Masahiro Akimoto (秋元 正博, Akimoto Masahiro) (born 3 September 1956) is a Japanese former ski jumper.
Company President・Entrepreneur: 834 people
Masahiro Akimoto (秋元 正博, Akimoto Masahiro) (born 3 September 1956) is a Japanese former ski jumper.
Pailin Chuchottaworn (Thai: ไพรินทร์ ชูโชติถาวร, RTGS: Phairin Chuchotithawon; born 8 July 1956) is a Thai businessman…
Pailin Chuchottaworn (Thai: ไพรินทร์ ชูโชติถาวร, RTGS: Phairin Chuchotithawon; born 8 July 1956) is a Thai businessman, and from 2011 to 2015 was the chief executive officer (CEO) of PTT Public Company Limited, a Thai state-owned oil and gas company, and a Fortune Global 500 company.
Tohjiro or TOHJIRO (June 17, 1956 – July 17, 2026) was a Japanese adult video (AV) director and the founder of the AV…
Tohjiro or TOHJIRO (June 17, 1956 – July 17, 2026) was a Japanese adult video (AV) director and the founder of the AV studio Dogma.
Akio Toyoda (豊田 章男, Toyoda Akio; born 3 May 1956), also known by his racing name Morizo Kinoshita, is a Japanese…
Akio Toyoda (豊田 章男, Toyoda Akio; born 3 May 1956), also known by his racing name Morizo Kinoshita, is a Japanese business executive who is the chairman of Toyota. He was previously the company's president and chief executive officer (CEO). Toyoda is a grandson of the founder of Toyota Motors, Kiichiro Toyoda, and a great-grandson of both the industrialist, Sakichi Toyoda, and the founder of the Takashimaya department stores corporation, Shinshichi Iida. On 1 April 2023, Toyoda stepped down as Toyota president and became chairman of the board. Toyota's chief branding officer and president of the Lexus division, Koji Sato, succeeded Toyoda as CEO.
Tsuyoshi Takagi (高木 毅, Takagi Tsuyoshi; born 16 January 1956) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House…
Tsuyoshi Takagi (高木 毅, Takagi Tsuyoshi; born 16 January 1956) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Hiromi Go (郷 ひろみ, Gō Hiromi; born October 18, 1955), is a Japanese singer, part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. His…
Hiromi Go (郷 ひろみ, Gō Hiromi; born October 18, 1955), is a Japanese singer, part of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. His real name is Hiromi Haratake (原武 裕美, Haratake Hiromi). In the 1970s, he was called the "New Big Three" (新御三家, shin gosanke) with Goro Noguchi and Hideki Saijo. He belonged to Johnny & Associates, but three years after debut in 1975, left the agency. He also effectively became the Japanese answer to Ricky Martin after his 1999 Japanese version of "Livin' la Vida Loca," which was called "Goldfinger '99". His stage name's initials are "HG", and that, combined with his remake of Ricky Martin's "Livin la Vida Loca" made him a direct and frequent target of comedian Hard Gay. Go featured Japanese hip hop musician Dohzi-T in his R&B-style song "Kimi Dake o," released on May 14, 2008. "Kimi Dake o" was included in his album Place to Be, and the remix of the song was included as a bonus track in Dohzi-T's album 12 Love Stories. Go appeared in the Canadian film Samurai Cowboy with Catherine Mary Stewart and Robert Conrad, which was released in 1993. He was also invited to the Japanese touring ice show Fantasy on Ice in 2014, where he performed live with figure skater and two-time Olympic champion, Yuzuru Hanyu, to the song "Ienai yo" (lit. "I can't say it") amongst others.
Yoji Muto (武藤 容治, Mutō Yōji; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a…
Yoji Muto (武藤 容治, Mutō Yōji; born 18 October 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Gifu, Gifu and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House for the first time in 2005. His father is former foreign minister Kabun Muto, and his grandfather is former member of the House of Representatives Kaichi Muto. He served as state minister of economy, trade and industry.
Jun Sawada (澤田 純, Sawada Jun, born 30 July 1955) is a Japanese businessman, the Chairman (and former CEO) of Nippon…
Jun Sawada (澤田 純, Sawada Jun, born 30 July 1955) is a Japanese businessman, the Chairman (and former CEO) of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), the sixth largest telecommunications company in the world in terms of revenue, since June 2022.
Masahiro Miki (Japanese: 三木正浩; born 26 July 1955) is a Japanese billionaire businessman, and the founder and largest…
Masahiro Miki (Japanese: 三木正浩; born 26 July 1955) is a Japanese billionaire businessman, and the founder and largest shareholder of Tokyo-based shoemaker ABC-Mart. Miki is of Korean descent. In 1985, Miki founded shoe and apparel company Kokusai Boeki Shoji. The company was renamed ABC-Mart in 1990 and went public in 2002. Miki acted as chairman of the company from 2004 to 2007. As of November 2025, Miki has an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion. In addition to his business, Miki is also a successful racehorse owner, who owns several notable horses including Justin Milano (2024 Satsuki Shō) and Justin Palace (2024 Spring Tenno Sho).
Shin Dong-bin (Korean: 신동빈; born Akio Shigemitsu, 14 February 1956) is a South Korean business executive, and the…
Shin Dong-bin (Korean: 신동빈; born Akio Shigemitsu, 14 February 1956) is a South Korean business executive, and the chairman of Lotte Corporation since 2011.
Sega Corporation is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It…
Sega Corporation is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several multi-million-selling game franchises for arcades and consoles including Sonic the Hedgehog, Angry Birds, Football Manager, Phantasy Star, Puyo Puyo, Super Monkey Ball, Bayonetta, Total War, Virtua Fighter, Megami Tensei, Sakura Wars, Persona, and Yakuza. From 1983 until 2001, Sega also developed its own consoles. Sega was founded by Martin Bromley and Richard Stewart as Nihon Goraku Bussan on June 3, 1960. Shortly after, it acquired the assets of its predecessor, Service Games of Japan. In 1965, it became known as Sega Enterprises, Ltd., after acquiring Rosen Enterprises, an importer of coin-operated games. Sega developed its first coin-operated game, Periscope, in 1966. Sega was sold to Gulf and Western Industries in 1969. Following a downturn in the arcade business in the early 1980s, Sega began to develop video game consoles, starting with the SG-1000 and Master System, but struggled against competitors such as the Nintendo Entertainment System. In 1984, Sega executives David Rosen and Hayao Nakayama led a management buyout, with backing from CSK Corporation. In 1988, Sega released the Mega Drive (the "Genesis" in North America). The Mega Drive struggled against competition in Japan, but the Genesis found success overseas after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991 and briefly outsold its main competitor, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in the US. In 2001, after several commercial failures such as the 32X, Saturn, and Dreamcast, Sega stopped manufacturing consoles to become a third-party developer and publisher, and was acquired by Sammy Corporation in 2004. Sega Holdings Co., Ltd. was established in 2015; Sega Corporation was renamed to Sega Games Co., Ltd., and its arcade division was split into Sega Interactive. In 2020, Sega Games and Sega Interactive merged to become Sega Corporation. Sega's international branches, Sega of America and Sega Europe, are headquartered in Irvine, California, and London. Its development studios include its internal research and development divisions (which utilize the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sonic Team brands for several core franchise entries), Sega Sapporo Studio which mainly provides support for the Tokyo-based development teams as well as handling partial game development, and Atlus (including its R&D divisions) and five development studios in the UK and Europe: Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive, Sega Hardlight, Two Point Studios, and Rovio Entertainment (including Ruby Games). Sega is one of the world's most prolific arcade game producers and its mascot, Sonic, is internationally recognized. Sega is recognized for its video game consoles, creativity and innovations. In more recent years, it has been criticized for its business decisions and the quality of its creative output. Being the entertainment contents division of Sega Sammy Holdings, forming one half of the Sega Sammy Group, Sega also owns a toy and amusement machine company, Sega Fave, which comprises its arcade development and manufacturing divisions and two animation studios: TMS Entertainment, which animates, produces, and distributes anime, and Marza Animation Planet, which specializes in CG animation.
Akiko Tamei (溜井 昭子, Tamei Akiko; born 5 December 1954), better known by her former stage name as Aki Mizusawa (水沢 アキ…
Akiko Tamei (溜井 昭子, Tamei Akiko; born 5 December 1954), better known by her former stage name as Aki Mizusawa (水沢 アキ, Mizusawa Aki), is a Japanese actress, tarento, model, and singer.
Mari Matsunaga (born 13 November 1954) is a Japanese editor, author, and businesswoman. She is also the representative…
Mari Matsunaga (born 13 November 1954) is a Japanese editor, author, and businesswoman. She is also the representative of the Matsunaga Mari Office. After working at Japan Recruit Center Co., Ltd. and Recruit Co., Ltd., she served as head of the planning office in the Gateway Business Division at NTT Mobile Communications Network Corporation.
Hideo Ohkubo (大久保 秀夫, Ōkubo Hideo; born 1954) is the founder, chairman, and president of Tokyo-based Forval Corporation.
Tadashi Inuzuka (犬塚 直史, Inuzuka Tadashi; born September 28, 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…
Tadashi Inuzuka (犬塚 直史, Inuzuka Tadashi; born September 28, 1954) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a former Senator in the House of Councillors of the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokyo, he graduated from Rikkyo University and received a master's degree from the University of Dallas in the United States. He was elected for the first time in 2004 from his Nagasaki constituency.
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature…
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature films, including Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (2007), which was selected for inclusion in the 31st annual Hong Kong International Film Festival, Messengers (1999), Embrace Me as Many Times as There Are Waves (1991), and Take Me Out to the Snowland (1987).
Takashi Amano (天野尚, Amano Takashi; 18 July 1954 – 4 August 2015) was a professional Japanese track cyclist…
Takashi Amano (天野尚, Amano Takashi; 18 July 1954 – 4 August 2015) was a professional Japanese track cyclist, photographer, designer, and aquarist. He founded Aqua Design Amano (ADA), a Japanese company that specializes in the design of aquariums and their production. Amano was the author of Nature Aquarium World (TFH Publications, 1994), a three-book series on aquascaping, freshwater aquarium plants, and fish. He also published the book Aquarium Plant Paradise (TFH Publications, 1997). A species of freshwater shrimp, the "Amano shrimp" or "Yamato shrimp" (Caridina multidentata; previously Caridina japonica), was named after him. Amano discovered the species' ability to eat large quantities of algae. Amano ordered several thousand of them from a local distributor. They have since become widely used in freshwater planted aquariums. Amano also developed a line of aquarium products under the Aqua Design Amano (ADA) brand. His aquarium column, "Nature Aquarium," appeared in the monthly magazines Practical Fishkeeping and Tropical Fish Hobbyist. He died of pneumonia in 2015 at the age of 61.
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.
Tetsuro Aikawa (born 17 April 1954) is a Japanese businessman, the president, chief operating officer (COO) and a…
Tetsuro Aikawa (born 17 April 1954) is a Japanese businessman, the president, chief operating officer (COO) and a representative director of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) since 25 June 2014. In April 2016, Aikawa led the announcement that Mitsubishi Motors had falsified fuel economy data for more than 600,000 vehicles made for Nissan and sold in Japan. Aikawa said that he was personally unaware, yet felt responsible. Bloomberg reported that Aikawa and other MMC executives attended meetings where fuel economy targets for the affected minicars were raised. During development of those minicars, the fuel economy targets were raised five times in two years, from an initial target of 26.4 km per liter to 29.2 km (18.14 miles) per liter. In May 2016, Mitsubishi Motors announced Aikawa to resign as the president of the company with effect from June. Both Mitsubishi Motors and Aikawa denied any top management involvement in the mileage scandal.
Kantaro Tomiyama (富山 幹太郎, Tomiyama Kantarō; born January 22, 1954) is the chairman of the giant Japanese toy…
Kantaro Tomiyama (富山 幹太郎, Tomiyama Kantarō; born January 22, 1954) is the chairman of the giant Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company, Tomy Company, Ltd. (known as Takara Tomy in Japanese). Kantaro Tomiyama was born in 1954 in Tokyo, Japan and is the grandson of the founder of Tomy, Eiichiro Tomiyama. In 1982, Kantaro entered Tomy after graduation from University of Hull in Britain. He became president of Tomy in 1986.
Hiroto Saikawa (西川 廣人, Saikawa Hiroto) is the former president and CEO of Nissan.
Toshiyuki Shiga (志賀 俊之, Shiga Toshiyuki; born 16 September 1953) is a Japanese business executive. He served as the…
Toshiyuki Shiga (志賀 俊之, Shiga Toshiyuki; born 16 September 1953) is a Japanese business executive. He served as the chief operating officer of Nissan from 2005 to 2013.
Takanobu Ito (伊東 孝紳, Itō Takanobu; born 29 August 1953) is a Japanese business executive who led Honda from 2009 to…
Takanobu Ito (伊東 孝紳, Itō Takanobu; born 29 August 1953) is a Japanese business executive who led Honda from 2009 to 2015.
Susumu Ojima (小嶋 進, Ojima Susumu; born June 4, 1953) is a Japanese entrepreneur who was a founder and chairman of Huser…
Susumu Ojima (小嶋 進, Ojima Susumu; born June 4, 1953) is a Japanese entrepreneur who was a founder and chairman of Huser Co., Ltd.
Hiroshi Kimura (木村宏, Kimura Hiroshi) is a former chairman of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. In 1976, Kimura…
Hiroshi Kimura (木村宏, Kimura Hiroshi) is a former chairman of Japan Tobacco, a Nikkei 225 company. In 1976, Kimura started working for the Japan Tobacco & Salt Public Corporation (current name 'Japan Tobacco'). He became the president for this company on June 23, 2006. Mitsuomi Koizumi became the president of this company in June 2012, and became chairman.
Satoru Nakajima (Japanese: 中嶋 悟, Hepburn: Nakajima Satoru; born 23 February 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver…
Satoru Nakajima (Japanese: 中嶋 悟, Hepburn: Nakajima Satoru; born 23 February 1953) is a Japanese former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from 1987 to 1991. Born and raised in Okazaki, Aichi, Nakajima began his racing career at the Suzuka Circuit in 1973. He progressed to Japanese Formula Two in 1977, winning a then-record five titles between 1981 and 1986, with 21 victories across 10 seasons. After several appearances in sportscar racing via the World Sportscar Championship and the All Japan Endurance Championship—as well as a season in International Formula 3000—Nakajima signed for Lotus in 1987 to partner Ayrton Senna, becoming the first Japanese driver to compete full-time in Formula One at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He scored his maiden points finish at the following round in San Marino, and achieved a career-best fourth place at the British Grand Prix. Across his remaining two seasons at Lotus, Nakajima scored points finishes at the 1988 Brazilian and 1989 Australian Grands Prix, setting the fastest lap and finishing fourth at the latter. Nakajima moved to Tyrrell in 1990, scoring points finishes in the United States, Italy and his home Grand Prix in Japan. Retaining his seat for his 1991 campaign at Tyrrell under Honda power, Nakajima scored his final points at the season-opening United States Grand Prix, leaving at the end of the season to join Honda's works team project. Nakajima tested the RC100 and related models until 1994, when Honda pulled out of Formula One following the Japanese asset price bubble. Upon retiring from motor racing, Nakajima focused on his Nakajima Racing team, which he had founded in 1984 to privately enter March chassis into the Japanese Formula Two Championship, winning three consecutive titles until 1986. Nakajima won four Formula Nippon Teams' Championship titles between 1999 and 2009, still competing in the newly-formed Super Formula Championship, as well as the Super GT Series. Nakajima's sons Kazuki and Daisuke both became racing drivers, the former also competing in Formula One for Williams from 2007 to 2009.
Masayuki Mori (森昌行, Mori Masayuki; born 1953 in Tottori, Japan) is a Japanese film producer. He is best known for…
Masayuki Mori (森昌行, Mori Masayuki; born 1953 in Tottori, Japan) is a Japanese film producer. He is best known for collaborating as a producer for films made by actor and filmmaker Takeshi Kitano under Kitano's production company, Office Kitano.
Shibata Takumi (Japanese: 柴田拓美) is a Japanese fund manager who is one of Japan's most high-profile financial…
Shibata Takumi (Japanese: 柴田拓美) is a Japanese fund manager who is one of Japan's most high-profile financial executives. He is currently founding partner at Fiducia, a venture capital fund based in Tokyo. Previously, he was president and CEO of Nikko Asset Management for six years and had a 37-year career at Nomura Holdings including as chief operating officer (COO) from 2008 until 2012.
Kazuhiko Torishima (Japanese: 鳥嶋 和彦, Hepburn: Torishima Kazuhiko; born October 19, 1952) is a Japanese publishing…
Kazuhiko Torishima (Japanese: 鳥嶋 和彦, Hepburn: Torishima Kazuhiko; born October 19, 1952) is a Japanese publishing executive and former manga magazine editor, who is currently serving as an outside director at Bushiroad. He formerly worked at Shueisha, where he began as an editor in 1976, before becoming a senior managing director (CEO), and later a Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions director. When he moved to Hakusensha in 2015, he first served as president, then representative director, before taking on the role of advisor. He began working for Bushiroad at the end of 2022. Torishima has been called one of the most important figures in the history of manga, and has been credited with pioneering the media mix business strategy. He is often associated with works from the manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump, for which he was editor-in-chief from 1996 to 2001. Torishima discovered Akira Toriyama and was his editor throughout the run of Dr. Slump (1980–1984) and during the first half of Dragon Ball (1984–1995). He received a Special Achievement Award at the 2022 Japan Media Arts Festival for his work in manga.
Yutaka Mizutani (水谷 豊, Mizutani Yutaka) is a Japanese actor and singer. He was born on July 14, 1952, in Ashibetsu…
Yutaka Mizutani (水谷 豊, Mizutani Yutaka) is a Japanese actor and singer. He was born on July 14, 1952, in Ashibetsu, Hokkaidō, Japan.
Masaaki Tsuya (津谷 正明, Tsuya Masaaki) is a Japanese businessman. He served as the chairman and chief executive officer…
Masaaki Tsuya (津谷 正明, Tsuya Masaaki) is a Japanese businessman. He served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Bridgestone from 2012 to 2020.
Hironobu Abe (安倍 寛信, Abe Hironobu; born 30 May 1952) is a Japanese businessman. He is the CEO of AB Communications and…
Hironobu Abe (安倍 寛信, Abe Hironobu; born 30 May 1952) is a Japanese businessman. He is the CEO of AB Communications and former CEO of Mitsubishi Corporation Packaging. A scion of the Satō–Kishi–Abe family, he is the eldest son of politician Shintaro Abe, and the older brother of former prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and former minister of defense Nobuo Kishi. Abe was a grandson of former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi and a grand-nephew of former prime minister Eisaku Satō.
Satoshi Kikuchi (菊池 悟, Kikuchi Satoshi; 27 April 1952 – 10 March 2019) was a Japanese handball player who competed in…
Satoshi Kikuchi (菊池 悟, Kikuchi Satoshi; 27 April 1952 – 10 March 2019) was a Japanese handball player who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kaoru Adachi (安達かおる, Adachi Kaoru; born January 27, 1956) is a Japanese film director, producer and editor, and founder…
Kaoru Adachi (安達かおる, Adachi Kaoru; born January 27, 1956) is a Japanese film director, producer and editor, and founder of the Japanese documentary and adult video (AV) studio V&R Planning.
Maki Kaji (鍜治 真起, Kaji Maki; 8 October 1951 – 10 August 2021) was a Japanese businessman who was the president of…
Maki Kaji (鍜治 真起, Kaji Maki; 8 October 1951 – 10 August 2021) was a Japanese businessman who was the president of Nikoli, a puzzle manufacturer. He is widely known as "the father of Sudoku" for his role in popularizing the number game.
Nozomu Sahashi (猿橋 望, Sahashi Nozomu; born September 12, 1951); previously Saruhashi) is the founder of the now-defunct…
Nozomu Sahashi (猿橋 望, Sahashi Nozomu; born September 12, 1951); previously Saruhashi) is the founder of the now-defunct Nova Corporation, previously the major eikaiwa (private school for conversational English) provider in Japan. After graduating from high school, Sahashi went to Paris to attend university and majored in physics although it took him five years to complete a two-year course. The award status of his degree is unknown.
Yoshiaki "Fuji" Fujimori (born 1951) is a Japanese businessman. Between August 2011 and June 2016 he was the president…
Yoshiaki "Fuji" Fujimori (born 1951) is a Japanese businessman. Between August 2011 and June 2016 he was the president and CEO of Lixil Group, a Japan headquartered manufacturer of building materials and housing equipment with net sales of $16.8bn, where he oversaw a globalization strategy that included the acquisition of global interests including Permasteelisa, American Standard Brands and GROHE Group. Under his leadership, Lixil expanded its ratio of sales from outside of Japan from 3% in 2010 to 30.3% in 2016.
Fusae Ōta (太田 房江, Ōta Fusae; born June 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician, a former governor of Osaka Prefecture, and…
Fusae Ōta (太田 房江, Ōta Fusae; born June 26, 1951) is a Japanese politician, a former governor of Osaka Prefecture, and the country's first female prefectural governor. Her married name is Fusae Saitō (齊藤 房江, Saitō Fusae). She is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Tadashi Yamashina (born 8 May 1951) is the former Team Principal of the Toyota Racing Formula One team, responsible for…
Tadashi Yamashina (born 8 May 1951) is the former Team Principal of the Toyota Racing Formula One team, responsible for conducting Toyota's Formula One operations, having taken over from Tsutomu Tomita in June 2007.
Minoru Sano (佐野 実, Sano Minoru; April 4, 1951 – April 11, 2014) was a Japanese celebrity chef who specialized in ramen.…
Minoru Sano (佐野 実, Sano Minoru; April 4, 1951 – April 11, 2014) was a Japanese celebrity chef who specialized in ramen. He was called the Oni of Ramen in Japan. He founded the Shinasobaya Company and helped run the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum. Minoru Sano was born in Totsuka-ku in the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He had numerous appearances in the Japanese media. He had many ramen chef disciples. He died of multiple organ failure after suffering with Diabetes for 3 years prior to his death in hospital, surrounded by family.
Takahiro Yodogawa (淀川 隆博, Yodogawa Takahiro; born 4 March 1951) is a former Japanese football player. From 2004 to…
Takahiro Yodogawa (淀川 隆博, Yodogawa Takahiro; born 4 March 1951) is a former Japanese football player. From 2004 to 2008, he was the president of Japanese football club JEF United Ichihara Chiba.
Heizō Takenaka (竹中 平蔵, Takenaka Heizō; born 3 March 1951) is a Japanese economist, and key figure in Junichiro…
Heizō Takenaka (竹中 平蔵, Takenaka Heizō; born 3 March 1951) is a Japanese economist, and key figure in Junichiro Koizumi's administration (2001–2006), played a significant role in Japan's structural reforms, including labor market deregulation. As Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and later Financial Services, he advocated for policies aimed at increasing economic flexibility, such as amending the Worker Dispatching Act (also known as the Temporary Staffing Services Act). These changes, enacted in 2003 and 2004, expanded the use of temporary (dispatched) workers by relaxing restrictions. Takenaka's reforms indirectly facilitated the replacement of regular government employees with temporary staff in public sectors, such as education, administrative services, and local government offices. Takenaka's affiliation with Pasona Group, Japan's largest temporary staffing agency, has sparked allegations of embezzlement from government and private sectors, stemming from claims that he replaced permanent employees with Pasona's temporary workers. He joined Pasona as a special advisor in February 2007 (shortly after leaving government) and became chairman in August 2009, serving until 2022. Takenaka benefited from the expanded dispatch market post-deregulation, securing government and private contracts in areas like administrative support, COVID-19 measures, and the Tokyo Olympics—leading to personal profits. Takenaka serves on the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum.
Motoi Oyama (尾山 基, born 2 February 1951) is a Japanese businessman specializing in footwear. After graduating from…
Motoi Oyama (尾山 基, born 2 February 1951) is a Japanese businessman specializing in footwear. After graduating from Department of Commerce of Osaka City University, in January 1982 he joined ASICS where he worked ever since. In July 2001 he became President of ASICS Europe, and between June 2004 and February 2008 held senior manager positions at the central ASICS offices. On 8 February 2008, he was appointed as ASICS President, and in April 2011 also became its chief executive officer.
Masao Takiyama (滝山 正夫 or 滝山 雅夫, Takiyama Masao) is a Japanese anime producer and production designer who is currently…
Masao Takiyama (滝山 正夫 or 滝山 雅夫, Takiyama Masao) is a Japanese anime producer and production designer who is currently the executive officer and chairman of the Japanese satellite television network Action Channel, Mystery Channel and The Cinema. Each subsidiaries of AXN Co., Ltd.
Keizo Imai (今井 敬三, Imai Keizō; born November 19, 1950) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…
Keizo Imai (今井 敬三, Imai Keizō; born November 19, 1950) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Sega Corporation is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It…
Sega Corporation is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several multi-million-selling game franchises for arcades and consoles including Sonic the Hedgehog, Angry Birds, Football Manager, Phantasy Star, Puyo Puyo, Super Monkey Ball, Bayonetta, Total War, Virtua Fighter, Megami Tensei, Sakura Wars, Persona, and Yakuza. From 1983 until 2001, Sega also developed its own consoles. Sega was founded by Martin Bromley and Richard Stewart as Nihon Goraku Bussan on June 3, 1960. Shortly after, it acquired the assets of its predecessor, Service Games of Japan. In 1965, it became known as Sega Enterprises, Ltd., after acquiring Rosen Enterprises, an importer of coin-operated games. Sega developed its first coin-operated game, Periscope, in 1966. Sega was sold to Gulf and Western Industries in 1969. Following a downturn in the arcade business in the early 1980s, Sega began to develop video game consoles, starting with the SG-1000 and Master System, but struggled against competitors such as the Nintendo Entertainment System. In 1984, Sega executives David Rosen and Hayao Nakayama led a management buyout, with backing from CSK Corporation. In 1988, Sega released the Mega Drive (the "Genesis" in North America). The Mega Drive struggled against competition in Japan, but the Genesis found success overseas after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991 and briefly outsold its main competitor, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in the US. In 2001, after several commercial failures such as the 32X, Saturn, and Dreamcast, Sega stopped manufacturing consoles to become a third-party developer and publisher, and was acquired by Sammy Corporation in 2004. Sega Holdings Co., Ltd. was established in 2015; Sega Corporation was renamed to Sega Games Co., Ltd., and its arcade division was split into Sega Interactive. In 2020, Sega Games and Sega Interactive merged to become Sega Corporation. Sega's international branches, Sega of America and Sega Europe, are headquartered in Irvine, California, and London. Its development studios include its internal research and development divisions (which utilize the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sonic Team brands for several core franchise entries), Sega Sapporo Studio which mainly provides support for the Tokyo-based development teams as well as handling partial game development, and Atlus (including its R&D divisions) and five development studios in the UK and Europe: Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive, Sega Hardlight, Two Point Studios, and Rovio Entertainment (including Ruby Games). Sega is one of the world's most prolific arcade game producers and its mascot, Sonic, is internationally recognized. Sega is recognized for its video game consoles, creativity and innovations. In more recent years, it has been criticized for its business decisions and the quality of its creative output. Being the entertainment contents division of Sega Sammy Holdings, forming one half of the Sega Sammy Group, Sega also owns a toy and amusement machine company, Sega Fave, which comprises its arcade development and manufacturing divisions and two animation studios: TMS Entertainment, which animates, produces, and distributes anime, and Marza Animation Planet, which specializes in CG animation.
Nobuyuki Koga (古賀 信行, Koga Nobuyuki; born August 22, 1950) is a Japanese businessman and lobbyist, as well as the…
Nobuyuki Koga (古賀 信行, Koga Nobuyuki; born August 22, 1950) is a Japanese businessman and lobbyist, as well as the chairman of the Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
Ken Kutaragi (久夛良木 健, Kutaragi Ken; born 2 August 1950) is a Japanese engineering technologist and businessman…
Ken Kutaragi (久夛良木 健, Kutaragi Ken; born 2 August 1950) is a Japanese engineering technologist and businessman, currently president and CEO of Cyber AI Entertainment. Formerly the chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), the video game division of Sony, Kutaragi is known as "The Father of the PlayStation" having overseen the development of the original console and its successors and spinoffs until departing the company in 2007, shortly after the PlayStation 3 was released. Kutaragi had also designed the sound processor for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. With Sony, he designed the VLSI chip that works in conjunction with the PS1's RISC CPU to handle the graphics rendering.
Christian Philippe Polak (born August 1950) is a French businessman and author who has published several books on…
Christian Philippe Polak (born August 1950) is a French businessman and author who has published several books on 19th-century Franco-Japanese relations; one Le Monde book review called him "the best specialist on this question".
Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima (Shinjitai: 田嶋 伸博, Tajima Nobuhiro; born Suginami, Tokyo, June 28, 1950; Japanese nickname…
Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima (Shinjitai: 田嶋 伸博, Tajima Nobuhiro; born Suginami, Tokyo, June 28, 1950; Japanese nickname モンスター田嶋 Monsuta Tajima) is a Japanese hillclimb racer, tuning shop owner, rally team manager and former rally driver who is best known for his participation in Suzuki's rallying program as well as his triumphs at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in USA and Silverstone Race to the Sky in NZ (which he won eight times out of eleven events).