Zuigaku Rempo Niwa Zenji (1905–1993) was a Japanese Zen master. He was born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. His father…Zuigaku Rempo Niwa Zenji (1905–1993) was a Japanese Zen master. He was born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. His father was a schoolmaster and his mother was a farmer. After graduating from Tokyo University, he became the head official in Tokei-in and later studied at Antai-ji. At the age of 50, Niwa became the 77th abbot of the Eihei-ji monastery. He also received the imperial title of Jikô Enkai Zenji (“Great Zen Master of Compassion, Ocean of Plenitude”). An avid practitioner of zazen, he rebuilt the zendo (meditation hall) so that the young people in training could better engage in this essential practice. His dharma heirs include Gudō Wafu Nishijima and Moriyama Daigyo as well as several teachers affiliated with the Taisen Deshimaru Lineage in Europe. Zenji (literally, "Zen Master") is an honorary title given to the senior Eihei temple (Eihei-ji), headquarters of the Sōtō school, founded in the thirteenth century by Master Dogen. Outside of Zen, he created brush calligraphy. His work was often credited to various pseudonyms. Niwa died in 1993.
Yoshio Kimura (木村 義雄, Kimura Yoshio; February 21, 1905 – November 17, 1986) was a Japanese professional shogi player…Yoshio Kimura (木村 義雄, Kimura Yoshio; February 21, 1905 – November 17, 1986) was a Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan (which was the highest dan level during his time). He was a Lifetime Meijin who won the title eight times. At the time, the Meijin title was the only shogi title. From December 1947 to March 1948 he was the first president of the Japan Shogi Association.
Hisahito Yonekura (米倉壽仁, Yonekura Hisahito) (19 February 1905 – 18 March 1994) was a Japanese Surrealist painter and…Hisahito Yonekura (米倉壽仁, Yonekura Hisahito) (19 February 1905 – 18 March 1994) was a Japanese Surrealist painter and poet. He was a founding member of the Sōki Bijutsu Kyōkai in 1938 and the Bijutsu Bunka Kyōkai in 1939. The Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art regards his 1936 painting The Crisis of Europe as a representative work of both his prewar career and Japanese Surrealist painting.
Kōjirō Yoshikawa (吉川 幸次郎, Yoshikawa Kōjirō; 18 March 1904 – 8 April 1980) was a Japanese sinologist noted for his…Kōjirō Yoshikawa (吉川 幸次郎, Yoshikawa Kōjirō; 18 March 1904 – 8 April 1980) was a Japanese sinologist noted for his studies of Chinese history and Classical Chinese literature, especially the Book of Documents (Shujing) and Analects of Confucius. Yoshikawa was awarded many honors for his scholarship, including membership in the Japan Art Academy and he was named a Person of Cultural Merit. In 1969 he was awarded the Prix Stanislas Julien for the entire body of his work.
Vice Admiral Yasumaro Kiguchi (溪口泰麿, Yamaro Taniguchi; 10 March 1904 – 3 November 1992) was a Japanese naval officer…Vice Admiral Yasumaro Kiguchi (溪口泰麿, Yamaro Taniguchi; 10 March 1904 – 3 November 1992) was a Japanese naval officer who served as an officer of the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1920 to 1945 and became a Vice Admiral of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), serving from 1954 to 1960. He was the second commander of the Self Defense Fleet succeeding Hidemi Yoshida. In 1956, he was succeeded by Mitsugu Ihara.
Tatsukuma Ushijima (牛島辰熊, March 10, 1904 – May 26, 1985) was a Japanese judoka and former All-Japan judo champion. he…Tatsukuma Ushijima (牛島辰熊, March 10, 1904 – May 26, 1985) was a Japanese judoka and former All-Japan judo champion. he was also known as a teacher of Masahiko Kimura, a famous judoka. His nickname was "The Demon Ushijima".
Ōmori Sōgen (大森 曹玄; 1904–1994) was a Japanese Rinzai Rōshi, a successor in the Tenryū-ji line of Rinzai Zen, and former…Ōmori Sōgen (大森 曹玄; 1904–1994) was a Japanese Rinzai Rōshi, a successor in the Tenryū-ji line of Rinzai Zen, and former president of Hanazono University, the Rinzai university in Kyoto, Japan. He became a priest in 1945.
Eiichi Nishimura (Japanese: 西村 栄一, Nishimura Eiichi; 8 March 1904 – 27 April 1971) was a Japanese politician who served…Eiichi Nishimura (Japanese: 西村 栄一, Nishimura Eiichi; 8 March 1904 – 27 April 1971) was a Japanese politician who served as the second chairman of the Democratic Socialist Party from 1967 to his death in 1971.
Setsuya Beppu (Japanese: 別府 節弥 or Japanese: 別府 節彌, 4 March 1904 - 17 May 1992), also known as Kiyoshi Beppu (Japanese…Setsuya Beppu (Japanese: 別府 節弥 or Japanese: 別府 節彌, 4 March 1904 - 17 May 1992), also known as Kiyoshi Beppu (Japanese: 別府清), was a Japanese diplomat who served as the first Japanese Consul in Dublin during the World War II. He also served as the first Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to both Laos and Vatican City.
Taikichiro Mori (森 泰吉郎, Mori Taikichirō, 1 March 1904 – 30 January 1993) was a Japanese businessman who founded Mori…Taikichiro Mori (森 泰吉郎, Mori Taikichirō, 1 March 1904 – 30 January 1993) was a Japanese businessman who founded Mori Building Company. Forbes ranked him as the richest man in the world during 1991-92, with a net worth of $15 billion in 1991 (approximately equivalent to $30.7 billion in today's value as of 2024). His sons, Minoru and Akira, headed Mori Building and the Mori Trust, respectively, and his granddaughter Miwako Date now runs the Mori Trust in her father's place.
Japanese supercentenarians are citizens, residents or emigrants from Japan who have attained or surpassed the age of…Japanese supercentenarians are citizens, residents or emigrants from Japan who have attained or surpassed the age of 110 years. As of January 2015, the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) had validated the longevity claims of 263 Japanese supercentenarians, most of whom are women. As of 18 October 2026, the oldest-known living Japanese person is Fuyo Kishimoto (born in Hamasaka on 20 December 1911), who is aged 114 years, 302 days. The oldest verified Japanese and Asian person ever is Kane Tanaka (1903–2022), who lived to the age of 119 years and 107 days, making her the second-oldest validated person ever as well. Japan was also home to the world's oldest man ever, Jiroemon Kimura (1897–2013), who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days.
Kyūya Fukada (深田 久弥, Fukada Kyūya; 11 March 1903 – 21 March 1971) was a Japanese writer and mountaineer active during…Kyūya Fukada (深田 久弥, Fukada Kyūya; 11 March 1903 – 21 March 1971) was a Japanese writer and mountaineer active during the Shōwa period in Japan.
Nagako (良子; 6 March 1903 – 16 June 2000), posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后, Kōjun Kōgō), was a member of…Nagako (良子; 6 March 1903 – 16 June 2000), posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun (香淳皇后, Kōjun Kōgō), was a member of the Imperial House of Japan, the wife of Emperor Hirohito and the mother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. She served as Empress of Japan from 1926 until her husband's death in 1989, making her the longest-serving empress consort in Japanese history.
Tsunao Okumura (奥村 綱雄, Okumura Tsunao) (5 March 1903 – 7 November 1972) was the president of Nomura Securities from…Tsunao Okumura (奥村 綱雄, Okumura Tsunao) (5 March 1903 – 7 November 1972) was the president of Nomura Securities from 1948 to 1959. He served as the King of Japanese stockbroking in the 1950s. Born as the son of a wealthy confectioner, Okumura exhibited little ambition early in life. At the age of nineteen, he enrolled in Kyoto University where he enjoyed the luxuries afforded to a privileged student as such. His father granted him a monthly allowance of 100 Yen, a substantial sum in an era where twenty yen could provide a comfortable lifestyle. Preferring leisure over academics pursuits, he dedicated much of his time frequenting Kyoto's dance halls, with his affluent peers. Despite graduating with mediocre grades and facing initial rejection from banks such as Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Yamaguchi, Okumura secured a position in Nomura's research department through personal connections.
Colonel Okikatsu Arao (荒尾 興功, Arao Okikatsu; March 18, 1902 – August 22, 1974) was one of the original plotters in a…Colonel Okikatsu Arao (荒尾 興功, Arao Okikatsu; March 18, 1902 – August 22, 1974) was one of the original plotters in a scheme to prevent Emperor Hirohito's declaration of surrender at the end of World War II. He was the chief of the War Affairs section of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Ryūnosuke Tsukigata (月形龍之介, Tsukigata Ryūnosuke; 18 March 1902 – 30 August 1970) was a Japanese actor known especially…Ryūnosuke Tsukigata (月形龍之介, Tsukigata Ryūnosuke; 18 March 1902 – 30 August 1970) was a Japanese actor known especially for his work in jidaigeki in film and television. His real name was Kiyoto Monden.
Kajirō Yamamoto (山本 嘉次郎, Yamamoto Kajirō; 15 March 1902 – 21 September 1974) was a Japanese film director…Kajirō Yamamoto (山本 嘉次郎, Yamamoto Kajirō; 15 March 1902 – 21 September 1974) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor who was known for his war films and comedies and as the mentor of the Three Crows (Akira Kurosawa, Ishirō Honda, and Senkichi Taniguchi). The combined list of his efforts as a director for documentaries, silent, and sound films includes over 90 film titles during his lifetime.
Sumiko Kurishima (栗島すみ子, Kurishima Sumiko) (15 March, 1902 – 16 August, 1987) was a Japanese actress and master of…Sumiko Kurishima (栗島すみ子, Kurishima Sumiko) (15 March, 1902 – 16 August, 1987) was a Japanese actress and master of traditional Japanese dance. She is often considered Japan's first female movie star.
Takakazu Kinashi (木梨 鷹一, Kinashi Takakazu; 7 March 1902 – 26 July 1944) was a Japanese naval officer during World War…Takakazu Kinashi (木梨 鷹一, Kinashi Takakazu; 7 March 1902 – 26 July 1944) was a Japanese naval officer during World War II. As captain of submarine I-19, he sank the American aircraft carrier USS Wasp and destroyer USS O'Brien and severely damaged the battleship USS North Carolina with a single spread of six torpedoes in 1942. He was the most successful submarine commander of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, sinking five merchant ships, one carrier and one destroyer, for a total of 39,097 GRT, and damaging a further one battleship and four merchant ships, for 69,542 GRT.
Vice Admiral Hidemi Yoshida (吉田英三, Eizo; 5 March 1902 – 24 April 1978) was a Japanese naval officer who served in the…Vice Admiral Hidemi Yoshida (吉田英三, Eizo; 5 March 1902 – 24 April 1978) was a Japanese naval officer who served in the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1919 to 1945 and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) from 1954 to 1958. He was the first Self Defense Fleet commander in 1954 until being succeeded by Vice Admiral Yasumaro Kiguchi.
Tadashi Iijima (飯島 正, Iijima Tadashi; 5 March 1902 – 5 January 1996) was a Japanese film critic and screenwriter. He…Tadashi Iijima (飯島 正, Iijima Tadashi; 5 March 1902 – 5 January 1996) was a Japanese film critic and screenwriter. He has been called "a leader who established film criticism and film research in Japan".
Inada Syūichi (稲田 周一, Inada Shūichi; 26 February 1902 – 5 February 1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government…Inada Syūichi (稲田 周一, Inada Shūichi; 26 February 1902 – 5 February 1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official and politician. He was born in Niigata Prefecture. He was a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University. He was governor of Shiga Prefecture (1945–1946). He was Grand Chamberlain of Japan (1965–1969).
Mushitarō Oguri (小栗 虫太郎, Oguri Mushitarō; March 14, 1901 – February 10, 1946), born Eijirō Oguri, was a Japanese author…Mushitarō Oguri (小栗 虫太郎, Oguri Mushitarō; March 14, 1901 – February 10, 1946), born Eijirō Oguri, was a Japanese author and an important mystery novelist in pre-war Japan.
Takeshi Mitarai (御手洗 毅, Mitarai Takeshi; 11 March 1901 – 12 October 1984) was one of the founders of Canon Inc. He…Takeshi Mitarai (御手洗 毅, Mitarai Takeshi; 11 March 1901 – 12 October 1984) was one of the founders of Canon Inc. He established Canon in 1937 along with Goro Yoshida, Saburo Uchida and Takeo Maeda.
Yoji Ito (伊藤 庸二, Itō Yōji; 5 March 1901–9 May 1955) was an engineer and scientist who had a major role in the Japanese…Yoji Ito (伊藤 庸二, Itō Yōji; 5 March 1901–9 May 1955) was an engineer and scientist who had a major role in the Japanese development of magnetrons and the Radio Range Finder (RRF – the code name for a radar).
Yoshishige Ashihara (芦原 義重, Ashihara Yoshishige; March 4, 1901 – July 12, 2003) was a Japanese businessman in the Shōwa…Yoshishige Ashihara (芦原 義重, Ashihara Yoshishige; March 4, 1901 – July 12, 2003) was a Japanese businessman in the Shōwa period, president of Kansai Electric Power Company. In 1997 he received the highest distinction of the Scout Association of Japan, the Golden Pheasant Award.
Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治, Tomiki Kenji; March 15, 1900 – December 25, 1979) was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in…Kenji Tomiki (富木 謙治, Tomiki Kenji; March 15, 1900 – December 25, 1979) was a Japanese martial artist who specialized in aikido and judo family of martial arts. He was a pedagogue of martial arts theory (武道論, Budo-ron). He is the founder of Japan Aikido Association and the competitive aikido (aikido kyogi) style. Tomiki was a professor at Kenkoku University in Manchuria and later at the Faculty of Education at Waseda University. Tomiki is credited in devising and introducing new forms of Randori practice in Aikido. He founded his own Aikido system, which has many differences from other Aikido styles, mainly in randori training, and is referred by several names including Tomiki Aikido, Shodokan Aikido and Sport Aikido.
Dōgane Giichi (Japanese: 銅金 義一; 1900–1972) was a Japanese Army officer. He was also a metallurgist and mechanical…Dōgane Giichi (Japanese: 銅金 義一; 1900–1972) was a Japanese Army officer. He was also a metallurgist and mechanical engineer.
Henry Yuzuru Sugimoto (March 12, 1900 – May 8, 1990) was a Japanese-American artist, art teacher and a survivor of…Henry Yuzuru Sugimoto (March 12, 1900 – May 8, 1990) was a Japanese-American artist, art teacher and a survivor of Japanese American Internment during World War II. Sugimoto became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1952.
Hajime Katō (加藤土師萌, Katō Hajime) (March 7, 1900 – September 25, 1968) was a Japanese potter. He was named a Living…Hajime Katō (加藤土師萌, Katō Hajime) (March 7, 1900 – September 25, 1968) was a Japanese potter. He was named a Living National Treasure in 1961.
Yuriko Hanabusa (英百合子, Hanabusa Yuriko; 7 March 1900 – 7 February 1970) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more…Yuriko Hanabusa (英百合子, Hanabusa Yuriko; 7 March 1900 – 7 February 1970) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1970.
Arika Kimura (木村 有香, Kimura Arika; 1 March 1900 – 1 September 1996) was a Japanese botanist and specialist in the…Arika Kimura (木村 有香, Kimura Arika; 1 March 1900 – 1 September 1996) was a Japanese botanist and specialist in the Salicaceae, or willow family. He was a professor of botany at the University of Tokyo and at Tohoku University. Kimura was also the first director of the Botanical Garden of Tohoku University. A species of spider, Heptathela kimurai, was named in his honour.
Denmei Suzuki (鈴木 傳明, Suzuki Denmei; 1 March 1900 – 13 May 1985) was a Japanese film actor most famous for starring…Denmei Suzuki (鈴木 傳明, Suzuki Denmei; 1 March 1900 – 13 May 1985) was a Japanese film actor most famous for starring roles in gendaigeki of the silent era.
En Sugawara (Japanese: 菅原エン; 27 February 1900 – 16 February 1994) was a Japanese suffragist and politician. She was one…En Sugawara (Japanese: 菅原エン; 27 February 1900 – 16 February 1994) was a Japanese suffragist and politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Keiji Nishitani (西谷 啓治, Nishitani Keiji; February 27, 1900 – November 24, 1990) was a Japanese philosopher. He was a…Keiji Nishitani (西谷 啓治, Nishitani Keiji; February 27, 1900 – November 24, 1990) was a Japanese philosopher. He was a scholar of the Kyoto School and a disciple of Kitarō Nishida. In 1924, Nishitani received his doctorate from Kyoto Imperial University for his dissertation "Das Ideale und das Reale bei Schelling und Bergson". He studied under Martin Heidegger in Freiburg from 1937 to 1939.
Yuzuru Nozu (野津謙, Nozu Yuzuru; 12 March 1899 – 27 August 1983) was a Japanese footballer who made two appearances for…Yuzuru Nozu (野津謙, Nozu Yuzuru; 12 March 1899 – 27 August 1983) was a Japanese footballer who made two appearances for Japan at the 1921 Far Eastern Championship Games.
Kiyoshi Ishikawa (石川 淳, Ishikawa Kiyoshi; 7 March 1899 – 29 December 1987), known by his pen name Jun Ishikawa (written…Kiyoshi Ishikawa (石川 淳, Ishikawa Kiyoshi; 7 March 1899 – 29 December 1987), known by his pen name Jun Ishikawa (written in the same kanji), was a Japanese modernist author, translator and literary critic active during the Shōwa era.
Seiichi Ueda (born 1 March 1899, date of death unknown) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the…Seiichi Ueda (born 1 March 1899, date of death unknown) was a Japanese track and field athlete. He competed in the men's pentathlon at the 1924 Summer Olympics.
Eiko Yamazawa (山沢 栄子, Yamazawa Eiko; February 19, 1899–July 16, 1995) was a renowned Japanese photographer. She is…Eiko Yamazawa (山沢 栄子, Yamazawa Eiko; February 19, 1899–July 16, 1995) was a renowned Japanese photographer. She is considered one of Japan's earliest women photographers and is among the few women photographers in Japan who were active both before and after World War II. First trained in Nihonga, she later studied photography in the U.S. under the mentorship of Consuelo Kanaga, and also exposed to the work of Kanaga's contemporaries such as Paul Strand and Edward Weston. After coming back to Japan in 1929, she established herself as a professional photographer. In 1931 she opened a portrait studio in Osaka, and in 1950 she established the Yamazawa Institute of Photography also in Osaka. In the early half of her career, Yamazawa was engaged in portraiture and commercial photography, having produced work for major Osaka department stores. In 1960 she shifted abstraction away from realism. Her work in this latter half of her career is characterized by her photographing art materials in distortion and reflection. Yamazawa's photographs were unique at the time for their use of vibrant color, which was in stark contrast to black and white photography championed by other Japanese photographers.
Riichi Yokomitsu (横光 利一, Yokomitsu Riichi; 17 March 1898 – 30 December 1947) was an experimental, modernist Japanese…Riichi Yokomitsu (横光 利一, Yokomitsu Riichi; 17 March 1898 – 30 December 1947) was an experimental, modernist Japanese writer. Yokomitsu began publishing in dōjinshi such as Machi ("Street") and Tō ("Tower") after entering Waseda University in 1916. In 1923, he published Nichirin ("The Sun"), Hae ("A Fly") and more in the magazine Bungeishunjū, which made his name popular. The following year he started the magazine Bungei-Jidai with Yasunari Kawabata and others. Yokomitsu and others involved in Bungei-Jidai were known collectively as the Shinkankakuha, or the New Sensation School, with a particular interest in sensation and scientific objectivity.
Fuyue Anzai (安西 冬衛, Anzai Fuyue; March 9, 1898 – August 24, 1965) was a Japanese poet from Nara Prefecture, Japan. In…Fuyue Anzai (安西 冬衛, Anzai Fuyue; March 9, 1898 – August 24, 1965) was a Japanese poet from Nara Prefecture, Japan. In 1920, he began work in Dalian, China where he developed gangrene and subsequently lost his arm. Anzai was one of the founding fathers of the magazine Shi To Shiron (or, Poetry and Poetics) and the journal Asia. He published several anthologies, including Gunkan Mari (The Battleship Mari) and Ajia no Kanko (The Asian Salt Lake). Other works by Anzai include: Dattan Kaikyô to Chô (Butterflies and the Mongolian Strait, 1947) and Zaseru Tôgyûshi (The Sitting Matador, 1949). His second son is Japanese historical psychology author Jiro Anzai (安西二郎).
Ryūichi Inamura (稲村 隆一, Inamura Ryūichi, 7 March 1898 – 20 November 1990) was a Japanese peasant movement activist and…Ryūichi Inamura (稲村 隆一, Inamura Ryūichi, 7 March 1898 – 20 November 1990) was a Japanese peasant movement activist and politician who served four terms in the House of Representatives. Active in the prewar agrarian and leftist movements, he belonged successively to the Japanese Communist Party, the Labour-Farmer Party, the Social Masses Party, and the Tōhōkai, before joining the Japan Socialist Party after the war. He was purged from public office during the Allied occupation and later returned the Order of the Sacred Treasure in protest against its award to Ryōichi Sasakawa. His younger brother was politician Junzō Inamura and his nephew was Toshio Inamura.
Rear Admiral Tadashi Maeda (前田 精, Maeda Tadashi; 3 March 1898 – 13 December 1977) was a high-ranking Imperial Japanese…Rear Admiral Tadashi Maeda (前田 精, Maeda Tadashi; 3 March 1898 – 13 December 1977) was a high-ranking Imperial Japanese Navy officer during the Pacific War. He was a key supporter of the Indonesian independence movement, especially in the last months of the Japanese occupation of Indonesia between late 1944 and August 1945. Prior to the war, Maeda was assigned to adjutant, liaison, and intelligence roles in the navy, with his task including establishing a Japanese network in the Dutch East Indies. Stationed in Batavia after the invasion, he sponsored an Indonesian nationalist school and built up relations with Indonesian nationalists. Maeda played a key role in the proclamation of Indonesian independence, with many key events in its leadup taking place in his house and with his involvement. He left the navy after the war, and engaged in Japanese oil ventures in Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia has publicly acknowledged his role in securing the country's independence.
Yoshitatsu Yasuda (安田義達, Yasuda Yoshitatsu; March 1, 1898 - January 2, 1943) was a Japanese naval officer. He was known…Yoshitatsu Yasuda (安田義達, Yasuda Yoshitatsu; March 1, 1898 - January 2, 1943) was a Japanese naval officer. He was known as an authority on amphibious warfare, alongside Tada Minoru, and is remembered as a representative figure of the Imperial Japanese Navy. He posthumously received a promotion of two ranks to Vice Admiral during the Pacific War.
Takeo Imai (今井 武夫; 23 February 1898 – 12 June 1982) was a Japanese Major General of the China Expeditionary Army who…Takeo Imai (今井 武夫; 23 February 1898 – 12 June 1982) was a Japanese Major General of the China Expeditionary Army who was born in Nagano Prefecture. He played a notable role during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II. During the Bataan Death March, he freed prisoners as the orders violated his Bushido code. He served as a Vice-Chief of the General Staff of the China Expeditionary Army, as well as worked for the Japanese embassy in Beiping following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. In this role he met with Chinese officers at Chichiang to negotiate surrender. Taking on important military roles in China and the Philippines, he was a significant actor throughout Japan's invasion of China and held an important role in negotiating and maintaining peace between the two countries. He was particularly influential in his responsibility of postwar processing and allowing for smooth demobilization transitions. He retired in 1947.