Chikako Asō (麻生 千賀子, also 麻生 ちか子) (born May 30, 1950), née Suzuki (鈴木 千賀子), is a Japanese businesswoman, daughter of…Chikako Asō (麻生 千賀子, also 麻生 ちか子) (born May 30, 1950), née Suzuki (鈴木 千賀子), is a Japanese businesswoman, daughter of the 44th Prime Minister of Japan, Zenkō Suzuki, wife of the 59th Prime Minister of Japan, Tarō Asō, and elder sister of the politician Shun'ichi Suzuki. Her husband is the brother of Princess Tomohito of Mikasa.
Tatsumi Kimishima (君島 達己, Kimishima Tatsumi; born April 21, 1950) is a Japanese businessman who served as the 5th…Tatsumi Kimishima (君島 達己, Kimishima Tatsumi; born April 21, 1950) is a Japanese businessman who served as the 5th president of Nintendo from September 2015 to June 2018. He was formerly the president of Nintendo of America from January 2002, succeeding Minoru Arakawa, until Reggie Fils-Aimé took his place in May 2006. In May 2006, he became CEO and chairman of the board of Nintendo of America, and retained this position until June 2018. He was promoted to managing director in June 2013 and was named the fifth president of the company in September 2015, succeeding Satoru Iwata, who died in July 2015. Kimishima stepped down as president in June 2018 and was succeeded by Shuntaro Furukawa.
Reiko Okutani (奥谷 禮子, Okutani Reiko; born April 4, 1950 in Kobe, Hyōgo) is a Japanese businesswoman, founder and chief…Reiko Okutani (奥谷 禮子, Okutani Reiko; born April 4, 1950 in Kobe, Hyōgo) is a Japanese businesswoman, founder and chief executive of the temporary personnel service company The R. She serves on the board of Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. A graduate of Konan University, she is best known for her criticism of "gap-widening society". She also presented the 120th GRIPS Forum on the challenges for Japanese women in the workforce.
Junichiro Yasui (安井 潤一郎, Yasui Jun'ichirō; born 10 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Junichiro Yasui (安井 潤一郎, Yasui Jun'ichirō; born 10 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Shinjuku, Tokyo and dropout of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Hiroshi Yanai (矢内 廣; born 7 January 1950 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese businessperson. He is the founder and CEO…Hiroshi Yanai (矢内 廣; born 7 January 1950 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese businessperson. He is the founder and CEO of Pia Corporation, which is known as Japan’s first ticket distribution service.
Susumu Hosoi (細井 行, Hosoi Susumu; born 9 August 1949 in Tokyo) is a Japanese businessman. He has been president and…Susumu Hosoi (細井 行, Hosoi Susumu; born 9 August 1949 in Tokyo) is a Japanese businessman. He has been president and representative director of the Japanese Commercial vehicles chain Isuzu since 2007. Hosoi was elected president and representative director of Isuzu, replacing Yoshinori Ida.
Banmei Takahashi (高橋伴明, Takahashi Banmei) (or Tomoaki Takahashi) is a Japanese film director. Takahashi started his…Banmei Takahashi (高橋伴明, Takahashi Banmei) (or Tomoaki Takahashi) is a Japanese film director. Takahashi started his career in the pink film industry, making his directorial debut in 1972 with Escaped Rapist Criminal. Due to a disagreement with his producer, Takahashi quit the film industry for a couple years. He joined pink film pioneer Kōji Wakamatsu's production studio in 1975, working as a script-writer until Wakamatsu produced Takahashi's second film, Delinquent File: Juvenile Prostitution (1976). For the next few years Takahashi averaged five films annually at Wakamatsu's studio, until Takahashi left to start his own production company in 1979. Takahashi married Nikkatsu Roman Porno and pink film actress Keiko Sekine who then changed her name to Keiko Takahashi and starred in several of Takahashi's films. Sekine appeared in Takahashi's Tattoo Ari (1982), a mainstream box-office hit which won Takahashi the award for Best Director at the 4th Yokohama Film Festival. With the success of this film, Takahashi dissolved Takahashi Productions to focus on mainstream filmmaking. Takahashi's 1994 film Ai no Shinsekai, inspired by photographer Nobuyoshi Araki's work, is significant as the first Japanese production to play uncensored and unfogged domestically.
Osamu Masuko (益子 修, Masuko Osamu; February 19, 1949 – August 27, 2020) was a Japanese business executive. He was an…Osamu Masuko (益子 修, Masuko Osamu; February 19, 1949 – August 27, 2020) was a Japanese business executive. He was an executive of Mitsubishi Motors, serving as president from 2005 to 2020, CEO from 2005 to 2014 and 2016 to 2019, as well as chairman from 2018 to 2020.
Ken Kobayashi (小林 健, Kobayashi Ken; born February 14, 1949) is a Japanese businessman and current chairman of…Ken Kobayashi (小林 健, Kobayashi Ken; born February 14, 1949) is a Japanese businessman and current chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation. He previously served as president and CEO from April 2010 to April 2016. He has held positions with the company since 1971.
Tadashi Yanai (柳井 正, Yanai Tadashi; born 7 February 1949) is a Japanese billionaire businessman and the founder and…Tadashi Yanai (柳井 正, Yanai Tadashi; born 7 February 1949) is a Japanese billionaire businessman and the founder and president of Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo ("unique clothing"). As of May 2025, he is the richest person in Japan, with an estimated net worth of US$50.3 billion, and the 28th-wealthiest person in the world according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Hiroo Unoura (鵜浦 博夫, Unoura Hiroo; born 13 January 1949) is a Japanese businessman, former president and chief…Hiroo Unoura (鵜浦 博夫, Unoura Hiroo; born 13 January 1949) is a Japanese businessman, former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), the third largest telecommunications company in the world in terms of revenue. Hiroo Unoura was born on 13 January 1949. In 1973, he obtained a BA degree in Law from the University of Tokyo. Unoura joined NTT in April 1973, and has held various senior positions at NTT. He became president and CEO in June 2012. In June 2018, he was succeeded as CEO by Jun Sawada.
Jirō Yabuki (矢吹二朗, Yabuki Jirō; born Mitsuho Maeda, 6 January 1949) also known as Jirō Chiba is a retired Japanese…Jirō Yabuki (矢吹二朗, Yabuki Jirō; born Mitsuho Maeda, 6 January 1949) also known as Jirō Chiba is a retired Japanese actor. His older brother was Sonny Chiba. He is known for playing the role of Kazuya Taki in the tokusatsu superhero series Kamen Rider. He started his acting career at the Bungakuza theatre company in 1967. In 1970, he joined Sonny Chiba's production company and often co-starred with Sonny in many films. His first starring role in the film was in Gekitotsu! Aikidō. In 1976, he changed his stage name from Jirō Chiba to Jirō Yabuki. He announced his retirement as an actor in 1982.
Keiko Erikawa is a Japanese businesswoman and video game designer. She co-founded Koei Tecmo Holdings Co., Ltd., a…Keiko Erikawa is a Japanese businesswoman and video game designer. She co-founded Koei Tecmo Holdings Co., Ltd., a Japanese game development company, with her husband Yoichi Erikawa in 1978.
Masatsugu Nagato (born 18 November 1948) is a Japanese businessman who was the president and CEO of Japan Post Holdings…Masatsugu Nagato (born 18 November 1948) is a Japanese businessman who was the president and CEO of Japan Post Holdings from 2016 to 2020, having previously been president and CEO of Japan Post Bank.
Shigesato Itoi (糸井 重里, Itoi Shigesato; born November 10, 1948) is a Japanese copywriter, essayist, lyricist, game…Shigesato Itoi (糸井 重里, Itoi Shigesato; born November 10, 1948) is a Japanese copywriter, essayist, lyricist, game designer, and actor. Itoi is the editor-in-chief of his website and company Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun ("Almost Daily Itoi Newspaper") where he is currently the chairman and CEO. He is best known outside Japan for his work on Nintendo's Mother series of games, a series in which he co-owns with the game company, as well as his self-titled bass fishing video game.
Koichi Hirata (平田 耕一, Hirata Kōichi; born 9 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Koichi Hirata (平田 耕一, Hirata Kōichi; born 9 November 1948) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yokkaichi, Mie and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995 as an independent. After losing his seat in 2000, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 and represented Mie Prefecture until 2009.
Koji Kobayashi (小林 耕士, Kobayashi Koji; born October 23, 1948) is a Japanese business executive and the current vice…Koji Kobayashi (小林 耕士, Kobayashi Koji; born October 23, 1948) is a Japanese business executive and the current vice president of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Teruo Asada (born October 13, 1948) is a Japanese businessman, the chairman of Marubeni since April 2013. Asada joined…Teruo Asada (born October 13, 1948) is a Japanese businessman, the chairman of Marubeni since April 2013. Asada joined Marubeni's finance department in 1972 and was its president and CEO from April 2008 to April 2013. Over the course of his tenure, he has held positions and executive titles in finance, business and investment functions at Marubeni, as well as posts in the company's Los Angeles and London operations early in his career. Asada graduated from Keio University in 1972. In June 2021, he was appointed as Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), for services to UK Trade and Investment.
Makoto Tonami (戸並 誠, Tonami Makoto; born September 18, 1948), also known as Mac Akasaka (マック 赤坂, Makku Akasaka), is a…Makoto Tonami (戸並 誠, Tonami Makoto; born September 18, 1948), also known as Mac Akasaka (マック 赤坂, Makku Akasaka), is a Japanese businessman, retired politician and activist and former perennial candidate.
Toru Muranishi (村西とおる, Muranishi Tōru; born 9 September 1948) is an innovative and controversial director of Japanese…Toru Muranishi (村西とおる, Muranishi Tōru; born 9 September 1948) is an innovative and controversial director of Japanese adult videos (AV). Known in Japan as the "Emperor of Porn", he has been credited as one of the creators of the quasi-documentary style found in Japanese adult videos, a genre which has remained popular throughout the history of the adult industry in Japan. He was called "the dirtiest of the industry’s dirty old men" in a 1992 Tokyo Journal article by Kjell Fornander.
Naoki Izumiya (born 9 August 1948) is a Japanese businessman and the president and CEO of Asahi Breweries. He joined…Naoki Izumiya (born 9 August 1948) is a Japanese businessman and the president and CEO of Asahi Breweries. He joined the company in 1972, became president in 2010, and was elevated to CEO and chairman in 2016.
Masayoshi Yoshino (吉野 正芳, Yoshino Masayoshi; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Masayoshi Yoshino (吉野 正芳, Yoshino Masayoshi; born 8 August 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. A native of Iwaki, Fukushima and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the first of his three terms in the assembly of Fukushima Prefecture in 1987 and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000. He represented the Fukushima 5th district from 2014 until 2024 when the district was abolished. On 26 April 2017, he became the minister responsible for disaster reconstruction in the Tohoku Region, after the previous minister, Masahiro Imamura, resigned after making insensitive remarks about the 2011 earthquake and tsunami which had hit the Tohoku region.
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.
Michiko Kihara (木原 美知子, Kihara Michiko; April 5, 1948 – October 18, 2007) was a Japanese swimmer and TV actress. She…Michiko Kihara (木原 美知子, Kihara Michiko; April 5, 1948 – October 18, 2007) was a Japanese swimmer and TV actress. She competed at the 1964 Olympics in the 100 m backstroke, 4 × 100 m freestyle relay and 4 × 100 m medley relay and finished fourth in the medley relay. After retiring from swimming, Kihara became a model, businesswoman and TV actress, playing in several Japanese TV series in the 1970s–80s. In 2005, she was appointed as director of the Japan Swimming Federation. She died of subarachnoid hemorrhage at age 59.
Kōichi Itagaki (Japanese: 板垣 公一, Hepburn: Itagaki Kōichi; born 12 November 1947) is an amateur astronomer based in…Kōichi Itagaki (Japanese: 板垣 公一, Hepburn: Itagaki Kōichi; born 12 November 1947) is an amateur astronomer based in Yamagata, the capital city of Yamagata Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of northern Honshu island, Japan. He is responsible for discovering many comets, and over 170 supernovae.
Koki Ando (安藤 宏基, Andō Kōki; born October 7, 1947) is the son of Momofuku Ando, Japanese inventor of Taiwanese descent…Koki Ando (安藤 宏基, Andō Kōki; born October 7, 1947) is the son of Momofuku Ando, Japanese inventor of Taiwanese descent who created Top Ramen and Cup Noodles. Following his father's death in 2007, Koki Ando has been the president and the CEO of Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.
Kiyoshi Aki (安藝 清, Aki Kiyoshi) (born September 13, 1947) is the owner and founder of Aeon Corporation, one of the "Big…Kiyoshi Aki (安藝 清, Aki Kiyoshi) (born September 13, 1947) is the owner and founder of Aeon Corporation, one of the "Big Four" eikaiwa (conversational English) schools in Japan.
Ryōji Chūbachi (中鉢 良治, Chūbachi Ryōji; born September 4, 1947) is a Japanese businessman, former vice chairman and…Ryōji Chūbachi (中鉢 良治, Chūbachi Ryōji; born September 4, 1947) is a Japanese businessman, former vice chairman and president of Sony Corporation. He joined the company in 1977, later replacing Kunitake Andō to become president of the firm March 7, 2005. He was replaced as president by Howard Stringer on April 1, 2009. Chūbachi retired from Sony on March 31, 2013. Currently he is the president of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), an independent administrative institution (agency) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Chubachi had managed Sony's device and materials businesses and technology development. He was appointed president of Sony Corporation in 2005, with responsibility for the entire electronics business. Subsequently, in 2009, Chubashi was appointed to vice chairman. In 2013, Chubachi retired from Sony and became president of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), an independent administrative institution widely regarded as one of Japan's leading public research facilities in areas such as the environment, energy, life science, information technology and electronics.
Koichi Yamamoto (山本 公一, Yamamoto Kōichi; 4 September 1947 – 31 October 2023) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Koichi Yamamoto (山本 公一, Yamamoto Kōichi; 4 September 1947 – 31 October 2023) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Kazuyoshi Miura (Japanese: 三浦 和義, Hepburn: Miura Kazuyoshi; July 27, 1947 – October 10, 2008) was a Japanese…Kazuyoshi Miura (Japanese: 三浦 和義, Hepburn: Miura Kazuyoshi; July 27, 1947 – October 10, 2008) was a Japanese businessman who was accused of being involved in the killing of his wife, Kazumi Miura. The prolonged legal battle, lasting decades, ended with his death, ruled a suicide, in October 2008.
Tsuneo Kusunoki (楠 恒男, Kusunoki Tsuneo) (born June 14, 1947) is the founder of the now-bankrupt GEOS Corporation…Tsuneo Kusunoki (楠 恒男, Kusunoki Tsuneo) (born June 14, 1947) is the founder of the now-bankrupt GEOS Corporation, previously one of the major eikaiwa (private school for conversational English) providers in Japan.
Yasutaka Murata (村田泰隆 Murata Takashi Yasushi) is a Japanese businessman who was born in 1947 in Kyoto as first son of…Yasutaka Murata (村田泰隆 Murata Takashi Yasushi) is a Japanese businessman who was born in 1947 in Kyoto as first son of Akira Murata, who three years earlier founded the company that was to become Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Osamu Nagayama (Japanese: 永山 治, Hepburn: Nagayama Osamu; born April 21, 1947) is a Japanese businessman. He was the…Osamu Nagayama (Japanese: 永山 治, Hepburn: Nagayama Osamu; born April 21, 1947) is a Japanese businessman. He was the chairman and chief executive officer of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., one of Japan's largest drug companies. He served as chairman of the board of directors of Sony Corporation from 2013 to 2019. In July 2020, Nagayama was announced as the new chairman of Japanese electronics company Toshiba. In June 2021, Nagayama was ousted from his position as chairman of Toshiba following a shareholder revolt. Nagayama is Japanese. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Keio University in 1971, where he studied in the Faculty of Business and Commerce. He began his professional career in 1971 at the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. He joined Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., in November 1978. Nagayama is a member of the board of directors of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), a global nonprofit organization that combats child sexual exploitation, child pornography, and child abduction.
Kunihiko Muroi (室井 邦彦, Muroi Kunihiko; 10 April 1947 – 3 January 2024) was a Japanese politician of the Initiatives…Kunihiko Muroi (室井 邦彦, Muroi Kunihiko; 10 April 1947 – 3 January 2024) was a Japanese politician of the Initiatives from Osaka party, who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Amagasaki and dropout of Otemon Gakuin University, he served in the city assembly of Amagasaki for one term since 1983 and in the assembly of Hyōgo Prefecture for two terms since 1991. After two unsuccessful runs in 1996 and 2000, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003. He lost the seat in 2005 but was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007. Muroi died of liver failure on 3 January 2024, at the age of 76.
Masao Sen (千昌夫, Sen Masao; born 8 April 1947) is a Japanese Enka singer and businessman, of Iwate Prefecture, known for…Masao Sen (千昌夫, Sen Masao; born 8 April 1947) is a Japanese Enka singer and businessman, of Iwate Prefecture, known for the song 'Kitaguni no Haru' ('North Country Spring'). He is affiliated with the talent agency NoReason Inc.
Kimie Iwata (岩田喜美枝) (born April 6, 1947) is a Japanese businesswoman and former government official. After serving as…Kimie Iwata (岩田喜美枝) (born April 6, 1947) is a Japanese businesswoman and former government official. After serving as Director-General of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Child Families Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, she has served as Executive Vice President of Shiseido and Chairman of the Japan Foundation for 21st Century Vocational Education.
Isao Matsushita is the president of JX Holdings, a Japanese petroleum and metals conglomerate, and a Fortune Global 500…Isao Matsushita is the president of JX Holdings, a Japanese petroleum and metals conglomerate, and a Fortune Global 500 company. Matsushita has been president of JX since June 2012.
Nobuhide Tachi (舘 信秀, Tachi Nobuhide; born March 23, 1947 in Suzuka, Mie) is a Japanese former racing driver, and the…Nobuhide Tachi (舘 信秀, Tachi Nobuhide; born March 23, 1947 in Suzuka, Mie) is a Japanese former racing driver, and the co-founder of TOM'S, a Japanese racing team and tuner for Toyota and Lexus. His son, Shingo, was also a racing driver.
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.
Junji Takada (高田純次, Takada Junji; born January 21, 1947), also known by the nicknames "Jun chan" (純ちゃん), "Uncle Jun"…Junji Takada (高田純次, Takada Junji; born January 21, 1947), also known by the nicknames "Jun chan" (純ちゃん), "Uncle Jun" (純じい, Jun jī) and "TJ", is a Japanese actor and comedian. Takada was born in Chōfu, Tokyo. He is known for the variety show Tensai, Takeshi no Genki ga Deru Terebi that was hosted by Takeshi Kitano and premiered on NTV from 1985 to 1996. On April 9, 2017, Takada began co-hosting a radio program with manga artist Naoki Urasawa. Junji and Naoki (純次と直樹) airs Sundays at 5pm on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting and features both men talking about their lives, professions, and favorite hobbies.
Toshio Yamauchi (山内 俊夫, Yamauchi Toshio; born December 17, 1946) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal…Toshio Yamauchi (山内 俊夫, Yamauchi Toshio; born December 17, 1946) is a Japanese former politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Marugame, Kagawa and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1998 after serving in the assembly of Kagawa Prefecture since 1991.
Tetsuro Yano (矢野 哲朗, Yano Tetsurō; born November 6, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Tetsuro Yano (矢野 哲朗, Yano Tetsurō; born November 6, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Utsunomiya, Tochigi and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1992 after serving in the assembly of Tochigi Prefecture for three terms from 1983.
Minoru Arakawa (荒川 實, Arakawa Minoru; born September 3, 1946) is a Japanese businessman best known as the founder and…Minoru Arakawa (荒川 實, Arakawa Minoru; born September 3, 1946) is a Japanese businessman best known as the founder and former president of Nintendo of America, and the co-founder of Tetris Online, Inc.
Takeshi Uchiyamada (内山田 竹志, Uchiyamada Takeshi; born August 17, 1946) is a Japanese businessman who was chairman of…Takeshi Uchiyamada (内山田 竹志, Uchiyamada Takeshi; born August 17, 1946) is a Japanese businessman who was chairman of Toyota from 2013 to 2023. He graduated from Nagoya University. He is known as the "father of the Prius" for his role in leading the development of the Toyota Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid electric vehicle in history.
Yukako Uchinaga (内永 ゆか子, Uchinaga Yukako; born 1947) is a Japanese businesswoman, best known for her long career at IBM…Yukako Uchinaga (内永 ゆか子, Uchinaga Yukako; born 1947) is a Japanese businesswoman, best known for her long career at IBM Japan.