Funa Nakayama (中山 楓奈, Nakayama Fūna; born 17 June 2005) is a Japanese skateboarder from Toyama City. Nakayama won a…Funa Nakayama (中山 楓奈, Nakayama Fūna; born 17 June 2005) is a Japanese skateboarder from Toyama City. Nakayama won a bronze medal in the women's street competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. In January 2023, she became the first Asian woman to be featured on the cover of Thrasher.
Taiki Kawayoke (Japanese: 川除 大輝, Hepburn: Kawayoke Taiki; born 21 February 2001) is a Japanese paralympic cross country…Taiki Kawayoke (Japanese: 川除 大輝, Hepburn: Kawayoke Taiki; born 21 February 2001) is a Japanese paralympic cross country skier. He participated at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in the 20 kilometre classical event and won the gold medal with a time of 52:52.8.
Yusuke Inaba (稲場 悠介, Inaba Yūsuke, born 11 April 2000) is a Japanese water polo player. He competed in the 2020 Summer…Yusuke Inaba (稲場 悠介, Inaba Yūsuke, born 11 April 2000) is a Japanese water polo player. He competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Olympics.
Rui Hachimura (Japanese: 八村 塁, Hepburn: Hachimura Rui; Japanese: [hatɕiꜜmɯɾa ɾɯꜜi], born February 8, 1998) is a…Rui Hachimura (Japanese: 八村 塁, Hepburn: Hachimura Rui; Japanese: [hatɕiꜜmɯɾa ɾɯꜜi], born February 8, 1998) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and has played for the Japan national team. He plays the power forward position. After being selected ninth overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2019 NBA draft, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020. Born in Toyama Prefecture, Hachimura achieved success at the youth level in Japan, leading Meisei High School to three straight All-Japan High School Tournament titles and being a top player for the Japanese under-17 and under-19 national teams in FIBA competition. He joined Gonzaga in 2016 as the fifth Japanese-born men's NCAA Division I player and in 2017 became the first Japanese national to play in the NCAA Division I men's tournament. As a sophomore, he earned first-team All-WCC honors. He was named a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year.
Rika Nakai (中井 りか, Nakai Rika; born August 23, 1997) is a Japanese actress and singer. She is a former member of…Rika Nakai (中井 りか, Nakai Rika; born August 23, 1997) is a Japanese actress and singer. She is a former member of AKB48's sister group NGT48. She is affiliated with Ohta Production.
Sho Otsuka (大塚 翔, Otsuka Sho; born July 25, 1995) is a Japanese football player. He is the son of former footballer and…Sho Otsuka (大塚 翔, Otsuka Sho; born July 25, 1995) is a Japanese football player. He is the son of former footballer and manager Ichiro Otsuka.
Haruno Sasaki (佐々木 春乃, Sasaki Haruno; born 26 February 1995) is a Japanese handball player for Borussia Dortmund…Haruno Sasaki (佐々木 春乃, Sasaki Haruno; born 26 February 1995) is a Japanese handball player for Borussia Dortmund Handball and the Japanese national team.
Asanoyama Hiroki (朝乃山 広暉; born Hiroki Ishibashi (石橋 広暉, Ishibashi Hiroki) on March 1, 1994) is a Japanese professional…Asanoyama Hiroki (朝乃山 広暉; born Hiroki Ishibashi (石橋 広暉, Ishibashi Hiroki) on March 1, 1994) is a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Toyama Prefecture. He wrestles for Takasago stable. He debuted in sumo in March 2016 and made his makuuchi debut in September 2017. His highest rank has been ōzeki. He has earned six special prizes, and one gold star for defeating a yokozuna. In May 2019 he won his first top division yūshō or tournament championship, the first of the Reiwa era. He was also runner-up in November 2019 and finished the calendar year with more top division wins than any other wrestler. He was promoted to ōzeki after the March 2020 tournament, and was a runner-up in his ōzeki debut in July 2020 and in January 2021. In June 2021 Asanoyama was handed a one-year (six tournament) suspension for violating sumo protocols related to COVID-19. He returned to competition in the July 2022 tournament having been demoted to the third-lowest rank of sandanme. After returning to the top division in May 2023, he was sidelined again in July 2024 after tearing his left ACL in competition. He returned again to the top division for the January 2026 tournament, becoming the first wrestler in sumo history to fall from the top division to sandanme and then return to the top division two separate times.
This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all…This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.
Taijiro Mori (森 泰次郎, Mori Taijiro; born December 8, 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Toyama…Taijiro Mori (森 泰次郎, Mori Taijiro; born December 8, 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Toyama Shinjo in Hokushinetsu Football League.
Junya Osaki (大﨑 淳矢, Ōsaki Junya; born April 2, 1991 in Toyama) is a Japanese football player currently playing for…Junya Osaki (大﨑 淳矢, Ōsaki Junya; born April 2, 1991 in Toyama) is a Japanese football player currently playing for Tochigi SC.
Kodai Fujii (藤井 航大, Fujii Kōdai; born January 13, 1991 in Toyama) is a Japanese footballer. He plays for J-Lease FC…Kodai Fujii (藤井 航大, Fujii Kōdai; born January 13, 1991 in Toyama) is a Japanese footballer. He plays for J-Lease FC from 2023.
Aya Yokoshima (横嶋 彩, Yokoshima Aya; born 3 July 1990) is a Japanese handball player for Hokkoku Bank Handball Team and…Aya Yokoshima (横嶋 彩, Yokoshima Aya; born 3 July 1990) is a Japanese handball player for Hokkoku Bank Handball Team and the Japanese national team. She competed at the 2015 World Women's Handball Championship in Denmark.
Kenya Yasuda (保田 賢也, Yasuda Ken'ya; born 29 March 1989) is a water polo player from Japan. He appeared in the Japanese…Kenya Yasuda (保田 賢也, Yasuda Ken'ya; born 29 March 1989) is a water polo player from Japan. He appeared in the Japanese Reality TV series Terrace House: Boys × Girls Next Door (2012), episodes 75 - 98 which depicts his water polo training and in which he expresses his dream to one day represent Japan in the Olympics. He makes a cameo appearance in the Japanese movie Terrace House: Closing Door (2015) in which he outlines the necessary steps he and his team must take to qualify for entry to the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was part of the Japanese team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Kaoru Yokoshima (横嶋 かおる, Yokoshima Kaoru; born 11 December 1985) is a Japanese handball player. She plays for the club…Kaoru Yokoshima (横嶋 かおる, Yokoshima Kaoru; born 11 December 1985) is a Japanese handball player. She plays for the club Hokkoku Bank, and on the Japanese national team. She represented Japan at the 2013 World Women's Handball Championship in Serbia, where the Japanese team placed 14th.
Masato Nakazawa (中澤 雅人, Nakazawa Masato; born February 16, 1985 in Toyama, Toyama, Japan) is a Japanese former…Masato Nakazawa (中澤 雅人, Nakazawa Masato; born February 16, 1985 in Toyama, Toyama, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Tomoyo Takagishi (高岸知代, Takagishi Tomoyo born July 16, 1984) is a former Japanese female professional tennis player…Tomoyo Takagishi (高岸知代, Takagishi Tomoyo born July 16, 1984) is a former Japanese female professional tennis player from Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture. She won 2 ITF Women circuit tournaments, was runner-up at All Japan indoor championships and in November 2009 she retired from tennis. Her highest WTA ranking was 396th in singles, and 307th in doubles.
Sayaka Fukita (吹田 早哉佳, Fukita Sayaka; born 23 June 1984) is a Japanese actress from Toyama, Toyama who has acted in…Sayaka Fukita (吹田 早哉佳, Fukita Sayaka; born 23 June 1984) is a Japanese actress from Toyama, Toyama who has acted in feature films, television series, radio shows and theater productions.
Yasumasa Nishino (西野 泰正, Nishino Yasumasa; born September 14, 1982) is a former Japanese football player and current…Yasumasa Nishino (西野 泰正, Nishino Yasumasa; born September 14, 1982) is a former Japanese football player and current first-team coach J2 League club of Júbilo Iwata.
Miku Matsumoto (known in Japan as MIKU) (松本未来, Matsumoto Miku), born June 26, 1981, is a female Japanese mixed martial…Miku Matsumoto (known in Japan as MIKU) (松本未来, Matsumoto Miku), born June 26, 1981, is a female Japanese mixed martial artist. She retired as the DEEP Women's Lightweight (106-Pound) Champion in 2010. Growing up, Matsumoto studied piano and penmanship and was not interested in sports. She began training in MMA as a part-time job to kill time and save money after studying overseas but went on to become one of the most successful female mixed martial artists in the world. On February 28, 2010 at DEEP: 46th Impact, Matsumoto confirmed weeks of speculation by announcing that she would be retiring from mixed martial arts. She officially retired following an exhibition match with Megumi Fujii at DEEP: 47th Impact on April 17, 2010.
Kuro Tanino (タニノクロウ) (born 1976) is a Japanese theatre director and playwright. Born into a family of psychiatrists…Kuro Tanino (タニノクロウ) (born 1976) is a Japanese theatre director and playwright. Born into a family of psychiatrists, Tanino also himself trained and worked as a psychiatrist before turning to theatre. He founded the theatre group Niwa Gekidan Penino (literally "garden theatre company Penino") in 2000, and he writes, directs and designs all productions. He is also a painter and sculptor. His plays are highly surrealistic, filled with bizarre characters and creatures, influenced by Juro Kara. He prefers to use storyboards to writing regular play texts. The design is often very meticulous and colorful, with strange, incongruous elements crammed into small spaces. Influenced by Marcel Duchamp's method of creating miniatures of his work and carrying them around with him, Tanino considers his sets and plays to be like fully formed pictures, arranging performers like parts of an installation or tableaux. His series of "Hakobune" (ark) plays were staged at his apartment and involved elaborate sets in spite of the cramped sizes. "Frustrating Picture Book for Adults" (2008) was later also staged in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Finland, while "The Room, Nobody Knows" (2012) was performed in America in January 2014 and has also been staged in Europe. For "The Frustrating Picture Book for Adults" the stage was divided into upper and lower platforms, with the upper part inhabited by two old women, one with a pig’s face and the other with a sheep’s face. In the low-ceilinged room of the set, there is a log piercing the ceiling and another log that pierces the floor between the upper and lower levels. In the lower level a young man in student uniform was tied to one of the trees, causing him to ejaculate when the tree was stroked by the "pig" or the "sheep". They would then eat the white liquid that came out of the tree. "The Town Where the Sun and Underwear are seen" (2009) was staged at Festival/Tokyo 2009 Autumn, while "Box in the Big Trunk" (2013), which combined the three Hakobune productions into one "set", was performed in Tokyo and Kyoto. He has also directed adaptations of Ibsen and Chekhov.
Haneko Takayama (高山 羽根子, Takayama Haneko; born 1975) is a Japanese writer. She has won the Akutagawa Prize and the…Haneko Takayama (高山 羽根子, Takayama Haneko; born 1975) is a Japanese writer. She has won the Akutagawa Prize and the Fumiko Hayashi Literary Prize, and her work has been nominated for the Nihon SF Taisho Award.
Kiyonari Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 清成; born 27 March 1973) is a Japanese former track and field athlete and middle-distance…Kiyonari Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 清成; born 27 March 1973) is a Japanese former track and field athlete and middle-distance runner. He is the current Japanese record holder for the mile run, with a personal best of 3:58.89 minutes. His time, set on 11 May 1996, made him the second Japanese man to run a sub-four-minute mile, after Takashi Ishii, who had done so nearly twenty years earlier in 1977. Shibata's 1500 metres best of 3:39.45 minutes is also among the best times for the event by a Japanese, behind Fumikazu Kobayashi and Ishii. Despite his breaking a long-standing national record, Shibata only won at the Japan Championships in Athletics on one occasion, taking the 1500 m title in 1997. That same year he won a gold medal in the event at the East Asian Games in a then games record time of 3:49.90 minutes. The following year he won the second and final international medal of his career at the 1998 Asian Athletics Championships by finishing as runner-up behind multiple Asian champion Mohamed Suleiman. He also ran at the 1998 Asian Games and placed seventh in the 1500 m final. He represented his home region, Toyama Prefecture, twice at the All-Japan Interprefectural Ekiden Championships.
Itsuki Asai (浅井 樹, Asai Itsuki; born December 14, 1971) is a former baseball player from Japan. Asai played in the…Itsuki Asai (浅井 樹, Asai Itsuki; born December 14, 1971) is a former baseball player from Japan. Asai played in the Nippon baseball league. He initially played in the Pioneer League, before moving to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Central League. At times, he played as a pinch hitter.
Takashi Morita (森田 高, Morita Takashi; born July 22, 1967) is a Japanese politician of People's New Party, an…Takashi Morita (森田 高, Morita Takashi; born July 22, 1967) is a Japanese politician of People's New Party, an independent and member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Kōtarō Nogami (born 20 May 1967) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and…Kōtarō Nogami (born 20 May 1967) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from September 2020 to October 2021. He previously served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary from 2016 to 2019, and is also a member of the House of Councilors of Japan, winning his first election in 2001. Nogami served in the House of Councilors for Toyama from 2001 to 2007, serving one term. After losing re-election, he ran again in 2010 and successfully won the seat. In 2013, he was named State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and served in that position for a year. In 2016, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed him as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, and he served in that position until 2019.
Komafudō Daisuke (Japanese: 駒不動 大助; 15 September 1965 – 15 December 2025), born Kazuhito Araki (新木数人, Araki Kazuhito)…Komafudō Daisuke (Japanese: 駒不動 大助; 15 September 1965 – 15 December 2025), born Kazuhito Araki (新木数人, Araki Kazuhito), was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Toyama City, Toyama. He made his professional debut in January 1984 and reached the top division in September 1989. His highest rank was maegashira 13. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in November 1995. Komafudō died from heart failure on 15 December 2025, at the age of 60.
Makoto Tateno (立野 真琴, Tateno Makoto; born March 23 in Toyama City), who also uses the pen name Shinjuku Tango, is a…Makoto Tateno (立野 真琴, Tateno Makoto; born March 23 in Toyama City), who also uses the pen name Shinjuku Tango, is a Japanese manga artist who made her debut in 1986. Tateno regards her influences as being Go Nagai and Osamu Tezuka. Two of her best-known works are Yellow and Happy Boys. For the latter, she used the actors from the live-action drama for her character design - among them protagonist Kōji Seto and also Gaku Shindou and Kenta Kamakari as gentlemen hosts. Several of her works have been translated into English, including King of Cards, Hate to Love You, Omen, Red Angel, 9th Sleep, Hero Heel, Ka Shin Fu, Steal Moon, and Yellow.
Kotogaume Tsuyoshi (born 5 October 1963 as Satoru Kitayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsuo, Nei District, Toyama…Kotogaume Tsuyoshi (born 5 October 1963 as Satoru Kitayama) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsuo, Nei District, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. He joined sumo in 1979 and made the top makuuchi division in 1985. His highest rank was sekiwake, which he held on twelve occasions. After his retirement in 1997 he worked as a coach at Sadogatake stable until 2007.
Masahiko Nishimura (西村 まさ彦, Nishimura Masahiko; born December 12, 1960) is a Japanese theatre and film actor. He is…Masahiko Nishimura (西村 まさ彦, Nishimura Masahiko; born December 12, 1960) is a Japanese theatre and film actor. He is best known for his comedic portrayals.
Koichi Tanaka (田中 耕一, Tanaka Kōichi; born August 3, 1959) is a Japanese electrical engineer who shared the Nobel Prize…Koichi Tanaka (田中 耕一, Tanaka Kōichi; born August 3, 1959) is a Japanese electrical engineer who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002 for developing a novel method for mass spectrometric analyses of biological macromolecules with John Bennett Fenn and Kurt Wüthrich (the latter for work in NMR spectroscopy).
Hachiro Nitta (新田 八朗, Nitta Hachirō; born 27 August 1958) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Toyama…Hachiro Nitta (新田 八朗, Nitta Hachirō; born 27 August 1958) is a Japanese politician who has served as governor of Toyama Prefecture since 2020.
Yuko Moriguchi (Japanese: 森口祐子, born 13 April 1955) is a Japanese professional golfer who played on the LPGA of Japan…Yuko Moriguchi (Japanese: 森口祐子, born 13 April 1955) is a Japanese professional golfer who played on the LPGA of Japan Tour and the LPGA Tour. Moriguchi won 41 times on the LPGA of Japan Tour between 1978 and 1994 and one of those events, the 1987 Mazda Japan Classic, was an LPGA Tour co-sanctioned tournament. Moriguchi won the LPGA qualifying school tournament in January 1981 and played sparingly on the LPGA Tour from 1981 to 1983. Her 1987 win was as a non-member.
Harumi Takahashi (高橋 はるみ, Takahashi Harumi; born 6 January 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Harumi Takahashi (高橋 はるみ, Takahashi Harumi; born 6 January 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and currently a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Yoshihisa Inoue (井上 義久, Inoue Yoshihisa; born 24 July 1947) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member…Yoshihisa Inoue (井上 義久, Inoue Yoshihisa; born 24 July 1947) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Toyama, Toyama and graduate of Tohoku University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. He lost his seat in 1993 but was re-elected in 1996.
Takakazu Ishii (石井 隆一, Ishii Takakazu; born 15 December 1945) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Toyama…Takakazu Ishii (石井 隆一, Ishii Takakazu; born 15 December 1945) is a Japanese politician and a former governor of Toyama Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 2004. A native of Toyama, Toyama and a graduate of the University of Tokyo, he worked in the Ministry of Home Affairs from 1969 before being elected governor.
Seiji Mataichi (又市 征治, Mataichi Seiji; 18 July 1944 – 18 September 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as a…Seiji Mataichi (又市 征治, Mataichi Seiji; 18 July 1944 – 18 September 2023) was a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors. He was also the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party. Mataichi died on 18 September 2023, at the age of 79.
Jinen Nagase (長勢 甚遠, Nagase Jin'en; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese politician who formerly served as Minister of…Jinen Nagase (長勢 甚遠, Nagase Jin'en; born 3 October 1943) is a Japanese politician who formerly served as Minister of Justice in the cabinet of Shinzō Abe. He was born in Toyama and obtained his LL.B. from the University of Tokyo. After graduation, he worked in the Ministry of Labour. He resigned from this position in 1988 and was elected to the Diet of Japan in 1990. He served as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Health and Welfare under Tomiichi Murayama, as deputy director of the Liberal Democratic Party, as Parliamentary Vice Minister of Labour under Keizō Obuchi and Yoshirō Mori, as Senior Vice Minister of Justice in the second Mori cabinet and as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary under Jun'ichirō Koizumi. He was appointed Minister of Justice on 26 September 2006. In 2012, he told lobbyists “The people’s sovereignty, basic human rights, and pacifism ― these three things date to the postwar regime imposed by MacArthur on Japan, therefore we have to get rid of them to make the constitution our own!”
Wakamiyama Kōhei (born 16 April 1943 as Toshihiko Kumano) is a former sumo wrestler from Toyama City, Japan. He made…Wakamiyama Kōhei (born 16 April 1943 as Toshihiko Kumano) is a former sumo wrestler from Toyama City, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1957, and reached the top division in January 1964. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in November 1969.
Haruki Kadokawa (角川 春樹, Kadokawa Haruki; born January 8, 1942, in Tokyo) is a Japanese entrepreneur and filmmaker. He…Haruki Kadokawa (角川 春樹, Kadokawa Haruki; born January 8, 1942, in Tokyo) is a Japanese entrepreneur and filmmaker. He is the son of Genyoshi Kadokawa, the founder of the publishing company Kadokawa Shoten. He took over as president of the company in 1975 after his father's death. He entered the film industry as a producer and introduced a technique called media mix, which involved mass promotion and talent scouting for new artists in publishing, film, and television. In 1993, he was arrested for drug smuggling. He resigned as president of Kadokawa Shoten, founding Kadokawa Haruki Corporation instead.
Susumu Tonegawa (利根川 進, Tonegawa Susumu; September 5, 1939 – July 11, 2026) was a Japanese scientist who was the sole…Susumu Tonegawa (利根川 進, Tonegawa Susumu; September 5, 1939 – July 11, 2026) was a Japanese scientist who was the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1987 for his discovery of V(D)J recombination, the genetic mechanism which produces antibody diversity. Although he won the Nobel Prize for his work in immunology, Tonegawa was a molecular biologist by training and, following his Nobel Prize win, changed fields to neuroscience, examining the molecular, cellular and neuronal basis of memory formation and retrieval.
Mayumi Shimizu (清水 眞弓, Shimizu Mayumi; July 26, 1939 – September 21, 2011), known by her pen name Jun Henmi (辺見 じゅん…Mayumi Shimizu (清水 眞弓, Shimizu Mayumi; July 26, 1939 – September 21, 2011), known by her pen name Jun Henmi (辺見 じゅん, Henmi Jun), was a Japanese writer and poet. She was known for her works of fiction and nonfiction about people affected by World War II.
Yōko Nogiwa (野際 陽子, Nogiwa Yōko; 24 January 1936 – 13 June 2017) was a Japanese actress. Her acting career spanned from…Yōko Nogiwa (野際 陽子, Nogiwa Yōko; 24 January 1936 – 13 June 2017) was a Japanese actress. Her acting career spanned from 1958 until 2017.
Nobuo Tsukahara, better known as Nobuo Hara (November 19, 1926–June 21, 2021) was a Japanese jazz saxophonist and…Nobuo Tsukahara, better known as Nobuo Hara (November 19, 1926–June 21, 2021) was a Japanese jazz saxophonist and bandleader. Hara was born in Toyama. He played in a military band during World War II and in a Tokyo officers' club after the war. He took leadership of the ensemble Sharps and Flats in 1952, which he would lead until the 1980s. This band recorded copiously and appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival. Sharps and Flats accompanied Chiemi Eri and included sidemen such as Masato Honda, Norio Maeda, Shotaro Moriyasu, and Akitoshi Igarashi. Hara died of pneumonia on June 21, 2021, in Tokyo.
