he competed for the UFC, Pride Fighting Championships, Pancrase, Deep, Fighting Network Rings, and M-1 Global.
Yusaku Iriki (入来 祐作, Iriki Yūsaku; born August 8, 1972 in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki, Japan) is a Japanese former baseball…Yusaku Iriki (入来 祐作, Iriki Yūsaku; born August 8, 1972 in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki, Japan) is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. His elder brother Satoshi was also a former professional baseball player.
Takanohana Kōji (Japanese: 貴乃花 光司, Hepburn: Takanohana Kōji; born August 12, 1972, as Kōji Hanada (花田 光司, Hanada Kōji))…Takanohana Kōji (Japanese: 貴乃花 光司, Hepburn: Takanohana Kōji; born August 12, 1972, as Kōji Hanada (花田 光司, Hanada Kōji)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler and coach. He was the 65th man in history to reach sumo's highest rank of yokozuna, and he won 22 tournament championships between 1992 and 2001, the sixth highest total ever. The son of a popular ōzeki ranked wrestler from the 1970s, Takanohana's rise through the ranks alongside his elder brother Wakanohana and his rivalry with the foreign born yokozuna Akebono saw interest in sumo and attendance at tournaments soar during the early 1990s. Takanohana was the youngest ever to reach the top division at just 17, and he set a number of other age-related records. He had a solid but aggressive style, looking to get a right hand grip on his opponents' mawashi and move them quickly out of the ring. He won over half his bouts by a straightforward yorikiri, or force out. In his later career he suffered increasingly from injuries, and he retired in January 2003 at the age of 30. He became the head coach of Takanohana stable in 2004 and was on the board of directors of the Japan Sumo Association from 2010 until January 2018, when he was removed and demoted in the Sumo Association's hierarchy. He resigned from the Sumo Association in September 2018.
Kazuyuki Atsuzawa (厚澤 和幸, Atsuzawa Kazuyuki; born August 11, 1972) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Kazuyuki Atsuzawa (厚澤 和幸, Atsuzawa Kazuyuki; born August 11, 1972) is a retired Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He is the current pitching coach for the Orix Buffaloes.
Raita Suzuki (鈴木 雷太, Suzuki Raita; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's cross-country…Raita Suzuki (鈴木 雷太, Suzuki Raita; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in the men's cross-country mountain biking event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Takayuki Inubushi (犬伏 孝行, Inubushi Takayuki; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…Takayuki Inubushi (犬伏 孝行, Inubushi Takayuki; born 11 August 1972) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Tatsuya Murata (村田 達哉, Murata Tatsuya; born August 8, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager He is the…Tatsuya Murata (村田 達哉, Murata Tatsuya; born August 8, 1972) is a former Japanese football player and manager He is the currently assistant manager Japan Football League club Briobecca Urayasu.
Nobuyuki Satō (佐藤 信之, Satō Nobuyuki; born 8 August 1972 in Kariya, Aichi) is a former Japanese marathon runner. After…Nobuyuki Satō (佐藤 信之, Satō Nobuyuki; born 8 August 1972 in Kariya, Aichi) is a former Japanese marathon runner. After finishing second in the Fukuoka Marathon 1998 with his career best of 2:08:48, he won the bronze medal at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics. At the Olympics 2000, he finished in 41st place.
Ikuto Hidaka (日高郁人, Hidaka Ikuto) (born August 5, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for…Ikuto Hidaka (日高郁人, Hidaka Ikuto) (born August 5, 1972) is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently performing for Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah). Hidaka was the regular partner of Minoru Fujita, with whom he has held the Zero1-Max International Lightweight Tag Team and Intercontinental Tag Team Titles, making them the only team to do so. He has also worked for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
Atsunori Inaba (稲葉 篤紀, born August 3, 1972) is a Japanese professional baseball manager, coach and former player. He…Atsunori Inaba (稲葉 篤紀, born August 3, 1972) is a Japanese professional baseball manager, coach and former player. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Japan Series. He is currently the general manager for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League. As a player, he won the Japan Series MVP in 2006 and the Fighting Spirit Award in 2012. He is one of just eight players to win both Japan Series awards alongside Hiromichi Ishige, Hiroshi Oshita, Hisashi Yamada, Isao Shibata, Joe Stanka, Kazuhisa Inao, and Takashi Nishimoto. After the retirement, he became Japan national baseball team at the 2013 exhibition game against Chinese Taipei, 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series, 2015 exhibition game against All Euro, 2015 WBSC Premier12, 2016 exhibition game against Chinese Taipei, 2016 exhibition game against Mexico and Netherlands, 2017 exhibition game against CPBL All-Stars, and 2017 World Baseball Classic. On July 31, 2017, he became Japan national baseball team manager. He managed at the 2017 Asia Professional Baseball Championship, 2018 exhibition game against Australia, 2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup and 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.
Natsue Koikawa (鯉川 なつえ, Koikawa Natsue) is a former Japanese track athlete and current university professor and coach…Natsue Koikawa (鯉川 なつえ, Koikawa Natsue) is a former Japanese track athlete and current university professor and coach at Juntendo University in Chiba, Japan.
Kinue Kodama (児玉絹枝, Kodama Kinue; born 2 August 1972) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual and…Kinue Kodama (児玉絹枝, Kodama Kinue; born 2 August 1972) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual and team events at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Nako Hirasawa (平澤 奈古, Hirasawa Nako; born 1 August 1972) is a Japanese Paralympic archer. Hirasawa began archery in…Nako Hirasawa (平澤 奈古, Hirasawa Nako; born 1 August 1972) is a Japanese Paralympic archer. Hirasawa began archery in 1996 and she made her international debut in 2003. She completed at the Paralympic Games in 2004, where she won a bronze medal in the individual W1/W2 event, and in 2016.
Juichi Wakisaka (脇阪寿一, Wakisaka Juichi; born July 29, 1972 in Nara) is a Japanese former racing driver who was a 2002…Juichi Wakisaka (脇阪寿一, Wakisaka Juichi; born July 29, 1972 in Nara) is a Japanese former racing driver who was a 2002, 2006 and 2009 champion in Japan's Super GT series in the GT500 category. Prior to the 1998 Formula One season he tested for the Jordan Grand Prix team. In 2002, Wakisaka raced the Toyota Supra GT with Akira Iida, in 2006 and 2009 Wakisaka raced the Lexus SC 430 with André Lotterer. He retired from driving after the conclusion of the 2015 Super GT Series season, becoming the team director of Lexus Team LeMans Wako's. Wakisaka was also a regular presenter of Best Motoring and is brother to Shigekazu, who also competes in Super GT.
Takashi Shimizu (清水 崇 Shimizu Takashi, born 27 July 1972) is a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for being the…Takashi Shimizu (清水 崇 Shimizu Takashi, born 27 July 1972) is a Japanese filmmaker. He is best known for being the creator of the Ju-On franchise, directing the first four installments, in addition to directing the first two installments in its American remake franchise, The Grudge. According to film scholar Wheeler Winston Dixon, Shimizu is "one of a new breed of Japanese horror directors" who prefers to "suggest menace and violence rather than directly depict it".
Yoshinori Okihara (沖原 佳典, born July 27, 1972, in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Yoshinori Okihara (沖原 佳典, born July 27, 1972, in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.
Kaiō Hiroyuki (born 24 July 1972 as Hiroyuki Koga) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan.…Kaiō Hiroyuki (born 24 July 1972 as Hiroyuki Koga) is a former professional sumo wrestler from Nōgata, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his debut in 1988, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1993. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for eleven years from 2000 to 2011, and is the longest-serving ōzeki of all time in terms of number of tournaments fought. In his career, Kaiō won five top division yūshō or tournament championships, the last coming in 2004. This is the modern record for someone who has not ultimately made the top rank of yokozuna. He was a runner-up in eleven other tournaments, and also won 15 sanshō or special prizes, the third highest ever. In November 2009 he broke the record previously held by Takamiyama for the most tournaments ranked in the top division, and in January 2010 he surpassed Chiyonofuji's record of most top division bouts won. In the May 2010 tournament he became the only wrestler besides Chiyonofuji to reach one thousand career wins, and he surpassed Chiyonofuji's career wins record of 1045 in July 2011. He retired in the same tournament to become a coach at Tomozuna stable under the elder name Asakayama. In 2014, he established the latest incarnation of the Asakayama stable.
Masaki Tsuchihashi (土橋 正樹, Tsuchihashi Masaki; born July 23, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Masaki Tsuchihashi (土橋 正樹, Tsuchihashi Masaki; born July 23, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Miki Igarashi (五十嵐 美紀, Igarashi Miki; born August 22, 1971 in Gunma, Japan) is a retired Japanese female long-distance…Miki Igarashi (五十嵐 美紀, Igarashi Miki; born August 22, 1971 in Gunma, Japan) is a retired Japanese female long-distance runner. She represented Japan at the 1992 Summer Olympics, finishing in 14th place in the women's 10,000 metres. She set her personal best (31.45.82) in the event in 1994.
Masato Hagiwara (萩原 聖人, Hagiwara Masato; born August 21, 1971) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, narrator and…Masato Hagiwara (萩原 聖人, Hagiwara Masato; born August 21, 1971) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, narrator and professional mahjong player.
Kazuya Hatayama (畠山 和也, Hatayama Kazuya) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party that was elected in to the House…Kazuya Hatayama (畠山 和也, Hatayama Kazuya) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party that was elected in to the House of Representatives, representing the Hokkaido proportional representation block. He is against the Trans-Pacific Partnership and thinks that Japan should demand the return of the Kuril Islands from Russia.
Yoshino Aoki (青木 佳乃, Aoki Yoshino) (born August 19, 1971) is a Japanese video game music composer and lyricist. She…Yoshino Aoki (青木 佳乃, Aoki Yoshino) (born August 19, 1971) is a Japanese video game music composer and lyricist. She began her career with video game company Capcom, and later co-founded the music studio Unique Note with another ex-Capcom composer, Tetsuya Shibata.
Kenta Matsunami (松浪 健太, Matsunami Kenta; born 17 August 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Initiatives from…Kenta Matsunami (松浪 健太, Matsunami Kenta; born 17 August 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Initiatives from Osaka party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Izumisano, Osaka and graduate of Waseda University, he joined Sankei Shimbun in 1997. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2002 for the Liberal Democratic Party in a by-election. After losing his seat in 2003, he was re-elected in 2005.
Hiroaki Ogi (小木 博明, Ogi Hiroaki; born 16 August 1971) is a Japanese comedian who has regular appearances in a number of…Hiroaki Ogi (小木 博明, Ogi Hiroaki; born 16 August 1971) is a Japanese comedian who has regular appearances in a number of television shows as well as portraying roles in television drama series. He was born Hiroaki Kogi (小木 博明, Kogi Hiroaki). Ogi is nicknamed Ogi-kun (小木くん), Sense Ogi (センス小木, Sensu Ogi), and Oggy-bun (オギーブン, Ogībun). Some younger entertainers such as Bananaman and Teruyuki Tsuchida called him Ogi-san (小木さん) regardless of whether they are his senior or junior. He is the boke of OgiYahagi, partnered with Ken Yahagi.
Kazuyuki Kyoya (京谷 和幸, Kyōya Kazuyuki; born August 13, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and wheelchair…Kazuyuki Kyoya (京谷 和幸, Kyōya Kazuyuki; born August 13, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and wheelchair basketball player. He has competed in the 4 Summer Paralympics.
Masahiro Nojima (野島正弘, Nojima Masahiro; born August 13, 1971 in Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese baseball infielder…Masahiro Nojima (野島正弘, Nojima Masahiro; born August 13, 1971 in Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese baseball infielder who won a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Tomoe Abe (安部 友恵, Abe Tomoe; born 13 August 1971 in Kitsuki, Ōita) is a retired Japanese ultramarathon and marathon…Tomoe Abe (安部 友恵, Abe Tomoe; born 13 August 1971 in Kitsuki, Ōita) is a retired Japanese ultramarathon and marathon runner who won the bronze medal in the marathon at the 1993 World Championships with a time of 2:31:01. Her personal best time is 2:26:09, achieved when she won the 1994 Osaka Ladies' Marathon. She is the female world record holder in the ultramarathon of 100 kilometres with a time of 6:33:11, which was set on June 25, 2000, at the Lake Saroma Ultramarathon, an official IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) race held annually in Hokkaido, Japan.
Akira Yoshida (吉田明, Yoshida Akira) (born Kyoto, 13 August 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as…Akira Yoshida (吉田明, Yoshida Akira) (born Kyoto, 13 August 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as centre.
Takayuki Nishijima (西島 貴之, born August 12, 1971) is a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder from Sunakawa…Takayuki Nishijima (西島 貴之, born August 12, 1971) is a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder from Sunakawa, Hokkaido, Japan. He is a left handed hitter and fielder.
Chiaki Hayashi (林 千晶, Hayashi Chiaki) (born 1971) is a Japanese business woman and Asian Projects Co-ordinator at…Chiaki Hayashi (林 千晶, Hayashi Chiaki) (born 1971) is a Japanese business woman and Asian Projects Co-ordinator at Creative Commons.
Yuri Yoshikawa (born 6 August 1971) is a Japanese snowboarder. She competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002…Yuri Yoshikawa (born 6 August 1971) is a Japanese snowboarder. She competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Hideki Hosaka (保坂 秀樹, Hosaka Hideki) (August 5, 1971 – August 2, 2021) was a Japanese professional wrestler, who is…Hideki Hosaka (保坂 秀樹, Hosaka Hideki) (August 5, 1971 – August 2, 2021) was a Japanese professional wrestler, who is best known for his work in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Zero-One.
Daisuke Matsumoto (松本 大輔, Matsumoto Daisuke; born 5 August 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic…Daisuke Matsumoto (松本 大輔, Matsumoto Daisuke; born 5 August 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).