Mio Shirakane (Japanese: 白金未桜; born 23 November 2005) is a Japanese judoka who competes in the women's 57 kg category.…Mio Shirakane (Japanese: 白金未桜; born 23 November 2005) is a Japanese judoka who competes in the women's 57 kg category. Representing the University of Tsukuba, she won the gold medal at the 2025 World Junior Championships and a bronze medal in the women's 57 kg event at the 2026 Asian Games.
Ryoto Kita (Japanese: 来田 涼斗; born October 16, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Orix…Ryoto Kita (Japanese: 来田 涼斗; born October 16, 2002) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Hijiri Katō (加藤 聖, Katō Hijiri; born 16 September 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back…Hijiri Katō (加藤 聖, Katō Hijiri; born 16 September 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for J2 League club RB Omiya Ardija.
Yuka Yasuda (安田 祐香, Yasuda Yuka) (born 24 December 2000) is a Japanese professional golfer. She plays on the LPGA of…Yuka Yasuda (安田 祐香, Yasuda Yuka) (born 24 December 2000) is a Japanese professional golfer. She plays on the LPGA of Japan Tour where she has three wins.
Yuki Kobayashi (小林 友希, Kobayashi Yūki; born 18 July 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Yuki Kobayashi (小林 友希, Kobayashi Yūki; born 18 July 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok.
Uta Abe (阿部 詩, Abe Uta; born 14 July 2000) is a Japanese judoka who competes in the Women's half-lightweight (52 kg)…Uta Abe (阿部 詩, Abe Uta; born 14 July 2000) is a Japanese judoka who competes in the Women's half-lightweight (52 kg) division. She won the gold medal in the Women's 52 kg competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics and two silver medals in a row with the Japanese team in the judo mixed team events at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. Abe is also a six-time world champion, having won the gold medal in her weight category at the World Judo Championships in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026. She rose to prominence after winning her first senior gold medal, aged just 16, at the 2017 Judo Grand Prix Düsseldorf, thus becoming the youngest IJF senior competition winner in history.
Ayaka Furue (古江 彩佳, Furue Ayaka) (born 27 May 2000) is a Japanese professional golfer. After playing on the LPGA of…Ayaka Furue (古江 彩佳, Furue Ayaka) (born 27 May 2000) is a Japanese professional golfer. After playing on the LPGA of Japan Tour where she has eight wins, she currently plays on the LPGA Tour. She won her first LPGA Tour championship on 31 July 2022, at the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open. She won her first major at the 2024 Evian Championship.
Rintaro Hama (濱 琳太郎, Hama Rintarō; born 18 May 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or a…Rintaro Hama (濱 琳太郎, Hama Rintarō; born 18 May 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or a winger for Myanmar National League club Yangon United.
Iori Yamasaki (山﨑伊織, Yamasaki Iori; born October 10, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri…Iori Yamasaki (山﨑伊織, Yamasaki Iori; born October 10, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
So Fujitani (藤谷 壮, Fujitani Sō; born 28 October 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Reilac Shiga FC. His elder…So Fujitani (藤谷 壮, Fujitani Sō; born 28 October 1997) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Reilac Shiga FC. His elder brother Takumi is also a professional footballer currently playing for J2 League side Tochigi SC.
Hifumi Abe (阿部 一二三, Abe Hifumi; born 9 August 1997) is a Japanese judoka who competes in the Men's half-lightweight (66…Hifumi Abe (阿部 一二三, Abe Hifumi; born 9 August 1997) is a Japanese judoka who competes in the Men's half-lightweight (66 kg) division. He won two consecutive gold medals in the Men's 66 kg competition at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, as well as two silver medals in a row with the Japanese team in those games' judo mixed team events. He is also a five-time world champion, having won the gold medal in his weight category at the World Judo Championships in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, and 2026. Abe rose to prominence after becoming Youth Olympic champion in August 2014; an achievement followed by a silver medal in October at the World Juniors Championships in Fort Lauderdale. He subsequently won his first IJF senior competition, the Tokyo Grand Slam, in December 2014, at just 17 years old, unexpectedly beating the reigning world champion of his weight category and favorite, Masashi Ebinuma, in the semi-final.
Rikako Kobayashi (小林 里歌子, Kobayashi Rikako; born 21 July 1997) is a Japanese professional football player who plays as…Rikako Kobayashi (小林 里歌子, Kobayashi Rikako; born 21 July 1997) is a Japanese professional football player who plays as a midfielder for Tokyo Verdy Beleza the Japan national team. She is the sister of footballer Seigo Kobayashi.
Tomoki Wada (和田 倫季, Wada Tomoki; born 30 October 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking…Tomoki Wada (和田 倫季, Wada Tomoki; born 30 October 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Sydney United 58.
Ichirō Tamura (田村 伊知郎, Tamura Ichirō; born September 19, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a…Ichirō Tamura (田村 伊知郎, Tamura Ichirō; born September 19, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions, and in the KBO League for the Doosan Bears.
Masataka Taniguchi (谷口将隆; born 19 January 1994) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBO mini-flyweight title…Masataka Taniguchi (谷口将隆; born 19 January 1994) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBO mini-flyweight title from 2021 to 2023.
Seigo Kobayashi (小林 成豪, Kobayashi Seigō; born 8 January 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for…Seigo Kobayashi (小林 成豪, Kobayashi Seigō; born 8 January 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Renofa Yamaguchi FC, as a midfielder.
Shūhei Nomura (野村 周平, Nomura Shūhei; born November 14, 1993) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kobe, Hyogo…Shūhei Nomura (野村 周平, Nomura Shūhei; born November 14, 1993) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and is of one-quarter Chinese descent and speaks fluent Chinese. In 2009, he was selected from about 30,000 applicants as the winner of the Nationwide Amuse Audition.
Toshiki Sakurai (桜井 俊貴, Sakurai Toshiki; born October 21, 1993 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Toshiki Sakurai (桜井 俊貴, Sakurai Toshiki; born October 21, 1993 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants.
Kana Muramoto (村元 哉中, Muramoto Kana; born March 3, 1993) is a Japanese retired figure skater (women's singles and ice…Kana Muramoto (村元 哉中, Muramoto Kana; born March 3, 1993) is a Japanese retired figure skater (women's singles and ice dance) and choreographer. With her skating partner, Daisuke Takahashi, she is the 2022 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2022–23 Japanese national champion and the 2022 Denis Ten Memorial Challenge champion. With her former skating partner, Chris Reed, she is the 2018 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2017 Asian Winter Games silver medalist, and a three-time Japanese national champion (2016–2018). They competed in the final segment at five ISU Championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Gen Shōji (昌子 源, Shōji Gen; born 11 December 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for…Gen Shōji (昌子 源, Shōji Gen; born 11 December 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for J1 League club Machida Zelvia. A strong and physical centre-back, Shoji is known for his pace, positioning, and ability to handle one-on-one defensive situations.
Kanae Yagi (八木 かなえ, Yagi Kanae) is a Japanese weightlifter. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Women's 53…Kanae Yagi (八木 かなえ, Yagi Kanae) is a Japanese weightlifter. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Women's 53 kg, finishing 13th. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, in the same weight category, she finished top of Group B and 6th overall. She won at the 2013 Summer Universiade in the Women's 53 kg.
Ryota Ishioka (石岡 諒太, Ishioka Ryōta; born May 25, 1992 in Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese former…Ryota Ishioka (石岡 諒太, Ishioka Ryōta; born May 25, 1992 in Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder.
Roderick Genki Dean (Japanese: ディーン・ロドリック・元気; born 30 December 1991) is a Japanese athlete who competes in the javelin…Roderick Genki Dean (Japanese: ディーン・ロドリック・元気; born 30 December 1991) is a Japanese athlete who competes in the javelin throw. He was born to a Japanese mother and a British father from Chester-le-Street, England. He has a degree in sports science from Waseda University.
Yūmi Nagashima (Japanese: 永島 優美, Nagashima Yūmi, born November 23, 1991) is a Japanese former announcer for Fuji TV.…Yūmi Nagashima (Japanese: 永島 優美, Nagashima Yūmi, born November 23, 1991) is a Japanese former announcer for Fuji TV. She is known for being the main presenter of Mezamashi TV.
Minako Kotobuki (寿 美菜子, Kotobuki Minako; born September 17, 1991) is a Japanese actress and singer. She played Tsumugi…Minako Kotobuki (寿 美菜子, Kotobuki Minako; born September 17, 1991) is a Japanese actress and singer. She played Tsumugi Kotobuki in the anime series K-On! about a high school girl band. The show launched her music career as she performed the opening and ending themes, and joined three other voice actresses as the music group Sphere.
Misato Ugaki (宇垣 美里, Ugaki Misato; born 16 April 1991) is a Japanese freelance announcer, model, actress, and…Misato Ugaki (宇垣 美里, Ugaki Misato; born 16 April 1991) is a Japanese freelance announcer, model, actress, and television personality. Previously she was a Tokyo Broadcasting System Television announcer.
Rio Okano (岡野 里音 Okano Rio, born on March 5, 1991, in Kobe, Japan), also known as Rionos, is a Japanese singer…Rio Okano (岡野 里音 Okano Rio, born on March 5, 1991, in Kobe, Japan), also known as Rionos, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and music producer. She has provided the music for anime, video games and other singers. The name "Rionos" is derived from the nickname "Rio no Suke" that her friend called her.
Aramitsu Kitazono (born 17 February 1991) is a Japanese visually impaired Paralympic judoka. He made his first…Aramitsu Kitazono (born 17 February 1991) is a Japanese visually impaired Paralympic judoka. He made his first Paralympic appearance during the 2012 Summer Paralympics. He was set to represent Japan at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in the judoka competition but had to withdraw from the event after being hit by a self driving bus.
Ryutaro Iio (飯尾 竜太朗, Iio Ryūtarō; born 30 January 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League…Ryutaro Iio (飯尾 竜太朗, Iio Ryūtarō; born 30 January 1991) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League club V-Varen Nagasaki.
Yuya Iida (飯田 優也, Iida Yuya; born November 27, 1990 in Hyogo, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Yuya Iida (飯田 優也, Iida Yuya; born November 27, 1990 in Hyogo, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Hanshin Tigers and Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Takeaki Tokuyama (徳山 武陽, Tokuyama Takeaki; born July 21, 1989 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Takeaki Tokuyama (徳山 武陽, Tokuyama Takeaki; born July 21, 1989 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Yuki Hashimoto (橋本 優貴, Hashimoto Yuki; born 9 May 1989) is a Japanese judoka. She started judo at the age of 6. Her…Yuki Hashimoto (橋本 優貴, Hashimoto Yuki; born 9 May 1989) is a Japanese judoka. She started judo at the age of 6. Her favorite techniques are Ōuchi gari and Newaza. She won the bronze medal in the half-lightweight division (–52 kg) at the World Judo Championships in 2013.
Yōsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 陽介, Kashiwagi Yōsuke; born 15 December 1987) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a…Yōsuke Kashiwagi (柏木 陽介, Kashiwagi Yōsuke; born 15 December 1987) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a central midfielder.
Tomohiro Inoue (井上 智裕, Inoue Tomohiro; born July 17, 1987) is a Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler. He competed in the men's…Tomohiro Inoue (井上 智裕, Inoue Tomohiro; born July 17, 1987) is a Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman 66 kg event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, in which he lost the bronze medal match to Shmagi Bolkvadze.
Atsushi Hiwasa (日和佐篤, Hiwasa Atsushi) (born 22 May 1987 in Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player. Hiwasa has…Atsushi Hiwasa (日和佐篤, Hiwasa Atsushi) (born 22 May 1987 in Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player. Hiwasa has played 28 international matches for the Japan national rugby union team. Hiwasa was a member of the Japan team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and played four matches for the Brave Blossoms. Hiwasa currently plays for Top League team Suntory Sungoliath. He commenced playing for the club in 2010.
Ryōko Fuda (不田涼子, Fuda Ryōko) (born 25 October 1986) is a retired Japanese tennis player. She turned professional in…Ryōko Fuda (不田涼子, Fuda Ryōko) (born 25 October 1986) is a retired Japanese tennis player. She turned professional in December 2003.
Keiko Kitagawa (北川 景子, Kitagawa Keiko; born August 22, 1986) is a Japanese actress. She was an exclusive model for the…Keiko Kitagawa (北川 景子, Kitagawa Keiko; born August 22, 1986) is a Japanese actress. She was an exclusive model for the Japanese Seventeen magazine from late 2003 to mid-2006, and quit modeling when she left the magazine. Her first acting role was Sailor Mars in the Sailor Moon live action show Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (2003–2004), and after her role in the film Mamiya Kyōdai, she left modeling to concentrate on acting. She has appeared in several films, including The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) and Handsome Suit (2008), and has played leading roles in the TV Dramas Mop Girl (2007), Homeroom on the Beachside (2008), Buzzer Beat (2009), Lady Saigo no Hanzai Profile (2011), and Akumu-chan (2012).
Hiroyuki Komoto (河本 裕之, Kōmoto Hiroyuki; born September 4, 1985) is a Japanese football player who plays for Omiya…Hiroyuki Komoto (河本 裕之, Kōmoto Hiroyuki; born September 4, 1985) is a Japanese football player who plays for Omiya Ardija.
Reiko Takeda (武田 麗子, Takeda Reiko; born 14 December 1984 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping…Reiko Takeda (武田 麗子, Takeda Reiko; born 14 December 1984 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider. Representing Japan, she competed at two Summer Olympics (in 2012 and 2016). Her best Olympic results came in 2016, when she placed 13th in the team competition and 44th in the individual portion. Takeda also competed at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Reiko Takeda is the daughter of Kunio Takeda, chairman of Takeda pharmaceutical company.
Tomotaka Sakaguchi (坂口 智隆, born July 7, 1984, in Akashi, Hyōgo) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder.…Tomotaka Sakaguchi (坂口 智隆, born July 7, 1984, in Akashi, Hyōgo) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, Orix Buffaloes, and Tokyo Yakult Swallows from 2003 to 2022.
Kosuke Kimura (木村光佑, Kimura Kōsuke) (born 14 May 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer and coach. He is…Kosuke Kimura (木村光佑, Kimura Kōsuke) (born 14 May 1984) is a Japanese former professional footballer and coach. He is currently the head coach for Lexington SC of the USL Super League. A long-time veteran of Major League Soccer, he has also played in Poland. He was the first player in MLS history who was born in Japan.
Shinichi Takeuchi (武内 晋一, Takeuchi Shin'ichi; born December 10, 1983 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a former…Shinichi Takeuchi (武内 晋一, Takeuchi Shin'ichi; born December 10, 1983 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. He played infield and outfield for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.