Aya Terakawa (寺川綾, Terakawa Aya) (born November 12, 1984) is a retired Japanese backstroke swimmer; she announced her…Aya Terakawa (寺川綾, Terakawa Aya) (born November 12, 1984) is a retired Japanese backstroke swimmer; she announced her retirement from competitions in early December 2013. She is married to former swimmer Daisuke Hosokawa.
Tomohito Shugyo (修行 智仁, Shūgyō Tomohito, born June 29, 1984) is a Japanese football player who plays as a goalkeeper…Tomohito Shugyo (修行 智仁, Shūgyō Tomohito, born June 29, 1984) is a Japanese football player who plays as a goalkeeper for FC Imabari.
Keiji Ohbiki (Japanese:大引 啓次, born June 29, 1984) is a Japanese professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He…Keiji Ohbiki (Japanese:大引 啓次, born June 29, 1984) is a Japanese professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He previously played for the Orix Buffaloes, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). On December 2, 2019, he become free agent.
Hideki Asai (朝井 秀樹, Asai Hideki; born January 1, 1984) is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants…Hideki Asai (朝井 秀樹, Asai Hideki; born January 1, 1984) is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League.
Takamichi Sasaki (佐々木隆道, Sasaki takamichi; born 30 October 1983) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as…Takamichi Sasaki (佐々木隆道, Sasaki takamichi; born 30 October 1983) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He played for both Suntory Sungoliath and Hino Red Dolphins in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 100 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 12 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring four tries.
Katsunari Takayama (高山 勝成, Takayama Katsunari; born May 12, 1983) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a five-time…Katsunari Takayama (高山 勝成, Takayama Katsunari; born May 12, 1983) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a five-time mini-flyweight world champion, having held the WBC title in 2005, the IBF title twice between 2013 and 2015, and the WBO title twice between 2014 and 2017. He retired as a professional in 2017, as WBO world champion, to focus on participation in the 2020 Olympics, but returned in 2020 after failing to qualify.
Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛, Ōtsuka Ai; born September 9, 1982) is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Suminoe-ku, Osaka, Japan. She…Ai Otsuka (大塚 愛, Ōtsuka Ai; born September 9, 1982) is a Japanese singer-songwriter from Suminoe-ku, Osaka, Japan. She is a popular artist on the Avex Trax label and is best known for her 2003 hit "Sakuranbo", which stayed in the Top 200 Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 103 weeks. A piano player since age four, Otsuka composes and co-produces her own songs, as well as writes her own lyrics. Her music ranges from upbeat pop/rock music to ballads. Every year, Otsuka also has her own Love is Born tour to mark the anniversary of being in the music industry and her birthday in September. All of the Love is Born concerts take place in Japan, ending in her hometown of Osaka. On Love is Born 5th Anniversary in 2008, Otsuka held a leg of the concert in Taiwan, where she performed a Chinese version of her song "Planetarium". In 2009, Otsuka held 3 Love is Born 6th Anniversary concerts in Japan, as well as two concerts in Taiwan. In 2012, Otsuka debuted as the vocalist of the band Rabbit. She sold 7 million copies in Japan.
Taizo Kawabe (川辺泰三, Kawabe Taizou) is the head coach of the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B.League. He…Taizo Kawabe (川辺泰三, Kawabe Taizou) is the head coach of the Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Konan University. Kawabe was drafted second overall by the Kyoto Hannaryz in the 2009 bj league draft.
Kanako Urai (浦井 佳奈子, Urai Kanako; born September 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She has been signed to…Kanako Urai (浦井 佳奈子, Urai Kanako; born September 26, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She has been signed to WWE since August 2015, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Asuka (アスカ or 明日華; ). Previously known as Kana (華名), she started her professional wrestling career in 2004. Urai started her professional wrestling career in 2004 in the AtoZ promotion, where she remained until retiring in 2006. She returned to the ring in 2007, starting to work as a freelancer for promotions such as JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Wave, Reina Joshi Puroresu, Smash, and Wrestling New Classic. Her achievements during this time include winning the JWP Openweight Championship, Smash Diva Championship, and Wave Tag Team Championship. In 2015, Urai signed a developmental deal with WWE, being assigned to NXT under the ring name Asuka, making her the first Japanese female wrestler signed with the company in over 20 years. She won the NXT Women's Championship in 2016 (with her reign of 510 days being the longest in that title's history), and was moved to WWE's main roster in 2017. In 2018, she was the inaugural winner of the Women's Royal Rumble match. She is also a former one-time SmackDown Women's Champion, five-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion (with Kairi Sane thrice and Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss once each; the first woman to win this title with three different partners), and the 2020 Women's Money in the Bank ladder match winner. Following her first Raw Women's Championship win, Asuka became the third Women's Triple Crown Champion and the second Women's Grand Slam Champion. She would go on to become a three-time Raw Women's Champion, with the title renamed as WWE Women's Championship during her third reign. After her Elimination Chamber match win in 2023, she became the first woman in WWE to win the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and Elimination Chamber matches. Urai has also worked as a freelance graphic designer and video game journalist, and through her work with Microsoft, she has been sponsored by the company, wearing an Xbox 360 logo on her gear. Since 2019, she has her own YouTube channel, KanaChanTV, which focuses on gaming and lifestyle content.
Mariko Mori (森 万里子 Mori Mariko, born June 17, 1981) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toray Arrows. She…Mariko Mori (森 万里子 Mori Mariko, born June 17, 1981) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toray Arrows. She served as sub captain of the team between 2008 and 2010. Her maiden name was Mariko Nishiwaki.
Daiji Yamada (山田 大治、born June 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Yamada also was a long-time…Daiji Yamada (山田 大治、born June 8, 1981) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. Yamada also was a long-time member of the Japan national basketball team, playing for the team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship and both the FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA Asia Championship 2009. He made his debut for the national team in 1999 at the FIBA World Championship for Junior Men Yamada averaged 7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the host Japanese at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. In his most recent national team appearance, Yamada averaged 10 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Japanese at the FIBA Asia Championship 2009 tournament. Despite his performance, Japan stumbled to a disappointing tenth place finish, its worst ever performance in 24 FIBA Asia Championship appearances. Yamada played professionally with Hokkaido in the JBL Super League. In the 2009-10 season, Yamada entered the month-long winter break averaging 14 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Alvark.
Shōbun Nitta (新田 章文, Nitta Shōbun; born 20 May 1981) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who…Shōbun Nitta (新田 章文, Nitta Shōbun; born 20 May 1981) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Daisuke Sekimoto (関本 大介, Sekimoto Daisuke) (born February 9, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is currently…Daisuke Sekimoto (関本 大介, Sekimoto Daisuke) (born February 9, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is currently signed to Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) in the Strong BJ division. where he is a three-time BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion, former one-time BJW Heavyweight Champion former thirteen-time BJW Tag Team Champion and former six-time Yokohama Shopping Street 6-Man Tag Team Champion. He is also known for his appearances in Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max. while also being a former one-time NWA Pan-Pacific Premium Heavyweight Champion and a two-time Zero1 World Heavyweight Champion and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), where former one-time wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion. Other major promotions with DDT Pro-Wrestling, All Japan Pro-Wrestling and Kaientai Dojo, winning singles championships include the where former one-time Gaora TV Champion, former one-time KO-D Openweight Champion and former one-time Strongest-K Champion. Also a successful tag team wrestler, he has held the AJPW World Tag Team Championship three times, the All Asia Tag Team Championship two time and the KO-D Tag Team Championship two times with his most successful tag team combination being with Yuji Okabayashi.
Daichi Sawano (澤野大地, Sawano Daichi; born 16 September 1980 in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka and raised in Chiba Prefecture)…Daichi Sawano (澤野大地, Sawano Daichi; born 16 September 1980 in Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka and raised in Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese pole vaulter. His personal best is 5.83 metres, which is the current Japanese National Record (as of 2019/01/01) achieved in May 2005 in Shizuoka. Sawano is a three-time Olympian (2004, 2008, 2016), two-time Olympic Finalist, whose best finish was 7th at the Rio Olympics (2016). Sawano is currently coached by the staff at the University of Japan (Nichidai) and USA Track and Field National Pole Vault Chair, Brian Yokoyama. He was formerly coached by former Japanese record holder Teruyasu Yonekura and renown Japanese pole coach Yamazaki.
Takehiro Kashima (鹿島 丈博, Kashima Takehiro; born July 16, 1980 in Osaka) is a Japanese gymnast, world champion and…Takehiro Kashima (鹿島 丈博, Kashima Takehiro; born July 16, 1980 in Osaka) is a Japanese gymnast, world champion and Olympic champion.
Shogo Kimura (木村 昇吾, Kimura Shōgo; born April 16, 1980 in Osaka, Osaka, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Shogo Kimura (木村 昇吾, Kimura Shōgo; born April 16, 1980 in Osaka, Osaka, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player and cricketer. He plays infielder for the Saitama Seibu Lions. He took up cricket with the Japan Cricket Association after going unsigned following his release by the Seibu Lions. In September 2022, he was named in Japan's T20I squad for the 2022–23 ICC Men's T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier. Kimura was part of Japan's squad against the Indonesia cricket team that toured Japan in October 2022 to play a three-match Twenty20 International series. He made his T20I debut on 10 October 2022, in the second T20I of the series against Indonesia.
Hidenori Tanoue (田上 秀則, born March 20, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He played in Nippon…Hidenori Tanoue (田上 秀則, born March 20, 1980) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons from 2002 to 2004 and Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2006 to 2013.
Hiroshi Nagao (長尾 浩志, Nagao Hiroshi; December 26, 1979) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who worked for New…Hiroshi Nagao (長尾 浩志, Nagao Hiroshi; December 26, 1979) is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Hustle. Throughout Nagao's career, he competed mainly on the mid-card.
Yuji Matsubara (松原雄二, Matsubara Yūji; born 5 September 1979) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a…Yuji Matsubara (松原雄二, Matsubara Yūji; born 5 September 1979) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a hooker. He spent his whole career playing for Kobelco Steelers in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 35 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 20 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring two tries.
Hideo Hashimoto (橋本 英郎, Hashimoto Hideo; born 21 May 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Hideo Hashimoto (橋本 英郎, Hashimoto Hideo; born 21 May 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Masato Watanabe (渡辺 正人, born April 3, 1979, in Osaka) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played…Masato Watanabe (渡辺 正人, born April 3, 1979, in Osaka) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2001 to 2012.
Shotaro Onishi (大西将太郎, Ōnishi shōtarō; born 18 November 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a…Shotaro Onishi (大西将太郎, Ōnishi shōtarō; born 18 November 1978) is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a centre. He spent his whole career playing for both Kintetsu Liners and Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 560 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 30 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 71 points.
Kikuko Tsumura (津村 記久子, Tsumura Kikuko) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards…Kikuko Tsumura (津村 記久子, Tsumura Kikuko) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won numerous Japanese literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize, the Noma Literary New Face Prize, the Dazai Osamu Prize, the Kawabata Yasunari Prize, and the Oda Sakunosuke Prize.
Naoki Matoba (的場 直樹, Matoba Naoki; born May 9, 1977 in Osaka), nicknamed "Matton", is a Japanese former professional…Naoki Matoba (的場 直樹, Matoba Naoki; born May 9, 1977 in Osaka), nicknamed "Matton", is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks/Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2000, and from 2003 to 2008 and with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2010 and 2011. Matoba is an ordained priest within the Ōtani-ha branch of Shin Buddhism.
Hajime Miki (三木 肇, Miki Hajime; born April 25, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who currently…Hajime Miki (三木 肇, Miki Hajime; born April 25, 1977) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who currently serves as the manager for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB from 1996 to 2008 for the Yakult Swallows/Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Takashi Kawai (川井 貴志, Kawai Takashi; born September 16, 1976 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional…Takashi Kawai (川井 貴志, Kawai Takashi; born September 16, 1976 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Pacific League. He attended Osaka Tōin High School and Josai University before being drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the third round of the 1998 draft.
Mieko Kawakami (川上未映子, Kawakami Mieko; born August 29, 1976) is a Japanese writer and poet. She is best known for her…Mieko Kawakami (川上未映子, Kawakami Mieko; born August 29, 1976) is a Japanese writer and poet. She is best known for her 2019 novel Breasts and Eggs, an expanded and reworked version of her 2008 novella Chichi to Ran (乳と卵; lit. 'Breasts and Eggs'). Following the international success of Breasts and Eggs multiple of her earlier novels and most of her works since have been translated into English, among many other languages, and distributed internationally. Among them are Heaven (2009) and All the Lovers in the Night (2011), as well as Sisters in Yellow (2023), her first novel released since Breasts and Eggs. Her work is known for her "philosophical explorations of gender, class and ethics in modern society" and slice of life style. Kawakami's books often revolve around women and children. Kawakami's work has won several literary awards, including the 2007 Akutagawa Prize for Chichi to Ran, the 2009 Murasaki Shikibu Prize for Heaven and the 2013 Tanizaki Prize for her short story collection Ai no yume to ka (愛の夢とか), among many more.
Kotaro Tatsumi (Japanese: 辰巳 孝太郎, Hepburn: Tatsumi Kōtarō; born 21 August 1976) is a Japanese politician who serves in…Kotaro Tatsumi (Japanese: 辰巳 孝太郎, Hepburn: Tatsumi Kōtarō; born 21 August 1976) is a Japanese politician who serves in the House of Representatives for Kinki PR as a member of the Japanese Communist Party. Tatsumi was in the House of Councillors for Osaka from 2013 to 2019. He was a candidate in the 2023 Osaka gubernatorial election.
Tatsuhiko Kinjoh (Japanese: 金城 龍彦, Korean: 김용언, Hanja: 金龍彦, born July 27, 1976) is a Japanese professional baseball…Tatsuhiko Kinjoh (Japanese: 金城 龍彦, Korean: 김용언, Hanja: 金龍彦, born July 27, 1976) is a Japanese professional baseball coach and former player of Korean descent from Higashinari-ku, Osaka, Japan. He played center field for the Yomiuri Giants. He threw right-handed, and was a switch hitter.
Aoki Takamasa (青木孝允, Aoki Takamasa) (sometimes stylized as AOKI takamasa) (born 1976), is a Japanese electronic…Aoki Takamasa (青木孝允, Aoki Takamasa) (sometimes stylized as AOKI takamasa) (born 1976), is a Japanese electronic musician and producer.
Daisuke Ohata (大畑大介, Ōhata Daisuke; born November 11, 1975) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He usually played…Daisuke Ohata (大畑大介, Ōhata Daisuke; born November 11, 1975) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He usually played on the wing, and sometimes at centre, for the Japanese national team. He made his name internationally as a speedy ace in the World Rugby Sevens Series (then known as the IRB World Sevens Series), and went on to become a regular member of the national team. He first played for Japan on November 9, 1996, and scored three tries that day. He is the leading rugby union test try scorer of all time. In November 2016, Ohata was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at the opening ceremony for the Hall's first physical location in Rugby, Warwickshire.
Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲; born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (Korean: 추성훈) and by his nickname…Yoshihiro Akiyama (Japanese: 秋山 成勲; born July 29, 1975), also known as Choo Sung-hoon (Korean: 추성훈) and by his nickname Sexyama, is a Japanese mixed martial artist and judoka who won the gold medal at the 2001 Asian Championships for South Korea and for Japan at the 2002 Asian Games. He is the former K-1 HERO's Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.
Nanase Aikawa (相川 七瀬, Aikawa Nanase; born February 16, 1975) is a Japanese singer. She publishes her music under the…Nanase Aikawa (相川 七瀬, Aikawa Nanase; born February 16, 1975) is a Japanese singer. She publishes her music under the Motorod label, a division of Avex Group.
Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki; born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He…Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki; born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1997 to 2007 before playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 to 2011 and New York Yankees from 2012 to 2014. After the 2014 season, he chose to return to the Carp to finish out his career. Between the two leagues, he won 203 games. In NPB, Kuroda won the Best Nine Award in 2005 and was NPB ERA Champion in 2006. He also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics with the Japanese national baseball team. Kuroda was appointed UNITAR Goodwill Ambassador on 14 September 2015. In 2024, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Shimpei Cole Ota (太田 心平; born 1975) is a sociocultural anthropologist, sociocultural historian, researcher of Northeast…Shimpei Cole Ota (太田 心平; born 1975) is a sociocultural anthropologist, sociocultural historian, researcher of Northeast Asian studies and curator of ethnology. He is an associate professor of cross-field research at the National Museum of Ethnology which is the largest research institute for the humanities in Japan and is one of the six members of the National Institutes for the Humanities, Japan (NIHU). Ota is also working for the Graduate University for Advanced Studies as an associate professor of museum studies, and is affiliated at the American Museum of Natural History as a research associate of anthropology.
Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi; born 27 July 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist. She announced…Hitomi Akano (赤野 仁美, Akano Hitomi; born 27 July 1974) is a retired Japanese female mixed martial artist. She announced her formal retirement from MMA on 1 August 2013. Akano used a song she penned herself called "Between the Sky" as her entrance music. She is a former Smackgirl Middleweight Champion at 128 pounds (58 kg).
Terumoto Gotō (後藤 輝基, Gotō Terumoto; born June 18, 1974, in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese comedian and…Terumoto Gotō (後藤 輝基, Gotō Terumoto; born June 18, 1974, in Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He performs tsukkomi in the comedy duo Football Hour with his partner Nozomu Iwao. Gotō is represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo and is mainly active in Tokyo and Osaka.
Takumi Nakayama (Japanese: 中山巧, Nakayama Takumi; born 11 November 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former…Takumi Nakayama (Japanese: 中山巧, Nakayama Takumi; born 11 November 1973) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former King of Pancrase Featherweight Champion. He is also the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion. "Takumi"(タクミ, all katakana) ring name of Nakayama in Japan.
Tomoka Shibasaki (柴崎 友香, Shibasaki Tomoka; born October 20, 1973) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won the Noma…Tomoka Shibasaki (柴崎 友香, Shibasaki Tomoka; born October 20, 1973) is a Japanese writer from Osaka. She has won the Noma Literary New Face Prize and the Akutagawa Prize, and two of her works have been adapted for film.
Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊, Koyabu Kazutoyo; born September 11, 1973 in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese TV comedian…Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊, Koyabu Kazutoyo; born September 11, 1973 in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese TV comedian, presenter, tarento, and musician, represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo. He was the chairman of the comedy troupe Yoshimoto Shinkigeki from 2006 to 2022 and drummer for the band Genie High. Koyabu graduated as the 12th generation class from Yoshimoto NSC Osaka and speaks with an Osaka dialect.
Norihiro Nakamura (中村 紀洋, Nakamura Norihiko; born July 24, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball third…Norihiro Nakamura (中村 紀洋, Nakamura Norihiko; born July 24, 1973) is a Japanese former professional baseball third baseman. Nakamura spent almost all of his professional career in Japan with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. Nakamura had a .266 career batting average, 404 home runs and 1348 RBI, and was an eight-time All-Star and four-time Golden Glove winner. Nakamura is one of only 16 players to have hit 400 or more home runs in NPB. He also played briefly for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball in 2005.
Katsunori Okamoto (岡本 克道, Okamoto Katsunori; born June 9, 1973) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball…Katsunori Okamoto (岡本 克道, Okamoto Katsunori; born June 9, 1973) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Kanako Abe (Japanese: 阿部 加奈子, romanized: Abe Kanako; born 23 March 1973 in Ōsaka, Ōsaka prefecture) is a Japanese…Kanako Abe (Japanese: 阿部 加奈子, romanized: Abe Kanako; born 23 March 1973 in Ōsaka, Ōsaka prefecture) is a Japanese conductor, composer and pianist. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, she has performed works by contemporary composers, including Tōru Takemitsu, Michaël Levinas, Régis Campo and Bushra El-Turk.
Ai Haruna (はるな 愛, Haruna Ai; born 21 July 1972) is a Japanese transgender TV personality and singer. In October 2009…Ai Haruna (はるな 愛, Haruna Ai; born 21 July 1972) is a Japanese transgender TV personality and singer. In October 2009, Haruna won the "Miss International Queen 2009" transgender beauty pageant held in Pattaya, Thailand, becoming the first Japanese contestant to win the title. On 24 August 2021, she appeared at the beginning of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics held at the National Stadium, where she performed a dance performance. A biopic of Haruna, titled This Is I, was released on Netflix on 10 February 2026.
Kendo Kobayashi (ケンドーコバヤシ, Kendō Kobayashi; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real and former…Kendo Kobayashi (ケンドーコバヤシ, Kendō Kobayashi; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real and former stage name is Tomoharu Kobayashi (小林 友治, Kobayashi Tomoharu). He is nicknamed Ken Koba (ケンコバ), Koba (コバ), and Mr. Yaritai Hōdai (Mr.やりたい放題, Misutā Yaritai Hōdai). He is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency of Yoshimoto Kogyo in Tokyo. He graduated from the Yoshimoto New Star Creation (NSC) in Osaka. Kobayashi graduated from Osaka Municipal Higashitanabe Elementary School, Osaka Municipal Nakano Junior High School, and Hatsushiba Tondabayashi High School. He served as a captain of the rugby club in high school.
Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from…Shinya Arino (Japanese: 有野 晋哉, Hepburn: Arino Shinya; born February 25, 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor from Konohana-ku, Osaka. He is the boke of the manzai duo, Yoiko, with his partner Masaru Hamaguchi. He is best known outside Japan as the star of the long-running gaming variety show, GameCenter CX.
Junko Noda (野田 順子, Noda Junko; born June 29, 1971) is a Japanese freelance voice actress and singer from Naniwa-ku…Junko Noda (野田 順子, Noda Junko; born June 29, 1971) is a Japanese freelance voice actress and singer from Naniwa-ku, Osaka. She often voices boyish girls and boys. Having grown up in Osaka, she has also voiced characters who speak in the Kansai dialect, typically in supporting roles.
