Ryujin Nasukawa (born May 16, 2006) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is the reigning ISKA K-1 World Strawweight champion and…Ryujin Nasukawa (born May 16, 2006) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is the reigning ISKA K-1 World Strawweight champion and RISE Super Flyweight World champion. As of October 2024, he was the #10 ranked -53 kg kickboxer in the world according to Beyond Kickboxing.
Hidetaka Maie (真家 英嵩, Maie Hidetaka; born 28 July 2003) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a striker for J3 League…Hidetaka Maie (真家 英嵩, Maie Hidetaka; born 28 July 2003) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a striker for J3 League club FC Ryukyu on loan from Kashiwa Reysol.
Ibu Yamazaki (Japanese: 山﨑 一渉; born 10 July 2003) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Sun Rockers Shibuya…Ibu Yamazaki (Japanese: 山﨑 一渉; born 10 July 2003) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Sun Rockers Shibuya of the B.League. He plays as a small forward. Yamazaki represented Japan at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup and won a silver medal at the men's tournament of the 2026 Asian Games.
Masato Sasaki (佐々木 雅士, Sasaki Masato; born 1 May 2002) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Iwaki FC…Masato Sasaki (佐々木 雅士, Sasaki Masato; born 1 May 2002) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Iwaki FC, on loan from Kashiwa Reysol.
Rachid Muratake (村竹ラシッド, Muratake Rashiddo; born 6 February 2002) is a Japanese track and field athlete specializing in…Rachid Muratake (村竹ラシッド, Muratake Rashiddo; born 6 February 2002) is a Japanese track and field athlete specializing in the high hurdles. Born in Matsudo to a Togolese father and a Japanese mother, he studies at Juntendo University. His personal best in the 110 metres hurdles is 13.04 (-0.9 m/s) set in Kumagaya in 2023, which equaled the Japanese record and met the 2024 Olympic standard of 13.27. In March 2023, he also set the meet record for the event at the Sydney Track Classic in 13.25 (+0.3 m/s). He placed 5th at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he ran a time of 13.21. When he made his entrance, he performed an iconic pose from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, which became a hot topic in Japan. At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, he again placed 5th, with a time of 13.18.
Takashi Uchino (内野 貴史, Uchino Takashi; born 7 March 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Takashi Uchino (内野 貴史, Uchino Takashi; born 7 March 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Emirati club Dibba, on loan from Al Wasl.
Ryo Kubota (窪田 稜, Kubota Ryō; born 5 January 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Ryo Kubota (窪田 稜, Kubota Ryō; born 5 January 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Yokohama FC.
Kaito Mori (森 海渡, Mori Kaito; born 7 June 2000) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a striker for J2 League club…Kaito Mori (森 海渡, Mori Kaito; born 7 June 2000) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a striker for J2 League club Montedio Yamagata.
Yui Susaki (須崎 優衣, Susaki Yui; born 30 June 1999) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She won the gold medal in the…Yui Susaki (須崎 優衣, Susaki Yui; born 30 June 1999) is a Japanese freestyle wrestler. She won the gold medal in the women's 50 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics without conceding a single point to any opponent. In the 2024 Summer Olympics, she was defeated by Vinesh Phogat, her first ever loss in any international bout. She eventually won a bronze medal through the repechage bout. She is also a four-time World Champion, having won her first title in 2017. She is coached by Shoko Yoshimura.
Tenshin Nasukawa (Japanese: 那須川 天心, Nasukawa Tenshin; born August 18, 1998) is a Japanese professional boxer, former…Tenshin Nasukawa (Japanese: 那須川 天心, Nasukawa Tenshin; born August 18, 1998) is a Japanese professional boxer, former professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist. A generational talent, Nasukawa was regarded as a top pound for pound talent throughout most of his career as a professional kickboxer and one of the greatest kickboxers in the history of the sport. A professional kickboxer between 2012 and 2022, Nasukawa is the former RISE Bantamweight (55 kg) and RISE World Featherweight (57.5 kg) champion. He was also the ISKA Unified Rules Featherweight (57 kg) and Oriental Rules Bantamweight (55 kg) champion, as well as the 2017 Rizin Flyweight (57 kg) Kickboxing Tournament winner. At the end of his professional kickboxing career, in July 2022, Nasukawa was ranked as the best kickboxer under 58 kg and the best pound for pound kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.
Mamiko Matsumoto (born 9 October 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for…Mamiko Matsumoto (born 9 October 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Frauen-Bundesliga club Mainz 05.
Daiki Watanabe (渡邉 大樹, Watanabe Daiki; born June 7, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Daiki Watanabe (渡邉 大樹, Watanabe Daiki; born June 7, 1997) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes.
Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳, Hirao Chika; born 31 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper…Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳, Hirao Chika; born 31 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for WE League club Albirex Niigata and the Japan national team.
Yūki Ōhashi (大橋 祐紀, Ōhashi Yūki; born July 27, 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for…Yūki Ōhashi (大橋 祐紀, Ōhashi Yūki; born July 27, 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Blackburn Rovers and the Japan national team.
Rei Takahashi (高橋 礼, Takahashi Rei; born November 2, 1995 in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese professional…Rei Takahashi (高橋 礼, Takahashi Rei; born November 2, 1995 in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Saitama Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Yomiuri Giants.
Ken Akamatsu (born 27 April 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a left sided winger. On 2024, He has joined…Ken Akamatsu (born 27 April 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a left sided winger. On 2024, He has joined Peninsula Power FC in Australia.
Yume Okuroda (大黒田 裕芽, Ōkuroda Yume; born July 6, 1994) is a Japanese female rugby sevens player. She competed for the…Yume Okuroda (大黒田 裕芽, Ōkuroda Yume; born July 6, 1994) is a Japanese female rugby sevens player. She competed for the Japan women's national rugby sevens team at the 2016 Summer Olympics. They finished in tenth place. She was named in the Sakura Sevens squad to compete at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.
Naoyuki Uwasawa (上沢 直之, Uwasawa Naoyuki; born February 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Naoyuki Uwasawa (上沢 直之, Uwasawa Naoyuki; born February 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox.
Narumi Takahashi (高橋 成美, Takahashi Narumi; born January 15, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater and six-time…Narumi Takahashi (高橋 成美, Takahashi Narumi; born January 15, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater and six-time Japanese national champion (2009-2012, 2014, 2015). With former partner Mervin Tran, she was the 2012 World bronze medalist, the 2010 Junior World silver medalist, and the 2010–11 Junior Grand Prix Final champion. They were the first pair to win a World medal for Japan. She has also skated with Ryo Shibata, Ryuichi Kihara and Alexandr Zaboev.
Kento Nakamura (中村健人, Nakamura Kento; born October 16, 1991) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the…Kento Nakamura (中村健人, Nakamura Kento; born October 16, 1991) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 2011 NRW Trophy bronze medalist, the 2013 Bavarian Open silver medalist, a two-time medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, and the 2011 Japan junior national champion.
Naoki Hatada (畑田 真輝, Hatada Naoki; born September 11, 1990) is a Japanese former football player who last played for…Naoki Hatada (畑田 真輝, Hatada Naoki; born September 11, 1990) is a Japanese former football player who last played for Blaublitz Akita.
Hideaki Wakui (涌井 秀章, Wakui Hideaki; born June 21, 1986) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi…Hideaki Wakui (涌井 秀章, Wakui Hideaki; born June 21, 1986) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Seibu Lions / Saitama Seibu Lions, Chiba Lotte Marines, and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Wakui pitched for the Japanese national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic. His wife is a Japanese model Moe Oshikiri.
Masayuki Haga (羽賀 理之, Haga Masayuki; born November 12, 1984) is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays…Masayuki Haga (羽賀 理之, Haga Masayuki; born November 12, 1984) is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays for PeptiDream/AXE and the Japanese national team.
Haruko Obokata (小保方 晴子, Obokata Haruko; born 1983) is a former stem-cell biologist and research unit leader at Japan's…Haruko Obokata (小保方 晴子, Obokata Haruko; born 1983) is a former stem-cell biologist and research unit leader at Japan's Laboratory for Cellular Reprogramming, Riken Center for Developmental Biology. She claimed in 2014 to have developed a radical and remarkably easy way to generate stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP) cells that could be grown into tissue for use anywhere in the body. In response to allegations of irregularities in Obokata's research publications involving STAP cells, Riken launched an investigation that discovered examples of scientific misconduct on the part of Obokata. Attempts to replicate Obokata's STAP cell results failed. The ensuing STAP cell scandal gained worldwide attention.
Yuji Unozawa (宇野沢 祐次, Unozawa Yuji; born 3 May 1983) is a former Japanese football player who last played for Nagano…Yuji Unozawa (宇野沢 祐次, Unozawa Yuji; born 3 May 1983) is a former Japanese football player who last played for Nagano Parceiro.
Ryoichi Kurisawa (栗澤 僚一, Kurisawa Ryōichi; born 5 September 1982) is a Japanese football manager, he is the currently…Ryoichi Kurisawa (栗澤 僚一, Kurisawa Ryōichi; born 5 September 1982) is a Japanese football manager, he is the currently assistant manager for J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol and former player.
Kenta Shimizu (清水 健太, Shimizu Kenta; born September 18, 1981) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kamatamare…Kenta Shimizu (清水 健太, Shimizu Kenta; born September 18, 1981) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kamatamare Sanuki.
Moe Oshikiri (押切 もえ, Oshikiri Moe; born December 29, 1979 in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese model best known her…Moe Oshikiri (押切 もえ, Oshikiri Moe; born December 29, 1979 in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese model best known her work with fashion magazine AneCan and its sister magazine CanCam, which Oshikiri was a former top model for. She is also a designer, starting her own Kimono line branded under her name, as well as a hosiery line with CanCam model Yuri Ebihara called f*ing motesto. Her husband is Japanese baseball player Hideaki Wakui.
Chikayo Nagashima (永島 千佳世, Nagashima Chikayo; born January 24, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started…Chikayo Nagashima (永島 千佳世, Nagashima Chikayo; born January 24, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in 1995, working for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she became a one-time AAAW Single Champion and a record five-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. She was also notably one of the four founding members of the Oz Academy stable. Following the folding of Gaea Japan in 2005, Nagashima affiliated herself with Oz Academy, now a full-time promotion, where she has become a three-time Oz Academy Tag Team Champion and a one-time Oz Academy Openweight Champion, holding the record for the longest reign in the title's history. Nagashima remained with Oz Academy until August 2015, after which she became a freelancer.
Akiyuki Kido (木戸 章之, Kido Akiyuki; born August 28, 1975) is a Japanese former ice dancer. He competed with Nozomi…Akiyuki Kido (木戸 章之, Kido Akiyuki; born August 28, 1975) is a Japanese former ice dancer. He competed with Nozomi Watanabe. They are three-time Japanese national champions. They placed 15th at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino.
Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler…Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with various Japanese promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, JWP Joshi Puroresu and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling.
Tohru Ukawa (宇川 徹, Ukawa Tōru; born 18 May 1973) is a Japanese former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Ukawa began his…Tohru Ukawa (宇川 徹, Ukawa Tōru; born 18 May 1973) is a Japanese former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Ukawa began his Grand Prix career in 1994, racing in the 250cc world championships. He finished second to Valentino Rossi in the 1999 World Championship. In 2002, he moved up to the MotoGP class, riding for the factory Repsol Honda Grand Prix team, finishing third overall behind teammate Rossi, with a win at Phakisa in South Africa. In 2003, he finished seventh overall for the Sito Pons Pramac team before returning to a factory testing role. Ukawa won five Grand Prix races during his career and is a five-time winner of the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race.
Kōtarō Isaka (伊坂 幸太郎, Isaka Kōtarō; born 25 May 1971) is a Japanese author of mystery fiction, best known for his…Kōtarō Isaka (伊坂 幸太郎, Isaka Kōtarō; born 25 May 1971) is a Japanese author of mystery fiction, best known for his Hitman novel/manga series, including Maoh: Juvenile Remix (2007–2009), the first of which, 3 Assassins (2004, Japanese; 2022, English), was adapted as a Japanese feature film, Grasshopper (2015), and the second of which, Maria Beetle (2010, Japanese; 2021, English), was adapted as an American feature film, Bullet Train (2022).
Daisuke Enomoto (榎本 大輔, Enomoto Daisuke; born April 22, 1971, nicknamed Dice-K) is a Japanese businessman and former…Daisuke Enomoto (榎本 大輔, Enomoto Daisuke; born April 22, 1971, nicknamed Dice-K) is a Japanese businessman and former livedoor executive who hoped to become the fourth space tourist. He had trained at Star City, Moscow in Russia to fly with two members of Expedition 14 on board Soyuz TMA-9, which was launched on September 18, 2006. However, on August 21, 2006, a Russian Federal Space Agency spokesman announced that Enomoto was "deemed not ready to fly for exclusively medical reasons", although he hinted that Enomoto might recover and join a later mission. His replacement on this particular flight was Iranian-American businesswoman Anousheh Ansari. Enomoto lodged a lawsuit against Virginia-based Space Adventures in which he hoped to reclaim the $21 million he paid the company over a two-year span. During the lawsuit, it was revealed that the "medical reason" was chronic kidney stones. Space Adventures claims it advised Enomoto to treat the kidney stones aggressively and when he did not, they had to disqualify him from spaceflight. Enomoto claims that he was misled about the kidney stones issue, and that the real reason for his disqualification was his refusal to provide additional funds to Space Adventures. Enomoto would have been the first self-funded space tourist from Japan and Asia (journalist Toyohiro Akiyama flew on Soyuz TM-11 in 1990, and could be regarded as the first space business traveller). Enomoto's flight would have taken him to the International Space Station (ISS) after lifting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the world's oldest spaceport. Enomoto made international news when it was revealed that he intended to go into space wearing a costume akin to that of Char Aznable, a character from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam. His planned experiment was to put together one or more Gundam models in zero gravity.
Takeshi Kimura (木村 武史, Kimura Takeshi; born 22 October 1970 in Matsudo) is a Japanese racing driver who last competed…Takeshi Kimura (木村 武史, Kimura Takeshi; born 22 October 1970 in Matsudo) is a Japanese racing driver who last competed in the European Le Mans Series for Kessel Racing. He is an Asian Le Mans Series class champion and also won 2022 GT World Challenge Asia overall. Kimura founded Ruf Co., Ltd. in 2001 and still serves as its CEO as of 2026. In February 2015, Kimura founded CarGuy Racing and also launched SeaGuy in 2024.
Sebastian Masuda (増田 セバスチャン, Masuda Sebasuchan; born August 7, 1970), is a Japanese artist, art director, and producer…Sebastian Masuda (増田 セバスチャン, Masuda Sebasuchan; born August 7, 1970), is a Japanese artist, art director, and producer of the Harajuku shop 6%DOKIDOKI. Born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He has been active from 1995 to current day. He has directed and designed performances for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. He is known as a pioneer of kawaii culture and often referred to as the "king of kawaii" or "father of kawaii"
Sadawo Abe (阿部 サダヲ, Abe Sadawo; born Abe Takashi (阿部 隆史); April 23, 1970) is a Japanese actor, stage actor, and…Sadawo Abe (阿部 サダヲ, Abe Sadawo; born Abe Takashi (阿部 隆史); April 23, 1970) is a Japanese actor, stage actor, and musician from Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. He started his acting career after joining a theater company/talent agency, Otona Keikaku, in around 1992 and gained his popularity after the drama series Team Medical Dragon and as being the lead singer of the Japanese comedy rock band Group Tamashii. His stage name is a pun on notorious geisha Sada Abe. Abe was nominated for best actor in the 31st Japanese Academy Award for Maiko Haaaan!!!.
Ryōji Minagawa (皆川 亮二, Minagawa Ryōji; born July 5, 1964) is a Japanese manga artist born in Sumida, Tokyo. He was…Ryōji Minagawa (皆川 亮二, Minagawa Ryōji; born July 5, 1964) is a Japanese manga artist born in Sumida, Tokyo. He was invited with Spriggan story writer Hiroshi Takashige to go to a comic convention in Portugal in 1996 as a guest of honor due to his work on Spriggan. He worked on other manga comics before he went on to create Project ARMS with fellow manga artist, Kyoichi Nanatsuki. His first name is sometimes transliterated as Ryouji.
Rusher Itamae (ラッシャー板前, Rasshā Itamae; born 15 June 1963) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the Takeshi Gundan.…Rusher Itamae (ラッシャー板前, Rasshā Itamae; born 15 June 1963) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the Takeshi Gundan. His real name is Hiroshi Suzuki (鈴木 浩, Suzuki Hiroshi). Rusher Itamae is represented with Office Kitano. He graduated from Matsudo Municipal Kawarazuka Elementary School, Matsudo Municipal Tokiwadaira Junior High School, and Municipal Matsudo High School. Rusher Itamae's older brother was Uganda Tora whom he married his sister. When he appears in Ore-tachi Hyōkinzoku and advertisements with Takeshi Kitano, he appeared as Itabashi-ku no Suzuki-san (板橋区の鈴木さん).
Yutaka Wada (和田 豊; born September 2, 1962 in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan) is a retired Japanese baseball player for the…Yutaka Wada (和田 豊; born September 2, 1962 in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan) is a retired Japanese baseball player for the Hanshin Tigers. He previously worked as a hitting coach for the Hanshin Tigers prior to the 2012 season. After the team failed to make the 2011 play-offs, team manager Akinobu Mayumi was fired, and Yutaka Wada was giving the position to replace him less than a week later. He is notable for various accomplishments, which include the following: 1500 games played 1500 hits 24 game hitting streak from opening game (1997) 3 straight seasons with playing every game Golden Glove (2nd baseman) All star player (1989, 1992–1996, 1999)
Katsuhiko Ariga (有賀克彦, Ariga Katsuhiko; born 1962) is a Japanese chemist specializing in nanotechnology and…Katsuhiko Ariga (有賀克彦, Ariga Katsuhiko; born 1962) is a Japanese chemist specializing in nanotechnology and self-assembly. He was educated at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he defended his PhD in 1990 and later worked as assistant professor. Since 2004 he carries out research at the National Institute for Materials Science, and teaches at the University of Tokyo, where he is a full professor. Ariga is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2013) and an editor of the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.
