Mina Kobayashi (小林 未奈, Kobayashi Mina; born July 20, 2002 in Kushiro) is a Japanese curler from Sapporo, Hokkaido. She…Mina Kobayashi (小林 未奈, Kobayashi Mina; born July 20, 2002 in Kushiro) is a Japanese curler from Sapporo, Hokkaido. She is the skip of the FORTIUS curling team. At the international level, she represented Japan at the 2019 World Mixed Curling Championship and the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, winning silver in the mixed team competition.
Ryusei Nose (野瀬 龍世, Nose Ryusei; born 8 February 2000) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for…Ryusei Nose (野瀬 龍世, Nose Ryusei; born 8 February 2000) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for FC Osaka.
Shu Nakamura (中村 優, Nakamura Shū; born 7 September 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. He finished sixth at the 2012…Shu Nakamura (中村 優, Nakamura Shū; born 7 September 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. He finished sixth at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, after placing tenth in the short program and third in the free skate. He won the bronze medal at the 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships and finished 12th at the 2016 World Junior Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. In February 2017, he won his first senior international medal, bronze at the Bavarian Open.
Miho Shishiuchi (獅子内 美帆, Shishiuchi Miho; born 21 August 1992) is a Japanese ice hockey player and member of the…Miho Shishiuchi (獅子内 美帆, Shishiuchi Miho; born 21 August 1992) is a Japanese ice hockey player and member of the Japanese national team. She plays with Toyota Cygnus in the Women's Japan Ice Hockey League (WJIHL) and All-Japan Women's Ice Hockey Championship. Shishiuchi has represented Japan with the senior national team since 2010, during which time she has participated in three Winter Olympic Games and six IIHF Women's World Championship tournaments. She also won a silver medal 2011 Asian Winter Games and a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF Women's Challenge Cup of Asia.
Sanae Motokawa (本川紗奈生, Motokawa Sanae, born April 2, 1992) is a Japanese basketball player. She represented Japan in…Sanae Motokawa (本川紗奈生, Motokawa Sanae, born April 2, 1992) is a Japanese basketball player. She represented Japan in the women's tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Miyako Sumiyoshi (住吉 都, Sumiyoshi Miyako; 19 March 1987 – 20 January 2018) was a Japanese speed skater. She competed at…Miyako Sumiyoshi (住吉 都, Sumiyoshi Miyako; 19 March 1987 – 20 January 2018) was a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 2013 World Sprint Championships in Salt Lake City, where she placed thirteenth. She also placed thirteenth in the sprint combination at the 2014 World Sprint Championships in Nagano. She competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, in the 500 metres (14th) and in the 1000 metres (22nd). On 20 January 2018, she was found dead in her home in Nagano. NHK reported that she seemed to have committed suicide.
Ryo Shibata (柴田 嶺, Shibata Ryō; born February 24, 1987) is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He currently…Ryo Shibata (柴田 嶺, Shibata Ryō; born February 24, 1987) is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He currently competes in pair skating with Narumi Takahashi.
Saori Kitakaze (北風 沙織, Kitakaze Saori; born April 3, 1985 in Kushiro) is a Japanese track and field sprint athlete who…Saori Kitakaze (北風 沙織, Kitakaze Saori; born April 3, 1985 in Kushiro) is a Japanese track and field sprint athlete who specializes in the 100 metres. She is the joint Japanese record holder in the 4×100 m relay, having run a time of 43.39 seconds alongside Momoko Takahashi, Chisato Fukushima and Kana Ichikawa at the 2011 Seiko Golden Grand Prix. He first international competitions came in 2004, when she took the bronze medal over 60 metres at the 2004 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and reached the 100 m semi-finals at that year's World Junior Championships in Athletics. The following year she came fourth at the 2005 East Asian Games before helping the Japanese women to the 4×100 m relay title. An appearance on the continental stage followed at the 2006 Asian Games (where she was seventh in the 100 m final) and a relay silver medal came at the 2007 Asian Athletics Championships. Kitakaze earned her first global level selection for Japan that year, but her relay team was disqualified in the preliminary rounds of the 2007 World Championships in Athletics.
Moe Meguro (目黒 萌絵, Meguro Moe) is a Japanese curler. She was born November 20, 1984, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, but grew up…Moe Meguro (目黒 萌絵, Meguro Moe) is a Japanese curler. She was born November 20, 1984, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, but grew up in Minamifurano, Hokkaido.
Tetsuya Saito (斉藤 哲也, Saitō Tetsuya; born December 14, 1983) is a Japanese professional ice hockey center who currently…Tetsuya Saito (斉藤 哲也, Saitō Tetsuya; born December 14, 1983) is a Japanese professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the Nikkō Ice Bucks in the Asia League Saito previously played in 2001 to 2002, at amateur level, for the Komazawa Tomakomai before joining Oji Seishi in 2002 who changed their name to Oji Eagles one year later. He played for Oji until 2013 when he joined the Nikkō Ice Bucks. Saito has also played for the Japan national team (U18, U20 & Senior) since 2000. He played in the 2002 IIHF World Championship.
Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice…Yutaka Fukufuji (福藤 豊, Fukufuji Yutaka; born September 17, 1982) is a Japanese ice hockey player for the Nikko Ice Bucks of the Asia League Ice Hockey. Fukufuji was the first Japanese player to appear in a National Hockey League (NHL) game, and played 4 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006–07 season. The first Japanese draft pick, Hiroyuki Miura, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1992 NHL Draft, but never played in an NHL game. Fukufuji is the first Japanese citizen to be drafted as a goaltender in the NHL and second Japanese national to be drafted. Internationally Fukufuji has played for the Japanese national team at several World Championships.
Shigeyuki Dejima (出島 茂幸, Dejima Shigeyuki; born 12 May 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at…Shigeyuki Dejima (出島 茂幸, Dejima Shigeyuki; born 12 May 1982) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Daisuke Obara (小原 大輔, Obara Daisuke; born June 4, 1981) is a Japanese professional ice hockey center currently playing…Daisuke Obara (小原 大輔, Obara Daisuke; born June 4, 1981) is a Japanese professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Oji Eagles of the Asia League. He began his professional career in 2003–2004, at the American ECHL, playing for the Peoria Rivermen, Charlotte Checkers and Augusta Lynx; later he played for the Kokudo/Seibu Prince Rabbits between 2004 and 2009; for the Nippon Paper Cranes from 2009 to 2014; and since 2014, the (Oji Eagles. He also has played for the Japan national team since 2000 (Japan U20 and Senior).
Aki Tsuchida (土田 亜希, Tsuchida Aki; born 29 May 1979) is a Japanese ice hockey player. She competed in the women's…Aki Tsuchida (土田 亜希, Tsuchida Aki; born 29 May 1979) is a Japanese ice hockey player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Erina Takahashi, born in the city of Kushiro in Hokkaidō, Japan, is a Lead Principal dancer with the English National…Erina Takahashi, born in the city of Kushiro in Hokkaidō, Japan, is a Lead Principal dancer with the English National Ballet. She was the Critics Circle Best Female Newcomer in 2001.
Yuki Sasaki (佐々木 有生, Sasaki Yūki; born September 12, 1976) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist that has…Yuki Sasaki (佐々木 有生, Sasaki Yūki; born September 12, 1976) is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist that has fought for Shooto, DEEP, World Victory Road, Pancrase and the UFC.
Eriko Sanmiya (三宮 恵利子, Sanmiya Eriko; born 19 September 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1998…Eriko Sanmiya (三宮 恵利子, Sanmiya Eriko; born 19 September 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Yuji Iizuka (飯塚 祐司, Iizuka Yūji; born 17 May 1974) is a Japanese retired ice hockey player and the head coach for the…Yuji Iizuka (飯塚 祐司, Iizuka Yūji; born 17 May 1974) is a Japanese retired ice hockey player and the head coach for the Japanese women's national ice hockey team. He coached the team at the 2019 IIHF Women's World Championship and the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Keiji Shirahata (白幡 圭史, Shirahata Keiji; born 8 October 1973) is a retired Japanese speed skater. With two silver and…Keiji Shirahata (白幡 圭史, Shirahata Keiji; born 8 October 1973) is a retired Japanese speed skater. With two silver and one bronze medals at the World All-Round Speed Skating Championships he has been the most successful Japanese long track speed skater in all-round competitions. He was ranked 4th on the Adelskalender in February 1997. Shirahata established 22 national records and was nine times national all-round champion.
Masahito Haruna (春名真仁, Haruna Masahito; born 16 July 1973) is a Japanese former professional ice hockey goaltender and…Masahito Haruna (春名真仁, Haruna Masahito; born 16 July 1973) is a Japanese former professional ice hockey goaltender and current assistant coach of the women's, women's under-18, and men's national ice hockey teams of Japan.
Tatsuki Katayama (片山 立規, Katayama Tatsuki; born 26 January 1973) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the…Tatsuki Katayama (片山 立規, Katayama Tatsuki; born 26 January 1973) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Yukinori Miyabe (宮部 行範, Miyabe Yukinori; 18 July 1968 – 7 March 2017) was a Japanese speed skater who competed in the…Yukinori Miyabe (宮部 行範, Miyabe Yukinori; 18 July 1968 – 7 March 2017) was a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics and the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Ayumu Saito (斎藤 歩, Saitō Ayumu; 20 December 1964 – 11 June 2025) was a Japanese playwright, director, actor and theatre…Ayumu Saito (斎藤 歩, Saitō Ayumu; 20 December 1964 – 11 June 2025) was a Japanese playwright, director, actor and theatre producer. He was represented by Knockout. Saito was also the director of the Japan Directors Association. Saito died on 11 June 2025, at the age of 60, following a struggle with urothelial carcinoma.
Akira Yasuda (安田 朗, Yasuda Akira) (born July 21, 1964) is a Japanese animator, character designer, game designer and…Akira Yasuda (安田 朗, Yasuda Akira) (born July 21, 1964) is a Japanese animator, character designer, game designer and mecha designer, who works under the pseudonym Akiman. Yasuda is a former employee of the video game company Capcom (joining in 1985) and has worked on many Capcom games, taking on various design roles for works such as the Final Fight series and Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (including their updates). He has also been involved in anime production, most notably Turn A Gundam, Overman King Gainer and Code Geass. He also went to the United States to work on Red Dead Revolver for Angel Studios. When the studio was bought by Rockstar Games, he returned to Japan, where he officially left Capcom in 2003 and started working as a freelance artist.
Luna H. Mitani (born December 22, 1963, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese-American artist. He works in the…Luna H. Mitani (born December 22, 1963, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan) is a Japanese-American artist. He works in the fields of painting and pen & ink drawing. After traveling through more than 33 countries in Europe including England and Ireland, Mitani began his fine art training in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Afterward, he continued traveling around the world for sketching. After completing the training, he became interested in commercial art, and moved to the US to study commercial art, while beginning his career as a professional artist for the publishers and entertainment industry. He was soon called upon to design and create LP-record, music tape and CD covers for artists such as George Benson, The Platters, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Thad Jones, Yardbird, Chet Baker, Wayne Henderson, Dan Moretti, Coale Johnson, The Highland Project, Rue Davis, Bobby Warren, and more. His CD cover works led him to work on designing posters, magazine covers, and comprehensive packaging design. Mitani has been featured in several exhibitions in Los Angeles, California. After that, he has received a great deal of attention in Japan for his American works and was appointed Head Advisor for the Yoyogi Animation School, the largest animation school in Japan. Mitani has been featured many times in magazines, newspapers and on television in Europe, the United States, and Japan. He resides in Hollywood, California.
Satoshi Kon (今 敏, Kon Satoshi; October 12, 1963 – August 24, 2010) was a Japanese film director, animator, screenwriter…Satoshi Kon (今 敏, Kon Satoshi; October 12, 1963 – August 24, 2010) was a Japanese film director, animator, screenwriter and manga artist from Sapporo, Hokkaido, and a member of the Japanese Animation Creators Association (JAniCA). He was a graduate of the Graphic Design department of the Musashino Art University. He is best known for his acclaimed anime films Perfect Blue (1997), Millennium Actress (2001), Tokyo Godfathers (2003), and Paprika (2006), and the TV series Paranoia Agent (2004). In 2010, Kon died of pancreatic cancer at age 46.
Yoshihiro Kitazawa (北沢 欣浩, Kitazawa Yoshihiro; born 4 August 1962) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1984…Yoshihiro Kitazawa (北沢 欣浩, Kitazawa Yoshihiro; born 4 August 1962) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics. He was born in Kushiro, Hokkaidō. In 1984 he won the silver medal in the 500 metres event. In the 1000 metres competition he finished 31st.
Maki Nomiya (Japanese: 野宮 真貴, Hepburn: Nomiya Maki; born March 12, 1960) is a Japanese singer and musician. She is…Maki Nomiya (Japanese: 野宮 真貴, Hepburn: Nomiya Maki; born March 12, 1960) is a Japanese singer and musician. She is known as the "Queen of Shibuya-kei" (渋谷系の女王, Shibuya-kei no Joō). Maki released her first solo album in 1981, and worked through the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the new wave band Portable Rock. In 1991, she became the lead singer of the band Pizzicato Five. When the group disbanded in 2001, she embarked on a solo career. She also appears singing solo on the soundtrack of the game We Love Katamari and in the 2008 Japanese version of Just One Second (Jikan Wo Tomete) by London Elektricity.
Hiroya Ebina (蝦名 大也, Ebina Hiroya; 4 January 1959 – 7 January 2026) was a Japanese politician. He was the mayor of…Hiroya Ebina (蝦名 大也, Ebina Hiroya; 4 January 1959 – 7 January 2026) was a Japanese politician. He was the mayor of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan, from 2008 to 2024 and a member of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly from 1999 until 2008. On the evening of 7 January 2026, after returning home from a meeting, he collapsed at his home in Kushiro City and was taken to a hospital, where he died of a sudden cardiac arrest the same day. He was 67.
Hiroyuki Itagaki (Japanese: 板垣 博之, Hepburn: Itagaki Hiroyuki; born April 4, 1957), better known by the pen name Keisuke…Hiroyuki Itagaki (Japanese: 板垣 博之, Hepburn: Itagaki Hiroyuki; born April 4, 1957), better known by the pen name Keisuke Itagaki (板垣 恵介, Itagaki Keisuke), is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for his martial arts series Baki the Grappler (1991–1999) and its many sequels, which together have sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history. Itagaki lives in Fuchū, Tokyo, and has been a Musashi Province Fuchū Ambassador since 2014. He is the father of fellow manga artist Paru Itagaki.
Kazuya Nakayama (中山一也) is a Japanese actor and producer known for films such as Izo and Agitator directed by Takashi…Kazuya Nakayama (中山一也) is a Japanese actor and producer known for films such as Izo and Agitator directed by Takashi Miike.
Kaoru Fukuda (福田 薫, Fukuda Kaoru; born 4 October 1955) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the…Kaoru Fukuda (福田 薫, Fukuda Kaoru; born 4 October 1955) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Kazuro Watanabe (渡辺 和郎, Watanabe Kazurō; born May 1, 1955) is a Japanese amateur astronomer and prolific discoverer of…Kazuro Watanabe (渡辺 和郎, Watanabe Kazurō; born May 1, 1955) is a Japanese amateur astronomer and prolific discoverer of minor planets. He was born in Hokkaidō, Japan and is a member of the Astronomical Society of Japan as well as of the Oriental Astronomical Association. Through publications and the direction of junior associates, this asteroid hunter has been responsible for the discovery of nearly 700 asteroids, many of them in association with Kin Endate. He is the author or co-author of the Japanese publications Asteroid Hunter (小惑星ハンター), Celestial Body Photography Manual (天体写真マニュアル), The Celestial Sky of Our Dreams (僕らの夢の星空), as well as others. He is also a frequent contributor to the Japanese periodical Monthly Astronomical Guide (月刊天文ガイド). The minor planet 4155 Watanabe has been named in his honor.
Hiromi Nagakura (長倉 洋海, Nagakura Hiromi; born 1952) is a Japanese photographer. In 2005 Nagakura's book Zabitto ikka…Hiromi Nagakura (長倉 洋海, Nagakura Hiromi; born 1952) is a Japanese photographer. In 2005 Nagakura's book Zabitto ikka, ie o tateru won the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award (講談社出版文化賞) for a work of photography.
Noriko Matsuda (松田紀子, Matsuda Noriko) (born 5 March 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was…Noriko Matsuda (松田紀子, Matsuda Noriko) (born 5 March 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Ayako Daidōji (Japanese: 大道寺 あや子, romanized: Daidōji Ayako, born 20 October 1948) is a Japanese far-left militant and…Ayako Daidōji (Japanese: 大道寺 あや子, romanized: Daidōji Ayako, born 20 October 1948) is a Japanese far-left militant and fugitive. She was initially a member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front (EAAJAF), and was married to the group's leader Masashi Daidōji. Following the 1974 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries bombing, Daidoji was arrested for her involvement, but was subsequently released as part of a hostage exchange following the hijacking of JAL Flight 472 by the Japanese Red Army. Following her release, Daidoji joined the Japanese Red Army and still remains at large. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Mieko Chikappu (チカップ 美恵子 Chikappu Mieko, also rendered as Chikkap or Cikap Mieko, September 9, 1948 – February 5…Mieko Chikappu (チカップ 美恵子 Chikappu Mieko, also rendered as Chikkap or Cikap Mieko, September 9, 1948 – February 5, 2010), born Mieko Iga (伊賀 美恵子 Iga Mieko), was a Japanese Ainu embroiderer, artist, poet, essayist, and Indigenous activist. "Chikappu" is a rendering of the Ainu language word "cikap" (チカㇷ゚) meaning "bird".
Masashi Daidōji (大道寺将司, Daidōji Masashi) (5 June 1948 – 24 May 2017) was a Japanese far-left militant who founded the…Masashi Daidōji (大道寺将司, Daidōji Masashi) (5 June 1948 – 24 May 2017) was a Japanese far-left militant who founded the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front and formulated the group's ideology, anti-Japaneseism. Following the group's bombing of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries headquarters in 1974, Daidōji was arrested, and sentenced to death for his role in the bombing. Daidōji remained on death row until he died of natural causes in 2017.
Takao Hikigi (引木 孝夫, Hikigi Takao; born 30 October 1944) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the men's…Takao Hikigi (引木 孝夫, Hikigi Takao; born 30 October 1944) is a Japanese ice hockey player. He competed in the men's tournaments at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Maki Hirahara (平原 麻紀, Hirahara Maki), born November 26, 1942, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan and known as Maki Carrousel…Maki Hirahara (平原 麻紀, Hirahara Maki), born November 26, 1942, in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan and known as Maki Carrousel (カルーセル 麻紀, Karūseru Maki), is a Japanese transgender actress who is represented by the talent agency Office Carrousel.
Ko Nakamura (中村 コウ, Nakamura Kō; born April 23, 1920, date of death unknown) was a Japanese discus thrower. Nakamura…Ko Nakamura (中村 コウ, Nakamura Kō; born April 23, 1920, date of death unknown) was a Japanese discus thrower. Nakamura competed the 1936 Summer Olympics, placing fourth. In 1935 she became Japanese champion. Nakamura is deceased.
Akira Ifukube (伊福部 昭, Ifukube Akira; 31 May 1914 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese composer. He is best known for…Akira Ifukube (伊福部 昭, Ifukube Akira; 31 May 1914 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese composer. He is best known for composing several entries in the Godzilla franchise as well as developing the titular monster's roar.
Yūki Obata (小畑友紀, おばた ゆうき, Obata Yuuki) (born January 9, 1962) is a Japanese manga artist born in Hokkaido, Japan. She…Yūki Obata (小畑友紀, おばた ゆうき, Obata Yuuki) (born January 9, 1962) is a Japanese manga artist born in Hokkaido, Japan. She is mainly known for her work We Were There (僕等がいた, Bokura ga Ita).