Yosuke Furukawa (古川 陽介, Furukawa Yosuke; born 16 July 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Yosuke Furukawa (古川 陽介, Furukawa Yosuke; born 16 July 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Darmstadt 98.
Hikaru Takahashi (髙橋 ひかる, Takahashi Hikaru; born September 22, 2001) is a Japanese actress and model, currently…Hikaru Takahashi (髙橋 ひかる, Takahashi Hikaru; born September 22, 2001) is a Japanese actress and model, currently affiliated to Oscar Promotion.
Genki Egawa (江川 慶城, Egawa Genki; born 2 April 2000) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a centre-back for…Genki Egawa (江川 慶城, Egawa Genki; born 2 April 2000) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a centre-back for Kagoshima United.
Yuto Seko (born 16 March 1998) is a Japanese high jumper. He was a silver medalist at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics…Yuto Seko (born 16 March 1998) is a Japanese high jumper. He was a silver medalist at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
Mariko Kihara (born September 4, 1997) is a Japanese figure skater. She has won three senior internationals – the 2014…Mariko Kihara (born September 4, 1997) is a Japanese figure skater. She has won three senior internationals – the 2014 Coupe du Printemps, 2015 Bavarian Open, and 2016 Triglav Trophy.
Sota Mino (Japanese: 三野 草太, Mino Sota; born 20 October 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Sota Mino (Japanese: 三野 草太, Mino Sota; born 20 October 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga I club UTA Arad.
Yūma Koishi (小石 祐馬, Koishi Yūma; born 15 September 1993) is a Japanese cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental…Yūma Koishi (小石 祐馬, Koishi Yūma; born 15 September 1993) is a Japanese cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental team Kinan Racing Team.
Hiromi Endō (born 22 February 1993) is a Japanese judoka. Endō is the gold medalist of the 2013 Judo World Masters in…Hiromi Endō (born 22 February 1993) is a Japanese judoka. Endō is the gold medalist of the 2013 Judo World Masters in the –48 kg category.
Saori Anou (安納サオリ, Anō Saori; born February 1, 1991) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to World Wonder Ring…Saori Anou (安納サオリ, Anō Saori; born February 1, 1991) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is a member of Cosmic Angels and a former two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion. Anou is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotion Actwres girl'Z and her freelance appearances in promotions such as Oz Academy and Ice Ribbon. She is the former ICE Cross Infinity Champion in Ice Ribbon, the inaugural AWG Single Champion in Actwres girl'Z, and former two-time Wonder of Stardom Champion in World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Rana Okada (岡田 良菜, Okada Rana; born 5 January 1991) is a Japanese snowboarder. She has represented Japan at the 2010…Rana Okada (岡田 良菜, Okada Rana; born 5 January 1991) is a Japanese snowboarder. She has represented Japan at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Minehiro Kinomoto (木ノ本 嶺浩, Kinomoto Minehiro; born November 22, 1989) is a Japanese stage and television actor from…Minehiro Kinomoto (木ノ本 嶺浩, Kinomoto Minehiro; born November 22, 1989) is a Japanese stage and television actor from Shiga Prefecture. Minehiro portrayed Ryu Terui, the Superintendent of the police force and the secondary hero of the television series Kamen Rider W.
Takahiro Urashima (浦島 貴大, Urashima Takahiro; born May 12, 1988) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Verspah Oita as…Takahiro Urashima (浦島 貴大, Urashima Takahiro; born May 12, 1988) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Verspah Oita as a defender.
Yuki Ota (太田 雄貴, Ōta Yūki; born 25 November 1985) is a Japanese foil fencer, gold medallist at the 2006 Asian Games…Yuki Ota (太田 雄貴, Ōta Yūki; born 25 November 1985) is a Japanese foil fencer, gold medallist at the 2006 Asian Games, silver medallist at the 2008 Summer Olympics, team silver medallist at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and individual gold medallist at the 2015 World Fencing Championships. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Jiro Miki (三木 二郎, Miki Jiro; born May 31, 1983) is a Japanese former swimmer, who specialized in individual medley…Jiro Miki (三木 二郎, Miki Jiro; born May 31, 1983) is a Japanese former swimmer, who specialized in individual medley events. He is a two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004), a double Olympic finalist in both 200 and 400 m individual medley, and a silver medalist at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Miki made his first Japanese team, as a 17-year-old teen, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He failed to reach the top 8 final of the 200 m individual medley, finishing his semifinal run with a slowest time of 2:03.90. At the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, Miki touched out China's Ouyang Kunpeng to earn a silver medal in the men's 200 m individual medley (2:02.07), giving Japan its straight 1–2 finish. Miki extended his swimming program at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, competing in two medley events. He achieved FINA A-standards of 1:59.99 (200 m individual medley) and 4:14.79 (400 m individual medley) from the Olympic trials in Tokyo. On the first day of the Games, Miki placed seventh in the 400 m individual medley with a time of 4:19.97, edging out Australia's Travis Nederpelt by 0.11 seconds. Five days later, in the 200 m individual medley, Miki rounded out the top 8 final to last place in 2:02.16, five seconds behind winner, U.S. swimmer, and eventual Olympic record holder Michael Phelps.
Kumiko Kōda (神田 來未子, Kōda Kumiko; born November 13, 1982), known professionally as Koda Kumi (倖田 來未, Kōda Kumi), is a…Kumiko Kōda (神田 來未子, Kōda Kumiko; born November 13, 1982), known professionally as Koda Kumi (倖田 來未, Kōda Kumi), is a Japanese singer from Kyoto, known for her urban and R&B songs. After debuting with the single "Take Back" in December 2000, Koda gained fame in March 2003 when the songs from her seventh single, "Real Emotion/1000 no Kotoba", were used as themes for the video game Final Fantasy X-2. Her popularity grew with the release of her fourth studio album Secret (2005), her sixteenth single "Butterfly" (2005), and her first greatest hits album Best: First Things (2005), reaching the number-three, number-two, and number-one spots respectively. Though her early releases presented a conservative, quiet image, she has become a fashion leader among young women, setting trends such as the ero-kakkoii style. In 2006 and 2007, Oricon named Koda as the top selling artist of the year.
Takayuki Omi (近江 孝行, Ōmi Takayuki; born October 6, 1982 in Ōtsu, Shiga) is a Japanese footballer who last played for…Takayuki Omi (近江 孝行, Ōmi Takayuki; born October 6, 1982 in Ōtsu, Shiga) is a Japanese footballer who last played for Air India FC.
Ryūhei Tamura (Japanese: 田村 隆平, Hepburn: Tamura Ryūhei; born April 19, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best…Ryūhei Tamura (Japanese: 田村 隆平, Hepburn: Tamura Ryūhei; born April 19, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known for being the author and illustrator of the manga Beelzebub, which was first published as a one-shot in Weekly Shōnen Jump, 2008. It was then serialized in 2009. Tamura was formerly an assistant/student to Toshiaki Iwashiro, the author of Psyren, which was also serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Kazuki Kuranuki (倉貫 一毅, Kuranuki Kazuki; born November 10, 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former football…Kazuki Kuranuki (倉貫 一毅, Kuranuki Kazuki; born November 10, 1978) is a Japanese football manager and former football player.
Takayo Kondo (近藤 高代, Kondō Takayo; born 17 November 1975 in Ōtsu, Shiga) is a retired Japanese athlete specialising in…Takayo Kondo (近藤 高代, Kondō Takayo; born 17 November 1975 in Ōtsu, Shiga) is a retired Japanese athlete specialising in the pole vault. She competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics and three consecutive World Championships each time failing to qualify for the final. She was the gold medalist at the 2000 Asian Athletics Championships. She has personal bests of 4.35 metres outdoors and 4.20 metres indoors.
Tomotaka Takahashi (高橋 智隆, Takahashi Tomotaka; born March 27, 1975) is a Japanese roboticist and founder of Kyoto…Tomotaka Takahashi (高橋 智隆, Takahashi Tomotaka; born March 27, 1975) is a Japanese roboticist and founder of Kyoto University's ROBO-GARAGE since 2018. Takahashi creates humanoid robots known for their smooth, fluid motions and sleek appearance. Having built many humanoid robots entirely by himself, from simple concepts to production, Takahashi's designs have been featured in several art exhibitions celebrating the creation of Astroboy, Time Magazine's Coolest Inventions of 2004, and promotions for Bandai, Panasonic, and Pepsi. He has also worked with toy companies to produce relatively inexpensive robots for the hobby market, including those for Kyosho (a Japanese toy manufacturer better known for their remote control cars). In early 2008, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (Panasonic) unveiled Takahashi's 4.5-ounce, 6.7-inch robot mascot for Panasonic's Evolta line of alkaline batteries (the longest lasting of its type according to the Guinness Book of World Records), which climbed a 1,500-ft. Grand Canyon cliff as a publicity stunt/demonstration on May 24, 2008. The robot was powered by a pair of Evolta batteries, and used a tiny rope to ascend the cliff face, which took approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes. Takahashi's largest robot to date is the Enryu T-52, which he designed for Tmsuk Co. Ltd. The Enryu (lit. "Support Dragon") is a 3.5m tall, 2.5m wide, 5t rescue robot that fully houses a human operator, but can also be controlled remotely if necessary via cameras located in the robot's head (including night vision), and on its front, back, and flanks. Its two, 10m long hydraulic arms have 6 degrees of freedom and are capable of lifting a car or other debris in the event of an earthquake, fire, or other disaster. The arms also come equipped with individual CCD cameras, useful when small, precise movements are necessary. It moves on caterpillar-style treads at approximately 3 km/h. As of 2006 the Enryu was still in the testing phase, and in July 2007 Tmsuk Co. Ltd. unveiled the completely redesigned Enryu T-53 (it is unclear what [if any] role Takahashi had in this redesign). He leads Team Osaka, a collaboration of: Osaka City, VSTONE Co. Ltd., Osaka University, Systec Akazawa, ROBO-GARAGE, and ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories, established in 2003 to develop robot technologies in Osaka Japan. Team Osaka competes in various robot competitions and events around the world, such as Robocup (robot soccer). Team Osaka has won the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup in 2004, 2005 and 2006. They lost to the German team NimbRo 5–7 in 2007.
Masayoshi Yamazaki (山崎 まさよし, Yamazaki Masayoshi; born 山崎 将義 Yamazaki Masayoshi on December 23, 1971, in Kusatsu Shiga)…Masayoshi Yamazaki (山崎 まさよし, Yamazaki Masayoshi; born 山崎 将義 Yamazaki Masayoshi on December 23, 1971, in Kusatsu Shiga) is a Japanese singer-songwriter who plays guitar-driven blues, rock, and pop music, though he has also recorded piano ballads. Though he primarily plays the guitar, he has played the drums, piano, percussion, saxophone, and glockenspiel on some albums. He released his second album in 1997, which contained his breakout and most famous single "One More Time, One More Chance." This song was used in Makoto Shinkai's anime film 5 Centimeters per Second. In November of 2002, he performed the Beatles song "All My Loving" for Sir Paul McCartney while the latter was backstage after a show in Japan on the Driving World Tour.
Shinichi Osawa (Japanese: 大沢 伸一, Hepburn: Ōsawa Shin'ichi; born 7 February 1967), also known by his stage name Mondo…Shinichi Osawa (Japanese: 大沢 伸一, Hepburn: Ōsawa Shin'ichi; born 7 February 1967), also known by his stage name Mondo Grosso, is a Japanese musician, DJ, record producer and composer. Over the course of his career, he has worked in genres ranging from acid jazz to house, with strong influences of underground club music, though his recent work has been in the genre of electro house. HMV Japan rated Mondo Grosso at number 95 on their "Top 100 Japanese Pop Artists," and Shinichi Osawa was ranked as Japan's number 3 overall DJ by TopDeejays.com as of 2016.
Satoru Mochizuki (望月 聡, Mochizuki Satoru; born 18 May 1964) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is…Satoru Mochizuki (望月 聡, Mochizuki Satoru; born 18 May 1964) is a Japanese football manager and former player who is currently in charge for the Indonesia women's national team. In his career as a player, he has played for the Japan national team.
Yukihiro Nishizaki (西崎 幸広, Nishizaki Yukihiro; born April 13, 1964 in Otsu, Shiga) is a retired Japanese professional…Yukihiro Nishizaki (西崎 幸広, Nishizaki Yukihiro; born April 13, 1964 in Otsu, Shiga) is a retired Japanese professional pitcher.
Setsuko Karasuma (烏丸 せつこ, Karasuma Setsuko) is an actress and model born on 3 February 1955 in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture…Setsuko Karasuma (烏丸 せつこ, Karasuma Setsuko) is an actress and model born on 3 February 1955 in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. She attended Chukyo University, but left before finishing. She is employed by the From First Production talent agency. Karasuma made her debut as a Clarion Girl in 1980, moving quickly into the gravure idol scene. Her debut as a film actress came as she got the lead role in the 1980 adaptation of the Hiroyuki Itsuki novel Four Seasons・Natsuko (四季・奈津子, Shiki・Natsuko).
Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves…Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves insects but he is a naturalist at heart.
Daiko Nagato (長戸 大幸, Nagato Daikō; born 6 April 1948) is a Japanese musical producer, musical arranger, writer and…Daiko Nagato (長戸 大幸, Nagato Daikō; born 6 April 1948) is a Japanese musical producer, musical arranger, writer and composer. He's mostly known as the founder of music company B Zone (formerly known as Being Inc.), which provided million-seller hits during the 1990s and provided more than 80 theme songs for anime television series Detective Conan. He was the recording producer for artists such as Boøwy, Loudness, TUBE, B'z, ZARD, WANDS, Maki Ohguro, DEEN, T-BOLAN, Mai Kuraki, Garnet Crow, Rina Aiuchi and Sard Underground. His brother, Shuusuke Nagato (長戸秀介) is also musical producer, guitarist, writer and founder of the music company Rey's in.
Hōzan Yamamoto (山本 邦山, Yamamoto Hōzan; October 6, 1937 - February 10, 2014 in Ōtsu, Shiga prefecture) was a Japanese…Hōzan Yamamoto (山本 邦山, Yamamoto Hōzan; October 6, 1937 - February 10, 2014 in Ōtsu, Shiga prefecture) was a Japanese shakuhachi player, composer and lecturer. Yamamoto started playing the Japanese bamboo flute shakuhachi at the age of nine. He was initially taught by his father and then by Chozan Nakanishi. After graduating from Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Studies in 1958, he participated in UNESCO's World Folk Music Festival and graduated from Seiha Music College in 1962. Together with koto player Shinichi Yuize and Tony Scott, he recorded the album Music for Zen Meditation in February 1964. After forming the widely acclaimed "Shakuhachi Sanbon Kai" trio in 1966 with Reibo Aoki and Katsuya Yokoyama, he electrified the conservative traditional scene by applying his talents to a variety of crossover collaborations. These have led him to work with such world-renowned musicians as Ravi Shankar, Helen Merrill, Gary Peacock and Karl Berger, and also with flute colleagues Jean-Pierre Rampal and Chris Hinze. In 1980 he was invited to the renowned Donaueschingen music festival with his trio. He recorded music for the movie Samurai Reincarnation film and the album Masters of Zen: Shakuhachi & Organ with Wolfgang Mitterer. Through the 1970s and 1980s until his death he led the shakuhachi world receiving innumerable honors, including Japanese Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Education Ministerial awards for his performances, recordings (numbering in the hundreds) and compositions. He served as lecturer at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and as head of the Hozan-kai Shakuhachi Guild. In 2002 he was designated Living National Treasure of Japan. In 2004, he was awarded a Medal with Purple Ribbon. In 2009, he was awarded an Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. On February 10, 2014, he died at a hospital in Tokyo.
Naoki Tanemura (種村 直樹, Tanemura Naoki; March 7, 1936 – November 6, 2014) was a Japanese writer, essayist and critic. He…Naoki Tanemura (種村 直樹, Tanemura Naoki; March 7, 1936 – November 6, 2014) was a Japanese writer, essayist and critic. He called himself a "railway writer". He had published commentaries on railways and travel writings including mysteries. He came from Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture. He graduated from Shiga Prefectural Zeze High School and then the Department of Law of Kyoto University. He became a journalist of the Mainichi Shimbun, and became independent afterwards. Tanemura was well informed about the railways in Japan. His travel style in his book called "Kimagure Ressha" (capricious train) influenced a lot of young people. Tanemura had a fan club. Writers in Japan who have their own fan club is considerably few. He traveled with the members of the fan club and he often wrote about them in his works. Tanemura was an authority of a hobby named "travel savings" (旅行貯金, ryokō chokin), where participants around the country deposit a small amount of money at post offices (and Japan Post Bank) to collect the rubber stamps of the post offices.
Yasuo Kawamura (Japanese: 河村 泰男; 7 May 1908 – 13 October 1997) was a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1932 and…Yasuo Kawamura (Japanese: 河村 泰男; 7 May 1908 – 13 October 1997) was a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1932 and 1936 Winter Olympics. In 1932 he participated in the 500 metres competition, in the 1500 metres event, in the 5000 metres competition, and in the 10000 metres event, but was eliminated in the heats in all four contests. Four years later he finished 28th in the 1500 metres competition.
Kiyo Takeda (Japanese: 武田キヨ; 21 September 1896 – 14 March 1954) was a Japanese educator and politician. She was one of…Kiyo Takeda (Japanese: 武田キヨ; 21 September 1896 – 14 March 1954) was a Japanese educator and politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Yuki Ogura (小倉 遊亀, Ogura Yuki; 1 March 1895 – 23 July 2000) was a Japanese nihonga painter. Her maiden name was Yuki…Yuki Ogura (小倉 遊亀, Ogura Yuki; 1 March 1895 – 23 July 2000) was a Japanese nihonga painter. Her maiden name was Yuki Mizoguchi. She was known for her bijinga.
Ono no Imoko (小野 妹子; Japanese pronunciation: [o.no no (|) iꜜ.mo.ko]) was a Japanese politician and diplomat in the late…Ono no Imoko (小野 妹子; Japanese pronunciation: [o.no no (|) iꜜ.mo.ko]) was a Japanese politician and diplomat in the late 6th and early 7th century, during the Asuka period. Ono was appointed by Empress Suiko as an official envoy (Kenzuishi) to the Sui court in 607 (imperial embassies to China), and he delivered the famous letter from Japan's Prince Shōtoku which began "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises [Japan], to the Son of Heaven where the sun sets [China], may good health be with you." Emperor Yang was angered at being addressed in this way, although it is not clear whether he was angered more by the insult of Sui being referred to as the land of the setting sun, or by the use of Son of Heaven to refer both to himself and the emperor of Japan, hinting that they were equals. China at this time considered other realms to be nothing more than barbarians before the Huaxia ideology and any lands on the Earth's surface not engaged at the Sinocentric tributary system were called Huàwài zhī dì (化外之地; "lands outside of civilization"), the Emperor of China was considered the only legitimate emperor of the entire world (all lands under heaven) and the Japanese use of the same Chinese characters for Emperor ("son of heaven") was a subversion of this principle and Chinese theocracy. Nevertheless, Emperor Yang was probably more interested in diplomatically distancing Japan from Goguryeo and getting support from Japan for being the other powerful kingdom besides Goguryeo in Northeast Asia than in matters of decorum, and despite the insult, he sent his own envoy, Pei Shiqing (裴世清), back to Japan with Ono. Goguryeo for years raided and assaulted Chinese borders, in an ill-fated attempt to subjugate the kingdom in the north, the Sui dynasty later collapsed due to unfavorable political opinion generated by the Goguryeo-Sui War and other causes. Ono was then appointed envoy to Sui for a second time in the fall of 608 and accompanied Pei Shiqing on his return trip to China. Ono returned to Japan from his second mission in 609 and then largely disappeared from the historical record. Ono no Imoko is often cited as an example of an official who achieved promotion under the new meritorious Twelve Level Cap and Rank System implemented by Prince Shōtoku in 603. When Ono first appeared in the historical record and was appointed envoy to Sui, his rank was listed as Greater Propriety (5th rank), but he was later promoted to the top rank of Greater Virtue, largely due to his successful missions to the Sui court. Ono no Imoko's family was notable for linguistics and scholarship, and the descendants of the family include waka poet Ono no Komachi, poet and scholar Ono no Takamura, and calligrapher Ono no Michikaze.
Saichō (最澄; Japanese pronunciation: [saꜜi.tɕoː], September 15, 767 – June 26, 822) was a Japanese Buddhist monk…Saichō (最澄; Japanese pronunciation: [saꜜi.tɕoː], September 15, 767 – June 26, 822) was a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Japanese Tendai school of Buddhism. He was awarded the posthumous title of Dengyō Daishi (伝教大師). Recognized for his significant contributions to the development of Japanese Buddhism, Saichō is most famous for introducing the Chinese Tiantai school to Japan, which he adapted into the Tendai tradition. Saichō traveled to Tang China in 804, where he studied the Chinese Tiantai school (along with other traditions). After returning to Japan, he founded the temple and headquarters of Tendai at Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei (near the capital of Kyoto), which became the center of Tendai practice and a major institution in the history of Japanese Buddhism. Saichō emphasized the integration of the Tiantai teachings on meditation, study, precepts, and ritual practice, with the mantrayana practices of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism. He also worked to establish a new ordination system which was based on the bodhisattva precepts, rather than the traditional monastic rule (Vinaya) precepts. Saichō's Tendai school laid the groundwork for the development of later Japanese Buddhist traditions, including Pure Land, and Zen Buddhism.
Maryjun Takahashi (高橋 メアリージュン, Takahashi Mearījun; born November 8, 1987), is a Japanese actress and model. She has…Maryjun Takahashi (高橋 メアリージュン, Takahashi Mearījun; born November 8, 1987), is a Japanese actress and model. She has appeared in CanCam magazine and various television commercials.
Reika Kakiiwa (垣岩 令佳, Kakiiwa Reika; born 19 July 1989) is a Japanese badminton player from Renesas badminton club.…Reika Kakiiwa (垣岩 令佳, Kakiiwa Reika; born 19 July 1989) is a Japanese badminton player from Renesas badminton club. Reika Kakiiwa has gained prominence in the badminton community because of her success in women's doubles. She has reached a career high ranking of third in the world with her partner Mizuki Fujii. She has also competed in mixed doubles reaching a peak ranking of 51st with her partner Kenta Kazuno.
Kento Hayashi (林遣都, Hayashi Kento; born December 6, 1990) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 30 films…Kento Hayashi (林遣都, Hayashi Kento; born December 6, 1990) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 30 films since 2007.
