Mao Itamura (Japanese: 板村 真央; born 8 August 2006) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or…Mao Itamura (Japanese: 板村 真央; born 8 August 2006) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or midfielder for Women's Super League club Liverpool.
Ryo Tanada (棚田 遼, Tanada Ryo; born 19 June 2003) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for J3 League club…Ryo Tanada (棚田 遼, Tanada Ryo; born 19 June 2003) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for J3 League club Gainare Tottori on loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Miyu Nakashio (born October 21, 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. She won gold at the 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix in…Miyu Nakashio (born October 21, 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. She won gold at the 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Estonia. Making her senior international debut, she won the gold medal at the Triglav Trophy in April 2015.
Himeka Nakamoto (中元 日芽香, Nakamoto Himeka; born April 13, 1996) is a Japanese mental health counselor, radio host…Himeka Nakamoto (中元 日芽香, Nakamoto Himeka; born April 13, 1996) is a Japanese mental health counselor, radio host, author, and former idol. She was a first-generation member of the idol group Nogizaka46.
Kazuya Miyahara (宮原和也, Miyahara Kazuya; born 22 March 1996 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a…Kazuya Miyahara (宮原和也, Miyahara Kazuya; born 22 March 1996 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for J1 League club Tokyo Verdy.
Taisuke Yamaoka (山岡 泰輔, Yamaoka Taisuke; born September 22, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Taisuke Yamaoka (山岡 泰輔, Yamaoka Taisuke; born September 22, 1995) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Hayao Kawabe (川辺 駿, Kawabe Hayao; born 8 September 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Hayao Kawabe (川辺 駿, Kawabe Hayao; born 8 September 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and the Japan national team.
Masashi Yamamoto (山本 雅士, Yamamoto Masashi; born November 3, 1994 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan) is a Japanese…Masashi Yamamoto (山本 雅士, Yamamoto Masashi; born November 3, 1994 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Kanagawa Future Dreams of the Baseball Challenge League (BCL). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons.
Koki Tsukagawa (塚川 孝輝, Tsukagawa Kōki; born July 16, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Koki Tsukagawa (塚川 孝輝, Tsukagawa Kōki; born July 16, 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for K League 2 club Suwon FC.
Daiki Watari (渡 大生, born 25 June 1993) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League club Tokushima…Daiki Watari (渡 大生, born 25 June 1993) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League club Tokushima Vortis.
Kenta Ishida (石田 健大, Ishida Kenta; born March 1, 1993) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher for the Yokohama…Kenta Ishida (石田 健大, Ishida Kenta; born March 1, 1993) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Yuka Kono (河野 有香, Kōno Yuka) (born August 23, 1992) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the silver medal at the…Yuka Kono (河野 有香, Kōno Yuka) (born August 23, 1992) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the silver medal at the 2010 Merano Cup.
Kohei Arihara (有原 航平, Arihara Kōhei; born August 11, 1992) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido…Kohei Arihara (有原 航平, Arihara Kōhei; born August 11, 1992) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, and in NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Kazuki Yabuta (薮田 和樹, Yabuta Kazuki; born August 7, 1992) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher who is a free…Kazuki Yabuta (薮田 和樹, Yabuta Kazuki; born August 7, 1992) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Ryota Yamagata (山縣 亮太, Yamagata Ryōta; born 10 June 1992) is a Japanese sprinter holding the Japanese record of 9.95 in…Ryota Yamagata (山縣 亮太, Yamagata Ryōta; born 10 June 1992) is a Japanese sprinter holding the Japanese record of 9.95 in the 100m. He won the bronze medal in the medley relay at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Athletics. In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Yamagata was part of the 4 × 100 m relay team for Japan, which took the silver medal in the final. He served as the captain of Japan's team at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
Miho Shingu (新宮 美歩, Shingū Miho; born 29 November 1991 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese track and field athlete who…Miho Shingu (新宮 美歩, Shingū Miho; born 29 November 1991 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese track and field athlete who specialises in the 400 metres and 800 metres. She was selected for the 4 × 400 metres relay member at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin at the age of 17, but did not compete. She won a gold medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2011 Asian Championships in Kobe with teammates Sayaka Aoki, Chisato Tanaka and Satomi Kubokura. She was also the 2011 Japanese champion in the 400 metres and a two-time Japanese champion in the 4 × 400 metres relay.
Hitoshi Kumano (熊野 準, Kumano Hitoshi; born November 22, 1991) is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and signed…Hitoshi Kumano (熊野 準, Kumano Hitoshi; born November 22, 1991) is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and signed to Pro Wrestling Noah.
Hideki Matsushita (松下英樹, Matsushita Hideki; born 6 September 1990) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…Hideki Matsushita (松下英樹, Matsushita Hideki; born 6 September 1990) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2026. He previously worked at MUFG Bank and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, and founded a management consulting firm and a tourism company.
Miho Yoshioka (吉岡 美帆, Yoshioka Miho; born 27 August 1990) is a Japanese competitive sailor. She competed at the 2016…Miho Yoshioka (吉岡 美帆, Yoshioka Miho; born 27 August 1990) is a Japanese competitive sailor. She competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, in the women's 470 class.
Kenji Dai (代 健司, born March 27, 1989) is a Japanese football player who currently plays as a defender for Tegevajaro…Kenji Dai (代 健司, born March 27, 1989) is a Japanese football player who currently plays as a defender for Tegevajaro Miyazaki.
Seiya Takano (Japanese: 髙野 征也; born 9 January 1989) is a Japanese sepak takraw player who plays as a tosā (setter). He…Seiya Takano (Japanese: 髙野 征也; born 9 January 1989) is a Japanese sepak takraw player who plays as a tosā (setter). He represents Japan internationally and has competed at multiple editions of the Asian Games.
Yuki Yanagita (柳田 悠岐, Yanagita Yūki; born October 9, 1988 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan), nicknamed "Gita (ギータ)" and…Yuki Yanagita (柳田 悠岐, Yanagita Yūki; born October 9, 1988 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan), nicknamed "Gita (ギータ)" and sometimes condescendingly referred to as "Japan's Mike Trout" in English-speaking reports of baseball in Japan, is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He is an eleven-time All-Star and a two-time Pacific League MVP, earning those honors in 2015 and 2020. Yanagita is recognized as one of the most successful players in NPB since the 21st century, based on his accomplishments both team and individual, including seven Japan Series championships, four-time Japan Series MVP, two-time Pacific League MVP and five-time OPS leader.
Tetsurō Itodani (糸谷 哲郎, Itodani Tetsurō; born October 5, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan…Tetsurō Itodani (糸谷 哲郎, Itodani Tetsurō; born October 5, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan and former Ryūō title holder. He is also an executive director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Keisuke Naito (内藤 圭佑, Naito Keisuke; born August 11, 1987 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Tokyo…Keisuke Naito (内藤 圭佑, Naito Keisuke; born August 11, 1987 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Tokyo Verdy.
Shigeaki Kato (加藤 シゲアキ, Katō Shigeaki; born July 11, 1987) is a Japanese musician, writer, actor and a member of the…Shigeaki Kato (加藤 シゲアキ, Katō Shigeaki; born July 11, 1987) is a Japanese musician, writer, actor and a member of the J-pop group NEWS, from ELOV-Label formerly known as Johnny's Entertainment.
Masato Morishige (森重 真人, Morishige Masato; born 21 May 1987) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Masato Morishige (森重 真人, Morishige Masato; born 21 May 1987) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back, captain and currently play for J1 League club, FC Tokyo.
Tomoaki Makino (槙野 智章, Makino Tomoaki; born 11 May 1987) is a professional football manager and former Japanese…Tomoaki Makino (槙野 智章, Makino Tomoaki; born 11 May 1987) is a professional football manager and former Japanese footballer who played as a centre back. He has represented the Japan national team internationally until 2019. He is set to be manager of J2 League club, Fujieda MYFC from 2026.
This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all…This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.
Takahiro Iwamoto (岩本 貴裕, Iwamoto Takahiro; born April 18, 1986 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan) is a professional…Takahiro Iwamoto (岩本 貴裕, Iwamoto Takahiro; born April 18, 1986 in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Hiroaki Hiraoka (平岡 拓晃, Hiraoka Hiroaki; born 6 February 1985 in Hiroshima City) is a Japanese judoka. He won a silver…Hiroaki Hiraoka (平岡 拓晃, Hiraoka Hiroaki; born 6 February 1985 in Hiroshima City) is a Japanese judoka. He won a silver medal at the 2009 World Judo Championships and the 2011 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2010 World Judo Championships. Hiroka also won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics at London, in the men's under 60 kg extra-lightweight category.
Yūta Hiraoka (平岡 祐太, Hiraoka Yūta; born September 1, 1984) is a Japanese actor who belongs to the talent agency Amuse…Yūta Hiraoka (平岡 祐太, Hiraoka Yūta; born September 1, 1984) is a Japanese actor who belongs to the talent agency Amuse, Inc. He gained recognition in 2004 film Swing Girls and won "Newcomer of the Year" Award at 28th Japan Academy Prize. Then he appeared in several dramas and films, including Water Boys 2005 Summer, Tokyo Friends: The Movie (2006), Daisuki!! (2008), Kiina (2009), NECK (2010), The Reason I Can't Find My Love (2011), ATARU (2012), Ando ♡ Roid (2013), Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out (2014), Attack on Titan: Counter Rockets (2015), Specialist (2016), Tokyo Tarareba Girls (2017) and best known for the role of "Mikio Enokido" (榎戸 幹雄) in 2007 TV drama series Operation Love.
Ryota Arai (新井 良太, Arai Ryota; born August 16, 1983 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder…Ryota Arai (新井 良太, Arai Ryota; born August 16, 1983 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder and the second-string hitting coach for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Chunichi Dragons from 2006 to 2010, and with the Hanshin Tigers from 2011 to 2017. His elder brother Takahiro is also a former professional baseball player.
Gen Fukuda (福田玄, Fukuda Gen; born 6 December 1981) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Gen Fukuda (福田玄, Fukuda Gen; born 6 December 1981) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. From 2014 to 2018, he was a city councillor of Asakuchi. He is married to Haruko Miyaguchi.
Daisuke Katagami (片上 大輔, Katagami Daisuke; born August 28, 1981) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan.…Daisuke Katagami (片上 大輔, Katagami Daisuke; born August 28, 1981) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He is an executive director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Natsuko Imamura (今村 夏子, Imamura Natsuko; born February 20, 1980) is a Japanese writer. She has been nominated three…Natsuko Imamura (今村 夏子, Imamura Natsuko; born February 20, 1980) is a Japanese writer. She has been nominated three times for the Akutagawa Prize, and won the prize in 2019. She has also won the Dazai Osamu Prize, the Mishima Yukio Prize, the Kawai Hayao Story Prize, and the Noma Literary New Face Prize.
Ryo Matsuda (松田 亮, Matsuda Ryō; born 26 December 1979 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese retired track and field sprinter who…Ryo Matsuda (松田 亮, Matsuda Ryō; born 26 December 1979 in Hiroshima) is a Japanese retired track and field sprinter who specialized in the 200 metres. He competed at the 2001 World Championships, the 2003 World Championships and the 2004 Olympic Games.
Dai Tamesue (為末大, Tamesue Dai; born May 3, 1978 in Hiroshima) is the first Japanese sprinter to win a medal in a track…Dai Tamesue (為末大, Tamesue Dai; born May 3, 1978 in Hiroshima) is the first Japanese sprinter to win a medal in a track event at a World Competition. Current Japanese record holder for Men's 400 meter hurdle (as of July 2021). Bronze medalist of the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton and 2005 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. Tamesue represented Japan in the Sydney, Athens, and Beijing Olympics. He started running professionally in 2003 and retired after 25 years of competitive athletics in 2012. Pursuing ways to pass on the benefits of sports into society through associate organizations; Samurai Co., Ltd. (Representative Director), Athlete Society (Representative Director, Founded 2010), Xiborg (Founded 2014 ). Assigned to Bhutan's Olympic Committee (BOC) ambassador in April 2015. Continues to support countries that are limited in Olympic medal experiences. Other assignments include; Specially assigned researcher for the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology in Tokyo University (2014) Member of the evaluation committee for the New National Stadium reconstruction planning procedure of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2015) Sports Legacy Project management committee member for the Tokyo Marathon Foundation. In 2006, He appeared as a celebrity contestant on Quiz $ Millionaire and won the ¥10,000,000 top prize.
Takayuki Shinohara (篠原 貴行, Shinohara Takayuki; born September 7, 1976 in Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a professional…Takayuki Shinohara (篠原 貴行, Shinohara Takayuki; born September 7, 1976 in Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Iwao Yamane (山根 巌, Yamane Iwao; born July 31, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. His son Towa Yamane is also a…Iwao Yamane (山根 巌, Yamane Iwao; born July 31, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. His son Towa Yamane is also a footballer.
Takashi Shimoda (下田 崇, Shimoda Takashi; born 28 November 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played…Takashi Shimoda (下田 崇, Shimoda Takashi; born 28 November 1975) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently works as the goalkeeping coach for the Japan national team.
Shinji Morimoto (Morimoto Shinji, born 2 May 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party who…Shinji Morimoto (Morimoto Shinji, born 2 May 1973) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party who has been serving in the House of Councillors (the upper house of the Diet) since 2013.
Kanako Ogata (Japanese: 緒方 かな子, Hepburn: Ogata Kanako; born 4 March 1973), previously known as Kanako Nakajō (Japanese…Kanako Ogata (Japanese: 緒方 かな子, Hepburn: Ogata Kanako; born 4 March 1973), previously known as Kanako Nakajō (Japanese: 中條 かな子, Hepburn: Nakajō Kanako), is a Japanese singer and television personality from Naka-ku, Hiroshima. Originally part of the Sakurakko Club, she released a few solo singles and had a career as an actress, gravure idol, and radio personality, before retiring after her marriage to baseball player Koichi Ogata. Afterwards, she became a painter whose work was exhibited nationwide, and she returned as a local talent in her native Hiroshima, being a part of NHK Hiroshima radio's Kin'yō Yūgata; Dōkai no and Hiroshima Television's Terebiha .