Maria Makino (Japanese: 牧野 真莉愛, Hepburn: Makino Maria) (born February 2, 2001) is a Japanese pop singer, dancer and…Maria Makino (Japanese: 牧野 真莉愛, Hepburn: Makino Maria) (born February 2, 2001) is a Japanese pop singer, dancer and model. She is a former 12th generation member and Sub-Leader of Japanese girl group Morning Musume.
Kaito Kamiya (神谷 凱士, Kamiya Kaito; born 16 June 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J3 League…Kaito Kamiya (神谷 凱士, Kamiya Kaito; born 16 June 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J3 League club FC Ryukyu. He is the twin brother of fellow professional footballer Ryoto Kamiya.
Makoto Hirose (廣瀬 誠, Hirose Makoto; born 22 November 1976) is a Japanese Paralympic judoka in Lightweight. In 2004 he…Makoto Hirose (廣瀬 誠, Hirose Makoto; born 22 November 1976) is a Japanese Paralympic judoka in Lightweight. In 2004 he won the silver medal in the men's 60 kg, but was not upgraded when Sergio Arturo Perez was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for a banned substance. In 2008 he made it to the quarter-finals but lost to Mouloud Noura (Algeria). In 2012 he switched to 66 kg (half-lightweight) and lost the semi-final to Zhao Xu (China). The 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio will be his fourth Games. In the 60 kg, he won his second silver medal when Sherzod Namozov (Uzbekistan) beat him in the final. At the 2010 Asian Para Games he won a bronze medal in the men's -66 kg event.
Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon…Hitoki Iwase (岩瀬 仁紀, born November 10, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1999 to 2018 for the Chunichi Dragons. He holds the NPB record for career saves and mound appearances. In 2005, he marked 46 saves with a 1.88 ERA, renewing the single-season save record previously set by Kazuhiro Sasaki. This was subsequently broken by Dennis Sarfate of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2017. He was chosen to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2004 Summer Olympics, and won a bronze medal. In the 2007 Japan Series, he saved a perfect game with eight innings thrown by Daisuke Yamai. In 2008, he was selected to play on the Japanese Olympic baseball team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In group stage against South Korean Olympic baseball team, his pitch was hit by Kim Hyunsoo, which resulted in a loss. In the semifinal round against the South Korean team, his pitch was hit by Lee Seung-Yeop, leading to a two-run homerun. This again led to another loss. His overall performance in the 2008 Summer Olympics included three defeats and an ERA of 13.75. On 16 January 2025, Iwase was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mami Koyama (小山 茉美, Koyama Mami; born January 17, 1955) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator affiliated…Mami Koyama (小山 茉美, Koyama Mami; born January 17, 1955) is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator affiliated with Aoni Production. Her best-known voice roles include Ophiuchus Shaina in Saint Seiya, Arale Norimaki in Dr. Slump, Minky Momo in Magical Princess Minky Momo, Lunch in Dragon Ball, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in Naruto: Shippuden, Korosuke in Kiteretsu Daihyakka, Ryoko Mendo in Urusei Yatsura, and Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom) in One Piece, Vermouth in Detective Conan. Some of her notable roles in the 1990s and 2000s anime include Balalaika in Black Lagoon, Talia Gladys in Gundam Seed Destiny, Eva Heinemann in Monster, and Yōko Itoigawa in Hyōka. In feature films, she voiced Kei in Akira, and the adult Chiyoko Fujiwara in Millennium Actress.
Wakafutase Tadayuki, born Tadateru Tojima (February 20, 1942 – May 20, 1997), was a sumo wrestler and coach from…Wakafutase Tadayuki, born Tadateru Tojima (February 20, 1942 – May 20, 1997), was a sumo wrestler and coach from Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. He was the head coach of Asahiyama stable from 1975 until his death in 1997.
