Sora Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川 空; born 20 December 2002) is a Japanese handball player who plays as a right back for…Sora Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川 空; born 20 December 2002) is a Japanese handball player who plays as a right back for Spanish club Super Amara Bera Bera and the Japan women's national team. She represented Japan at the Asian Games, winning gold at the 2022 Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023, and silver at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya. She has also represented Japan at the IHF Women's World Handball Championship.
Masaki Yumiba (弓場 将輝, Yumiba Masaki; born 13 May 2002) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Shimizu…Masaki Yumiba (弓場 将輝, Yumiba Masaki; born 13 May 2002) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Shimizu S-Pulse.
Masato Shigemi (重見 柾斗, Shigemi Masato; born September 20, 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for J1…Masato Shigemi (重見 柾斗, Shigemi Masato; born September 20, 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
Takumi Nakamura (中村 拓海, Nakamura Takumi; born 16 March 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1…Takumi Nakamura (中村 拓海, Nakamura Takumi; born 16 March 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League club Cerezo Osaka.
Ryūhei Obata (小幡 竜平, Obata, Ryūhei; born September 21, 2000 in Ōita City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan) is a professional…Ryūhei Obata (小幡 竜平, Obata, Ryūhei; born September 21, 2000 in Ōita City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball infielder for the Hanshin Tigers.
Keita Takahata (高畑 奎汰, Takahata Keita; born 16 September 2000) is a Japanese footballer who playing as a midfielder and…Keita Takahata (高畑 奎汰, Takahata Keita; born 16 September 2000) is a Japanese footballer who playing as a midfielder and currently play for J1 League club, V-Varen Nagasaki.
Kōki Kajiwara (梶原 昂希, Kajiwara Kōki; born September 19, 1999) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He plays…Kōki Kajiwara (梶原 昂希, Kajiwara Kōki; born September 19, 1999) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He plays outfielder for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
Takuya Nogami (野上 拓哉, Nogami Takuya; born November 29, 1998) is a Japanese football player. He plays for Vonds Ichihara…Takuya Nogami (野上 拓哉, Nogami Takuya; born November 29, 1998) is a Japanese football player. He plays for Vonds Ichihara on loan from Verspah Oita.
Takahiro Shikine (敷根 崇裕, Shikine Takahiro; born 7 December 1997) is a Japanese right-handed foil fencer, 2019 team…Takahiro Shikine (敷根 崇裕, Shikine Takahiro; born 7 December 1997) is a Japanese right-handed foil fencer, 2019 team Asian champion, 2019 individual Asian champion, and 2021 Olympian. Shikine competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Hikaru Kawase (川瀬 晃, Kawase Hikaru; born September 15, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the…Hikaru Kawase (川瀬 晃, Kawase Hikaru; born September 15, 1997) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Yuya Himeno (姫野 宥弥, Himeno Yūya; born 27 September 1996 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for…Yuya Himeno (姫野 宥弥, Himeno Yūya; born 27 September 1996 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Vanraure Hachinohe.
Takeru Yamasaki (born September 2, 1993) is a Japanese former professional Canadian football placekicker. He played…Takeru Yamasaki (born September 2, 1993) is a Japanese former professional Canadian football placekicker. He played college football in Japan for Osaka University and spent three seasons in the X-League before being signed by the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2021. He appeared in their first two games of the 2021 season before being released. He kicked four field goals with the Lions, becoming the first Japanese player to ever score in the CFL.
Rino Sashihara (指原 莉乃, Sashihara Rino; born November 21, 1992) is a Japanese music producer, television personality…Rino Sashihara (指原 莉乃, Sashihara Rino; born November 21, 1992) is a Japanese music producer, television personality, and entrepreneur. She is best known as the producer of the girl groups =Love, ≠Me, and ≒Joy, and as a former member of girl groups HKT48, AKB48, and STU48. She holds the record for winning the annual AKB48 Group General Elections four times. She was also chairperson of the Tokyo Idol Festival from 2017 to 2021. Sashihara joined AKB48 in 2007, and in 2011 became a member of its subgroup Not Yet, which released several singles as a separate unit. She was transferred to HKT48 in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, in 2012, where she became theater manager in 2013. 2017 marked several major milestones of her career, as she became a founding member and theater manager of STU48; launched her first idol group as producer, =Love (Equal Love); won the AKB48 Group General Elections for the fourth time; and became chairperson of the Tokyo Idol Festival. She left HKT48 in 2019, and has since produced two sister groups to =Love: ≠Me (Not Equal Me) in 2019 and ≒Joy (Nearly Equal Joy) in 2022. Aside from music production, Sashihara is a prominent variety television personality, as well as co-founder and producer of the cosmetic brand Ririmew (リリミュウ) and the contact lens brand Topards.
Takuya Kai (甲斐 拓也, Kai Takuya; born November 5, 1992) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Yomiuri…Takuya Kai (甲斐 拓也, Kai Takuya; born November 5, 1992) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Shiki Kuroeda (黒枝 士揮, Kuroeda Shiki; born 8 January 1992) is a Japanese racing cyclist, who currently rides for UCI…Shiki Kuroeda (黒枝 士揮, Kuroeda Shiki; born 8 January 1992) is a Japanese racing cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental team Sparkle Oita Racing Team.
Jin Watanabe (渡部 仁, Watanabe Jin; born 17 January 1990) is a Japanese handball player for Toyota Auto Body and the…Jin Watanabe (渡部 仁, Watanabe Jin; born 17 January 1990) is a Japanese handball player for Toyota Auto Body and the Japanese national team. He participated at the 2017 and 2019 World Men's Handball Championship.
Hiroshi Kiyotake (清武 弘嗣, Kiyotake Hiroshi; born 12 November 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an…Hiroshi Kiyotake (清武 弘嗣, Kiyotake Hiroshi; born 12 November 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for J2 League club Oita Trinita. He played for Japan at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Koki Kotegawa (小手川 宏基, Kotegawa Kōki; born September 12, 1989 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese football player currently…Koki Kotegawa (小手川 宏基, Kotegawa Kōki; born September 12, 1989 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese football player currently playing for Oita Trinita.
Yudai Inoue (井上 裕大, Inoue Yūdai; born May 30, 1989 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese football player currently playing for…Yudai Inoue (井上 裕大, Inoue Yūdai; born May 30, 1989 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese football player currently playing for FC Machida Zelvia in the J2 League.
The Japanese idol girl group AKB48 has many members who have left the group for various reasons such as focusing on…The Japanese idol girl group AKB48 has many members who have left the group for various reasons such as focusing on solo careers. Some members have left to help launch AKB48's sister groups. The member lineup often changes as when girls get older, they graduate from the group, and are replaced by members promoted from the trainees. Others have dropped out of the group without any graduation. Yuki Usami was the first member to graduate from the group on March 31, 2006. Alumnae are presented with the years in which they were on the AKB48 rosters. The list does not include the AKB48 sister group members who were not part of AKB48 proper but might have participated on their singles, events and albums. It also does not include the girls who were exclusively temporary, such as Baito AKB48, unless notable.
Jumpei Ono (小野 淳平, Ono Jumpei; born April 5, 1987) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the…Jumpei Ono (小野 淳平, Ono Jumpei; born April 5, 1987) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Masato Fujita (藤田 優人, Fujita Masato; born 8 May 1986 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese football player who has played for…Masato Fujita (藤田 優人, Fujita Masato; born 8 May 1986 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese football player who has played for the J2 League team Ventforet Kofu.
Daisuke Kanzaki (神崎 大輔, Kanzaki Daisuke; born February 2, 1985 in Ōita, Ōita) is a former Japanese football player who…Daisuke Kanzaki (神崎 大輔, Kanzaki Daisuke; born February 2, 1985 in Ōita, Ōita) is a former Japanese football player who last featured for Giravanz Kitakyushu.
Takamasa Anai (穴井 隆将, Anai Takamasa; born 5 August 1984 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese judoka. Anai began judo at the age…Takamasa Anai (穴井 隆将, Anai Takamasa; born 5 August 1984 in Ōita, Ōita) is a Japanese judoka. Anai began judo at the age of 5. Anai is Coached by former world champion and olympic silver medalist Shinichi Shinohara. Anai won the All-Japan Championships and took a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships. His greatest achievement to date is winning the 2010 World Championships in Tokyo. In September 2012, Anai defeated 10 judo black belts in a row during the 50th anniversary of LA Tenri Judo Club, defeating 8-time US judo champion Tokuzo Takahashi in his final match. Anai's main tournament throws are Harai Goshi, Uchi Mata and O soto gari.
Teppei Tsuchiya (土谷 鉄平, born December 27, 1982, in Ōita, Ōita) also known as Teppei (鉄平) is a Japanese professional…Teppei Tsuchiya (土谷 鉄平, born December 27, 1982, in Ōita, Ōita) also known as Teppei (鉄平) is a Japanese professional baseball infielder. Teppei announced his retirement on January 26, 2016.
Ryota Wakiya (脇谷 亮太, Wakiya Ryota; born November 4, 1981 in Ōita, Ōita, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional…Ryota Wakiya (脇谷 亮太, Wakiya Ryota; born November 4, 1981 in Ōita, Ōita, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League.
Daisuke Miyazaki (宮崎 大輔, Miyazaki Daisuke) (born 6 June 1981) is a Japanese handball player for Osaki Osol and the…Daisuke Miyazaki (宮崎 大輔, Miyazaki Daisuke) (born 6 June 1981) is a Japanese handball player for Osaki Osol and the Japanese national team. He played for BM Alcobendas in 09/10 season. He represented Japan at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. He has competed in Pro Sportsman No. 1 five times. He has won three times in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He came close in 2007, resulting in 4th place, with Paul Terek as the winner, and in 2010 he failed the 20th level. Miyazaki has also competed in the Japanese television series Sasuke. He competed four times (Sasuke 20–22, 26). In Sasuke 20, he was one of many to fail the new Half-Pipe Attack obstacle in the First Stage. However, in Sasuke 21, he completed the First Stage with less than a second left. He had more success on the Second Stage, breezing through the obstacles, and though he struggled on the Wall Lifting at the end, he completed with 10.3 seconds left. He however struggled on the Third Stage, struggling with the first two obstacles. He ultimately failed the Devil Steps, this being the earliest Third Stage failure of Shin-Sasuke (excluding Shingo Yamamoto's failure due to injury). Miyazaki competed once more in Sasuke 22, however timed out just metres from the finish of the First Stage. He competed yet again, in Sasuke 26, but failed a new obstacle in Stage 1, the Rolling Escargot. According to Japan National Police Agency official confirmed reported, he was detained on suspicion of assaulting a woman at hotel in Nagoya, Japan on 2 November.
Hiroaki Eto (衛藤博昭, Eto Hiroaki; born 25 November 1979) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Hiroaki Eto (衛藤博昭, Eto Hiroaki; born 25 November 1979) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2026. He is the son of Seiichi Eto.
Miho Adachi (安達美穂, Adachi Miho; born 19 June 1979) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid-2000s. She…Miho Adachi (安達美穂, Adachi Miho; born 19 June 1979) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid-2000s. She finished ninth in the K-4 500 m event at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Yūya Andō (安藤 優也, Andō Yūya; often Andoh, born December 27, 1977) is a professional baseball player from Ōita City…Yūya Andō (安藤 優也, Andō Yūya; often Andoh, born December 27, 1977) is a professional baseball player from Ōita City, Japan. He is part of the starting rotation for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team.
Ryūji Chiyotaikai (千代大海 龍二, Chiyotaikai Ryūji; born April 29, 1976) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler. He made his…Ryūji Chiyotaikai (千代大海 龍二, Chiyotaikai Ryūji; born April 29, 1976) is a Japanese former sumo wrestler. He made his professional debut in 1992 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1997. He held the second highest rank of ōzeki or champion for 65 consecutive tournaments from 1999 until 2009, making him the longest serving ōzeki in the modern era. He won three top division yūshō or tournament championships, and was a runner-up on seven other occasions. However, he also held the dubious record of being in danger of demotion from ōzeki fourteen times. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable until his retirement in January 2010 at the age of 33. He remained in sumo as a coach at Kokonoe stable, and became the head coach in August 2016 following the death of Chiyonofuji.
Sōichirō Takashima (高島 宗一郎, Takashima Sōichirō) is a Japanese politician who has been mayor of the city of Fukuoka…Sōichirō Takashima (高島 宗一郎, Takashima Sōichirō) is a Japanese politician who has been mayor of the city of Fukuoka since 2010.
Eri Fukatsu (深津 絵里, Fukatsu Eri; born January 11, 1973) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at…Eri Fukatsu (深津 絵里, Fukatsu Eri; born January 11, 1973) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 18th Yokohama Film Festival for Haru and the best actress award at the 2010 Montreal World Film Festival for her performance in Villain. She also received acclaim for her role in the Japanese TV series Bayside Shakedown and the subsequent spin-off films of the series. In 1988, she starred in "Christmas Express" commercials for the Central Japan Railway Company.
Skull Reaper A-ji (スカルリーパーA-ji, Sukaru Rīpā Eiji; born November 13, 1968) is a Japanese masked wrestler, politician and…Skull Reaper A-ji (スカルリーパーA-ji, Sukaru Rīpā Eiji; born November 13, 1968) is a Japanese masked wrestler, politician and professional mahjong player. He is a member of the Ōita City Council, representing the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Skull Reaper A-ji's real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in lucha libre (the style of pro-wrestling that influenced him) where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans.
Kiyoshi Imazumi (今泉清, Imazumi Kiyoshi) (born 13 September 1967) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as…Kiyoshi Imazumi (今泉清, Imazumi Kiyoshi) (born 13 September 1967) is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as fullback.
Noriko Watanabe (渡辺 典子, Watanabe Noriko; born 22 July 1965 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese actress and…Noriko Watanabe (渡辺 典子, Watanabe Noriko; born 22 July 1965 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for His Motorbike, Her Island.
Kiichiro Satō (佐藤 樹一郎, Satō Kiichirō; born 28 November 1957) is a Japanese politician. He currently serves as governor…Kiichiro Satō (佐藤 樹一郎, Satō Kiichirō; born 28 November 1957) is a Japanese politician. He currently serves as governor of Ōita Prefecture since 2023.
Akie Sato (佐藤 秋恵, Satō Akie; née Shuto (首藤, Shutō), born October 23, 1956, in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), better…Akie Sato (佐藤 秋恵, Satō Akie; née Shuto (首藤, Shutō), born October 23, 1956, in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), better known as Akie Asaka (浅香 あき恵, Asaka Akie), is a Japanese comedian who is represented by the talent agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo. Asaka was a resident in Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. She is also an actress for Yoshimoto Shinkigeki.