Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 修, Suzuki Osamu; né Matsuda 松田; January 30, 1930 – December 25, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and…Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 修, Suzuki Osamu; né Matsuda 松田; January 30, 1930 – December 25, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and the chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation. From 1978, Suzuki was the CEO, president, and chairman of the company. In February 2021, Suzuki announced that he would retire in June 2021 and assume the role of adviser.
Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson…Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson who was the president and chairman of Sony Corporation. He is credited with spurring the development of the compact disc (CD) as a commercially viable audio format.
Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive…Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive who was the chief executive (1992–1998) and chairman (1998–2004) of Mitsubishi Corporation. He was noted for steering the group through the turbulent economic times of the 1990s and for advocating strong US–Japan business relations, serving on many trade and cultural relations advocacy groups.
Yasuo Takei (武井保雄, Takei Yasuo) (January 4, 1930 – August 10, 2006) was the founder and former chairman of Takefuji…Yasuo Takei (武井保雄, Takei Yasuo) (January 4, 1930 – August 10, 2006) was the founder and former chairman of Takefuji (武富士), Japan's number one consumer finance group. On 17 November 2004 he was given a three-year suspended sentence for wiretapping and defamation of character, after ordering the phones of two freelance journalists who had written articles critical of Takefuji to be bugged between December 2000 and February 2001. The defamation of character charge followed Takei's ordering Takefuji employees to place libelous statements about one of the journalists on its web site. According to a Forbes survey in June 2006, Takei was the second-wealthiest person in Japan (after Masayoshi Son) - he possessed an estimated net worth of US$5.6 billion.
Mitsuo Horiuchi (Japanese: 堀内 光雄, Hepburn: Horiuchi Mitsuo; 1 January 1930 – 16 May 2016) was a Japanese politician of…Mitsuo Horiuchi (Japanese: 堀内 光雄, Hepburn: Horiuchi Mitsuo; 1 January 1930 – 16 May 2016) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Misaka, Yamanashi and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1976. He joined Sosuke Uno's cabinet as the Minister of Labour.
Yoshinori Shigematsu (重松 良典, Shigematsu Yoshinori; April 2, 1930 – 2018) was a Japanese football player. He played for…Yoshinori Shigematsu (重松 良典, Shigematsu Yoshinori; April 2, 1930 – 2018) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Tatsuro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田達郎, Hepburn: Toyoda Tatsurō; June 1, 1930 – Deсember 30, 2017) was the brother of Shoichiro…Tatsuro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田達郎, Hepburn: Toyoda Tatsurō; June 1, 1930 – Deсember 30, 2017) was the brother of Shoichiro and the son of Toyota Motor Corporation founder, Kiichiro Toyoda.
Takeo Shiina (Japanese: 椎名武雄, May 11, 1929 – April 19, 2023) was a Japanese business executive who contributed to the…Takeo Shiina (Japanese: 椎名武雄, May 11, 1929 – April 19, 2023) was a Japanese business executive who contributed to the IT industry of the world as well as of Japan.
Masamoto Yashiro (八城 政基; born February 14, 1929 in Shinagawa, Tokyo) is a Japanese businessman who is chairman and CEO…Masamoto Yashiro (八城 政基; born February 14, 1929 in Shinagawa, Tokyo) is a Japanese businessman who is chairman and CEO of Shinsei Bank and a director of China Construction Bank. He attended Kyoto University, graduating with a degree in law, and graduate school at the University of Tokyo. He joined Standard Vacuum Oil Company in 1958 and became a director of Esso Petroleum in 1964. He was appointed Japan chairman of Citibank in 1989. In 1999, he left Citibank to head the Ripplewood-backed effort to acquire the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. In 2000, he was appointed chairman and CEO of the newly acquired and renamed Shinsei Bank. In 2004 he was also appointed as a director of China Construction Bank. He resigned as CEO of Shinsei in 2005 and as chairman in 2006, but returned as chairman and CEO in 2008.
Sueaki Takaoka (高丘 季昭, Takaoka Sueaki, January 14, 1929 – March 13, 1996) was a Japanese businessman and nobleman. He…Sueaki Takaoka (高丘 季昭, Takaoka Sueaki, January 14, 1929 – March 13, 1996) was a Japanese businessman and nobleman. He was chairman at FamilyMart, Seiyu Group and Seibu Saison Group, and Vice Chairman at Japan Business Federation.
Yoshiro Nakamatsu (中松 義郎, Nakamatsu Yoshirō; born June 26, 1928), also known as Dr. NakaMats (ドクター中松, Dokutā…Yoshiro Nakamatsu (中松 義郎, Nakamatsu Yoshirō; born June 26, 1928), also known as Dr. NakaMats (ドクター中松, Dokutā Nakamatsu), is a Japanese inventor. He regularly appears on Japanese talk shows demonstrating his inventions. Nakamatsu is known as a perennial candidate in Japanese politics, having contested elections regularly since the early 1990s.
Bungo Shirai (白井 文吾, Shirai Bungo; 27 January 1928 – 29 October 2024) was a Japanese journalist and businessman, who…Bungo Shirai (白井 文吾, Shirai Bungo; 27 January 1928 – 29 October 2024) was a Japanese journalist and businessman, who was the president of Chunichi Shimbun and owner of Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Chunichi Dragons.
Shintaro Tsuji (辻 信太郎, Tsuji Shintarō; born December 7, 1927) is a Japanese entrepreneur and former civil servant. He…Shintaro Tsuji (辻 信太郎, Tsuji Shintarō; born December 7, 1927) is a Japanese entrepreneur and former civil servant. He is the founder and former-president of Sanrio, a merchandise company known for its characters, including Hello Kitty.
Hiroshi Yamauchi (Japanese: 山内 溥; 7 November 1927 – 19 September 2013) was a Japanese businessman and the third…Hiroshi Yamauchi (Japanese: 山内 溥; 7 November 1927 – 19 September 2013) was a Japanese businessman and the third president of Nintendo, serving in the role from 25 April 1949 to 24 May 2002, and principal owner of the Seattle Mariners from 1992 until his death. Before joining Nintendo, he had strong familial connections; his great-grandfather, Fusajiro Yamauchi, founded the company, and was its first president, and his grandfather, Sekiryo Kaneda, was its second president. During his tenure, Nintendo was transformed from a Japanese manufacturer of hanafuda into a global conglomerate largely focused on manufacturing video game consoles and publishing video games. On the basis of this success, and his ownership of most of Nintendo's shares, he became considerably wealthy. In 2008, he was Japan's wealthiest person, with an estimated net worth of $7.8 billion. Even in 2013, with this figure having declined to $2.1 billion, he was the 13th richest person in Japan and the 491st richest in the world.
Park Tae-joon (Korean: 박태준; 24 October 1927 – 13 December 2011) was a South Korean business tycoon and politician who…Park Tae-joon (Korean: 박태준; 24 October 1927 – 13 December 2011) was a South Korean business tycoon and politician who briefly served as the Prime minister of South Korea in 2000. His most renowned accomplishment includes founding of POSCO and growing it into one of the world's largest and most successful steel companies during his multi-decade tenure as chairman and CEO. For this, he was often called the "Korean Andrew Carnegie". Earlier in his life, he served in the South Korean Army and led several platoons during the Korean War and eventually reaching the rank of Major General. He also founded POSTECH (leading research university in Korea), the Pohang Steelers soccer team, and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation which was preceded by the Steel Scholarship Foundation. His pen name was Chungam.
Shinji Takahashi (高橋 信次; 1927–1976) was a Japanese religious leader, writer and founder of GLA, a religious…Shinji Takahashi (高橋 信次; 1927–1976) was a Japanese religious leader, writer and founder of GLA, a religious organization established in Japan in 1969. Takahashi taught that the essential nature of human beings is the soul.He further asserted that life is sustained by a transcendent divine existence that surpasses human intellect, and that individuals are born with the purpose of establishing themselves and contributing to the harmony of the world.
Tamisuke Watanuki (綿貫 民輔, Watanuki Tamisuke; 30 April 1927 – 18 August 2026) was a Japanese politician who served as…Tamisuke Watanuki (綿貫 民輔, Watanuki Tamisuke; 30 April 1927 – 18 August 2026) was a Japanese politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2000 to 2003.
Seiji Tsutsumi (堤 清二, Tsutsumi Seiji; March 30, 1927 − November 25, 2013) was a Japanese businessperson, author and…Seiji Tsutsumi (堤 清二, Tsutsumi Seiji; March 30, 1927 − November 25, 2013) was a Japanese businessperson, author and poet, also known by the pen names Takashi Tsujii (辻井 喬, Tsujii Takashi) and Ikuo Yokose (横瀬 郁夫, Yokose Ikuo).
Shigeo Sugimoto (杉本 茂雄, Sugimoto Shigeo; December 4, 1926 – April 2, 2002) was a Japanese football player. He played…Shigeo Sugimoto (杉本 茂雄, Sugimoto Shigeo; December 4, 1926 – April 2, 2002) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Rikuo Nemoto (根本 陸夫, Nemoto Rikuo; November 20, 1926 – April 30, 1999) was a Japanese professional baseball catcher and…Rikuo Nemoto (根本 陸夫, Nemoto Rikuo; November 20, 1926 – April 30, 1999) was a Japanese professional baseball catcher and manager in the Nippon Professional Baseball. For his management skills in the front office, he was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Tadahiro Sekimoto (関本忠弘, Sekimoto Tadahiro; November 14, 1926 – November 11, 2007) was a Japanese electronics engineer…Tadahiro Sekimoto (関本忠弘, Sekimoto Tadahiro; November 14, 1926 – November 11, 2007) was a Japanese electronics engineer, a recipient of the IEEE Medal of Honor (2004), chairman of Japan's Institute for International Socio-Economic Studies (IISE), and former chairman of the Board of Councilors of the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) who served as president and later chairman of Japan's NEC Corporation (NEC). Born in Hyōgo, Japan, Sekimoto earned his BS in physics in 1948 and his Doctor of Engineering degree in 1962 at the University of Tokyo. On 11 November 2007, he died after a series of strokes.
Nobutoshi Kihara (木原 信敏 Kihara Nobutoshi, 14 October 1926 – 13 February 2011) was an engineer at Sony, best known for…Nobutoshi Kihara (木原 信敏 Kihara Nobutoshi, 14 October 1926 – 13 February 2011) was an engineer at Sony, best known for his work on the original Walkman cassette-tape player in the 1970s and was commonly called Mr. Walkman (Nobutoshi Kihara) in the press. Born in Tokyo, Kihara attended Waseda University, then joined Sony's predecessor, Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation in 1947 as a new university graduate. He retired from Sony in 2006. While at Sony, he worked on Japan's first magnetic tape recorders, portable tape recorders, music stereo systems, Betamax video, digital cameras, a compact cassette magazine-type recorder and Japan's first transistor radio. In 1964, a team led by Kihara developed the CV-2000, the world's first VTR intended for home usage. He also was instrumental in creating cassette versions of the VTR (Video Tape Recorder), established the basis for the U-matic system. In 1981, was involved in the development of the Mavica digital still camera, which used floppy disks to record images and developed the Mavigraph color video printer in 1982. In 1988, Mr. Kihara jointly established the Sony-Kihara Research Center with Sony, becoming the center's president. His tutoring methods were dubbed the "Kihara School", and turned out many of Sony's future engineers. Masaru Ibuka, a Sony co-founder, referred to Mr. Kihara as "a godlike person", because he would create a prototype of a concept he and Mr. Ibuka had discussed, often within a day. Nobutoshi Kihara died at 5:20 am on 13 February 2011, due to heart failure. He was 84.
Ryoichi Jinnai (神内 良一, Jinnai Ryōichi; August 15, 1926 – June 27, 2017) was the founder of Promise, Japan's…Ryoichi Jinnai (神内 良一, Jinnai Ryōichi; August 15, 1926 – June 27, 2017) was the founder of Promise, Japan's third-largest consumer finance company, of which he is honorary chairman. He funded the Ryoichi Jinnai Conference Center in Fiji. Jinnai died of heart failure on June 27, 2017.
Tsuneo Watanabe (渡邉 恒雄, Watanabe Tsuneo; May 30, 1926 – December 19, 2024) was a Japanese journalist, businessman, and…Tsuneo Watanabe (渡邉 恒雄, Watanabe Tsuneo; May 30, 1926 – December 19, 2024) was a Japanese journalist, businessman, and newspaper editor and executive, who served as a Managing Editor of Yomiuri Shimbun from January 1985 until his death in December 2024. He also served as a Representative Director and Managing Editor of Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, which published a largest Japanese daily newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, and substantially controls the largest Japanese television commercial network Nippon Television Network, and as well as his owner, director, and chief advisor of Yomiuri Giants baseball team, his owner of Japanese amusement park Yomiuriland, and the chairman of Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association. He was best known by his two nicknames Nabetane and Watatsune by those connected to Yomiuri Shimbun. Watanabe played a prominent role in Japanese political, cultural, and professional sports arenas. At the time of his death, his legacy was surrounded by many numerous Japanese politicians, celebrities, sport players including professional baseball players, such as Shigeo Nagashima, film and television directors, producers, and stars, video game developers, and among others.
Kozo Igarashi (五十嵐 広三, Igarashi Kōzō; 15 March 1926 – May 7, 2013) was a Japanese politician from Asahikawa, Hokkaido.…Kozo Igarashi (五十嵐 広三, Igarashi Kōzō; 15 March 1926 – May 7, 2013) was a Japanese politician from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He was the mayor of Asahikawa City from 1963 to 1974, member of the House of Representatives, construction minister in the Hosokawa Cabinet from 1993 to 1994, and chief Cabinet secretary in the government of Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama from 1994 to 1995. In 1975 and 1979, Igarashi ran for governor of Hokkaidō as a united front candidate (JSP, JCP, Kōmeitō), and lost both elections to incumbent Naohiro Dōgakinai.
Den Fujita (藤田 田, Fujita Den, March 3, 1926 – April 21, 2004) was a Japanese businessman. He was the founder of…Den Fujita (藤田 田, Fujita Den, March 3, 1926 – April 21, 2004) was a Japanese businessman. He was the founder of McDonald's Japan.
Hirotaro Higuchi (樋口 廣太郎, Higuchi Hirotaro; January 25, 1926 - September 16, 2012) was a Japanese business executive…Hirotaro Higuchi (樋口 廣太郎, Higuchi Hirotaro; January 25, 1926 - September 16, 2012) was a Japanese business executive, the representative director and president of The Sumitomo Bank, the representative director and president of Asahi Breweries, and the vice chairman of Keidanren.
Masaya Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 雅哉; 24 December 1925 – 22 January 2017) was a Japanese businessman and the founder of…Masaya Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 雅哉; 24 December 1925 – 22 January 2017) was a Japanese businessman and the founder of Namco. He was the company's president up until 2002, where he took a ceremonial role in its management. Following the formation of Bandai Namco Holdings, Nakamura would retain an honorary position in the video game division, Bandai Namco Entertainment. Born in Yokohama, Nakamura graduated from the Yokohama Institute of Technology in 1948, having earned a degree in shipbuilding. Nakamura would found his own company in 1955, Nakamura Seisakusho, Ltd., which produced pop-cork guns and coin-operated mechanical rides for Japanese department store rooftops. In 1974, Nakamura purchased the Japanese division of Atari from Nolan Bushnell, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to get into the market, and were allowed to release the company's games in Japan. His company would be renamed to "Namco" in 1977, and a year later would release its first video game produced in-house. Under Nakamura's leadership, Namco would become one of the most dominant video game companies in Japan, alongside Nintendo, Sega and Konami. Nakamura purchased Japanese film studio Nikkatsu in 1993 and be involved with many of their films, being credited for several of them. He also led Namco to begin maintaining arcade centers and amusement parks across Japan and soon overseas, such as Wonder Eggs in Tokyo, and to purchase the Aladdin's Castle chain from Bally. Nakamura would also assist in the formation of Japanese developer Monolith Soft, and become the chairman of the Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association (JAMMA). In 2002, he would step down as Namco's CEO, instead taking on a ceremonial role in the company's management. After Namco merged with Bandai in 2005 to form Bandai Namco Holdings, Nakamura would retain an honorary position in the company's video game branch. Nakamura is credited as a pioneer in the video game industry for his accomplishments, and one of the most important figures in video game history. In 2007, he was awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" by the Japanese government for his contributions to video games, and was inducted into the International Video Game Hall of Fame in 2010. His influence on the industry would have him considered "the father of Pac-Man". Nakamura died on 22 January 2017, at age 91, which was announced a week later by Bandai Namco out of respect for his family's privacy.
Rokuro Ishikawa, D.Eng. (石川 六郎, Ishikawa Rokurō; 5 November 1925 – 14 December 2005) was a Japanese businessman and one…Rokuro Ishikawa, D.Eng. (石川 六郎, Ishikawa Rokurō; 5 November 1925 – 14 December 2005) was a Japanese businessman and one of the most influential figures in the Japanese construction industry. He was Honorary Chairman of Kajima Corporation, one of the biggest construction companies in Japan, from 2005 until his death. Prior to that, he was president and chairman of Kajima Corporation. He was married to Yoshiko (née Kajima), a daughter of the fourth president and the founding family of Kajima, Morinoske Kajima. His father was Ichiro Ishikawa, the first Chairman of the Japan Business Federation. Ishikawa held several senior positions in a number of prominent organizations. He served as chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) from 1987 to 1993, chairman of the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors, president of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and president of the Japan Federation of Engineering Societies among others. An active member of the international community, Dr. Ishikawa served as head of the Japan - Midwest U.S. Association and the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), and participated as a senior member in management forums and missions to various countries around the world. He also chaired international friendship associations such as the Japan-Italy Association and the Japan-Egypt Friendship Association.
Hideyo Motoyama (Japanese: 本山英世, romanized: Motoyama Hideyo; August 27, 1925 – November 22, 2005) was a Japanese…Hideyo Motoyama (Japanese: 本山英世, romanized: Motoyama Hideyo; August 27, 1925 – November 22, 2005) was a Japanese businessman who served as president and chairman of the Kirin Brewery Company. He was additionally the representative director of the Beer Brewing Association and a chairman of the National Soft Drink Association. He was nicknamed 'the Emperor of Kirin' and was an awardee of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Second Class.
Asao Sano (佐野 浅夫, Sano Asao; 13 August 1925 – 28 June 2022) was a Japanese actor. He was known for playing the role of…Asao Sano (佐野 浅夫, Sano Asao; 13 August 1925 – 28 June 2022) was a Japanese actor. He was known for playing the role of Tokugawa Mitsukuni on the television jidaigeki series Mito Kōmon. Sano died on 28 June 2022, at the age of 96.
Masanori Tokita (Japanese 鴇田 正憲, Tokita Masanori; June 24, 1925 – March 5, 2004) was a Japanese football player. He…Masanori Tokita (Japanese 鴇田 正憲, Tokita Masanori; June 24, 1925 – March 5, 2004) was a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Hideji Ōtaki (大滝 秀治, Ōtaki Hideji; June 6, 1925 – October 2, 2012) was a Japanese actor. He served as President of the…Hideji Ōtaki (大滝 秀治, Ōtaki Hideji; June 6, 1925 – October 2, 2012) was a Japanese actor. He served as President of the Mingei Theatre Company.
Hiroyuki Kanai (金井 宏之, Kanai Hiroyuki; 16 May 1925 in Amagasaki – 26 January 2012) was a Japanese businessman, writer…Hiroyuki Kanai (金井 宏之, Kanai Hiroyuki; 16 May 1925 in Amagasaki – 26 January 2012) was a Japanese businessman, writer and philatelist.
Kunio Busujima (毒島 邦雄, Busujima Kunio; 1 April 1925 – 22 October 2016) was a Japanese billionaire businessman, and the…Kunio Busujima (毒島 邦雄, Busujima Kunio; 1 April 1925 – 22 October 2016) was a Japanese billionaire businessman, and the founder and chairman of Sankyo, one of the three major pachinko machine makers in Japan. According to Forbes in January 2015, he had an estimated net worth of US$4.2 billion. He died in October 2016 at the age of 91.
Fukuzo Iwasaki (岩崎 福三, Iwasaki Fukuzō; March 11, 1925 – February 29, 2012) was a Japanese real estate magnate with an…Fukuzo Iwasaki (岩崎 福三, Iwasaki Fukuzō; March 11, 1925 – February 29, 2012) was a Japanese real estate magnate with an estimated fortune of $5.7 billion, putting him among the five richest people in Japan. He was chairman of the Iwasaki Sangyo Group, a major transportation, tourism and hotel company in southern Japan, founded by his father, Yōhachirō Iwasaki. Forbes' 2007 list of billionaires estimates his net worth at $2.1 billion. Iwasaki was a resident of Kagoshima and held a bachelor's degree from Rikkyo University.
Shoichiro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田 章一郞, Hepburn: Toyoda Shōichirō; 27 February 1925 – 14 February 2023) was a Japanese…Shoichiro Toyoda (Japanese: 豊田 章一郞, Hepburn: Toyoda Shōichirō; 27 February 1925 – 14 February 2023) was a Japanese business executive who served as chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation from 1992 to 1999, as well as chairman of the influential Japan Business Federation (日本経済団体連合会, Nippon Keidanren) from 1994 to 1998. Under Toyoda's leadership, Toyota started manufacturing vehicles overseas and undertook the development of the Lexus brand. He was the grandson of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda and the son of the Toyota Motor founder Kiichiro Toyoda.
Otohiko Hara (原乙彦, Hara Otohiko; January 1, 1925 – April 9, 2018), formerly known as Otohiko Yabashi, was a Japanese…Otohiko Hara (原乙彦, Hara Otohiko; January 1, 1925 – April 9, 2018), formerly known as Otohiko Yabashi, was a Japanese corporate executive. He was a chief executive officer of Unitika Tsusho [:ja:] (later, Unitika Trading [:ja:]). One of the first Japanese businesspersons who led Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, Unitika), one of Japan's three largest textile makers, to the first overseas expansion of Japanese corporations after World War II.
Masao Horiba (堀場 雅夫, Horiba Masao; December 1, 1924 – July 14, 2015) was a Japanese businessman who was the founder of…Masao Horiba (堀場 雅夫, Horiba Masao; December 1, 1924 – July 14, 2015) was a Japanese businessman who was the founder of Horiba Ltd., a manufacturer of advanced analytical and measurement technology. He founded the company as Horiba Radio Laboratory in 1945. Masao Horiba received several awards from the Japanese government including a national Blue Ribbon Medal, and was the first non-American to receive the Pittcon Heritage Award.
Masatoshi Itō (伊藤 雅俊, Itō Masatoshi; 30 April 1924 – 10 March 2023) was a Japanese businessman and founder of…Masatoshi Itō (伊藤 雅俊, Itō Masatoshi; 30 April 1924 – 10 March 2023) was a Japanese businessman and founder of Ito-Yokado.
Takeshi Taketsuru (Japanese: 竹鶴威, 6 March 1924 – 17 December 2014) was a Japanese whisky distiller. He was the nephew…Takeshi Taketsuru (Japanese: 竹鶴威, 6 March 1924 – 17 December 2014) was a Japanese whisky distiller. He was the nephew of Masataka Taketsuru, from his sister Nobuyo, and his wife Rita Taketsuru, the founders of the Nikka Whisky company before being adopted by them after his father's death in 1943. After their deaths, he took over the company, and expanded its business substantially. He died on 17 December 2014, at the age of 90. Having married his wife, Utako, in 1951, he is survived by his two children, Kotaro and Minobu.
Kosaku Inaba (稲葉 興作, Inaba Kōsaku; January 16, 1924 – November 16, 2006) was a Singapore-born Japanese businessman…Kosaku Inaba (稲葉 興作, Inaba Kōsaku; January 16, 1924 – November 16, 2006) was a Singapore-born Japanese businessman, former president of Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1993–2001) and second president of Nippon Kaigi (1998–2001). He was a graduate of Azabu High School and Tokyo Institute of Technology. He joined the Ishikawajima Shibaura Turbine Co. in 1946. In 1962, the company merged with Ishikawajima-Shibaura Seiki Co. and Shibaura Sewing Machine Co. and changed its name to its current one. Inaba rose through the ranks as board director, managing director and senior vice president before becoming president of the company in 1983 and chairman in 1995. He was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Noritoshi Kanai (金井紀年, カナイ・ノリトシ) (February 25, 1923 – April 22, 2017) was a Japanese-born executive of the Los Angeles…Noritoshi Kanai (金井紀年, カナイ・ノリトシ) (February 25, 1923 – April 22, 2017) was a Japanese-born executive of the Los Angeles branch of the food importer, Mutual Trading Company. He has been credited with the idea of opening the first authentic sushi bar in the United States during the 1960s.
Hōji Shimanaka (嶋中 鵬二, Shimanaka Hōji; February 7, 1923 – April 3, 1997) was a Japanese magazine publisher who was the…Hōji Shimanaka (嶋中 鵬二, Shimanaka Hōji; February 7, 1923 – April 3, 1997) was a Japanese magazine publisher who was the president and publisher of the prominent monthly magazine Chūō Kōron for nearly five decades. According to Shimanaka's longtime friend and sometime rival Kengo Tanaka, the publisher of competing Bungei Shunjū magazine, "Shimanaka was a virtual synonym for Chūō Kōron." Under Shimanaka's leadership, Chūō Kōron became one of the best known and most widely read magazines in Japan, but in his final years as president he sunk the magazine deep into debt, causing it to be taken over by a rival publishing company. Shimanaka is also known for an attempt by a right-wing youth to assassinate him in February 1960, in what became known as the "Shimanaka Incident". Shimanaka was a close friend and the primary publisher of famed Japanese author Junichirō Tanizaki, and was a close friend to renowned American scholar of Japanese literature Donald Keene. Shimanaka's wife, Masako (1925–2004), was the daughter of the well-known political scientist Masamichi Rōyama.
Kim Chong-hee (Korean: 김종희; 1922–1981) was the founder of Hanwha Group and a significant figure in the South Korean…Kim Chong-hee (Korean: 김종희; 1922–1981) was the founder of Hanwha Group and a significant figure in the South Korean explosives industry.
Hiroo Onoda (Japanese: 小野田 寛郎, Hepburn: Onoda Hiroo; IPA: [o̞no̞da̠ çiɾo̞ː]) (19 March 1922 – 16 January 2014) was a…Hiroo Onoda (Japanese: 小野田 寛郎, Hepburn: Onoda Hiroo; IPA: [o̞no̞da̠ çiɾo̞ː]) (19 March 1922 – 16 January 2014) was a Japanese soldier who served as a second lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. One of the last Japanese holdouts, Onoda continued fighting for nearly 29 years after the war's end in 1945, carrying out guerrilla warfare on Lubang Island in the Philippines until 1974. Onoda initially held out with three other soldiers. One surrendered in 1950, and two were killed, one in 1954 and one in 1972. The men did not believe flyers and letters from their families stating that the war was over. They survived on wild fruits, game, and stolen rice, and occasionally engaged in shootouts (using their service rifles) with locals and police. Onoda was contacted in the jungles of Lubang by Japanese adventurer Norio Suzuki in 1974 but still refused to surrender until he was formally relieved of duty by his former commanding officer, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, who flew from Japan to the island to issue the order. Onoda surrendered on 10 March 1974 and received a hero's welcome when he returned to Japan. That year, he wrote and published an autobiography and later moved to Brazil, where he became a cattle rancher. In 1984, Onoda returned to Japan, where he died in 2014 at the age of 91.
Makoto Tanabe (田邊 誠; 25 February 1922 – 2 July 2015) was the chairman of the former Japan Socialist Party, now known as…Makoto Tanabe (田邊 誠; 25 February 1922 – 2 July 2015) was the chairman of the former Japan Socialist Party, now known as the Social Democratic Party of Japan. He was elected to the position in 1991. Tanabe was from the right wing of the party and was a reformer. He served in the Japanese House of Representatives 11 times. Tanabe was a supporter of giving Japanese aide to deal with the lack of food in North Korea. He was also supportive of apologizing for Japan's behaviour during World War II and of giving reparations to those in Asian countries. He died on 2 July 2015, at the age of 93.
Masaaki Fujita (藤田 正明, Fujita Masaaki; January 3, 1922 – May 27, 1996) was a Japanese politician who served as a member…Masaaki Fujita (藤田 正明, Fujita Masaaki; January 3, 1922 – May 27, 1996) was a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors. Fujita was born and brought up in Hiroshima City and he graduated from Waseda University in 1944. During his 30-year political career, he served in some important posts such as the Director General of Okinawa Development Agency (1976-1977) and the President of the House of Councillors (1986-1988). He received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in 1992.
Azumafuji Kin'ichi (Japanese: 東富士 欽壹; October 28, 1921 – July 31, 1973) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from…Azumafuji Kin'ichi (Japanese: 東富士 欽壹; October 28, 1921 – July 31, 1973) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Taitō, Tokyo. He was the sport's 40th yokozuna, and later a professional wrestler.