Fusako Kuramochi (くらもち ふさこ, Kuramochi Fusako; real name 倉持房子 Kuramochi Fusako, born 14 May 1955 in Shibuya, Tokyo) is a…Fusako Kuramochi (くらもち ふさこ, Kuramochi Fusako; real name 倉持房子 Kuramochi Fusako, born 14 May 1955 in Shibuya, Tokyo) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. While still in high school, she made her professional debut with Megane-chan no Hitorigoto, published in the Autumn 1972 issue of Bessatsu Margaret. She won the magazine's gold medal for amateur manga artists. Afterwards, Kuramochi studied Japanese painting at Musashino Art University, but left before graduation to pursue her career full-time. Her manga Tennen Kokekkō received the 1996 Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga, and was adapted as a live-action movie in 2007. Her series A-Girl was adapted as an anime OVA in 1993. Her manga Hana ni Somu won the Grand Prize category of the 21st Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2017.
Masayuki Kakefu (掛布 雅之, Kakefu Masayuki) (born May 9, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman.…Masayuki Kakefu (掛布 雅之, Kakefu Masayuki) (born May 9, 1955) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers from 1974 to 1988. Known as “Mr. Tigers”, the popular slugger batted .292 lifetime for the Tigers in his career while hitting over 300 home runs and driving 1,019 runs batted in to go along with three home run titles and seven selections to the Best Nine Award. In 1985, he hit 40 home runs and batted .300 as the Tigers went all the way to the Japan Series and won it for the first time in team history. Kakefu took part in what has been called one of the most famous moments in Tiger history on the game played on April 17, 1985 when he hit the second of three consecutive home runs (Randy Bass hit the first while Akinobu Okada hit the third) against the Yomiuri Giants. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Iemitsu Arai (新井 家光, Arai Iemitsu; born 5 May 1955) is a Japanese politician from Fukaya, Saitama. After graduating…Iemitsu Arai (新井 家光, Arai Iemitsu; born 5 May 1955) is a Japanese politician from Fukaya, Saitama. After graduating from Teikyo University, Arai became an orthopedic surgeon. He was elected mayor of Fukaya with the backing of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and New Komeito Party (NKP) in 1999. His younger brother Etsuji served as a LDP member of the Diet of Japan.
Seishirō Nishida (西田 聖志郎, Nishida Seishirō; born May 3, 1955, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Seishirō Nishida (西田 聖志郎, Nishida Seishirō; born May 3, 1955, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor.
Nobuyuki Kajitani (梶谷 信之, Kajitani Nobuyuki; born May 3, 1955 in Saito City, Miyazaki) is a Japanese former gymnast who…Nobuyuki Kajitani (梶谷 信之, Kajitani Nobuyuki; born May 3, 1955 in Saito City, Miyazaki) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Kajitani is a graduate of the Nippon College of Physical Education.
Kazuro Watanabe (渡辺 和郎, Watanabe Kazurō; born May 1, 1955) is a Japanese amateur astronomer and prolific discoverer of…Kazuro Watanabe (渡辺 和郎, Watanabe Kazurō; born May 1, 1955) is a Japanese amateur astronomer and prolific discoverer of minor planets. He was born in Hokkaidō, Japan and is a member of the Astronomical Society of Japan as well as of the Oriental Astronomical Association. Through publications and the direction of junior associates, this asteroid hunter has been responsible for the discovery of nearly 700 asteroids, many of them in association with Kin Endate. He is the author or co-author of the Japanese publications Asteroid Hunter (小惑星ハンター), Celestial Body Photography Manual (天体写真マニュアル), The Celestial Sky of Our Dreams (僕らの夢の星空), as well as others. He is also a frequent contributor to the Japanese periodical Monthly Astronomical Guide (月刊天文ガイド). The minor planet 4155 Watanabe has been named in his honor.
Yūko Tanaka (田中 裕子, Tanaka Yūko; born April 29, 1955) is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won…Yūko Tanaka (田中 裕子, Tanaka Yūko; born April 29, 1955) is a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She has won several acting awards during a long career working in both film and television, after she graduated from Meiji University.
Shinya Ono (小野 晋也; born 28 April 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who was a…Shinya Ono (小野 晋也; born 28 April 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who was a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet.
Hiroyuki Togashi (冨樫 博之, Togashi Hiroyuki; born 27 April 1955) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic…Hiroyuki Togashi (冨樫 博之, Togashi Hiroyuki; born 27 April 1955) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party who served as the State Minister for Reconstruction in 2021.
Katsuyuki Kawachi (河内 勝幸, Kawachi Katsuyuki; born April 27, 1955) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Katsuyuki Kawachi (河内 勝幸, Kawachi Katsuyuki; born April 27, 1955) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yukari Takemoto (竹本 ゆかり, Takemoto Yukari; born 27 April 1955) is a retired Japanese swimmer. She had just turned 13…Yukari Takemoto (竹本 ゆかり, Takemoto Yukari; born 27 April 1955) is a retired Japanese swimmer. She had just turned 13 when she qualified for the 1968 Olympics, where she competed in the 100 m and 200 m breaststroke. At her next Olympics in 1972 she took part in the 4 × 100 m freestyle and 200 m and 400 m medley events, but was also eliminated in the preliminaries.
Toshihiro Kaiwa (海和俊宏, Kaiwa Toshihiro; born 24 April 1955) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980…Toshihiro Kaiwa (海和俊宏, Kaiwa Toshihiro; born 24 April 1955) is a Japanese former alpine skier who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics and 1984 Winter Olympics.
Toshiyuki Adachi (Japanese: 足立 敏之; May 20, 1954 – December 27, 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a Liberal…Toshiyuki Adachi (Japanese: 足立 敏之; May 20, 1954 – December 27, 2024) was a Japanese politician who served as a Liberal Democratic Party member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2016, after serving as vice minister for engineering affairs. He represented the National proportional representation block. At the time of his death, he was serving on the following committees: Committee on Land and Transport (Director) Special Committee on Disasters (Director) Research Committee on National Life and Economy Committee on Audit
Hideki Maeda (前田 秀樹, Maeda Hideki; born May 13, 1954) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for…Hideki Maeda (前田 秀樹, Maeda Hideki; born May 13, 1954) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Wataru Mimura (三村 渉, Mimura Wataru; May 7, 1954 – August 26, 2021) was a Japanese screenwriter with a career largely…Wataru Mimura (三村 渉, Mimura Wataru; May 7, 1954 – August 26, 2021) was a Japanese screenwriter with a career largely focused around Toho's Godzilla series. On August 26, 2021, Mimura died from multiple system atrophy.
Tatsuo Hirano (平野 達男, Hirano Tatsuo; born May 2, 1954) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Tatsuo Hirano (平野 達男, Hirano Tatsuo; born May 2, 1954) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, and was formerly a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. He was formerly a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Kuniko Tanioka (谷岡 郁子, Tanioka Kuniko; born 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member…Kuniko Tanioka (谷岡 郁子, Tanioka Kuniko; born 1954) 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 Osaka Prefecture, she graduated from the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada and gained a bachelor's degree in developmental biology. She was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007. She is president of Shigakkan University.
Akihiro Maeta (前田 昭博, Maeta Akihiro) (from Tottori, Japan, born May 1, 1954) is a Japanese ceramic artist known for…Akihiro Maeta (前田 昭博, Maeta Akihiro) (from Tottori, Japan, born May 1, 1954) is a Japanese ceramic artist known for white porcelain. He is a Living National Treasure of Japan and a member of the Japan Kōgei Association. Maeta's style is achieved by hand-forming his works as opposed to forming them on a potter's wheel. He uses his fingers, palms, and a blade to perfect the shape of his white porcelain sculptures.
Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the…Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Kazuko Kurosawa (黒澤 和子, Kurosawa Kazuko; born April 29, 1954) is a Japanese costume designer. She is the daughter of…Kazuko Kurosawa (黒澤 和子, Kurosawa Kazuko; born April 29, 1954) is a Japanese costume designer. She is the daughter of filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and actress Yōko Yaguchi.
Masaaki Suzuki (鈴木 雅明, Suzuki Masaaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and the…Masaaki Suzuki (鈴木 雅明, Suzuki Masaaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and the founder and music director of the Bach Collegium Japan. With this ensemble he is recording the complete choral works of Johann Sebastian Bach for the Swedish label BIS Records, for which he is also recording Bach's concertos, orchestral suites, and solo works for harpsichord and organ. He is also an artist-in-residence at Yale University and the principal guest conductor of its Schola Cantorum, and has conducted orchestras and choruses around the world.
Noboru Uchiyama (内山 昇, Uchiyama Noboru; born April 20, 1954) is a retired Japanese amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal…Noboru Uchiyama (内山 昇, Uchiyama Noboru; born April 20, 1954) is a retired Japanese amateur boxer. He won a bronze medal at the 1974 Asian Games and competed at the 1976 Olympics, where he was eliminated in the first bout.
Yoko Shimada (Japanese: 島田 陽子, Hepburn: Shimada Yōko; 17 May 1953 – 25 July 2022) was a Japanese actress, best known to…Yoko Shimada (Japanese: 島田 陽子, Hepburn: Shimada Yōko; 17 May 1953 – 25 July 2022) was a Japanese actress, best known to Western audiences for her portrayal of Mariko in the 1980 miniseries Shōgun.
Katsura Shinnosuke (桂 伸乃介; 16 May 1952 – 1 January 2020) was a Japanese rakugoka and musician who performed the works…Katsura Shinnosuke (桂 伸乃介; 16 May 1952 – 1 January 2020) was a Japanese rakugoka and musician who performed the works of Katsura Bunji X and performed in the jazz band Newoirans.
Motoko Hirotsu (広津 素子, Hirotsu Motoko; born 16 May 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Motoko Hirotsu (広津 素子, Hirotsu Motoko; born 16 May 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Karatsu, Saga and graduate of the University of Tokyo she was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005. She represented the 3rd District of Saga prefecture from 2005 until 2009.
Yōichi Komori (小森 陽一, Komori Yōichi; born May 14, 1953 in Tokyo, Japan) is a critic of Japanese modern literature and a…Yōichi Komori (小森 陽一, Komori Yōichi; born May 14, 1953 in Tokyo, Japan) is a critic of Japanese modern literature and a social activist in Japan. He is currently a professor at the University of Tokyo, Japan.
Shinsuke J. Sugiyama (杉山 晋輔, Sugiyama Shinsuke) is a Japanese diplomat who formerly served as Japanese ambassador to…Shinsuke J. Sugiyama (杉山 晋輔, Sugiyama Shinsuke) is a Japanese diplomat who formerly served as Japanese ambassador to the United States. He was previously administrative vice minister for foreign affairs.
Shintaro Ito (伊藤 信太郎, Itō Shintarō; born 6 May 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member…Shintaro Ito (伊藤 信太郎, Itō Shintarō; born 6 May 1953) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Mayumi Aoki (青木 まゆみ, Aoki Mayumi; born May 1, 1953) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in…Mayumi Aoki (青木 まゆみ, Aoki Mayumi; born May 1, 1953) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the 100 m and 200 m butterfly and 4 × 100 m medley relay and won a gold medal in the 100 m butterfly. She won a bronze medal in this event at the 1973 World Aquatics Championships. In 1972 she twice broke the world record in the 100 m butterfly. After retiring from competition she worked as a swimming coach and a high school teacher. In 1989 she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Yutaka Hara (原 ゆたか, Hara Yutaka; born April 28, 1953) is a Japanese writer and illustrator of children's literature. He…Yutaka Hara (原 ゆたか, Hara Yutaka; born April 28, 1953) is a Japanese writer and illustrator of children's literature. He was born in Kumamoto in 1953, and is the winner of the 1974 KFS Contest Kodansha Children's Literature Award (KFSコンテスト・講談社児童図書部門賞受賞). He is the author of several series of children's illustrated books including the very popular Kaiketsu Zorori (Incredible Zorori), Chiisana Mori (Small Forest), Meimon furaido chiken shougakkou (the famous fried chicken primary school]) and Touyuuki (Journey to the East: the title is a homage to the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West).
Hiroshi Kimura (木村宏, Kimura Hiroshi) is a former chairman of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. In 1976, Kimura…Hiroshi Kimura (木村宏, Kimura Hiroshi) is a former chairman of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. In 1976, Kimura started working for the Japan Tobacco & Salt Public Corporation (current name 'Japan Tobacco'). He became the president for this company on June 23, 2006. Mitsuomi Koizumi became the president of this company in June 2012, and became chairman.
Yoshifumi Seki (関 義文, Seki Yoshifumi; born 23 April 1953) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's welterweight…Yoshifumi Seki (関 義文, Seki Yoshifumi; born 23 April 1953) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's welterweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. At the 1976 Summer Olympics, he defeated Ju Seok-Kim of South Korea, before losing to Carmen Rinke of Canada.
Nishida Shun'ei (西田 俊英; born April 20, 1953, in Ise city, Mie prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese Nihonga painter who…Nishida Shun'ei (西田 俊英; born April 20, 1953, in Ise city, Mie prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese Nihonga painter who specializes in portraits, and later fantastical landscapes, and is an emeritus professor of Japanese painting at Hiroshima City University and Musashino Art University, which he retired from in 2024. He received the 2016 Japan Art Academy award for Japanese painting. As of 2026, he is the chair of the Japan Art Institute.
Eiko Matsuda (松田暎子, Matsuda Eiko) (18 May 1952 – 9 March 2011) was a Japanese actress. She is best known for her…Eiko Matsuda (松田暎子, Matsuda Eiko) (18 May 1952 – 9 March 2011) was a Japanese actress. She is best known for her performance as Sada Abe in In the Realm of the Senses. She also appeared in Seibo Kannon daibosatsu (1977) and Pinku saron: Kōshoku gonin onna (1978). She died on 9 March 2011 of a brain tumor.
Makoto Hirayama (平山 誠, Hirayama Makoto; 12 May 1952 – 27 February 2018) is a Japanese politician. He served in the…Makoto Hirayama (平山 誠, Hirayama Makoto; 12 May 1952 – 27 February 2018) is a Japanese politician. He served in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) from 2009 until 2013.
Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) 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 Kōchi Prefecture and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly in 1985 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Yamamoto later served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the Third Abe Cabinet.
Seiichiro Murakami (村上 誠一郎, Murakami Seiichirō; born 11 May 1952) is a Japanese politician. He was the Minister of…Seiichiro Murakami (村上 誠一郎, Murakami Seiichirō; born 11 May 1952) is a Japanese politician. He was the Minister of State for Regulatory Reform, the Minister of State for Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan, the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, the Minister of State for Special Zones for Structural Reform and the Minister of State for Regional Revitalization in Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Law from Tokyo University, and was first elected in 1986 to the House of Representatives in Ehime Prefecture.
Masaki Yokotani (横谷 政樹, Yokotani Masaki; born May 10, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masaki Yokotani (横谷 政樹, Yokotani Masaki; born May 10, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yasuhiko Moriwaki (森脇 保彦, Moriwaki Yasuhiko; born 7 May 1952) is a retired Japanese judoka. Moriwaki is from Kake…Yasuhiko Moriwaki (森脇 保彦, Moriwaki Yasuhiko; born 7 May 1952) is a retired Japanese judoka. Moriwaki is from Kake, Hiroshima and began judo at the junior high school days. When he was a member of judo club at Sotoku high-school (崇徳高校, Sōtoku Kōkō), alongside Takao Kawaguchi and Yoshiharu Minami. In 1974, When Moriwaki was a student of Kokushikan University, he won a gold medal at the World University Championships held in Brussels. He took office as the coach of Kokushikan University after graduation from there. In 1979, Moriwaki won a bronze medal of World Championships held in Paris. He was also expected to get medal of Olympic Games in 1980 but he couldn't because the 1980 Summer Olympic Games was boycotted by the Japanese Government. Moriwaki won a gold medal at the World Championships in 1981 at the age of 29. As of 2010, he coaches at Kokushikan Women's Judo Club.
Chiaki Mukai (向井 千秋, Mukai Chiaki; born May 6, 1952) is a Japanese physician and JAXA astronaut. She was the first…Chiaki Mukai (向井 千秋, Mukai Chiaki; born May 6, 1952) is a Japanese physician and JAXA astronaut. She was the first Japanese woman in space, the first Japanese citizen to have two spaceflights, and the first Asian woman in space. Both were Space Shuttle missions; her first was STS-65 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1994, which was a Spacelab mission. Her second spaceflight was STS-95 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. In total she has spent 23 days in space. Mukai was selected to be an astronaut by Japanese national space agency NASDA (now called JAXA) in 1985. Prior to this, she was an assistant professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Keio University, the oldest university in Japan. In 2015, she became Vice President of the Tokyo University of Science. In addition, she became JAXA Technical Counselor.
Katsumi Oda (小田 勝美, Oda Katsumi; born 6 May 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament…Katsumi Oda (小田 勝美, Oda Katsumi; born 6 May 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.
Yataro Tsuda (津田 弥太郎, Tsuda Yatarō; May 5, 1952 – April 6, 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Yataro Tsuda (津田 弥太郎, Tsuda Yatarō; May 5, 1952 – April 6, 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Takayama, Gifu, he was elected for the first time in 2004. Tsuda died on April 6, 2026, at the age of 73.
Kuniko Inoguchi (猪口 邦子, Inoguchi Kuniko; born 3 May 1952) is a Japanese political scientist and politician. She served…Kuniko Inoguchi (猪口 邦子, Inoguchi Kuniko; born 3 May 1952) is a Japanese political scientist and politician. She served as Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs from 2005 to 2006, and is currently a member of the House of Councillors representing Chiba Prefecture for the Liberal Democratic Party.
Teruko Miyamoto (宮本 輝子, Miyamoto Teruko; born 31 May 1952) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Teruko Miyamoto (宮本 輝子, Miyamoto Teruko; born 31 May 1952) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Keiji Haino (灰野 敬二 Haino Keiji; born May 3, 1952) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter whose work has included…Keiji Haino (灰野 敬二 Haino Keiji; born May 3, 1952) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter whose work has included rock, free improvisation, noise music, percussion, psychedelic music, minimalism and drone music. He has been active since the 1970s and continues to record regularly and in new styles.
Junko Saito (斉藤 淳子, Saitō Jun'ko) (née Nakajima (中島 淳子, Nakajima Jun'ko; born 2 May 1952), more commonly known by her…Junko Saito (斉藤 淳子, Saitō Jun'ko) (née Nakajima (中島 淳子, Nakajima Jun'ko; born 2 May 1952), more commonly known by her stage name Mari Natsuki (夏木 マリ, Natsuki Mari), is a Japanese singer, dancer, actress and philanthropist, who describes herself as a "person who plays." Born in Tokyo, she started work as a singer from a young age. In 2007, Natsuki announced her engagement to percussionist Nobu Saitō (斉藤ノヴ), with their marriage taking place in Spring 2008. Natsuki has participated in musical theatre, including Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and that of Yukio Ninagawa. She provided the voice of Yubaba in Spirited Away, played the young witch's mother in the Japanese TV remake of Bewitched and has twice been nominated for a Japanese Academy Award. Natsuki played the character Big Mama in the Japanese version of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and has also acted in television dramas, such as the 2005 series Nobuta o Produce, playing the Vice Principal, Katharine. In 2024, Natsuki reprised her famous roles of Yubaba/Zeniba for the stage production of Spirited Away, performing in Japan and London. In 2026, she performed the role in Seoul, Korea.