Junya Suzuki (鈴木 準弥, Suzuki Junya; born 7 January 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right-back for Renofa…Junya Suzuki (鈴木 準弥, Suzuki Junya; born 7 January 1996) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right-back for Renofa Yamaguchi FC, on loan from J2 League club Yokohama FC.
Tatsuya Hasegawa (長谷川 竜也, Hasegawa Tatsuya; born March 7, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Tatsuya Hasegawa (長谷川 竜也, Hasegawa Tatsuya; born March 7, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for J1 League club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
Hayato Isomura (磯村 勇斗, Isomura Hayato; born September 11, 1992) is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent…Hayato Isomura (磯村 勇斗, Isomura Hayato; born September 11, 1992) is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agency Blue Label.
Yayoi Matsumoto (松本 弥生, Matsumoto Yayoi; born March 8, 1990 in Shizuoka, Shizuoka) is a Japanese swimmer. At the 2012…Yayoi Matsumoto (松本 弥生, Matsumoto Yayoi; born March 8, 1990 in Shizuoka, Shizuoka) is a Japanese swimmer. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she competed for the national team in the Women's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay, finishing in 7th place in the final. She also competed in the women's 50m freestyle, finishing with a time of 25.73 seconds in 35th place in the heats, and the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she competed in the 50 m freestyle, finishing in 43rd, and was part of the Japanese women's 4 × 100 m freestyle team.
Ryo Aitaka (愛鷹 亮, Aitaka Ryō; born 31 December 1989) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former kickboxer, who…Ryo Aitaka (愛鷹 亮, Aitaka Ryō; born 31 December 1989) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former kickboxer, who competed in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions of K-1. He was a one-time K-1 Cruiserweight title challenger, having challenged for the title in 2020. In 2023, he took up professional wrestling, training at the Ibushi Prowrest Lab, and made his debut for Gleat on 30 December, under the ring name Riki Aitaka (愛鷹 力, Aitaka Riki), and later under his real name.
Yuta Sasaki (佐々木 佑太, Sasaki Yūta; born October 7, 1989), known professionally as Ulka Sasaki (佐々木憂流迦, Sasaki Uruka), is…Yuta Sasaki (佐々木 佑太, Sasaki Yūta; born October 7, 1989), known professionally as Ulka Sasaki (佐々木憂流迦, Sasaki Uruka), is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He is signed to Pro Wrestling Noah. He also appears in WWE, in their development territory NXT. A professional competitor since 2010, Sasaki formerly competed for Ultimate Fighting Championship, Shooto, Deep, and Vale Tudo Japan. He is the former Shooto Pacific Rim (132 lbs) Champion.
Hidefumi Wakayama (若山 英史, Wakayama Hidefumi; born January 3, 1985 in Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese wheelchair…Hidefumi Wakayama (若山 英史, Wakayama Hidefumi; born January 3, 1985 in Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese wheelchair rugby player who currently plays for Shizuoka Bank/CENTERPOLE and the Japanese national team.
Shinji Ono (小野 伸二, Ono Shinji; born 27 September 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Shinji Ono (小野 伸二, Ono Shinji; born 27 September 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He started his senior career with J1 League side Urawa Reds before moving Dutch side Feyenoord in 2001 where he won the UEFA Cup in 2002. He returned to Urawa Reds in 2006 where he won the 2006 J League title in his first season back at the club and the 2007 AFC Champions League in his second season. He moved to Bundesliga side Bochum in January 2008 but made limited appearances due to injuries. He signed for Shimizu S-Pulse in January 2010. He subsequently played for Western Sydney Wanderers, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Ryukyu before retiring in 2023. He earned 56 caps for the Japan national team. He was part of the squads for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
Kyoko Iwasaki (岩崎 恭子, Iwasaki Kyōko; married name: Kyoko Saito (斎藤恭子), born July 21, 1978) is a Japanese swimming coach…Kyoko Iwasaki (岩崎 恭子, Iwasaki Kyōko; married name: Kyoko Saito (斎藤恭子), born July 21, 1978) is a Japanese swimming coach and retired Olympic swimmer from Numazu, Shizuoka. She won the gold medal in the 200 metres breaststroke at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. She was 14 years and 6 days old, making her the youngest Olympic gold medalist in the discipline of swimming at the time. In 1998, the asteroid 35441 Kyoko was named after her.
Takaaki Katsumata (勝俣孝明, Katsumata Takaaki; born 7 April 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…Takaaki Katsumata (勝俣孝明, Katsumata Takaaki; born 7 April 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 2023 to 2024, he served as chairman of the foreign affairs committee.
Yuuki Kondo (近藤 有希, kondō yūki; born on (1974-08-28)August 28, 1974), née Yuuki Kubota (久保田 有希, kubota yūki), is a…Yuuki Kondo (近藤 有希, kondō yūki; born on (1974-08-28)August 28, 1974), née Yuuki Kubota (久保田 有希, kubota yūki), is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist and judoka. She is nicknamed Cool Fighter (クール・ファイター, kūru faitā) in reference to her calm appearance when fighting.
Tatsuo Sugimoto (杉本 龍勇, Sugimoto Tatsuo; born 25 November 1970) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100…Tatsuo Sugimoto (杉本 龍勇, Sugimoto Tatsuo; born 25 November 1970) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Kento Sugiyama (杉山 賢人, Sugiyama Kento; born December 12, 1968) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player from…Kento Sugiyama (杉山 賢人, Sugiyama Kento; born December 12, 1968) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player from Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan. He played for the Seibu Lions, Hanshin Tigers, Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, and Yokohama BayStars during his 10-year career in the Japanese professional leagues. Sugiyama was drafted in the first round of the 1992 amateur draft by the Seibu Lions, and won the Japanese rookie of the year award in 1993, making 54 appearances with a 2.80 ERA. His pitching deteriorated from then on, and he was traded to the Hanshin Tigers in mid-1999. He was traded to the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes in mid-2000, and was traded for the third time in his career in mid-2001 to the Yokohama BayStars. He made 32 appearances with the BayStars in 2001, but retired at the end of the season. He worked as a batting pitcher for the BayStars before becoming the pitching coach for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in 2006. He won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Hikari Sasaki (佐々木 光, Hikari Yamada; née Sasaki Sasaki (佐々木); born 4 October 1967) is a Japanese judoka. She was born…Hikari Sasaki (佐々木 光, Hikari Yamada; née Sasaki Sasaki (佐々木); born 4 October 1967) is a Japanese judoka. She was born in Numazu, Shizuoka, and started judo at the age of 15. At the 1988 Summer Olympics she won the gold medal in the Women's Middleweight (–66 kg) category(Women's Judo as a demonstration sport). She also won silver and bronze medals at the 1987 and 1989 World Judo Championships.
Miyuki Ono (小野みゆき) is a Japanese actress and model. She is best known for her acting. Some of her work includes Black…Miyuki Ono (小野みゆき) is a Japanese actress and model. She is best known for her acting. Some of her work includes Black Rain, Evil Dead Trap, Fruits of Passion, G.I. Samurai, Black Angel Vol. 1, and The Man Behind the Scissors.
Hiroaki Sakurai (桜井 弘明, Sakurai Hiroaki; born December 15, 1958) is a Japanese anime director and bassist who is known…Hiroaki Sakurai (桜井 弘明, Sakurai Hiroaki; born December 15, 1958) is a Japanese anime director and bassist who is known for his work with the Di Gi Charat series and UFO Baby. He has served as the director for series such as Nanaka 6/17, Cromartie High School, Les Misérables: Shōjo Cosette, GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class, Maid Sama!, Nekogami Yaoyorozu, Jewelpet Happiness, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., and The Demon Girl Next Door. He is married to Sayuri Ōba, an anime screenwriter.
Masakuni Yamamoto (山本 昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni; born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Masakuni Yamamoto (山本 昌邦, Yamamoto Masakuni; born April 4, 1958) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Masaaki Sugiyama (杉山正明, Sugiyama Masaaki) (1952-2019) was a Japanese historian and author. Sugiyama was born March 1…Masaaki Sugiyama (杉山正明, Sugiyama Masaaki) (1952-2019) was a Japanese historian and author. Sugiyama was born March 1, 1952, in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the Faculty of Letters of Kyoto University in 1974. In 1992, he became an associate professor at the Faculty of Letters at Kyoto University, and in 1995, a professor, and later a professor at the Graduate School of Letters. He received the Japan Academy Prize in 2007. Sugiyama died on December 24, 2019.
Masato Harada (原田 眞人, Harada Masato; July 3, 1949 – December 8, 2025) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…Masato Harada (原田 眞人, Harada Masato; July 3, 1949 – December 8, 2025) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, critic and occasional actor. He was nominated five times for the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Director, among other accolades.
Nobutaka Machimura (町村 信孝, Machimura Nobutaka; 17 October 1944 – 1 June 2015) was a Japanese politician. He was a…Nobutaka Machimura (町村 信孝, Machimura Nobutaka; 17 October 1944 – 1 June 2015) was a Japanese politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Japan and a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was Chief Cabinet Secretary in the government of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from 2007 to 2008 and twice Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the cabinets of Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzō Abe. He resigned as the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 21 April 2015 after suffering from a stroke.
Gisaburō Sugii (杉井ギサブロー or 杉井儀三郎, Sugii Gisaburō; born August 20, 1940) is a Japanese anime director and Nihonga…Gisaburō Sugii (杉井ギサブロー or 杉井儀三郎, Sugii Gisaburō; born August 20, 1940) is a Japanese anime director and Nihonga artist. He is best known for his work as director of the Touch series, the movie adaptation of the Arashi no Yoru ni children's book series, and the movie Night on the Galactic Railroad. He is a member of the Directors Guild of Japan and the Japanese Animation Creators Association.
Jiro Nagasawa (長沢 二郎, Nagasawa Jirō; February 2, 1932 – March 23, 2010) was a Japanese swimmer. He is credited with the…Jiro Nagasawa (長沢 二郎, Nagasawa Jirō; February 2, 1932 – March 23, 2010) was a Japanese swimmer. He is credited with the invention of the modern butterfly stroke. Although not the first to swim the butterfly-breaststroke, Nagasawa was the first to use a dolphin kick, where the legs stayed together and moved simultaneously up then down.
Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson…Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson who was the president and chairman of Sony Corporation. He is credited with spurring the development of the compact disc (CD) as a commercially viable audio format.
Shigeo Arai (新井 茂雄, Arai Shigeo; August 8, 1916 – July 19, 1944) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at the…Shigeo Arai (新井 茂雄, Arai Shigeo; August 8, 1916 – July 19, 1944) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer who competed at the 1936 Olympics. He won a gold medal in 4 × 200 m freestyle relay, setting a world record. In the individual 100 m race, he finished almost simultaneously with Masanori Yusa and Masaharu Taguchi and was awarded a bronze medal. Those Games were the only international competition for Arai, though he won three national titles in the 100 m and four in the 200 m freestyle between 1937 and 1940. While serving in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, he was killed in action in Burma.
Reizo Koike (小池 禮三, Koike Reizō; December 12, 1915 – August 3, 1998) was a Japanese swimmer who specialized in the 200…Reizo Koike (小池 禮三, Koike Reizō; December 12, 1915 – August 3, 1998) was a Japanese swimmer who specialized in the 200 m breaststroke.
Madoka Asahina (朝日奈 丸佳, Asahina Madoka; born December 17, 1993) is a Japanese voice actress from Shizuoka Prefecture…Madoka Asahina (朝日奈 丸佳, Asahina Madoka; born December 17, 1993) is a Japanese voice actress from Shizuoka Prefecture who is affiliated with 81 Produce. She is known for her roles as Shūka Hanazono in Idol Time PriPara.
Shu Watanabe (渡辺 周, Watanabe Shū; born 11 December 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic…Shu Watanabe (渡辺 周, Watanabe Shū; born 11 December 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan (national legislature).
