Motohisa Ikeda (池田 元久, Ikeda Motohisa; 20 December 1940 – 22 January 2024) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Motohisa Ikeda (池田 元久, Ikeda Motohisa; 20 December 1940 – 22 January 2024) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Fujisawa, Kanagawa and graduate of Waseda University, he worked at the public broadcaster NHK as a reporter from 1964 to 1989. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990 as a member of the Japan Socialist Party but lost his seat in 1993. He was re-elected in 1996. Ikeda died on 22 January 2024, at the age of 83.
Kenzo Tsujimoto (辻本憲三, Tsujimoto Kenzō; born December 15, 1940) is a Japanese businessman who founded the video game…Kenzo Tsujimoto (辻本憲三, Tsujimoto Kenzō; born December 15, 1940) is a Japanese businessman who founded the video game companies Capcom and Irem. He has also served as president of the Computer Software Copyright Association since 1997, and was president of Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association from 2002 to 2006.
Toshiyuki Hosokawa (細川 俊之, Hosokawa Toshiyuki; December 15, 1940 – January 14, 2011) was a Japanese actor and disc…Toshiyuki Hosokawa (細川 俊之, Hosokawa Toshiyuki; December 15, 1940 – January 14, 2011) was a Japanese actor and disc jockey, whose credits included roles in television, film, stage and musical theater. He reached prominence in Japan for his starring role in the 1970 film Eros Plus Massacre, which was directed by Yoshishige Yoshida. Hosokawa was born and raised in Fukuoka Prefecture. He launched his acting career as a member of the theater company, Bungakuza, in 1964. He joined Bungakuza after leaving his university. He soon co-starred with actress, Nana Kinomi, in the musical, Show Girl. Additionally, Hosokawa served as a professor at Osaka University of Arts beginning in 2004. Hosokawa accidentally fell and suffered head injuries at his home on January 12, 2011. He died of subdural hematoma at a hospital in Tokyo, Japan, on January 14, 2011, at the age of 70.
Koji Kimura (木村 興治, Kimura Kōji; born 11 December 1940) is a retired Japanese table tennis player and coach who won…Koji Kimura (木村 興治, Kimura Kōji; born 11 December 1940) is a retired Japanese table tennis player and coach who won four world titles between 1961 and 1967. He is left-handed.
Hajime Tomii (富井 一, Tomii Hajime; born 11 December 1940) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in three events at the…Hajime Tomii (富井 一, Tomii Hajime; born 11 December 1940) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in three events at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
Kiyoharu Ishiwata (石渡 清元, Ishiwata Kiyoharu; 9 December 1940 – January 20, 2014) was a Japanese politician. He was a…Kiyoharu Ishiwata (石渡 清元, Ishiwata Kiyoharu; 9 December 1940 – January 20, 2014) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of Councillors from 1989 to 2001. Ishiwata died of heart failure at the age of 73.
Tensuiyama Masanori (born 8 December 1940 as Masanori Ikeda) is a former sumo wrestler from Tensui, Kumamoto, Japan. He…Tensuiyama Masanori (born 8 December 1940 as Masanori Ikeda) is a former sumo wrestler from Tensui, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1956, and reached the top division in May 1965. His highest rank was maegashira 10. He left the sumo world upon retirement in September 1968.
Kazuo Nakamura (中村 和雄, Nakamura Kazuo; born December 4, 1940) is a former professional basketball head coach for…Kazuo Nakamura (中村 和雄, Nakamura Kazuo; born December 4, 1940) is a former professional basketball head coach for Hamamatsu, Akita and Niigata and a former college basketball head coach for Akita Keizaihoka University in Japan. Nakamura always said to players, "Play basketball with all your heart." He admires Mike Krzyzewski and Bob Knight. Nakamura also served for the San Antonio Silver Stars as a scout in Asia. He currently teaches amateurs in Akita prefecture.
Masanari Nihei (二瓶 正也, Nihei Masanari; 9 December 1940 – 21 August 2021) was a Japanese actor. He played Mitsuhiro Ide…Masanari Nihei (二瓶 正也, Nihei Masanari; 9 December 1940 – 21 August 2021) was a Japanese actor. He played Mitsuhiro Ide in Ultraman, having won the role when originally cast actor Susumu Ishikawa left the production.
Fumio Kyūma (久間 章生, Kyūma Fumio; born 4 December 1940) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the Diet of Japan…Fumio Kyūma (久間 章生, Kyūma Fumio; born 4 December 1940) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the Diet of Japan between 1980 and 2009. Kyuma graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1964 and worked for the Ministry of Agriculture. He was elected to the Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly in 1971 serving three terms before being elected to the Diet as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for Nagasaki Number 2. He served in 2007 as Japan's first Defense minister.
Kishin Shinoyama (篠山 紀信, Shinoyama Kishin; December 3, 1940 – January 4, 2024) was a Japanese photographer. He is…Kishin Shinoyama (篠山 紀信, Shinoyama Kishin; December 3, 1940 – January 4, 2024) was a Japanese photographer. He is well-known for having photographed the covers for John Lennon and Yoko Ono's albums, Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey. Before his marriage to Saori Minami in 1979, he took a majority of the photographs for her album covers with CBS/Sony.
Kazuaki Miyaji (宮路 和明, Miyaji Kazuaki; born 29 November 1940) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuaki Miyaji (宮路 和明, Miyaji Kazuaki; born 29 November 1940) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kawanabe District, Kagoshima and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990.
Katsuo Bai (梅 勝夫, Bai Katsuo; born 29 November 1940) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Katsuo Bai (梅 勝夫, Bai Katsuo; born 29 November 1940) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yoshitada Konoike (鴻池 祥肇, Konoike Yoshitada; November 28, 1940 – December 25, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the…Yoshitada Konoike (鴻池 祥肇, Konoike Yoshitada; November 28, 1940 – December 25, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature), formerly Minister of State for Disaster Management. A native of Amagasaki, Hyōgo and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986 after an unsuccessful run in 1983. After losing his seat in 1993, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995 and is currently serving his fourth 6-year term.
Haruko Yoshikawa (吉川 春子, Yoshikawa Haruko; born November 26, 1940) is a Japanese politician and former member of the…Haruko Yoshikawa (吉川 春子, Yoshikawa Haruko; born November 26, 1940) is a Japanese politician and former member of the House of Councillors for the Japanese Communist Party.
Kansei Nakano (中野 寛成, Nakano Kansei; born 26 November 1940) is a retired Japanese politician. He was a member of the…Kansei Nakano (中野 寛成, Nakano Kansei; born 26 November 1940) is a retired Japanese politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party of Japan and served as the Vice-Speaker of the Lower House of the Diet. Nakano was born in 1940 in Nagasaki. At age four, he experienced the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. In 1963, he graduated from the Law Department of Kansai University. Beginning his time at university in 1960, Nakano joined the Democratic Socialist Party. After being elected three times to the Toyonaka City Council, he was elected to the Diet in 1976. In 1994, Nakano joined the New Frontier Party and served as Chair of the Policy Inquiry Commission. Upon the collapse of the party, Nakano formed the New Fraternity Party, which eventually merged with other liberal parties to form the Democratic Party of Japan. He represented the Osaka 8 electoral district until 2012, when he lost to Nippon Ishin no Kai candidate Tomohiko Kinoshita. Note: As part of Diet custom, the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House must formally secede from their party. For this reason, Nakano is sometimes referred to as an independent in official Diet information. In practice he remains a member of the DPJ.
Kotozakura Masakatsu (Japanese: 琴櫻 傑將; November 26, 1940 – August 14, 2007) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler…Kotozakura Masakatsu (Japanese: 琴櫻 傑將; November 26, 1940 – August 14, 2007) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Kurayoshi, Tottori. He was the sport's 53rd yokozuna. He made his professional debut in 1959, reaching the top division in 1963. After several years at the second highest rank of ōzeki, in 1973 he was promoted to yokozuna at the age of thirty-two years two months, becoming the oldest wrestler to be promoted to yokozuna since 1958, when the current six tournaments system was established. After his retirement he was head coach of Sadogatake stable and produced a string of top division wrestlers.
Koro Kawazu (河津 光朗, Kawazu Kōrō; born 25 November 1940) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at…Koro Kawazu (河津 光朗, Kawazu Kōrō; born 25 November 1940) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yoshinobu Ishikawa (石川 嘉延, Ishikawa Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1940) was the governor of Shizuoka Prefecture in…Yoshinobu Ishikawa (石川 嘉延, Ishikawa Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1940) was the governor of Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 1993. A native of Kakegawa, Shizuoka, formerly known as Daitō, Shizuoka, and graduate of the University of Tokyo, Department of Law, he had worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs since 1964 before being elected governor.
Koichi Haraguchi (原口 幸市, Haraguchi Kōichi; November 24, 1940 – October 4, 2009) was a former Japanese diplomat and the…Koichi Haraguchi (原口 幸市, Haraguchi Kōichi; November 24, 1940 – October 4, 2009) was a former Japanese diplomat and the Grand Master of Ceremonies of the Imperial Household Agency.
Naokazu Takemoto (竹本 直一, Takemoto Naokazu; born 23 November 1940) is a former Japanese politician who served in the…Naokazu Takemoto (竹本 直一, Takemoto Naokazu; born 23 November 1940) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Hiromi Tsuchida (土田ヒロミ, Tsuchida Hiromi; born 1939) is a Japanese photographer. His creative photo career is over 40…Hiromi Tsuchida (土田ヒロミ, Tsuchida Hiromi; born 1939) is a Japanese photographer. His creative photo career is over 40 years long. Tsuchida has produced several collections of photographs of the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He has produced many photo books such as Zokushin, Counting Grains of Sand, New Counting Grains of Sand and The Berlin Wall. There is also a retrospective of his life's work titled, Hiromi Tsuchida's Japan. Tsuchida has received the Nobuo Ina Award and the Ken Domon Award.
Takashi Kawamura (川村隆, Kawamura Takashi; born December 19, 1939) is a director and the chairman of Tokyo Electric Power…Takashi Kawamura (川村隆, Kawamura Takashi; born December 19, 1939) is a director and the chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO), a semi-nationalized electric utility company, and the former chairman and president of Hitachi, Ltd., the Japanese multinational electronics and engineering conglomerate. He had worked at Hitachi for his entire business career and retired as senior adviser to the company in June 2016. On request of the Japanese government, Kawamura has served as chairman of the electric power company since June 2017, after it was found responsible for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese Aikido teacher who lived and taught in many…Seiichi Sugano (菅野誠一 17 December 1939 – 29 August 2010) was a Japanese Aikido teacher who lived and taught in many Western countries. He held the rank of an 8th dan Aikikai.
Rokuzaemon Yoshida (吉田 六左エ門, Yoshida Rokuzaemon; born 15 December 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Rokuzaemon Yoshida (吉田 六左エ門, Yoshida Rokuzaemon; born 15 December 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Tamiji Sato (佐藤 多美治, Satō Tamiji; born December 14, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed at the…Tamiji Sato (佐藤 多美治, Satō Tamiji; born December 14, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He competed at the 1960 Olympics and 1961 World Championships in the 62 kg division and finished fourth on both occasions.
Mayumi Ogawa (小川眞由美; December 11, 1939 – March 26, 2026) was a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting…Mayumi Ogawa (小川眞由美; December 11, 1939 – March 26, 2026) was a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 3rd Japan Academy Prize and at the 4th Hochi Film Award for Vengeance Is Mine and The Three Undelivered Letters. In 2008, Ogawa got ordained as a Shingon Buddhist nun. In an interview with J-Cast News, she mentioned that during her tonsure ceremony, only one strand of hair was pulled out. Ogawa remained involved in the entertainment industry in later life. Ogawa died from coronary artery disease on March 26, 2026, at the age of 86. Her death was not announced publicly until August 9.
Saburo Yokomizo (横溝 三郎, Yokomizo Saburō; 9 December 1939 – 14 November 2024) was a Japanese middle-distance runner. He…Saburo Yokomizo (横溝 三郎, Yokomizo Saburō; 9 December 1939 – 14 November 2024) was a Japanese middle-distance runner. He competed in the men's 3000 metres steeplechase at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Yokomizo died from liver cancer on 14 November 2024, at the age of 84.
Masahiko Kinoshi (喜熨斗 政彦, Kinoshi Masahiko; December 9, 1939 – September 13, 2023), better known by his stage name…Masahiko Kinoshi (喜熨斗 政彦, Kinoshi Masahiko; December 9, 1939 – September 13, 2023), better known by his stage name Ichikawa Ennosuke III (三代目 市川 猿之助, Sandaime Ichikawa Ennosuke; Japanese pronunciation: [i.tɕi̥.kaꜜ.wa (|) en.no.sɯ̥.ke]), was a Japanese kabuki actor, famous for his love of keren (stage tricks). He was considered the king of chūnori; he flew out over the audience, held aloft on strings, over 5000 times.
Udagawa Katsutarō (born Hideo Udagawa; December 3, 1939 – July 24, 1989) was a sumo wrestler from Adachi, Tokyo, Japan.…Udagawa Katsutarō (born Hideo Udagawa; December 3, 1939 – July 24, 1989) was a sumo wrestler from Adachi, Tokyo, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1954 and reached the top division in January 1960. His highest rank was maegashira 3. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under a series of different names, since he didn't own a toshiyori-kabu of his own. He left the Sumo Association in October 1977.
Heizaburo Ōkawa (大川 平三郎, Ōkawa Heizaburō; born 2 December 1939) is a Japanese fencer. He competed at the 1960, 1964 and…Heizaburo Ōkawa (大川 平三郎, Ōkawa Heizaburō; born 2 December 1939) is a Japanese fencer. He competed at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics. He taught and coached fencing at Cal State Fullerton until his retirement in June 2006.
Fumie Hama (浜 文恵, Hama Fumie; born 29 November 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in three events at the…Fumie Hama (浜 文恵, Hama Fumie; born 29 November 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in three events at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Kōsei Ono (小野 耕世, Ono Kōsei; born November 28, 1939) is a Japanese film critic, cartoon critic, comic translator and…Kōsei Ono (小野 耕世, Ono Kōsei; born November 28, 1939) is a Japanese film critic, cartoon critic, comic translator and overseas comic / animation researcher. Ono is the leading authority on the publication, research and introduction of overseas comics (gaikoku manga) in Japan. From 1963 to 1974 he worked for NHK. He is a visiting professor in the Asia Department of Kokushikan University, a board member of the Japan Society for Studies in Manga and Comic Art, and a member of ASIFA JAPAN, the Japan Cartoonists Association, and the Japan Science Fiction Writer's Club.
Yoshinobu Miyake (三宅 義信, Miyake Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1939) is a retired Japanese weightlifter and Japan Ground…Yoshinobu Miyake (三宅 義信, Miyake Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1939) is a retired Japanese weightlifter and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lieutenant. He won one silver and two gold medals at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics and finished fourth in 1972. He also won world titles in 1962, 1963 and 1965–66. Between 1959 and 1969 Miyake set 25 official world records, including 10 consecutive records in the snatch and nine consecutive records in the total. In 1993 he was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame. Miyake was known for his signature "frog style" or "Miyake pull" lifting technique, in which he kept his heels together with knees spread outward to about 60 degrees with a wide grip on the bar, resembling a frog. After retiring from competitions Miyake coached the national weightlifting team. His brother Yoshiyuki Miyake and niece Hiromi Miyake also won Olympic medals in weightlifting. All three were shorter than 1.56 m (5 ft 2 in). Miyake was one of the flagbearers for Japan in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympics.
Murder at Mt. Fuji (Wの悲劇, Daburyū no Higeki; The Tragedy of W) is a Japanese novel by author Shizuko Natsuki…Murder at Mt. Fuji (Wの悲劇, Daburyū no Higeki; The Tragedy of W) is a Japanese novel by author Shizuko Natsuki, originally published in 1982. It has been adapted into several Japanese television dramas and a film.
Katsuo Haga (芳賀 勝男, Haga Katsuo; born 4 December 1938) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's bantamweight event…Katsuo Haga (芳賀 勝男, Haga Katsuo; born 4 December 1938) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's bantamweight event at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Mieko Shiomi (塩見 允枝子, Shiomi Mieko; born 1938) is a Japanese artist, composer, and performer who played a key role in…Mieko Shiomi (塩見 允枝子, Shiomi Mieko; born 1938) is a Japanese artist, composer, and performer who played a key role in the development of Fluxus. A co-founder of the seminal postwar Japanese experimental music collective Group Ongaku, she is known for her investigations of the nature and limits of sound, music, and auditory experiences. Her work has been widely circulated as Fluxus editions, featured in concert halls, museums, galleries, and non-traditional spaces, as well as being re-performed by other musicians and artists numerous times. She is best known for her work of the 1960s and early 1970s, especially Spatial Poem, Water Music, Endless Box, and the various instructions in Events & Games, all of which were produced as Fluxus editions. Now in her eighties, she continues to produce new work.
Tōyama Atsuko (遠山 敦子; born 10 December 1938) is a Japanese former bureaucrat in the Ministry of Education, Culture…Tōyama Atsuko (遠山 敦子; born 10 December 1938) is a Japanese former bureaucrat in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science, and Technology. She is a trustee of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the head of the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center in Shizuoka.
Hiroshi Gondoh (権藤 博, Gondō Hiroshi; born December 2, 1938) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher…Hiroshi Gondoh (権藤 博, Gondō Hiroshi; born December 2, 1938) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher and manager. He played his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons. In his rookie season, he collected numerous accolades, including the Central League Rookie of the Year Award and the Eiji Sawamura Award. In 1998, Gondoh became the manager of the Yokohama BayStars and led them to a Japan Series title in his first year. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Tadao Mitome (三留 理男, Mitome Tadao; 1938 – 22 March 2022) was a Japanese photographer and photojournalist. He was one of…Tadao Mitome (三留 理男, Mitome Tadao; 1938 – 22 March 2022) was a Japanese photographer and photojournalist. He was one of a handful of photojournalists granted a permanent United Nations ID card.
Hiroko Tsuji (辻 宏子, Tsuji Hiroko; born November 29, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic…Hiroko Tsuji (辻 宏子, Tsuji Hiroko; born November 29, 1938) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1964 Olympics and won a team bronze medal. Her best individual achievement was 23rd place on the vault.
Kashiwado Tsuyoshi (Japanese: 柏戸 剛; November 29, 1938 – December 8, 1996) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler…Kashiwado Tsuyoshi (Japanese: 柏戸 剛; November 29, 1938 – December 8, 1996) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Yamagata Prefecture. He was the sport's 47th yokozuna, fighting at the sport's highest rank from 1961 to 1969. After his retirement he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and ran his own training stable from 1970 until his death.
Shingo Araki (荒木 伸吾, Araki Shingo; November 28, 1938 – December 1, 2011) was a Japanese animation artist and character…Shingo Araki (荒木 伸吾, Araki Shingo; November 28, 1938 – December 1, 2011) was a Japanese animation artist and character designer.
Morihisa Aoki (Japanese: 青木 盛久, romanized: Aoki Morihisa, November 23, 1938 – November 9, 2024) was a Japanese diplomat…Morihisa Aoki (Japanese: 青木 盛久, romanized: Aoki Morihisa, November 23, 1938 – November 9, 2024) was a Japanese diplomat and president of the Aoki Shūzō Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Aoki was the ambassador to Peru and homeowner of the diplomatic residence that served as the location of the Japanese embassy hostage crisis.
Tokuichiro Tamazawa (玉沢 徳一郎, Tamazawa Tokuichirō; born 16 December 1937) is a former Japanese politician who served in…Tokuichiro Tamazawa (玉沢 徳一郎, Tamazawa Tokuichirō; born 16 December 1937) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He is a native of Tarō, Iwate and attended a graduate school at Waseda University. He was elected for the first time in 1976 as an independent after unsuccessful runs in 1969 and 1972. From 1994 to 1995 he was Director General of the Japan Defense Agency. In May 2008 Tamazawa was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon from President Chen Shui-bian as recognition for the work he has done to foster relations between Taiwan and Japan.
Mitsuo Kamata (鎌田 光夫, Kamata Mitsuo; born December 16, 1937) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Mitsuo Kamata (鎌田 光夫, Kamata Mitsuo; born December 16, 1937) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Tadao Sawai (沢井 忠夫, Sawai Tadao; 1938 – April 1, 1997) was a Japanese koto player and composer. He was renowned all…Tadao Sawai (沢井 忠夫, Sawai Tadao; 1938 – April 1, 1997) was a Japanese koto player and composer. He was renowned all over Japan for his skill at the koto and also received acclaim for his compositions.
Mutsuo Takahashi (高橋 睦郎, Takahashi Mutsuo; born December 15, 1937) is one of the most prominent and prolific poets…Mutsuo Takahashi (高橋 睦郎, Takahashi Mutsuo; born December 15, 1937) is one of the most prominent and prolific poets, essayists, and writers of contemporary Japan, with more than three dozen collections of poetry, several works of prose, dozens of books of essays, and several major literary prizes to his name. He is well known for his open writing about male homoeroticism. He currently lives in the seaside town of Zushi, several kilometers south of Yokohama, Japan.