Hani Motoko (Japanese: 羽仁 もと子; 1873–1957) is considered to be Japan's first female journalist. Born into a former…
Hani Motoko (Japanese: 羽仁 もと子; 1873–1957) is considered to be Japan's first female journalist. Born into a former samurai family, Hani was born Matsuoka Motoko in Aomori Prefecture and was baptized a Christian in 1890. She was educated at Tokyo First Higher Women's School and then at the Meiji Women's Christian School. After leaving school in 1892, she taught school in Hachinohe and in Morioka. Her marriage in 1895 did not work out and she moved to Tokyo, working as a maid for a female doctor. She joined Hochi Shinbun in 1897, working first as a copy editor and later becoming a reporter. In 1901, she married a co-worker, Hani Yoshikazu. Together, they founded a new magazine called Fujin no Tomo (Women's friend) in 1908. An association of readers of that magazine was established in 1930 which still existed as of 1999. In 1921, the couple founded a private school for girls, Jiyu Gakuen. She wrote an autobiography in 1928 titled Speaking of Myself.
Famous Japanese People: Journalist
Journalist: 128 people
Kiyoshi "Karl" Kawakami (河上 清, Kawakami Kiyoshi; 8 August 1873 – 12 October 1949) was a Japanese Christian journalist…
Kiyoshi "Karl" Kawakami (河上 清, Kawakami Kiyoshi; 8 August 1873 – 12 October 1949) was a Japanese Christian journalist who published several books in the United States and the United Kingdom. He was born in Yonezawa, educated in the law in Japan, and was for a short time engaged in newspaper work in that country. He sometimes wrote under the name of K. K. Kawakami. Although Japanese do not have middle names, he is said to have been a socialist in his youth, when he apparently adopted the middle name "Karl" (from Karl Marx). In 1901 he travelled to the United States and studied at the universities of Iowa and Wisconsin. In 1905, engaged in journalism, he traveled extensively in China, Siberia, and Russia. He was a correspondent for leading newspapers in Tokyo and a frequent contributor to American magazines and newspapers.
Kiryū Yūyū (Japanese: 桐生悠々; May 20, 1873 – September 10, 1941), born as Kiryū Masaji (桐生 政次), was a Japanese journalist…
Kiryū Yūyū (Japanese: 桐生悠々; May 20, 1873 – September 10, 1941), born as Kiryū Masaji (桐生 政次), was a Japanese journalist and activist. He worked as the editor-in-chief for The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun (1910–1914; 1928–1933) and Shin Aichi (now the Chunichi Shimbun; 1914–1924.) He is known for being a "rebellious journalist" for his criticism of the Japanese military and totalitarianism in Japan during the late Taishō and early Shōwa period. Born in Kanazawa, he attended the Fourth Higher School alongside his friend Shūsei Tokuda. During his younger years, he was an aspiring novelist. Shortly before graduating from Tokyo Imperial University, Faculty of Law, he gave up being a novelist following advice from Roan Uchida. He became the editor-in-chief of Shimotsuke Shimbun in 1902 and worked as a journalist for Osaka Mainichi Shimbun and Osaka Asahi Shimbun. He is known for his editorials such as the "Rōshū Daha-ron: Nogi Shōgun no Junshi" and "Kantō Bōkū Dai-enshū o Warau". Shortly after he resigned from The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun in 1933, he launched the bi-monthly magazine Tazan no Ishi, where he published anti-military and anti-fascist articles until his death in 1941. The magazine was heavily censored by the military.
Kōtoku Denjirō (幸徳 傳次郎; November 5, 1871 – January 24, 1911), better known by the pen name Kōtoku Shūsui (Japanese: 幸徳…
Kōtoku Denjirō (幸徳 傳次郎; November 5, 1871 – January 24, 1911), better known by the pen name Kōtoku Shūsui (Japanese: 幸徳 秋水; Japanese pronunciation: [koːtokɯ ɕɯːsɯi]), was a Japanese socialist and anarchist who played a leading role in introducing anarchism to Japan in the early 20th century. Historian John Crump described him as "the most famous socialist in Japan". He was a prominent figure in radical politics in Japan, opposing the Russo-Japanese War by founding the Heimin-sha group and its associated newspaper, Heimin Shinbun. Due to disregard for state press laws, the newspaper ceased publication in January 1905, and Kōtoku served five months in prison from February to July 1905. He subsequently left for the United States, spending November 1905 until June 1906 largely in California, and he came into contact with other prominent anarchist figures such as Peter Kropotkin. Upon his return, he contributed to a divide within the left-wing movement between moderate social democrats and the more radical advocates of direct action, the latter of whom he supported. The growth of the 'direct action' faction led to the banning of the Japan Socialist Party in February 1907, and is arguably the beginning of Japan's modern anarchist movement. He was one of the 12 accused who were executed for treason by the Japanese government in the High Treason Incident in 1911, under suspicion of involvement in a bomb plot to assassinate the Japanese Emperor Meiji.
Doppo Kunikida (国木田 独歩, Kunikida Doppo; 30 August 1871 – 23 June 1908) was a Japanese author of novels and romantic…
Doppo Kunikida (国木田 独歩, Kunikida Doppo; 30 August 1871 – 23 June 1908) was a Japanese author of novels and romantic poetry during the Meiji period, noted as one of the inventors of Japanese naturalism.
Juji Nakada (中田 重治, Nakada Jūji; 1870–1939) was a Japanese holiness evangelist, known as "the Dwight Moody of Japan"…
Juji Nakada (中田 重治, Nakada Jūji; 1870–1939) was a Japanese holiness evangelist, known as "the Dwight Moody of Japan" (Stark 28-29), who was the first bishop of the Japan Holiness Church and one of the co-founders of the Oriental Missionary Society (now One Mission Society).
Sazanami Iwaya (巖谷 小波, Iwaya Sazanami; 4 July 1870 - 5 September 1933) was a Japanese writer, children's author, oral…
Sazanami Iwaya (巖谷 小波, Iwaya Sazanami; 4 July 1870 - 5 September 1933) was a Japanese writer, children's author, oral storyteller, German literature scholar, journalist and haiku poet from the Meiji and Taishō eras. His birthname was Sueo Iwaya (巖谷季雄, Iwaya Sueo). Pseudonyms include Sazanami Sanjin (漣山人), Rakutenkyo (楽天居) and Ōe Sazanami (大江小波). He is regarded as a pioneer of Japanese children's literature who ushered the history of modern children's literature by publishing Japan's first original children's story, “Koganemaru” (Hakubunkan, 1891).
Heizō Yoshimura (1869 – 23 July 1935) was a Japanese politician who served as the Mayor of Hiroshima from January 1915…
Heizō Yoshimura (1869 – 23 July 1935) was a Japanese politician who served as the Mayor of Hiroshima from January 1915 to December 1916.
Machida Chūji (町田忠治; 17 May 1863 – 12 November 1946) was a politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire of…
Machida Chūji (町田忠治; 17 May 1863 – 12 November 1946) was a politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire of Japan.
Tokutomi Sohō (徳富 蘇峰; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯ̥.toꜜ.mʲi | soꜜ.hoː], March 14 1863 – November 2 1957), born…
Tokutomi Sohō (徳富 蘇峰; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯ̥.toꜜ.mʲi | soꜜ.hoː], March 14 1863 – November 2 1957), born Tokutomi Iichirō (徳富 猪一郎), was a Japanese journalist, publisher and historian. He advocated commoner Europeanism and Europeanization, established Min'yūsha, and launched the magazines Kokumin no Tomo and the newspaper Kokumin Shimbun. He was the older brother of noted author, Tokutomi Roka.
Kuroiwa Shūroku (黒岩 周六, Kuroiwa Shūroku; 29 September 1862 – 6 October 1920), also known as Kuroiwa Ruikō (黒岩 涙香), was…
Kuroiwa Shūroku (黒岩 周六, Kuroiwa Shūroku; 29 September 1862 – 6 October 1920), also known as Kuroiwa Ruikō (黒岩 涙香), was a Japanese journalist, novelist and translator. He founded Yorozu Chōhō in 1892, which soon became one of Japan's largest newspapers. He translated more than 100 French and English language novels into the Japanese language. In 1919, while on his way to the Paris Peace Conference, Kuroiwa met with Madam C. J. Walker of the International League for Darker People to discuss a shared strategy at the conference. His Dharma name, which he chose himself, was Kuroiwain Shūroku Ruikō Chūten Koji (黒岩院周六涙香忠天居士).
Tameyuki Amano (天野 為之, Amano Tameyuki; February 6, 1861 – March 26, 1938) was a Japanese politician, educator and…
Tameyuki Amano (天野 為之, Amano Tameyuki; February 6, 1861 – March 26, 1938) was a Japanese politician, educator and economist. He was born in Edo (after renamed to Tokyo), and grown in Karatsu, Saga. He argued the classical economics and free trade policy, and introduced John Stuart Mill's theory into Japan, from Meiji to pre-war Showa era. He was elected in the first Japanese general election in 1890, from the Rikken Kaishintō, which pursued a British-style constitutional monarchy. He was also a president of Toyo Keizai Inc. and Waseda University.
Viscount Suematsu Kenchō (末松 謙澄; 30 September 1855 – 5 October 1920) was a Japanese politician, intellectual and author…
Viscount Suematsu Kenchō (末松 謙澄; 30 September 1855 – 5 October 1920) was a Japanese politician, intellectual and author who lived in the Meiji and Taishō periods. Apart from his activity in the Japanese government, he also wrote several important works on Japan in English. He was portrayed in a negative manner in Ryōtarō Shiba's novel Saka no Ue no Kumo.
Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka; "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮…
Demon Kakka (Japanese: デーモン閣下, Hepburn: Dēmon Kakka; "His Excellency Demon"), previously known as Demon Kogure (デーモン小暮, Dēmon Kogure), is a Japanese musician, songwriter, entertainer, journalist, sumo commentator, actor and voice actor. He first gained fame in the 1980s as vocalist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II, before starting a solo career in 1990 and branching out into other forms of entertainment. His real name is not publicly known and he is noted for always working entirely in character, which includes wearing face paint. In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Demon the third best vocalist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".
Takashi Uesugi (上杉 隆, Uesugi Takashi; born May 3, 1968), is a Japanese freelance journalist and former research…
Takashi Uesugi (上杉 隆, Uesugi Takashi; born May 3, 1968), is a Japanese freelance journalist and former research assistant for the New York Times, born in Fukuoka Prefecture and raised in Tokyo. He is also former aide to Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Kunio Hatoyama, and author of numerous books, most recently The Collapse of Journalism (ジャーナリズム崩壊). He also wrote a book about the first Abe administration, The Collapse of the Residence (Kantei Hokai (官邸崩壊)), published in August 2007. He took up the post of Secretary-General of NHK Party in August 2019, but resigned in March 2021.
Zhang Dongsun (simplified Chinese: 张东荪; traditional Chinese: 張東蓀; Wade–Giles: Chang Tung-sun; 1886–1973), also known as…
Zhang Dongsun (simplified Chinese: 张东荪; traditional Chinese: 張東蓀; Wade–Giles: Chang Tung-sun; 1886–1973), also known as Chang Tung-sheng, was a Chinese philosopher, public intellectual and political figure. He was a professor of Western philosophy and Chinese social philosophy at Tsinghua University and Yenching University.
Chen Duxiu (simplified Chinese: 陈独秀; traditional Chinese: 陳獨秀; pinyin: Chén Dúxiù; Wade–Giles: Chʻên Tu-hsiu; 9 October…
Chen Duxiu (simplified Chinese: 陈独秀; traditional Chinese: 陳獨秀; pinyin: Chén Dúxiù; Wade–Giles: Chʻên Tu-hsiu; 9 October 1879 – 27 May 1942) was a Chinese intellectual, revolutionary, and political activist. Chen Duxiu was one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921 and served as its first General Secretary from 1921 to 1927. Chen was also a leading figure in the New Culture Movement (c. 1915–1922) and May Fourth Movement of 1919, which significantly influenced China's intellectual and political landscape in the early 20th century. Born in Anhui, Chen was raised in a traditional gentry family but became involved in revolutionary activities from a young age. He studied in Japan, where he was exposed to Western ideas and became involved with Chinese student activist groups. Returning to China, he played a key role in local revolutionary movements in Anhui, notably through journalism and education, advocating for a vernacular literary revolution and the preservation of China's "national essence". During the New Culture Movement, Chen rose to national prominence as the editor of the influential magazine New Youth (Xin Qingnian) and as Dean of Arts and Letters at Peking University. He championed science, democracy, and vernacular literature, while launching trenchant critiques of traditional Confucianism and Chinese society. His writings and leadership were instrumental in shaping the May Fourth generation of intellectuals and activists. Following the May Fourth Movement and influenced by the Russian Revolution, Chen embraced Marxism and, with the assistance of Comintern agents, co-founded the CCP. As its first leader, he navigated the complex early years of the party, including the First United Front with the Kuomintang (KMT). However, he was removed from leadership in 1927, becoming a scapegoat for the failures of the United Front. Subsequently, Chen became associated with the Trotskyist Left Opposition and was expelled from the CCP in 1929. He spent his later years in relative political isolation, attempting to reconcile Marxism with his earlier democratic ideals and continuing his philological research until his death in Sichuan in 1942. Chen Duxiu's legacy is complex. While often criticized in official CCP historiography for "right-wing opportunism", he is recognized as a founder of the party and a pivotal figure in modern Chinese intellectual and revolutionary history. He represented the internationalistic and Westernizing Marxist influences of the early CCP, which were later superseded by the more nationalist and voluntaristic tendencies of Mao Zedong.
Junpei Yasuda (安田 純平, Yasuda Junpei; born March 16, 1974) or Jumpei Yasuda is a Japanese freelance journalist who has…
Junpei Yasuda (安田 純平, Yasuda Junpei; born March 16, 1974) or Jumpei Yasuda is a Japanese freelance journalist who has reported from countries in the Middle East, including Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. He has twice been kidnapped while reporting and was thought to have been taken hostage by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria for three years before being released on October 23, 2018.
Zhang Shizhao (simplified Chinese: 章士钊; traditional Chinese: 章士釗; pinyin: Zhāng Shìzhāo; Wade–Giles: Chang Shih-chao…
Zhang Shizhao (simplified Chinese: 章士钊; traditional Chinese: 章士釗; pinyin: Zhāng Shìzhāo; Wade–Giles: Chang Shih-chao; 20 March 1881 – 1 July 1973), courtesy name Xingyan, pen name Huangzhonghuang, Qingtong or Qiutong, was a Chinese journalist, educator, politician of the early 20th century known for his advocacy first of revolutionary cultural values in the period leading up to the 1911 Revolution and then of traditional Confucian culture in following years. From the early years of the 20th century, Zhang edited a series of widely read journals and in the 1910s and 20s conducted respectful debates with New Culture Movement advocates of deep change and promoted Classical Chinese writing and protested written vernacular Chinese. He was the Minister of Justice and Minister of Education of the Beiyang Government, led by Duan Qirui during the Republic of China period. He was a senator in the Republic of China government and a standing committee member of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China and a standing committee member of the CPPCC in PRC. He was the president of the Central Research Institute of Culture and History. In 1949, Zhang was among a group of non-Communist intellectuals who reached out to Mao Zedong.
Mariko Oi (大井 真理子, Ōi Mariko; born 14 December 1981) is a Japanese bilingual journalist based in Singapore, who has…
Mariko Oi (大井 真理子, Ōi Mariko; born 14 December 1981) is a Japanese bilingual journalist based in Singapore, who has worked for the BBC since 2006, when she became the network's first Japanese reporter. She hosts the BBC World Service's visualised podcast, Asia Specific, which delivers in-depth analysis and expertise on stories from across Asia-Pacific on Wednesdays and Saturdays on YouTube, BBC Sounds, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Previously, Oi regularly presented Newsday and Business Today (formerly Asia Business Report) on BBC News Channel and business segments on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. She spent 2021 as the BBC's Asia Business correspondent. Oi also worked as the network’s Tokyo correspondent in 2012 and North America Business correspondent in 2013 and 2016.
Kimiko Jinnai (陣内 貴美子, Jinnai Kimiko; born 12 March 1964) is a Japanese badminton player, born in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto.…
Kimiko Jinnai (陣内 貴美子, Jinnai Kimiko; born 12 March 1964) is a Japanese badminton player, born in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto. She competed in women's doubles with teammate Hisako Mori at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Noriyuki Yamaguchi (山口 敬之, Yamaguchi Noriyuki; born 1966) is a former Japanese journalist and a biographer of former…
Noriyuki Yamaguchi (山口 敬之, Yamaguchi Noriyuki; born 1966) is a former Japanese journalist and a biographer of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He has been accused of the rape of Shiori Itō, while she was an intern at Thomson Reuters. His denials and the police's refusal to press the charges against Yamaguchi sparked the growth of the MeToo movement in Japan.
Mari Yamamoto (born February 4, 1986) is a Japanese actress and journalist who has starred in Pachinko, Monarch: Legacy…
Mari Yamamoto (born February 4, 1986) is a Japanese actress and journalist who has starred in Pachinko, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Rental Family.
Riko Muranaka (村中 璃子, Muranaka Riko) is a medical doctor, journalist and recipient of the 2017 John Maddox Prize for…
Riko Muranaka (村中 璃子, Muranaka Riko) is a medical doctor, journalist and recipient of the 2017 John Maddox Prize for fighting to reduce cervical cancer and countering misinformation about the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine dominating the Japanese media, despite facing safety threats. Despite the lack of evidence, the HPV vaccine is infamous in Japan due to misattributed adverse effects, with government suspending promotion and coverage. While the World Health Organization (WHO) safety and efficacy information about the vaccine is consistent with Muranaka's reporting, a court ruled against Muranaka in an unrelated slander lawsuit in 2016 for claims of alleged fabrication. Under threat of legal harassment by antivaccine activists, publishers declined some of her works including a book on the HPV vaccine (ultimately, Heibonsha accepted the book for publication).
Gao Yihan (高一涵, P: Gāo Yīhán, W: Kao I-han, 1884–1968) was a Chinese intellectual and political scientist. In addition…
Gao Yihan (高一涵, P: Gāo Yīhán, W: Kao I-han, 1884–1968) was a Chinese intellectual and political scientist. In addition to holding both educational and governmental positions, he contributed often to the publications The Tiger and New Youth (Xin Qingnian) and is thereby associated with the New Culture Movement.
Lü Yiwen (Chinese: 呂宜文, also known as Ro Gi-Bun; 1897–1950) was a Chinese diplomat who served as the ambassador of…
Lü Yiwen (Chinese: 呂宜文, also known as Ro Gi-Bun; 1897–1950) was a Chinese diplomat who served as the ambassador of Manchukuo to Nazi Germany, since the German recognition of Manchukuo's independence in 1938. He subsequently took part in negotiating Manchukuo's entry into the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1940. Lü also served as the Manchukuo ambassador to Finland, a country that also had diplomatic relations with his country. He was accredited on 15 December 1941. In an interview with the Finnish press at the time he gave the estimate that he was the first Manchu to have ever set foot on Finnish soil. He said that although Manchus are not intimately familiar with Finland, they appreciate the country's war feats. When asked about snow and skiing, a popular Finnish pastime, he related that his large home country does get snow, but that in some places it is dry and hard and unsuitable for skiing whereas in other parts skiing is popular.
Norimitsu Onishi (大西 哲光, Ōnishi Norimitsu) is a Japanese Canadian journalist. He is a Paris correspondent for the New…
Norimitsu Onishi (大西 哲光, Ōnishi Norimitsu) is a Japanese Canadian journalist. He is a Paris correspondent for the New York Times, after holding the position as Bureau Chief in Johannesburg, Jakarta, Tokyo and Abidjan. He was a member of The New York Times reporting team that received the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for coverage of the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. Team members named by The Times were Pam Belluck, Helene Cooper, Sheri Fink, Adam Nossiter, Onishi, Kevin Sack, and Ben C. Solomon. In November 2018, Onishi wrote an article about the lonely deaths of the elderly in Japan, titled "A Generation in Japan Faces a Lonely Death" for which he was nominated as a 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing finalist. Readers thanked Norimitsu for his "profoundly moving piece" about two people who live alone in a danchi, a sprawling government apartment complex, outside Tokyo.
Mutsumi Takahashi is a Japanese-Canadian journalist. Since 1986, she has been one of the lead news presenters of…
Mutsumi Takahashi is a Japanese-Canadian journalist. Since 1986, she has been one of the lead news presenters of CFCF-DT in Montreal, Quebec.