Osamu Sato (佐藤 理, Satō Osamu; born April 14, 1960) is a Japanese digital artist, video game developer, photographer…Osamu Sato (佐藤 理, Satō Osamu; born April 14, 1960) is a Japanese digital artist, video game developer, photographer, and composer. His first work was the ambient music album, Objectless (1983). His first work in the video game industry was Eastern Mind: The Lost Souls of Tong Nou, which first released in Japan for Classic Mac OS in 1994, and in North America for Microsoft Windows the following year. In 1998, Sato created and produced the PlayStation game LSD: Dream Emulator, for which he also contributed design work and composed the soundtrack. The game later became his most recognizable work outside of Japan.
Ochazukenori (御茶漬海苔; born April 12, 1960) is a Japanese manga artist. He is most famous for the horror manga he drew in…Ochazukenori (御茶漬海苔; born April 12, 1960) is a Japanese manga artist. He is most famous for the horror manga he drew in the 1980s and 1990s.
Hirohisa Takagi (高木 宏壽, Hirohisa Takagi; born 9 April 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Hirohisa Takagi (高木 宏壽, Hirohisa Takagi; born 9 April 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Hiromi Taniguchi (谷口 浩美, Taniguchi Hiromi; born April 5, 1960) is a former Japanese long-distance runner, best known…Hiromi Taniguchi (谷口 浩美, Taniguchi Hiromi; born April 5, 1960) is a former Japanese long-distance runner, best known from winning the gold medal in the marathon at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo. The favourite to win the race, Olympic champion Gelindo Bordin, only finished eighth. The marathon was run under extremely adverse conditions of heat and humidity, which are reflected in the slow winning time of 2:14:57h. Taniguchi is the only male Japanese runner ever to have won a gold medal at World Championships. Taniguchi also won the Beppu-Ōita Marathon in 1985 and the Tokyo and London Marathons in 1987.
Kenji Hasegawa (長谷川健志, Hasegawa Kenji) is a Japanese basketball coach. He was the head coach of the Japan national…Kenji Hasegawa (長谷川健志, Hasegawa Kenji) is a Japanese basketball coach. He was the head coach of the Japan national basketball team from 2014 until his resignation in late 2016. Hasegawa coached the Japanese Universiade team at the 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok, Thailand and the Aoyama Gakuin University basketball team. He led Aoyama to a quarter-finals appearance at the 2013 Emperor's Cup after beating Levanga Hokkaido.
Kanako Fukaura (深浦 加奈子, Fukaura Kanako; 4 April 1960 – 25 August 2008) was a Japanese actress. Born in Tokyo, she…Kanako Fukaura (深浦 加奈子, Fukaura Kanako; 4 April 1960 – 25 August 2008) was a Japanese actress. Born in Tokyo, she developed fame largely through many performances as a supporting actress.
Daniel Kahl (born March 30, 1960, in Monrovia, California) is an American foreign television personality (gaijin…Daniel Kahl (born March 30, 1960, in Monrovia, California) is an American foreign television personality (gaijin tarento) and entrepreneur in Japan. He is famous for speaking fluent Yamagata-ben, the dialect of Yamagata Prefecture, a predominantly rural area. He mainly works as a television reporter for human interest stories in Japan, such as travel and gourmet programs. Following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan on 11 March 2011, Kahl was active in relief efforts in the affected areas, hauling food, supplies and equipment for fishermen. He also helped in combating the spread of false information regarding the spread of radiation in Fukushima after the nuclear accident there.
Yōko Tawada (多和田葉子 Tawada Yōko, born March 23, 1960) is a Japanese writer currently living in Berlin, Germany. She…Yōko Tawada (多和田葉子 Tawada Yōko, born March 23, 1960) is a Japanese writer currently living in Berlin, Germany. She writes in both Japanese and German. She is a former writer-in-residence at MIT and Stanford University. Tawada has won numerous literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Tanizaki Prize, the Noma Literary Prize, the Izumi Kyōka Prize for Literature, the Gunzo Prize for New Writers, the Goethe Medal, the Kleist Prize, and a National Book Award.
Ritsuko Nemoto (根本 りつ子, Nemoto Ritsuko; born April 19, 1959 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. From 1983 to 1996, she…Ritsuko Nemoto (根本 りつ子, Nemoto Ritsuko; born April 19, 1959 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. From 1983 to 1996, she portrayed the nurse Shiho in Series 7–14 of the long-running prime-time series Ōoka Echizen on the nationwide Tokyo Broadcasting System network. A frequent guest star in jidaigeki roles, she has seven appearances in Mito Kōmon to her credit. Contemporary roles include parts in a 2004 television series spinoff of Castle of Sand and the 1985 Star Tanjō. Ritsuko also acts in two-hour mystery dramas, with roles in the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday prime-time slots. Ritsuko has appeared in two films. She was in the 1994 Natsu no Niwa: The Friends, directed by Shinji Sōmai and in the 2005 Semi Shigure, directed by Mitsuo Kurotsuchi. Her product endorsements include advertisements for Calpis, House Foods, and Lake (Shinsei Financial Co., Ltd.).
Norihiko Akagi (赤城 徳彦, Akagi Norihiko; born 18 April 1959) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic…Norihiko Akagi (赤城 徳彦, Akagi Norihiko; born 18 April 1959) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Makabe District, Ibaraki and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 1983 to 1988. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Akagi took office as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries after the suicide of his predecessor, Toshikatsu Matsuoka, in May 2007. Not even two months after being inaugurated, Akagi found himself indicted in a political funding scandal not entirely different from the one his predecessor had been embroiled in as he was alleged to have registered multi-million yen expenditures on an office which did not exist. Akagi was asked to make receipts official but refused. On 17 July he appeared at a press conference with two adhesive plasters on his face, puzzling reporters but still refusing to make receipts official. Akagi resigned as Minister on 1 August 2007, after the upper house election. Minister of the Environment, Masatoshi Wakabayashi, became concurrent Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and stayed until 27 August 2007, when Shinzō Abe announced a new cabinet. Akagi's virtual successor was Takehiko Endo appointed on 27 August.
Koi Ikeno (池野 恋, Ikeno Koi; born April 16, 1959) is a manga author and illustrator. She was born April 16, 1959, in…Koi Ikeno (池野 恋, Ikeno Koi; born April 16, 1959) is a manga author and illustrator. She was born April 16, 1959, in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. She created Tokimeki Tonight in the 1980s and Nurse Angel Ririka in the 1990s, two manga series which received anime adaptations that ran while the manga was ongoing.
Kiyomi Itō (伊藤清美, Itō Kiyomi) is a Japanese actress best known for her performances in pink films. She was given Best…Kiyomi Itō (伊藤清美, Itō Kiyomi) is a Japanese actress best known for her performances in pink films. She was given Best Actress awards at the Pink Grand Prix for her work in this genre in 1990, 1992 and 1994.
Yukihiro Torikai (鳥飼 行博, Torikai Yukihiro; born 1959) is a Japanese economist of Department of Human Development…Yukihiro Torikai (鳥飼 行博, Torikai Yukihiro; born 1959) is a Japanese economist of Department of Human Development, School of Humanities & Culture, Tokai University (東海大学), which Shyonan campus is located in Hiratuka. His major is development economics and environmental economics for sustainable development from the view point of developing economies.
Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the…Kirishima Kazuhiro (霧島 一博; born April 3, 1959) is a former sumo wrestler from Makizono, Kagoshima, Japan, who held the second highest rank of ōzeki from 1990 to 1992 and won one top division tournament championship, and was runner up in seven others. He retired in March 1996, and from December 1997 until April 2024 was the head coach of Michinoku stable under the elder name of Michinoku.
Hisayoshi Ogura (小倉 久佳, Ogura Hisayoshi) is a former member of Taito Corporation's "house band" Zuntata. He is best…Hisayoshi Ogura (小倉 久佳, Ogura Hisayoshi) is a former member of Taito Corporation's "house band" Zuntata. He is best known for his musical compositions in the Darius arcade series. His musical style is often experimental electronica. However, in Zoids Infinity Ex he focused on more on an orchestrated soundtrack. His Darius compositions range from cutesy, heartfelt denpa-style songs to rather powerful ones. His music for the Darius series can vary in style. For example, the music for Darius Gaiden is dark and gloomy, while the music for G-Darius is more carefree and upbeat. He also created the soundtrack to Ninja Warriors and voiced the character Marco in Kaiser Knuckle (known outside Japan as Global Champion). Having left Zuntata by the time of Darius Burst, to which he contributed one new piece of music, being released, Ogura's company affiliation is listed in the game's all-English credits individually as "OguraHisayoshiOngaSeisakushow" (written in kanji as「小倉久佳音画制作所」; "Ogura Hisayoshi Soundscape Production Facility"), in contrast to the other composers' being listed as "ZUNTATA." His return as a free agent took place one year after leaving Zuntata.
Kazuhisa Kondo (近藤和久, Kondo Kazuhisa; born April 2, 1959) is a Japanese mecha designer. He is known for working on the…Kazuhisa Kondo (近藤和久, Kondo Kazuhisa; born April 2, 1959) is a Japanese mecha designer. He is known for working on the Gundam series.
Nobuo Kishi (岸 信夫, Kishi Nobuo; born 1 April 1959) is a Japanese politician. He sat in the House of Representatives…Nobuo Kishi (岸 信夫, Kishi Nobuo; born 1 April 1959) is a Japanese politician. He sat in the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2023 representing Yamaguchi’s 2nd District as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. From September 2020 to August 2022 he served as the Minister of Defense. He is the younger brother of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Daisuke Nishio (西尾 大介, Nishio Daisuke; born April 1, 1959) is a Japanese animator and director. He joined Toei Doga…Daisuke Nishio (西尾 大介, Nishio Daisuke; born April 1, 1959) is a Japanese animator and director. He joined Toei Doga (now Toei Animation) as animator in 1981. After doing several TV series, he was promoted to assistant director on Dr. Slump - Arale-chan in 1982. He debuted as director for Dragon Ball in 1986 and made his film debut that same year with Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong. Nishio also directed its sequel TV series, Dragon Ball Z, and several of its films.
Hideaki Okabe (岡部 英明, Okabe Hideaki; born 31 March 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Hideaki Okabe (岡部 英明, Okabe Hideaki; born 31 March 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hitachi, Ibaraki and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the assembly of Tochigi Prefecture in 2003 and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Katsuya Kodama (児玉 克哉, Kodama Katsuya; March 10, 1959 – October 2021 ) was a Japanese peace researcher and sociologist…Katsuya Kodama (児玉 克哉, Kodama Katsuya; March 10, 1959 – October 2021 ) was a Japanese peace researcher and sociologist who specializes in the research on non-violent peace activism, the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, refugee issues, foreign workers, and peace-building. He is a current Secretary-General of International Peace Research Association, former professor and vice president at Mie University and former vice president of International Social Science Council at UNESCO.
Tatsuo Kamon (嘉門 達夫, Kamon Tatsuo), real name Tatsuo Torikai (鳥飼 達夫, Torikai Tatsuo), is a Japanese singer-songwriter…Tatsuo Kamon (嘉門 達夫, Kamon Tatsuo), real name Tatsuo Torikai (鳥飼 達夫, Torikai Tatsuo), is a Japanese singer-songwriter born 25 March 1959 in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He is represented by the talent management firm Daikan'yama Production, and releases works through Daipro-X, a record company which is a subsidiary of Daikan'yama. He made his professional singer-songwriter debut in 1983 by winning two major awards and being named the "Rookie of the Year" for his single Yankee no Niichan no Uta (ヤンキーの兄ちゃんのうた, Yankī no Niichan no Uta).
Kazue Ikura (伊倉 一恵, Ikura Kazue; born March 23, 1959) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works for…Kazue Ikura (伊倉 一恵, Ikura Kazue; born March 23, 1959) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works for Aoni Production. She was previously affiliated with theater groups/production companies 劇舎燐, 俳協, Production Baobab and NABEYA. She is most known for the roles of Kaori Makimura (City Hunter), Toraoh (Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru), Ryuunosuke Natsume (All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku), and Leni Milchstrasse (Sakura Wars). Kazue Ikura has even taken her voice acting skills on stage to perform, in costume, Leni Milchstrasse during several events starting in 1998 to the present.
Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his…Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫, Uematsu Nobuo; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese composer and keyboardist best known for his contributions to the Final Fantasy video game series by Square Enix. A self-taught musician, he began playing the piano at the age of twelve. Uematsu joined Square in 1986, where he first met Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. The two later worked together on many games at the company, most notably in the Final Fantasy series. After nearly two decades with Square, Uematsu left in 2004 to create his own production company and music label, Dog Ear Records. He has since composed music as a freelancer for other games, including ones developed by Square Enix and Sakaguchi's studio Mistwalker. Many soundtracks and arranged albums of Uematsu's game scores have been released. Pieces from his video game works have been performed in various Final Fantasy concerts, where he has worked with conductor Arnie Roth and Game Concerts producer Thomas Böcker on several of these performances. Uematsu was also the keyboardist in The Black Mages in the 2000s, which played various hard rock versions of his Final Fantasy compositions. He has since performed with the Earthbound Papas, which he formed as the successor to The Black Mages in 2011. Uematsu has made several listings in Britain's Classic FM Hall of Fame, with the station referring to him as the Beethoven of game music.
Katsuhiko Murooka (室岡 克彦, Murooka Katsuhiko; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Katsuhiko Murooka (室岡 克彦, Murooka Katsuhiko; born March 21, 1959) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan.
Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子, Sakurada Junko; born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in…Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子, Sakurada Junko; born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in 1973, which included Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori. Sakurada then became successful in a solo music career, with 18 top ten singles in the 1970s. Her acting career ran from 1973 to 1993. She received multiple awards for her acting roles, including the Hochi Film Award, Award of the Japanese Academy, Kinema Junpo Award, and Mainichi Film Concours. Following her marriage, in a Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church in 1992, she retired from performing. In 2013, Sakurada made a comeback.
Hisako Manda (萬田 久子, Manda Hisako; born April 13, 1958, in Osaka) is a Japanese actress. She represented Japan at Miss…Hisako Manda (萬田 久子, Manda Hisako; born April 13, 1958, in Osaka) is a Japanese actress. She represented Japan at Miss Universe 1978 in Acapulco, Mexico, but did not advance to the semifinals.
Hyōichi Kōno (河野 兵市, Kōno Hyōichi; April 12, 1958 – May 17, 2001) was a Japanese adventurer, best known for circling…Hyōichi Kōno (河野 兵市, Kōno Hyōichi; April 12, 1958 – May 17, 2001) was a Japanese adventurer, best known for circling Japan on bicycle and traveling to the North Pole. He was born in the town of Ikata, Ehime, Japan. Kōno died in 2001 while attempting to walk from the North Pole back to his hometown. Kono went missing in the Canadian Arctic, and was found in the Arctic Ocean. A memorial display entitled "Reaching Home" was erected at the Seto Agriculture Park in Ikata to honor him. It includes a signpost noting the names, dates, and distances of locations he traveled to. It reads as follows:
Atsuko Taneya, known professionally as Ako or Ako Dachs, is a Japanese actress who is the founding Artistic Director of…Atsuko Taneya, known professionally as Ako or Ako Dachs, is a Japanese actress who is the founding Artistic Director of the Amaterasu Za theatre company. She received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2019.
Aiko Morishita (森下 愛子, Morishita Aiko; born 8 April 1958) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a number of feature…Aiko Morishita (森下 愛子, Morishita Aiko; born 8 April 1958) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a number of feature films and television series. Her real name is Kayo Yoshida (吉田 佳代, Yoshida Kayo). Her husband is singer-songwriter Takuro Yoshida.
Yasuo Kubo (久保 康生, Kubo Yasuo; born April 8, 1958 in Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Yasuo Kubo (久保 康生, Kubo Yasuo; born April 8, 1958 in Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Ryoichi Kawakatsu (川勝 良一, Kawakatsu Ryōichi; born April 5, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Ryoichi Kawakatsu (川勝 良一, Kawakatsu Ryōichi; born April 5, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Masakuni Yamamoto (山本 昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni; born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Masakuni Yamamoto (山本 昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni; born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Shigefumi Matsuzawa (松沢 成文, Matsuzawa Shigefumi; born 2 April 1958) is a Japanese politician and a current member of…Shigefumi Matsuzawa (松沢 成文, Matsuzawa Shigefumi; born 2 April 1958) is a Japanese politician and a current member of the House of Councillors for the Kanagawa at-large district in the Diet of Japan.
Hiromi Kawakami (川上 弘美, Kawakami Hiromi; born April 1958) is a Japanese writer, known for her off-beat fiction, poetry…Hiromi Kawakami (川上 弘美, Kawakami Hiromi; born April 1958) is a Japanese writer, known for her off-beat fiction, poetry, and literary criticism. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Tanizaki Prize, the Yomiuri Prize, and the Izumi Kyōka Prize for Literature. Her work has been adapted for film and has been translated into more than 15 languages.
Dai Sentai Goggle-V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ, Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu; Great Squadron Goggle-V) is a Japanese television tokusatsu…Dai Sentai Goggle-V (大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ, Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu; Great Squadron Goggle-V) is a Japanese television tokusatsu series broadcast by TV Asahi. The series is the sixth installment of Super Sentai. Directed by Shohei Tojo, Takafumi Hattori, Makoto Tsuji, Minoru Yamada and Michio Konishi, it stars Ryōji Akagi, Jyunichi Haruta, Shigeki Ishii, Sanpei Godai, Megumi Ōkawa, Mayumi Yoshida, Toshimichi Takahashi and Yosuke Naka. It aired from February 6, 1982 to January 29, 1983, replacing Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan and was replaced by Kagaku Sentai Dynaman. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Goggle V.
Masako Bandō (坂東 眞砂子, Bandō Masako; March 30, 1958 – January 27, 2014) was a Japanese novelist. She was awarded the…Masako Bandō (坂東 眞砂子, Bandō Masako; March 30, 1958 – January 27, 2014) was a Japanese novelist. She was awarded the prestigious Naoki Prize in 1996 for the novel Yamahaha.
Tsutomu Sonobe (園部 勉, Sonobe Tsutomu; born March 29, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the…Tsutomu Sonobe (園部 勉, Sonobe Tsutomu; born March 29, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Masahito Arai (新井 正人, Arai Masahito) is a Japanese singer and composer. Debuting with the band Diary in 1977, he joined…Masahito Arai (新井 正人, Arai Masahito) is a Japanese singer and composer. Debuting with the band Diary in 1977, he joined the group Pal in 1979 and had a solo debut in 1987, performing the song "Anime ja Nai" for the 1986 anime Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ.
Shinya Tasaki (Japanese name: 田崎真也 born: 21 March 1958) is a Japanese sommelier who was named best sommelier in the…Shinya Tasaki (Japanese name: 田崎真也 born: 21 March 1958) is a Japanese sommelier who was named best sommelier in the world in 1995 by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. Tasaki is the only Asian national ever to win the title of the Best Sommelier of the World, and he was awarded the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor by the Emperor of Japan.
Nobuteru Ishihara (石原 伸晃, Ishihara Nobuteru; born April 19, 1957) is a Japanese politician, who served as the…Nobuteru Ishihara (石原 伸晃, Ishihara Nobuteru; born April 19, 1957) is a Japanese politician, who served as the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2010 to 2012. Previously, he also served in the House of Representatives as representative from 1990 to 2021.
Ryosuke Yasunami (born April 19, 1957) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court…Ryosuke Yasunami (born April 19, 1957) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan since 2021.
Mitsuomi Koizumi (小泉光臣, koizumi mitsuomi) is the incumbent president of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. He…Mitsuomi Koizumi (小泉光臣, koizumi mitsuomi) is the incumbent president of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. He replaced Hiroshi Kimura as president in June 2012.
Masaru Uchiyama (内山 勝, Uchiyama Masaru; born April 14, 1957) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masaru Uchiyama (内山 勝, Uchiyama Masaru; born April 14, 1957) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His brother Atsushi Uchiyama also played for Japan national team.