Takumi Itō (伊藤 匠, Itō Takumi; October 10, 2002) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the current…Takumi Itō (伊藤 匠, Itō Takumi; October 10, 2002) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the current holder of the Eiō and Ōza titles.
Teppei Oka (岡 哲平, Oka Teppei; born 6 September 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League…Teppei Oka (岡 哲平, Oka Teppei; born 6 September 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka, on loan from FC Tokyo.
Shinta Karl Appelkamp (アペルカンプ 真大 カール, Aperukanpu Shinta Kāru; born 1 November 2000) is a German professional footballer…Shinta Karl Appelkamp (アペルカンプ 真大 カール, Aperukanpu Shinta Kāru; born 1 November 2000) is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Greuther Fürth. Born in Japan, Appelkamp was a youth international for Japan before switching to represent Germany.
Ayinta Ali (Japanese: 寧仁太・アリ, Ali Ayinta; born March 29, 1999) is a Japanese-Ghanaian kickboxer and mixed martial…Ayinta Ali (Japanese: 寧仁太・アリ, Ali Ayinta; born March 29, 1999) is a Japanese-Ghanaian kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He is the a former Krush Welterweight champion. As of March 2022, he was the #8 ranked super featherweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.
Shota Umino (海野 翔太, Umino Shōta; born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan…Shota Umino (海野 翔太, Umino Shōta; born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former one-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. He has also wrestled for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) in the United Kingdom and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the United States.
Fuminori Abe (阿部史典, Abe Fuminori) is a Japanese professional wrestler and qualified Buddhist priest, currently working…Fuminori Abe (阿部史典, Abe Fuminori) is a Japanese professional wrestler and qualified Buddhist priest, currently working as a freelancer and is best known for his tenure with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Basara (Basara) and Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW).
Yoshinori Muto (武藤 嘉紀, Mutō Yoshinori; born 15 July 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward…Yoshinori Muto (武藤 嘉紀, Mutō Yoshinori; born 15 July 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or a winger for Vissel Kobe. Muto started his career with J1 League club FC Tokyo in 2013 who he played with for three seasons. In May 2015, he signed for German club Mainz 05 where he amassed 72 appearances and scored 23 goals before moving to Premier League club Newcastle United in August 2018.
Masataka Nomura (野村政孝, Nomura, Masataka; born 29 June 1991 in Setagaya) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Roasso…Masataka Nomura (野村政孝, Nomura, Masataka; born 29 June 1991 in Setagaya) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Roasso Kumamoto.
Yuichi Maruyama (丸山 祐市, Maruyama Yuichi; born 16 June 1989) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kawasaki…Yuichi Maruyama (丸山 祐市, Maruyama Yuichi; born 16 June 1989) is a Japanese football player who plays for Kawasaki Frontale.
Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7…Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7, 1976), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Norifumi "Norick" Abe (阿部典史, Abe Norifumi; September 7, 1975 – October 7, 2007), or Norick Abe (ノリック・アベ) was a Japanese…Norifumi "Norick" Abe (阿部典史, Abe Norifumi; September 7, 1975 – October 7, 2007), or Norick Abe (ノリック・アベ) was a Japanese professional motorcycle road racer. He competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1994 to 2004. Abe died in a road traffic crash in October 2007.
Kazuya Takahashi (高橋 和也, Takahashi Kazuya; born 20 May 1969) is a Japanese actor, singer, songwriter and bassist. He…Kazuya Takahashi (高橋 和也, Takahashi Kazuya; born 20 May 1969) is a Japanese actor, singer, songwriter and bassist. He was a vocalist and bassist of Otokogumi, the Japanese rock band which was active during late 1980s and early 1990s. Takahashi has appeared in more than 50 films since 1988.
Akihiko Hoshide (Japanese: 星出 彰彦, Hepburn: Hoshide Akihiko; born December 28, 1968) is a Japanese engineer, JAXA…Akihiko Hoshide (Japanese: 星出 彰彦, Hepburn: Hoshide Akihiko; born December 28, 1968) is a Japanese engineer, JAXA astronaut, and former commander of the International Space Station. On August 30, 2012, Hoshide became the third Japanese astronaut to walk in space.
Yōka Wao (和央 ようか, Wao Yōka; born 15 February 1968) is a Japanese performing artist and a former member of the…Yōka Wao (和央 ようか, Wao Yōka; born 15 February 1968) is a Japanese performing artist and a former member of the Takarazuka Revue, where she specialized in playing male characters (Otokoyaku). She joined the revue in 1988 and resigned in 2006. Her nicknames are Takako (from her real name: Takako Ōkawa (大川 貴子 Ōkawa Takako) and Wao. She is the only Otokoyaku to be top in her class as well as the last otokoyaku top star to have joined the company during the Shōwa era. She was born and raised in Osaka (according to Takarazuka Graph 2003 April issue).
Yutaka Ozaki (尾崎 豊, Ozaki Yutaka; November 29, 1965 – April 25, 1992) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. His hit debut…Yutaka Ozaki (尾崎 豊, Ozaki Yutaka; November 29, 1965 – April 25, 1992) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. His hit debut single "Jūgo no Yoru" and debut album Jūnanasai no Chizu were released in 1983. He died in 1992 at the age of 26.
Kyoko Okazaki (Japanese: 岡崎 京子, Hepburn: Okazaki Kyōko; born December 13, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist. During her…Kyoko Okazaki (Japanese: 岡崎 京子, Hepburn: Okazaki Kyōko; born December 13, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist. During her career from the mid-1980s until the mid-1990s, she published her work in seinen manga magazines, josei manga magazines as well as fashion magazines. She produced around 20 volumes of manga, the most famous being Pink (1989), River's Edge (1993–1994) and Helter Skelter (1995). Her work was discussed in academic literature for breaking the norms of shōjo manga of the 1970s with depictions of female sexuality as well as for capturing the zeitgeist of her native Tokyo at the time of writing. Since an accident in 1996, she has not published new work.
Akira Koike (小池 晃, Koike Akira; born 9 June 1960) is a Japanese politician and physician who is the secretary-general…Akira Koike (小池 晃, Koike Akira; born 9 June 1960) is a Japanese politician and physician who is the secretary-general and vice chair of the Japanese Communist Party. He also serves as a member of the House of Councillors for the party.
Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice…Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 to 2014.
Miki Fujimura (藤村 美樹, Fujimura Miki; born 15 January 1956 in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, and raised in Fukushima) is a…Miki Fujimura (藤村 美樹, Fujimura Miki; born 15 January 1956 in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, and raised in Fukushima) is a Japanese singer, best known as Miki (ミキ), a member of the pop trio Candies.
Motoka Murakami (Japanese: 村上 もとか, Hepburn: Murakami Motoka; born June 3, 1951, in Setagaya, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga…Motoka Murakami (Japanese: 村上 もとか, Hepburn: Murakami Motoka; born June 3, 1951, in Setagaya, Tokyo) is a Japanese manga artist. He won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen manga for Gakuto Retsuden 1982 and the Shogakukan Manga Award twice, for shōnen manga for Musashi no Ken in 1984 and for general manga in 1996 for Ron, serialized in Big Comic Original from 1991 to 2006. In 1998, he received an Excellence Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival for Ron. Jin won the Grand Prize at the 2011 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. On a list published in the beginning of August 2011, he ranked as the 35th best-selling manga artist since January 2010, with 1,901,000 copies sold.
Hisao Niura, also known as Kim Il-young (Korean: 김일융; born May 11, 1951), is a Japanese former professional baseball…Hisao Niura, also known as Kim Il-young (Korean: 김일융; born May 11, 1951), is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan and KBO League baseball in South Korea. Over a 22-season career, he was a five-time champion, four times with the Yomiuri Giants and once with the Samsung Lions. He was a two-time ERA champion of Japan's Central League. A workhorse during much of his career, he had success as both a starter and a reliever. Although born in Japan, Niura is of Korean descent, part of the Zainichi community.
Murasaki Yamada (やまだ 紫, Yamada Murasaki; September 5, 1948 – May 5, 2009), born as Mitsuko Yamada (山田 三津子, Yamada…Murasaki Yamada (やまだ 紫, Yamada Murasaki; September 5, 1948 – May 5, 2009), born as Mitsuko Yamada (山田 三津子, Yamada Mitsuko), was a Japanese manga artist, feminist essayist and poet. She was associated with the alternative manga magazine Garo.
Yukiko Kashiwagi (柏木 由紀子, Kashiwagi Yukiko; born December 24, 1947) is a Japanese actress and the wife of Japanese…Yukiko Kashiwagi (柏木 由紀子, Kashiwagi Yukiko; born December 24, 1947) is a Japanese actress and the wife of Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto from 1971 until his death in the August 1985 Japan Air Lines Flight 123 crash. In the 1970s, Kashiwagi retired from her career as an actress and instead presented a series of welfare performances with her husband in children's homes and nursing homes and on Japanese television.
Fusako Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 房子, romanized: Shigenobu Fusako; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ ɸɯ̟sa̠ko̞]; born September 28, 1945)…Fusako Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 房子, romanized: Shigenobu Fusako; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ ɸɯ̟sa̠ko̞]; born September 28, 1945) is a Japanese communist activist, writer, and the founder and leader of the now-disbanded militant group Japanese Red Army (JRA). Born in Japan, Shigenobu became involved in New Left activism while attending night school at Meiji University in Tokyo. In 1969, she joined the Red Army Faction (RAF), a communist group that advocated immediate, armed revolution against the governments of the United States and Japan. Eventually becoming one of its senior leaders, Shigenobu played a significant role in establishing the International Relations Bureau for the organization. In 1971, she helped found the JRA as an offshoot of the RAF. That same year, Shigenobu and the JRA relocated to the Middle East in an effort to start a world revolution, therefore she came in contact with terror groups within Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). During the 1970s and 1980s, members of the JRA took part in a number of violent incidents, including bombings, mass shootings, and hijackings. Although Shigenobu did not directly participate in these activities, during this time she attained international fame as the leader and public-facing spokesperson for the JRA. Under her leadership, the JRA allied with Palestinian militant groups to carry out high-profile terrorist attacks globally, most notably the Lod Airport Massacre (at what is now Ben Gurion Airport) on May 30, 1972. Arriving in the baggage area, the gunmen pulled assault rifles and grenades from violin cases and fired indiscriminately into the crowd. 26 people were murdered (mostly Puerto Rican pilgrims and Israeli citizens) and over 80 were injured. Two attackers died during the assault, while the third, Kozo Okamoto, was captured. Shigenobu coordinated logistics and provided political backing for the attack. Despite initially supporting Terror acts, in later years Shigenobu expressed remorse about her involvement with violent militancy, and focused on grassroots support for and solidarity with the Palestinian people. Throughout her years in hiding and later imprisonment, Shigenobu authored 10 books, including a book of poetry. Following her arrest in 2000 after several years of hiding, Shigenobu was put on trial for passport forgery and conspiracy involving an attempted hostage-taking operation at the French Embassy in The Hague in 1974. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2006 and released in 2022.
Kenji Kimura (木村 憲治, Kimura Kenji; born July 19, 1945) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1968…Kenji Kimura (木村 憲治, Kimura Kenji; born July 19, 1945) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics. In 1968, he was part of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all nine matches. Four years later, in 1972, he won the gold medal with the Japanese team in the 1972 Olympic tournament. He played all seven matches.
Komaki Kurihara (栗原 小巻, Kurihara Komaki; born 14 March 1945) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in…Komaki Kurihara (栗原 小巻, Kurihara Komaki; born 14 March 1945) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in 30 films since 1967. She starred in the 1974 film Sandakan No. 8, which was entered into the 25th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1975 she was a member of the jury at the 9th Moscow International Film Festival. In 1981 she was a member of the jury at the 12th Moscow International Film Festival. In 2025, she was awarded Medal of Pushkin by Vladimir Putin.
So Aono (青野 聰, Aono Sō; July 27, 1943) is a Japanese novelist. He is the third son of literary critic Suekichi Aono.…So Aono (青野 聰, Aono Sō; July 27, 1943) is a Japanese novelist. He is the third son of literary critic Suekichi Aono. Aono was born in Tokyo and studied literature at Waseda University but left the university early to travel. After visiting Europe and Northern Africa, he returned to Japan in 1971, publishing his first work in the Waseda literary magazine. From 1972 to 1977 he travelled through Europe again. Upon his return to Japan, Aono became active in literary and critical writings. He currently lives in Tokyo and is a Professor of Literature at Tama Art University. Aono has translated works by Charles Bukowski into Japanese.
Akiko Santō (山東 昭子, Santō Akiko; born 11 May 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as President of the House of…Akiko Santō (山東 昭子, Santō Akiko; born 11 May 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as President of the House of Councillors from 2019 to 2022. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, she was previously the vice president of the House of Councillors from 2007 to 2010.
Mari Shiraki (白木 万理, Shiraki Mari; 22 February 1937 – 12 July 2023) was a Japanese actress. She joined the Nikkatsu…Mari Shiraki (白木 万理, Shiraki Mari; 22 February 1937 – 12 July 2023) was a Japanese actress. She joined the Nikkatsu studio and appeared in about 100 films at Nikkatsu. Shiraki is well known for her role of Ritsu Nakamura on the jidaigeki television series Hissatsu. Shiraki died on 12 July 2023, at the age of 86. Her death was reported on September 2026, three years later.
Katsuhisa Hattori (服部 克久, Hattori Katsuhisa; November 1, 1936 – June 11, 2020) was a Japanese classical composer who…Katsuhisa Hattori (服部 克久, Hattori Katsuhisa; November 1, 1936 – June 11, 2020) was a Japanese classical composer who also wrote music for anime films, television series and OVAs. Hattori was a respected composer in Japan; his style was classical, although he was experienced and respected in many other genres, such as New Age, Jazz, etc. He was the son of Ryoichi Hattori and the father of Takayuki Hattori, both musical composers as well. Besides being a composer, he was a producer and music supervisor for many years and had his own publishing company, Hattori Music Publishing. He was also a pianist, judge and chairman for the Tokyo music festivals.
Kuniko Mukōda (向田 邦子, Mukōda Kuniko; November 28, 1929 – August 22, 1981) was a Japanese TV screenwriter. Most of her…Kuniko Mukōda (向田 邦子, Mukōda Kuniko; November 28, 1929 – August 22, 1981) was a Japanese TV screenwriter. Most of her scripts focus on day-to-day family life and relationships. She won the 83rd Naoki Prize (1980上) for her short stories "Hanano Namae", "Kawauso" and "Inugoya."
Masato Uchiyama (内山 眞人, Uchiyama Masato; born May 2, 1986 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor. A fan of tokusatsu…Masato Uchiyama (内山 眞人, Uchiyama Masato; born May 2, 1986 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor. A fan of tokusatsu, Uchiyama has had a role in several series, most notably Shun Kageyama/Kamen Rider TheBee/Kamen Rider Punch Hopper in Kamen Rider Kabuto and Ren Senjyu in Ultraman Nexus.Ultraman Nexus.
Miwako Kakei (筧 美和子, Kakei Miwako; born 6 March 1994) is a Japanese actress, model and variety tarento. Kakei is…Miwako Kakei (筧 美和子, Kakei Miwako; born 6 March 1994) is a Japanese actress, model and variety tarento. Kakei is belongs to her private office, Sui (with Platinum Production as her business partnership) and is an exclusive model for JJ.
Mika Kanai (金井 美香(かない みか), Kanai Mika; born March 18, 1964) is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is attached to…Mika Kanai (金井 美香(かない みか), Kanai Mika; born March 18, 1964) is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is attached to Ken Production. She is best known for her roles in Idol Angel Yokoso Yoko (as Yoko Tanaka), Tanoshii Moomin Ikka (as the Snork Maiden), Goldfish Warning! (as Wapiko), Let's Go! Anpanman (as Melonpanna), Yadamon (as Yadamon), After War Gundam X (as Tiffa Adill), Hare Tokidoki Buta (as Harebuta), Galaxy Angel (as Vanilla H and Normad), Higurashi When They Cry (as Satoko Hōjō), Tales of Phantasia (as Arche Klein), Uchi no 3 Shimai (as Sū), Sailor Moon S (as Mimet), Mysterious Theft Saint Tail (as Maju Sendo). She is currently the voice of Jigglypuff in the Pokémon and Super Smash Bros. series. She freelanced for the voice of Bonnie, also from the Pokémon series when her regular voice actress Mariya Ise was on maternity leave. She married Kōichi Yamadera from 1993 to 2006, though their divorce was not disclosed until 2007. They have worked together on the long-running Let's Go! Anpanman series. Her parents worked at the Seinenza Theater Company.
Monta Mino (みの もんた, Mino Monta), born Norio Minorikawa (御法川 法男, Minorikawa Norio; 22 August 1944 – 1 March 2025), was a…Monta Mino (みの もんた, Mino Monta), born Norio Minorikawa (御法川 法男, Minorikawa Norio; 22 August 1944 – 1 March 2025), was a Japanese television presenter. Mino was recognized by the Guinness World Records as being the TV host with the most hours of live TV appearances in a week (22 hours, 15 seconds), as of April 2008. This breaks his earlier 2006 record of 21 hours, 42 minutes.
Shinji Ogawa (小川真司, Ogawa Shinji; born February 19, 1941 – March 7, 2015) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and…Shinji Ogawa (小川真司, Ogawa Shinji; born February 19, 1941 – March 7, 2015) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Setagaya, Tokyo. He was affiliated with the Herringbone agency. He was best known as the dubover artist for Michael Douglas and Timothy Dalton, and for voicing Hyō in Fist of the North Star.
Tomoko Muramatsu (村松 智子, Muramatsu Tomoko; born October 23, 1994) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She…Tomoko Muramatsu (村松 智子, Muramatsu Tomoko; born October 23, 1994) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender. She plays for Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the WE League and has also played for the Japan national team.
Shino Kakinuma (柿沼 紫乃, Kakinuma Shino; born October 27, 1965) is a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She is…Shino Kakinuma (柿沼 紫乃, Kakinuma Shino; born October 27, 1965) is a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She is best known for her roles as Naru Osaka in Sailor Moon, Suzuko in Mahô tsukai Sally (1980s remake), and voiced Videl in Dragon Ball Kai while her original voice actor, Yūko Minaguchi was on a hiatus. Kakinuma is married to fellow voice actor Toshio Furukawa and is attached to Aoni Production.