Shigeru Umebayashi (梅林茂, Umebayashi Shigeru; [ɯmebajaɕi ɕiɡeɾɯ]) (born February 19, 1951) is a Japanese composer. Once…
Shigeru Umebayashi (梅林茂, Umebayashi Shigeru; [ɯmebajaɕi ɕiɡeɾɯ]) (born February 19, 1951) is a Japanese composer. Once the leader and bass player of Japan's new wave rock band EX, Umebayashi began scoring films in 1985 when the band broke up. He has more than 30 Japanese and Chinese film scores to his credit and is perhaps best known in the West for "Yumeji's Theme" (originally from Seijun Suzuki's Yumeji), included in director Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love (2000). Umebayashi scored most of Wong Kar-wai's follow-up film, 2046 (2004), and House of Flying Daggers.
Famous Japanese People: Producer
Producer: 274 people
Takao Ogawa (小川隆夫, born August 7, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese novelist, music journalist, music producer…
Takao Ogawa (小川隆夫, born August 7, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese novelist, music journalist, music producer, composer, guitarist, and orthopedic surgeon. He is known for his work in various music fields, particularly jazz, and as a complete collector of Blue Note. Ogawa learned classical guitar at a young age and formed a band in high school. He later pursued a career in medicine while playing jazz guitar in a band. Over the next forty years, Ogawa has written liner notes for more than 3,000 records and CDs of American/European/Japanese jazz musicians and produced CDs. He interviewed more than 1,000 musicians and related people among whom Miles Davis (1985-1990), Art Blakey (1982-1991), Sonny Rollins (1986-2001), Oscar Peterson (1987), Dexter Gordon (1982-1984), Herbie Hancock (1985-2019), Keith Jarrett (2001), Charlie Watts (1989,1990), Toshiko Akiyoshi (1984-2016), Sadao Watanabe (1985-2021), Terumasa Hino(1983-2021), Alfred Lion (1985,1986), Bob Weinstock (1999), Orrin Keepnews (2000), and Creed Taylor. (2009) Ogawa befriended Miles Davis in 1985 and wrote seven books about him. He has written many articles and books mainly about jazz and formed Selim Slive Elementz, an electric free jazz rock band in 2016, in homage to Miles Davis. In 1992, Ogawa produced albums by Kenny Werner, Dennis Chambers, Marc Copland, the keyboardist Adam Holzman who played with Miles Davis, Bob Mintzer, Curtis Fuller, and other artists at Flatout productions. Ogawa is Director of Orthopedics at Central Clinic in Tokyo, Japan.
Teruo Ito (伊藤 輝夫, Itō Teruo; born December 27, 1949, in Tsukiji, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan), better known as Terry Ito (テリー…
Teruo Ito (伊藤 輝夫, Itō Teruo; born December 27, 1949, in Tsukiji, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan), better known as Terry Ito (テリー 伊藤, Terī Itō), is a Japanese director, television producer, critic, and writer. His name "Terry" comes from his first name, "Teruo". His ancestral home is in Yokoshibahikari, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture. Ito served as the president of the television program production company, Locomotion. Ito, in conjunction with Toyota, helped design a limited edition pink S210 Toyota Crown called Toyota Reborn Pink Crown Athlete. The Crown featured a bright pink exterior and pink trim pieces in the interior. Toyota sold 650 units of the limited vehicle.
Shūji Abe (阿部 秀司, Abe Shūji; August 7, 1949 – December 11, 2023) was a Japanese film producer. The founder of Robot…
Shūji Abe (阿部 秀司, Abe Shūji; August 7, 1949 – December 11, 2023) was a Japanese film producer. The founder of Robot Communications, he was responsible for the production of many of Japan's most successful and acclaimed movies from the 21st century, including Bayside Shakedown 2 (2003), Stand by Me Doraemon (2014), and Godzilla Minus One (2023).
Satoru Mizushima (水島 総, Mizushima Satoru; born June 18, 1949 in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture) is a Japanese filmmaker.
Genyo Takeda (竹田 玄洋, Takeda Gen'yō; born March 7, 1949) is a former Japanese game designer and executive who worked for…
Genyo Takeda (竹田 玄洋, Takeda Gen'yō; born March 7, 1949) is a former Japanese game designer and executive who worked for the video game company Nintendo. Takeda was formerly the general manager of Nintendo's Integrated Research & Development division, and was the co-representative director and "Technology Fellow" of the company until his retirement in 2017. He joined Nintendo in 1972, and was promoted to his best-known position when the Integrated Research & Development (IRD) division was founded in 1981. At IRD, he mostly worked on improving hardware for home consoles and handhelds, but sometimes developed video games. In software development, he is notable for creating the Punch-Out!! and StarTropics franchises. He also designed Nintendo's first arcade game, EVR Race, in 1975. In September 2015, Takeda was promoted to co-representative director and given the title of "Technology Fellow" during the company wide executive shuffle following the death of former company president Satoru Iwata.
Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and…
Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is known for new-age music, as well as folk, jazz fusion and electronic music.
Hiroyuki Fujikake (born 1949), also known by his pen name Hiro Fujikake, is a Japanese composer, conductor and…
Hiroyuki Fujikake (born 1949), also known by his pen name Hiro Fujikake, is a Japanese composer, conductor and synthesizer player.
Toshinori Kondo (近藤 等則, Kondō Toshinori; 15 December 1948 – 17 October 2020) was a Japanese trumpeter known for working…
Toshinori Kondo (近藤 等則, Kondō Toshinori; 15 December 1948 – 17 October 2020) was a Japanese trumpeter known for working avant-garde jazz and jazz fusion.
Toshio Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 敏夫, Hepburn: Suzuki Toshio; born August 19, 1948) is a Japanese film producer and studio…
Toshio Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 敏夫, Hepburn: Suzuki Toshio; born August 19, 1948) is a Japanese film producer and studio executive. He is a co-founder and the current chairman of Studio Ghibli. He began his career at Tokuma Shoten, working as a magazine editor and covering manga and animation, before becoming editor of Animage, where he established professional relationships with Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. After co-founding Studio Ghibli, he served on the production committees of several of its early films, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies. Suzuki has served as producer or co-producer on numerous Ghibli films, including Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Earwig and the Witch, and The Boy and the Heron. He officially retired from his producer role in 2014, becoming general manager, but has remained involved in the studio's management and creative activities. In 2023, following the acquisition of Studio Ghibli by Nippon Television Holdings, Suzuki became chairman.
Teruzane Utada (宇多田 照實, Utada Teruzane; born July 21, 1948) is a Japanese record producer and record executive. He…
Teruzane Utada (宇多田 照實, Utada Teruzane; born July 21, 1948) is a Japanese record producer and record executive. He married Junko Utada (née Keiko Fuji) and oversaw her career. They were married to and divorced each other seven times. Their only child is the singer Hikaru Utada, one of Japan's most successful pop music singers of all time. Teruzane Utada was born in Tokuji, Utada also uses the names Sking U, Utada Sking Teruzane, and Utada Skingg Teruzane.
Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…
Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after working at Fuji Television where he produced news and opinion shows. He died of pneumonia on January 3, 2025, at the age of 76.
Daiko Nagato (長戸 大幸, Nagato Daikō; born 6 April 1948) is a Japanese musical producer, musical arranger, writer and…
Daiko Nagato (長戸 大幸, Nagato Daikō; born 6 April 1948) is a Japanese musical producer, musical arranger, writer and composer. He's mostly known as the founder of music company B Zone (formerly known as Being Inc.), which provided million-seller hits during the 1990s and provided more than 80 theme songs for anime television series Detective Conan. He was the recording producer for artists such as Boøwy, Loudness, TUBE, B'z, ZARD, WANDS, Maki Ohguro, DEEN, T-BOLAN, Mai Kuraki, Garnet Crow, Rina Aiuchi and Sard Underground. His brother, Shuusuke Nagato (長戸秀介) is also musical producer, guitarist, writer and founder of the music company Rey's in.
Yutaka Ikejima (池島ゆたか, Ikejima Yutaka; or 池嶋ゆたか; born March 30, 1948) is a Japanese film director, actor, and producer.…
Yutaka Ikejima (池島ゆたか, Ikejima Yutaka; or 池嶋ゆたか; born March 30, 1948) is a Japanese film director, actor, and producer. Considered the most successful filmmaker in the pink film genre in the 2000s, his films are popular with traditional pink film audiences, fans of cinema, and with critics. Because of his prolific contributions to the pink film he has earned the nickname "Mr. Pink".
Harumi Miyako (都 はるみ, Miyako Harumi; born 22 February 1948), born Harumi Kitamura (北村春美, Kitamura Harumi) in Kyoto, is…
Harumi Miyako (都 はるみ, Miyako Harumi; born 22 February 1948), born Harumi Kitamura (北村春美, Kitamura Harumi) in Kyoto, is a Japanese enka singer. She made her debut in 1964. She has appeared on the annual television special Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Hiroshi Sato (佐藤博, June 3, 1947 – October 24, 2012) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. He was an influential keyboardist…
Hiroshi Sato (佐藤博, June 3, 1947 – October 24, 2012) was a Japanese singer-songwriter. He was an influential keyboardist in the Japanese jazz fusion and soft rock scenes during the late 1970s and 1980s, later dubbed "city pop".
Yuji Nunokawa (Japanese: 布川ゆうじ; 11 February 1947 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese anime producer, animator and…
Yuji Nunokawa (Japanese: 布川ゆうじ; 11 February 1947 – 25 December 2022) was a Japanese anime producer, animator and director.
Genjirō Arato (荒戸 源次郎, Arato Genjirō; 10 October 1946 – 7 November 2016) was a Japanese film producer, actor and…
Genjirō Arato (荒戸 源次郎, Arato Genjirō; 10 October 1946 – 7 November 2016) was a Japanese film producer, actor and director.
Mitsuo Hagita (萩田光雄, Hagita Mitsuo), born June 16, 1946, in Shizuoka, Japan, is a Japanese arranger, composer and…
Mitsuo Hagita (萩田光雄, Hagita Mitsuo), born June 16, 1946, in Shizuoka, Japan, is a Japanese arranger, composer and musical producer.
Koji Shitara (設楽 幸嗣（こうじ）, Shitara Kōji; born June 4, 1946) is a Japanese composer and former actor. Beginning his…
Koji Shitara (設楽 幸嗣（こうじ）, Shitara Kōji; born June 4, 1946) is a Japanese composer and former actor. Beginning his career as a child actor in 1951, he appeared in 30 films before transitioning to composing, inspired by his uncle, Tōru Takemitsu.
Man Arai (Japanese: 新井満 Arai Man; 7 May 1946 – 3 December 2021) was a Japanese writer and singer. In 1987, he won the…
Man Arai (Japanese: 新井満 Arai Man; 7 May 1946 – 3 December 2021) was a Japanese writer and singer. In 1987, he won the Noma Literary New Face Prize for Vexation and Akutagawa Prize in 1988 for Tazunebito no Jikan.
Takuro Yoshida (吉田 拓郎, Yoshida Takurō) is a Japanese male singer-songwriter. He was born on April 5, 1946, in Okuchi…
Takuro Yoshida (吉田 拓郎, Yoshida Takurō) is a Japanese male singer-songwriter. He was born on April 5, 1946, in Okuchi, Kagoshima, and raised in Hiroshima. He made his debut with the single "Imeji no Uta / Mark II" on June 1, 1970. His 1972 recording of "Tabi no Yado" sold over one million copies by September that year, and was awarded a gold disc. He established the record company "For Life Records" with Yosui Inoue, Shigeru Izumiya, and Hitoshi Komuro in 1975. Yoshida is a musician whose songs have been used as theme songs in television series such as Jun (純) , the theme song of Cromartie High School, as well as being covered by another popular artists like Hirakawachi 1-chome (Yoshida's "Natsu Yasumi"), KinKi Kids (Yoshida's "Zenbu Dakishimete").
Yoshirō Kataoka (片岡 義朗, Kataoka Yoshirō; born April 8, 1945 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan), also known by the nickname…
Yoshirō Kataoka (片岡 義朗, Kataoka Yoshirō; born April 8, 1945 in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan), also known by the nickname Hagera, is an anime producer and production designer. He has worked for the Tōkyū Agency, Asatsu DK, and NAS, and he currently works as a full-time advisor at Marvelous Entertainment. His proactive approach to planning anime when he worked at advertising firms has made him a front runner in his field. Since 2000, Kataoka has worked on the Friday shōjo anime on TV Tokyo, including shows such as Hime-chan's Ribbon. In addition to being an anime producer, Kataoka produces anime musicals. He is also one of the founders of the Animax satellite channel and Aniraji, a radio program devoted to anime, manga, games and light novels.
Toyoo Ashida (芦田 豊雄, Ashida Toyoo; April 21, 1944 – July 23, 2011) was a Japanese anime character designer, animator…
Toyoo Ashida (芦田 豊雄, Ashida Toyoo; April 21, 1944 – July 23, 2011) was a Japanese anime character designer, animator and director. He was most notable for directing the original Vampire Hunter D anime, as well as for providing character designs for Vifam, Mashin Hero Wataru, Minky Momo and F-Zero GP Legend. He is the founder of the anime production studio, Studio Live and as well as the Japanese Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) along with Satoshi Kon. His designs are similar to those of Akira Toriyama. Toyoo got his style while working on Dr. Slump. He was also heavily inspired by Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, the Fleischer Brothers, Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis.
Kansai Yamamoto (山本 寛斎, Yamamoto Kansai; 8 February 1944 – 21 July 2020) was a Japanese fashion designer, most…
Kansai Yamamoto (山本 寛斎, Yamamoto Kansai; 8 February 1944 – 21 July 2020) was a Japanese fashion designer, most influential during the 1970s and 1980s.
Masato Shimon (子門 真人, Shimon Masato; born January 4, 1944) (also known as Masato Simon), born with the name Masaharu…
Masato Shimon (子門 真人, Shimon Masato; born January 4, 1944) (also known as Masato Simon), born with the name Masaharu Fujikawa (藤川 正治, Fujikawa Masaharu) is a retired Japanese vocalist from Meguro, Tokyo. He is most known for his contributions to the theme songs of various anime and tokusatsu series. In his career, he has sung under the names Koichi Fuji (藤 浩一, Fuji Kōichi), Akira Tani (谷 あきら, Tani Akira) and most famously, Masato Shimon. He recorded a song "Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun" (1975) with only 50,000 yen, but the single sold 4,547,620 copies and became the best-selling single in Japan, a fact certified by Guinness World Records. He retired from his career at age 55 in 1999, with his last work being the opening and closing songs to Seijuu Sentai Gingaman the year prior, credited as Ryu Kisami.
Kazuhiko Hattori (Japanese: 服部和彦, romanized: Hattori Kazuhiko; born in 1944) is a Japanese composer, producer, and…
Kazuhiko Hattori (Japanese: 服部和彦, romanized: Hattori Kazuhiko; born in 1944) is a Japanese composer, producer, and music critic.
Yukio Hashi (Japanese: 橋 幸夫; 3 May 1943 – 4 September 2025) was a Japanese enka singer and actor. His real name is…
Yukio Hashi (Japanese: 橋 幸夫; 3 May 1943 – 4 September 2025) was a Japanese enka singer and actor. His real name is Yukio Hashi (橋 幸男), using a different kanji. He died on 4 September 2025, at the age of 82.
Masao Maruyama (Japanese: 丸山 正雄, Hepburn: Maruyama Masao; born June 19, 1941) is a Japanese anime producer and…
Masao Maruyama (Japanese: 丸山 正雄, Hepburn: Maruyama Masao; born June 19, 1941) is a Japanese anime producer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Madhouse, as well as the founder of MAPPA and Studio M2 animation studios. He is the current Chairman of MAPPA and President of Studio M2 and Board member of N LITE Japan. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Maruyama has founded multiple animation production companies and produced numerous television series, feature films, and original video animations (OVAs). He is also noted for hiring and working with various directors early in their careers, including Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda, Sunao Katabuchi, Masaaki Yuasa, Mitsuo Iso, Yuichiro Hayashi, Munehisa Sakai, Sayo Yamamoto and Katsuhiro Otomo.
Sōichi Besshi (別紙 壮一, Besshi Souichi; born 1941) is a retired Japanese anime producer from Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture.
Toyoharu Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田豊治, Hepburn: Yoshida Toyoharu; January 1, 1940 – July 1, 2023), better known as Ippei…
Toyoharu Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田豊治, Hepburn: Yoshida Toyoharu; January 1, 1940 – July 1, 2023), better known as Ippei Kuri (九里一平, Kuri Ippei), was a Japanese manga artist and the third president of animation production company Tatsunoko Production.
Katsuo Ohno (Japanese: 大野克夫, Hepburn: Katsuo Ōno; born September 12, 1939 in Kyoto) is a Japanese musician and composer…
Katsuo Ohno (Japanese: 大野克夫, Hepburn: Katsuo Ōno; born September 12, 1939 in Kyoto) is a Japanese musician and composer who has scored multiple films and anime. His most notable works are theme music of detective drama Taiyō ni Hoero! and anime series Detective Conan. As keyboardist, Ohno was a member of the group sounds band The Spiders from 1961 to 1970, and the rock supergroup Pyg from 1971 to 1972, which led to him becoming a member of the Takayuki Inoue Band and a backing instrumentalist for Kenji Sawada from 1972 to 1979.
Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA…
Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA: [tɕiꜜba ɕiɰ̃itɕi], known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience. Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984. Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two tokusatsu superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in Seven Color Mask (Nana-iro Kamen) in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film The Street Fighter. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of English language American films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Chiba died of COVID-19 complications at the hospital in Tokyo on 19 August 2021, at the age of 82.
Asaki Takamori (高森 朝樹, Takamori Asaki; September 4, 1936 – January 21, 1987), known by the pen names Ikki Kajiwara (梶原…
Asaki Takamori (高森 朝樹, Takamori Asaki; September 4, 1936 – January 21, 1987), known by the pen names Ikki Kajiwara (梶原 一騎, Kajiwara Ikki) and Asao Takamori (高森 朝雄, Takamori Asao), was a Japanese author, manga writer, and film producer. He is known for the work about sports and martial arts, with images of heroic young men with the occasional fine details as he moves from one topic to another. Tiger Mask and Star of the Giants have been cited as his life's work.
Kōji Wakamatsu (若松孝二, Wakamatsu Kōji; 1 April 1936 – 17 October 2012) was a Japanese film director who directed such…
Kōji Wakamatsu (若松孝二, Wakamatsu Kōji; 1 April 1936 – 17 October 2012) was a Japanese film director who directed such pink films as Ecstasy of the Angels (天使の恍惚, Tenshi no Kōkotsu; 1972) and Go, Go, Second Time Virgin (ゆけゆけ二度目の処女, Yuke Yuke Nidome no Shojo; 1969). He also produced Nagisa Ōshima's controversial film In the Realm of the Senses (1976). He has been called "the most important director to emerge in the pink film genre," and one of "Japan's leading directors of the 1960s". His 2010 film, Caterpillar, was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.
Koji Hashimoto (橋本 幸治, Hashimoto Kōji; January 21, 1936 – January 9, 2005) was a Japanese film director and producer.…
Koji Hashimoto (橋本 幸治, Hashimoto Kōji; January 21, 1936 – January 9, 2005) was a Japanese film director and producer. He directed the 1984 films Sayonara Jupiter and The Return of Godzilla. He died of coronary disease at age 69 while mountain climbing.
Masatoshi Sakai (Japanese: 酒井政利; 1935–2021) was a Japanese record producer who produced a large number of hit songs. He…
Masatoshi Sakai (Japanese: 酒井政利; 1935–2021) was a Japanese record producer who produced a large number of hit songs. He received the Person of Cultural Merit in November 2020. He achieved sales of records to the value of more than ¥870 billion. He produced songs such as Ihojin by Saki Kubota, and Ii Hi Tabidachi and Playback Part 2 by Momoe Yamaguchi. He produced the song Ai to Shi o Mitsumete (Japanese: 愛と死をみつめて) by Kazuko Aoyama, which won the Japan Record Award at the 6th Japan Record Awards in 1964. He produced the song Miserarete by Judy Ongg, which won the Japan Record Award at the 21st Japan Record Awards in 1979. He won a special achievement award at the 63rd Japan Record Awards in 2021. Sakai received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2005. He worked for Nippon Columbia from 1961, and for CBS/Sony from 1968. Sakai produced songs for the Candies, including Hohoemi Gaeshi. The Candies' Toshishita no Otokonoko was another one of Sakai's hits. He produced the song 17-sai by Saori Minami, and the album Pacific (1978). He produced songs for Hiromi Go, including Otokonoko Onnanoko (English title: "Hey Go, Go"). and Yoroshiku Aishuu. He was involved, with Shūji Terayama, in the creation of the song Toki ni wa Haha no Nai Ko no Yō ni by Carmen Maki. He produced the song Yo Ga Akete by Sumiko Sakamoto. He also worked with Mari Amachi, Yukiji Asaoka, Eikichi Yazawa, Four Leaves, Seiko Matsuda and Rie Miyazawa. He produced songs for more than 350 artists. In 2019, it was announced that there would be a film about Masatoshi Sakai and Yū Aku. Masatoshi Sakai is a character in the NHK television drama Aidoru tanjō kagayake Shōwa kayō (Japanese: アイドル誕生 輝け昭和歌謡) (2023), played by the actor Masaki Miura.
Noboru Tsuburaya (Japanese: 円谷 皐, Hepburn: Tsuburaya Noboru; May 10, 1935 – June 11, 1995), writing under the pseudonym…
Noboru Tsuburaya (Japanese: 円谷 皐, Hepburn: Tsuburaya Noboru; May 10, 1935 – June 11, 1995), writing under the pseudonym Noboru Tani (谷のぼる, Tani Noboru), was a Japanese film producer and the third president of Tsuburaya Productions.
Yoshinobu Nishizaki (西崎 義展, Nishizaki Yoshinobu; 18 December 1934 – 7 November 2010) was a Japanese film producer best…
Yoshinobu Nishizaki (西崎 義展, Nishizaki Yoshinobu; 18 December 1934 – 7 November 2010) was a Japanese film producer best known as one of the two co-creators of the anime series Space Battleship Yamato. He was sometimes credited as Yoshinori Nishizaki. He was born in 1934 and graduated from the Nihon University Art Department. He also founded the studio Academy Productions which produced Space Battleship Yamato as well as the 1980 anime series; Space Emperor God Sigma for Toei Company.
Mariko Okada (岡田 茉莉子, Okada Mariko; born 11 January 1933) is a Japanese stage and film actress who starred in films of…
Mariko Okada (岡田 茉莉子, Okada Mariko; born 11 January 1933) is a Japanese stage and film actress who starred in films of directors Mikio Naruse, Yasujirō Ozu, Keisuke Kinoshita and others. She was married to film director Yoshishige Yoshida.
Toshihiro Iijima (Japanese: 飯島 敏宏, Hepburn: Toshihiro Iijima; September 3, 1932 – October 17, 2021), also known by the…
Toshihiro Iijima (Japanese: 飯島 敏宏, Hepburn: Toshihiro Iijima; September 3, 1932 – October 17, 2021), also known by the names Kitao Senzoku (千束 北男, Senzoku Kitao), and Jōtarō Jitōin (持統院丈太郎, Jitōin Jōtarō), was a Japanese film and television director, producer, and screenwriter.
Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor…
Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, the Hanzo the Razor series, and the Zatoichi series.
Shōsuke Nakawa (奈河彰輔, Nakawa Shōsuke; October 6, 1931 – October 13, 2014) was a Japanese playwright and theater…
Shōsuke Nakawa (奈河彰輔, Nakawa Shōsuke; October 6, 1931 – October 13, 2014) was a Japanese playwright and theater director. Under the name Yoshizō Nakagawa (中川芳三, Nakagawa Yoshizō), he serves as an advisor to the Shōchiku Corporation which produces kabuki, and is heavily involved in reviving Kamigata kabuki traditions. He is also head of the Kamigata Kabuki-juku (school) and actively works with actor Ichikawa Ennosuke III on reviving old kabuki plays Nakawa has been described as a walking dictionary of Kamigata kabuki information.
Yoichi Takabayashi (高林陽一, Takabayashi Yōichi; 29 April 1931 – 15 July 2012) was a Japanese film director.
Hajime Tsuburaya (Japanese: 円谷 一, Hepburn: Tsuburaya Hajime; April 28, 1931 – February 9, 1973) was a Japanese film and…
Hajime Tsuburaya (Japanese: 円谷 一, Hepburn: Tsuburaya Hajime; April 28, 1931 – February 9, 1973) was a Japanese film and television director, producer, and cinematographer. The eldest son of Eiji Tsuburaya, he began his career on the 1954 film, Godzilla and its sequel, Godzilla Raids Again as an assistant special effects cinematographer.
Oniroku Dan (団 鬼六, Dan Oniroku; 16 April 1931 – 6 May 2011) was a Japanese author who has been called, "the most…
Oniroku Dan (団 鬼六, Dan Oniroku; 16 April 1931 – 6 May 2011) was a Japanese author who has been called, "the most celebrated writer of popular SM novels in Japan." Many of his stories have been filmed, most notably by Nikkatsu studio in their Roman Porno series. Dan had a close professional association with actress Naomi Tani throughout her career. He died on May 6, 2011.
Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…
Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the pink film genre. Along with directors Genji Nakamura and Banmei Takahashi, Watanabe was known as one of the "Three Pillars of Pink".
Tōru Takemitsu (武満 徹; pronounced [takeꜜmitsɯ̥ toːɾɯ]; 8 October 1930 – 20 February 1996) was a Japanese composer of…
Tōru Takemitsu (武満 徹; pronounced [takeꜜmitsɯ̥ toːɾɯ]; 8 October 1930 – 20 February 1996) was a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music and writer on music. Largely self-taught, Takemitsu was admired for his subtle manipulation of instrumental and orchestral timbre. In his early years, Takemitsu was also a founding member of the Jikken Kōbō (実験工房, experimental workshop) in Japan, a group of avant-garde artists who distanced themselves from academia and whose collaborative work is often regarded among the most influential of the 20th century. His 1957 Requiem for string orchestra attracted international attention, led to several commissions from across the world and established his reputation as the leading 20th-century Japanese composer. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honours and founded the Toru Takemitsu Composition Award.
Ben Wada (和田 勉 Wada Ben), born Tsutomu Wada, (June 3, 1930 – January 14, 2011) was a producer for the Japanese TV…
Ben Wada (和田 勉 Wada Ben), born Tsutomu Wada, (June 3, 1930 – January 14, 2011) was a producer for the Japanese TV channel NHK. He was the husband of the costume designer Emi Wada.
Takatada Ihara (6 June 1929 – 14 September 2014) was a Japanese television director and producer. Ihara died from heart…
Takatada Ihara (6 June 1929 – 14 September 2014) was a Japanese television director and producer. Ihara died from heart disease at the age of 85 in the United States.