Kenji Kanasugi (金杉 憲治, Kanasugi Kenji; born September 11, 1959) is the current Japanese ambassador to China. He is…
Kenji Kanasugi (金杉 憲治, Kanasugi Kenji; born September 11, 1959) is the current Japanese ambassador to China. He is known for his extensive contributions to Japan's foreign relations in East Asia, particularly with China and the broader Asia–Pacific region. Joining Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1983, he has held numerous significant roles in Japanese government and foreign affairs throughout his career. Kanasugi's expertise spans both economic and regional diplomacy. Notable positions he has held include Director-General of the Economic Affairs Bureau and the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau. His work involved managing key international relations, such as coordinating meetings between Japanese and Chinese leaders, including then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese president Xi Jinping. Additionally, Kanasugi served as a Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of economic issues, emphasizing his focus on economic diplomacy. In 2020, Kanasugi became Japan's ambassador to Indonesia, where he worked on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional challenges. In October 2023, he was appointed Japan's ambassador to China. This marked a strategic move as he became the first ambassador in seven years outside the “China School” (a group of diplomats with specialized training in Chinese language and affairs). His appointment reflects Japan's intent to manage sensitive issues with China, such as maritime territorial disputes and economic tensions, through pragmatic and diplomatic approaches. Kanasugi's tenure as ambassador to China focuses on critical issues, including addressing Beijing's concerns about Japan's wastewater release from the Fukushima nuclear plant. He emphasizes the need for calm, science-based dialogue to resolve conflicts and stabilize Japan-China relations.
Famous People Born under Virgo
Virgo: 1,989 people
Toshihiko Okimune (沖宗 敏彦, Okimune Toshihiko; born September 7, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played…
Toshihiko Okimune (沖宗 敏彦, Okimune Toshihiko; born September 7, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kenji Katsube (born 6 September 1959, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the…
Kenji Katsube (born 6 September 1959, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2019. He is one of the six representatives of the Hokkaido at-large district, and is a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party.
Tetsuya Nakashima (中島哲也) (born 1959) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He was born in Fukuoka, attending…
Tetsuya Nakashima (中島哲也) (born 1959) is a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He was born in Fukuoka, attending high school in Chikushino. His 2010 film Confessions was awarded Best Picture at the Japanese Academy Awards, where Nakashima was also awarded Director of the Year and Screenplay of the Year. At the Asian Film Awards, the film was nominated for Best Film and Best Director, among other categories. Confessions was also selected as the Japanese entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards and made the final shortlist in January 2011. Nakashima was given the Best Director award at the 2005 Yokohama Film Festival for his film Kamikaze Girls, which also won Best Film. For Kamikaze Girls, he also won Best Film and Best Director at the 14th Japan Film Professional Awards. His 2006 film Memories of Matsuko received 14 nominations at the 30th Japanese Academy Awards, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year. In 2014, he was nominated for the Audience Choice Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, for his film The World of Kanako. He was originally slated to direct an adaptation of the hit manga Attack on Titan, but in December 2012 he left the project due to differences with the rest of the production team.
Kazuyoshi Katayama (片山 一良, Katayama Kazuyoshi) is a Japanese animator and director who directed The Big O and the King…
Kazuyoshi Katayama (片山 一良, Katayama Kazuyoshi) is a Japanese animator and director who directed The Big O and the King of Thorn film.
Haruhiko Mikimoto (美樹本 晴彦, Mikimoto Haruhiko; born Haruhiko Satō (佐藤晴彦, Satō Haruhiko), August 28, 1959, in Tokyo…
Haruhiko Mikimoto (美樹本 晴彦, Mikimoto Haruhiko; born Haruhiko Satō (佐藤晴彦, Satō Haruhiko), August 28, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese anime character designer, illustrator and manga artist. Mostly active during the 1980s, during that decade he rose to prominence and is considered one of the top character designers of his time. He graduated from Keio University, and attended the university in the same years as Macross creator Shōji Kawamori and screenwriter Hiroshi Ōnogi. He joined the animation studio Artland while attending school, and was character designer in several anime series, including The Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Macross 7, Gunbuster and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress.
Emi Catherine Watanabe (渡部 絵美, Watanabe Emi; born August 27, 1959), is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who…
Emi Catherine Watanabe (渡部 絵美, Watanabe Emi; born August 27, 1959), is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who is the 1979 World bronze medalist and an eight-time Japanese national champion. She was the first skater to medal for Japan in ladies' singles at the World Championships.
Hiromitsu Takano (Japanese: 高野裕光, born 25 August 1959) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-middleweight…
Hiromitsu Takano (Japanese: 高野裕光, born 25 August 1959) is a Japanese judoka. He competed in the men's half-middleweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Keita Amemiya (雨宮 慶太, Amemiya Keita; born 24 August 1959) is a Japanese film and television director, screenwriter and…
Keita Amemiya (雨宮 慶太, Amemiya Keita; born 24 August 1959) is a Japanese film and television director, screenwriter and character designer from Urayasu, Chiba. He directed the films Mirai Ninja (1988), Zeiram (1991), Kamen Rider ZO (1993), and Kamen Rider J (1994), and created the tokusatsu franchise Garo in 2005.
Hiroshi Ōnogi (大野木 寛, Ōnogi Hiroshi; born 1959) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions.…
Hiroshi Ōnogi (大野木 寛, Ōnogi Hiroshi; born 1959) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions. Ōnogi attended Keio University in the same years as Macross character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto and creator Shōji Kawamori, both of whom he would first collaborate with in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.
Hideto Ōnishi (大西 秀人, Ōnishi Hideto; born 23 August 1959) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Takamatsu…
Hideto Ōnishi (大西 秀人, Ōnishi Hideto; born 23 August 1959) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Takamatsu, the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Tatsu Aoki (青木 達幸, Aoki Tatsuyuki) (born September 19, 1957) is a multi-instrumentalist trained in traditional Japanese…
Tatsu Aoki (青木 達幸, Aoki Tatsuyuki) (born September 19, 1957) is a multi-instrumentalist trained in traditional Japanese music (i.e.: taiko and shamisen), educator and experimental filmmaker. In his career as Chicago's Jazz and creative improvisor, he is mostly known as a long-standing bassist for Fred Anderson and he has also worked with George Freeman, and Von Freeman in the 90s. Aoki also has curious recording projects with Malachi Favors, Roscoe Mitchell, Don Moye, Wu Man, and other internationally renowned artists. Aoki also directs cultural events that promote the history of Japanese artistic traditions and contemporary Asian influences in jazz. As the founder and artistic director of Asian Improv Arts Midwest, he hosts events such as the annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival and the Japanese American Service Committee's Tsukasa Taiko Legacy arts residency program.
Shoji Nishida (西田 昌司, Nishida Shōji; born September 19, 1958) is a conservative Japanese politician of the Liberal…
Shoji Nishida (西田 昌司, Nishida Shōji; born September 19, 1958) is a conservative Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Kōji Tamaki (玉置 浩二, Tamaki Kōji; born September 13, 1958) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. He has been well…
Kōji Tamaki (玉置 浩二, Tamaki Kōji; born September 13, 1958) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. He has been well known as frontman of the rock band Anzen Chitai that debuted in 1982 and enjoyed a successful career, particularly during the 1980s. In the 1990s, he also began his career as a solo artist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Japanese vocalists. In 2014, he was ranked first by a panel of 200 experts for the best ever singing voice in Japan. Moreover, in 2021 Koji was voted as the greatest active male Japanese singer, with 190 experts agreeing that he is a "living national treasure of music" and that he portrays an "unparalleled mass of expressiveness and emotion which only seems to get better with age".
Reiko Terashima (寺島令子, Terashima Reiko) is a Japanese yonkoma manga artist and illustrator born on 8 September 1958 in…
Reiko Terashima (寺島令子, Terashima Reiko) is a Japanese yonkoma manga artist and illustrator born on 8 September 1958 in Kyoto, Japan. She graduated from Ritsumeikan University with a degree in psychology, and was a member of the manga club while there. Terashima made her professional debut in 1979 with Children Play (チルドレンプレイ, Chirudoren Purei), published in the manga magazine Young Magazine. She has illustrated multiple cards for the Japanese edition of Magic: The Gathering. Terashima is divorced. She has a close friendship with manga artist and illustrator Naoko Kanazawa, and her younger sister is manga artist Yoshiko Terakawa.
Nisshinbo Holdings Inc. (日清紡ホールディングス株式会社, Nisshinbō Hōrudingusu Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese company formerly listed…
Nisshinbo Holdings Inc. (日清紡ホールディングス株式会社, Nisshinbō Hōrudingusu Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese company formerly listed on the Nikkei 225. It has a diverse line of businesses that include electronics, automobile brakes, mechatronics, chemicals, textiles, papers and real estate.
Satoshi Tezuka (手塚 聡, Tezuka Satoshi; born September 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…
Satoshi Tezuka (手塚 聡, Tezuka Satoshi; born September 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Shiro Koshinaka (越中 詩郎, Koshinaka Shirō; born September 3, 1958) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed…
Shiro Koshinaka (越中 詩郎, Koshinaka Shirō; born September 3, 1958) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Wrestle Association "R" (WAR) during the 1980s and 1990s. He was also the first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Satoko Shinohara (born September 3, 1958) is a Japanese architect, architectural educator, and architectural…
Satoko Shinohara (born September 3, 1958) is a Japanese architect, architectural educator, and architectural researcher. She became the president of Japan Women's University in 2020. She presides over Spatial Design Studio and is a published author and editor. In a career that has addressed daily life, housing, and relationships, one of Shinohara's key design tenets is that housing is inherently a social space—one that can cultivate relationships among people, place, and the environment.
Akira Ojima (born September 1, 1958) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court…
Akira Ojima (born September 1, 1958) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan since 2022.
Eiji Ōtsuka (大塚 英志, Ōtsuka Eiji; born 28 August 1958 in the former Tanashi, Tokyo) is a Japanese social critic…
Eiji Ōtsuka (大塚 英志, Ōtsuka Eiji; born 28 August 1958 in the former Tanashi, Tokyo) is a Japanese social critic, folklorist, media theorist, and novelist. He is currently a professor at International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto. He graduated from University of Tsukuba with a degree in anthropology, women's folklore, human sacrifice and post-war manga. In addition to his work with manga, Ōtsuka is a critic, essayist, and author of several successful non-fiction books on Japanese popular and otaku subcultures. He has written the Multiple Personality Detective Psycho and The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service manga series. One of his first animation script works was Mahō no Rouge Lipstick, an adult lolicon OVA. Ōtsuka was the editor for the bishōjo lolicon manga series Petit Apple Pie. In the 1980s, Ōtsuka was editor-in-chief of Manga Burikko, a leading manga magazine where he pioneered research on otaku subcultures in modern Japan. He has published a host of books and articles about the manga industry. In July 2007, he received a doctorate in artistic engineering from Kobe Design University. His doctoral dissertation is "From Mickey's format to Proposition of Atom: the origin of postwar manga methodology in wartime years and its development".
Hachiro Nitta (新田 八朗, Nitta Hachirō; born 27 August 1958) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Toyama…
Hachiro Nitta (新田 八朗, Nitta Hachirō; born 27 August 1958) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Toyama Prefecture since 2020.
Kaoruko Himeno (姫野 カオルコ, Himeno Kaoruko) is a Japanese writer. She has been nominated five times for the Naoki Prize…
Kaoruko Himeno (姫野 カオルコ, Himeno Kaoruko) is a Japanese writer. She has been nominated five times for the Naoki Prize and won the 150th Naoki Prize for her novel Showa Dog (昭和の犬, Showa no inu). Two of her novels have been adapted for film.
Kazufumi Shiraishi (白石 一文, Shiraishi Kazufumi) is a Japanese novelist and the son of novelist Ichirō Shiraishi. The two…
Kazufumi Shiraishi (白石 一文, Shiraishi Kazufumi) is a Japanese novelist and the son of novelist Ichirō Shiraishi. The two are the only father-son pair to have both received the Naoki Prize, the father on his eighth nomination after numerous disappointments and the son on his second, for the 2009 Hokanaranu hito e (To an Incomparable Other). At his prize press conference, the son joked that he had always “hated” the Naoki because of the grief it had put his father through. Shiraishi debuted in 2000 to great critical acclaim with Isshun no hikari (A Ray of Light). His novel Boku no naka no kowareteinai bubun (The Part of Me That Isn’t Broken Inside), published in 2002, became a national best-seller and is forthcoming in translation from Dalkey Archive Press, who is also publishing Shiraishi's 2008 novel, Kono yo no zenbu o tekini mawashite (Me Against the World). In addition to winning the Naoki Prize, Shiraishi has also won the prestigious Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize for his 2009 novel, Kono mune ni fukabuka to tsukisasaru ya o nuke (Remove That Arrow from Deep in My Heart). He is a member of Red Circle Authors.
Noriteru Jaime Fukushima Ichimori (Japanese: 福嶌教輝; born June 3, 1959) is a Mexican-Japanese diplomat who has served as…
Noriteru Jaime Fukushima Ichimori (Japanese: 福嶌教輝; born June 3, 1959) is a Mexican-Japanese diplomat who has served as Japanese Ambassador to Mexico since 2021. Born in Mexico to parents from Japan, Fukushima holds dual citizenship. He previously served as Japanese Ambassador to Argentina.
Yoshinori Mizumaki (水巻 善典, Mizumaki Yoshinori; born 27 August 1958) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Mieko Kobayashi (小林 美恵子 Kobayashi Mieko) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors for the…
Mieko Kobayashi (小林 美恵子 Kobayashi Mieko) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors for the Japanese Communist Party.
Tsuyoshi Ujiki (氏木 毅（うじき つよし）, Ujiki Tsuyoshi; born September 18, 1957, in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese…
Tsuyoshi Ujiki (氏木 毅（うじき つよし）, Ujiki Tsuyoshi; born September 18, 1957, in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese entertainer, actor, musician, and singer who is represented by the talent agencies Heart Cleaning Company, then Flos. His nicknamed Jick (stylized as JICK) from his surname. Along with Seiji Katsu, he was a member of Kodomo Band.
Kyoji Yamawaki (山脇 恭二, Yamawaki Kyōji; born September 17, 1957) is a former Japanese gymnast. He invented and named the…
Kyoji Yamawaki (山脇 恭二, Yamawaki Kyōji; born September 17, 1957) is a former Japanese gymnast. He invented and named the skill on Horizontal bar known as the Yamawaki. Yamawaki competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics and won the bronze medal in the team final. He also won a bronze medal in the still rings event at the 1985 world championships
Hideo Higashikokubaru (東国原 英夫, Higashikokubaru Hideo; born 16 September 1957) is a Japanese politician. He originally…
Hideo Higashikokubaru (東国原 英夫, Higashikokubaru Hideo; born 16 September 1957) is a Japanese politician. He originally rose to fame as a comedian and actor under the stage name Sonomanma Higashi (そのまんま東; literally "Higashi without change" or "simply Higashi"), and was known for his role in the popular game show Takeshi's Castle. He served as the governor of Miyazaki Prefecture from 2007 to 2011, resigning to run against incumbent Shintarō Ishihara for Governor of Tokyo in the 2011 election, where he came in second. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the general election of 2012, but resigned in December 2013.
Risu Akizuki (秋月 りす, Akizuki Risu; born September 16, 1957, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is the pen name of a Japanese…
Risu Akizuki (秋月 りす, Akizuki Risu; born September 16, 1957, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is the pen name of a Japanese four-panel manga artist. She made her professional manga debut with Okusama Shinkaron in 1988. Her most famous work is OL Shinkaron. She won the 8th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2004.
Takayuki Ikeda is the President, CEO, and Representative Director of Toshiba Tec Corporation, a subsidiary of Toshiba.…
Takayuki Ikeda is the President, CEO, and Representative Director of Toshiba Tec Corporation, a subsidiary of Toshiba. He has been credited with creating the concept for the video game Super Princess Peach. At Toshiba, he previously served in a number of other roles.
Tokihiro Satō (佐藤 時啓, Satō Tokihiro; born 1957) is a Japanese photographer and educator. Sato is best known for his…
Tokihiro Satō (佐藤 時啓, Satō Tokihiro; born 1957) is a Japanese photographer and educator. Sato is best known for his unusual expressions of light and space and interpretations of performance and dance.
Makoto Satō (佐藤 真 Satō Makoto, September 12, 1957 – September 4, 2007) was a Japanese documentary film director. Among…
Makoto Satō (佐藤 真 Satō Makoto, September 12, 1957 – September 4, 2007) was a Japanese documentary film director. Among his best-known films were Living On the River Agano, which describes people around the Agano River where incidents of Niigata Minamata disease were discovered, and Self and Others. His final film, Out of Place: Memories of Edward Said (2005), was named Best Documentary at the 2006 Mainichi Film Awards.
The Gainax employee Yasuhiro Takeda should not be confused with the professor of the same name at National Defense…
The Gainax employee Yasuhiro Takeda should not be confused with the professor of the same name at National Defense Academy of Japan. Yasuhiro Takeda (武田 康廣, Takeda Yasuhiro; born 12 September 1957 in Tadaoka, Osaka) is a Japanese anime director and founding member of Gainax; for most of his career, he was General Manager. He is also a two-time chair of the Nihon SF Taikai (DAICON III and the 1988 Mig.Con). In April 1976, he enrolled in Kinki University for nuclear engineering, but began neglecting studies (repeating his sophomore year) when he joined the sci-fi club in April 1977 and became active in organizing clubs, founding the "Confederation of Kansai Student Sci-Fi Clubs". It was through these early activities that Takeda met many other fans, some who would become more involved: at his first convention, Seto-Con ("Sci-Fi Festival 78"), Takeda met Toshio Okada. In November 1990, he married the Japanese writer Hiroe Suga. In 2002, he published a memoir/autobiography about his life (particularly focusing on his college life, involvement in science fiction conventions, and his subsequent career) named The Notenki Memoirs; the name Notenki is an old nickname of Takeda's, derived from his part in Kaiketsu Noutenki. He is portrayed by actor Gitaro in the 2014 TV Drama Aoi Honō based on the autobiographical manga by Kazuhiko Shimamoto, which follows the college years of the future Gainax team.
Yoshihiko Isozaki (born September 8, 1957, in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a…
Yoshihiko Isozaki (born September 8, 1957, in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2010. He represents the Kagawa at-large district and is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He is a member of the following committees in the House of Councillors: Committee on Judicial Affairs (director) Committee on Budget Special Committee on North Korean Abduction Issue and Related Matters Commission on the Constitution Board of Oversight and Review of Specially Designated Secrets
Etsuji Arai (新井 悦二, Arai Etsuji; born 4 September 1957) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…
Etsuji Arai (新井 悦二, Arai Etsuji; born 4 September 1957) 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 Fukaya, Saitama and graduate of Kanagawa Dental College, he obtained his medical license in 1984 and became the assistant director at a hospital in Fukaya in 1986. He was elected to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly in 2003 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Emiko Ueno (植野恵美子, Ueno Emiko; born on September 3, 1957, in Neyagawa) is a retired female badminton player of Japan…
Emiko Ueno (植野恵美子, Ueno Emiko; born on September 3, 1957, in Neyagawa) is a retired female badminton player of Japan, who specialized in doubles.
Keiko Masuda (増田 恵子, Masuda Keiko) (born Keiko Kobayashi (小林 啓子, Kobayashi Keiko) on September 2, 1957, in Shizuoka…
Keiko Masuda (増田 恵子, Masuda Keiko) (born Keiko Kobayashi (小林 啓子, Kobayashi Keiko) on September 2, 1957, in Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese pop singer and actress. She is better known by her nickname Kei, and is one half of Pink Lady, the top idol group in Japan in the 1970s. In the United States, they are known for their self-titled TV program. Masuda is represented by her own management firm Kei-Office (ケイ・オフィス, Kei Ofisu).
Michiharu Hayashi (Hayashi Michiharu; born August 31, 1957) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice…
Michiharu Hayashi (Hayashi Michiharu; born August 31, 1957) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan since 2019.
Junji Ogawa (小川 淳司, Ogawa Junji; born August 30, 1957) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played…
Junji Ogawa (小川 淳司, Ogawa Junji; born August 30, 1957) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played for the Yakult Swallows and Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Shirō Sagisu (鷺巣 詩郎, Sagisu Shirō; born August 29, 1957) is a Japanese composer, arranger and music producer. With a…
Shirō Sagisu (鷺巣 詩郎, Sagisu Shirō; born August 29, 1957) is a Japanese composer, arranger and music producer. With a career spanning over 40 years (beginning in the late 1970s), he is best known for his works as a record producer for acts including various choir members Mike Wyzgowski, Misia, Satoshi Tomiie, and Ken Hirai. Sagisu has also worked as a film composer for several anime and films, being well known for his collaborations with Gainax, especially in the soundtrack of Hideaki Anno's series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Sagisu's career in music started in 1977, when he became one of the members of jazz fusion band T-Square. He made three albums with the group before becoming a full-time composer and writer in 1979. By 1997, he had composed over 2,000 songs, advertising jingles and TV and movie pieces. Sagisu won the Tokyo Anime Award for "Best Music" in 2010 for Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. Sagisu arranged a rendition of the Japanese national anthem, "Kimigayo", performed at the 2020 Summer Olympics opening ceremony by Misia.
Kei Marimura (Japanese: 真梨邑ケイ, Hepburn: Marimura Kei) is a Japanese jazz singer, actress, author, gravure model, and AV…
Kei Marimura (Japanese: 真梨邑ケイ, Hepburn: Marimura Kei) is a Japanese jazz singer, actress, author, gravure model, and AV idol.
Kōji Kobayashi (小林 光二, Kobayashi Kōji; born August 27, 1957) is a retired Japanese professional boxer who is a former…
Kōji Kobayashi (小林 光二, Kobayashi Kōji; born August 27, 1957) is a retired Japanese professional boxer who is a former WBC and lineal flyweight champion.
Kenji Nagai (長井 健司, Nagai Kenji; August 27, 1957 – September 27, 2007) was a Japanese photojournalist who took many…
Kenji Nagai (長井 健司, Nagai Kenji; August 27, 1957 – September 27, 2007) was a Japanese photojournalist who took many assignments to conflict zones and dangerous areas around the world. He was shot dead in Myanmar during the Saffron Revolution while filming. Nagai continued to take photographs as he lay wounded on the ground, later dying from gunshot injuries to the chest. The government of Myanmar claimed that the cause of his death was a stray bullet; this was later disproven. Despite carrying his camera during a protest in the Saffron Revolution, it later went missing, supposedly because a Myammar soldier had taken it. In 2023, the camera and footage were returned. He was the only foreign national killed in the protests.
Keiichi Nanba (難波 圭一, Nanba Keiichi; born on August 26, 1957) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator under…
Keiichi Nanba (難波 圭一, Nanba Keiichi; born on August 26, 1957) is a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator under Fujiga Office Inc. He is married to fellow voice actress Mayumi Shō.
Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in…
Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played most of his career for the Seibu Lions. Ishige was the 1986 Pacific League Most Valuable Player, a seven-time Best Nine Award-winner, and a ten-time Gold Glove winner. A 14-time All-Star, he left a track record in 16 years as a shortstop and third baseman in the Pacific League. Ishige was drafted by the Lotte Orions in the third round of the 1974 NPB draft, but went to college instead. He won a Tokyo Metropolitan University League batting title and made six Best Nines in college. He was then picked in the first round of the 1980 NPB draft by the Seibu Lions. Ishige made the All-Star team as a rookie with Seibu and would make it all 14 seasons he was with them. He hit .311/.380/.531 that first year with 21 homers and 25 steals (in 34 tries). He won a Gold Glove, made his first Best Nine and won Rookie of the Year honors. Ishige's production slipped to a .259/.337/.401 line in 1982 though he stole 22 in 26 tries and won a Gold Glove and Best Nine. He hit .296/.321/.370 in his first Japan Series, to help Seibu take the 1982 Series but was thrown out in two of three steal attempts. In 1983, Ishige hit .303/.593/.503 with 29 steals in 34 tries, hit 16 homers, scored 86 runs, won another Gold Glove, earned a third Best Nine spot and tied Yutaka Fukumoto and Hiromi Matsunaga for the PL lead with 7 triples. He hit .276/.276/.379 as Seibu won another Japan Series, but was 0 for 1 in steals. The next year, Ishige batted .259/.338/.498 with 91 runs, 26 homers and 26 steals (in 36 tries); Keijiro Yumioka beat him out for the Best Nine that time. While he only stole 11 bases (in 14 tries) in 1985, Ishige remained a potent offensive force, chipping in at a .280/.386/.508 clip with 96 runs, 27 homers and 88 walks. His 26 doubles led the league and he won another Gold Glove and Best Nine. In the 1985 Japan Series, Hiromichi hit .208/.296/.583 with 3 home runs in a losing effort. Ishige won his MVP in 1986, when he batted .329/.386/.531, won another Gold Glove at short, scored 91 runs, drove in 89, smacked 27 home runs and stole 19 bases. He set a Nippon Pro Baseball record by leading off eight games with home runs and set a Seibu club record with a 23-game hitting streak. He hit .297/.297/.405 as Seibu won a hard-fought 1986 Japan Series over the Hiroshima Carp. In '87, Hiromichi hit .269/.331/.370 in an off-year but still won a Gold Glove and made the Best Nine. He batted .348/.423/.652 in the 1987 Japan Series to win his fourth ring. That winter, he assumed chairmanship of the board of directors of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, replacing Hiromitsu Ochiai; two years later, Akinobu Okada would take the role. The 31-year-old had his third and last 20-20 year in 1988 (21 HR, 22 SB in 26 tries; he would never hit 20 homers again) and batted .283/.364/.441 and won his 7th Gold Glove. He had his best Series, the 1989 Japan Series, hitting .389/.389/.944 with 3 HR, 5 runs and 6 RBI in five games to win the Series MVP award. In '89, Ishige stole 28 in 33 tries for his final 20-steal season and batted .270/.395/.428. He drew 98 walks, a career-best and led the PL in that category. Ishige hit .298/.364/.429 in 1990 and was 7 for 8 in steals. Now a third baseman, he fielded .991, a Pacific League record for the position. He went 1 for 12 in the 1990 Japan Series but drew four walks as his club won a sixth Series. At one point, he had hit in 17 straight games in a Japan Series, a record. In '91, the veteran still produced at a .269/.331/.424 rate and he hit .280/.333/.440 in the 1991 Japan Series, Seibu's seventh victory in his time with the club. He won his first Gold Glove in three years. In 1992, Ishige batted .297/.359/.413, won a Gold Glove and made his seventh Best Nine, the first in five years. He hit .240/.286/.440 as Seibu took the 1992 Japan Series for their eighth Series win in his 12 seasons, marking it as the greatest Pacific League dynasty ever — other key contributors in the run had included Koji Akiyama, Kimiyasu Kudoh, Hisanobu Watanabe, Orestes Destrade, Kazuhiro Kiyohara, Taigen Kaku, Osamu Higashio, and Tetsuya Shiozaki. Ishige was the captain of the team during the last stretch of Series victories at least. Destrade recalls that Ishige was the team's motivator. Ishige continued to produce as the 36-year-old put up a .306/.389/.479 batting line in 1993, won his last Gold Glove and made his final Best Nine. He hit .304/.385/.304 in the 1993 Japan Series as Seibu fell in 7 games to the Yakult Swallows to end their dynastic run. In '94, Hiromichi hit .266/.335/.397 and made his last All-Star appearance. He went 1 for 12 with three walks in the 1994 Japan Series. Leaving Seibu after 14 All-Star seasons and 8 titles in 14 years, Ishige moved on to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, where the 38-year-old hit .200/.260/.275 to signal that his glory days were definitely gone. Fellow faded star Matsunaga was the primary third baseman that year. In 1996, Ishige concluded his playing career by going 3 for 23 for Daiei. Overall, Ishige hit .283/.362/.450 in 7,570 plate appearances, cracked 236 homers and stole 243 in 314 tries. Through 2006, Hiromichi ranks 25th all-time in NPB in runs (1,049, 10 behind Matsunaga), 18th in sacrifice bunts (218; manager Masahiko Mori often had him bunt as he felt Ishige hit into too many double plays in the clutch. Destrade, on the other hand, described him as a timely player who drove in key runs, showing how different perceptions of "clutch play" can be) and 22nd in strikeouts (1,127). With one more year as a regular, he likely would have been in the top 30 in walks as well. After retiring as a player, Ishige was a minor league manager for Seibu for two years then spent a year as a commentator for NHK in 1999. When manager Akira Ohgi was let go after the 2001 season, the Orix BlueWave hired Ishige to replace him as manager. The club fell from above-.500 in '01 to 50-87-3 and last place. The next year, they started poorly and Ishige lambasted high-strikeout sluggers Fernando Seguignol and Scott Sheldon. After a 7-12-1 start, Ishige was let go and they brought in Leon Lee as the new manager, the first African-American manager in NPB history. Lee fared no better with the sorry lot and they finished last again. In 2005, Ishige founded the independent Shikoku Island League (now known as Shikoku Island League Plus).
Jun Yamazaki (山崎 潤, Yamazaki Jun; born 22 September 1956) is a Japanese diplomat and the current Ambassador of Japan to…
Jun Yamazaki (山崎 潤, Yamazaki Jun; born 22 September 1956) is a Japanese diplomat and the current Ambassador of Japan to Singapore. He was formerly a United Nations Assistant Secretary-General at the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, and Controller. He was appointed to the position by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in August 2008. Yamazaki worked the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a number of years. He was Counsellor in the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia. He also acted as deputy director in the United Nations Administration Division of the Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this capacity, he was in charge of administrative and budgetary affairs of the United Nations. He later became Director of the International Peace Cooperation Division and Deputy Director-General for Global Issues in the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan and served until August 2008. From 2003 to 2007, he was a member of the United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). Yamazaki obtained his BA degree in international relations from The University of Tokyo.
Osamu Kodama (児玉修, Kodama Osamu; born 21 September 1956 in Nagano) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in…
Osamu Kodama (児玉修, Kodama Osamu; born 21 September 1956 in Nagano) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics and 1984 Winter Olympics.