Tatsuo Itoh (5 May 1940 — 4 March 2021), was an electrical engineer who was professor and holder of the Northrop…Tatsuo Itoh (5 May 1940 — 4 March 2021), was an electrical engineer who was professor and holder of the Northrop Grumman Chair in Microwave and Millimeter Wave Electronics in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he taught and conducted research on microwave and millimeter wave electronics, guided wave structures, low power wireless electronics, and integrated passive components and antennas. Itoh was born on 5 May 1940 in Tokyo. He received the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Yokohama National University in 1964 and 1966, respectively. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in 1969. Itoh served as Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques (1983–1985), and of the IEEE Microwave and Guided Wave Letters (1991–1994). He served as President of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society in 1990. He has received a number of awards, including the 1998 Shida Award from the Japanese Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the 1998 Japan Microwave Prize. Itoh died on 4 March 2021.
Kyosuke Kinoshita (木下 恭輔, Kinoshita Kyōsuke; born 1941) is the chairman of Acom Co., Ltd., a major consumer loan…Kyosuke Kinoshita (木下 恭輔, Kinoshita Kyōsuke; born 1941) is the chairman of Acom Co., Ltd., a major consumer loan company in Japan. He is the eldest son of Masao Kinoshita, founder of Acom. He graduated from Ritsumeikan University with a bachelor's degree.
Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A…Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he served in the House of Councillors from 1998 to 2004. Honda died on 22 July 2022, at the age of 82.
Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and…Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yuko Tojo (東條 由布子, Tōjō Yūko; 20 May 1939 – 13 February 2013) was a Japanese ultra-nationalist politician, Imperial…Yuko Tojo (東條 由布子, Tōjō Yūko; 20 May 1939 – 13 February 2013) was a Japanese ultra-nationalist politician, Imperial Japanese apologist, and brief political aspirant. She was the granddaughter of convicted war criminal Hideki Tojo.
Teruo Yajima (矢島 輝夫, Japanese: Yajima Teruo; May 20, 1939 – April 2, 1999) was a Japanese writer. He was born and…Teruo Yajima (矢島 輝夫, Japanese: Yajima Teruo; May 20, 1939 – April 2, 1999) was a Japanese writer. He was born and raised in Tokyo, and studied French literature at Waseda University. After dropping out of university, he worked as an editor of Weekly Manga Action. As a disciple of Takaaki Yoshimoto, he wrote for Yoshimoto's magazine "Shikô (試行: Trial)". In the 1970s, his novel "Mô hitotsu no seikatsu (Another Life)" was nominated for The Akutagawa Prize. William Faulkner and Oe Kenzaburo had a big influence on his novels.
Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the…Wataru Asō (麻生 渡, Asō Wataru; 15 May 1939 – 15 March 2025) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician who served as the Governor of Fukuoka from 1995 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he was also President of the National Governors Association (Japan) (全国知事会, Zenkoku Chiji-kai).
Masao Adachi (足立 正生 Adachi Masao, born May 13, 1939) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, actor and former Japanese…Masao Adachi (足立 正生 Adachi Masao, born May 13, 1939) is a Japanese screenwriter, director, actor and former Japanese Red Army member who was most active in the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Takeshi Koga (古賀 武, Koga Takeshi; born 11 May 1939) is a retired Japanese judoka. Koga is from Kokura, Fukuoka and…Takeshi Koga (古賀 武, Koga Takeshi; born 11 May 1939) is a retired Japanese judoka. Koga is from Kokura, Fukuoka and began judo at the junior high school days. In 1961, When he was a student of Nihon University, was chosen to represent Japan in the World Championship held in Paris and got a bronze medal. Koga began working for the Yawata Steel after graduation from university in 1962. Koga also participated All-Japan Championships 8 times and won a bronze medal in 1965.
Okiharu Yasuoka (保岡 興治, Yasuoka Okiharu; 11 May 1939 – 19 April 2019) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Okiharu Yasuoka (保岡 興治, Yasuoka Okiharu; 11 May 1939 – 19 April 2019) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima Prefecture and graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1972 as an independent. He later joined the LDP and served as the Minister of Justice from 2000 to 2001. He was later returned to the post of Minister of Justice under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 1 August 2008. Yasuoka was a licensed attorney. He left the LDP in 1994 to join the now-defunct Shinshinto party, but returned to the LDP in 1995. Yasuoka is known to have worked himself and his staff very long hours. He was one of the key participants in the launch of Fukuda's administration in 2007. Yasuoka also chaired the LDP's Constitution Research Commission. An avid jogger and swimmer, Yasuoka repeatedly swam the 2.1 km-wide Kinko Bay in Kagoshima Prefecture. In October 2017, Yasuoka retired after doctors discovered his cancer. Yasuoka's son ran, but lost to Hiroshi Kawauchi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Yasuoka died of cancer on 19 April 2019 at a Tokyo hospital, at the age of 79.
Shinetsu Suzuki (鈴木 進悦, Suzuki Shinetsu; born 10 May 1939) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight…Shinetsu Suzuki (鈴木 進悦, Suzuki Shinetsu; born 10 May 1939) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's featherweight event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. At the 1960 Summer Olympics, he defeated Gaby Mancini of Canada, before losing to Jerzy Adamski of Poland.
Tadateru Konoe (近衛 忠煇, Konoe Tadateru; 8 May 1939 – 23 May 2026) was a Japanese humanitarian who was president of the…Tadateru Konoe (近衛 忠煇, Konoe Tadateru; 8 May 1939 – 23 May 2026) was a Japanese humanitarian who was president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Konoe was the 32nd Head of the Konoe family. President of the Japanese Red Cross Society from 2005, he dedicated his entire professional career to domestic and international Red Cross Red Crescent activities. In 2009 and again in 2013, Konoe was elected President of the IFRC, serving until he was replaced by Francesco Rocca on 6 November 2017.
Keiichirō Akagi (赤木 圭一郎, Akagi Keiichirō), born Chikahiro Akatsuka (赤塚 親弘, Akatsuka Chikahiro) was a Japanese actor.…Keiichirō Akagi (赤木 圭一郎, Akagi Keiichirō), born Chikahiro Akatsuka (赤塚 親弘, Akatsuka Chikahiro) was a Japanese actor. Akagi appeared in over 26 films in his short three-year career. Kenju burai-chō series and The Call of the Foghorn are Akagi's notable films. Akagi was one of the box office hitter of Nikkatsu company alongside Yujiro Ishihara and Akira Kobayashi.
Tadamitsu Kishimoto (岸本 忠三, Kishimoto Tadamitsu; born May 7, 1939 in Tondabayashi, Osaka) is a Japanese immunologist…Tadamitsu Kishimoto (岸本 忠三, Kishimoto Tadamitsu; born May 7, 1939 in Tondabayashi, Osaka) is a Japanese immunologist known for research on IgM and cytokines, most famously, interleukin 6. Kishimoto did postdoctoral work under Kimishige Ishizaka, the discoverer of IgE at Johns Hopkins University. He is listed by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) as a highly cited biologist and he is also in the top ten of h-index of living biologists.
Sumio Iijima (飯島 澄男, Iijima Sumio; born 2 May 1939) is a Japanese physicist and inventor, often cited for his discovery…Sumio Iijima (飯島 澄男, Iijima Sumio; born 2 May 1939) is a Japanese physicist and inventor, often cited for his discovery of carbon nanotubes. Although carbon nanotubes had been observed prior to his "invention", Iijima's 1991 paper generated unprecedented interest in the carbon nanostructures and has since fueled intense research in the area of nanotechnology. Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1939, Iijima graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1963 from the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo. He received a Master's degree in 1965 and completed his Ph.D. in solid-state physics in 1968, both at Tohoku University in Sendai. Between 1970 and 1982 he performed research with crystalline materials and high-resolution electron microscopy at Arizona State University. He visited the University of Cambridge during 1979 to perform studies on carbon materials. He worked for the Research Development Corporation of Japan from 1982 to 1987, studying ultra-fine particles, after which he joined NEC Corporation where he is still employed. He discovered carbon nanotubes in 1991. When he discovered carbon nanotubes, he not only took pictures of them but he put two together and explained what they really are. Afterwards, he was credited with the discovery. He is also a University Professor at Meijo University since 1999. Furthermore, he is the Honorary AIST Fellow of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Distinguished Invited University Professor of Nagoya University. He was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics in 2002, "for the discovery and elucidation of the atomic structure and helical character of multi-wall and single-wall carbon nanotubes, which have had an enormous impact on the rapidly growing condensed matter and materials science field of nanoscale science and electronics." He is a foreign associate of National Academy of Sciences, foreign member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He is also a Member of the Japan Academy.
Hajime Watanuki (綿貫 甫, Watanuki Hajime; born 30 April 1939) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the 300…Hajime Watanuki (綿貫 甫, Watanuki Hajime; born 30 April 1939) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the 300 metre rifle event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Michiyo Yasuda (保田 道世, Yasuda Michiyo; April 28, 1939 – October 5, 2016) was a Japanese animator and colour designer…Michiyo Yasuda (保田 道世, Yasuda Michiyo; April 28, 1939 – October 5, 2016) was a Japanese animator and colour designer who worked for Toei Animation, A Production, Nippon Animation, Topcraft, and Studio Ghibli. Her designs were used by directors such as Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii. During a career spanning five decades in the animation industry, she worked on animated feature films and short films for theatrical release, original video animation (OVA), promotional music videos, animated television series, documentaries and commercials. Yasuda provided the colour designs for Miyazaki's Academy Award winning animated film Spirited Away. She officially retired after working on Ponyo in 2008, but worked on the Academy Award nominated animated feature The Wind Rises, released in July 2013.
Eiko Wada (和田 映子, Wada Eiko; born 14 April 1939) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed at the 1956…Eiko Wada (和田 映子, Wada Eiko; born 14 April 1939) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Keiki Iijima (Japanese: 飯島 恵喜, Hepburn: Iijima Keiki; born 16 May 1938) is a Japanese hurdler. He competed in the men's…Keiki Iijima (Japanese: 飯島 恵喜, Hepburn: Iijima Keiki; born 16 May 1938) is a Japanese hurdler. He competed in the men's 400 metres hurdles at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Mineo Higashi (born 1938) is a Japanese writer. He was awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 1971 for his novel An Okinawan…Mineo Higashi (born 1938) is a Japanese writer. He was awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 1971 for his novel An Okinawan Boy (Okinawa no shonen, 1971). The novel's setting is the city of Koza (later Okinawa City) in the 1950s, where the main character grows up in a family whose business is to arrange meetings between American soldiers and Okinawan girls in the family's apartment. The novel was adapted into the 1983 film Okinawan Boys by director Taku Shinjō.
Yasutaka Ihara (伊原 康隆, Ihara Yasutaka; born May 3, 1938 in Tokyo Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and professor…Yasutaka Ihara (伊原 康隆, Ihara Yasutaka; born May 3, 1938 in Tokyo Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and professor emeritus at the Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences. His work in number theory includes Ihara's lemma and the Ihara zeta function.
Kazumasa Hirai (平井 和正, Hirai Kazumasa; May 13, 1938 – January 17, 2015) was a Japanese novelist and science fiction…Kazumasa Hirai (平井 和正, Hirai Kazumasa; May 13, 1938 – January 17, 2015) was a Japanese novelist and science fiction writer from Yokosuka, Kanagawa. He graduated from Yokosuka Industrial High School and the law department of Chuo University. Hirai is well known for his SF-manga work. He is the creator of 8 Man (aka 8th Man in the USA) and was well known as the story creator of the 1960s manga series "Genma Taisen" (Genma Wars) about a hero with psychokinetic powers and his battle against a space villain called Genma. Hirai wrote stories for the Wolf Guy comic series, and also published comics co-authored with cartoonist Shotaro Ishinomori that were later adapted into an animated film in 1983.
Nobuhira Takanuki (born 9 May 1938) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit at the 1960 Summer…Nobuhira Takanuki (born 9 May 1938) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Koichi Hirakida (開田 幸一, Hirakida Kōichi) (7 May 1938 – 23 September 1993) was a Japanese butterfly swimmer and Olympic…Koichi Hirakida (開田 幸一, Hirakida Kōichi) (7 May 1938 – 23 September 1993) was a Japanese butterfly swimmer and Olympic medalist. He participated at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, winning a bronze medal in 4 x 100 metre medley relay.
Koji Futada (二田 孝治, Futada Kōji; born 4 May 1938) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who…Koji Futada (二田 孝治, Futada Kōji; born 4 May 1938) 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). A native of Minamiakita District, Akita and a graduate of Chuo University, he was elected to the assembly of Akita Prefecture for the first time in 1975 and to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986.
Teruo Funai (船井 照夫, Funai Teruo; born 28 April 1938) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's…Teruo Funai (船井 照夫, Funai Teruo; born 28 April 1938) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's 10,000 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Issey Miyake (Japanese: 三宅 一生, Hepburn: Miyake Issei; [mijake iꜜsseː] 22 April 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a Japanese…Issey Miyake (Japanese: 三宅 一生, Hepburn: Miyake Issei; [mijake iꜜsseː] 22 April 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a Japanese fashion designer. He was known for his technology-driven clothing designs, notably the Pleats, Please line, exhibitions and fragrances such as L'eau d'Issey.
Yoshito Kajiya (加治屋 義人, Kajiya Yoshito; April 22, 1938 – November 12, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yoshito Kajiya (加治屋 義人, Kajiya Yoshito; April 22, 1938 – November 12, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima, Kagoshima and high school graduate, he had served in the city assembly of Kagoshima for four terms since 1976. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001.
Yoshisada Yonezuka (米塚 義定, Yonezuka Yoshisada; May 19, 1937 – October 18, 2014), was a Judo instructor and two time…Yoshisada Yonezuka (米塚 義定, Yonezuka Yoshisada; May 19, 1937 – October 18, 2014), was a Judo instructor and two time U.S. Olympic Judo Team coach.
Iwao Matsuda (松田 岩夫, Matsuda Iwao; 19 May 1937 – 3 February 2022) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Iwao Matsuda (松田 岩夫, Matsuda Iwao; 19 May 1937 – 3 February 2022) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Gifu, Gifu, Japan, and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1960, attending the University of London while in the ministry. Leaving the ministry in 1981, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986. After losing his seat in 1996, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998. Matsuda died from hypoglycemia on 3 February 2022, at the age of 84.
Naoya Abe (Japanese: 安部 直也, Hepburn: Abe Naoya; May 17, 1937 – September 2, 2019), known by his pen name George Abe (安部…Naoya Abe (Japanese: 安部 直也, Hepburn: Abe Naoya; May 17, 1937 – September 2, 2019), known by his pen name George Abe (安部 譲二, Abe Jōji), was a Japanese author and former yakuza. Outside Japan, he is best known for writing the manga series Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin in collaboration with artist Masasumi Kakizaki. As a teenager, Abe became a member of the Ando-gumi yakuza family, and was later recruited by the Koganei-ikka. In 1986, after leaving the yakuza life, he wrote a novel about his time in Fuchū Prison titled Hei no Naka no Korinai Menmen (塀の中の懲りない面々), which became a bestseller and was adapted into a film. Abe died on September 2, 2019, from pneumonia, aged 82. Abe worked as a flight attendant for Japan Airlines from 1961 to 1965. He was the model for Jōji Miyagi, the main character in Yukio Mishima's entertainment romance novel Fukuzatsuna Kare (複雑な彼 That Complicated Guy) published in 1966. Abe's pen name "Jōji" was adapted from the character in the novel.
Yukihiko Ikeda (池田 行彦, Ikeda Yukihiko; 13 May 1937 – 28 January 2004) was a Japanese bureaucrat and the Liberal…Yukihiko Ikeda (池田 行彦, Ikeda Yukihiko; 13 May 1937 – 28 January 2004) was a Japanese bureaucrat and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) politician who served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 1997. Ikeda was known to be "Mr. No" in the political life.
Yoo Dong-ryong (Korean: 유동룡 伊丹 潤; 1937–2011), known professionally as Jun Itami, is a Korean architect from Japan. He…Yoo Dong-ryong (Korean: 유동룡 伊丹 潤; 1937–2011), known professionally as Jun Itami, is a Korean architect from Japan. He was born in Tokyo 1937 to Korean parents and gained his degree in architecture at Musashi Institute of Technology (now called Tokyo City University) in 1968. Itami Jun spent his childhood in Shizuoka, Japan and entered the world of architecture by traveling and encountering many other artists. With profound insight into objects, he learned and expressed architecture with the physical senses of touch and drawing as his medium. In the homogeneous industrial society, Itami Jun sought to practice contemporary architecture with an anti-modern bent, emphasizing purity of architecture and material, and pursuing heavy primitive architecture with a sense of rawness in the material. Itami Jun’s Jeju projects in his late years demonstrate the mature beauty of his architecture.
Emiko Miyamoto (宮本 恵美子, Miyamoto Emiko; May 10, 1937 – December 7, 2023) was a Japanese volleyball player. She was a…Emiko Miyamoto (宮本 恵美子, Miyamoto Emiko; May 10, 1937 – December 7, 2023) was a Japanese volleyball player. She was a member of the Japanese winning teams, Oriental Witches, at the 1962 World Championships and 1964 Summer Olympics. Miyamoto died from sepsis in Takahagi, on December 7, 2023, at the age of 86.
Asahi Kurizuka (Japanese: 栗塚 旭, Hepburn: Kurizuka Asahi; May 9, 1937 – September 9, 2025) was a Japanese actor. He made…Asahi Kurizuka (Japanese: 栗塚 旭, Hepburn: Kurizuka Asahi; May 9, 1937 – September 9, 2025) was a Japanese actor. He made his film debut in Satsuo Yamamoto's The War Without Weapons (1960). In 1966, he received the Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year. Specializing in jidaigeki, Kurizuka was known for portraying Hijikata Toshizō, a role he played multiple times throughout his career. On September 12, 2025, news outlets reported that Kurizuka had died at his home in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto on September 9. He had been scheduled to appear on Mitsuya Seizaemon Zanjitsuroku, a jidaigeki for BS Fuji, but could not be contacted prior to the start of production. When he did not show up on his scheduled filming day, the police were asked to perform a wellness check, where they confirmed his death.
Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. He played for the Mainichi Orions, Daimai Orions and Yomiuri Giants. He later managed the Yokohama Taiyō Whales from 1990 to 1992.
Azuma Koshiishi (輿石 東, Koshiishi Azuma; born 14 May 1936) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party, a member of…Azuma Koshiishi (輿石 東, Koshiishi Azuma; born 14 May 1936) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet, and general secretary of the ruling Democratic Party. A native of Nirasaki, Yamanashi, and graduate of Tsuru University, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, where he served for two terms until 1996 when he failed to be re-elected. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998.
Kazuhiko Masumoto (Japanese: 増本 一彦 Masumoto Kazuhiko; 9 May 1936 – 6 February 2022) was a Japanese politician of the…Kazuhiko Masumoto (Japanese: 増本 一彦 Masumoto Kazuhiko; 9 May 1936 – 6 February 2022) was a Japanese politician of the Japanese Communist Party who served in the House of Representatives from 1972 to 1976, before dying of bile duct cancer at age 85.
Kazuo Koike (Japanese: 小池 一夫, Hepburn: Koike Kazuo; May 8, 1936 – April 17, 2019) was a Japanese manga writer…Kazuo Koike (Japanese: 小池 一夫, Hepburn: Koike Kazuo; May 8, 1936 – April 17, 2019) was a Japanese manga writer (gensakusha), novelist, screenwriter, lyricist and entrepreneur. He is best known for his violent, artful seinen manga, notably Lone Wolf and Cub (with Goseki Kojima, 1970–6), Lady Snowblood (with Kazuo Kamimura, 1972–3) and Crying Freeman (with Ryoichi Ikegami, 1986–8), which – along with their numerous media adaptations − have been credited for their influence on the international growth of Japanese popular culture.
Ichirō Inaba (稲葉 一郎, Inaba Ichirō; 3 May 1936 – 23 September 2017) was a Japanese historian of China and professor…Ichirō Inaba (稲葉 一郎, Inaba Ichirō; 3 May 1936 – 23 September 2017) was a Japanese historian of China and professor emeritus at Kwansei Gakuin University.
Yoshiyuki Kamei (亀井 善之, Kamei Yoshiyuki; 30 April 1936 – 12 May 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as a member…Yoshiyuki Kamei (亀井 善之, Kamei Yoshiyuki; 30 April 1936 – 12 May 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives representing Kanagawa Prefecture.
Shigehiko Hasumi (Japanese: 蓮實重彥, also romanized Shiguéhiko; born 29 April 1936) is a Japanese literary critic, film…Shigehiko Hasumi (Japanese: 蓮實重彥, also romanized Shiguéhiko; born 29 April 1936) is a Japanese literary critic, film critic, French literature scholar, and novelist. He was a professor at the University of Tokyo (Cultural Studies, or the Study of Culture and Representation), dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the 26th President (1997-2001). Hasumi started his academic career as a Gustave Flaubert scholar, and played a central role in the early introduction of the contemporary French philosophy, such as Gilles Deleuze and Michel Foucault, into Japan in the 1970s. He is known as one of the most prolific Japanese reviewers of modern literature and film. Since the 1980s, Hasumi has been active in introducing the French New Wave filmmakers' thought and Hollywood B-films. His method of viewing and writing about film, inspired by the 1950s French film criticism appearing in Cahiers du Cinéma, played a major role in Japanese film culture in the late 20th century. His influential work includes Directed by Yasujiro Ozu (1983). Reflecting on Hasumi, Kiyoshi Kurosawa noted, "The international recognition of Yasujiro Ozu and Mikio Naruse would never have been achieved without Hasumi. Even the popularity of Clint Eastwood and Wim Wenders in Japan owes much to his influence. And as for myself—there’s no doubt that I’m only able to be here, doing what I do, all thanks to the good fortune of having met Shiguéhiko Hasumi." He is married to Chantal Van Melkebeke, the daughter of the Belgian painter, journalist, and writer Jacques Van Melkebeke, who is known for having been the first chief editor of Tintin magazine. They had one son, Shigeomi Hasumi. In 1970, the French Broadcasting and Television Office interviewed him, his wife and his son in French in Tokyo for 20 minutes. Hasumi curated a film series entitled Shiguéhiko Hasumi: Another History of the Movie in America and Japan for Japan Society in 2025, including works by Richard Fleischer, Michael Mann and Makoto Sato. Director Sho Miyake attended, presenting his collaboration with Hasumi—the montage film John Ford and Throwing.
Adolfo Nicolás Pachón (29 April 1936 – 20 May 2020) was a Spanish Catholic priest who served as the 30th superior…Adolfo Nicolás Pachón (29 April 1936 – 20 May 2020) was a Spanish Catholic priest who served as the 30th superior general of the Society of Jesus from 2008 to 2016. He previously taught at Sophia University in Tokyo for twenty years and headed educational institutions in Manila from 1978 to 1984 and in Tokyo from 1991 to 1993. He led the Jesuits in Japan from 1993 to 1996 and, after four years of pastoral work in Tokyo, led the Jesuits in Asia from 2004 to 2008. Though elected superior general for life, Nicolás, like his predecessor Peter Hans Kolvenbach, resigned, as the Jesuit constitutions permit.
Toshio Naka (中 利夫, Naka Toshio; 28 April 1936 – 10 October 2023) was a Japanese baseball outfielder and manager. Naka…Toshio Naka (中 利夫, Naka Toshio; 28 April 1936 – 10 October 2023) was a Japanese baseball outfielder and manager. Naka played with the Chunichi Dragons from 1955 to 1972, and later managed the team from 1978 to 1980. He led the Central League with a .343 batting average in 1967.
Sō Nishimura (西村 宗, Nishimura Sou); (born April 28, 1936) is a Japanese manga artist from Izumiōtsu. Nishimura's…Sō Nishimura (西村 宗, Nishimura Sou); (born April 28, 1936) is a Japanese manga artist from Izumiōtsu. Nishimura's best-known work is the yonkoma comedy Sarari-kun (サラリ君, Mr. Salary), which earned Nishimura the 1985 Bungeishunjū Manga Award and the Japanese Cartoonists' Association's Excellence Prize for 2000.