Akito Suzuki (鈴木 章斗, Suzuki Akito; born 30 July 2003) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for J1…Akito Suzuki (鈴木 章斗, Suzuki Akito; born 30 July 2003) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a forward for J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Seina (Japanese: 聖愛, born November 16, 2001) is a Japanese retired professional kickboxer. She is the former RISE…Seina (Japanese: 聖愛, born November 16, 2001) is a Japanese retired professional kickboxer. She is the former RISE Women's Bantam weight champion. As of February 2024, she was ranked as the tenth best women's bantamweight kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kickboxing.
Shinji Takashima (Japanese: 高島 紳司; born 13 October 2000) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya…Shinji Takashima (Japanese: 高島 紳司; born 13 October 2000) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Utsunomiya Brex of the B.League. A shooting guard, he has represented Japan at senior international level and won a silver medal in the men's tournament at the 2026 Asian Games.
Tōichi Suzuki (鈴木 冬一, Suzuki Tōichi; born 30 May 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left…Tōichi Suzuki (鈴木 冬一, Suzuki Tōichi; born 30 May 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left midfielder for J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos.
Aiko Sugihara (杉原 愛子, Sugihara Aiko; born (1999-09-19)19 September 1999) is a Japanese female artistic gymnast. She is…Aiko Sugihara (杉原 愛子, Sugihara Aiko; born (1999-09-19)19 September 1999) is a Japanese female artistic gymnast. She is the 2025 world champion on floor exercise, and bronze medalist on balance beam. She is the 2015 and 2025 Asian all-around champion, also winning team gold in 2015, and a 2019 Summer Universiade team gold medalist. She represented Japan at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Hiyu Motoyama (元山 飛優, Motoyama Hiyu; born December 4, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the…Hiyu Motoyama (元山 飛優, Motoyama Hiyu; born December 4, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Mio Yamanaka (山中 美緒, Yamanaka Mio; born October 27, 1995) is a Japanese rugby union and sevens player. She competed at…Mio Yamanaka (山中 美緒, Yamanaka Mio; born October 27, 1995) is a Japanese rugby union and sevens player. She competed at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics.
Ryuji Noguchi (野口 竜司, Noguchi Ryūji; born 15 July 1995) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a…Ryuji Noguchi (野口 竜司, Noguchi Ryūji; born 15 July 1995) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a Fullback. He currently plays for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan Rugby League One and Tokai University.
Mitsuki Takahata (高畑 充希, Takahata Mitsuki; born December 14, 1991) is a Japanese actress and singer who is represented…Mitsuki Takahata (高畑 充希, Takahata Mitsuki; born December 14, 1991) is a Japanese actress and singer who is represented by the talent agency Horipro. She attended Hosei University as an undergraduate student. Her song "Hitomi Hiraite" is the Japanese theme song for Meet the Robinsons.
Kyohei Noborizato (登里 享平, Noborizato Kyōhei; born 13 November 1990) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a left back…Kyohei Noborizato (登里 享平, Noborizato Kyōhei; born 13 November 1990) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a left back for Cerezo Osaka.
Keisuke Ueda (植田 圭輔, Ueda Keisuke; born September 5, 1989) is a Japanese actor and television personality affiliated…Keisuke Ueda (植田 圭輔, Ueda Keisuke; born September 5, 1989) is a Japanese actor and television personality affiliated with Pasture. Since 2007, Ueda has been involved with 2.5D musicals and other musical theatre productions, most notably as Choromatsu from Osomatsu-san on Stage: Six Men's Show Time, Yukine from the Noragami stage plays, Misaki Yata from the K stage plays, Japan from the Hetalia musicals, Pharos and Ryoji Mochizuki from Persona 3: The Weird Masquerade, Chuya Nakahara from the Bungo Stray Dogs stage plays, and Syo Kurusu from the Uta no Prince-sama: Gekidan Shining musicals. He portrayed Sangaku Manami in both the Yowamushi Pedal stage plays and the live-action drama adaptation. As a voice actor, his leading roles include Heine Wittgenstein from The Royal Tutor and Hiroki from Pet, who he also portrayed in the tie-in stage adaptations. Apart from his acting career, Ueda debuted as a singer in 2018 with the song "Start Line: Toki no Wadachi", with his first album, Voice of.. released in 2019.
Yuta Iyama Kisei, Honinbo, Meijin (井山 裕太, Iyama Yūta; born 24 May 1989) is a Japanese professional Go player. In April…Yuta Iyama Kisei, Honinbo, Meijin (井山 裕太, Iyama Yūta; born 24 May 1989) is a Japanese professional Go player. In April 2016, he became the first player in Japanese history to hold all seven major titles simultaneously. In January 2018, Iyama became the first professional Go player to be awarded Japan's People's Honour Award.
Hiroki Fujiharu (藤春 廣輝, Fujiharu Hiroki; born November 28, 1988) is a Japanese football player. He plays as a left back…Hiroki Fujiharu (藤春 廣輝, Fujiharu Hiroki; born November 28, 1988) is a Japanese football player. He plays as a left back for FC Ryukyu in J3 League.
Takeshi Kizu (木津 武士, Kizu Takeshi; born 15 July 1988) is a Japanese rugby union player. He was named in Japan's squad…Takeshi Kizu (木津 武士, Kizu Takeshi; born 15 July 1988) is a Japanese rugby union player. He was named in Japan's squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Tadayoshi Okura (大倉 忠義, Ōkura Tadayoshi; born May 16, 1985) is a Japanese singer, actor, voice actor and radio host. He…Tadayoshi Okura (大倉 忠義, Ōkura Tadayoshi; born May 16, 1985) is a Japanese singer, actor, voice actor and radio host. He is also a member and the drummer of Japanese male idol group Super Eight (previously known as Kanjani Eight), which was under the management of Johnny & Associates and now is under Starto Entertainment. His image color in the group is green.
Hoshiko Yamane (山根星子, Yamane Hoshiko; born 4 April 1981) is a Japanese violinist, composer and performer based in…Hoshiko Yamane (山根星子, Yamane Hoshiko; born 4 April 1981) is a Japanese violinist, composer and performer based in Berlin. She has been a member of Tangerine Dream since 2011.
Rikako Kakiuchi (垣内 里佳子, Kakiuchi Rikako; born 31 July 1980), professionally known by her stage name Rina Aiuchi (愛内…Rikako Kakiuchi (垣内 里佳子, Kakiuchi Rikako; born 31 July 1980), professionally known by her stage name Rina Aiuchi (愛内 里菜) and formerly known as R, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, businesswoman, fashion model, and YouTube content creator. Born in Higashiōsaka, Japan, she won the first season of the audition Super Starlight Contest, winning a recording contract with Giza Studio. Her Eurobeat-influenced debut album, Be Happy (2001) was certified Gold in Japan and spawned a top-five single, "Koi wa Thrill, Shock, Suspense," which served as the theme song to the anime series Case Closed. Aiuchi's second album Power of Words became her best-selling album. It sold over 419,000 copies nationwide and was certified Platinum in Japan. In 2010, Kakiuchi announced her retirement from music, founding a dog clothing brand named Bon Bon Copine in September 2012. She later resumed her musical activities, appearing on several television shows in 2015 and releasing the single "Warm Prayer" in 2018 under the new stage name, R.
Miho Yoshioka (吉岡 美穂, Yoshioka Miho; born 3 February 1980) is a Japanese tarento, actress, and former gravure idol who…Miho Yoshioka (吉岡 美穂, Yoshioka Miho; born 3 February 1980) is a Japanese tarento, actress, and former gravure idol who has appeared in a number of television series and variety shows as well as feature films. Her real name is Miho Hine (日根 美穂, Hine Miho). She was born in Higashiōsaka, Osaka Prefecture. She is represented with the agency One Eight Promotion.
Koji Onuma (大沼 幸二, Ōnuma Kōji; born July 3, 1979) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who most recently…Koji Onuma (大沼 幸二, Ōnuma Kōji; born July 3, 1979) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who most recently played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Central League.
Tenn (stylized as TENN; 11 December 1978 – 25 September 2014) was a Japanese MC who was a member of the J-pop group…Tenn (stylized as TENN; 11 December 1978 – 25 September 2014) was a Japanese MC who was a member of the J-pop group ET-King. He was from Osaka Prefecture. His real name was Takahiro Moriwaki (森脇 隆宏, Moriwaki Takahiro). His wife was Takako Uehara of Speed.
Akihito Fujii (藤井 彰人, Fujii Akihito; born June 18, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher and current…Akihito Fujii (藤井 彰人, Fujii Akihito; born June 18, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher and current coach for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1999 to 2004 and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles from 2005 to 2010 and the Tigers from 2011 to 2015.
Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo; born October 23, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who played…Kazuo Matsui (松井 稼頭央, Matsui Kazuo; born October 23, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball player who played as a shortstop and is a former manager of the Saitama Seibu Lions. He is a switch-hitter. Matsui signed with the New York Mets on December 17, 2003, becoming the first Japanese infielder to sign with a Major League Baseball team.
Haruyuki Ishibashi (石橋晴行, Ishibashi Haruyuki) is a Japanese former basketball player and the current assistant coach of…Haruyuki Ishibashi (石橋晴行, Ishibashi Haruyuki) is a Japanese former basketball player and the current assistant coach of the Toyama Grouses in the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Osaka Sangyo University. He was selected by the Osaka Evessa with the 14th overall pick in the 2005 bj League draft.
Yoshitomo Tani (谷 佳知, born February 9, 1973) is a former Japanese professional baseball player from Higashiōsaka…Yoshitomo Tani (谷 佳知, born February 9, 1973) is a former Japanese professional baseball player from Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan. He played as an outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes and Yomiuri Giants. He holds the Pacific League record for hits in a single season by a right-handed batter with 189 hits in 2003 for Orix. He also holds the Japanese NPB record for doubles in a single season with 52 in 2001. Tani emerged as a recurrent Best Nine award winner in the late 90s and early 2000s for Orix, and played a large role in carrying the Blue Wave/Buffaloes following Ichiro Suzuki's departure to play with the Seattle Mariners in MLB
Hiroshige Yanagimoto (柳本 啓成, Yanagimoto Hiroshige; born October 15, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He…Hiroshige Yanagimoto (柳本 啓成, Yanagimoto Hiroshige; born October 15, 1972) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yukio Motoki (元木由記雄, Motoki Yukio) (born Higashiōsaka, Osaka. August 27, 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union…Yukio Motoki (元木由記雄, Motoki Yukio) (born Higashiōsaka, Osaka. August 27, 1971) is a former Japanese rugby union footballer. He played as a centre and was known for his powerful running and tackling.
Takayuki Ohnishi (大西 崇之, Ōnishi Takayuki; born July 2, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…Takayuki Ohnishi (大西 崇之, Ōnishi Takayuki; born July 2, 1971) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He currently serves as a major league team coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB from 1995 to 2006 for the Chunichi Dragons and Yomiuri Giants.
Junji Ikoma (Japanese: 生駒純司)is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist from Osaka, Japan, who competed in the…Junji Ikoma (Japanese: 生駒純司)is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist from Osaka, Japan, who competed in the strawweight and flyweight division. He has fought throughout his career exclusively for the Shooto organization and is currently a part of Shooto's provisional association. Ikoma is a former Shooto World Flyweight (114 lb) Champion. Fight Matrix ranks him as the #15 all time strawweight.
Mitsuo Terada (寺田 光男, Terada Mitsuo; born October 29, 1968), known professionally as Tsunku (つんく♂), is a Japanese…Mitsuo Terada (寺田 光男, Terada Mitsuo; born October 29, 1968), known professionally as Tsunku (つんく♂), is a Japanese singer, record producer, and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the rock band Sharam Q. As a songwriter, Tsunku is the primary producer for Morning Musume and other Hello! Project acts, such as Coconuts Musume, Berryz Kobo, Cute, V-u-den, Aya Matsuura, and Maki Goto. He has also produced music for artists such as EE Jump and Sonim. Aside from musical acts, Tsunku has also produced soundtracks for anime and video game series such as Rhythm Heaven and ClassicaLoid. The total sales of the singles he has written exceed 37.9 million copies, making him the fifth best-selling lyricist in Japan.
Kan Kimura (Japanese: 木村 幹, Kimura Kan; born 7 April 1966) is a Japanese political scientist specializing in South…Kan Kimura (Japanese: 木村 幹, Kimura Kan; born 7 April 1966) is a Japanese political scientist specializing in South Korean politics, comparative politics, nationalism, democratization, political culture, historical memory, and Japan–South Korea relations. He is professor at the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University. Kimura is known for his studies of Korean nationalism, authoritarianism, democratization, historical memory, and historical disputes between Japan and South Korea. His books have received the Special Prize of the Asian and Pacific Prize, the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Yomiuri–Yoshino Sakuzo Prize. In addition to academic writing, Kimura has written extensively for general audiences on Korea, Japan–South Korea relations, higher education, and Japanese public life. He has contributed essays and columns to outlets including Newsweek Japan, Bunshun Online, and Nikkei.
Goro Tameike (溜池ゴロー, Tameike Gorō) is a Japanese adult video (AV) director who has directed more than 450 videos. He…Goro Tameike (溜池ゴロー, Tameike Gorō) is a Japanese adult video (AV) director who has directed more than 450 videos. He was one of the first exponents of the "mature woman" (熟女, jukujō) genre in AV.
Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子, Yamano Satoko; born August 2, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Higashiōsaka…Satoko Yamano (山野 さと子, Yamano Satoko; born August 2, 1963) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Higashiōsaka, Osaka, Japan. She is known for having performed over 1,000 songs, famously the second opening rendition of Doraemon no Uta that was used as the opening theme song for the Doraemon television series from 1992 to 2002 and for the Doraemon films from 1989 to 2004.
Shizuo Akira (審良 静男, Akira Shizuo) (born January 27, 1953, in Higashiōsaka) is a professor at the Department of Host…Shizuo Akira (審良 静男, Akira Shizuo) (born January 27, 1953, in Higashiōsaka) is a professor at the Department of Host Defense, Osaka University, Japan. He has made ground-breaking discoveries in the field of immunology, most significantly in the area of innate host defense mechanisms.
Naohisa Inoue (井上 直久, Inoue Naohisa; born in 1948 in Osaka, Japan) is a fantasy artist influenced by both the…Naohisa Inoue (井上 直久, Inoue Naohisa; born in 1948 in Osaka, Japan) is a fantasy artist influenced by both the Surrealism and Impressionism movements. Most of his paintings are set in the fantastical land of Iblard (イバラード, Ibarādo). He created reference and background art for the Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart and also provided a cameo appearance as the voice of Minami. More recently, his works were given a more direct adaptation in the short film The Day I Harvested a Star (星をかった日, Hoshi o Katta Hi) which is shown exclusively at the Ghibli Museum. He directed the 2007 OVA Iblard Jikan, produced by Studio Ghibli. Inoue is currently a professor at Seian University of Art and Design. He attended the Kanazawa College of Art from 1971 to 1973.
Kengo Kawanishi (河西健吾, Kawanishi Kengo; born February 18, 1985) is a Japanese voice actor. He was formerly affiliated…Kengo Kawanishi (河西健吾, Kawanishi Kengo; born February 18, 1985) is a Japanese voice actor. He was formerly affiliated with Office Kaoru, but is now represented by Mausu Promotion.
Ken Hirai (平井 堅, Hirai Ken; born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. Since his debut, Hirai has worked…Ken Hirai (平井 堅, Hirai Ken; born January 17, 1972) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and brand ambassador. During his career, Hirai has released forty-seven singles and eleven studio albums as of January 2024. According to Oricon, his single Hitomi o Tojite (Close Your Eyes) became the best-selling single of 2004 in Japan, while his compilation album Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95–'05 "Utabaka" became the best-selling album of 2006 in Japan.
Atsuhito Nakata (中田 厚仁, Nakata Atsuhito; January 10, 1968 – April 8, 1993) was a Japanese UN Volunteer working as a…Atsuhito Nakata (中田 厚仁, Nakata Atsuhito; January 10, 1968 – April 8, 1993) was a Japanese UN Volunteer working as a District Electoral Supervisor with the United Nations who was gunned down in Kampong Thom, Cambodia along with his friend and interpreter Lek Sopheip. As a United Nations Volunteer, Nakata traveled to Cambodia to help organize the first national elections at the community level in Cambodia after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Nakata was one of 465 UNV District Election Volunteer Election Supervisors deployed with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia.
Yuka Kamino (神野 由佳, Kamino Yuka; born 8 December 1980) is a Japanese short track speed skater. She competed at the 2002…Yuka Kamino (神野 由佳, Kamino Yuka; born 8 December 1980) is a Japanese short track speed skater. She competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
