Misaki Sasahara (笹原 操希, Sasahara Misaki; born February 9, 2004) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Misaki Sasahara (笹原 操希, Sasahara Misaki; born February 9, 2004) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Yomiuri Giants.
Satoshi Tanaka (田中 聡, Tanaka Satoshi; born 13 August 2002) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder…Satoshi Tanaka (田中 聡, Tanaka Satoshi; born 13 August 2002) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 and the Japan national team.
Hinata Konishi (小西 陽向, Konishi Hinata; born 21 December 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward…Hinata Konishi (小西 陽向, Konishi Hinata; born 21 December 2001) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for Gainare Tottori.
Megumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村恵実; born 24 August 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Canadian…Megumi Nakamura (Japanese: 中村恵実; born 24 August 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Canadian Northern Super League club Halifax Tides.
Hikaru Arai (新井 光, Arai Hikaru; born April 14, 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J2 League…Hikaru Arai (新井 光, Arai Hikaru; born April 14, 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for J2 League club, FC Imabari.
Yuto Adachi (安達 祐人, Adachi Yūto; born January 23, 1998), known mononymously as Yuto (Korean: 유토; Japanese: ユウト), is a…Yuto Adachi (安達 祐人, Adachi Yūto; born January 23, 1998), known mononymously as Yuto (Korean: 유토; Japanese: ユウト), is a Japanese rapper, singer and dancer. He was a member of the South Korean boy group Pentagon.
Nanami Atsugi (厚木 那奈美, Atsugi Nanami; born 11 October 1997) is a Japanese voice actress associated with 81 Produce and…Nanami Atsugi (厚木 那奈美, Atsugi Nanami; born 11 October 1997) is a Japanese voice actress associated with 81 Produce and Avex Pictures. She is best known for voicing Itsuka Atsugi in Wake Up, Girls! New Chapter! and Rinka Aoba in Kiratto Pri Chan.
Yōko Yamanaka (山中瑶子, Yamanaka Yōko; born 1997) is a Japanese filmmaker known for her 2017 film, Amiko, and 2024 film…Yōko Yamanaka (山中瑶子, Yamanaka Yōko; born 1997) is a Japanese filmmaker known for her 2017 film, Amiko, and 2024 film, Desert of Namibia.
Ryoya Ogawa (小川 諒也, Ogawa Ryōya; born 24 November 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back…Ryoya Ogawa (小川 諒也, Ogawa Ryōya; born 24 November 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for J1 League club Kashima Antlers.
Shuhei Matsuhashi (松橋周平, Matsuhashi Shuhei; born 24 November 1993) is a Japanese international rugby union player who…Shuhei Matsuhashi (松橋周平, Matsuhashi Shuhei; born 24 November 1993) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a loose forward. He currently plays for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan's domestic Top League.
Aika Hakoyama (箱山 愛香, Hakoyama Aika; born 27 July 1991) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She was part of the…Aika Hakoyama (箱山 愛香, Hakoyama Aika; born 27 July 1991) is a Japanese synchronized swimmer. She was part of the Japanese team that won bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the Japanese team that won bronze in the team technical routine, team free routine and the free routine combination events at the 2015 World Championship. She competed in the women's team event at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Tatsuo Nomura (野村 達雄, Nomura Tatsuo; born 1986) is a Japanese software developer. Born in China with partial Japanese…Tatsuo Nomura (野村 達雄, Nomura Tatsuo; born 1986) is a Japanese software developer. Born in China with partial Japanese descent, he moved to Japan as a child and studied computer science. He worked in the Google Maps development team before moving to Niantic Labs, where he directed the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go.
Hiroki Ueno (上野 拓紀, born April 8, 1986) is a Japanese professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the East…Hiroki Ueno (上野 拓紀, born April 8, 1986) is a Japanese professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the East Hokkaido Cranes of the Asia League. Since 2011 he plays for the Nikkō Ice Bucks. He previously played between 2009–2011 for the Asia League Korean team High1 and, at university level, for the Waseda University. During the 2014–15 season Ueno scored 80 points to lead the Asia League in scoring (while tied with Michael Swift in points, Ueno had more goals and was therefore credited as the scoring leader); this made him only the second Asian player to win the scoring title in the league, after fellow Japanese Go Tanaka in 2010–11. He has played for the Japanese national team since 2006.
Emi Nitta (新田 恵海, Nitta Emi; born December 10, 1985) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Nagano Prefecture. She…Emi Nitta (新田 恵海, Nitta Emi; born December 10, 1985) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Nagano Prefecture. She became a voice actress after passing an audition organized by talent agency S-inc. She officially transferred to Difference on 1 September 2017. Some of her major roles are Honoka Kōsaka in Love Live! and Tokoha Anjō in Cardfight!! Vanguard G. She made her anime voice acting debut as Ricca Morizono in Da Capo III. She made an appearance at the Bangkok Comic Con in July 2014.
Takashi Yamamoto is a Japanese pianist who won the Silver Medal at the 2006 Gina Bachauer International Piano…Takashi Yamamoto is a Japanese pianist who won the Silver Medal at the 2006 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, a prestigious piano competition held in Salt Lake City, Utah. He shared 4th place in 2005 at the XV International Chopin Piano Competition.
Yūji Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 雄次, Hepburn: Kobayashi Yūji; born September 3, 1979) is a Japanese screenwriter and…Yūji Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 雄次, Hepburn: Kobayashi Yūji; born September 3, 1979) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist that is mostly known for his work on Garo series, Ultraman franchise, and the first three seasons of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal series.
Takahisa Oguchi (小口貴久; born January 11, 1979) is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the…Takahisa Oguchi (小口貴久; born January 11, 1979) is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the men's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. At the previous Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Oguchi competed in the men's doubles event, but did not finish. Oguchi's best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 16th in the men's singles event at Lake Placid, New York, in 2009. He later went into graduate research in biomechanics at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan. Oguchi qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 30th in the men's singles event.
Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi (小林 尊, Kobayashi Takeru; born March 15, 1978) is a Japanese former competitive eater.…Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi (小林 尊, Kobayashi Takeru; born March 15, 1978) is a Japanese former competitive eater. Described as "the godfather of competitive eating", he is a six-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion and widely credited with popularizing the sport.
Takashi Miyazawa (宮澤崇史, Miyazawa Takashi) (born 27 February 1978 in Nagano City) is a Japanese former professional…Takashi Miyazawa (宮澤崇史, Miyazawa Takashi) (born 27 February 1978 in Nagano City) is a Japanese former professional racing cyclist, who competed as a professional between 2003 and 2014.
Hiro Mashima (真島 ヒロ, Mashima Hiro; born May 3, 1977) is a Japanese manga artist. He gained success with his first…Hiro Mashima (真島 ヒロ, Mashima Hiro; born May 3, 1977) is a Japanese manga artist. He gained success with his first serial Rave Master, published in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1999 to 2005. His best-selling work, Fairy Tail, published in the same magazine from 2006 to 2017, became one of the best-selling manga series with over 72 million copies in print. Fairy Tail won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen manga in 2009, and Mashima was given the Harvey Awards International Spotlight award in 2017 and the Fauve Special Award at the 2018 Angoulême International Comics Festival.
Katsuya Toida (戸井田 カツヤ, Toida Katsuya; born January 6, 1977) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the…Katsuya Toida (戸井田 カツヤ, Toida Katsuya; born January 6, 1977) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. His real name is Katsuya Toida (戸井田 克也, Toida Katsuya). He is known for his judo and shoot wrestling expertise.
Daisaku Hiraki (平木 大作, Hiraki Daisaku; born October 16, 1974) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the House of…Daisaku Hiraki (平木 大作, Hiraki Daisaku; born October 16, 1974) is a Japanese politician. He is a member of the House of Councillors since 2013, representing the Komeito party.
Soko Yamaoka (山岡聡子, Yamaoka Sōko; born 29 May 1974 in Nagano) is a Japanese snowboarder. She competed in the halfpipe…Soko Yamaoka (山岡聡子, Yamaoka Sōko; born 29 May 1974 in Nagano) is a Japanese snowboarder. She competed in the halfpipe event at the 2006 Winter Olympics, where she placed 10th, and at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where she placed 16th. She also competed at the World Snowboard Championships from 2003 to 2009.
Akihiko Koike (Japanese: 小池 昭彦; born April 10, 1973) is a retired male race walker from Nagano, Japan. He set his…Akihiko Koike (Japanese: 小池 昭彦; born April 10, 1973) is a retired male race walker from Nagano, Japan. He set his personal best (1:20.16) in the men's 20 km on January 30, 2000, in Kobe. He made two major global appearances: first at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics, where he was 27th in the men's 50 km walk, and secondly at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he failed to finish the 20 km race.
You the Rock (stylized as YOU THE ROCK★; born Yu Takemae (竹前 裕, Takemae Yū); 5 September 1971, in Nagano, Nagano) is a…You the Rock (stylized as YOU THE ROCK★; born Yu Takemae (竹前 裕, Takemae Yū); 5 September 1971, in Nagano, Nagano) is a Japanese hip-hop musician, MC and tarento. He is nicknamed You-chan (Youちゃん) and Yū-chan Da Aniki YTR (ユウちゃん DA 兄貴 YTR).
Hiroyuki Yoshiie (義家 弘介, Yoshiie Hiroyuki; born March 31, 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Hiroyuki Yoshiie (義家 弘介, Yoshiie Hiroyuki; born March 31, 1971) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He has also held a professorship at Shoin University. A native of Nagano Prefecture and graduate of Meiji Gakuin University, he was elected to his first term in 2012. In 2021, he was the Chairman of the Judicial Affairs Committee.
Goichi Suda (須田 剛一, Suda Gōichi; born January 2, 1968), known by his alias Suda51, is a Japanese video game designer…Goichi Suda (須田 剛一, Suda Gōichi; born January 2, 1968), known by his alias Suda51, is a Japanese video game designer and writer. Affiliated with Human Entertainment from 1994 to 1998, he founded Grasshopper Manufacture in 1998 with a number of other Human Entertainment staff to produce their own titles. His best-known work has come from Grasshopper Manufacture, including The Silver Case (1999), Killer7 (2005), the No More Heroes series, and Lollipop Chainsaw (2012). Suda is from Nagano Prefecture, moving to Tokyo at the age of 18 and eventually being hired by Human Entertainment after having a number of other jobs including as an undertaker. His first projects were in the Fire Pro Wrestling and Twilight Syndrome series. At Grasshopper Manufacture, he worked on their debut title The Silver Case as writer and director. The Silver Case helped establish both Suda and his company in Japan, but Suda and Grasshopper gained international attention with the release of Killer7, Suda's first title to be released outside Japan. He has contributed to most of the company's projects, taking on a more managerial role following No More Heroes in 2007. Suda's work is characterized by a focus on themes of crime, and the clash of people with different ideals. While his early works adopted a serious tone, his later projects incorporated elements of humor. Sexual elements have also made appearances in his work to the point where he became worried they would become too heavily associated with him. Aspects of his work have been influenced by film and literature, with one of his favorite authors being Franz Kafka. He frequently incorporates references to pop culture in his games.
Masao Uchibori (Japanese: 内堀 雅雄, Hepburn: Uchibori Masao; born 26 March 1964) is a Japanese politician and the current…Masao Uchibori (Japanese: 内堀 雅雄, Hepburn: Uchibori Masao; born 26 March 1964) is a Japanese politician and the current governor of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. He previously served as the vice-governor of his predecessor Yūhei Satō and was elected in October 2014 after Satō chose not to contest the election.
Aoyama Yōichi (青山 陽一) is a male Japanese popular music artist who started his career as a member of GRANDFATHERS. His…Aoyama Yōichi (青山 陽一) is a male Japanese popular music artist who started his career as a member of GRANDFATHERS. His album Blues for Tomato reached #255 in the Oricon charts on 31 October 2011.
Yasuhiro Kobayashi (小林 靖宏, Kobayashi Yasuhiro; born April 29, 1959), known professionally as coba, is a Japanese…Yasuhiro Kobayashi (小林 靖宏, Kobayashi Yasuhiro; born April 29, 1959), known professionally as coba, is a Japanese musician, accordionist, composer and arranger, born in Matsushiro, Nagano and brought up in Niigata, Niigata. His music has sold over 1,000,000 CDs. coba started playing accordion when he was nine. At the age of 18 he moved to Italy in order to hone his music skills in local educational institution and graduated with honours. In April 1979 coba won an accordionist contest in Japan; in September he did the same in Italy and in October 1980 he was recognized as the best in Austria. coba creates his own music and makes arrangements for famous compositions. In 1996 he collaborated with Björk recording her album Homogenic and touring in more than sixty countries. Throughout his career coba also worked with Goldie, 808 State, Underworld, Plaid and Howie B. In 1996 French magazine Nova Magazine named "Roots" album the best one. In 2001 coba was awarded "The Best Composer of the Year" for his soundtracks according to Japanese Award Academy. In 2002 he created music for Pokémon. In 2006 coba was awarded "Voce d’oro" - the prize of "the most active accordionist in the world". coba released more than 30 albums. He considers that his music doesn't belong to any genre.
Reiko Aonuma (青沼 令子, Aonuma Reiko; born 28 January 1954) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Reiko Aonuma (青沼 令子, Aonuma Reiko; born 28 January 1954) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Okihide Hikosaka is a neuroscience research professor who specializes in the mechanisms of motivation, learning, skill…Okihide Hikosaka is a neuroscience research professor who specializes in the mechanisms of motivation, learning, skill, decision-making, attention, and oculomotor control. His research into neuronal mechanisms of voluntary behavior and basal ganglia function created breakthroughs in the understanding of the neurochemistry behind information-seeking behavior and the efficacy of grouping motor sequence learning actions (otherwise known as “chunking”) in order to remember more than individual actions. Hikosaka’s research proved that the brain is chemically wired to be rewarded with dopamine for learning information about the future. “This result supports the notion that midbrain dopamine neurons are coding for both primitive and cognitive rewards. So why do dopamine neurons treat information as a reward? It’s easy to see how treating information this way might be a useful evolutionary adaptation. For many animals, each day consists of numerous decisions that pertain to eating, reproducing and socializing. Obviously, having access to more relevant information – such as knowing where the food is located - allows animals to make better decisions. Furthermore, having access to such information might give us better control over our environment, thus increasing our chances of survival.” Hikosaka's research impacts the understanding of drug abuse, Parkinson’s and many other aspects of behavior and brain function and dysfunction.
Isao Kuraishi (倉石 功, Kuraishi Isao; born April 1, 1944, in Nagano, Nagano, Japan) is a Japanese actor represented by…Isao Kuraishi (倉石 功, Kuraishi Isao; born April 1, 1944, in Nagano, Nagano, Japan) is a Japanese actor represented by Office Miyamoto. His eldest son is fashion designer Kazuki Kuraishi.
Hisao Katō (加藤 久雄, Katou Hisao) (born November 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician, and the current mayor of the city of…Hisao Katō (加藤 久雄, Katou Hisao) (born November 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician, and the current mayor of the city of Nagano, the capital of Nagano Prefecture, in central Japan. Katō won his first mayoral election, as an independent, on October 27, 2013, winning 56,424 votes compared to 34,656 for the second-place finisher. On October 29, 2017, Katō was reelected to a second term, winning 69,778 votes. In his second election, he was backed by the LDP, Komeito, and the DP. Katō graduated from Nagano Prefectural Nagano Senior High School in 1961. He then graduated from the Department of Political Economy and Economics at Waseda University in 1965. He worked for several corporations before becoming Chairman of the Nagano Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2007. In 2009, he became director of Shinano Railway. As mayor, Katō led the city government in providing a one billion yen investment in the University of Nagano, a prefectural university that opened in the city of Nagano in 2018. One of Kato's stated reasons for supporting the prefectural university is to encourage university young people to remain in the prefecture after graduating. Katō, as Mayor of Nagano, and his counterpart in the nearby City of Matsumoto, supported a proposal from the Japan Gerontological Society to redefine the age of senior citizens from 65 years to 75 years or older. Katō stated that senior citizens "have more physical and mental stamina than before".
Makoto Kobayashi (小林 實, Kobayashi Makoto), a former vice minister of the Japanese Ministry of Home Affairs, served as…Makoto Kobayashi (小林 實, Kobayashi Makoto), a former vice minister of the Japanese Ministry of Home Affairs, served as the general director of the Nagano Olympic Organizing Committee (NAOC) for the 1998 Winter Olympics which were held in Nagano, Japan. Beginning in April 1996, Kobayashi held monthly press conferences to update the public on progress towards the games. During the 107th IOC Session on February 2, 1998, Kobayashi acted as master of ceremonies. In the lead-up to the 1998 games, among other duties, Kobayashi represented the NAOC on the Olympic Technology Working Group, which met to resolve contract issues between the NAOC and IBM. In his role as director general of the games, Kobayashi also served as chief of operations.
Kenzō Yagi (八木健三, Yagi Kenzō; 5 September 1914 – 18 July 2008) was a Japanese mineralogist and petrologist who…Kenzō Yagi (八木健三, Yagi Kenzō; 5 September 1914 – 18 July 2008) was a Japanese mineralogist and petrologist who specialized in experimental mineralogy and petrology. Yagiite, a new mineral found in the Colomera meteorite, was named after him for its contribution to the petrology.
Zentarō Kosaka (小坂 善太郎, Kosaka Zentarō; 23 January 1912 – 26 November 2000) was a Japanese politician who served two…Zentarō Kosaka (小坂 善太郎, Kosaka Zentarō; 23 January 1912 – 26 November 2000) was a Japanese politician who served two terms as foreign minister and as labour minister.
Yoshinobu Ikeda (池田 義信, Ikeda Yoshinobu; 10 March 1892 – 1 September 1973) was a Japanese film director and film…Yoshinobu Ikeda (池田 義信, Ikeda Yoshinobu; 10 March 1892 – 1 September 1973) was a Japanese film director and film industry executive.
Kawakami Tōgai, originally Hiroshi (Japanese:川上 冬崖; 22 July 1828, Nagano Prefecture - 3 May 1881, Atami) was a Japanese…Kawakami Tōgai, originally Hiroshi (Japanese:川上 冬崖; 22 July 1828, Nagano Prefecture - 3 May 1881, Atami) was a Japanese painter; one of the first to work in the yōga (Western) style.
