Takeshi Motomiya (Japanese: 本宮 健史 Motomiya Takeshi (Japanese pronunciation: [motomʲija takeɕi]), born 5 December 1959…Takeshi Motomiya (Japanese: 本宮 健史 Motomiya Takeshi (Japanese pronunciation: [motomʲija takeɕi]), born 5 December 1959, Tokyo, Japan) is a multidisciplinary Japanese artist living in Barcelona since 1986. Throughout his career, he has worked within various visual arts disciplines that include painting, engraving, and sculpture. Characterized by his work of textures and natural pigment colors, his work is mainly based on abstract art and shows some attributes of figurativism and abstract expressionism, infused with ancient Japanese gods, biblical content, and Greek and Egyptian mythology. Raised and trained in Japan, and having lived in Paris before settling in Barcelona, Motomiya's work has been exhibited in several European cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam and Mahón (Minorca). However the vast majority of his works are exhibited in his native country, Japan. Through his specialization in engraving and the subsequent creation of the Taller Nou studio, he has worked with national and international artists, such as Antoni Tàpies, Barry Flanagan, Balthus, Miquel Barceló and Perejaume. The studio has been acknowledged as one of the best printmaking studios in Spain.
Takeshi Mori (森 武史 or 森 たけし, Mori Takeshi; born 2 December 1959 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese television…Takeshi Mori (森 武史 or 森 たけし, Mori Takeshi; born 2 December 1959 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese television announcer and works for Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation. After leaving Yomiuri TV, he will run a personal company "Mori chan". He entered Yomiuri TV as a television announcer in 1983, and won the 1987 Silver Award from the Shingo-Ryūkōgo Taishō (lit. "Neologism-Buzzword Prize") with Jiro Shinbo for creating the buzzword neologism Nangiyanā (なんぎやなぁ) in response to the losing streak of the Hanshin Tigers during that time period.
Fujihiko Hosono (細野 不二彦, Hosono Fujihiko; born December 2, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta…Fujihiko Hosono (細野 不二彦, Hosono Fujihiko; born December 2, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta, Tokyo. In 1979, he made his debut with Crusher Joe while he was a student at Keio University. Around the same time, he joined the Studio Nue (スタジオぬえ) as an animator. He has had stories published in the manga anthology series Petit Apple Pie. Hosono is the author of Gallery Fake and Tarō as well, for which two he won Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 1996.
Masako Tamura (田村 雅子, Tamura Masako; born November 29, 1959 in Ōita Prefecture, Japan), known professionally as Masako…Masako Tamura (田村 雅子, Tamura Masako; born November 29, 1959 in Ōita Prefecture, Japan), known professionally as Masako Miura (三浦 雅子, Miura Masako), is a Japanese voice actress employed by the talent management firm Arts Vision.
Miki Matsubara (松原 みき, Matsubara Miki; 28 November 1959 – 7 October 2004) was a Japanese singer and songwriter. She…Miki Matsubara (松原 みき, Matsubara Miki; 28 November 1959 – 7 October 2004) was a Japanese singer and songwriter. She contributed to the opening and ending theme songs of the anime Gu-Gu Ganmo under the name Suzie Matsubara. Her 1979 debut song "Mayonaka no Door (Stay With Me)" became a hit, reaching No. 28 on the Oricon chart. Believing that her cancer diagnosis was the result of the lifestyle she lived during her career, Matsubara retired and severed all connections to the music world in 2000, dying from cervical cancer four years later at the age of 44. Since 2020, "Mayonaka no Door" has become widely known overseas due to its use on TikTok and the resurgence of the city pop genre.
Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡, Miyauchi Satoshi; born November 26, 1959) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡, Miyauchi Satoshi; born November 26, 1959) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He also managed Japan women's national team.
Tochiizumi Takayuki (born 26 November 1959 as Takayuki Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Izumisano, Osaka…Tochiizumi Takayuki (born 26 November 1959 as Takayuki Nakayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Izumisano, Osaka, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1975, but never reached the top division. His highest rank was jūryō 3. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in March 1990.
Atsuji Miyahara (宮原 厚次, Miyahara Atsuji; born December 20, 1958) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in…Atsuji Miyahara (宮原 厚次, Miyahara Atsuji; born December 20, 1958) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling.
Takao Sakamoto (阪本 孝男, Sakamoto Takao; born 19 December 1958) is a Japanese former high jumper who competed in the 1984…Takao Sakamoto (阪本 孝男, Sakamoto Takao; born 19 December 1958) is a Japanese former high jumper who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Sakamoto won the British AAA Championships title twice, at the 1979 AAA Championships and the 1982 AAA Championships.
Takeo Akiba (秋葉 剛男, Akiba Takeo, born 19 December 1958) is a Japanese diplomat who served as National Security Advisor…Takeo Akiba (秋葉 剛男, Akiba Takeo, born 19 December 1958) is a Japanese diplomat who served as National Security Advisor to the Cabinet from 2021 to 2025. He had a long career as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving as administrative vice minister from 2018 to 2021.
Tōryū Kenji (born 19 December 1958 as Kenji Tanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his…Tōryū Kenji (born 19 December 1958 as Kenji Tanaka) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1974, and reached the top division in November 1979. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in January 1990.
Ganari Takahashi (高橋がなり, Takahashi Ganari) is a Japanese adult video director and company founder. He founded Soft On…Ganari Takahashi (高橋がなり, Takahashi Ganari) is a Japanese adult video director and company founder. He founded Soft On Demand (SOD), one of the largest adult video conglomerates in Japan.
Hiroaki Sakurai (桜井 弘明, Sakurai Hiroaki; born December 15, 1958) is a Japanese anime director and bassist who is known…Hiroaki Sakurai (桜井 弘明, Sakurai Hiroaki; born December 15, 1958) is a Japanese anime director and bassist who is known for his work with the Di Gi Charat series and UFO Baby. He has served as the director for series such as Nanaka 6/17, Cromartie High School, Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette, GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class, Maid Sama!, Nekogami Yaoyorozu, Jewelpet Happiness, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., and The Demon Girl Next Door. He is married to Sayuri Ōba, an anime screenwriter.
Yoshimi Ashikawa (芦川 よしみ, Ashikawa Yoshimi; born 13 December 1958, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress and singer. She…Yoshimi Ashikawa (芦川 よしみ, Ashikawa Yoshimi; born 13 December 1958, in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress and singer. She graduated from Ono Gakuen Girls High School. Her real name is Yoshimi Kono (河野 芳美, Kōno Yoshimi). She is currently married (her husband is a doctor). She is represented with Office Mitsui.
Kanako Higuchi (樋口 可南子, Higuchi Kanako) (born December 13, 1958) is a Japanese actress. Her credits include film…Kanako Higuchi (樋口 可南子, Higuchi Kanako) (born December 13, 1958) is a Japanese actress. Her credits include film, television, and radio dramas, stage, commercials, and voice roles. Born in Kamo, Niigata, she played her first lead at age 20 in the television drama Kōrogi-bashi. Kanako's film credits include Hokusai Manga, Bedtime Eyes, Zatoichi (1989), Casshern, Memories of Tomorrow, and Ashura no Jō Blood Gets In Your Eyes. Among her television roles are Lady Yodo in the 1987 NHK Taiga drama Dokuganryū Masamune and Hanayasha in the 1991 Taiga drama Taiheiki. She has represented the cosmetics firms KOSÉ and Kao. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 15th Hochi Film Awards for Rōningai. She married Shigesato Itoi in 1993 and had a dog named Bouillon.
Yoshihisa Tagami (田上喜久 Tagami Yoshihisa, usually written in hiragana たがみ よしひさ) is a Japanese manga artist. Tagami was…Yoshihisa Tagami (田上喜久 Tagami Yoshihisa, usually written in hiragana たがみ よしひさ) is a Japanese manga artist. Tagami was born on December 9, 1958, in Komoro, Nagano. He was the older brother of another manga artist, Iku Oyamada, who died in 2016. In 1978, Tagami received an Honorable Mention of the Shogakukan Manga Award in the Newcomer category for his manga Zashikiwarashi, which would become his first published manga in the January 10, 1979 issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic magazine.
Shinkun Haku (白 眞勲, Haku Shinkun; born 8 December 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Shinkun Haku (白 眞勲, Haku Shinkun; born 8 December 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Tomohide Utsumi (内海 知秀, Utsumi Tomohide) is a Japanese basketball coach. He coached the Japanese women's national team…Tomohide Utsumi (内海 知秀, Utsumi Tomohide) is a Japanese basketball coach. He coached the Japanese women's national team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team finished eighth.
Shun'ichi Kuryu (栗生 俊一, Kuryu Shun'ichi; born 6 December 1958) is a Japanese police officer who served as Deputy Chief…Shun'ichi Kuryu (栗生 俊一, Kuryu Shun'ichi; born 6 December 1958) is a Japanese police officer who served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary from 2021 to 2024. He previously served as Commissioner General of the National Police Agency from 2018 to 2020.
Hideo Murai (村井 秀夫 Murai Hideo; December 5, 1958 – April 23, 1995) was a Japanese criminal and member of the Aum…Hideo Murai (村井 秀夫 Murai Hideo; December 5, 1958 – April 23, 1995) was a Japanese criminal and member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult and one of the perpetrators responsible for the Sakamoto family murder. He also helped plan the Tokyo subway sarin attack. Murai held a doctorate in astrophysics. He was reportedly the number three person in the Aum leadership, after Shoko Asahara and Kiyohide Hayakawa. He headed Aum Shinrikyo's Ministry of Science and Technology.
Shinji Harada (Harada Shinji、原田真二) is a pop music artist in Japan. He was born on December 5, 1958 in Hiroshima. After…Shinji Harada (Harada Shinji、原田真二) is a pop music artist in Japan. He was born on December 5, 1958 in Hiroshima. After three years of practicing guitar, at the age of fifteen he was ready to play guitar with the band Yamaha. Harada became a musical sensation in Japan when he released his debut single Teens' Blues on October 25, 1977 when he was 18 years old. He released two more singles, Candy in November and Shadow Boxer in December same year. All three singles ranked within the top 20 in the Oricon chart simultaneously, which had never happened before. The debut album Feel Happy was to become number one in the first week of release in Japan in 1978. A documentary film about him, Our Song, was made in 1978. Harada has been prolific, releasing more than 70 singles from 1977 to 2015. Harada as a songwriter, has written or composed for Koji Kikkawa, Junko Yagami, Anri, Hiromi Go, Akina Nakamori, and other artists. His song 'Time Travell' from the album 'Feel Happy' was covered by Spitz. Spitz's 'Time Travel' was used in the famous 2011 Japanese drama Boku to Star no 99 Nichi starring Hidetoshi Nishijima and Kim Tae Hee.
Masashi Matsuie (Japanese: 松家仁之, Hepburn: Matsuie Masashi; born 1958) is a Japanese novelist and editor. He worked for…Masashi Matsuie (Japanese: 松家仁之, Hepburn: Matsuie Masashi; born 1958) is a Japanese novelist and editor. He worked for the publishing house Shinchosha, where he helped launch the translated-fiction imprint Shincho Crest Books and served as founding editor-in-chief of the quarterly magazine Kangaeru hito. His 2012 debut novel Kazan no fumoto de won the 64th Yomiuri Prize for Literature. His 2017 novel Hikari no inu won the Kawai Hayao Story Prize and the Art Encouragement Prize of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Hinako Sugiura (杉浦日向子, Sugiura Hinako; November 30, 1958 – July 22, 2005) was a Japanese manga artist and researcher in…Hinako Sugiura (杉浦日向子, Sugiura Hinako; November 30, 1958 – July 22, 2005) was a Japanese manga artist and researcher in the lifestyles and customs of Japan's Edo period.
Tetsuya Komuro (小室 哲哉, Komuro Tetsuya; born November 27, 1958) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and record producer.…Tetsuya Komuro (小室 哲哉, Komuro Tetsuya; born November 27, 1958) is a Japanese musician, songwriter and record producer. He is recognized as the most successful producer in Japanese music history and has introduced contemporary electronic dance music to the Japanese mainstream. He was also a former owner of the disco Velfarre located in Roppongi, Tokyo. In the Oricon singles chart of April 1996, he monopolized all the top 5 positions as the songwriter and producer, a world record. In 1995, he monopolized all top 3 positions of the copyright distribution rankings for the JASRAC Award, a record in Japan's music history. At his peak as a record producer the artists he predominantly produced for came to be known as TK Family and at one time included Namie Amuro, hitomi, TRF, Tomomi Kahara and Ami Suzuki amongst others. As of 2008, records produced by him had sold more than 170 million copies, primarily in Japan. Total sales of the singles he has written exceed 42 million copies, making him the fourth best-selling lyricist in Japan.
Tsutomu Kitagawa (喜多川2tom (Real name,喜多川 務), Kitagawa Tsutomu; born December 21, 1957) is a Japanese actor and stuntman…Tsutomu Kitagawa (喜多川2tom (Real name,喜多川 務), Kitagawa Tsutomu; born December 21, 1957) is a Japanese actor and stuntman who is mostly known for playing Godzilla for the "Millennium" (or "Shinsei") series. He also played King Ghidorah for Rebirth of Mothra III. He also played the costumed actor for the Blue (and occasionally, Black) Ranger in many of Toei Company's Super Sentai Series in the 1980s, better known in the United States as Power Rangers. Kitagawa graduated from Sakuragaoka High School before joining Sonny Chiba's Japan Action Club in January 1975.
Hisatoshi Shintaku (新宅 永灯至, Shintaku Hisatoshi; born December 20, 1957), also known as Masanari Shintaku (新宅雅也…Hisatoshi Shintaku (新宅 永灯至, Shintaku Hisatoshi; born December 20, 1957), also known as Masanari Shintaku (新宅雅也, Shintaku Masanari), is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. He won the 1985 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:09:51 on December 1, 1985. He represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics, finishing in 17th place (2:15:42).
Masami Yuki (ゆうきまさみ, Yūki Masami), real name Shūji Satō (佐藤修司 Satō Shūji; born December 19, 1957), is a Japanese manga…Masami Yuki (ゆうきまさみ, Yūki Masami), real name Shūji Satō (佐藤修司 Satō Shūji; born December 19, 1957), is a Japanese manga artist. He is a member of the artist collective known as Headgear, along with Mamoru Oshii, Akemi Takada, Kazunori Itō, and Yutaka Izubuchi. He has received multiple awards for his work: the 1988 Seiun Award for Kyūkyoku Chōjin R, and the 1991 Shogakukan Manga Award for Mobile Police Patlabor. After graduating from Kutchan High School, Yūki moved to Tokyo, where he worked as a manga assistant under artists like Miki Tori and Kaoru Shintani, who inspired him to create his own works. He began by publishing several works in doujinshi, and soon after began working as a professional manga artist with Weekly Shōnen Sunday. In the mid-1980s, he developed the original concept for a lighthearted mecha anime that would become Patlabor, which launched in 1988 with the Early Days OVA and Yūki's serialized manga. As of 2026, he continues to work on projects like Shinkurō, Hashiru! and Patlabor EZY.
Satoru Otomo (大友 哲, Ōtomo Satoru, 19 December 1957, Mitaka) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and a discoverer…Satoru Otomo (大友 哲, Ōtomo Satoru, 19 December 1957, Mitaka) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and a discoverer of minor planets. According to the Minor Planet Center, he is credited with the discovery of 148 asteroids between 1991 and 1997, 15 of which were co-discoveries with Osamu Muramatsu. As of 2016, he ranks in 81st place, just behind Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova in the MPC's asteroid discovery listings.
Masako Natsume (夏目 雅子, Natsume Masako; November 17, 1957 – September 11, 1985) was a Japanese actress from Tokyo.…Masako Natsume (夏目 雅子, Natsume Masako; November 17, 1957 – September 11, 1985) was a Japanese actress from Tokyo. Widely popular in Japan, she gained worldwide recognition for her portrayal of Tripitaka in the TV series Monkey, which is now considered a cult classic.
Lin Tainan (Japanese: Lin Tainan/はやしやすお Hayashi Yasuo; December 15, 1957 – July 26, 2018) was a Japanese convicted…Lin Tainan (Japanese: Lin Tainan/はやしやすお Hayashi Yasuo; December 15, 1957 – July 26, 2018) was a Japanese convicted murderer, terrorist and former member of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo. He is of Korean descent, and changed his name to Koike Yasuo after taking his wife's surname. He was a former senior cadre of Aum Shinrikyo (Master Zhengwu, deputy minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology).
Tomohiro Kojiri (Japanese: 小尻知博; December 12, 1957 – May 4, 1987) was a Japanese journalist for the Tokyo-based…Tomohiro Kojiri (Japanese: 小尻知博; December 12, 1957 – May 4, 1987) was a Japanese journalist for the Tokyo-based newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Kojiri was killed in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, near Osaka, during a shooting at the Asahi Shimbun bureau; the shooter also fired at two other people, injuring one. Investigators believed that Kojiri was targeted by a right-wing, political extremist group known as Sekihōtai (Japanese: 赤報隊), as Kojiri had written a story about Japanese discrimination against the Korean minority, and typed letters were sent in the group's name claiming responsibility. It was the first attack on a newspaper in Japan since 1972. The attack is known in Japan as the Asahi Shimbun Hanshin bureau attack [ja].
Kiyoto Inoue (井上 清登, Inoue Kiyoto; born December 10, 1957) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid to late…Kiyoto Inoue (井上 清登, Inoue Kiyoto; born December 10, 1957) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid to late 1980s. Competing in two Summer Olympics, he earned his best finish of sixth in the C-1 500 m event at Los Angeles in 1984.
Minori Mori (森 美乃里, Mori Minori; born 9 December 1957) is a Japanese athlete. She competed in the women's javelin throw…Minori Mori (森 美乃里, Mori Minori; born 9 December 1957) is a Japanese athlete. She competed in the women's javelin throw at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Katsunori Takahashi (高橋 克法, Takahashi Katsunori; born 7 December 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Katsunori Takahashi (高橋 克法, Takahashi Katsunori; born 7 December 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Councillors.
Hiroshi Mori (森 博嗣, Mori Hiroshi; born December 7, 1957) is a Japanese writer and engineer. He is known for writing…Hiroshi Mori (森 博嗣, Mori Hiroshi; born December 7, 1957) is a Japanese writer and engineer. He is known for writing mystery novels – particularly his debut work The Perfect Insider, which won him the first Mephisto Prize in 1996 – but he considers himself to be a researcher as well as a craftsman. He writes his name as "MORI Hiroshi," family name first and uppercased, regardless of the language when romanized.
Mitsuo Tateishi (立石 充男, Tateishi Mitsuo; born June 12, 1957 in Izumi, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese baseball…Mitsuo Tateishi (立石 充男, Tateishi Mitsuo; born June 12, 1957 in Izumi, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese baseball player. He was most recently the position player coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Tomorowo Taguchi (田口 トモロヲ, Taguchi Tomorowo; born November 30, 1957) is a Japanese actor, film director and musician.…Tomorowo Taguchi (田口 トモロヲ, Taguchi Tomorowo; born November 30, 1957) is a Japanese actor, film director and musician. After leaving Dokkyo University without graduating, he started to earn his living as an illustrator, writer and pornographic cartoonist. He joined a theatre called Hakken no Kai in 1978 and he made a screen debut in Zokubutsu Zukan (based on the book by Yasutaka Tsutsui) in 1982. He was also a prominent cult musician in the Tokyo underground scene with his band Bachikaburi in the 1980s and early 1990s. He is probably most well known to the West as the lead actor in Tetsuo and Tetsuo II directed by Shinya Tsukamoto. He also makes regular appearances in Takashi Miike's films. He became known to the Japanese public as a narrator for the TV documentary series Project X - Challengers which aired between 2000 and 2005 on NHK. Taguchi has directed 3 films, Iden & Tity in 2003, Shikisoku Generation in 2009, and Piece of Cake in 2015.
Yumi Maruyama (née Egami, Japanese: 丸山 由美; born 30 November 1957) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed…Yumi Maruyama (née Egami, Japanese: 丸山 由美; born 30 November 1957) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In 1984, Maruyama was a member of the Japanese team that won the bronze medal at the Olympic tournament. Four years later, she finished fourth with the Japanese team at the 1988 Olympic tournament.
Masahiro Yamada (山田 昌弘, Yamada Masahiro; born November 30, 1957) is a Japanese sociologist known for coining popular…Masahiro Yamada (山田 昌弘, Yamada Masahiro; born November 30, 1957) is a Japanese sociologist known for coining popular sociological terms like parasite singles and gap-widening society (格差社会, kakusa shakai). A graduate of University of Tokyo, he now teaches at Tokyo Gakugei University as professor.
Tetsuo Sugamata (菅又 哲男, Sugamata Tetsuo; born November 29, 1957) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Tetsuo Sugamata (菅又 哲男, Sugamata Tetsuo; born November 29, 1957) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Shin Hea-sook (born 29 November 1957) is a former competitive South Korean figure skater. She is a two-time South…Shin Hea-sook (born 29 November 1957) is a former competitive South Korean figure skater. She is a two-time South Korean National champion (1979, 1980) and competed in the ladies' singles event at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Yasutaro Matsuki (松木 安太郎, Matsuki Yasutarō; born November 28, 1957) is a former Japanese football player and manager.…Yasutaro Matsuki (松木 安太郎, Matsuki Yasutarō; born November 28, 1957) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. He also worked as a football commentator.