Akito Nishigaki (西垣彰人, Nishigaki Akito) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Akito (彰人…Akito Nishigaki (西垣彰人, Nishigaki Akito) is a Japanese professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Akito (彰人, Akito). He is currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT).
Chiaki Ito (伊藤 千晃, Itō Chiaki; born January 10, 1987 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actress…Chiaki Ito (伊藤 千晃, Itō Chiaki; born January 10, 1987 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese singer, actress, dancer, model and a former member of the group AAA.
Takayuki Seto (Japanese: 瀬戸 貴幸, Seto Takayuki; born 5 February 1986) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as…Takayuki Seto (Japanese: 瀬戸 貴幸, Seto Takayuki; born 5 February 1986) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Liga III club ARO Câmpulung.
Yōhei Ōshima (大島 洋平, born November 9, 1985) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons in…Yōhei Ōshima (大島 洋平, born November 9, 1985) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. Ōshima has 9 golden glove awards which is the most by any player in Chunichi Dragons history.
Shinpei Takagi (高木 心平, Takagi Shinpei; born October 22, 1985) is a Japanese former actor from Seto, Aichi. He is the…Shinpei Takagi (高木 心平, Takagi Shinpei; born October 22, 1985) is a Japanese former actor from Seto, Aichi. He is the twin brother of actor Manpei Takagi; both are affiliated with Stardust Promotion.
Manpei Takagi (高木 万平, Takagi Manpei; born October 22, 1985) is a Japanese former actor and model from Seto, Aichi. He…Manpei Takagi (高木 万平, Takagi Manpei; born October 22, 1985) is a Japanese former actor and model from Seto, Aichi. He is best known for portraying Retsu Fukami/Geki Blue in the Super Sentai series Juken Sentai Gekiranger. He is the twin brother of actor Shinpei Takagi. He and Shinpei quit acting in 2017 and is now a freelance photographer.
Ryosuke Fukamachi (born October 25, 1984) appeared in one game for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball…Ryosuke Fukamachi (born October 25, 1984) appeared in one game for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2007, allowing two earned runs and posting a 54.00 ERA in 1/3 of an inning. He batted and threw right handed, attended Chukyodai Chukyo High School and then Chukyo University. He was born in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Kazuki Kato (加藤 和樹, Katō Kazuki; October 7, 1984) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known for his role as…Kazuki Kato (加藤 和樹, Katō Kazuki; October 7, 1984) is a Japanese actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Daisuke Kazama, also known as Kamen Rider Drake, in Kamen Rider Kabuto and Keigo Atobe in The Prince of Tennis musicals. In 2011, he formed a band called Joker and their first single debuted on December 7, 2011.
Kiyoseumi Takayuki (born Takayuki Ichihara, 16 August 1984) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagoya, Japan. An extremely…Kiyoseumi Takayuki (born Takayuki Ichihara, 16 August 1984) is a former sumo wrestler from Nagoya, Japan. An extremely successful amateur, his highest rank in the professional sport was maegashira 13. He was forced to retire in April 2011 after an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association found him guilty of match-fixing.
Shingo Takeyama (武山 真吾, Takeyama Shingo; born June 22, 1984 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a retired professional Japanese…Shingo Takeyama (武山 真吾, Takeyama Shingo; born June 22, 1984 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a retired professional Japanese baseball player. He played catcher for the Yokohama BayStars, Saitama Seibu Lions and Chunichi Dragons.
Jong Tae-se, also known as Chong Tese (鄭大世; チョン・テセ; Korean: 정대세; born 2 March 1984) is a former professional footballer…Jong Tae-se, also known as Chong Tese (鄭大世; チョン・テセ; Korean: 정대세; born 2 March 1984) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in Japan, he represented the North Korea national team internationally, notably appearing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He is one of few North Koreans who have played in the Japanese J-League and the German 2. Bundesliga.
Karina Nose (能瀬 香里奈, Nose Karina; born February 21, 1984), known mononymously as Karina (香里奈), is a Japanese actress…Karina Nose (能瀬 香里奈, Nose Karina; born February 21, 1984), known mononymously as Karina (香里奈), is a Japanese actress and model. She was born in Shōwa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. She played the lead role in the 2008 TBS drama Daisuki!!
Syoh Yoshida (吉田 翔, Yoshida Shō; born 24 January 1984 in Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese artist of the nihonga and ink…Syoh Yoshida (吉田 翔, Yoshida Shō; born 24 January 1984 in Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese artist of the nihonga and ink painting genre. He currently lives and works in Kyoto. He graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Design at Osaka Seikei University, where he learned and matured his craft in both Japanese painting. Since his first solo exhibition "Beautiful Thing" in Kyoto in 2006, he has been expressing his love and devotion for nature and townships primarily through his unique and striking black and white paintings. He has also participated in several high profile and successful solo and group exhibitions throughout Japan in recent years.
Akihiro Maeda (前田 章宏, born June 19, 1983) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher for the Chunichi Dragons…Akihiro Maeda (前田 章宏, born June 19, 1983) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played from 2003 to 2013.
Shogo Yamaguchi (山口 翔悟, Yamaguchi Shōgo; born February 19, 1983) in Aichi Prefecture is a Japanese actor. He debuted as…Shogo Yamaguchi (山口 翔悟, Yamaguchi Shōgo; born February 19, 1983) in Aichi Prefecture is a Japanese actor. He debuted as an actor in V-cinema in 2001, and made his theatrical film debut in 2003 in Azumi. His first main lead starring role was in the tokusatsu television series Madan Senki Ryukendo in 2006, which was a major breakthrough and made him rise to worldwide fame, and is also considered to be his best and most memorable performance to date. In 2008, he was selected from an audition of 500 actors to play the male lead against the heroine in the NHK Asadora Dandan. His other notable roles are in the movie Parazoku: Parapara ja Naika (2006) and the television series Hanchō.
Yoshie Onda (恩田 美栄, Onda Yoshie; born December 13, 1982 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a…Yoshie Onda (恩田 美栄, Onda Yoshie; born December 13, 1982 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a three-time Four Continents medalist (bronze in 2001 and 2002, silver in 2005), eleven-time Grand Prix medalist, the 2005 Winter Universiade champion, and two-time Japanese national medalist. She represented Japan at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Satoko Mabuchi (馬渕 智子, Mabuchi Satoko; born 17 February 1982) is a Japanese softball player who won the gold medal at…Satoko Mabuchi (馬渕 智子, Mabuchi Satoko; born 17 February 1982) is a Japanese softball player who won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She plays as an outfielder.
Yoshihiro Sato (佐藤 嘉洋, Satō Yoshihiro; born January 25, 1981) is a Japanese kickboxer competing in K-1 at middleweight…Yoshihiro Sato (佐藤 嘉洋, Satō Yoshihiro; born January 25, 1981) is a Japanese kickboxer competing in K-1 at middleweight (−70 kg). He is the former world champion of Muay Thai in WKA and WPKC, and he won the Japanese national tournament of K-1 twice in 2006 and 2007. His official nickname is "Mugen Sniper" which means Infinite Sniper.
Mariya Yamada (山田 まりや, Yamada Mariya; born March 5, 1980) is a Japanese actress and a gravure idol. She won the title…Mariya Yamada (山田 まりや, Yamada Mariya; born March 5, 1980) is a Japanese actress and a gravure idol. She won the title of "Miss Young Magazine" in 1996.
Hiroshi Tamaki (玉木 宏, Tamaki Hiroshi; born January 14, 1980) is a Japanese actor and singer from Nagoya, Japan. When he…Hiroshi Tamaki (玉木 宏, Tamaki Hiroshi; born January 14, 1980) is a Japanese actor and singer from Nagoya, Japan. When he was still in high school, he was discovered by a talent agent while out shopping with friends. He made his debut in the drama Am I Weird? (私ってへん？ Watashitte Hen?) in 1998. Tamaki became better known with his appearance in the 2001 film Waterboys. His singing career started with the single "Seasons" in the summer of 2004. He was cast as Shinichi Chiaki in the drama Nodame Cantabile, which aired in Japan on Fuji TV on October 16, 2006. The drama was a hit, and he became most known for this role. He starred in the revival of the Iron Chef Japanese cooking show on Fuji TV in October 2012, portraying the chairman of the Kitchen Stadium. He also lent his voice to dub Western productions; for example he voiced Owen Grady (played by Chris Pratt) in the Jurassic World film series and Alex the Lion (original voice: Ben Stiller) in the Madagascar animated film series.
Kosuke Matsuura (松浦 孝亮, Matsūra Kōsuke; born September 4, 1979) is a Japanese race car driver currently competing in…Kosuke Matsuura (松浦 孝亮, Matsūra Kōsuke; born September 4, 1979) is a Japanese race car driver currently competing in the Super GT series. He previously competed in the Formula Nippon and IRL IndyCar Series.
Kei Satō (born 4 July 1979) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors since 2016…Kei Satō (born 4 July 1979) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors since 2016, representing Nara Prefecture.
Kaori Aoba (青葉 かおり, Aoba Kaori; born July 11, 1978) is a female professional 5 dan Go player. She is currently an…Kaori Aoba (青葉 かおり, Aoba Kaori; born July 11, 1978) is a female professional 5 dan Go player. She is currently an affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in, the largest Go association of Japan, and was a student of Yasumasa Hane. On 4 September 2008, Aoba was defeated by Crazy Stone, a Monte-Carlo Tree Search Go playing engine, in an 8-stone handicap game in Tokyo, Japan. The exhibition match marks the earliest official defeat of a professional by a computer with a conventional handicap.
Masaru Takeda (武田 勝, born July 10, 1978, in Nagoya) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He…Masaru Takeda (武田 勝, born July 10, 1978, in Nagoya) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2006 to 2016.
Shintarō Tokita (常田真太郎, Tokita Shintarō) is a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978…Shintarō Tokita (常田真太郎, Tokita Shintarō) is a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978, in Midori-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Japan. He has also produced Chitose Hajime's comeback single "Kataritsugu Koto", ending theme to Blood+. He enjoys soccer, judo and skiing. He especially loves music. He is usually identified with his large afro and wispy goatee. In 2008, Tokita produced the winner of the second annual Animax Anison Grand Prix competition, Catherine St. Onge's debut theme song for the anime adaptation of Valkyria Chronicles.
A..C..O (born February 3, 1977) is a Japanese singer. She made her debut in 1995 with the pop single "Fuan nano"…A..C..O (born February 3, 1977) is a Japanese singer. She made her debut in 1995 with the pop single "Fuan nano" (不安なの). She is a part of Sony Music Japan. She explores different musical styles, with the albums Absolute Ego and Material displaying electronica influences. Absolute Ego was produced by ex-Denki Groove keyboardist, Yoshinori Sunahara and The Other Side of Absolute Ego album contains remixes by Tricky, DJ Krush, and Silent Poets. In 2003, after a two-year hiatus, she enlisted the help of the avant-garde audio-visual performance group portable [k]ommunity for her quieter, more delicate album, Irony. AllMusic described Irony as "one of the most beautiful albums to come out of Japan in 2003", with the music compared to an "airy lullaby".
Takae Itō (born June 30, 1975, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the…Takae Itō (born June 30, 1975, in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2016. She represents the Aichi at-large district and is a member of the Democratic Party for the People.
Miki Imai (Japanese: 今井美希; born 30 May 1975) is a Japanese former track and field athlete who competed in the high…Miki Imai (Japanese: 今井美希; born 30 May 1975) is a Japanese former track and field athlete who competed in the high jump. Her personal best of 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in), set in 2001, is the Japanese record for the event. She is also co-holder of the indoor national record of 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) with Megumi Sato. She represented Japan at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was a three-time participant at the World Championships in Athletics (1999, 2001 and 2003). Her best major global placing came at the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships, where she came eighth. She also made appearances at the 1998 Asian Games and the 1998 IAAF World Cup. Imai was the 1998 Asian Champion in the high jump and holds the championship record of 1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄4 in). She was the runner-up in 1995 and fourth in 2002. She was also a two-time medallist at the East Asian Games, taking bronze in 1997 and the gold medal in 2001 (with a games record of 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in)). She was a six-time Japanese champion in the high jump.
Takanori Ōyama (大山 鎬則, Ōyama Takanori; born March 8, 1974) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and playwright from Aichi…Takanori Ōyama (大山 鎬則, Ōyama Takanori; born March 8, 1974) is a Japanese actor, voice actor and playwright from Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He is probably most known for the roles as Kanji Sasahara (Genshiken) and Yasunobu Hattori (Suzuka).
Kagari Yamada (山田 かがり, Yamada Kagari; born 4 June 1972) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Kagari Yamada (山田 かがり, Yamada Kagari; born 4 June 1972) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Hidehiko Tanizawa (born 5 December 1971) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Tanizawa, a left-handed…Hidehiko Tanizawa (born 5 December 1971) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Tanizawa, a left-handed player, won a national title as a 17-year old in 1989, when he defeated Tsuyoshi Fukui in the final of the All Japan Tennis Championships. In 1990 he featured in a Davis Cup tie against India in Chandigarh, to become Japan's youngest ever Davis Cup debutant. He lost his two singles rubbers, to Zeeshan Ali and Srinivasan Vasudevan. This was his only Davis Cup appearance and he continued competing in professional tournaments until 1996.
Tomonori Totani (戸谷 友則, Totani Tomonori, born November 21, 1971) is a Japanese astronomer and professor at the…Tomonori Totani (戸谷 友則, Totani Tomonori, born November 21, 1971) is a Japanese astronomer and professor at the University of Tokyo. He is a director of the FastSound Project for the Subaru Telescope, Hawaii. He specializes in cosmology, galaxy formation, and high-energy astrophysics.
Masakazu Kagiyama (鍵山 正和, Kagiyama Masakazu; born April 12, 1971) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former…Masakazu Kagiyama (鍵山 正和, Kagiyama Masakazu; born April 12, 1971) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitive figure skater. He is the 1989 World Junior bronze medalist and a three-time Japanese national champion. He placed 13th at the 1992 Winter Olympics and 12th at the 1994 Winter Olympics. After retiring from competition, Kagiyama became a coach. He is the father and coach of Japanese figure skater, Yuma Kagiyama.
Reiko Matsushita (松下 玲子) (born September 26, 1970) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives…Reiko Matsushita (松下 玲子) (born September 26, 1970) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Representatives (1 term) for the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Her married surname is Uchida (内田). She served as the sixth mayor of Musashino City, Tokyo, and as a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly (two terms).
Ryuji Kimura (木村 龍治, Kimura Ryūji; born September 1, 1970 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Ryuji Kimura (木村 龍治, Kimura Ryūji; born September 1, 1970 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Yutaka Akita (秋田 豊, Akita Yutaka; born 6 August 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a…Yutaka Akita (秋田 豊, Akita Yutaka; born 6 August 1970) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently manager of J3 League club Kochi United. He played for Japan national team until 2003.
Yoko Taro (横尾 太郎, Yokoo Tarō; born June 6, 1970) is a Japanese director and scenario writer for video games. Starting…Yoko Taro (横尾 太郎, Yokoo Tarō; born June 6, 1970) is a Japanese director and scenario writer for video games. Starting his career at the now defunct game developer Cavia, his best-known work is on the action role-playing video game series Drakengard, and its spin-offs, Nier and Nier: Automata. Yoko was born in Nagoya, Aichi, and studied at the Kobe Design University in the 1990s. While he did not initially intend to pursue a career in video games, after working at Namco and Sony, he joined Cavia and became the director and scenario writer for the first Drakengard game. He has since worked extensively on every game in the series (except Drakengard 2), and on mobile titles after becoming a freelancer following Cavia's absorption into AQ Interactive. Furthermore, Yoko Taro has been assigned as the writer of the upcoming Neon Genesis Evangelion series teased in 2026. Critics have noted Yoko's unconventional game design and writing style. One of the main aspects of his work is exploring the darker aspects of humanity, such as why they are motivated to kill each other, although he typically does not share a common opinion on his story's dark natures. His writing technique, described as "backwards scriptwriting", involves outlining the ending of the story first and building the narrative backward from that point. Due to his disdain for being photographed, he generally wears a mask when giving interviews or presenting games.
Takashi Sugiura (杉浦 貴, Sugiura Takashi; born May 31, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former freestyle…Takashi Sugiura (杉浦 貴, Sugiura Takashi; born May 31, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler and former freestyle wrestler. As of 2000, he is signed to Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah). Known mostly as the "Killing Machine", he is a four-time, longest reigning and most successfully-defensive GHC Heavyweight Champion. He is currently a member of Team 2000X. Sugiura, an accomplished amateur wrestler, joined the AJPW dojo in 1999, and later the Noah dojo after the exodus, making his professional debut on December 23, 2000, and thus becoming the first wrestler to make their debut in Noah. He has also competed in mixed martial arts with a notable victory over Giant Silva. Sugiura wrestled as a junior heavyweight in his earlier pro career and is a former GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion. Sugiura moved up to heavyweight and became the second longest reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion in his first reign, having held the title for 581 days between December 2009 and July 2011.
Wataru Itō (伊藤 渉, Itō Wataru; born 13 November 1969) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Wataru Itō (伊藤 渉, Itō Wataru; born 13 November 1969) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet as a member of the Komeito Party. A native of Nagoya, Aichi, he attended Osaka University as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Itō worked for JR Central from 1994 to 2005 and acquired a Shinkansen train operator license. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Tetsushi Suwa (諏訪哲史, Suwa Tetsuhi; born 1969) is a Japanese writer from Nagoya, Aichi. He was awarded the 137th…Tetsushi Suwa (諏訪哲史, Suwa Tetsuhi; born 1969) is a Japanese writer from Nagoya, Aichi. He was awarded the 137th Akutagawa Prize in 2007 for Asatte no Hito (アサッテの人, "The person of the day after tomorrow").
Tetsuo Nakanishi (中西 哲生, Nakanishi Tetsuo; born 8 September 1969) is a former Japanese football player. He currently…Tetsuo Nakanishi (中西 哲生, Nakanishi Tetsuo; born 8 September 1969) is a former Japanese football player. He currently works on television as a football commentator.
Hisayasu Nagata (永田 寿康, Nagata Hisayasu; 2 September 1969 – 3 January 2009) was a Japanese politician born in Nagoya…Hisayasu Nagata (永田 寿康, Nagata Hisayasu; 2 September 1969 – 3 January 2009) was a Japanese politician born in Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture. He was well known for falsely accusing the former Livedoor CEO Takafumi Horie of bribing the Liberal Democratic Party.
