Kuryu Matsuki (松木 玖生, Matsuki Kuryū; born 30 April 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Kuryu Matsuki (松木 玖生, Matsuki Kuryū; born 30 April 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and forward for EFL Championship club Southampton and the Japan national team. Matsuki began his senior career at FC Tokyo. In 2024, he joined English club Southampton. Matsuki spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Göztepe.
Kota Sugawara (菅原 康太, Sugawara Kōta; born May 22, 1985) is a Japanese football player who played for Kochi United SC of…Kota Sugawara (菅原 康太, Sugawara Kōta; born May 22, 1985) is a Japanese football player who played for Kochi United SC of the Shikoku Soccer League, scoring 49 goals in 3 seasons.
Asami Abe (安倍 麻美, Abe Asami; born February 27, 1985) is a former Japanese singer and actress, also known as the younger…Asami Abe (安倍 麻美, Abe Asami; born February 27, 1985) is a former Japanese singer and actress, also known as the younger sister of Japanese singer and actress Natsumi Abe. She started her career doing commercials for Nintendo Puzzle Collection, and she has also appeared in a few TV dramas.
Natsumi Abe (安倍 なつみ, Abe Natsumi; born August 10, 1981) is a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning…Natsumi Abe (安倍 なつみ, Abe Natsumi; born August 10, 1981) is a Japanese singer and actress, a former member of Morning Musume, and a member of Dream Morning Musume.
Miki Sasaki (佐々木 みき, Sasaki Miki, born 15 December 1976) is a former volleyball player from Japan, who competed at the…Miki Sasaki (佐々木 みき, Sasaki Miki, born 15 December 1976) is a former volleyball player from Japan, who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, wearing the No. 4 jersey. There she and the Japan women's national team took fifth place. She participated in the 2003 FIVB World Grand Prix. Sasaki played as a wing-spiker.
Nobuyuki Zaizen (財前 宣之, Zaizen Nobuyuki; born 19 October 1976) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Nobuyuki Zaizen (財前 宣之, Zaizen Nobuyuki; born 19 October 1976) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Tomo Sugawara (菅原 智, Sugawara Tomo; born June 3, 1976) is a former Japanese football player, he is currently assistant…Tomo Sugawara (菅原 智, Sugawara Tomo; born June 3, 1976) is a former Japanese football player, he is currently assistant manager of Vissel Kobe.
Shoji Jo (城 彰二, Jō Shōji; born 17 June 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He…Shoji Jo (城 彰二, Jō Shōji; born 17 June 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He played for the Japan national team.
Jin Sato (佐藤 尽, Satō Jin; born September 27, 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the…Jin Sato (佐藤 尽, Satō Jin; born September 27, 1974) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the currently the manager for J2 League club Montedio Yamagata.
Ken Yasuda (安田 顕, Yasuda Ken; born 8 December 1973) is a Japanese actor, television personality and seiyu. Born in…Ken Yasuda (安田 顕, Yasuda Ken; born 8 December 1973) is a Japanese actor, television personality and seiyu. Born in Muroran, Hokkaido, he is a member of Team Nacs. He is a graduate of Hokkaido Muroran Sakae High School and Hokkai Gakuen University. Fumio Yasuda is his older brother.
Yuka Oda (小田 由香, Oda Yuka; born 15 March 1973) is a retired Japanese ice hockey goaltender. She competed in the women's…Yuka Oda (小田 由香, Oda Yuka; born 15 March 1973) is a retired Japanese ice hockey goaltender. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Mayumi Oiwa (大岩真由美, Ōiwa Mayumi) (born April 11, 1972, in Muroran, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese football referee. She became…Mayumi Oiwa (大岩真由美, Ōiwa Mayumi) (born April 11, 1972, in Muroran, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese football referee. She became a first class referee in 1999 and began officiating games in the L. League and was placed on the FIFA list of international referees in 2002. Her first international tournament was the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in which she officiated two games including the third place play-off. Following her performance in the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, in which she refereed a Quarter final match, Oiwa was promoted to the Japan Football League. She became the first female referee to officiate in the 84th Nationwide Highschool soccer championship conference on January 22, 2006, and then refereed the final at the 2006 AFC Women's Championship. Selected by FIFA to officiate in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China, she refereed two games and was fourth official in the Final between Germany and Brazil.
Manabu Horii (堀井 学, Horii Manabu) (born February 19, 1972) is a former Japanese politician and speed skater. He won an…Manabu Horii (堀井 学, Horii Manabu) (born February 19, 1972) is a former Japanese politician and speed skater. He won an Olympic bronze medal in 1994, and also competed in the 1998 and 2002 Olympics. He ended his speed skating career in 2002. Horii represented Noboribetsu in the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2007 to 2012. In the 2012 general election of the House of Representatives, he was elected the as LDP candidate in Hokkaido 9th district seeking to succeed retiring Democrat Yukio Hatoyama. He was nominated in July 2012 when Hatoyama was still expected to run for re-election. In July 2024, Horii left the LDP. On 28 August 2024, Horii resigned from the House of Representatives following a scandal over his giving out condolence money to constituents for funerals he did not personally attend in violation of election laws.
Takahiro Ueno (上野高広, Ueno Takahiro; born 5 November 1971, Hokkaido) is a Japanese professional drifting driver and…Takahiro Ueno (上野高広, Ueno Takahiro; born 5 November 1971, Hokkaido) is a Japanese professional drifting driver and businessman, the former, currently competing in the D1 Grand Prix series for Car Make T&E. Ueno started his career with a Toyota Soarer JZZ30. Starting his Tuning shop Car Make T&E in October 1996. Founding the aero part branch, Vertex, he personally approves every new design. Most of the company's time when it was starting out was spent on developing the Toyota Soarer JZZ30 and this still continues today, using the D1 Grand Prix as a showcase. Ueno began competing in the D1 Grand Prix in his Toyota Soarer JZZ30 in the first round in 2001. Going on to win round 4 of the season and finishing in third overall in the championship. He has gone on to score points in every year since, though has never quite matched his original success. From 2009 to 2015, Ueno had used BMW M3 (E92). In 2016, Ueno celebrated the 20th anniversary of Car Make T&E, as he started using Toyota Soarer JZZ30 again. Currently, Ueno has been competing in the D1GP, driving Lexus RC since 2019.
Kazuyuki Kyoya (京谷 和幸, Kyōya Kazuyuki; born August 13, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and wheelchair…Kazuyuki Kyoya (京谷 和幸, Kyōya Kazuyuki; born August 13, 1971) is a former Japanese football player and wheelchair basketball player. He has competed in the 4 Summer Paralympics.
Keiichi Zaizen (財前 恵一, Zaizen Keiichi; born June 17, 1968) is a Japanese former football player and manager. His…Keiichi Zaizen (財前 恵一, Zaizen Keiichi; born June 17, 1968) is a Japanese former football player and manager. His younger brother Nobuyuki is also a former footballer.
Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has…Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has also published instructional books for Korean learners of Japanese. He used to write under the pen name Shunsui Nohira (野平俊水, Nohira Shunsui).
Hiroki Shibuya (渋谷 洋樹, Shibuya Hiroki; born November 30, 1966) is a Japanese football manager and former football…Hiroki Shibuya (渋谷 洋樹, Shibuya Hiroki; born November 30, 1966) is a Japanese football manager and former football player He is the currently manager for J2 League club Ventforet Kofu.
Takayuki Iizuka (飯塚 孝之, Iizuka Takayuki; born August 2, 1966), better known by his ring name Takashi Iizuka (飯塚 高史…Takayuki Iizuka (飯塚 孝之, Iizuka Takayuki; born August 2, 1966), better known by his ring name Takashi Iizuka (飯塚 高史, Iizuka Takashi), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his 33-year career in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. He has also worked for Pro Wrestling Noah, where he was a one-time GHC Tag Team Champion. Debuting in 1986 under his real name, Iizuka formed the tag team J-J-Jacks with fellow dojo trainee Akira Nogami in 1992. After changing his ring name to Takashi Iizuka (飯塚 高史, Iizuka Takashi) in 1995, he became a mainstay of the New Japan seikigun, and was a frequent tag team partner for Yuji Nagata during the early 2000s. In 2008, Iizuka underwent a drastic change to his look, character and wrestling style, turning heel, shaving his head bald, growing a sinister beard, and adapting a hardcore wrestling style. He was also given the gimmick of an uncontrollable madman, and nicknamed "The Great Traitor" for his betrayal of the New Japan roster. Iizuka competed for New Japan Pro-Wrestling over four separate decades before retiring from in ring competition in February 2019.
Hokuten'yū Katsuhiko (北天佑 勝彦) (August 8, 1960 – June 23, 2006) was a sumo wrestler, from Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan. The…Hokuten'yū Katsuhiko (北天佑 勝彦) (August 8, 1960 – June 23, 2006) was a sumo wrestler, from Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan. The highest rank he achieved was ōzeki which he held for seven years from 1983 until 1990. He won two top division yūshō or tournament championships. After his retirement as an active wrestler he worked as a sumo coach until his death in 2006 from cancer.
Yuji Kishioku (岸奥 裕二, Kishioku Yuji; born April 2, 1954) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yuji Kishioku (岸奥 裕二, Kishioku Yuji; born April 2, 1954) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Futatsuryū Jun'ichi (双津竜 順一, born Jun'ichi Yamamoto; February 28, 1950 – August 12, 2014) was a sumo wrestler from…Futatsuryū Jun'ichi (双津竜 順一, born Jun'ichi Yamamoto; February 28, 1950 – August 12, 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. After retirement he became the head coach of Tokitsukaze stable. Following his involvement in the hazing and death of trainee Takashi Saito, in October 2007 he became the first serving stablemaster to be dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. In May 2009 he was sentenced to six years in prison. He died on August 12, 2014, of lung cancer.
Kitabayama Hidetoshi (17 May 1935 – 20 July 2010) was a former sumo wrestler and coach from Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan.…Kitabayama Hidetoshi (17 May 1935 – 20 July 2010) was a former sumo wrestler and coach from Muroran, Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki.
Yasuko Uetake (Japanese: 上武やす子, née Yasuko Muromura; 26 November 1934 – 16 March 2024) was an embroidery artist and…Yasuko Uetake (Japanese: 上武やす子, née Yasuko Muromura; 26 November 1934 – 16 March 2024) was an embroidery artist and Ainu cultural activist from Japan. Born in Muroran, Hokkaido, she was a prominent figure in the preservation and promotion of the Ainu culture in Noboribetsu. She was active in the Noboribetsu Branch of the Hokkaido Utari Association, the Club for Talking about Mashiho Chiri, and the Women's Society for Learning and Inheriting the Ainu Culture. A self-taught but accomplished Ainu embroidery artist, she created various works in traditional Ainu clothing, trained younger artists in embroidery seminars, and taught other Ainu cultural traditions, including dancing.
Ruiko Yoshida (吉田 ルイ子, Yoshida Ruiko; 10 July 1938 – 31 May 2024) was a Japanese photojournalist. Her work focused on…Ruiko Yoshida (吉田 ルイ子, Yoshida Ruiko; 10 July 1938 – 31 May 2024) was a Japanese photojournalist. Her work focused on scenes of discrimination around the world.
Kiyohiro Miura (三浦清宏, Miura Kiyohiro; born 1930 in Muroran, Hokkaido) is a Japanese writer. After attending the…Kiyohiro Miura (三浦清宏, Miura Kiyohiro; born 1930 in Muroran, Hokkaido) is a Japanese writer. After attending the University of Tokyo he went to the United States for further education. He received his B.A. from San Jose State University in 1955 and his MFA from University of Iowa in 1958. His novel Chōnan no shukke (長男の出家) or My Young Son Becomes a Zen Monk won the Akutagawa Prize in 1988.
Seiichi Ikehata (池端 清一, Ikehata Seiichi; August 20, 1929 – February 28, 2007) was a Japanese politician from Kushiro…Seiichi Ikehata (池端 清一, Ikehata Seiichi; August 20, 1929 – February 28, 2007) was a Japanese politician from Kushiro, Hokkaido.
Yoshinori Yagi (八木 義徳, Yagi Yoshinori; October 21, 1911 – November 9, 1999) was a noted Japanese author. Yagi was born…Yoshinori Yagi (八木 義徳, Yagi Yoshinori; October 21, 1911 – November 9, 1999) was a noted Japanese author. Yagi was born in Muroran, Hokkaidō, and graduated from Waseda University in 1938 with a degree in French literature. In 1944 he became employed in the chemical industry in Manchuria. As a writer, he was a devotee of Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Takeo Arishima, and received the 1944 Akutagawa Prize for 劉廣福 Ryūkanbu and the 1976 Yomiuri Prize for Kazamatsuri. Some of his materials are now exhibited in Muroran's Literature Museum. His Dharma name was Keiunin Zuishin Gitoku Koji (景雲院随心義徳居士).
