Aemu Oyama (大山 愛笑, Ōyama Aemu; IPA: [oːjama a.emɯ]; born 19 September 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who…Aemu Oyama (大山 愛笑, Ōyama Aemu; IPA: [oːjama a.emɯ]; born 19 September 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for A-Liga club HB Køge and the Japan national under-20s team.
Kouki Amarei (天麗皇希, Amarei Kōki; born January 23, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently performing in the…Kouki Amarei (天麗皇希, Amarei Kōki; born January 23, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently performing in the Japanese promotion Dream Star Fighting Marigold where she is one-half of the current Marigold Twin Star Champions in her first reign. She is previously known for her short tenure with Actwres girl'Z.
Masaru Saito (齊藤 勝, Saitō Masaru) (born January 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played…Masaru Saito (齊藤 勝, Saitō Masaru) (born January 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013 to 2014.
Yuta Arakawa (荒川 雄太, Arakawa Yūta) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who was a catcher in Nippon…Yuta Arakawa (荒川 雄太, Arakawa Yūta) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who was a catcher in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2008–2010 and the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2011 and 2012.
Ryoichi Taguchi (田口 良一, Taguchi Ryōichi; born 1 December 1986) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed…Ryoichi Taguchi (田口 良一, Taguchi Ryōichi; born 1 December 1986) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2019. He was a unified light-flyweight world champion, having held the WBA title from 2014 to 2018 and the IBF and Ring magazine titles from 2017 to 2018.
Kensuke Uchimura (内村賢介, Uchimura Kensuke; born March 17, 1986) is a Japanese baseball infielder. He previously played…Kensuke Uchimura (内村賢介, Uchimura Kensuke; born March 17, 1986) is a Japanese baseball infielder. He previously played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Pacific League.
Asuka Fukuda (福田 明日香, Fukuda Asuka) (born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese pop singer, and she was a member of Japanese…Asuka Fukuda (福田 明日香, Fukuda Asuka) (born December 17, 1984) is a Japanese pop singer, and she was a member of Japanese girl group Morning Musume from 1997 until April 18, 1999. Her only album with the group is the 1998 release First Time. She was the first ever Hello! Project member to graduate.
Karina Maruyama (丸山 桂里奈, Maruyama Karina; born 26 March 1983) is a Japanese tarento and former football player. She…Karina Maruyama (丸山 桂里奈, Maruyama Karina; born 26 March 1983) is a Japanese tarento and former football player. She played for the Japanese national team. Since her retirement, Maruyama has been active as a television personality, represented by the talent agency Horipro.
Yurie Miura (三浦 友理枝, Miura Yurie) is a Japanese pianist and actress from Oota, Tokyo. After graduating from Ferris High…Yurie Miura (三浦 友理枝, Miura Yurie) is a Japanese pianist and actress from Oota, Tokyo. After graduating from Ferris High School in Yokohama and later studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 2001, she won first prize of the Maria Canals International Music Competition.
Atsushi Aoki (青木 篤志, Aoki Atsushi; September 25, 1977 – June 3, 2019) was a Japanese professional wrestler who worked…Atsushi Aoki (青木 篤志, Aoki Atsushi; September 25, 1977 – June 3, 2019) was a Japanese professional wrestler who worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) as a wrestler, president of talent relations and head trainer at their dojo. Aoki began his career in Pro Wrestling Noah in 2005, where he went on to become a two-time winner of the Global Junior Heavyweight Tag League and hold the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice during his 7-year run with the promotion. Aoki jumped to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) in December 2012 where he became the top star of the junior heavyweight division, winning the AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship four times and the All Asia Tag Team Championship 3 times. Aoki was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 3, 2019, at the age of 41. At the time of his death, he was the reigning World Junior Heavyweight Champion.
Katsuhiro Shiratori (白鳥 勝浩, Shiratori Katsuhiro) (born October 29, 1976) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. He…Katsuhiro Shiratori (白鳥 勝浩, Shiratori Katsuhiro) (born October 29, 1976) is a beach volleyball player from Japan. He represented Japan at the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics with teammate Kentaro Asahi. He also participated in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Miwako Ichikawa (市川 実和子, Ichikawa Miwako; born 19 March 1976 in Ota, Tokyo) is a Japanese actress, sister of actress…Miwako Ichikawa (市川 実和子, Ichikawa Miwako; born 19 March 1976 in Ota, Tokyo) is a Japanese actress, sister of actress Mikako Ichikawa. She began in 1991 as a model, and released a single in 1998 and an album the following year. She debuted in acting in 2000 and starred in the films Another Heaven in 2000 and Konsento (aka Concent or Power Point) in 2002. But after that, she received minor roles in films All About Lily Chou-Chou, Karaoke Terror, Princess Raccoon, and in TV dramas, including Mike Hama or Anego with Ryoko Shinohara. She was given one of the main roles 2008 film Nightmare Detective 2.
Beauty Kokubu (ビューティーこくぶ, Byūtī Kokubu; born 12 November 1973 in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese impressionist…Beauty Kokubu (ビューティーこくぶ, Byūtī Kokubu; born 12 November 1973 in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese impressionist (monomane tarento). His real name is Hideyuki Kokubu (国分 秀之, Kokubu Hideyuki). Kokubu is represented with Big World.
Marina Watanabe (渡辺 満里奈, Watanabe Marina; born November 18, 1970) is a Japanese actress, singer, and TV-personality.…Marina Watanabe (渡辺 満里奈, Watanabe Marina; born November 18, 1970) is a Japanese actress, singer, and TV-personality. She was born in Ota, Tokyo, Japan, and is currently married to Jun Nagura of the comedy trio Neptune. She is a former Japanese idol singer who is now known as a television commentator and author who speaks about fashion, travel, personal health, and contemporary issues.
Mitsuhiro Oikawa (及川 光博, Oikawa Mitsuhiro; born October 24, 1969, in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese musician…Mitsuhiro Oikawa (及川 光博, Oikawa Mitsuhiro; born October 24, 1969, in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese musician, singer-songwriter, composer and actor who is represented by the talent agency, Mother Enterprise. He graduated from Seijo Gakuen Junior High School and High School and Seijo University Faculty of Law. He is business partners with Horipro.
Sachiko Fujita (Japanese: 藤田 幸子; born 9 January 1968) is a Japanese former volleyball and beach volleyball player who…Sachiko Fujita (Japanese: 藤田 幸子; born 9 January 1968) is a Japanese former volleyball and beach volleyball player who competed in the 1988 and in the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1988, she finished third with the Japanese team in the Olympic tournament in Seoul. Eight years later, she finished fifth with her partner Yukiko Takahashi in the beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Yukito Kishiro (木城 ゆきと, Kishiro Yukito) is a Japanese manga artist born in Tokyo in 1967 and raised in Chiba. As a…Yukito Kishiro (木城 ゆきと, Kishiro Yukito) is a Japanese manga artist born in Tokyo in 1967 and raised in Chiba. As a teenager he was influenced by the mecha anime Armored Trooper Votoms and Mobile Suit Gundam, in particular the designs of Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, as well as the works of manga artist Rumiko Takahashi. He began his career at age 17, with his debut manga, Space Oddity, in the Weekly Shonen Sunday. He is best known for the cyberpunk series Battle Angel Alita.
Akina Nakamori (中森 明菜, Nakamori Akina; born 13 July 1965) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer and…Akina Nakamori (中森 明菜, Nakamori Akina; born 13 July 1965) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. She is one of the most popular and best-selling music artists in Japan. Akina achieved national recognition after winning the 1981 season of the talent show Star Tanjō!. Her debut single "Slow Motion" was released to moderate success, peaking at number thirty on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. Nakamori's popularity increased with the release of her follow-up single, "Shōjo A", which peaked at number five on the Oricon charts and sold over 390,000 copies. Her second album Variation became her first number-one on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart, staying in that position for three weeks. She made her acting debut in 1985 with an appearance in the Japanese romance movie Ai, Tabidachi . After an extended hiatus from 2010 to 2014, Akina released two compilation albums, All Time Best: Original and All Time Best: Utahime Cover, both of which were commercially successful.
Iyo Matsumoto (松本伊代, Matsumoto Iyo; born June 21, 1965), married name Iyo Kozono (小園伊代, Kozono Iyo), is a Japanese TV…Iyo Matsumoto (松本伊代, Matsumoto Iyo; born June 21, 1965), married name Iyo Kozono (小園伊代, Kozono Iyo), is a Japanese TV personality, singer and actress who achieved significant success as a pop idol in the early 1980s. She is currently signed to the Production No Title agency.
Kirinishiki Toshirō (born 31 August 1962 as Toshirō Yamada) is a former sumo wrestler from Kiryū, Gunma, Japan. He made…Kirinishiki Toshirō (born 31 August 1962 as Toshirō Yamada) is a former sumo wrestler from Kiryū, Gunma, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1978, and reached the top division in July 1986. His highest rank was maegashira 2. He retired in November 1995, and as of 2017 he is an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Katsunoura.
Satomi Ikezawa (池沢理美, Ikezawa Satomi) is a Japanese manga artist. Her works include Guru Guru Pon-chan, Othello and…Satomi Ikezawa (池沢理美, Ikezawa Satomi) is a Japanese manga artist. Her works include Guru Guru Pon-chan, Othello and Sue-chan wa Himitsu. In 2000, she received the Kodansha Manga Award in the shōjo category for Guru Guru Pon-chan.
Fujihiko Hosono (細野 不二彦, Hosono Fujihiko; born December 2, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta…Fujihiko Hosono (細野 不二彦, Hosono Fujihiko; born December 2, 1959) is a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta, Tokyo. In 1979, he made his debut with Crusher Joe while he was a student at Keio University. Around the same time, he joined the Studio Nue (スタジオぬえ) as an animator. He has had stories published in the manga anthology series Petit Apple Pie. Hosono is the author of Gallery Fake and Tarō as well, for which two he won Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 1996.
Nobuyoshi Kuwano (桑野 信義, Kuwano Nobuyoshi; born April 4, 1957 in Ōta, Tokyo) is a Japanese television performer, former…Nobuyoshi Kuwano (桑野 信義, Kuwano Nobuyoshi; born April 4, 1957 in Ōta, Tokyo) is a Japanese television performer, former member of Rats & Star. His nickname is "Kuwa-man" (桑マン). In Rats & Star, he took charge of the trumpet and vocals. After the group broke up, he shifted to a television comedian and co-starred with The Drifters' Ken Shimura and Masashi Tashiro. He took over as lead vocalist of Rats & Star during Masayuki Suzuki's solo concert tour. He appears in some Japanese television programs as a performer. He was disappointed by Masashi Tashiro's arrest. He also said to Tashiro in public, "It's disappointing. Please atone for your crimes and thoroughly cleanse your body and soul" following Tashiro's retirement from the entertainment world.
Kiyohide Kuwata (桑田 健秀, Kuwata Kiyohide; born 3 January 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Kiyohide Kuwata (桑田 健秀, Kuwata Kiyohide; born 3 January 1953) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics, which marked his only Olympic appearance. Japan's team finished in 11th place in the competition.
Motonari Takano (Japanese: 高野 元成, Hepburn: Takano Motonari; January 12, 1951 - April 1, 2006), better known as Ai…Motonari Takano (Japanese: 高野 元成, Hepburn: Takano Motonari; January 12, 1951 - April 1, 2006), better known as Ai Takano (アイ高野, Ai Takano) and nicknamed Motchin, was a Japanese singer. He is best known for his performances of the theme songs for the anime Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger, Pettonton, and Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion. Takano also sung the songs in Ai Shite Knight for the fictional in-story band, Bee Hive, even though the singer character, Gou, is voiced by singer Isao Sasaki. Before starting his anisong career, Takano was drummer of The Golden Cups and a vocalist of Creation.
Yasuko Namba (難波 康子, Nanba Yasuko; February 7, 1949 – May 11, 1996) was the second Japanese woman (after Junko Tabei)…Yasuko Namba (難波 康子, Nanba Yasuko; February 7, 1949 – May 11, 1996) was the second Japanese woman (after Junko Tabei) to climb the Seven Summits. Namba worked as a businesswoman for FedEx in Japan, but her hobby of mountaineering took her all over the world. She first summited Kilimanjaro on New Year's Day in 1982, and summited Aconcagua exactly two years later. She reached the summit of Denali on July 1, 1985, and the summit of Mount Elbrus on August 1, 1992. After summiting Vinson Massif on December 29, 1993, and Carstensz Pyramid on November 12, 1994, Namba's final summit to reach was Mount Everest. She signed on with Rob Hall's guiding company, Adventure Consultants, and reached the summit in May 1996, but died during her descent in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.
Kōji Ishizaka (石坂 浩二, Ishizaka Kōji; born 20 June 1941 in Tokyo as Heikichi Mutō (武藤 兵吉, Mutō Heikichi)) is a Japanese…Kōji Ishizaka (石坂 浩二, Ishizaka Kōji; born 20 June 1941 in Tokyo as Heikichi Mutō (武藤 兵吉, Mutō Heikichi)) is a Japanese actor. Ishizaka graduated from Keio University with a B.L. degree. He serves as a special advisor for the Japan Plamodel Industry Association, and on 23 February 2009, he founded Rowguanes, a plastic model enthusiast group for the baby boomers. He starred as Kosuke Kindaichi in the 1970s series of Kindaichi films.
Fumio Ito (伊藤 史朗, Itō Fumio; 10 October 1939 – 10 March 1991) was a Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road…Fumio Ito (伊藤 史朗, Itō Fumio; 10 October 1939 – 10 March 1991) was a Japanese professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Ito began his Grand Prix career in 1960, although he was a Factory Yamaha rider as far back as 1957 where the Yamaha YD-A & YD-B 250cc machines were so devastating in the Asama highlands race, where Yamaha took the first three places with Matsuko on a YD-A taking the honors. Ito himself could have easily won the race and had set the fastest lap, but his YD-A motorcycle seized and cost him the race. The machines were later modified for the 1958 Catalina GP in States with smaller fuel tanks taken from the YA 125 machines, high pipes and high footpegs. Ito was the Star rider of the team and the only Japanese rider alongside four local American riders. Ito finished sixth, even after an unscheduled pit stop for a fouled plug. He enjoyed his best season in 1963 when he won the 250cc Belgian Grand Prix and finished the season in third place in the 250cc world championship, behind Jim Redman and Tarquinio Provini.
Yasuo Yamada (山田 康雄, Yamada Yasuo; 10 September 1932 – 19 March 1995) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator.…Yasuo Yamada (山田 康雄, Yamada Yasuo; 10 September 1932 – 19 March 1995) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator. His most well known and famous role was portraying Arsène Lupin III in the Lupin III series from 1971 to 1995. He was also the official Japanese dubbing voice actor of Clint Eastwood and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Hisato Aikura (相倉久人, 8 December 1931 in Tokyo – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese music critic and jazz presenter. He was…Hisato Aikura (相倉久人, 8 December 1931 in Tokyo – 8 July 2015) was a Japanese music critic and jazz presenter. He was known for critique of musicians such as John Coltrane.
Tadahiro Aizawa (相沢 忠洋, Aizawa Tadahiro; June 21, 1926 – May 22, 1989) was a Japanese archaeologist. Aizawa, an amateur…Tadahiro Aizawa (相沢 忠洋, Aizawa Tadahiro; June 21, 1926 – May 22, 1989) was a Japanese archaeologist. Aizawa, an amateur stone tool collector who had been peddling nattō, discovered a microlith in Iwajuku, Gunma in 1946, which was recognized in 1949 as a Paleolithic site that had previously been thought not to exist in Japan.
Takashi Kano (加納 孝, Kano Takashi; October 31, 1920 – June 4, 2000) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Takashi Kano (加納 孝, Kano Takashi; October 31, 1920 – June 4, 2000) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Hanako Muraoka (村岡 花子, Muraoka Hanako; June 21, 1893 – October 25, 1968) was a Japanese novelist and translator. She is…Hanako Muraoka (村岡 花子, Muraoka Hanako; June 21, 1893 – October 25, 1968) was a Japanese novelist and translator. She is best known for translating Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery into Japanese.
Mikako Ichikawa (市川 実日子, Ichikawa Mikako; born 13 June 1978) is a Japanese actress and model born in Tokyo. She has…Mikako Ichikawa (市川 実日子, Ichikawa Mikako; born 13 June 1978) is a Japanese actress and model born in Tokyo. She has appeared in films including Blue (2002), Cutie Honey (2004), Memories of Matsuko (2006) and Shin Godzilla (2016). Her older sister is the actress and model Miwako Ichikawa.
Kazushige Nagashima (長嶋 一茂, Nagashima Kazushige; born January 26, 1966) is a Japanese tarento, sports commentator and…Kazushige Nagashima (長嶋 一茂, Nagashima Kazushige; born January 26, 1966) is a Japanese tarento, sports commentator and former professional baseball player. His father is Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima.
Chiyoko Kawashima (川島 千代子, Kawashima Chiyoko; born Chiyoko Shimoyama (下山 千代子, Shimoyama Chiyoko); June 2, 1954) is a…Chiyoko Kawashima (川島 千代子, Kawashima Chiyoko; born Chiyoko Shimoyama (下山 千代子, Shimoyama Chiyoko); June 2, 1954) is a former Japanese voice actress. She was born in Tokyo and retired from voice acting in 2001. Her final role was that of Maron Kusakabe's mother: Koron Kusakabe in Phantom Thief Jeanne.