Nenji Kobayashi (小林 稔侍, Kobayashi Nenji; born February 7, 1941) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best…Nenji Kobayashi (小林 稔侍, Kobayashi Nenji; born February 7, 1941) is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best supporting actor at the 23rd Japan Academy Prize for Poppoya. Kobayashi signed with Toei in 1961 and started his acting career with small roles.
Takao Ishii (born 1 February 1941) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics and in the 1964…Takao Ishii (born 1 February 1941) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics and in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Taiji Arita (有田 泰而, Arita Taiji; 1941–2011) was a Japanese commercial photographer who exhibited non-commercial nudes…Taiji Arita (有田 泰而, Arita Taiji; 1941–2011) was a Japanese commercial photographer who exhibited non-commercial nudes and other work, and later a painter and sculptor.
Koichi Mizushima (水島公一, Mizushima Kōichi; born January 30, 1941) is a Japanese researcher known for discovering lithium…Koichi Mizushima (水島公一, Mizushima Kōichi; born January 30, 1941) is a Japanese researcher known for discovering lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and related materials for the lithium-ion battery (Li-ion battery). He was affiliated with the University of Tokyo before he went on to work for Toshiba.
Yorikane Masumoto (桝本 頼兼, Masumoto Yorikane; born January 29, 1941) is a Japanese politician who was mayor of Kyoto…Yorikane Masumoto (桝本 頼兼, Masumoto Yorikane; born January 29, 1941) is a Japanese politician who was mayor of Kyoto from 1996 to 2008. A graduate of Chuo University, he was first elected in February 1996. After three full terms in office he did not run again in the 2008 mayoral election.
Atsuo Nakamura (中村 敦夫, Nakamura Atsuo; born 18 February 1940) is a Japanese actor and politician. He has appeared in…Atsuo Nakamura (中村 敦夫, Nakamura Atsuo; born 18 February 1940) is a Japanese actor and politician. He has appeared in more than 50 films since 1964. His younger brother Katsuyuki Nakamura is a writer.
Tatsuo Kawaguchi (河口龍夫, Kawaguchi Tatsuo, born in 1940, Kobe Japan) is a Japanese multidisciplinary artist, whose…Tatsuo Kawaguchi (河口龍夫, Kawaguchi Tatsuo, born in 1940, Kobe Japan) is a Japanese multidisciplinary artist, whose practice often involves the use of objects and the investigation of materials. After studying painting at Tama Art University, Kawaguchi's diverse oeuvre has included drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, and video. He also co-founded the Group "i", a Kobe-based artistic collective, in 1965. Kawaguchi's early work explored visual perception, principally through the use of objects and mirrors. After 1970, he began using the word "relation" (関係, kankei) in the titles of his works. Kawaguchi seeks to put on display the fragile relationships between the visible and the invisible that create the world around us. The artist intends for his works - which have employed both man-made elements such as lightbulbs or motors, as well as natural elements like stone, wood, seeds and metals - to be perceived of as perpetual works in progress, transforming with time. Environmental anxiety has also informed the development of Kawaguchi's "relation" works. After the Chernobyl disaster, the artist has continuously enveloped various objects, such as seeds, plants, soil, or tools, in lead, a material that protects against radiation. Kawaguchi's work has featured in major international exhibitions and has been associated by art historians with artistic movements such as land art, minimalism and Mono-ha. Kawaguchi has also been identified as belonging to the loosely-affiliated Gainen-ha (Conceptual School), alongside Yutaka Matsuzawa, Jiro Takamatsu, Kazuo Okazaki, Saburo Muraoka (with whom he collaborated in 1973), Isamu Wakabayashi, and Aiko Miyawaki. Kawaguchi was awarded the First Iue Culture Prize for Art and Culture in 1974 as well as the Prize of Japan Arts Foundation in 2008. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Tsukuba, Institute of Art and Design. He lives and works in Chiba City.
Jūrō Kara (唐十郎, Kara Jūrō; born Ōtsuru Yoshihide (大靏 義英); 11 February 1940 – 4 May 2024) was a Japanese avant-garde…Jūrō Kara (唐十郎, Kara Jūrō; born Ōtsuru Yoshihide (大靏 義英); 11 February 1940 – 4 May 2024) was a Japanese avant-garde playwright, theatre director, author, actor, and songwriter. He was at the forefront of the Angura ("underground") theatre movement in Japan.
Toshihide Maskawa (or Masukawa) (益川 敏英, Masukawa Toshihide; 7 February 1940 – 23 July 2021) was a Japanese theoretical…Toshihide Maskawa (or Masukawa) (益川 敏英, Masukawa Toshihide; 7 February 1940 – 23 July 2021) was a Japanese theoretical physicist known for his work on CP-violation who was awarded one quarter of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics "for the discovery of the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families of quarks in nature."
Tatsuo Yata (矢田 立郎, Yata Tatsuo; born 7 February 1940) is a Japanese politician who became the mayor of Kobe, the…Tatsuo Yata (矢田 立郎, Yata Tatsuo; born 7 February 1940) is a Japanese politician who became the mayor of Kobe, the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan from 2001 until 2013. He was first elected in October 2001 and won the re-election four years later.
Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno (ラトナ サリ デヴィ スカルノ, Ratona Sari Devi Sukaruno; born Naoko Nemoto (根本 七保子, Nemoto Naoko); February…Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno (ラトナ サリ デヴィ スカルノ, Ratona Sari Devi Sukaruno; born Naoko Nemoto (根本 七保子, Nemoto Naoko); February 6, 1940), widely known in Japan as Dewi Fujin (デヴィ夫人, Devi Fujin; literally Lady Dewi or Madame Dewi) is a Japanese businesswoman, socialite, and television personality. She was one of the wives of the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno.
Kiyoshi Asai (浅井 浄, Asai Kiyoshi; born 6 February 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metres…Kiyoshi Asai (浅井 浄, Asai Kiyoshi; born 6 February 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Kunimitsu Takahashi (Shinjitai: 高橋 国光, Takahashi Kunimitsu; 29 January 1940 – 16 March 2022) was a Japanese…Kunimitsu Takahashi (Shinjitai: 高橋 国光, Takahashi Kunimitsu; 29 January 1940 – 16 March 2022) was a Japanese professional motorcycle road racer, racing driver, and team manager. Nicknamed "Kuni-san", he is known as the "father of drifting". Takahashi's racing career lasted from 1958 to 1999. He competed on motorcycles between 1958 and 1963, during which he became the first Japanese rider to win a World Grand Prix, taking four world-level wins in total. Injuries sustained in a crash in 1962 led to him switching to four-wheels in 1965, after which he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in class, become a four-time All-Japan Sports Prototype Champion, and won in Japanese Top Formula, JTC, and JGTC. His final victory as a driver came in 1999 at the age of 59. Takahashi's racing team, Team Kunimitsu, has won multiple championships in Super GT. He was the chairman of the GT Association, the organizers of the Super GT series, from 1993 to 2007.
Kyoko Nakayama (中山 恭子, Nakayama Kyōko; born 26 January 1940) is a Japanese politician and a former leader of the Party…Kyoko Nakayama (中山 恭子, Nakayama Kyōko; born 26 January 1940) is a Japanese politician and a former leader of the Party for Japanese Kokoro. In the past she has been a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Sunrise Party of Japan and Japan Restoration Party and is serving her second term as a member of the House of Councillors (Upper House) in the Diet (national legislature). She was Special Advisor to the Prime Minister (naikaku sōri-daijin hosakan) for the North Korean abduction issue under Junichiro Koizumi, beginning in 2002. She left the post in 2004 but was reappointed by Shinzō Abe in 2006. She was appointed by Yasuo Fukuda as State Minister in charge of the Population and Gender Equality Issues on August 1, 2008.
Raita Ryu (竜 雷太, Ryū Raita; born January 21, 1940 in Osaka as Tatsuo Hasegawa (長谷川 龍男, Hasegawa Tatsuo)) is a Japanese…Raita Ryu (竜 雷太, Ryū Raita; born January 21, 1940 in Osaka as Tatsuo Hasegawa (長谷川 龍男, Hasegawa Tatsuo)) is a Japanese actor. He is well known for his role as Gorisan (Detective Ishizuka) in Taiyō ni Hoero!. He has a son Yōhei Hasegawa (長谷川 陽平, Hasegawa Yōhei), who is a musician and guitarist. Once, he belonged to Toshiro Mifune's production company.
Sadatoshi Sugawara (菅原 貞敬, Sugawara Sadatoshi; born February 18, 1939) is a Japanese former volleyball player who…Sadatoshi Sugawara (菅原 貞敬, Sugawara Sadatoshi; born February 18, 1939) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was born in Noshiro. In 1964 he was part of the Japanese team which won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all nine matches.
Toshihiro Nikai (二階 俊博, Nikai Toshihiro; born 17 February 1939) is a former Japanese politician for the Liberal…Toshihiro Nikai (二階 俊博, Nikai Toshihiro; born 17 February 1939) is a former Japanese politician for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the leader of the LDP Shisuikai faction (informally called the Nikai faction), who served as the Secretary-General of the LDP from 2016 to 2021. He was previously the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Nikai is currently retired, after thirteen terms in the Lower House representing Wakayama's Third District. He is widely considered to be "Japan's most pro-China lawmaker". He has also been criticized for misogynistic views expressed in the past, and caused controversy when he invited women to "look, but not talk" at key party meetings. On 31 October 2021, he was elected for the thirteenth time in Japan's 49th general election to the House of Representatives. At the age of 82 years and 8 months, he was the oldest winner in the election. Also Nikai is Director of the Liberal Democratic Party's 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo Promotion Headquarters, President of the National Travel Industry Association, and President of the Japan–China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union.
Taichirō Hirokawa (広川 太一郎, Hirokawa Taichirō; February 15, 1939 – March 3, 2008) was a Japanese voice actor and…Taichirō Hirokawa (広川 太一郎, Hirokawa Taichirō; February 15, 1939 – March 3, 2008) was a Japanese voice actor and narrator. He was born in Tokyo on February 15, 1939, and died on March 3, 2008, in Shibuya from cancer. His death was announced at the beginning of the 2nd Seiyu Awards.
Ryuichi Doi (土肥 隆一, Doi Ryūichi; 11 February 1939 – 22 January 2016) was a Japanese politician who served in the House…Ryuichi Doi (土肥 隆一, Doi Ryūichi; 11 February 1939 – 22 January 2016) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. He was born in Seoul, when Korea was under Japanese rule. He attended Tokyo Union Theological Seminary, earning a master's degree. In 1990 he was elected for the first time as a member of the Japan Socialist Party. In April 2014, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon. He was an active pastor for the United Church of Christ in Japan, and preached at the Wada Mountains Salt Mission, which was attached to Keiseien (Asago City, Hyōgo Prefecture), a support facility for people with disabilities under the umbrella of a social welfare corporation that he chaired. He died on 22 January 2016 at a hospital in Kobe, aged 76. He was posthumously awarded the rank of Shoshii.
Tadahiro Matsushita (松下 忠洋, Matsushita Tadahiro; 9 February 1939 – 10 September 2012) was a Japanese politician and…Tadahiro Matsushita (松下 忠洋, Matsushita Tadahiro; 9 February 1939 – 10 September 2012) was a Japanese politician and five-time member of the House of Representatives of Japan. He served in government from 1962 when he joined the Ministry of Construction to 2012. At the time of his death, he was the Minister of State for Financial Services. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993, and was re-elected to four consecutive terms. However, when he failed to support postal privatization, the leaders of his party, the Liberal Democratic Party, refused to support his 2005 campaign. As a result, he dropped out of the race. He returned to run again in 2009, this time as a member of a smaller group, the recently founded People's New Party. He won his election, and for the rest of his life was one of only three members of his party to hold a seat in the House.
Maedagawa Katsu (born Katsuro Takahashi; February 9, 1939 – November 4, 1998) was a sumo wrestler from Esashi, Iwate…Maedagawa Katsu (born Katsuro Takahashi; February 9, 1939 – November 4, 1998) was a sumo wrestler from Esashi, Iwate, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1952, and reached the top division in November 1960. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired from active competition in May 1967.
Masayuki Matsubara (松原 正之, Matsubara Masayuki; born February 7, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won…Masayuki Matsubara (松原 正之, Matsubara Masayuki; born February 7, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1960 Olympics and placed fifth at the 1961 World Championship.
Kumiharu Shigehara (born 5 February 1939) is a Japanese economist, who was a central banker and an international civil…Kumiharu Shigehara (born 5 February 1939) is a Japanese economist, who was a central banker and an international civil servant. He is the author of The Bank of Japan, the OECD, and Beyond: Reflections from a lifetimes' work (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024), and the editor of The Limits of Surveillance and Financial Market Failure: Lessons from the Euro-Area Crisis (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014). Shigehara is currently president of the International Economic Policy Studies Association in Paris, and is also a columnist at the Japan Times.
Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who…Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who served as the Ambassador of Japan to the People's Republic of China, president and chairman of Itochu Corporation, and chairman of the Society of Global Business (SGB).
Masashi Shiga (志賀 政司, Shiga Masashi; born 28 January 1939) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Masashi Shiga (志賀 政司, Shiga Masashi; born 28 January 1939) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also…Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also credited as Masaki Tamra.
Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA…Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA: [tɕiꜜba ɕiɰ̃itɕi], known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience. Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984. Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two tokusatsu superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in Seven Color Mask (Nana-iro Kamen) in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film The Street Fighter. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of English language American films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Chiba died of COVID-19 complications at the hospital in Tokyo on 19 August 2021, at the age of 82.
Chūichi Date (伊達 忠一, Date Chūichi; born January 20, 1939) is a Japanese retired politician of the Liberal Democratic…Chūichi Date (伊達 忠一, Date Chūichi; born January 20, 1939) is a Japanese retired politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served three terms in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) and also served as the LDP's National Diet Committee Chairman. A native of Ashibetsu, Hokkaido and high school graduate, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001 after serving in the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly. He was a former President of the House of Councillors. After the assassination of Shinzo Abe in July 2022 he admitted that he had asked Abe for votes from the Unification Church (UC) in the 2016 Upper House election. According to Hokkaido Television Broadcasting reporting, Date has participated in at least three events sponsored by the UC and its front organisations, including an online event in August 2020, where he stated, "I believe that the spirit of coexistence, co-prosperity, and shared meaning, which leaders Moon and Han are preaching, is more desperately needed today than ever." Date testified that when he supported Yoshifumi Miyajima of the LDP, who ran for the House of Councillors in the 2016 national proportional election, he asked Shinzo Abe to provide votes supplied from the UC. He said that Abe agreed and Miyajima was elected for the first time, but that Abe refused to allow him to run for the Upper House this time, and Miyajima had to withdraw from the race. The UC support was instead distributed to Inoue Yoshiyuki.
Sadanoyama Shinmatsu (Japanese: 佐田の山 晋松; born Shinmatsu Sasada (佐々田 晋松), February 18, 1938 – April 27, 2017) was a…Sadanoyama Shinmatsu (Japanese: 佐田の山 晋松; born Shinmatsu Sasada (佐々田 晋松), February 18, 1938 – April 27, 2017) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Nagasaki Prefecture. He was the sport's 50th yokozuna. After his retirement he was the head coach of Dewanoumi stable and served as head of the Japan Sumo Association.
Torao Tokuda (Japanese: 徳田虎雄 Tokuda Torao; 17 February 1938 – 10 July 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Torao Tokuda (Japanese: 徳田虎雄 Tokuda Torao; 17 February 1938 – 10 July 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party and later the Liberal League, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2005.
Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光, Yamada Yoshimitsu; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido…Yoshimitsu Yamada (山田嘉光, Yamada Yoshimitsu; February 17, 1938 – January 15, 2023) was a Japanese-American aikido teacher. He was ranked eighth dan in the Aikikai. He was chief instructor at the New York Aikikai, and president of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF).
Kojiro Hongo (本郷功次郎, Hongō Kōjirō; 15 February 1938 – 14 February 2013) was a Japanese actor. Hongo won an Elan d'or…Kojiro Hongo (本郷功次郎, Hongō Kōjirō; 15 February 1938 – 14 February 2013) was a Japanese actor. Hongo won an Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year in 1959. His notable international performances were in the Daiei Studios Gamera films.
Miho Nakayama (中山 美保, Nakayama Miho; 13 February 1938 – 7 February 2017) was a Japanese comedian. Her real name was…Miho Nakayama (中山 美保, Nakayama Miho; 13 February 1938 – 7 February 2017) was a Japanese comedian. Her real name was Mihoko Ishida (石田 美保子, Ishida Mihoko). Nakayama was born in Tokushima, Tokushima. She was represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency in Osaka.
Masayuki Tanemo (種茂 雅之, Tanemo Masayuki; born February 13, 1938) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball…Masayuki Tanemo (種茂 雅之, Tanemo Masayuki; born February 13, 1938) is a former Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball catcher. He played for the Toei Flyers from 1961 to 1971 and the Hankyu Braves from 1972 to 1974. He and teammate Masayuki Dobashi split the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1962.
Tarō Kimura (木村 太郎, Kimura Tarō; born 12 February 1938 in Berkeley, California, USA) is a Japanese veteran journalist…Tarō Kimura (木村 太郎, Kimura Tarō; born 12 February 1938 in Berkeley, California, USA) is a Japanese veteran journalist who provides commentary and analysis with Yūko Andō on Japan's Fuji Television Super News. He is also the managing director of Shonan Beach FM, a community radio station.
Shiro Suzuki (鈴木 史朗, 鈴木 史郎, Suzuki Shirō; born 10 February 1938 in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese…Shiro Suzuki (鈴木 史朗, 鈴木 史郎, Suzuki Shirō; born 10 February 1938 in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) is a Japanese announcer and tarento. He was born in Kamigamo Shrine of the Shinto shrine of bushi samurais. After being a Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) announcer he later became a free announcer. Suzuki is nicknamed Shiro-san (史朗さん, Shirō-san).
Takamitsu Muraoka (村岡 崇光, Muraoka Takamitsu; 9 February 1938 – 10 February 2026) was a Japanese Semitist. He was Chair…Takamitsu Muraoka (村岡 崇光, Muraoka Takamitsu; 9 February 1938 – 10 February 2026) was a Japanese Semitist. He was Chair of Hebrew, Israelite Antiquities, and Ugaritic at Leiden University in the Netherlands from 1991 to 2003 and is most notable for his studies of Hebrew and Aramaic linguistics and the ancient translations of the Bible, notably of the Septuagint.
Yoshiya Kakimoto is a Japanese politician. An independent, he served as the governor of Nara Prefecture from 1991 to…Yoshiya Kakimoto is a Japanese politician. An independent, he served as the governor of Nara Prefecture from 1991 to 2007. Prior to his career in electoral politics, Kakimoto was employed as director of the administrative affairs bureau in the Ministry of Home Affairs. In April 1990, he became the Vice Governor of Nara Prefecture, and would ascend to the governorship in 1991, when Shigeki Ueda resigned from the office. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.
Gō Katō (加藤剛, Katō Gō; 4 February 1938 – 18 June 2018) was a Japanese entertainer and actor. Katō starred in the…Gō Katō (加藤剛, Katō Gō; 4 February 1938 – 18 June 2018) was a Japanese entertainer and actor. Katō starred in the long-running TV series Ōoka Echizen (1970~2006).
Isao Inokuma (猪熊 功, Inokuma Isao; February 4, 1938 – September 28, 2001) was a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal in…Isao Inokuma (猪熊 功, Inokuma Isao; February 4, 1938 – September 28, 2001) was a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal in the heavyweight division (above 80 kg) at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and a world title in 1965.
Tomoharu Katsumata (勝間田 具治, Katsumata Tomoharu; born in February 4, 1938 in Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese…Tomoharu Katsumata (勝間田 具治, Katsumata Tomoharu; born in February 4, 1938 in Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese film director best known for his work on various anime works. A leading director at the Toei Animation studio during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Katsumata worked as a director on several of Toei's anime television adaptations of manga by Go Nagai, including Devilman (1972), Mazinger Z (1972), Cutey Honey (1973), Great Mazinger (1974), UFO Robo Grendizer (1975) and Gaiking (1976) (both Grendizer and Gaiking became later part of Jim Terry's Force Five package on U.S. television). Katsumata also directed a TV adaptation of Silver Fang -The Shooting Star Gin- in 1986.
Katsuki Ishihara (石原 勝記, Ishihara Katsuki; born March 10, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at…Katsuki Ishihara (石原 勝記, Ishihara Katsuki; born March 10, 1939) is a retired Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics. In 1960, he won a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m medley relay, by swimming for the Japanese team in the preliminary round. In 1964, his 4 × 100 m freestyle relay team finished in fourth place.
Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of…Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of the first Japanese team that succeeded to win gold medals in the team event at the Summer Olympics (1960) and World Championships (1962). In 2008 he was inducted to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Hiroshi Kojima (born 27 January 1938) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the…Hiroshi Kojima (born 27 January 1938) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō; 25 January 1938 – 28 January 1998), né Onodera (小野寺 章太郎, Onodera…Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō; 25 January 1938 – 28 January 1998), né Onodera (小野寺 章太郎, Onodera Shōtarō), was a Japanese manga artist, cartoonist, writer and director. Known as the "King of Manga" (漫画の帝王 (Manga no Teiō) or 漫画の王様 (Manga no Ōsama)), he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential manga artists of all time. Outside of manga he is also one of the most prolific creators in the history of anime, tokusatsu, and Japanese superhero fiction, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009, the Super Sentai series (later adapted into the Power Rangers series which Ishinomori has also been credited for co-creating), and the Kamen Rider series. He was twice awarded by the Shogakukan Manga Awards, in 1968 for Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae and in 1988 for Hotel and Manga Nihon Keizai Nyumon. He was also known as Shotaro Ishimori (石森 章太郎, Ishimori Shōtarō) prior to 1986, when he changed his family name to Ishinomori by adding the no (ノ) character in katakana.
Leiji Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本零士, Hepburn: Matsumoto Reiji; born Akira Matsumoto (松本晟); January 25, 1938 – February 13…Leiji Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本零士, Hepburn: Matsumoto Reiji; born Akira Matsumoto (松本晟); January 25, 1938 – February 13, 2023) was a Japanese manga artist, and creator of several anime and manga series. He was best known for masterminding legendary franchises, such as Space Battleship Yamato, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and Galaxy Express 999. His style was characterized by mythological and often tragic storylines with strong moral themes, noble heroes, feminine heroines, and a love of strange worlds and melancholic atmosphere. He received Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2001, Order of the Rising Sun in 2010 and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012.
Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba…Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba (ジャイアント馬場, Jaianto Baba), was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and professional baseball player. He is best known as a co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972 along with Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota, the sons of his mentor Rikidōzan. For the first 10 years of its existence, Baba was the top star of All Japan, while also serving as the booker, promoter, head trainer and president of the promotion from its inception in 1972 till his death in 1999. Baba was also responsible for recruiting much of the talent for All Japan, and was the public face of the promotion for much of his lifetime. Considered one of the most beloved Japanese wrestlers ever, Baba was a national hero with a level of popularity in Japan comparable to that of Hulk Hogan in the United States. The 2006 Top 100 Historical Persons in Japan survey ranked Baba the 93rd greatest person in the history of Japan, as voted for by the general public. Among his many accomplishments, Baba was a record seven-time winner of the Champion Carnival, a four-time PWF World Heavyweight Champion, three time NWA International Heavyweight Champion and a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.