Yaichi Numata (沼田 弥一, Numata Yaichi; born 29 June 1951) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the sprint and…Yaichi Numata (沼田 弥一, Numata Yaichi; born 29 June 1951) is a former Japanese cyclist. He competed in the sprint and tandem events at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Kazumi Takada (高田 一美, Takada Kazumi; June 28, 1951 – October 1, 2009) was a Japanese football player. He played for…Kazumi Takada (高田 一美, Takada Kazumi; June 28, 1951 – October 1, 2009) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Fusae Ōta (太田 房江, Ōta Fusae; born June 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician, a former governor of Osaka Prefecture, and…Fusae Ōta (太田 房江, Ōta Fusae; born June 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician, a former governor of Osaka Prefecture, and the country's first female prefectural governor. Her married name is Fusae Saitō (齊藤 房江, Saitō Fusae). She is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Norihiro Nakajima (中島徳博, Nakajima Norihiro) (1950 – August 28, 2014) was a Japanese manga artist. He did about 20…Norihiro Nakajima (中島徳博, Nakajima Norihiro) (1950 – August 28, 2014) was a Japanese manga artist. He did about 20 series. He died of colorectal cancer.
Kozo Saito is a mechanical engineer, currently the Tennessee Valley Authority Professor in Mechanical Engineering and…Kozo Saito is a mechanical engineer, currently the Tennessee Valley Authority Professor in Mechanical Engineering and also the Director of the Institute of Research for Technology Development, at the University of Kentucky, and also a published author.
Yuji Hyakutake (百武 裕司, Hyakutake Yūji; July 7, 1950 – April 10, 2002) was a Japanese amateur astronomer who discovered…Yuji Hyakutake (百武 裕司, Hyakutake Yūji; July 7, 1950 – April 10, 2002) was a Japanese amateur astronomer who discovered Comet C/1996 B2, also known as Comet Hyakutake on January 31, 1996, while using 25×150 binoculars. Hyakutake graduated from the Kyushu Sangyo University as a photography major and started working at a newspaper in Fukuoka. He first became interested in astronomy after seeing Comet Ikeya–Seki in 1965. He began searching for comets in 1989. In 1993, he moved to Hayato because “the skies were much clearer there” and so he could better continue his search for comets. His first discovery was Comet C/1995 Y1, on December 26, 1995. Hyakutake discovered C/1996 B2 while looking for C/1995 Y1, a comet he had discovered a few weeks before. He died in Kokubu, Kagoshima, in 2002 at age 51 of an aneurysm which had led to internal bleeding. Asteroid 7291 Hyakutake is named after him.
Yutaka Akino (秋野豊, Akino Yutaka; 1 July 1950 – 20 July 1998) was a Japanese political scientist, researcher and…Yutaka Akino (秋野豊, Akino Yutaka; 1 July 1950 – 20 July 1998) was a Japanese political scientist, researcher and University professor who specialized in Russian diplomacy and Central Asian geopolitics. Akino, alongside 3 others were killed by unknown assailants in Darband, a district east of Dushanbe, Tajikistan in 1998 while serving as a United Nations peacekeeper for the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT).
Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima (Shinjitai: 田嶋 伸博, Tajima Nobuhiro; born Suginami, Tokyo, June 28, 1950; Japanese nickname…Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima (Shinjitai: 田嶋 伸博, Tajima Nobuhiro; born Suginami, Tokyo, June 28, 1950; Japanese nickname モンスター田嶋 Monsuta Tajima) is a Japanese hillclimb racer, tuning shop owner, rally team manager and former rally driver who is best known for his participation in Suzuki's rallying program as well as his triumphs at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in USA and Silverstone Race to the Sky in NZ (which he won eight times out of eleven events).
Shigekazu Nagata (長田 重一, Nagata Shigekazu; born 1949) is a Japanese biochemist, best known for research on apoptosis…Shigekazu Nagata (長田 重一, Nagata Shigekazu; born 1949) is a Japanese biochemist, best known for research on apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death occurring in multi-cellular organisms.
Kiyohide Hayakawa (早川 紀代秀, Hayakawa Kiyohide; July 14, 1949 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese criminal, member and deputy…Kiyohide Hayakawa (早川 紀代秀, Hayakawa Kiyohide; July 14, 1949 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese criminal, member and deputy leader of the doomsday-cult group Aum Shinrikyo. Hayakawa was born in Hyōgo Prefecture in 1949. After Aum Shinrikyo adopted a "ministry system", he was the Minister of Construction. Hayakawa was the person behind the organization's uranium mining at Banjawarn in Australia. Convicted for his participation in the Sakamoto family murder and several other crimes, Hayakawa was executed on July 6, 2018, at Fukuoka Detention House.
Toyokazu Nomura (野村 豊和, Nomura Toyokazu; born 14 July 1949) is a retired judoka who competed in the half-middleweight…Toyokazu Nomura (野村 豊和, Nomura Toyokazu; born 14 July 1949) is a retired judoka who competed in the half-middleweight (–70 kg) division.
Izumi Suzuki (鈴木いづみ, Suzuki Izumi; July 10, 1949 – February 17, 1986) was a Japanese writer and actress, known for her…Izumi Suzuki (鈴木いづみ, Suzuki Izumi; July 10, 1949 – February 17, 1986) was a Japanese writer and actress, known for her science fiction stories and essays on Japanese pop culture. Married to avant-garde saxophonist Kaoru Abe from 1973 to 1977, she is also known for her association with photographer Nobuyoshi Araki.
Takashi Yamamoto (山本 孝史, Yamamoto Takashi; 7 July 1949 – 22 December 2007) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Takashi Yamamoto (山本 孝史, Yamamoto Takashi; 7 July 1949 – 22 December 2007) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Yoshiko Noguchi (Japanese: 野口 芳子, born (1949-07-07)7 July 1949) is one of the leading researchers on Grimm's Fairy…Yoshiko Noguchi (Japanese: 野口 芳子, born (1949-07-07)7 July 1949) is one of the leading researchers on Grimm's Fairy tales in Japan. She is a professor of German, comparative literature, cultural studies, children's literature, folklore, and gender studies. She is a professor emeritus at Mukogawa Women's University and a professor at division of children's literature, graduate school of Letters, Baika Women's University. She was born in Osaka and her maiden name is Hiiragi (Japanese: 柊木). She is different from other researchers in that she discusses how Grimm's fairy tales are accepted in Japan and the UK from an interdisciplinary perspective. She has recently unraveled a long-standing mystery in the history of German-Japanese cultural exchange. She successfully identified three Japanese that visited Jacob Grimm in Berlin in 1862.
Tetsuo Takashima (高嶋 哲夫 Takashima Tetsuo, born July 7, 1949) is a contemporary Japanese author active in a number of…Tetsuo Takashima (高嶋 哲夫 Takashima Tetsuo, born July 7, 1949) is a contemporary Japanese author active in a number of genres that include science fiction, mystery fiction, historical fiction, social commentary, and juvenile fiction.
Daijiro Morohoshi (諸星 大二郎, Morohoshi Daijirō; born July 6, 1949, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Daijiro Morohoshi (諸星 大二郎, Morohoshi Daijirō; born July 6, 1949, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He is well known for science fiction comics, allegorical comics and horror/mystery comics based on pseudohistory and folklore. The indirect influence by Cthulhu Mythos also appears here and there in his works.
Yōichi Sai (崔 洋一, Sai Yōichi; 6 July 1949 – 27 November 2022) was a Korean film director who worked in Japan. He was…Yōichi Sai (崔 洋一, Sai Yōichi; 6 July 1949 – 27 November 2022) was a Korean film director who worked in Japan. He was the president of the Directors Guild of Japan.
Masato Harada (原田 眞人, Harada Masato; July 3, 1949 – December 8, 2025) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…Masato Harada (原田 眞人, Harada Masato; July 3, 1949 – December 8, 2025) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, critic and occasional actor. He was nominated five times for the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Director, among other accolades.
Yoshihide Fukao (深尾 吉英, Fukao Yoshihide; born July 1, 1949) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the…Yoshihide Fukao (深尾 吉英, Fukao Yoshihide; born July 1, 1949) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was born in Hikone. In 1972, he was part of the Japanese team which won the gold medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all seven matches. Four years later, in 1976, he finished fourth with the Japanese team in the Olympic tournament. He played all five matches.
Kiyoshi Nagai (June 25, 1949 – September 27, 2019) was a Japanese structural biologist at the MRC Laboratory of…Kiyoshi Nagai (June 25, 1949 – September 27, 2019) was a Japanese structural biologist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Cambridge, UK. He was known for his work on the mechanism of RNA splicing and structures of the spliceosome.
Taeko Hattori (服部 妙子, Hattori Taeko; born June 23, 1949) is a Japanese stage, film, and television actress. She is from…Taeko Hattori (服部 妙子, Hattori Taeko; born June 23, 1949) is a Japanese stage, film, and television actress. She is from Nagoya, and graduated from high school there. She then joined the Dreamy 7 agency, and then M.M.P, to which she belongs. Her film appearances include Sotsugyō ryokō (1970), Submersion of Japan (1973), Cape Erimo and Zesshō (1975), Ganpeki no Haha (1976), Ōjō Anraku-koku (1978), Tokugawa no Jotei: Ōoku (1988), Baburu to neta onna-tachi (1998), Quartet and Sennen no koi - Hikaru Genji monogatari (2001), Aruku Chikara (2004), and Koharu Komachi (2005). On television, Taeko is a frequent guest star in jidaigeki roles, including Zenigata Heiji, Gokenin Zankurō, Kakushi Metsuki Sanjō and the Hissatsu series. She often appeared on Abarenbō Shōgun (for example, Series 2 #13; 3 #12, 128). In contemporary roles, her appearances include Niji-iro Teikibin on the NHK Educational network (on which she was a semi-regular), Ten made Todoke (as a regular), and Hagure Keiji Junjōha. Taeko has also made commercials. Among her clients are American Home Assurance Company and Kao.
Midori Ishii (石井 みどり, Ishii Midori; born June 23, 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Midori Ishii (石井 みどり, Ishii Midori; born June 23, 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A graduate of Tsurumi University, she was elected for the first time in 2007.
Toshio Tamogami (田母神 俊雄, Tamogami Toshio; born July 22, 1948) is a retired Japan Air Self-Defense Force general and…Toshio Tamogami (田母神 俊雄, Tamogami Toshio; born July 22, 1948) is a retired Japan Air Self-Defense Force general and politician. He served as the Chief of Staff of the Air Self-Defense Force from March 2007 until his dismissal in October 31, 2008. Tamogami was dismissed in 2008 due to a controversial essay he wrote. In the essay, he denied that Japan was an aggressor in World War II and claimed that Japan had been drawn into the war by Chiang Kai-shek and Franklin D. Roosevelt. He also argued that Japan's wartime actions were not acts of aggression but were justified as self-defense and efforts to "liberate Asia from Western colonialism." Tamogami turned to politics following his retirement from the military. In 2014 he ran as a candidate for governor of Tokyo and for the House of Representatives; in which he both lost. He was arrested in April 2016 for alleged violations of campaign finance laws (illegal payments to supporters) in relation to his gubernatorial campaign. He made a political comeback in 2024 by running for the Tokyo gubernatorial election, but placed fourth and performed worse compared to his 2014 run. He has been described as a "champion of Japan's right wing". He denies that women were forced by the Empire of Japan into sex work as "comfort women" and that the Nanjing Massacre occurred.
Teruzane Utada (宇多田 照實, Utada Teruzane; born July 21, 1948) is a Japanese record producer and record executive. He…Teruzane Utada (宇多田 照實, Utada Teruzane; born July 21, 1948) is a Japanese record producer and record executive. He married Junko Utada (née Keiko Fuji) and oversaw her career. They were married to and divorced each other seven times. Their only child is the singer Hikaru Utada, one of Japan's most successful pop music singers of all time. Teruzane Utada was born in Tokuji, Utada also uses the names Sking U, Utada Sking Teruzane, and Utada Skingg Teruzane.
Akira Shinoda (篠田 昭, Shinoda Akira; born 17 July 1948) is a Japanese politician who served as the mayor of Niigata City…Akira Shinoda (篠田 昭, Shinoda Akira; born 17 July 1948) is a Japanese politician who served as the mayor of Niigata City in Japan. He was first elected in 2002 and retired in 2018. He was succeeded by Yaichi Nakahara.
Takashi Shinohara (篠原 孝, Shinohara Takashi; born 17 July 1948) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Takashi Shinohara (篠原 孝, Shinohara Takashi; born 17 July 1948) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Chizuko Ueno (上野 千鶴子, Ueno Chizuko; born 12 July 1948) is a Japanese sociologist and Japan's "best-known feminist". Her…Chizuko Ueno (上野 千鶴子, Ueno Chizuko; born 12 July 1948) is a Japanese sociologist and Japan's "best-known feminist". Her work covers sociological issues including semiotics, capitalism, and feminism in Japan. Ueno is known for the quality, polarizing nature, and accessibility of her work. She was married to Daikichi Irokawa.
Takaharu Koyama (小山 隆治, Koyama Takaharu; 8 July 1948 – 11 September 2018) was a Japanese middle distance runner who…Takaharu Koyama (小山 隆治, Koyama Takaharu; 8 July 1948 – 11 September 2018) was a Japanese middle distance runner who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics and in the 1976 Summer Olympics. Koyama finished second behind John Davies in the 3,000 metres steeplechase event at the British 1974 AAA Championships.
Chu Kosaka, Chew Kosaka (小坂 忠), born Masayuki Kosaka (小坂 正行) on July 8, 1948 – April 29, 2022) was a Japanese…Chu Kosaka, Chew Kosaka (小坂 忠), born Masayuki Kosaka (小坂 正行) on July 8, 1948 – April 29, 2022) was a Japanese singer-songwriter, gospel musician, and pastor. He was known for his foundational contributions to the development of Japanese rock and City pop in the 1970s and later as a pioneer responsible for "laying the foundations" of Japanese gospel music.
Shingo Nishimura (西村眞悟, Nishimura Shingo; born 7 July 1948) is a former Japanese politician who was a member of the…Shingo Nishimura (西村眞悟, Nishimura Shingo; born 7 July 1948) is a former Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2014. Nishimura is known for his negationism of Japanese war crimes committed during World War II.
Shinzō Shimao (島尾伸三, Shimao Shinzō; born July 7, 1948 in Kobe) is a Japanese photographer. He is a student of…Shinzō Shimao (島尾伸三, Shimao Shinzō; born July 7, 1948 in Kobe) is a Japanese photographer. He is a student of photographer Ōtsuji Kiyoji, and husband to Tokuko Ushioda.
Tsutomu Tomioka (冨岡 勉, Tomioka Tsutomu; born 4 July 1948) is a Japanese doctor and former politician who served in the…Tsutomu Tomioka (冨岡 勉, Tomioka Tsutomu; born 4 July 1948) is a Japanese doctor and former politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Toshiji Fukuda (福田俊司, Fukuda Toshiji; born 1948) is a Japanese photographer. He has been taking pictures of wildlife in…Toshiji Fukuda (福田俊司, Fukuda Toshiji; born 1948) is a Japanese photographer. He has been taking pictures of wildlife in Japan and Russia. He spends 100 to 150 days every year in the Far East of Russia, photographing the endangered species and other wildlife. He has been working with the Russian Academy of Sciences since 1991 and is an honorary member of the Academy's Far East branch of the Institute of Marine Biology. In 2025, Fukuda was a winner of the national Crystal Compass Award.
Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (Japanese: 北瀬海 弘光; July 2, 1948 – July 26, 2026), born Takashi Tsuchiya (土谷 孝), was a Japanese sumo…Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (Japanese: 北瀬海 弘光; July 2, 1948 – July 26, 2026), born Takashi Tsuchiya (土谷 孝), was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kitahiyama, Hokkaidō. He made his professional debut in July 1964, and reached the top division in March 1972. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in May 1979 and was an active elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name "Kimigahama". As Kimigahama he first coached at Kokonoe stable, but in 1993, moved to Hakkaku stable when it was started up by former Kokonoe wrestler Hokutoumi (the 61st Yokozuna). He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in July 2013. The Kimigahama toshiyori-kabu (or elder name) was acquired by Hakkaku wrestler Okinoumi in October 2013. Hiromitsu died at a hospital in Tokyo, on July 26, 2026, at the age of 78.
Kōkichi Sugihara (Japanese: 杉原厚吉, born June 29, 1948, in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and artist known…Kōkichi Sugihara (Japanese: 杉原厚吉, born June 29, 1948, in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and artist known for his three-dimensional optical illusions that appear to make marbles roll uphill, pull objects to the highest point of a building's roof, and make circular pipes look rectangular. His illusions, which often involve videos of three-dimensional objects shown from carefully chosen perspectives, won first place at the Best Illusion of the Year Contest in 2010, 2013, 2018,and 2020 and second place in 2015 and 2016.
Minoru Kamata (鎌田 實 Kamata Minoru, born June 28, 1948) is a Japanese physician, writer, and humanitarian. Throughout…Minoru Kamata (鎌田 實 Kamata Minoru, born June 28, 1948) is a Japanese physician, writer, and humanitarian. Throughout his medical career he has been an advocate of patient-centered care, and he has also been actively involved in international medical and humanitarian aid. As a founding member of the Japan Chernobyl Foundation, Kamata has been particularly active in promoting medical aid programs for victims of the Chernobyl disaster, and subsequently for victims of other international and domestic disasters and conflicts. His book Gambaranai, which became a best seller in Japan in 2000, was dramatized for Japanese television. Kamata has been the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to medicine, publishing and broadcasting, as well as for his overseas aid work and peace efforts.
Ken Ishikawa (石川賢, Ishikawa Ken; June 28, 1948 – November 15, 2006) was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the…Ken Ishikawa (石川賢, Ishikawa Ken; June 28, 1948 – November 15, 2006) was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator (with Go Nagai) of the Getter Robo anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations. According to Nagai, he considered Ishikawa his greatest friend and ally.
Kenji Sawada (Japanese: 沢田 研二, Hepburn: Sawada Kenji; born June 25, 1948; real surname written as 澤田) is a Japanese…Kenji Sawada (Japanese: 沢田 研二, Hepburn: Sawada Kenji; born June 25, 1948; real surname written as 澤田) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and actor, best known as vocalist of the rock band The Tigers. Nicknamed "Julie" (ジュリー, Jurī) because of his self-professed adoration of Julie Andrews, he was born in Tsunoi, Iwami, Japan (now part of Tottori), and raised in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto from the age of age 3. As a singer, songwriter and actor, Sawada prospered greatly in Japanese popular culture in the last three decades of the Shōwa era. At the end of the 1960s, he had great success as the lead singer of the band The Tigers. After the breakup of The Tigers and another project Pyg, he began his own solo career. Sawada has sold over 15.55 million records.
Shōhaku Okumura (奥村 正博, born June 22, 1948) is a Japanese Sōtō Zen priest and the founder and abbot of the Sanshin Zen…Shōhaku Okumura (奥村 正博, born June 22, 1948) is a Japanese Sōtō Zen priest and the founder and abbot of the Sanshin Zen Community located in Bloomington, Indiana, where he and his family currently live. From 1997 until 2010, Okumura also served as director of the Sōtō Zen Buddhism International Center in San Francisco, California, which is an administrative office of the Sōtō school of Japan.
Takenori Emoto (江本 孟紀, born July 22, 1947) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball.…Takenori Emoto (江本 孟紀, born July 22, 1947) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Toei Flyers in 1971, the Nankai Hawks from 1972 to 1975, and the Hanshin Tigers from 1976 to 1981. Emoto was unusually non-confirmative for a player, once almost being released by the team for letting his hair grow over his ears. After complaining publicly about being shuttled between starting and relief in 1981, he was forced to retire by his team the Hanshin Tigers. Despite being only 34 years old, he was prevented from pitching professionally again. Emoto later went on to write a series of successful tell-all books about his experiences in professional baseball, drawing comparisons to pitcher-turned-author Jim Bouton. Turning to politics, in the late 1990s Emoto became a member of From Five, a political party that existed from December 1997 to January 1998. It was formed by former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and four other legislators (Emoto, Yoriko Madoka, Shinji Tarutoko, and Kiyoshi Ueda) who left the New Frontier Party in June 1997. From Five merged into the Good Governance Party in January 1998, which became part of the Democratic Party of Japan in 1998. In 1998, Emoto, as a member of the DPJ, was elected to the Japanese House of Councillors.
Nobuo Hattori (服部 信雄, Hattori Nobuo; born 19 July 1947) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Nobuo Hattori (服部 信雄, Hattori Nobuo; born 19 July 1947) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Rikiya Yasuoka (安岡力也, Yasuoka Rikiya; 19 July 1947 – 8 April 2012) was a Japanese actor and singer of mixed Italian and…Rikiya Yasuoka (安岡力也, Yasuoka Rikiya; 19 July 1947 – 8 April 2012) was a Japanese actor and singer of mixed Italian and Japanese descent.
Shigeru Kasamatsu (笠松 茂, Kasamatsu Shigeru; born July 16, 1947) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast. He competed at…Shigeru Kasamatsu (笠松 茂, Kasamatsu Shigeru; born July 16, 1947) is a retired Japanese artistic gymnast. He competed at the 1972 Olympics and won a gold medal with the Japanese team. Individually he won a silver on parallel bars and bronze medals on the floor and horizontal bar. Kasamatsu won six world titles in 1974 and 1978. The Kasamatsu vault is named after him. In 2006, he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. His wife Kazue Hanyu and son Akihiro Kasamatsu are also retired Olympic gymnasts. Kasamatsu took up gymnastics in 1957, but had his first major achievement only in 1970, when he finished second all-around in the Chunichi Cup. He had to withdraw from the 1976 Olympics due to an emergency appendectomy.
Eiki Matayoshi (又吉 栄喜, Matayoshi Eiki; born 15 July 1947) is a contemporary Japanese writer. His novels are always set…Eiki Matayoshi (又吉 栄喜, Matayoshi Eiki; born 15 July 1947) is a contemporary Japanese writer. His novels are always set in the Okinawa archipelago, and he is considered one of the most important contemporary novelists from Okinawa. One of his earliest novels, Jōji ga shasatsu shita inoshishi (ジョージが射殺した猪 - "The Wild Boar that George Shot"), published in 1978, became very famous for being inspired by a true, controversial story. A soldier of the US occupation forces in Okinawa shot a local man, and during the trial he declared that he mistakenly took him for a wild boar. The US soldier was declared innocent, arousing a big debate among the locals. Matayoshi became known outside Okinawa thanks to the prestigious Akutagawa Prize, which he won in 1995 for his novel Buta no mukui (豚の報い The Pig's Retribution).
Hiroshi Aramata (荒俣 宏, Aramata Hiroshi; born July 12, 1947) is a Japanese author, polymath, critic, translator and…Hiroshi Aramata (荒俣 宏, Aramata Hiroshi; born July 12, 1947) is a Japanese author, polymath, critic, translator and specialist in natural history, iconography and cartography. His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari (Tale of the Capitol), which has sold over 5 million copies in Japan alone.