Makoto Gonokami (五神 真, Gonokami Makoto; born 1957) is a Japanese professor of science and engineering at the University…
Makoto Gonokami (五神 真, Gonokami Makoto; born 1957) is a Japanese professor of science and engineering at the University of Tokyo (UTokyo), mostly in the field of physics. He served as the 30th president of UTokyo, after succeeding Junichi Hamada who retired in 2015, and until March 2021. After his presidency at UTokyo, he has served as the president of Riken since 2022. He works in the graduate school of science, school of engineering in the institution before being dean in graduate school of science and vice president of the university. He holds a PhD in optical physics at University of Tokyo and most of his research based on Quantum physics and participate in Center for Quantum Materials. He served as the chair of IARU for two years (2018–2020).
Famous People Born under Leo
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Tatsuharu Mawatari (馬渡 龍治, Mawatari Tatsuharu; born July 26, 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…
Tatsuharu Mawatari (馬渡 龍治, Mawatari Tatsuharu; born July 26, 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo and graduate of Sophia University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005. He is an assenter of "The Truth about Nanjing(movie)."
Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He…
Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, joining the original Isegahama stable, recruited by former yokozuna Terukuni, and reached the top division in March 1982. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Following his retirement from active competition he remained in the sumo world as a sewanin under his real name Saisu, and was a member of Asahiyama stable and then the new Isegahama stable. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for sumo personnel in August 2021 and left his position. In November 1973 he won out in an extraordinary twelve-way playoff for the Jonidan championship, winning four additional bouts for a final score of 6–1–PPPP.
Akimi Yoshida (吉田 秋生, Yoshida Akimi; born August 12, 1956) is a Japanese manga artist.
Takashi Esaki (江崎孝, Esaki Takashi; born 11 August 1956) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional Democratic…
Takashi Esaki (江崎孝, Esaki Takashi; born 11 August 1956) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. He serves as member of the House of Councillors as a national proportional representative.
Chiaki Takahashi (高橋 千秋, Takahashi Chiaki; born August 2, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…
Chiaki Takahashi (高橋 千秋, Takahashi Chiaki; born August 2, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Anō, Mie and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2000 after running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1998.
Hideaki Hara (原 秀章 (Hara Hideaki), born 1 August 1956) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in three events at the…
Hideaki Hara (原 秀章 (Hara Hideaki), born 1 August 1956) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in three events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Jin Matsubara (松原 仁, Matsubara Jin; born 31 July 1956) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…
Jin Matsubara (松原 仁, Matsubara Jin; born 31 July 1956) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He was appointed Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety and Minister for the Abduction Issue. Matsubara was formerly affiliated with Party of Hope and the Democratic Party (the Democratic Party of Japan).
Ken'ichi Yamamoto (山本兼一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi; July 23, 1956 – February 13, 2014) was a Japanese writer. After first being…
Ken'ichi Yamamoto (山本兼一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi; July 23, 1956 – February 13, 2014) was a Japanese writer. After first being employed by a publisher, Yamamoto, himself, became a full-time writer. In 2004, he won the Seichō Matsumoto Award for Katen no shiro, and in 2009 the Naoki Prize for Rikyū ni Tazune yo. Both books were made into movies. Yamamoto died on February 13, 2014, from lung cancer at the age of 57.
Shinji Hiramatsu (Japanese: 平松 伸二, Hepburn: Hiramatsu Shinji, born August 22, 1955) is a Japanese manga artist. He…
Shinji Hiramatsu (Japanese: 平松 伸二, Hepburn: Hiramatsu Shinji, born August 22, 1955) is a Japanese manga artist. He hails from Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, and currently resides in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. He is best known for works such as Doberman Deka, Black Angels, and Murder License Kiba. His wife is manga scriptwriter Uni Yasue. He serves as a councilor of the Japan Cartoonists Association.
Kazuo Azuma (東 和男, Azuma Kazuo; August 17, 1955) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank…
Kazuo Azuma (東 和男, Azuma Kazuo; August 17, 1955) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan. He is a former senior managing director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Tomofumi Murata (村田 友文, Murata Tomofumi) (born August 17, 1955), better known by his ring name Takeshi Caesar (シーザー武志…
Tomofumi Murata (村田 友文, Murata Tomofumi) (born August 17, 1955), better known by his ring name Takeshi Caesar (シーザー武志, Shīzā Takeshi), is a Japanese actor, retired kickboxer and the founder of shoot boxing.
Shishihō Yoshimasa (born Osamu Tanaka; August 14, 1955 – October 7, 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki…
Shishihō Yoshimasa (born Osamu Tanaka; August 14, 1955 – October 7, 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1971, and became the first sekitori from Taiho stable when he reached the juryo division in July 1977. He reached the top division in September 1979. His highest rank was maegashira 2. His favourite techniques were migi-yotsu and uwatenage. Upon retirement in May 1987 he was hired by the Sumo Association as a wakaimonogashira. He left the sumo world in July 1991. He died of cancer in 2006.
Konuma Katsuyuki (born 14 August 1955 as Katsuyuki Konuma) is a former sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. He…
Konuma Katsuyuki (born 14 August 1955 as Katsuyuki Konuma) is a former sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, and reached the top division in March 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 9. He was a contemporary of Chiyonofuji, and the second man after him born in the Shōwa 30s (1955–1964) to reach the top division. He was talked of as a future yokozuna candidate and the "new Kitanoumi" but after breaking his leg in May 1976 his career never recovered. He retired from active competition in November 1978 at the age of just 23, due partly to the effects of his injury but also to a breakdown in relations with his stablemaster Kagamiyama, former yokozuna Kashiwado. After leaving sumo he ran a restaurant in his hometown of Kasukabe. His relationship with Kagamiyama later improved enough for the latter to attend his wedding ceremony.
Hideo Fukuyama (福山 英朗, Hideo Fukuyama; born August 13, 1955) is a Japanese former racing driver. A former competitor at…
Hideo Fukuyama (福山 英朗, Hideo Fukuyama; born August 13, 1955) is a Japanese former racing driver. A former competitor at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he attempted to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the early 2000s, but only qualified for four races before leaving the series. He was the first Japanese driver to compete in NASCAR's top series. Fukuyama won the JGTC/Super GT title on three occasions, in 1992, 1997 and 2000, as well as the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT3 class alongside Atsushi Yogo and Bruno Lambert.
Norio Honaga (保永 昇男, Honaga Norio) (born August 11, 1955) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and referee.
Takahide Kimura (木村 隆秀, Kimura Takahide; born 10 August 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…
Takahide Kimura (木村 隆秀, Kimura Takahide; born 10 August 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Nagoya, Aichi and graduate of Tokyo Keizai University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996 after having served in the Aichi Prefectural Assembly for three terms since 1983.
Yaeko Taguchi (田口 八重子, Taguchi Yaeko; born August 10, 1955) is a Japanese citizen, one of several kidnapped by North…
Yaeko Taguchi (田口 八重子, Taguchi Yaeko; born August 10, 1955) is a Japanese citizen, one of several kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Kaneshige Wakamatsu (born 5 August 1955, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician and accountant who…
Kaneshige Wakamatsu (born 5 August 1955, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician and accountant who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2013 to 2025. He previously served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan from 1993 to 2003. He represents the National proportional representation block as a member of Komeito. As of 24 June 2023, he is a member of the following committees: Committee on Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee on the Budget Additionally, he serves as the director of the House of Councillors Special Committee on Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Jun Sawada (澤田 純, Sawada Jun, born 30 July 1955) is a Japanese businessman, the Chairman (and former CEO) of Nippon…
Jun Sawada (澤田 純, Sawada Jun, born 30 July 1955) is a Japanese businessman, the Chairman (and former CEO) of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), the sixth largest telecommunications company in the world in terms of revenue, since June 2022.
Eiko Nagashima (永島暎子, Nagashima Eiko) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 5th Yokohama…
Eiko Nagashima (永島暎子, Nagashima Eiko) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 5th Yokohama Film Festival and the award for best supporting actress at the 8th Hochi Film Award for Ryuji.
Kiyoshi Murota (Japanese: 室田淳, born 26 July 1955) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Masahiro Miki (Japanese: 三木正浩; born 26 July 1955) is a Japanese billionaire businessman, and the founder and largest…
Masahiro Miki (Japanese: 三木正浩; born 26 July 1955) is a Japanese billionaire businessman, and the founder and largest shareholder of Tokyo-based shoemaker ABC-Mart. Miki is of Korean descent. In 1985, Miki founded shoe and apparel company Kokusai Boeki Shoji. The company was renamed ABC-Mart in 1990 and went public in 2002. Miki acted as chairman of the company from 2004 to 2007. As of November 2025, Miki has an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion. In addition to his business, Miki is also a successful racehorse owner, who owns several notable horses including Justin Milano (2024 Satsuki Shō) and Justin Palace (2024 Spring Tenno Sho).
Harumi Naitō (内藤 はるみ, Naitō Harumi) (born July 26, 1955) also known professionally as Ai Asatsuki (朝月 愛, Asatsuki Ai)…
Harumi Naitō (内藤 はるみ, Naitō Harumi) (born July 26, 1955) also known professionally as Ai Asatsuki (朝月 愛, Asatsuki Ai) and Harumi Komiyama (小見山はるみ, Komiyama Harumi) is a Japanese singer from Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. She graduated from Horikoshi High School. She is best known for performing the opening theme song "Doraemon" and the ending theme song "Doraemon Rumba" for the Doraemon anime series.
Hoshiiwato Yūji (born 25 July 1955 as Yūji Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima, Japan. He made…
Hoshiiwato Yūji (born 25 July 1955 as Yūji Noguchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Kaimon, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1970 and reached the top division in July 1989, 115 tournaments later. This was the slowest ever rise to the top division. His highest rank was maegashira 14. Upon retirement from active competition after the January 1991 tournament, where he faced demotion to the makushita division, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and took over as head coach at Michinoku stable. He oversaw the promotion to the jūryō division of two wrestlers from Argentina, Hoshitango and Hoshiandesu. He left the Sumo Association in December 1997 and was succeeded as head coach by former ōzeki Kirishima. He ran a restaurant in Kagoshima city after leaving sumo. Throughout his long career, Hoshiiwato changed his shikona or fighting name eight times, making his debut under his family name of Noguchi and then being variously known as Kaimondake, Hoshikabuto, Satsumafuji, Hoshisatsuma, Oiwato, Hoshiiwato, Hoshikabuto (again) and finally Hoshiiwato again. This is believed to be a record.
Osamu Nakako (中子修, Nakako Osamu; born August 20, 1954) is a Japanese former professional racing driver. He is a…
Osamu Nakako (中子修, Nakako Osamu; born August 20, 1954) is a Japanese former professional racing driver. He is a five-time champion of the Japanese Touring Car Championship, having won titles in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1997. The first four of these titles came in the sub-1,600 cc division of the Group A era and the final one during the Super Touring era, on all occasions driving Honda cars for Mugen. He was also a race winner for Honda and Mugen in the GT500 class of the All-Japan GT Championship and the Suzuka 1000km, and contributed to their first titles in the series in 2000.
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature…
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature films, including Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (2007), which was selected for inclusion in the 31st annual Hong Kong International Film Festival, Messengers (1999), Embrace Me as Many Times as There Are Waves (1991), and Take Me Out to the Snowland (1987).
Saburo Tokura (戸倉 三郎, Tokura Saburo; born August 11, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of…
Saburo Tokura (戸倉 三郎, Tokura Saburo; born August 11, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of Japan from 2022 to 2024, having previously served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Japan from 2017 to 2022.
Yasuaki Shimizu (清水靖晃, Shimizu Yasuaki) (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is…
Yasuaki Shimizu (清水靖晃, Shimizu Yasuaki) (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is known for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, in particular the "Cello Suites 1-6" re-arranged for and performed on tenor saxophone. Since 1981 he has composed, produced or arranged for artists as diverse as jazz vocalist Helen Merrill, composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, and DJ Towa Tei. During this time he has lived in London, Paris and Tokyo.
Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾, Kuma Kengo; born August 8, 1954) is a Japanese architect and emeritus professor in the Department of…
Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾, Kuma Kengo; born August 8, 1954) is a Japanese architect and emeritus professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo. Frequently compared to contemporaries Shigeru Ban and Kazuyo Sejima, Kuma designed the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, built for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Lin Mun-lee (Chinese: 林曼麗; born 8 August 1954) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer. She served as Deputy Director of…
Lin Mun-lee (Chinese: 林曼麗; born 8 August 1954) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer. She served as Deputy Director of National Palace Museum from 2004 to 2006, and its Director between 2006 and 2008.
Akihiko Tanaka (田中 明彦, Tanaka Akihiko; born 7 August 1954) is a Japanese international relations scholar who serves as…
Akihiko Tanaka (田中 明彦, Tanaka Akihiko; born 7 August 1954) is a Japanese international relations scholar who serves as president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency since April 2022. He is specializing in theories of international systems, contemporary international relations in East Asia, Japan–United States relations and China–Japan relations. He was also the president of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. Tanaka was a professor of international politics at The University of Tokyo's Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia from 1990 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2017, and served a previous term as president of JICA from 2012 to 2015. He served in various advisory panels commissioned by the Japanese government.
Kosaburo Nishime (西銘 恒三郎, Nishime Kōsaburō; born 7 August 1954), is a Japanese politician who has served in the House…
Kosaburo Nishime (西銘 恒三郎, Nishime Kōsaburō; born 7 August 1954), is a Japanese politician who has served in the House of Representatives representing Okinawa since 2012. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently…
Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently coach. In his player career, he played as flanker.
Yasuyuki Nakai (中井康之; August 7, 1954 – August 9, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player.
Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves…
Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves insects but he is a naturalist at heart.
Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a…
Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a movie producer and the president of Sekine Production production company (関根プロ). He was born in Tokyo in 1954, and died in 2019. He mainly directs films produced by independent studios. He is married to the actress Izumi Aki, who has appeared in his films. Many of his films are urban love stories.
Kumiko Onodera (小野寺 久美子, Onodera Kumiko) (born July 29, 1954), better known as Kumiko Akiyoshi (秋吉 久美子, Akiyoshi…
Kumiko Onodera (小野寺 久美子, Onodera Kumiko) (born July 29, 1954), better known as Kumiko Akiyoshi (秋吉 久美子, Akiyoshi Kumiko), is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Hochi Film Award for Banka, Saraba natsuno hikariyo and Brother and Sister.
Kazuo Shii (志位 和夫, Shii Kazuo; born 29 July 1954) is a Japanese politician who has been the chairman of the Central…
Kazuo Shii (志位 和夫, Shii Kazuo; born 29 July 1954) is a Japanese politician who has been the chairman of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) since 2024. He previously served as the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Committee of the JCP from 24 November 2000 to 18 January 2024. Born in Yotsukaidō in Chiba Prefecture, Shii first joined the JCP while studying engineering physics at the University of Tokyo. He participated in the JCP's Tokyo Committee after graduation, and worked in the Party Central Committee from 1982. He became the head of the secretariat in 1990, and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1993. He became the chairman of the Party Executive Committee in 2000. He led the party until 18 January 2024, when he resigned as the executive committee chairman, and was succeeded by Tomoko Tamura. On the same day, Shii was appointed as the chairman of the Central Committee.
Mariko Yoshida (吉田 真理子, Yoshida Mariko) (born 27 July 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.…
Mariko Yoshida (吉田 真理子, Yoshida Mariko) (born 27 July 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yoshida was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic Games.
Fumio Saito (斎藤 文夫, Saitō Fumio; 22 August 1953 – 25 March 2019) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the…
Fumio Saito (斎藤 文夫, Saitō Fumio; 22 August 1953 – 25 March 2019) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and…
Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and television presenter. His former stage name is Rabbit Sekine (ラビット関根, Rabitto Sekine). He is represented with Asai Kikaku. His daughter is tarento Mari Sekine. Sekine is partnered with Kazuki Kosakai, who is a junior at his talent agency and also a longtime best friend, in a comedy duo called Kosakin.
Jiro Ono (小野 次郎, Ono Jirō; born 7 August 1953) is a Japanese politician of Your Party, formerly of the Liberal…
Jiro Ono (小野 次郎, Ono Jirō; born 7 August 1953) is a Japanese politician of Your Party, formerly of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors, formerly a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hokuto, Yamanashi, and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the National Police Agency in 1976, receiving a master's degree in jurisprudence from the University of Angers in France while in the agency. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in the 2005 Japanese general election. He ran in House of Councillors election in 2010 as a proportional candidate of Your Party and won.
Jiro Ono (小野 次郎, Ono Jirō; born 7 August 1953) is a Japanese politician of Your Party, formerly of the Liberal…
Jiro Ono (小野 次郎, Ono Jirō; born 7 August 1953) is a Japanese politician of Your Party, formerly of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors, formerly a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hokuto, Yamanashi, and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the National Police Agency in 1976, receiving a master's degree in jurisprudence from the University of Angers in France while in the agency. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in the 2005 Japanese general election. He ran in House of Councillors election in 2010 as a proportional candidate of Your Party and won.
Nobuyuki Okumura (Japanese: 奥村信之, Hepburn: Okumura Nobuyuki; born August 6, 1953) is a Japanese figurative sculptor who…
Nobuyuki Okumura (Japanese: 奥村信之, Hepburn: Okumura Nobuyuki; born August 6, 1953) is a Japanese figurative sculptor who has lived in Italy. He is known for bronze works created through the Italian lost-wax casting method and for creating sculptures of three successive Popes which were each installed in Vatican City. Almost all of his works have been displayed at churches, academies, museums, public institutions and private collections in both Italy and Japan.
Hiroyuki Usui (碓井 博行, Usui Hiroyuki; born August 4, 1953) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played…
Hiroyuki Usui (碓井 博行, Usui Hiroyuki; born August 4, 1953) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team. His son Kempei Usui is also a footballer.
Masataka Nashida (Japanese:梨田 昌孝, born August 4, 1953, in Hamada, Shimane, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional…
Masataka Nashida (Japanese:梨田 昌孝, born August 4, 1953, in Hamada, Shimane, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball catcher and manager. As a player, he played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1972 to 1988. After playing, he went on to manage three NPB teams. First, Nashida was the final manager of the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes before they were dissolved and merged after the 2004 season. He then went on to manage the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2008 to 2011. Finally, he went on to manage the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, the team created to fill the void left by the Buffaloes merger. He was able to lead the Eagles to their third-ever playoff berth in 2017, however he resigned in July the next year when the club dropped to 20 games below a .500 winning percentage. After his resignation, Eagles' coach Yosuke Hiraishi acted as team's interim manager for the remainder of the 2018 season.
Tadashi Kawamata (川俣正, Kawamata Tadashi, born July 24, 1953) is a Japanese installation artist. After first studying…
Tadashi Kawamata (川俣正, Kawamata Tadashi, born July 24, 1953) is a Japanese installation artist. After first studying painting at Tokyo University of the Arts, Kawamata discovered his interest in the practice of installation. Using recuperated construction materials, like wood planks, he began building rudimentary partitions in gallery spaces and apartments to explore the perception of space. Kawamata's fascination for Tokyo's urban landscape and its constant transformation soon led to the development of larger-scale installations in situ in cities in Japan and abroad. After having participated in the Venice Biennale in 1982 at only 28 years old, Kawamata's subsequent projects led him to work across Europe, North America, and South America. These ephemeral installations raise questions about architecture and its permanence, and have drawn attention to social realities, such as the stark class difference apparent in large cities. Since the 2000s, the artist's installations have taken on an increasingly ecological charge, confronting environmental disasters, such as the accumulation of waste or the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. He has lived and worked between Paris and Tokyo since 2006.
Masami Tsuchiya (Japanese: 土屋 昌巳, Hepburn: Tsuchiya Masami) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record…
Masami Tsuchiya (Japanese: 土屋 昌巳, Hepburn: Tsuchiya Masami) is a Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He rose to prominence in the late 1970s as lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Ippu-Do. Following their disbandment in 1984, Tsuchiya focused on his solo career and formed several short-lived bands with well-known musicians. He has also participated in various collaborations and produced recordings for acts such as Glay, Blankey Jet City, and The Willard.
Toshirō Toyoda is a Japanese politician who is a former member of the House of Councillors of Japan.