Noriko Furuya (古屋 範子, Furuya Noriko; born 14 May 1956) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Noriko Furuya (古屋 範子, Furuya Noriko; born 14 May 1956) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives as a member of the Komeito Party. Furuya is from Urawa, Saitama and a graduate of Waseda University, she was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003.
Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji; November 2, 1955 – May 26, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played…Koji Tanaka (田中 孝司, Tanaka Kōji; November 2, 1955 – May 26, 2026) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Sega Corporation is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It…Sega Corporation is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several multi-million-selling game franchises for arcades and consoles including Sonic the Hedgehog, Angry Birds, Football Manager, Phantasy Star, Puyo Puyo, Super Monkey Ball, Bayonetta, Total War, Virtua Fighter, Megami Tensei, Sakura Wars, Persona, and Yakuza. From 1983 until 2001, Sega also developed its own consoles. Sega was founded by Martin Bromley and Richard Stewart as Nihon Goraku Bussan on June 3, 1960. Shortly after, it acquired the assets of its predecessor, Service Games of Japan. In 1965, it became known as Sega Enterprises, Ltd., after acquiring Rosen Enterprises, an importer of coin-operated games. Sega developed its first coin-operated game, Periscope, in 1966. Sega was sold to Gulf and Western Industries in 1969. Following a downturn in the arcade business in the early 1980s, Sega began to develop video game consoles, starting with the SG-1000 and Master System, but struggled against competitors such as the Nintendo Entertainment System. In 1984, Sega executives David Rosen and Hayao Nakayama led a management buyout, with backing from CSK Corporation. In 1988, Sega released the Mega Drive (the "Genesis" in North America). The Mega Drive struggled against competition in Japan, but the Genesis found success overseas after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991 and briefly outsold its main competitor, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in the US. In 2001, after several commercial failures such as the 32X, Saturn, and Dreamcast, Sega stopped manufacturing consoles to become a third-party developer and publisher, and was acquired by Sammy Corporation in 2004. Sega Holdings Co., Ltd. was established in 2015; Sega Corporation was renamed to Sega Games Co., Ltd., and its arcade division was split into Sega Interactive. In 2020, Sega Games and Sega Interactive merged to become Sega Corporation. Sega's international branches, Sega of America and Sega Europe, are headquartered in Irvine, California, and London. Its development studios include its internal research and development divisions (which utilize the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sonic Team brands for several core franchise entries), Sega Sapporo Studio which mainly provides support for the Tokyo-based development teams as well as handling partial game development, and Atlus (including its R&D divisions) and five development studios in the UK and Europe: Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive, Sega Hardlight, Two Point Studios, and Rovio Entertainment (including Ruby Games). Sega is one of the world's most prolific arcade game producers and its mascot, Sonic, is internationally recognized. Sega is recognized for its video game consoles, creativity and innovations. In more recent years, it has been criticized for its business decisions and the quality of its creative output. Being the entertainment contents division of Sega Sammy Holdings, forming one half of the Sega Sammy Group, Sega also owns a toy and amusement machine company, Sega Fave, which comprises its arcade development and manufacturing divisions and two animation studios: TMS Entertainment, which animates, produces, and distributes anime, and Marza Animation Planet, which specializes in CG animation.
Mariko Yoshida (吉田 真理子, Yoshida Mariko) (born 27 July 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion.…Mariko Yoshida (吉田 真理子, Yoshida Mariko) (born 27 July 1954) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yoshida was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic Games.
Kuniaki Haishima (蓜島邦明) is a Japanese musician and composer. He is known for his music in several anime and tokusatsu…Kuniaki Haishima (蓜島邦明) is a Japanese musician and composer. He is known for his music in several anime and tokusatsu shows, as well as video games, films and dorama. His compositions for the Fuji TV series Tales of the Unusual are his most famous work, though he also composed the soundtrack for Metroid: Other M for the Wii, for which he is known abroad.
Yukihide Takekawa (タケカワ ユキヒデ(武川 行秀, Takekawa Yukihide; born October 22, 1952) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and…Yukihide Takekawa (タケカワ ユキヒデ(武川 行秀, Takekawa Yukihide; born October 22, 1952) is a Japanese singer, songwriter and composer from Urawa-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture. He is best known for being the vocalist to the band Godiego as well as his solo career and his work as an author. Some of his compositions have been featured in video game, anime, films, and television drama soundtracks. These include the Galaxy Express 999 film, Saiyūki, Genesis Climber MOSPEADA, Soul Blazer, and Choushinsei Flashman. One of his most popular songs was "Gandhara", which was translated into foreign languages many times and changed more than once during the translation. The Japanese version of Return to Oz has "Keep On Dreamin'", performed by Godiego's Yukihide Takekawa, which was later re-recorded for one of his albums. His daughter Ai is also a musician and has been featured on the soundtrack of InuYasha Kanketsu-Hen.
Mari Amachi (天地 真理, Amachi Mari; born November 5, 1951) is a Japanese female singer and actress, who was famous in…Mari Amachi (天地 真理, Amachi Mari; born November 5, 1951) is a Japanese female singer and actress, who was famous in 1970s' Japan. On October 1, 1971, she debuted with the single "Mizuiro no Koi." She was born as Mari Saito in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture. She got five Oricon No.1 songs, a record as a female singer which was later broken by Seiko Matsuda. She started the era of Japanese idols in the 1970s and 1980s. Mari Amachi was the top female vocalist of Sony Music Entertainment in Japan.
Noriaki "Nori" Bunasawa (樗沢憲昭, Bunasawa Noriaki; born November 3, 1947) is a Japanese and American judoka, a former USA…Noriaki "Nori" Bunasawa (樗沢憲昭, Bunasawa Noriaki; born November 3, 1947) is a Japanese and American judoka, a former USA judo coach at the 1972 Olympic games in Munich and at the 1975 World Judo Championships in Vienna. He is also a judo and jujutsu researcher, Japanese martial arts historian, actor, and co-author of The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived, a novel based on the life of Mitsuyo Maeda. He founded the Judo Journal newspaper which became Judo Jiujitsu Pro-fighting Journal. He was also the press chief for the IJF at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. He is also the founder of Jūkkendo (柔拳道), a martial arts system based on the prize fighting methods of Mitsuyo Maeda.
Nobuo Kawakami (川上 信夫, Kawakami Nobuo; born October 4, 1947) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Nobuo Kawakami (川上 信夫, Kawakami Nobuo; born October 4, 1947) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Midori Nakano (中野 翠, Nakano Midori; b. Urawa, Saitama, 21 July 1946) is a Japanese columnist and essayist who has…Midori Nakano (中野 翠, Nakano Midori; b. Urawa, Saitama, 21 July 1946) is a Japanese columnist and essayist who has written extensively in Sunday Mainichi magazine. She is a graduate of Waseda University.
Mitsuo Hagita (萩田光雄, Hagita Mitsuo), born June 16, 1946, in Shizuoka, Japan, is a Japanese arranger, composer and…Mitsuo Hagita (萩田光雄, Hagita Mitsuo), born June 16, 1946, in Shizuoka, Japan, is a Japanese arranger, composer and musical producer.
Yoko Shinozaki (篠崎 洋子, Shinozaki Yōko; born January 29, 1945) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She…Yoko Shinozaki (篠崎 洋子, Shinozaki Yōko; born January 29, 1945) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a major player to help Japanese women's national volleyball, team to dominate the World in 1962-67 by winning 1962 FIVB Women's World Championship, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and 1967 FIVB Women's World Championship in row.
Masaru Nashimoto (梨元 勝, Nashimoto Masaru; 1 December 1944 – 21 August 2010) was a Japanese reporter who specialized in…Masaru Nashimoto (梨元 勝, Nashimoto Masaru; 1 December 1944 – 21 August 2010) was a Japanese reporter who specialized in covering show-business gossip and scandals. He was born in Nakano, Tokyo.
Hiroshi Kume (久米 宏, Kume Hiroshi; 14 July 1944 – 1 January 2026) was a Japanese television and radio presenter…Hiroshi Kume (久米 宏, Kume Hiroshi; 14 July 1944 – 1 January 2026) was a Japanese television and radio presenter, journalist, author, and goodwill ambassador for Germany. He was the host of the TBS radio talk show Kume Hiroshi Radio Nandesukedo. From 1978 to 1985, he served as host of pop music show The Best Ten. From October 1985 to March 2004, he was the anchor for TV Asahi's news program News Station.
Nobuo Sekine (関根 伸夫, Sekine Nobuo; September 19, 1942 – May 13, 2019) was a Japanese sculptor who resided in both…Nobuo Sekine (関根 伸夫, Sekine Nobuo; September 19, 1942 – May 13, 2019) was a Japanese sculptor who resided in both Tokyo, Japan, and Los Angeles, California. A graduate of Tama Art University, he was one of the key members of Mono-ha, a group of artists who became prominent in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Mono-ha artists explored the encounter between natural and industrial materials, arranging them or interacting with them in mostly unaltered, ephemeral states. Sekine’s signature materials included earth, water, stone, oilclay, sponge, steel plates, among others. His Phase—Mother Earth, consisting of a hole dug into the ground, 2.7 meters deep and 2.2 meters in diameter, with the excavated earth compacted into a cylinder of exactly the same dimensions, is considered to have initiated the Mono-ha movement. Later credited as the "big bang" of the movement, the work not only attracted the attention of fellow Tama students but also Lee Ufan, who was senior to Sekine and in search of a theoretical framework for new art. This work led to an intense intellectual exchange between Sekine and Lee, involving other Tama students, that served as a foundational theory of Mono-ha, that combined Sekine’s principle of “not making” (tsukuranai koto) and Lee’s idea of “the world as-it-is” (arugamama no sekai), setting a stage for themselves and their peers to embark on a full-fledged exploration of mono (things), which became the name for their movement. Sekine’s own work rapidly progressed from Phase—Mother Earth to Phase-Sponge (1968) and Phase of Nothingness - Oil Clay (1969), with all of these works receiving top awards at major competitions. By 1970, Sekine established himself as a young but rising figure of contemporary art, being invited, along with Shusaku Arakawa, to exhibit in the Japanese pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 1970, by the critic Yoshiaki Tōno. While Arakawa filled the pavilion’s interior, Sekine erected a large-scale outdoor sculpture, Phase of Nothingness. Despite these attentions, the artist departed the Mono-ha practice and established Kankyō Bijutsu Kenkyūjo (Environment Art Studio) in 1973 to focus primarily on public sculpture.
Motoaki Inukai (犬飼 基昭, Inukai Motoaki; born 5 July 1942 in Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former…Motoaki Inukai (犬飼 基昭, Inukai Motoaki; born 5 July 1942 in Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former association football player. He played for Mitsubishi Motors. He was the eleventh President of Japan Football Association from 2008 to 2010.
Mari Shimizu (Japanese: 清水 マリ, Hepburn: Shimizu Mari; born 7 June 1936) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with 81…Mari Shimizu (Japanese: 清水 マリ, Hepburn: Shimizu Mari; born 7 June 1936) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with 81 Produce. She is known for voicing the titular protagonist of the 1963 Astro Boy television series and its 1980 colour remake, Belo in Humanoid Monster Bem, and the titular protagonist of Jetter Mars.
Isamu Ihara (井原 勇, Ihara Isamu; 17 November 1926 – 7 October 2007) was a Japanese politician. He was the last mayor of…Isamu Ihara (井原 勇, Ihara Isamu; 17 November 1926 – 7 October 2007) was a Japanese politician. He was the last mayor of Yono, Saitama. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, Ihara joined Niigata Engineering in 1950. He was appointed as treasurer of Yono in April 1979. Ihara won in the mayoral election held in April 1983, succeeding Saburō Shiratori, who had governed Yono for 24 years. He served as mayor for 18 years until the city of Yono was dissolved to form the city of Saitama on 1 May 2001. He also served as acting mayor of Saitama until Sōichi Aikawa was elected as its first mayor on 27 May 2001. Ihara did not run in the mayoral election to maintain neutrality. Ihara died of pneumonia at age 80. A statue of him was built at the ward office of Chūō to honor him in 2008.
Kuniko Miyake (三宅 邦子, Miyake Kuniko; 17 September 1916 – 4 November 1992) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in…Kuniko Miyake (三宅 邦子, Miyake Kuniko; 17 September 1916 – 4 November 1992) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in nearly 200 films between 1934 and 1991.
Ko Takamoro (高師 康, Takamoro Ko; November 9, 1907 – March 26, 1995) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Ko Takamoro (高師 康, Takamoro Ko; November 9, 1907 – March 26, 1995) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Momoko Ishii (石井 桃子, Ishii Momoko; March 10, 1907 – April 2, 2008) was a Japanese writer and translator of children's…Momoko Ishii (石井 桃子, Ishii Momoko; March 10, 1907 – April 2, 2008) was a Japanese writer and translator of children's books. She was the first member of the Japan Art Academy from the field of children's literature.
Suda Kokuta (Japanese: 須田 剋太; 1 May 1906 – 14 July 1990) was a Japanese artist of the 20th century. He is known for his…Suda Kokuta (Japanese: 須田 剋太; 1 May 1906 – 14 July 1990) was a Japanese artist of the 20th century. He is known for his paintings and calligraphy.
Saburo Hasumi (蓮見 三郎, Hasumi Saburō; born 23 January 1896, date of death unknown) was a Japanese middle-distance…Saburo Hasumi (蓮見 三郎, Hasumi Saburō; born 23 January 1896, date of death unknown) was a Japanese middle-distance runner. He competed in the men's 800 metres at the 1920 Summer Olympics.
Takeru Satoh (佐藤 健, Satō Takeru; born 21 March 1989) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his leading role as…Takeru Satoh (佐藤 健, Satō Takeru; born 21 March 1989) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his leading role as Ryotaro Nogami in the Kamen Rider Den-O franchise, and as Himura Kenshin in the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film and its sequels. In 2025, he starred in and co-executive produced the musical drama Glass Heart for Netflix.
Mamoru Miyano (宮野 真守, Miyano Mamoru; born June 8, 1983) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known for his voice…Mamoru Miyano (宮野 真守, Miyano Mamoru; born June 8, 1983) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known for his voice acting roles in Death Note, Inazuma Eleven, Steins;Gate, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Durarara!!, Soul Eater, Wolf's Rain, Ouran High School Host Club, Oshi No Ko, Ajin: Demi-Human, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Free!, Hunter x Hunter, Chihayafuru, Bungo Stray Dogs, Persona 5, Zombieland Saga, Fire Force, and Pluto. Nominated for the "Best Lead Actor Award" at the 1st Seiyu Awards in 2007 for his role as Light Yagami in Death Note, at the 2nd Seiyu Awards in 2008, he won the award for his role as Setsuna F. Seiei in Mobile Suit Gundam 00 and Hakugen Rikuson in Kōtetsu Sangokushi. That same year, he won the "Best Voice Actor" award at the 2008 Tokyo International Anime Fair. His debut single, "Kuon" (久遠; lit. Eternity), was released under King Records in 2007. In March 2009, his debut album, Break, was released.
Manatsu Akimoto (秋元 真夏, Akimoto Manatsu; born August 20, 1993) is a Japanese actress. She is a former first generation…Manatsu Akimoto (秋元 真夏, Akimoto Manatsu; born August 20, 1993) is a Japanese actress. She is a former first generation member of the idol girl group Nogizaka46. Akimoto was the last first generation member to graduate Nogizaka46 after being in the group for over 11 years since its debut on February 22, 2012. Her graduation concert was held on February 26, 2023.
Rumi Okubo (大久保 瑠美, Ōkubo Rumi; born September 27, 1989) is a Japanese voice actress associated with 81 Produce. She…Rumi Okubo (大久保 瑠美, Ōkubo Rumi; born September 27, 1989) is a Japanese voice actress associated with 81 Produce. She voiced Ako Shirabe/Cure Muse in Suite PreCure and Mia Ageha in Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future. She won an award for Best Female Newcomer at the 7th Seiyu Awards.
Ayaka Ōhashi (大橋 彩香, Ōhashi Ayaka; born September 13, 1994) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokyo. She is…Ayaka Ōhashi (大橋 彩香, Ōhashi Ayaka; born September 13, 1994) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokyo. She is affiliated with the talent agency INSPION Agency. As a singer, she is signed under Lantis. Originally a child actress, she appeared in many commercials, dramas, NHK Educational TV programs, and stage productions. After participating in an audition sponsored by Horipro, she played her first main role as Fleur Blanc in the anime Eureka Seven AO in 2012. She is known for her roles as Ran Shibuki in Aikatsu!, Uzuki Shimamura in The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, Vodka in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, and Sāya Yamabuki in BanG Dream!; as Sāya, she is a member of the band Poppin'Party as its drummer. She also performed theme songs for anime such as Masamune-kun's Revenge, and Knight's & Magic.
Hiroshi Masuoka (増岡 弘, Masuoka Hiroshi; August 7, 1936 – March 21, 2020) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator…Hiroshi Masuoka (増岡 弘, Masuoka Hiroshi; August 7, 1936 – March 21, 2020) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Minami, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. He famously voiced the roles of Masuo Fuguta in Sazae-san and Uncle Jam in Let's Go! Anpanman. He also voiced Master Roshi in the last episodes of Dragon Ball Z and all of Dragon Ball GT, following the death of Kōhei Miyauchi. He was last affiliated with the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society.
Kinya Aikawa (愛川 欽也, Aikawa Kin'ya; June 25, 1934 – April 15, 2015), born Toshiaki Ikawa (井川 敏明, Ikawa Toshiaki), was a…Kinya Aikawa (愛川 欽也, Aikawa Kin'ya; June 25, 1934 – April 15, 2015), born Toshiaki Ikawa (井川 敏明, Ikawa Toshiaki), was a Japanese actor, tarento and voice actor. He was born in Tokyo and died in 2015 of lung cancer.
Koichi Takemasa (武正 公一, Takemasa Kōichi; born 23 March 1961) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Koichi Takemasa (武正 公一, Takemasa Kōichi; born 23 March 1961) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party. A native of Shimizu, Shizuoka and graduate of Keio University he was elected for the first time in 1995 after an unsuccessful run in 1991.
Satomi Arai (新井 里美, Arai Satomi; born July 4, 1980) is a Japanese voice actress. She married Yoshimitsu Shimoyama in…Satomi Arai (新井 里美, Arai Satomi; born July 4, 1980) is a Japanese voice actress. She married Yoshimitsu Shimoyama in 2008 and had a son in 2010. Her husband's identity was later disclosed in 2016.
Yuki Koyanagi (小柳 ゆき, Koyanagi Yuki; born January 26, 1982) is a Japanese pop singer. She released her first single…Yuki Koyanagi (小柳 ゆき, Koyanagi Yuki; born January 26, 1982) is a Japanese pop singer. She released her first single, "Anata no kisu o kazoemashô – You Were Mine" on September 15, 1999. This song was a huge hit in Japan and made the 17-year-old a sensation overnight. Her second album, Expansion, sold over 1.3 million copies, and it features her biggest chart hit, "Aijo". She has done several albums (in English) of cover songs, including disco and movie standards. After a break of several years, her album Sunrise was released in March 2007.
Nanao Arai (荒井 菜々緒, Arai Nanao; born October 28, 1988) known professionally by her mononym Nanao (菜々緒), is a Japanese…Nanao Arai (荒井 菜々緒, Arai Nanao; born October 28, 1988) known professionally by her mononym Nanao (菜々緒), is a Japanese actress and model who is affiliated with Platinum Production.
Noriyuki Shiroishi (城石 憲之, Shiroishi Noriyuki; born April 17, 1973 in Omiya, Saitama, Japan) is a former Nippon…Noriyuki Shiroishi (城石 憲之, Shiroishi Noriyuki; born April 17, 1973 in Omiya, Saitama, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder.