Asako Ito (いとう あさこ, Itō Asako; born June 10, 1970, in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian. Ito is a resident…Asako Ito (いとう あさこ, Itō Asako; born June 10, 1970, in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian. Ito is a resident of Nakano, Tokyo. She is a graduate of Togo Kindergarten, Futaba Elementary School, Futabachu Secondary School and High School, and Butai Geijyutsu Gakuin. She also competed on one tournament of Kunoichi, failing on the final obstacle in the first stage. She then failed the second chance round as she couldn't complete it before the winner.
Hanamaru Hakata (博多 華丸, Hakata Hanamaru; born Mitsuteru Okazaki (岡崎 光輝, Okazaki Mitsuteru), 8 April 1970, in Sawara-ku…Hanamaru Hakata (博多 華丸, Hakata Hanamaru; born Mitsuteru Okazaki (岡崎 光輝, Okazaki Mitsuteru), 8 April 1970, in Sawara-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese comedian who performs boke of the double act Hanamaru-Daikichi Hakata, in which his partner is Daikichi Hakata. After working with Fukuoka Yoshimoto, he joined Yoshimoto Creative Agency (Tokyo Yoshimoto) since 2005.
Hiroyuki Miyasako (宮迫博之, Miyasako Hiroyuki; born March 31, 1970 in Osaka) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter…Hiroyuki Miyasako (宮迫博之, Miyasako Hiroyuki; born March 31, 1970 in Osaka) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, actor, voice actor and plays the boke in Ameagari Kesshitai. His partner is Tōru Hotohara. He is represented by Yoshimoto Kogyo. Miyasako won the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 28th Hochi Film Awards for Thirteen Steps and Wild Berries.
Takayoshi Murota (室田 隆義, Murota Takayoshi; born March 25, 1970, in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture), better known by his…Takayoshi Murota (室田 隆義, Murota Takayoshi; born March 25, 1970, in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture), better known by his stage name MURO, is a Japanese hip hop recording artist, DJ, record producer and designer. In 1987 DJ Krush, Microphone Pager, TWIGY and others formed the "KRUSH POSSE", a crew of rappers and DJs. During this time he excelled at DJing hip-hop and began producing hip-hop beats. His solo debut appeared 1993. In the late 1990s he worked extensively with Nitro Microphone Underground, one of Japan's most successful hip-hop crews. In addition to producing he also was active as a designer.
Gokuraku Tombo (極楽とんぼ, Gokuraku Tonbo), meaning Heavenly Dragonfly, was a manzai comedy duo consisting of Keiichi…Gokuraku Tombo (極楽とんぼ, Gokuraku Tonbo), meaning Heavenly Dragonfly, was a manzai comedy duo consisting of Keiichi Yamamoto (山本 圭壱, Yamamoto Keiichi) and Koji Kato (加藤 浩次, Katō Kōji). Members of the Yoshimoto Kogyo entertainment conglomerate, they performed on the Fuji TV variety show Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! Their main act was based on arguing and fighting in public.
Tomomitsu Yamaguchi (山口智充, Yamaguchi Tomomitsu; born March 14, 1969) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor, singer…Tomomitsu Yamaguchi (山口智充, Yamaguchi Tomomitsu; born March 14, 1969) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor, singer and presenter from Shijōnawate, Osaka. He is a graduate of the Osaka Prefecture North Shijōnawate Senior High School. He is currently attached to the Yoshimoto Creative Agency. He is best known as the boke half of the Manzai act "DonDokoDon" alongside tsukkomi Keiji Hirahata.
Jun Nagura (名倉 潤, Nagura Jun; born 4 November 1968, in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, actor and…Jun Nagura (名倉 潤, Nagura Jun; born 4 November 1968, in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, actor and businessman who is the leader of the comedy trio Neptune and in charge of tsukkomi. He is nicknamed Jun-chan (潤ちゃん) and Leader (リーダー, Rīdā). Nagura is represented by Watanabe Entertainment. He is married to Marina Watanabe and is left-handed. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter. Nagura is the youngest of four brothers
Hiromi Hanamura (花村 博美, Hanamura Hiromi) (born June 13, 1968, in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), better known by…Hiromi Hanamura (花村 博美, Hanamura Hiromi) (born June 13, 1968, in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan), better known by her stage name Hiroko Moriguchi (森口 博子, Moriguchi Hiroko) is a female Japanese singer and tarento. Moriguchi is affiliated with the talent agency NoReason Inc., where she also serves as Second Production Department Manager.
Ryota Takeda (武田 良太, Takeda Ryōta; born 1 April 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Internal…Ryota Takeda (武田 良太, Takeda Ryōta; born 1 April 1968) is a Japanese politician who served as the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications from September 2020 to October 2021. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he previously served as the Minister in Charge of Public Safety, Measures for National Land Strengthening and Disaster Management.
Noriko Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本 典子, Hepburn: Matsumoto Noriko; born 30 January 1968) is a Japanese singer and television…Noriko Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本 典子, Hepburn: Matsumoto Noriko; born 30 January 1968) is a Japanese singer and television personality. After winning the Grand Prize at the 1984 Miss Seventeen Contest, she debuted as an idol singer with her song "Shunshoku no Airmail" and had four more singles chart in the Oricon Singles Chart Top 30 and a Japan Record Awards New Artist Award, and she was a regular cast member at the variety show Shimura Ken no Daijobu dā . She went on a career break after her 1992 marriage to baseball player Kenji Tomashino, before making a comeback in the early-2010s.
Kazuki Ōtake (大竹 一樹, Ōtake Kazuki; born December 8, 1967 in Sumida, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian. He is a former…Kazuki Ōtake (大竹 一樹, Ōtake Kazuki; born December 8, 1967 in Sumida, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian. He is a former member of Japanese band UltraCats and current member of owarai group Summers.
Koji Higashino (東野 幸治, Higashino Kōji; born 8 August 1967, in Takarazuka, Hyōgo) is a Japanese comedian and television…Koji Higashino (東野 幸治, Higashino Kōji; born 8 August 1967, in Takarazuka, Hyōgo) is a Japanese comedian and television presenter. He is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency (Yoshimoto Kogyo). He graduated from Hyōgo Prefectural Takarazuka High School. He is nicknamed Higashinori (ひがしのり; as his hair gets wet it looks like seaweed).
Hideyuki Nakayama (中山 秀征, Nakayama Hideyuki; born 31 July 1967, in Fujioka, Gunma) is a Japanese tarento, presenter…Hideyuki Nakayama (中山 秀征, Nakayama Hideyuki; born 31 July 1967, in Fujioka, Gunma) is a Japanese tarento, presenter, actor, and comedian. He is nicknamed Hide-chan (ヒデちゃん) and Hide-san (ヒデさん). He is represented with Watanabe Entertainment. He dropped out from Tsunamu Elementary School, North Junior High School (up to two semesters for three years), Persimmon Junior High School (only three semesters for three years), Kakiyo High School, and Kurume High School.
Kōzo Nomura (野村 耕蔵, Nomura Kōzo; born July 10, 1967), known professionally as Ikki Sawamura (沢村 一樹), is a Japanese…Kōzo Nomura (野村 耕蔵, Nomura Kōzo; born July 10, 1967), known professionally as Ikki Sawamura (沢村 一樹), is a Japanese model, film and television actor, and television presenter signed to Ken-On.
Koji Imada (今田 耕司, Imada Kōji; born March 13, 1966 in Osaka city) is a Japanese musician, comedian, tarento and TV…Koji Imada (今田 耕司, Imada Kōji; born March 13, 1966 in Osaka city) is a Japanese musician, comedian, tarento and TV presenter. His talent agency is Yoshimoto Kogyo. In the mid-1990s, Imada paired with the acclaimed Japanese record producer Towa Tei under the stage name Koji 1200. He released two albums and multiple hit singles, including Now Romantic and Blow Ya Mind. Imada is currently one of the most prominent figures in the Japanese television industry as an active TV presenter and comedian. Although they were not an official comedy duo, Imada along with Koji Higashino were known as the W Koji as they shared the same name and were both graduates of the Yoshimoto NSC Osaka Comedy School as the 4th generation. Among the shows he's presented for was Amazon Prime's Caligula.
Ken Ishiguro (石黒 賢, Ishiguro Ken; born 31 January 1966) is a Japanese film, television and voice actor. He has appeared…Ken Ishiguro (石黒 賢, Ishiguro Ken; born 31 January 1966) is a Japanese film, television and voice actor. He has appeared in more than 80 films since 1979. He is the son of Osamu Ishiguro, a former tennis player.
Kanji Ishimaru (石丸 幹二, Ishimaru Kanji; born 15 August 1965 in Niihama, Ehime) is a Japanese musical actor and singer.…Kanji Ishimaru (石丸 幹二, Ishimaru Kanji; born 15 August 1965 in Niihama, Ehime) is a Japanese musical actor and singer. Ishimaru is signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan. He grew up in Ichihara, Chiba and graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts.
Hikari Ōta (太田 光, Ōta Hikari; born May 13, 1965) is a Japanese television comedian. He is best known as one half of the…Hikari Ōta (太田 光, Ōta Hikari; born May 13, 1965) is a Japanese television comedian. He is best known as one half of the owarai duo Bakushō Mondai alongside Yūji Tanaka, where he performs the role of boke. He was born in Kamifukuoka, Saitama.
Hiromi (ヒロミ; born 13 February 1965, in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, radio…Hiromi (ヒロミ; born 13 February 1965, in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, radio personality, actor, businessman, triathlete, and racing driver. He is the president of Be Company. His full name is Hiromi Kozono (小園 浩己, Kozono Hiromi). While Be Company is from Production Jin Riki-sha, Hiromi is represented with Tanabe Agency and later Production No Title since 2008. His wife is singer Iyo Matsumoto. Hiromi's eldest son is tarento Ryo Kozono.
Kiyotaka Nanbara (南原 清隆, Nanbara Kiyotaka) (born 13 February 1965, in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese…Kiyotaka Nanbara (南原 清隆, Nanbara Kiyotaka) (born 13 February 1965, in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese television host and comedian. He is known as the boke of the manzai duo Ucchan Nanchan with Teruyoshi Uchimura.
Toshiaki Megumi (恵 俊彰, Megumi Toshiaki; born December 21, 1964, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a…Toshiaki Megumi (恵 俊彰, Megumi Toshiaki; born December 21, 1964, in Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese comedian, actor, television presenter, and newscaster who is a member of the comedy duo Honjamaka. He is represented by Watanabe Entertainment.
Teruyoshi Uchimura (内村 光良, Uchimura Teruyoshi), half of the Japanese comedy duo Ucchan Nanchan, is one of the most…Teruyoshi Uchimura (内村 光良, Uchimura Teruyoshi), half of the Japanese comedy duo Ucchan Nanchan, is one of the most famous and influential comedians in the owarai community. His nickname is Ucchan ("Wutchan"), and his partner, Kiyotaka Nanbara, is known as Nanchan. He was born on July 22, 1964, in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto. Though he has worked for years as a comedian, he has also shown talent as an actor and dramatic performer. He is well known as the leader of the owarai band NO PLAN.
Tetsurō Degawa (出川 哲朗, Degawa Tetsurō; born February 13, 1964, in Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa) is a Japanese…Tetsurō Degawa (出川 哲朗, Degawa Tetsurō; born February 13, 1964, in Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa) is a Japanese comedian.
Hitoshi Matsumoto (松本 人志, Matsumoto Hitoshi; born September 8, 1963) is a Japanese comedian and filmmaker. He was born…Hitoshi Matsumoto (松本 人志, Matsumoto Hitoshi; born September 8, 1963) is a Japanese comedian and filmmaker. He was born in Amagasaki, Hyōgo Prefecture. He is one half of the comedy duo Downtown, alongside Masatoshi Hamada, and is one of the most popular comedians in Japan. Matsumoto has directed several movies beginning in 2007 with Big Man Japan, in several of which he also starred as the main character. He currently hosts Documental on Amazon Prime. His Amazon Prime Video series Documental which he created and hosted has been adapted internationally as LOL: Last One Laughing, with versions distributed in more than 25 countries and regions. In late 2023, the Japanese weekly magazine Shūkan Bunshun published allegations concerning Matsumoto’s conduct at private gatherings, including claims of non-consensual sexual activity. In early 2024, Matsumoto suspended his public entertainment activities while pursuing a defamation lawsuit against the magazine’s publisher. He later withdrew the lawsuit in 2024. In November 2025, he resumed his entertaiment activities through DOWNTOWN+,a paid streaming service launched that month.
Masatoshi Hamada (浜田 雅功), nicknamed Hama-chan (浜ちゃん), is a Japanese comedian best known as the tsukkomi half of the…Masatoshi Hamada (浜田 雅功), nicknamed Hama-chan (浜ちゃん), is a Japanese comedian best known as the tsukkomi half of the owarai duo Downtown alongside Hitoshi Matsumoto. Hamada is married to Natsumi Ogawa, with whom he has two children.
Manabu Suzuki (Shinjitai: 鈴木 学, Suzuki Manabu; born Tokyo, Japan, March 20, 1963) is a former racing driver…Manabu Suzuki (Shinjitai: 鈴木 学, Suzuki Manabu; born Tokyo, Japan, March 20, 1963) is a former racing driver, journalist, sport announcer and radio and TV presenter for the automotive industry. He is a Japanese citizen and is nicknamed Mana-P (マナP in katakana). Suzuki competed in the Formula Toyota and Saurus Cup until the mid nineties. When he left circuit racing behind, he became well known for working with Option as a writer and presenter for the magazine's offshoot video magazine, Video Option and Drift Tengoku. Suzuki was best known as one of the three original key judges (the other being Keiichi Tsuchiya and Manabu Orido, which Orido left at the end of the 2004 season to compete for 2005, while Tsuchiya left D1 with Daijro Inada due to irresponsible management) in the D1 Grand Prix series. He adds many comic expressions during commentary to keep the crowds entertained during the races. He also hosts various issues of the Option DVD where he is discussing cars. He often exclaims "giri giri", which means "little little" in Japanese. This phrase is used to express an instance where the "drift" is extremely close or a driver is almost in a position where he/she is going to crash. Suzuki is also involved in car designs, appearing on a segment in Drift Tengoku on DIY graphics and even working on the paint scheme and decals for Orido's 2005 RS*R Toyota Supra JZA80 and Yasuyuki Kazama's 2006 DG-5 Nissan Silvia S15.
Hayashiya Shōzō IX (九代目 林家 正蔵, Kudaime Hayashiya Shōzō; born Yasutaka Ebina (海老名 泰孝, Ebina Yasutaka), December 1, 1962…Hayashiya Shōzō IX (九代目 林家 正蔵, Kudaime Hayashiya Shōzō; born Yasutaka Ebina (海老名 泰孝, Ebina Yasutaka), December 1, 1962 in Negishi, Taito, Tokyo, Japan), formerly known as Hayashiya Kobuhei (林家 こぶ平, Hayashiya Kobuhei), is a Japanese rakugoka, tarento and voice actor. He is an associate professor of humanities at Josai International University. He is the son of Hayashiya Sanpei I.
Kuniko Asagi (麻木 久仁子, Asagi Kuniko; born on November 12, 1962) is a Japanese actress and television presenter. Her real…Kuniko Asagi (麻木 久仁子, Asagi Kuniko; born on November 12, 1962) is a Japanese actress and television presenter. Her real name is Kuniko Tanaka (田中 久仁子, Tanaka Kuniko).
Eiichiro Funakoshi (船越 英一郎, 船越 栄一郎, Funakoshi Eiichirō; born 21 July 1960, in Yugawara, Ashigarashimo District…Eiichiro Funakoshi (船越 英一郎, 船越 栄一郎, Funakoshi Eiichirō; born 21 July 1960, in Yugawara, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa) is a Japanese actor, tarento, and presenter. He is represented with Horipro. He graduated from Nihon University Mishima High School and Nihon University College of Arts Film Department (in which he was classmates with Hiroyuki Sanada). His father was Eiji Funakoshi, who was also an actor, and his mother was Yumiko Hasegawa. His great uncle was Kazuo Hasegawa (his wife Shige Iijima was Eiichiro's grandmother and their daughter was Matsu Iijima). His uncle was Ken Mishima (real name: Eitaro Funakoshi). His former wife is actress Kazuyo Matsui, and his current wife was Moeko Matsushita. His mother's great-grandfather was Jiro Iijima, founder of the Iijima Association, who formed a temporary name in railway construction. His sister was Yoko Hirano.
Yosuke Tagawa (太川 陽介, Tagawa Yōsuke; born 13 January 1959, in Ōmiya, Naka (now Kyōtango), Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a…Yosuke Tagawa (太川 陽介, Tagawa Yōsuke; born 13 January 1959, in Ōmiya, Naka (now Kyōtango), Kyoto Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento, and former idol singer. His real name is Ikuo Tsubokura (坪倉 育生, Tsubokura Ikuo). Tagawa is a resident of Chōfu, Tokyo. He is represented by Sun Music Production. Tagawa's wife is actress Kumiko Fujiyoshi.
Jon Kabira (ジョン・カビラ), born Jion Kabira (川平 慈温, Kabira Jion; November 1, 1958 in Naha, Okinawa, Japan), is a Japanese…Jon Kabira (ジョン・カビラ), born Jion Kabira (川平 慈温, Kabira Jion; November 1, 1958 in Naha, Okinawa, Japan), is a Japanese freelance presenter, tarento, radio personality, narrator who is affiliated with Sony Music Artists. He is very popular in Japan having participated in various TV commercials, TV shows, among other Audio-visual-related activities. Kabira is well known in the West due to his narration in the eFootball video game series. He comments alongside former ex-Japanese footballers Tsuyoshi Kitazawa and Hiroshi Nanami, in the past games he also comments alongside other ex-Japanese players like Yasutaro Matsuki, Kozo Tashima, Hiroshi Hayano and Tetsuo Nakanishi. Kabira is the son of Chosei Kabira (川平朝清), an Okinawan broadcaster who later served as a senior executive of NHK and Showa Women's University, and his wife Wandalee, a Kansas native who worked as a teacher at the American School in Japan. His younger brother Jay Kabira (川平 慈英, Kabira Jiei) is also active as a media personality.
Takanori Jinnai (陣内孝則, Jinnai Takanori; born August 12, 1958 in Okawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese actor, film director, and…Takanori Jinnai (陣内孝則, Jinnai Takanori; born August 12, 1958 in Okawa, Fukuoka) is a Japanese actor, film director, and singer. He made his directorial debut with Rockers (ロッカーズ or Rokkazu), a 2003 film based on his years as vocalist for the punk rock band The Rockers (ザ・ロッカーズ). He was nominated best actor for a Japanese Academy Award three times, once in 1988 and twice in 1989. He won the award for Best Actor at the 12th Hochi Film Awards for Chōchin.
Masami Hisamoto (Japanese: 久本雅美, Hepburn: Hisamoto Masami; born July 9, 1958) is a Japanese comedian, actress, singer…Masami Hisamoto (Japanese: 久本雅美, Hepburn: Hisamoto Masami; born July 9, 1958) is a Japanese comedian, actress, singer and tarento from Kami, Osaka. She belongs to the Wahaha-Hompo talent agency, appearing on variety shows like Waratte Iitomo! and Hirunandesu!. She has also been a notable adherent to Soka Gakkai since 1984 and became an internet meme for it.
Tomoko Hoshino (星野 知子, Hoshino Tomoko; born October 3, 1957 in Nagaoka, Niigata) is a Japanese actress and essayist.…Tomoko Hoshino (星野 知子, Hoshino Tomoko; born October 3, 1957 in Nagaoka, Niigata) is a Japanese actress and essayist. She graduated from Hosei University.
Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice…Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 to 2014.
Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井…Akio Ishii (Japanese: 石井朗夫, Hepburn: Ishii Akio; born October 19, 1955), known professionally as LaSalle Ishii (ラサール石井, Rasāru Ishii), is a Japanese TV personality, actor, director, writer, columnist, and politician. He named himself after his high school Japanese La Salle Academy. His best-known anime role is Kankichi Ryotsu the lead character in Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo which ran from 1999 to 2004 for 373 episodes. In 2025, he ran in the House of Councillors election in the proportional representation district as a member of the Social Democratic Party, winning a seat. On September 24 the same year, the managerial committee of SDP announced it approved his inauguration as its Vice-Chairman.
Sanma Akashiya (明石家 さんま, Akashiya Sanma; born July 1, 1955) is a Japanese comedian, TV presenter, radio personality and…Sanma Akashiya (明石家 さんま, Akashiya Sanma; born July 1, 1955) is a Japanese comedian, TV presenter, radio personality and actor most commonly known as Sanma-san. His real name is Takafumi Sugimoto (杉本 髙文, Sugimoto Takafumi). His talent agency is Yoshimoto Kogyo and his shishô (master) back when he studied rakugo is Shōfukutei Matsunosuke. Together with Beat Takeshi and Tamori, Sanma is said to be one of the "Big Three" television comedians of Japan. He is known for his ability to endlessly carry a conversation. His protruding front teeth are often ridiculed, even by himself. Akashiya married actress Shinobu Otake in September 1988. They met on the set of the drama series Danjo Shichinin Natsumonogatari. At the time, Otake had one son from her previous marriage with her husband who had died. The marriage lasted 4 years as they divorced in September 1992. The two remained friends after and are sometimes seen on variety television programs together. They have one daughter, Imalu Otake, born in 1989. Imalu went on to become a tarento in 2009 under the name IMALU.
Emiko Kaminuma (上沼 恵美子, Kaminuma Emiko; born 13 April 1955, in Fukura (now Minamiawaji), Mihara District, Hyōgo) is a…Emiko Kaminuma (上沼 恵美子, Kaminuma Emiko; born 13 April 1955, in Fukura (now Minamiawaji), Mihara District, Hyōgo) is a Japanese comedian, singer, television presenter, YouTuber, and radio personality. Her maiden name is Hashimoto (橋本). Kaminuma is one of the leading broadcast personalities in the Kansai region. She has often appeared in Kansai local programs, and has garnered high ratings since the late 1990s. She is married with two children. Kaminuma's husband is Shinpei Kaminuma, a Kansai Telecasting Corporation (KTV) television director, producer, executive director, and production director, as well as Media Pulpo (KTV's subsidiary) representative director and chairman. Kaminuma is represented by her agency, Kaminuma Jimusho. She dropped out of Empire Girls High School Owada School (now Osaka International Waseda High School).
Ichiro Furutachi (古舘 伊知郎, Furutachi Ichirō; born December 7, 1954) is a Japanese announcer, tarento, television…Ichiro Furutachi (古舘 伊知郎, Furutachi Ichirō; born December 7, 1954) is a Japanese announcer, tarento, television presenter, and newscaster represented by Furutachi-Project. He was an announcer for TV Asahi. He graduated from Kita Kuritsu Takinogawa Daini (No. 2) Elementary School, Chiyoda Kuritsu Kanda Hitotsubashi Junior High School, Rikkyo Niiza Junior and Senior High School, and Rikkyo University, where he studied Economics with a focus on Business Administration. Controversy erupted when he stepped down as the anchor of TV Asahi's evening news broadcast, Hōdō Station, a removal reportedly due to political pressure in response to the show's critical tone.
Tomoyo Nonaka (野中 ともよ, Nonaka Tomoyo; born June 18, 1954) is a television personality and businesswoman from Japan. She…Tomoyo Nonaka (野中 ともよ, Nonaka Tomoyo; born June 18, 1954) is a television personality and businesswoman from Japan. She was the CEO of Sanyo Electric from 2005 to 2007.
Fumi Dan (檀ふみ, Dan Fumi) (born June 5, 1954) is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at…Fumi Dan (檀ふみ, Dan Fumi) (born June 5, 1954) is a Japanese actress. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 17th Japan Academy Prize for her role in Bloom in the Moonlight. Her father is the novelist Kazuo Dan and she herself has won awards for her essays.
Shinosuke Tatekawa (立川 志の輔, Tatekawa Shinosuke; born 15 February 1954, from Shinminato, Toyama (now part of Imizu)) is…Shinosuke Tatekawa (立川 志の輔, Tatekawa Shinosuke; born 15 February 1954, from Shinminato, Toyama (now part of Imizu)) is a rakugo performer. His real name is Teruo Takeuchi (竹内 照雄, Takeuchi Teruo). With his comic group, Rokunin-no-Kai (Group of Six), formed in 2003, he has helped to popularise rakugo among young Japanese people. He is also well known as a TV presenter, and has presented the primetime NHK General show Tameshite Gatten (ためしてガッテン) since it started in 1995. Tatekawa received the grand prize Sponichi Art & Culture Award in 2008 for "Shinosuke Rakugo in Parco".
Ken Matsudaira (松平 健, Matsudaira Ken; familiarly shortened as Matsuken, born November 28, 1953) is a Japanese actor and…Ken Matsudaira (松平 健, Matsudaira Ken; familiarly shortened as Matsuken, born November 28, 1953) is a Japanese actor and musician from Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan. His real name is Sueshichi Suzuki (鈴木 末七, Suzuki Sueshichi).
Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and…Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and television presenter. His former stage name is Rabbit Sekine (ラビット関根, Rabitto Sekine). He is represented with Asai Kikaku. His daughter is tarento Mari Sekine. Sekine is partnered with Kazuki Kosakai, who is a junior at his talent agency and also a longtime best friend, in a comedy duo called Kosakin.
Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a…Shofukutei Tsurube II (笑福亭 鶴瓶 (2代目), Shōfukutei Tsurube (Nidaime)), born Manabu Suruga (駿河 学, Suruga Manabu), is a Japanese rakugo comedian and actor.
