Rian Kaneda (梨杏, Kaneda Rian; born February 3, 2005), better known by her ring name Rian (金田りあん), is a Japanese…Rian Kaneda (梨杏, Kaneda Rian; born February 3, 2005), better known by her ring name Rian (金田りあん), is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Ren Fukushima (福島 蓮, Fukushima Ren; born April 25, 2003 in Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan) is a Japanese professional…Ren Fukushima (福島 蓮, Fukushima Ren; born April 25, 2003 in Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Ren Tazawa (田澤 廉, Tazawa Ren, born 11 November 2000) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who specializes in the 10,000…Ren Tazawa (田澤 廉, Tazawa Ren, born 11 November 2000) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who specializes in the 10,000 metres. He won the 10,000 metres at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships.
NGT48 (pronounced "N.G.T. Forty-eight") is a Japanese girl group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. NGT48 is named after…NGT48 (pronounced "N.G.T. Forty-eight") is a Japanese girl group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. NGT48 is named after Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture, where the group is based. The group performs at the NGT48 Theater which is located in the fourth floor of the LoveLa2 shopping mall in Niigata City. After then-member Maho Yamaguchi's assault in December 2018, after which she had claimed that the management had done nothing to address other NGT48 members allegedly involved in assisting her attackers, in April 2019, the NGT48 management dissolved the team system, with all current members unified according to generations.
Yuto Sashinami (差波 優人, Sashinami Yūto; born June 28, 1993) is a Japanese football player who plays for Tokyo Musashino…Yuto Sashinami (差波 優人, Sashinami Yūto; born June 28, 1993) is a Japanese football player who plays for Tokyo Musashino City FC.
Minami Uwano (上野 みなみ, Uwano Minami; born 18 May 1991) is a Japanese racing cyclist. She competed in the 2013 UCI…Minami Uwano (上野 みなみ, Uwano Minami; born 18 May 1991) is a Japanese racing cyclist. She competed in the 2013 UCI women's road race in Florence. At the 2015 UCI Track Cycling World Championships she won a silver medal in the points race. She competed at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games.
Chiharu Icho (伊調 千春, Ichō Chiharu; born October 6, 1981 in Hachinohe, Aomori) is a Japanese wrestler who competed in…Chiharu Icho (伊調 千春, Ichō Chiharu; born October 6, 1981 in Hachinohe, Aomori) is a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 48 kg weight class at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, winning the silver medal at both Games. Her younger sister Kaori is also a wrestler who competed in the 63 kg weight class at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal in her event at each of the four Olympics. Chiharu has won the Asian Championship twice and the World Championships three times.
Sayaka Sasaki (born 18 January 1981) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors of Japan…Sayaka Sasaki (born 18 January 1981) is a Japanese politician who was a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2013 to 2025.
Hitomi Obara née Sakamoto (小原 日登美, Obara Hitomi; 4 January 1981 – 18 July 2025) was a Japanese female wrestler from…Hitomi Obara née Sakamoto (小原 日登美, Obara Hitomi; 4 January 1981 – 18 July 2025) was a Japanese female wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori. She was Captain in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. On 8 August 2012, Obara won the women's 48kg freestyle wrestling gold in her first Olympic Games at London's Excel Arena. She had retired from competitive wrestling after winning the gold medal at the London Olympics. Hitomi Obara died on 18 July 2025, at the age of 44. She had previously been diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder.
Yamato Tamura (田村 岳斗, Tamura Yamato; born May 28, 1979) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitor. As a…Yamato Tamura (田村 岳斗, Tamura Yamato; born May 28, 1979) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitor. As a single skater, he is a two-time Japanese national champion and represented Japan at the 1998 Winter Olympics, placing 17th.
Yoko Kondo (近藤 陽子, Kondō Yōko; born February 13, 1979) is a Japanese ice hockey player, and is considered one of her…Yoko Kondo (近藤 陽子, Kondō Yōko; born February 13, 1979) is a Japanese ice hockey player, and is considered one of her country's best defenseman. She is the only player to qualify for both the 1998 and 2014 Winter Olympics. Kondo was the oldest player on the 2014 team, for which she switched to the forward position.
Kengo Hanazawa (花沢 健吾, Hanazawa Kengo; born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his seinen works. He…Kengo Hanazawa (花沢 健吾, Hanazawa Kengo; born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his seinen works. He won the Topic Award of the 2005 Sense of Gender Awards for Ressentiment and was nominated for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Manga Taisho for I Am a Hero. In 2013, I Am a Hero won the 58th Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category. I Am a Hero has received a live-action film adaptation, directed by Shinsuke Sato. His series Boys on the Run was also adapted into a live-action film in 2010. He formerly worked as Osamu Uoto's assistant.
Yuzuki Muroi (室井 佑月, Muroi Yuzuki; born February 27, 1970, in Aomori Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese novelist…Yuzuki Muroi (室井 佑月, Muroi Yuzuki; born February 27, 1970, in Aomori Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese novelist, essayist, and tarento represented by O.K. Production.
Mitsuhiro Murata (村田 光弘, Murata Mitsuhiro; born January 26, 1970) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who is…Mitsuhiro Murata (村田 光弘, Murata Mitsuhiro; born January 26, 1970) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater who is now a coach. He placed 23rd in the 1992 Winter Olympics.
Masayo Tanabu (田名部 匡代, Tanabu Masayo; born 10 July 1969) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Councillors…Masayo Tanabu (田名部 匡代, Tanabu Masayo; born 10 July 1969) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Kosei Akaishi (赤石 光生, Akaishi Kōsei; born 26 February 1965) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984…Kosei Akaishi (赤石 光生, Akaishi Kōsei; born 26 February 1965) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics, in the 1988 Summer Olympics, and in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Tenetsu Saijō (最上典悦, Saijō Tenetsu; born October 28, 1964), better known by his stage name of Goblin (ゴブリン, Goburin)…Tenetsu Saijō (最上典悦, Saijō Tenetsu; born October 28, 1964), better known by his stage name of Goblin (ゴブリン, Goburin), is a Japanese narrator and impressionist from Hachinohe, Aomori. He is currently attached to Office Osawa; he was previously attached to the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society, Jinsei Pro, and Across Entertainment. His impression repertoire includes the likes of Naoto Takenaka, Masayuki Suzuki, Hiroshi Kamayatsu, Yūzō Kayama and Akira Fuse.
Motome Takisawa (滝沢 求, Takisawa Motome; born 11 October 1958) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic…Motome Takisawa (滝沢 求, Takisawa Motome; born 11 October 1958) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party. He served as member of the House of Councillors for Aomori at-large district.
Tsutomu Okabori (岡堀 勉, Okabori Tsutomu; born 10 July 1957) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Tsutomu Okabori (岡堀 勉, Okabori Tsutomu; born 10 July 1957) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics and 1978 Asian Games. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He…Misugiiso Takuya (born 11 May 1956 as Hidenori Kamisawa) is a former sumo wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1971, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He was a member of Hanakago stable and served as sword-bearer to his stablemate Wajima during the yokozuna dohyo-iri. He retired in September 1986, and as of 2021 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Minezaki. He was the head coach of Minezaki stable which he founded in 1988 until its closure in 2021. He speaks English due to his frequent trips to Hawaii. He is married with one son. After reaching 65 years of age in May 2021 he was re-employed for a further five years as a consultant and is currently working at Shibatayama stable. Nicknamed "Drone master", Misugiiso is known for his passion for drones piloting his own machines and having accumulated over 280 hours of flight handling. In December 2021, he was asked by the Japan Sumo Association to collaborate on an aerial photography project of the Ryōgoku Kokugikan.
Tadashi Ogasawara (小笠原 嘉, Ogasawara Tadashi; born 21 June 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team…Tadashi Ogasawara (小笠原 嘉, Ogasawara Tadashi; born 21 June 1955) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the…Yoshiaki Ogasawara (小笠原 義明, Ogasawara Yoshiaki; born 29 April 1954) is a Japanese former cyclist. He competed in the team pursuit event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was also a professional keirin cyclist.
Tadamori Ōshima (Japanese: 大島 理森, Hepburn: Ōshima Tadamori; born 6 September 1946) is a former Japanese politician who…Tadamori Ōshima (Japanese: 大島 理森, Hepburn: Ōshima Tadamori; born 6 September 1946) is a former Japanese politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he previously served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Toshifumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村寿文 Nakamura Toshifumi; 4 August 1939 – 1 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. A…Toshifumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村寿文 Nakamura Toshifumi; 4 August 1939 – 1 December 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party and later the Democratic Party, he served as mayor of Hachinohe from 2001 to 2005. He was a member of the Aomori Prefectural Assembly from 1983 to 2001 and again from 2007 to 2015. Nakamura died on 1 December 2024, at the age of 85.
Masami Tanabu (田名部 匡省, Tanabu Masami) (7 December 1934 – 26 March 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Masami Tanabu (田名部 匡省, Tanabu Masami) (7 December 1934 – 26 March 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hachinohe, Aomori and graduate of Rikkyo University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after serving in the Aomori Prefectural Assembly for two terms and then in the House of Representatives for six terms. Tanabu was a past head coach of the Japan national ice hockey team. He also competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics and the 1964 Winter Olympics. Tanabu died due to septic shock in hospital in Hachinohe, on 26 March 2025, at the age of 90.
Kihei Tomioka (富岡 喜平, Tomioka Kihei; 6 January 1932 – 14 August 2007) was a Japanese cyclist. He competed in five…Kihei Tomioka (富岡 喜平, Tomioka Kihei; 6 January 1932 – 14 August 2007) was a Japanese cyclist. He competed in five events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He won the gold medal in the team pursuit and in the road race at the 1951 Asian Games.
Taketsugu Asazaka (born 24 July 1930) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in four events at the 1956 Winter…Taketsugu Asazaka (born 24 July 1930) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in four events at the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Hideo Oguni (小国 英雄, Oguni Hideo; 9 July 1904 – 5 February 1996) was a Japanese writer who wrote over 100 screenplays.…Hideo Oguni (小国 英雄, Oguni Hideo; 9 July 1904 – 5 February 1996) was a Japanese writer who wrote over 100 screenplays. He is best known for co-writing screenplays for a number of films directed by Akira Kurosawa, including Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954), Throne of Blood (1957), and The Hidden Fortress (1958).
Hani Motoko (Japanese: 羽仁 もと子; 1873–1957) is considered to be Japan's first female journalist. Born into a former…Hani Motoko (Japanese: 羽仁 もと子; 1873–1957) is considered to be Japan's first female journalist. Born into a former samurai family, Hani was born Matsuoka Motoko in Aomori Prefecture and was baptized a Christian in 1890. She was educated at Tokyo First Higher Women's School and then at the Meiji Women's Christian School. After leaving school in 1892, she taught school in Hachinohe and in Morioka. Her marriage in 1895 did not work out and she moved to Tokyo, working as a maid for a female doctor. She joined Hochi Shinbun in 1897, working first as a copy editor and later becoming a reporter. In 1901, she married a co-worker, Hani Yoshikazu. Together, they founded a new magazine called Fujin no Tomo (Women's friend) in 1908. An association of readers of that magazine was established in 1930 which still existed as of 1999. In 1921, the couple founded a private school for girls, Jiyu Gakuen. She wrote an autobiography in 1928 titled Speaking of Myself.
Junichi Kanda (神田 潤一) (born September 27, 1970) is a Japanese politician and businessman. He is a member of the House…Junichi Kanda (神田 潤一) (born September 27, 1970) is a Japanese politician and businessman. He is a member of the House of Representatives (for two terms) belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Kanda has served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office, Bank of Japan official, and Financial Services Agency official.
Masako Katsuki (勝生 真沙子, Katsuki Masako; born Shiono (塩野), October 15, 1958) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and…Masako Katsuki (勝生 真沙子, Katsuki Masako; born Shiono (塩野), October 15, 1958) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator formerly affiliated with Theater Echo and now with 81 Produce. Following her debut in Shiroi Kiba: White Fang Monotagari as the role of Mary Scott, Katsuki has lent her voice to several notable anime, Japanese-dubbed films and TV series, games, drama CDs, narration, and commercials. Some of her best-known roles include: Maria Von Trapp in Trapp Family Story, Reccoa Londe in Zeta Gundam, Maya Kitajima in Glass Mask, Masuyo Ikari in High School! Kimengumi, Michiru Kaioh/Sailor Neptune in Sailor Moon and Tsunade in Naruto.
Marimo Ragawa (Japanese: 羅川 真里茂, Hepburn: Ragawa Marimo; born September 21 in Hachinohe, Aomori) is a Japanese manga…Marimo Ragawa (Japanese: 羅川 真里茂, Hepburn: Ragawa Marimo; born September 21 in Hachinohe, Aomori) is a Japanese manga artist. She began submitting manga to comic magazines when she was only 12 years old, in the sixth grade of elementary school. She continued to send her manga to the same magazine for four years, but failed to receive a positive critical reception. Ragawa then decided to switch to a different magazine, Hana to Yume. Her first submission to this magazine won a prize called the "Top Prize" (トップ賞). Two years later in 1990, she succeeded in achieving her debut with her one-shot manga Time Limit (タイムリミット), published in Hana to Yume issue No. 22. Ragawa continued to create long-running manga series such as Baby & Me, New York New York, and Itsudemo Otenki Kibun. In 1995, she won the 40th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category for Baby & Me. In 2012, she won both the 36th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category and an Excellence Award at the 16th Japan Media Arts Festival for Those Snow White Notes.
Miki Furukawa (古川 美季, Furukawa Miki; professionally written as フルカワミキ) (born February 19, 1979) is a Japanese musician.…Miki Furukawa (古川 美季, Furukawa Miki; professionally written as フルカワミキ) (born February 19, 1979) is a Japanese musician. From 1995 to 2005 she was the bass player and vocalist of the indie rock band Supercar. She released her first solo record in 2006.
Kaori Icho (Japanese: 伊調 馨, Hepburn: Ichō Kaori; born 13 June 1984) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She is a ten-time…Kaori Icho (Japanese: 伊調 馨, Hepburn: Ichō Kaori; born 13 June 1984) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She is a ten-time World Champion and four-time Olympic Champion, winning gold in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Icho was undefeated between 2003 and 2016. On 29 January 2016 at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin 2016 Icho lost to Pürevdorjiin Orkhon of Mongolia. This was her first loss after a long domination. She is the first female in any sport to win individual-event gold at four consecutive Olympics. On October 20, 2016, she was awarded the People's Honour Award by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for her achievements, the second wrestler to receive the highest award, after Saori Yoshida in 2012. She is the younger sister of Chiharu Icho.
