Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and…Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is known for new-age music, as well as folk, jazz fusion and electronic music.
Kōichirō Nishikawa (Japanese: 西川 公一郎, born 1949 - November 28, 2018) was a Japanese elementary particle physicist…Kōichirō Nishikawa (Japanese: 西川 公一郎, born 1949 - November 28, 2018) was a Japanese elementary particle physicist, known for contributions to neutrino physics. He was professor emeritus of the KEK high-energy physics laboratory and Kyōto University. Nishikawa graduated from Kyōto University in 1971 and completed his doctorate at Northwestern in 1980 working with David Buchholz. After working at the University of Chicago, State University of New York, and Tōkyō University, he combined positions at KEK and Kyōto University, eventually becoming director of the Institute for Particle and Nuclear physics at the KEK laboratory and deputy director of the J-PARC proton accelerator facility. Nishikawa's most notable achievements were as founder and leader of the K2K and T2K experiments. K2K, which ran from 1999 until 2005, used the Super Kamiokande detector in Kamioka to measure a controlled beam of neutrinos emitted by the KEK proton synchrotron. The K2K team verified with greater accuracy the neutrino oscillations observed in atmospheric neutrinos by the Super Kamiokande experiment. The T2K experiment, which began in 2010 as a successor to K2K, used neutrino beams from the J-PARC proton accelerator with the Super Kamiokande detector to observe neutrino oscillations with specific start and end flavors, thereby measuring the parameters of this flavor-switching behavior. In 2016, Nishikawa and the K2K and T2K groups received the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics together with other neutrino research collaborations. He was awarded the Nishina Memorial Prize in 2005, and the Bruno Pontecorvo Prize in 2016. He also received the 1998 Asahi Prize as part of the Super-Kamiokande experiment that discovered the mass of neutrinos.
Hiroyuki Fujikake (born 1949), also known by his pen name Hiro Fujikake, is a Japanese composer, conductor and…Hiroyuki Fujikake (born 1949), also known by his pen name Hiro Fujikake, is a Japanese composer, conductor and synthesizer player.
Masayoshi Esashi (江刺 正喜, Esashi Masayoshi; born January 30, 1949 Sendai, Miyagi) is an engineer. He is a global…Masayoshi Esashi (江刺 正喜, Esashi Masayoshi; born January 30, 1949 Sendai, Miyagi) is an engineer. He is a global authority of Microelectromechanical systems and serves as the professor of the Tohoku University graduate school engineering graduate course.
Jiro Dan (団 時朗, Dan Jirō; January 30, 1949 – March 22, 2023) was a Japanese actor, singer, and model best known for his…Jiro Dan (団 時朗, Dan Jirō; January 30, 1949 – March 22, 2023) was a Japanese actor, singer, and model best known for his role as Hideki Go/Ultraman Jack in The Return of Ultraman, making guest appearances in subsequent Ultraman productions as well. His real name was Hideo Murata (村田 秀雄). He was born in Kyoto and graduated from Heian High School.
Masachika Ichimura (市村 正親, Ichimura Masachika; born January 28, 1949) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawagoe…Masachika Ichimura (市村 正親, Ichimura Masachika; born January 28, 1949) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawagoe, Saitama and studied at the Theater Art College in Tokyo after graduating high school. He has also done voice acting work, with some of his roles being Mewtwo from the Pokémon franchise and Jack Skellington in the Japanese dub of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Shigeharu Mukai (向井 滋春, Mukai Shigeharu; born January 21, 1949 in Nagoya) is a Japanese jazz trombonist. Mukai attended…Shigeharu Mukai (向井 滋春, Mukai Shigeharu; born January 21, 1949 in Nagoya) is a Japanese jazz trombonist. Mukai attended Doshisha University but left before obtaining his degree to become a professional musician. Early in his career he worked with Yoshio Otomo, Ryo Kawasaki, and Hiroshi Fukumura, then led his own ensemble, including a performance at the Shinjuku Jazz Festival. He went on to work with Terumasa Hino, Akira Sakata, Kazumi Watanabe, and Yosuke Yamashita, as well as the ensemble Spik and Span and international musicians like João Bosco, Billy Hart, and Elvin Jones. In the 1970s, while living in Musashino, Tokyo, Mukai performed at Peter Cat, the jazz café that novelist Haruki Murakami opened and ran. In the 1990s and 2000s he taught jazz at Senzoku Gakuen school of music.
Kazunori Tanaka (田中 和徳, Tanaka Kazunori; born 21 January 1949) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Kazunori Tanaka (田中 和徳, Tanaka Kazunori; born 21 January 1949) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and Minister of Reconstruction. A native of Toyoura District, Yamaguchi and graduate of Hosei University he was elected for the first time in 1996 after serving in local assemblies. Tanaka was general director of the Liberal Democratic Party International bureau in 2015.
Yoshiharu Sekino (関野 吉晴, Sekino Yoshiharu; born 20 January 1949, Tokyo) is a Japanese surgeon, explorer, travel writer…Yoshiharu Sekino (関野 吉晴, Sekino Yoshiharu; born 20 January 1949, Tokyo) is a Japanese surgeon, explorer, travel writer, photographer and anthropologist.
Yukiko Sakamoto (坂本 由紀子, Sakamoto Yukiko; born 20 January 1949) is a Japanese politician and bureaucrat from Mishima…Yukiko Sakamoto (坂本 由紀子, Sakamoto Yukiko; born 20 January 1949) is a Japanese politician and bureaucrat from Mishima, Shizuoka. She was the first woman to be appointed vice-governor of Shizuoka Prefecture in 1996 and served one term in the House of Councillors in the National Diet from 2004 until 2009.
Shin Ebihara (海老原 紳, Ebihara Shin; born February 16, 1948) is a Japanese diplomat. Ebihara started his diplomatic…Shin Ebihara (海老原 紳, Ebihara Shin; born February 16, 1948) is a Japanese diplomat. Ebihara started his diplomatic career in 1971, as quit the University of Tokyo and entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and served as Deputy Director General of the Bureau of Middle Eastern and African Affairs, Director General of the Bureau of North American Affairs, and Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister. In 2006-2008 served as Ambassador to Indonesia. In 2008-2011 served as Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Kaiketsu Masateru (Japanese: 魁傑 將晃, born Teruyuki Nishimori; February 16, 1948 – May 18, 2014) was a Japanese sumo…Kaiketsu Masateru (Japanese: 魁傑 將晃, born Teruyuki Nishimori; February 16, 1948 – May 18, 2014) was a Japanese sumo wrestler, who reached the second highest rank of ōzeki on two occasions. He also won two top division tournament championships. After his retirement in 1979 he became a coach under the name of Hanaregoma-oyakata and established Hanaregoma stable. He was also chairman of the Japan Sumo Association from 2010 to 2012.
Seiji Oko (大古 誠司 Ōko Seiji , born 15 February 1948) is a former volleyball player from Japan, who was a member of the…Seiji Oko (大古 誠司 Ōko Seiji , born 15 February 1948) is a former volleyball player from Japan, who was a member of the Japan Men's National Team that won the gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics and the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics. In 2004, he became an inductee of the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Toshie Kihara (木原 敏江, Kihara Toshie; born February 14, 1948, in Meguro, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist and a member…Toshie Kihara (木原 敏江, Kihara Toshie; born February 14, 1948, in Meguro, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist and a member of the Year 24 Group. She made her professional debut in 1969 with the short story Kotchi Muite Mama! in Bessatsu Margaret. She is best known for her manga series Mari to Shingo, serialized from 1977 to 1984 in LaLa, which follows a romance between two young men at the start of the Shōwa era. Several of her manga series have inspired musicals performed by the all-female Takarazuka Revue, including Angélique, an adaptation of the novels by Anne Golon; Torikaebaya Ibun, an adaptation of the Heian era tale Torikaebaya Monogatari; and Ōeyama Kaden. In 1985, Kihara won the 30th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo (girls') category for Yume no Ishibumi, a multi-volume collection of short stories with shōnen-ai (male-male romance) themes. In 2017, to commemorate Kihara's 48th anniversary as a manga artist, Kawade Shobo Shinsha published a book containing a chronological list of all of her works; a lengthy interview with Kihara about her career; a round-table discussion between Kihara and her fellow Year 24 Group members, Moto Hagio and Yasuko Aoike; and contributions from other celebrated manga artists, such as Riyoko Ikeda and Yasuko Sakata. The same year, Kihara's first solo art exhibition was held at the Span Art Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan, from November 3 to November 14, 2017. The exhibition was also held at the Niigata City Manga House in Niigata, Japan, from June 21 to October 9, 2018. Another exhibition dedicated solely to Mari to Shingo was held at the Span Art Gallery in two parts: first, from April 26 to May 8, 2019, and second, from June 22 to July 9, 2019. During its run, Kihara made several appearances at the gallery to sign autographs.
Eizo Kenmotsu (監物永三, Kenmotsu Eizō; born February 13, 1948) is a former Japanese artistic gymnast, who won seven world…Eizo Kenmotsu (監物永三, Kenmotsu Eizō; born February 13, 1948) is a former Japanese artistic gymnast, who won seven world titles and three Olympic gold medals between 1968 and 1979. In retirement, he became a leading Japanese coach. He also served as sports director of the Nippon Sport Science University and vice president of the Japan Gymnastics Association. In 2006, Kenmotsu was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Kenmotsu was 20 years and 8 months old in October 1968 when he became the youngest Japanese artistic gymnast in history to win an Olympic gold medal after the team event finals at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He held on to that longstanding record for almost 48 years until recently when it was finally broken by Kenzō Shirai, who in August 2016 acquired the honour when only 19 years and 11 months old, at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro–also after the team event finals. Coincidentally, they had both similarly won one other Olympic medal, each an individual event bronze–Kenmotsu on the horizontal bar and Shirai on the vault–at their respective first Olympic Games.
Kenji Soda (宗田 研二, Sōda Kenji; born 12 February 1948) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Kenji Soda (宗田 研二, Sōda Kenji; born 12 February 1948) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Yoshihito, Prince Katsura (桂宮宜仁親王, Katsura-no-miya Yoshihito Shinnō; 11 February 1948 – 8 June 2014) was a member of…Yoshihito, Prince Katsura (桂宮宜仁親王, Katsura-no-miya Yoshihito Shinnō; 11 February 1948 – 8 June 2014) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the second son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito. Originally known as Prince Yoshihito of Mikasa, he received the title Prince Katsura (Katsura-no-miya) and authorization to start a new branch of the Imperial Family on 1 January 1988 at age 39. He died of a heart attack on 8 June 2014, aged 66.
Kisaburo Tokai (渡海 紀三朗, Tokai Kisaburō; born 11 February 1948 in Takasago, Hyōgo) is a former Japanese politician who…Kisaburo Tokai (渡海 紀三朗, Tokai Kisaburō; born 11 February 1948 in Takasago, Hyōgo) is a former Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from 2007 to 2008.
Shiro Asano (浅野 史郎, Asano Shirō; born 8 February 1948) is the former governor of Miyagi, Japan, and currently…Shiro Asano (浅野 史郎, Asano Shirō; born 8 February 1948) is the former governor of Miyagi, Japan, and currently university professor & political commentator.
Masanori Toguchi (戸口 正徳, Toguchi Masanori), born Pyo Jeong-deok (Korean: 표정덕; Hanja: 表正德; February 7, 1948), is a…Masanori Toguchi (戸口 正徳, Toguchi Masanori), born Pyo Jeong-deok (Korean: 표정덕; Hanja: 表正德; February 7, 1948), is a retired Zainichi Korean professional wrestler best known by his ring name Kim Duk (Japanese: キム・ドク, Hepburn: Kimu Doku). He was also known by the name Tiger Chung Lee in the World Wrestling Federation.
Mienoumi Tsuyoshi (Japanese: 三重ノ海 剛司, Hepburn: Mienoumi Tsuyoshi; born February 4, 1948 as Gorō Ishiyama (石山五郎…Mienoumi Tsuyoshi (Japanese: 三重ノ海 剛司, Hepburn: Mienoumi Tsuyoshi; born February 4, 1948 as Gorō Ishiyama (石山五郎, Ishiyama Gorō)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Matsusaka, Mie. He was the 57th yokozuna of the sport. After retiring he founded the Musashigawa stable and was a chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. He was the first rikishi in history who was demoted from the rank of Ozeki but still managed the promotion to Yokozuna.
Jinsuke Kageyama (影山 任佐, Kageyama Jinsuke; born 3 February 1948) is a Japanese psychiatrist. His specialties are…Jinsuke Kageyama (影山 任佐, Kageyama Jinsuke; born 3 February 1948) is a Japanese psychiatrist. His specialties are criminal psychopathology, psychiatric history, clinical psychiatry and mental health studies. He is Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Institute of Technology and a winner of the Prize of the Japanese Association of Criminology (2002).
Muneo Suzuki (鈴木 宗男 Suzuki Muneo, born 31 January 1948), commonly known simply as "Muneo" due to his common last name…Muneo Suzuki (鈴木 宗男 Suzuki Muneo, born 31 January 1948), commonly known simply as "Muneo" due to his common last name, is a Japanese politician from Ashoro, Hokkaido, currently serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2019, representing the National PR block.
Akira Yoshino (吉野 彰, Yoshino Akira; born 30 January 1948) is a Japanese chemist. He is a fellow of Asahi Kasei…Akira Yoshino (吉野 彰, Yoshino Akira; born 30 January 1948) is a Japanese chemist. He is a fellow of Asahi Kasei Corporation and a professor at Meijo University in Nagoya. He created the first safe, production-viable lithium-ion battery, which became used widely in cellular phones and notebook computers. Yoshino was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 alongside M. Stanley Whittingham and John B. Goodenough.
Mamoru "Mark" Mohri, (Japanese: 毛利 衛, romanized: Mōri Mamoru; born 29 January 1948) is a Japanese scientist, a former…Mamoru "Mark" Mohri, (Japanese: 毛利 衛, romanized: Mōri Mamoru; born 29 January 1948) is a Japanese scientist, a former NASDA astronaut, and a veteran of two NASA Space Shuttle missions. He is the first Japanese astronaut who was part of an official Japanese space program. The first Japanese person in space, Toyohiro Akiyama, was a journalist who was trained in the Soviet Union.
Kōji Makaino (馬飼野 康二, Makaino Kōji; born 26 January 1948) is a Japanese pop music composer, arranger, and musician. He…Kōji Makaino (馬飼野 康二, Makaino Kōji; born 26 January 1948) is a Japanese pop music composer, arranger, and musician. He is the elder brother of composer Shunichi Makaino.
Mitsuo Shindō (信藤 三雄, Shindō Mitsuo; 1948 – 10 February 2023) was a Japanese art director, photographer, film director…Mitsuo Shindō (信藤 三雄, Shindō Mitsuo; 1948 – 10 February 2023) was a Japanese art director, photographer, film director and producer, music video director and calligraphist. Shindō designed over 1000 albums and single cover art for artists including Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Yumi Matsutoya, Pizzicato Five, Mr. Children, Misia, Hikaru Utada and Glay. He was also a frequent collaborator with Mr. Children and Misia, for whom he has directed several music videos. In 2010, Shindō became a board member of Mudef, a foundation established by Misia and Rhythmedia CEO Hiroto Tanigawa. Shindō died from stomach cancer on 10 February 2023, at the age of 75.
Yoshio Hachiro (鉢呂 吉雄, Hachiro Yoshio; born 25 January 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Yoshio Hachiro (鉢呂 吉雄, Hachiro Yoshio; born 25 January 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Haruhiko Jō (壤晴彦, Jō Haruhiko; born January 25, 1948) is a Japanese actor, theatre director, and voice actor, currently…Haruhiko Jō (壤晴彦, Jō Haruhiko; born January 25, 1948) is a Japanese actor, theatre director, and voice actor, currently affiliated with Engekikurabu Za.
Machiko Satonaka (里中 満智子, Satonaka Machiko; born 24 January 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional…Machiko Satonaka (里中 満智子, Satonaka Machiko; born 24 January 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. She made her professional debut in 1964 during her second year of high school with the one-shot Pia no Shōzō ("Portrait of Pia"). She has since created nearly 500 manga in a variety of genres. Two of her most notable works are Ashita Kagayaku ("Tomorrow Will Shine"), which won the 1974 Kodansha Publishing Culture Award, and Karyūdo no Seiza ("Constellation of the Hunter"), which won the 1982 Kodansha Manga Award. In addition to creating manga, Satonaka teaches at the Osaka University of Arts as the head of the Character Creative Arts Department and serves on the board of various manga-related organizations in Japan.
Mitoji Yabunaka (薮中 三十二, Yabunaka Mitoji; born 23 January 1948) is a Japanese former diplomat who served as Vice…Mitoji Yabunaka (薮中 三十二, Yabunaka Mitoji; born 23 January 1948) is a Japanese former diplomat who served as Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2010. Prior to that position, Yabunaka served as Ministry of Foreign Affair's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General. He has been a diplomat for nearly forty years. Yabunaka has represented Japan on a number of occasions and has negotiated trade deals with the United States, Australia and Indonesia. He has had contact with a number of United States diplomats, including hosting current United States Ambassador to Japan John Roos shortly following Roos' appointment. During the first, second and third rounds of the Six-party talks, Yabunaka represented Japan as chief delegate. The Japanese government also sent Yabanuka as a delegate to China to discuss issues of natural gas reserves under the East China Sea. He handled Myanmar relations during the Kenji Nagai shooting incident, demanding an investigation and challenging governmental claims. Yabunaka replaced Toshiyuki Takano as Director General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau in 2002. In 2008 Yabunaka held talks with South Korean Ambassador Kwon Chul Hyun over disputed islets in the Sea of Japan.
Minoru Kanehisa (金久 實) (born January 23, 1948) is a Japanese bioinformatician. He is a project professor at Kyoto…Minoru Kanehisa (金久 實) (born January 23, 1948) is a Japanese bioinformatician. He is a project professor at Kyoto University, technical director of Pathway Solutions Inc and president of NPO Bioinformatics Japan. He is one of Japan's most recognized and respected bioinformatics experts and is known for developing the KEGG bioinformatics database. In 2018 he was listed on a list of Clarivate Citation Laureates for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "contributions to bioinformatics, specifically for his development of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)".
Mieko Kamimoto (神本 美恵子, Kamimoto Mieko; born 22 January 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic…Mieko Kamimoto (神本 美恵子, Kamimoto Mieko; born 22 January 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Asakura District, Fukuoka and graduate of Fukuoka University of Education, she was elected for the first time in 2001.
Chiyo Okumura (奥村チヨ, Okumura Chiyo; February 18, 1947, Ikeda, Osaka) is a popular Japanese pop singer and former…Chiyo Okumura (奥村チヨ, Okumura Chiyo; February 18, 1947, Ikeda, Osaka) is a popular Japanese pop singer and former fashion model who made her debut in the 1960s. She is best known for her songs "Koi no Dorei" (恋の奴隷 English: "Slave of Love") and "Shuuchakueki" (終着駅 English: "Terminal Station"). Her cover of The Ventures recording, "Hokkaido Skies" sold over one million copies, and earned her a gold disc award. Following this success, she released another hit, "Ginza Lights." "Koi no Dorei" was covered on GO!GO!7188's cover album, Tora no Ana. On January 6, 2018, Okumura announced her retirement from the music industry.
Akio Kudo (born 15 February 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968…Akio Kudo (born 15 February 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Katsuhito Iwai (岩井 克人, Iwai Katsuhito; born February 13, 1947) is a Japanese economist and critic. He has studied the…Katsuhito Iwai (岩井 克人, Iwai Katsuhito; born February 13, 1947) is a Japanese economist and critic. He has studied the theory of money, macro dynamics, evolutionary economics, philosophy of corporations, fiduciary law, and the history of sociology. His work includes the book, Disequilibrium Dynamics (Yale University Press, 1981), and many articles published in academic journals. He has also written books and articles in newspapers and magazines for the general public on a wide variety of subjects ranging from global capitalism, post-modernity, civil society, money and language to literature and movies. His keen observations and analysis of the works of Shakespeare, Marx, J. S. G. Boggs, and Ihara Saikaku have established him as one of the foremost essayists in Japan.
Yukio Hatoyama (鳩山 友紀夫, born 鳩山 由紀夫, Hatoyama Yukio; born 11 February 1947) is a retired Japanese politician who served…Yukio Hatoyama (鳩山 友紀夫, born 鳩山 由紀夫, Hatoyama Yukio; born 11 February 1947) is a retired Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and leader of the Democratic Party of Japan from 2009 to 2010. He was the first Prime Minister from the party. Coming from a prominent Japanese political family, Hatoyama was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1986 to represent the Hokkaido 9th district. He became President of the DPJ, the main opposition party, in May 2009. He then led the party to a landslide victory in the 2009 general election, defeating the long-governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which had been in power for over a decade, becoming prime minister that year. During his premiership, Hatoyama attempted spending cuts on public works projects. He also moved to change Japan's foreign policy from a United States-centric one to a more Asia-focused one. Hatoyama's premiership saw improved relations between China and Japan, as well as with Japan's other neighbors. Though initially enjoying high approval ratings, his popularity soon dropped due to various reasons including a finance scandal. In 2010, he announced his resignation as prime minister, citing breaking a campaign promise to close an American military base on the island of Okinawa. In 2012, just before the LDP won the general elections in a landslide, Hatoyama announced his retirement from politics and did not run for re-election. Since then, he has made large online presence such as on Twitter with his outspoken political views. Hatoyama took part in founding the minor Kyowa Party in 2020, but later left the party.
Kikko Matsuoka (松岡 きっこ, Matsuoka Kikko; born February 11, 1947) is a Japanese actress. Her real name is Kikuko Matsuoka…Kikko Matsuoka (松岡 きっこ, Matsuoka Kikko; born February 11, 1947) is a Japanese actress. Her real name is Kikuko Matsuoka (松岡 紀公子, Matsuoka Kikuko).
Yuji Nunokawa (Japanese: 布川ゆうじ; 11 February 1947 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese anime producer, animator and…Yuji Nunokawa (Japanese: 布川ゆうじ; 11 February 1947 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese anime producer, animator and director.
Mieko Hirota (弘田 三枝子, Hirota Mieko; née Takenaga, 竹永; February 5, 1947 – July 21, 2020) was a Japanese singer. Her…Mieko Hirota (弘田 三枝子, Hirota Mieko; née Takenaga, 竹永; February 5, 1947 – July 21, 2020) was a Japanese singer. Her nickname was Mico (ミコ; also spelled Miko). Hirota was born in Ikejiri, Setagaya, Tokyo. She grew up listening to pop and jazz in places like Tachikawa, which was frequented by occupation troops. She made her debut in 1961 at age 14. In 1965, she became the first Japanese singer to sing the song "Sunny" on an album and the first to appear at the Newport Jazz Festival. Hirota appeared on the NHK New Year's Eve Kōhaku Uta Gassen eight times. Her first performance was in 1962, when she sang the Connie Francis tune "Vacation". NHK tapped her for the next four years in succession, and again in 1969, 1970, and 1971. She sang the theme song, "Leo no Uta", for the animated television series Kimba the White Lion. Hirota's commercial career included endorsements for Nescafé, Nippon Oil, Daikin Industries, Fujiya, Renown, and Sapporo Beer. Hirota collapsed at her home in Chiba Prefecture on July 20, 2020, and was taken to a nearby hospital. She died from heart failure on July 21, 2020, at the age of 73. She posthumously became one of eight recipients of the Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards.
Teruhiko Saigō (西郷 輝彦, Saigō Teruhiko; 5 February 1947 – 20 February 2022) was a Japanese singer and actor. As a…Teruhiko Saigō (西郷 輝彦, Saigō Teruhiko; 5 February 1947 – 20 February 2022) was a Japanese singer and actor. As a singer, he was known as one of the three "Gosanke" (referring to gosanke, the three great Tokugawa houses), along with Yukio Hashi and Kazuo Funaki. The stage name was based on the Meiji Restoration one of three heroes, but also the Kagoshima Local hero Takamori Saigo.
Otohikon Endō (乙彦 遠藤; born 1 February 1947) is a Japanese politician from the New Komeito Party, and a former member of…Otohikon Endō (乙彦 遠藤; born 1 February 1947) is a Japanese politician from the New Komeito Party, and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Hiroshi Okada (岡田 広, Okada Hiroshi; born January 31, 1947) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Hiroshi Okada (岡田 広, Okada Hiroshi; born January 31, 1947) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi. A native of Mito, Ibaraki and graduate of Ritsumeikan University, Okada had served in the assembly of Ibaraki Prefecture since 1986 and as mayor of Mito for three terms since 1993. In 2003 he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time. He also held the following political positions: State Minister of Cabinet Office; State Minister for Reconstruction; Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare; Chief Director, Committee on Financial Affairs, HC; Chairperson, Committee on Cabinet, HC; and Director, Cabinet Division, LDP.
Takashi Kako (加古 隆, Kako Takashi) (born 31 January 1947) is a Japanese pianist and composer, who works in both jazz and…Takashi Kako (加古 隆, Kako Takashi) (born 31 January 1947) is a Japanese pianist and composer, who works in both jazz and art-music idioms.
Masaki Kashiwara (Japanese: 柏原 正樹, Hepburn: Kashiwara Masaki; born January 30, 1947) is a Japanese mathematician and…Masaki Kashiwara (Japanese: 柏原 正樹, Hepburn: Kashiwara Masaki; born January 30, 1947) is a Japanese mathematician and professor at the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS). He is known for his contributions to algebraic analysis, microlocal analysis, D-module theory, Hodge theory, sheaf theory and representation theory. He was awarded the Abel Prize in 2025, and is the award's first recipient from Japan.
Seigo Kitamura (北村 誠吾, Kitamura Seigo; 29 January 1947 – 20 May 2023) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Seigo Kitamura (北村 誠吾, Kitamura Seigo; 29 January 1947 – 20 May 2023) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Ikuo Kabashima (蒲島 郁夫, Kabashima Ikuo; born 28 January 1947) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Kumamoto…Ikuo Kabashima (蒲島 郁夫, Kabashima Ikuo; born 28 January 1947) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Kumamoto Prefecture. Kabashima served as governor for 4 terms, between 2008 and 2024. Ikuo Kabashima received a bachelor's and master's degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He received a Ph.D. in political economy from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1979. He studied under Samuel P. Huntington and Sidney Verba in HKS. Kabashima was an associate professor at the Institute of Policy and Planning Sciences of the University of Tsukuba from 1986 to 1991. He became a professor in 1991 and in 1996 was named dean of the Graduate School of International Political Economy. In 1997 he became a professor of law at the University of Tokyo. Kabahsima led the development of Kumamon, a promotional mascot that gained popularity both in Japan and abroad.
Shozo Saijo (西城 正三, Saijō Shōzō; born January 28, 1947) is a Japanese former professional boxer from Saitama. He is a…Shozo Saijo (西城 正三, Saijō Shōzō; born January 28, 1947) is a Japanese former professional boxer from Saitama. He is a former WBA featherweight champion.