Sayaka Ishii (石井さやか, Ishii Sayaka; born 31 August 2005) is a Japanese professional tennis player. She has career-high…Sayaka Ishii (石井さやか, Ishii Sayaka; born 31 August 2005) is a Japanese professional tennis player. She has career-high rankings of world No. 188 in singles, achieved on 17 March 2025, and No. 285 in doubles, achieved on 19 May 2025.
Kotomi Misawa (born 28 July 1996), popularly known as KOTOMI, is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who competed in K-1 and…Kotomi Misawa (born 28 July 1996), popularly known as KOTOMI, is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who competed in K-1 and Krush, where she was the Krush Women's Flyweight champion. She was ranked as a top ten pound for pound female kickboxer by Combat Press between February 2021 and April 2023, as well as by Beyond Kick between November 2022 and April 2023.
Ryuji Saito (才藤 龍治, Saitō Ryūji; born March 12, 1993, in Tokyo) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J2…Ryuji Saito (才藤 龍治, Saitō Ryūji; born March 12, 1993, in Tokyo) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J2 League club Blaublitz Akita.
Ken Tokura (都倉 賢, Tokura Ken; born 16 June 1986 in Shibuya, Tokyo) is a Japanese football player who plays as a Forward…Ken Tokura (都倉 賢, Tokura Ken; born 16 June 1986 in Shibuya, Tokyo) is a Japanese football player who plays as a Forward and currently play for J2 League club, Tochigi City FC, on loan from Iwate Grulla Morioka.
Kazuki Watanabe (渡辺和樹, Watanabe Kazuki; April 7, 1981 – October 31, 2000), known by his stage name Kazuki (華月), was a…Kazuki Watanabe (渡辺和樹, Watanabe Kazuki; April 7, 1981 – October 31, 2000), known by his stage name Kazuki (華月), was a Japanese musician known as guitarist and lead songwriter of the visual kei rock band Raphael. The group became quite popular, with all their releases entering the top 40 of the Oricon chart, before disbanding after Kazuki died at the age of 19.
Atsushi Ohkubo (Japanese: 大久保 篤, Hepburn: Ōkubo Atsushi; born September 20, 1979) is a Japanese manga artist known for…Atsushi Ohkubo (Japanese: 大久保 篤, Hepburn: Ōkubo Atsushi; born September 20, 1979) is a Japanese manga artist known for his work on the manga series Soul Eater and Fire Force, both of which have been adapted into anime television series. Ohkubo worked as an assistant under Rando Ayamine, on the manga series GetBackers. He also created some artworks for the video game TCG Lord of Vermilion, as well as some character designs in Bravely Default and Bravely Second: End Layer.
Masayori "Masi" Oka (岡 政偉, Oka Masayori; born December 27, 1974) is a Japanese actor, producer, and digital effects…Masayori "Masi" Oka (岡 政偉, Oka Masayori; born December 27, 1974) is a Japanese actor, producer, and digital effects artist based in the United States who became widely known for starring in NBC's Heroes as Hiro Nakamura, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and in CBS's Hawaii Five-0 as Doctor Max Bergman.
Tōru Hashimoto (橋下 徹, Hashimoto Tōru; born 29 June 1969) is a Japanese television personality, former politician, and…Tōru Hashimoto (橋下 徹, Hashimoto Tōru; born 29 June 1969) is a Japanese television personality, former politician, and lawyer. He is a former governor of Osaka Prefecture and mayor of City of Osaka. He is a founder of Nippon Ishin no Kai and the Osaka Restoration Association. He is one of Japan's leading right-wing conservative-populist politicians.
Shikao Suga (スガ シカオ, Suga Shikao; born July 28, 1966) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter from Tokyo known for…Shikao Suga (スガ シカオ, Suga Shikao; born July 28, 1966) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter from Tokyo known for writing the theme songs for several anime, movies and commercial ads. His name in kanji is 菅 止戈男, but he uses katakana as his professional name.
Kimikazu Suzuki (鈴木貴美一, Suzuki Kimikazu) is a former Japanese basketball coach and player. He was most recently the…Kimikazu Suzuki (鈴木貴美一, Suzuki Kimikazu) is a former Japanese basketball coach and player. He was most recently the head coach of SeaHorses Mikawa. Suzuki served as head coach of the Japan national basketball team two times. His first term was from 2006 to 2007, while his second one was from May 2012 until 2014. After Mikawa finished fifth in their division with a 27–33 record, Suzuki announced in May 2023 that he would be stepping down as the team's head coach.
Takeshi Saito (斎藤毅, Saitō Takeshi; born May 29, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his stage name Neko Saito (斎藤ネコ, Saitō…Takeshi Saito (斎藤毅, Saitō Takeshi; born May 29, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his stage name Neko Saito (斎藤ネコ, Saitō Neko), is a Japanese violinist, conductor, composer and music arranger. Saito is the leader of the Saito Neko Quartet, and is known for his many collaborations with musician Ringo Sheena.
Atsuko Taneya, known professionally as Ako or Ako Dachs, is a Japanese actress who is the founding Artistic Director of…Atsuko Taneya, known professionally as Ako or Ako Dachs, is a Japanese actress who is the founding Artistic Director of the Amaterasu Za theatre company. She received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2019.
Yuji Matsuo (松尾 雄治, Matsuo Yūji; born 20 January 1954) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a sports journalist.…Yuji Matsuo (松尾 雄治, Matsuo Yūji; born 20 January 1954) is a former Japanese rugby union player and a sports journalist. He played as a fly-half. Matsuo was one of the greatest Japanese rugby players of all times and played for Shin-Nittetsu Kamaishi. He left competition in 1985, after seven consecutive wins. He had 24 caps for Japan, from 1974 to 1984, scoring 3 tries, 5 conversions, 14 penalties and 3 drop goals, in an aggregate of 73 points. After finishing his player career he became a sports journalist for the Japanese television.
Kazumi Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 香津美, Hepburn: Watanabe Kazumi; born October 14, 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese guitarist.…Kazumi Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺 香津美, Hepburn: Watanabe Kazumi; born October 14, 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese guitarist. Other guitarists such as Luke Takamura and Sugizo have cited him as an influence.
Shōichi Nakagawa (中川 昭一, Nakagawa Shōichi; 19 July 1953 – 3 October 2009) was a Japanese conservative politician in the…Shōichi Nakagawa (中川 昭一, Nakagawa Shōichi; 19 July 1953 – 3 October 2009) was a Japanese conservative politician in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as Minister of Finance from 24 September 2008 to 17 February 2009. He previously held the posts of Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi. He was regarded as one of Japan's most attractive public figures. On 4 October 2009, he was found dead in his Tokyo apartment. The cause of his death is yet to be determined; although no suicide note was found, there was also no indication of foul play.
Takashi Yoshimatsu (吉松 隆, Yoshimatsu Takashi; born March 18, 1953) is a Japanese classical music composer. He is well…Takashi Yoshimatsu (吉松 隆, Yoshimatsu Takashi; born March 18, 1953) is a Japanese classical music composer. He is well known for composing the score for the 2003 remake of Astro Boy.
Mieko Yagi (9 June 1950 – 24 November 2015) was a Japanese equestrian. She competed in two events at the 2008 Summer…Mieko Yagi (9 June 1950 – 24 November 2015) was a Japanese equestrian. She competed in two events at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Jun Inoue (井上 順, Inoue Jun; born 21 February 1947) is a Japanese tarento, singer, actor, and comedian. His former stage…Jun Inoue (井上 順, Inoue Jun; born 21 February 1947) is a Japanese tarento, singer, actor, and comedian. His former stage name is Junji Inoue (井上 順之, Inoue Junji).
Katsuhito Iwai (岩井 克人, Iwai Katsuhito; born February 13, 1947) is a Japanese economist and critic. He has studied the…Katsuhito Iwai (岩井 克人, Iwai Katsuhito; born February 13, 1947) is a Japanese economist and critic. He has studied the theory of money, macro dynamics, evolutionary economics, philosophy of corporations, fiduciary law, and the history of sociology. His work includes the book, Disequilibrium Dynamics (Yale University Press, 1981), and many articles published in academic journals. He has also written books and articles in newspapers and magazines for the general public on a wide variety of subjects ranging from global capitalism, post-modernity, civil society, money and language to literature and movies. His keen observations and analysis of the works of Shakespeare, Marx, J. S. G. Boggs, and Ihara Saikaku have established him as one of the foremost essayists in Japan.
Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永 小百合, Yoshinaga Sayuri) is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best…Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永 小百合, Yoshinaga Sayuri) is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best Actress awards, more than any other actress, and has been called "one of the foremost stars in the postwar world of film."
Akiko Nagashima (長嶋亜希子, Akiko Nagashima; née Nishimura; January 5, 1943 – September 18, 2007) was a Japanese…Akiko Nagashima (長嶋亜希子, Akiko Nagashima; née Nishimura; January 5, 1943 – September 18, 2007) was a Japanese businesswoman and the wife of former Yomiuri Giants star Shigeo Nagashima. She served as the representative director of Nagashima's personal office, Office N Co., Ltd.
Kiyohiko Ozaki (尾崎紀世彦, Ozaki Kiyohiko; 1 January 1943 – 30 May 2012) (nickname Kieyo) was a Japanese singer and actor.…Kiyohiko Ozaki (尾崎紀世彦, Ozaki Kiyohiko; 1 January 1943 – 30 May 2012) (nickname Kieyo) was a Japanese singer and actor. Known for his booming singing voice and trademark sideburns, he was sometimes referred to as the Japanese Tom Jones. Ozaki was born in Tokyo and grew up in neighbouring Kanagawa prefecture. He started performing in bands at the age of 13, before making his solo debut in 1970. His greatest hit was his 1971 single "Mata au hi made" (Until the Day We Meet Again). He died of liver cancer on 30 May 2012 after a long hospitalisation.
Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of…Eiichi Goto (後藤 英一, Gotō Eiichi; January 26, 1931 – June 12, 2005) was a Japanese computer scientist, the builder of one of the first general-purpose computers in Japan.
Minako Ōba (大庭 みな子, Ōba Minako; born November 11, 1930, death May 24, 2007) was a Japanese author and social critic.…Minako Ōba (大庭 みな子, Ōba Minako; born November 11, 1930, death May 24, 2007) was a Japanese author and social critic. She was awarded the 1968 Akutagawa Prize for Sanbiki no kani (Three Crabs), and the 1982 Tanizaki Prize for Katachi mo naku (寂兮寥兮). Ōba suffered a stroke in 1996 and died on May 24, 2007.
Takeo Kimura (木村 威夫, Kimura Takeo; April 1, 1918 – March 21, 2010) was a Japanese art director, writer and film…Takeo Kimura (木村 威夫, Kimura Takeo; April 1, 1918 – March 21, 2010) was a Japanese art director, writer and film director. Beginning his career in 1945 he art-directed well over 200 films. He was one of Japan's best known art directors, most famously for his collaborations with cult director Seijun Suzuki through the 1960s at the Nikkatsu Company, exemplified by Tokyo Drifter (1966). Other directors with whom he frequently worked include Toshio Masuda, Kazuo Kuroki, Kei Kumai and Kaizo Hayashi. At age 90 he made his feature film directorial debut with Dreaming Awake (2008). He had also worked as a critic, writer, painter, photographer and teacher.
Shunsuke Matsumoto (松本 竣介, Matsumoto Shunsuke; 1912–1948) was a Japanese painter, who primarily painted in the Yōga…Shunsuke Matsumoto (松本 竣介, Matsumoto Shunsuke; 1912–1948) was a Japanese painter, who primarily painted in the Yōga ("Western painting") style. Matsumoto is known for his urban landscapes. His works can be divided into two series: those depicting anonymous urban landscapes and people in cold blue tones in a montage style, and those depicting Tokyo and Yokohama landscapes in dull brown tones. For a short period between 1947 and 1948, Matsumoto also painted Cubist-style works.
Ryokichi Minobe (美濃部 亮吉, Minobe Ryōkichi; 5 February 1904 – 24 December 1984) was a Japanese economist, educator, and…Ryokichi Minobe (美濃部 亮吉, Minobe Ryōkichi; 5 February 1904 – 24 December 1984) was a Japanese economist, educator, and socialist politician who served as Governor of Tokyo from 1967 to 1979.
Sumiko Kurishima (栗島すみ子, Kurishima Sumiko) (15 March, 1902 – 16 August, 1987) was a Japanese actress and master of…Sumiko Kurishima (栗島すみ子, Kurishima Sumiko) (15 March, 1902 – 16 August, 1987) was a Japanese actress and master of traditional Japanese dance. She is often considered Japan's first female movie star.
Ikuta Chōkō (生田長江, Ikuta Chōkō; 21 April 1882 - 11 January 1936) was the pen-name of a noted translator, author and…Ikuta Chōkō (生田長江, Ikuta Chōkō; 21 April 1882 - 11 January 1936) was the pen-name of a noted translator, author and literary critic in Taishō and Shōwa period Japan. His real name was Ikuta Kōji (生田弘治, Ikuta Kōji).
Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka; "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮…Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka; "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮, Dēmon Kogure), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, entertainer, journalist, sumo commentator, actor and voice actor. He first gained fame in the 1980s as vocalist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, before starting a solo career in 1990 and branching out into other forms of entertainment. His real name is not publicly known and he is noted for always working entirely in character, which includes wearing face paint. In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Demon the third best vocalist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".
Ayane Sakura (佐倉 綾音, Sakura Ayane; born January 29, 1994) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Aoni Production.…Ayane Sakura (佐倉 綾音, Sakura Ayane; born January 29, 1994) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Aoni Production. She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 12th Seiyu Awards. Her roles included Ren Saionji in MF Ghost, Natsumi Koshigaya in Non Non Biyori, Shiromi Iori in Blue Archive, Secre Swallowtail in Black Clover, Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia, Tsubaki Sawabe in Your Lie in April, Iroha Isshiki in My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected, Suzuka Dairenji in Tokyo Ravens, the Nagato, Sendai, Kuma, Tama and Shimakaze ships in Kantai Collection, Cocoa Hoto in Is the Order a Rabbit?, Ran Mitake in BanG Dream!, Clarisse in Granblue Fantasy, Yotsuba Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets, Hasuki Komai in Boarding School Juliet, Nao Tomori in Charlotte, Rinne in Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live and King of Prism, Yae Sakura in Honkai Impact 3rd, Prinz Eugen in Azur Lane, Gabi Braun in Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Ephnel in SoulWorker, Yae Miko in Genshin Impact, and Fiona Frost in Spy × Family. She has performed theme and character songs for each series other than MF Ghost.
Nobuyo Yamashita (山下 羨代, Yamashita Nobuyo; née Ōyama, October 16, 1933 – September 29, 2024), known professionally as…Nobuyo Yamashita (山下 羨代, Yamashita Nobuyo; née Ōyama, October 16, 1933 – September 29, 2024), known professionally as Nobuyo Ōyama (大山 のぶ代, Ōyama Nobuyo), was a Japanese actress last affiliated with Actors Seven. Her husband was actor and television personality Keisuke Sagawa. She is best known for voicing Doraemon, the titular character of the Doraemon franchise from 1979 to 2005 and Monokuma, the main antagonist of the Danganronpa franchise from 2010 to 2016.
