Kazuhisa Uekusa (Japanese: 植草和久; born 15 November 1987), known by the stage names of Wes-P (Japanese: ウエスP) or Mr…Kazuhisa Uekusa (Japanese: 植草和久; born 15 November 1987), known by the stage names of Wes-P (Japanese: ウエスP) or Mr Uekusa, is a Japanese entertainer who has gone viral on Twitter and TikTok. He is known for performing risque prop comic versions of the tablecloth trick.
Yoshiko Hasegawa (長谷川美子, Hasegawa Yoshiko) (born 28 February 1987) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best…Yoshiko Hasegawa (長谷川美子, Hasegawa Yoshiko) (born 28 February 1987) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenures with promotions from the Japanese independent scene such as Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW), Actwres girl'Z and Ice Ribbon.
Takiko Fukuda (福田 多希子, Fukuda Takiko; born 25 July 1984, in Nara Prefecture) is a Japanese stage performer and tarento.…Takiko Fukuda (福田 多希子, Fukuda Takiko; born 25 July 1984, in Nara Prefecture) is a Japanese stage performer and tarento. She is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency in Osaka. Her husband is Ponta Dohi.
Yuki Matsuzaki (松崎 悠希, Matsuzaki Yūki; born September 24, 1981) is a Japanese actor who has appeared in movies and on…Yuki Matsuzaki (松崎 悠希, Matsuzaki Yūki; born September 24, 1981) is a Japanese actor who has appeared in movies and on television. Matsuzaki appeared in Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima and in The Pink Panther 2 where he portrayed Kenji Mazuto, a technology "wiz-kid". He appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as a character named Garheng. He also starred in the film Man From Reno (2014). He is the voice of Miyamoto Usagi from the 2012 animated series adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the 2022 Netflix series Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles.
Atom Shukugawa (夙川アトム; born December 22, 1979) is a Japanese comedian from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. His real name…Atom Shukugawa (夙川アトム; born December 22, 1979) is a Japanese comedian from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. His real name is Hiroyuki Tanaka (田中 博之) and the screen name's "Shukugawa" derives from the name of a river running through Nishinomiya. As of August 2009, he belongs to the management company ASH & D corporation. Shukugawa won the 10th place in the R-1 Grand Prix 2008 and the second place in the "Owarai geinin utaga umai ohza ketteisen special" (singing competition for comedians) in August 2009.
Hisashi Kikuta (菊田 悠, Kikuta Hisashi; born November 13, 1979), better known as Kick (キック, Kikku; originally as KICK☆)…Hisashi Kikuta (菊田 悠, Kikuta Hisashi; born November 13, 1979), better known as Kick (キック, Kikku; originally as KICK☆), is a Japanese comedian and writer who is represented by the talent agency, Horipro. He was born in Tokyo, and graduated from Toho Junior and Senior High School and Japan University of the Arts Faculty Department of Photography.
Miho Wakizawa (脇沢美穂, Wakizawa Miho) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her time in the Japanese…Miho Wakizawa (脇沢美穂, Wakizawa Miho) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her time in the Japanese promotions World Wonder Ring Stardom and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Kimiko Koyama (こやま きみこ, Koyama Kimiko; born January 27, 1979) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima…Kimiko Koyama (こやま きみこ, Koyama Kimiko; born January 27, 1979) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture.
Hiroki Konno (今野 浩喜, Konno Hiroki; born December 12, 1978 in Niiza, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and actor…Hiroki Konno (今野 浩喜, Konno Hiroki; born December 12, 1978 in Niiza, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese comedian and actor who was a member of the comedy duo King of Comedy. Konno lives in Saitama, Saitama.
Gorgeous (ゴー☆ジャス, Gōjasu; born 10 November 1978, in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese comedian. Gorgeous is represented…Gorgeous (ゴー☆ジャス, Gōjasu; born 10 November 1978, in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese comedian. Gorgeous is represented by Sun Music Production. He was formerly signed with Denner Systems.
Kuniaki Takizaki (瀧﨑 邦明, Takizaki Kuniaki; born August 8, 1977 in Ichihara, Chiba), more commonly known as Neko Hiroshi…Kuniaki Takizaki (瀧﨑 邦明, Takizaki Kuniaki; born August 8, 1977 in Ichihara, Chiba), more commonly known as Neko Hiroshi (猫 ひろし, Neko Hiroshi), is a Cambodian owarai comedian who uses his short stature, at 1.47 meters (4 ft 10 in) and 45 kilograms (99 lb), and cat persona in his act. He is also an avid marathon runner. In 2011, he became a naturalized citizen of Cambodia, and intended to compete in the Olympics for Cambodia.
Passion Yara (パッション屋良, Passhon Yara; born Chōbyō Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō), July 23, 1976 in the city of Nago, Okinawa)…Passion Yara (パッション屋良, Passhon Yara; born Chōbyō Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō), July 23, 1976 in the city of Nago, Okinawa) is a Japanese comedian. He is perhaps best known for the angry, passionate chest-beating in his comedy routine. Passion Yara graduated from Kokushikan University's physical education department with the intention of becoming an educator. He is well-built, at 86 kg and 180 cm, and is capable of bench-pressing 160 kg. He enjoys bowling, darts, muscle training, touring, MTV, and canoeing. Yara has appeared on a variety of Japanese comedy-related TV shows and competitions in Japan, typically wearing a tight-fitting white gym outfit with an embroidered letter "P" on the collared shirt. His routine generally includes fits of maniacal, single-fisted chest-beating, for which he has gained some measure of notoriety. His act has been parodied by another Japanese comedian using the stage name "Dark Yara". Passion Yara performed his chest-beating act and other dance moves on the J-ska band Yum!Yum!ORANGE's music video for the song "Clover". Yara has also performed as a competitor on Sasuke (known in the United States as Ninja Warrior), having entered at least two competitions, the 16th and 21st. In the 16th competition, he entertained spectators with his chest-beating before succumbing to the Rolling Log obstacle early in Stage 1. Ninja Warrior later declared him to be the 5th craziest competitor in the history of the event, referring to him in an aired segment as "Screaming Wacko". In the 21st competition, he surpassed his previous performance by reaching the Jumping Spider in Stage 1, where he subsequently fell and was eliminated.
Hanawa (はなわ; born 20 July 1976) is a Japanese singer and comedian raised in Saga City. He began his career in 1997…Hanawa (はなわ; born 20 July 1976) is a Japanese singer and comedian raised in Saga City. He began his career in 1997 going throughout the 2000s distinguishing himself by use of his bass guitar throughout comedy acts. He rose to fame in Japan during 2003 for a comical song about Saga Prefecture and its oddities. By the end of the year he would appear on NHK's 54th annual Red and White singing contest. Following this exposure, his music would be picked up for commercials and as company songs. He continued to produce more of his own music while also working alongside groups such as Fudanjuku.
Yōku Hata (波田陽区, Hata Yōku, real name: Akira Hada (波田 晃, Hada Akira), born June 5, 1975, in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi…Yōku Hata (波田陽区, Hata Yōku, real name: Akira Hada (波田 晃, Hada Akira), born June 5, 1975, in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a Japanese stand up comedian.
Tomonori Jinnai (陣内 智則, Jinnai Tomonori; born 22 February 1974, in Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento…Tomonori Jinnai (陣内 智則, Jinnai Tomonori; born 22 February 1974, in Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese actor, tarento and presenter.
Hollywood Zakoshisyoh (ハリウッドザコシショウ, Hariuddo Zakoshishō; born 13 February 1974) is a Japanese comedian from Shimizu-shi…Hollywood Zakoshisyoh (ハリウッドザコシショウ, Hariuddo Zakoshishō; born 13 February 1974) is a Japanese comedian from Shimizu-shi (now Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka), Shizuoka Prefecture who has appeared in many television variety shows, as well as television dramas, radio and web series. His real name is Shigeki Nakazawa (中澤 滋紀, Nakazawa Shigeki). After going through Yoshimoto Kogyo and Watanabe Entertainment, he currently belongs to the SMA NEET Project. His stage name during his kombi years was Zakoshisyoh (ザコシショウ, Zakoshishō; There was also the notation "Zako Shishō" (ザコ師匠; Zako Master)). He is nicknamed "Zakoshi," (ザコシ) "Zakoshisyoh". Martial artist Shinya Aoki is his cousin. His stage name was derived from the fact that Hulk Hogan was identifying himself as Hollywood Hulk Hogan at the time when nWo was formed.
Eiji Sugiyama (杉山 英司, Sugiyama Eiji; born 24 August 1973), better known by his stage name Sugi-chan (スギちゃん), is a…Eiji Sugiyama (杉山 英司, Sugiyama Eiji; born 24 August 1973), better known by his stage name Sugi-chan (スギちゃん), is a Japanese comedian. He has enjoyed success since 2012 with a comedy routine that frequently uses a catch line in which he describes his own antics as "wild".
Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre…Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre director, and manga artist. Outside Japan, he is most well known for directing and acting in "The Japanese Tradition (日本の形)" videos (e.g. "Sushi (鮨)"), and for playing the Mac (opposite Jin Katagiri who plays the PC) in the "Get a Mac" advertising campaign in Japan. He is a member of the Rahmens owarai comedy duo. His manga series, Hana Usagi, ran from 1999 to 2004 in Young Magazine Uppers (published by Kodansha).
Yo Oizumi (大泉 洋, Ōizumi Yō; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese actor, comedian, television personality and voice actor.…Yo Oizumi (大泉 洋, Ōizumi Yō; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese actor, comedian, television personality and voice actor. He is a member of the theatrical and musical unit Team Nacs, and is represented by Creative Office Cue. His wife Kumiko Nakajima is a drama producer at Fuji TV. His senior brother Jun Oizumi is 10th public elected Mayor of Hakodate. In 1995, while still in university, Oizumi debuted as an entertainer on the late-night program Mosaic nights aired in Hokkaidō. He first gained popularity on the television series How Do You Like Wednesday?, and has since expanded to various fields of entertainment, such as television dramas, films, voice acting and music.
Yūki Himura (日村 勇紀, Himura Yūki; born 14 May 1972) is a Japanese comedian, actor and voice actor. He performs tsukkomi…Yūki Himura (日村 勇紀, Himura Yūki; born 14 May 1972) is a Japanese comedian, actor and voice actor. He performs tsukkomi (and occasionally boke) in the comedy duo Bananaman. His partner is Osamu Shitara.
Takashi Akai (赤 井貴, Akai Takashi; born April 20, 1972, in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan), better known as Dayu Koume (コウメ 太夫…Takashi Akai (赤 井貴, Akai Takashi; born April 20, 1972, in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan), better known as Dayu Koume (コウメ 太夫, Kōme Dayū), is a Japanese comedian represented by SMA Neet Project. He dropped out from Asahikawa University.
Asako Ito (いとう あさこ, Itō Asako; born June 10, 1970, in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian. Ito is a resident…Asako Ito (いとう あさこ, Itō Asako; born June 10, 1970, in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese comedian. Ito is a resident of Nakano, Tokyo. She is a graduate of Togo Kindergarten, Futaba Elementary School, Futabachu Secondary School and High School, and Butai Geijyutsu Gakuin. She also competed on one tournament of Kunoichi, failing on the final obstacle in the first stage. She then failed the second chance round as she couldn't complete it before the winner.
Tadashi Shimizu (清水 忠史, Shimizu Tadashi) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party who served in the House of…Tadashi Shimizu (清水 忠史, Shimizu Tadashi) is a member of the Japanese Communist Party who served in the House of Representatives. He is against the passed anti-conspiracy bill. He is also against paying welfare benefits with pre-paid credit cards, saying that it would only benefit credit card companies.
Yōko Ishino (石野陽子, Ishino Youko, born 20 February 1968) is a Japanese actress and television personality (tarento). She…Yōko Ishino (石野陽子, Ishino Youko, born 20 February 1968) is a Japanese actress and television personality (tarento). She debuted in 1985 as a pop singer, first appeared on television in 1986 and performed comedy with Shimura Ken in the TV show "Shimura Ken's Daijobudaa".
Tsutomu Itō (伊藤 努, Itō Tsutomu; born August 12, 1966), known professionally as David "Debi" Ito (デビット 伊東, Debitto Itō)…Tsutomu Itō (伊藤 努, Itō Tsutomu; born August 12, 1966), known professionally as David "Debi" Ito (デビット 伊東, Debitto Itō), is a Japanese comedian, actor and businessman.
Edo Harumi (エド・はるみ; born 14 May 1964, in Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, actress and graduate student. Edo Harumi is…Edo Harumi (エド・はるみ; born 14 May 1964, in Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, actress and graduate student. Edo Harumi is represented with Yoshimoto Kogyo in Tokyo (also known as Tokyo Yoshimoto, a subsidiary of Yoshimoto Creative Agency). She spent her childhood in Ibaraki Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo. Edo Harumi graduated from Meiji University Faculty of Literature Department of Literature Department of Drama Studies. She is known in variety programmes as -gū (○○グゥ〜).
Rusher Itamae (ラッシャー板前, Rasshā Itamae; born 15 June 1963) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the Takeshi Gundan.…Rusher Itamae (ラッシャー板前, Rasshā Itamae; born 15 June 1963) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the Takeshi Gundan. His real name is Hiroshi Suzuki (鈴木 浩, Suzuki Hiroshi). Rusher Itamae is represented with Office Kitano. He graduated from Matsudo Municipal Kawarazuka Elementary School, Matsudo Municipal Tokiwadaira Junior High School, and Municipal Matsudo High School. Rusher Itamae's older brother was Uganda Tora whom he married his sister. When he appears in Ore-tachi Hyōkinzoku and advertisements with Takeshi Kitano, he appeared as Itabashi-ku no Suzuki-san (板橋区の鈴木さん).
Yūrei Yanagi (柳 憂怜 or 柳ユーレイ, Yanagi Yūrei; born 8 April 1963) is a Japanese actor and tarento. He was born in Fuchū…Yūrei Yanagi (柳 憂怜 or 柳ユーレイ, Yanagi Yūrei; born 8 April 1963) is a Japanese actor and tarento. He was born in Fuchū, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Yanagi was originally a member of Takeshi Kitano's gundan. In 1990 he continued to work with Takeshi for the film Boiling Point. Afterwards, he appeared in over eight more films before meeting up with Takeshi again for the 1997 film Hana-bi. His most recent roles have been in horror films such as Ring, Ju-on and Ju-on 2. He is married to actress, novelist, and essayist Atsuko Kawada. He is also credited as Masahiko Ono or Yuurei Yanagi.
Kawachiya Kikusuimaru (河内家 菊水丸) (born 14 February 1963) is a Japanese musician and singer. He is a singer of Kawachi…Kawachiya Kikusuimaru (河内家 菊水丸) (born 14 February 1963) is a Japanese musician and singer. He is a singer of Kawachi ondo folk music from Yao, Osaka.
Hakase Suidobashi (水道橋 博士, Suidōbashi Hakase; born 18 August 1962 in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese comedian…Hakase Suidobashi (水道橋 博士, Suidōbashi Hakase; born 18 August 1962 in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese comedian who is a member of the comedy duo Asakusa Kid. His real name is Masayoshi Ono (小野 正芳, Ono Masayoshi). Suidobashi is represented with Office Kitano. He is also a manzai comedian, commentator, and a writer in magazine columns and essays.
Shingo Yanagisawa (柳沢 慎吾, Yanagisawa Shingo; born 6 March 1962 in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and…Shingo Yanagisawa (柳沢 慎吾, Yanagisawa Shingo; born 6 March 1962 in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor and comedian.
Ryūhei Ueshima (Japanese: 上島 竜兵, Hepburn: Ueshima Ryūhei; 20 January 1961 – 11 May 2022) was a Japanese comedian and…Ryūhei Ueshima (Japanese: 上島 竜兵, Hepburn: Ueshima Ryūhei; 20 January 1961 – 11 May 2022) was a Japanese comedian and actor. He was a member of the comedy trio Dachō Club.
Masami Hisamoto (Japanese: 久本雅美, Hepburn: Hisamoto Masami; born July 9, 1958) is a Japanese comedian, actress, singer…Masami Hisamoto (Japanese: 久本雅美, Hepburn: Hisamoto Masami; born July 9, 1958) is a Japanese comedian, actress, singer and tarento from Kami, Osaka. She belongs to the Wahaha-Hompo talent agency, appearing on variety shows like Waratte Iitomo! and Hirunandesu!. She has also been a notable adherent to Soka Gakkai since 1984 and became an internet meme for it.
Akie Sato (佐藤 秋恵, Satō Akie; née Shuto (首藤, Shutō), born October 23, 1956, in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), better…Akie Sato (佐藤 秋恵, Satō Akie; née Shuto (首藤, Shutō), born October 23, 1956, in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan), better known as Akie Asaka (浅香 あき恵, Asaka Akie), is a Japanese comedian who is represented by the talent agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo. Asaka was a resident in Kita-ku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. She is also an actress for Yoshimoto Shinkigeki.
Naoto Takenaka (竹中 直人, Takenaka Naoto; born March 20, 1956) is a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, whistler, and…Naoto Takenaka (竹中 直人, Takenaka Naoto; born March 20, 1956) is a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, whistler, and director from Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, affiliated with From First Production. He is married to idol singer and actress Midori Kinouchi. He is also known as the voice of Samuel L. Jackson in the dubbed version of the Avengers film series as Nick Fury.
Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and…Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and television presenter. His former stage name is Rabbit Sekine (ラビット関根, Rabitto Sekine). He is represented with Asai Kikaku. His daughter is tarento Mari Sekine. Sekine is partnered with Kazuki Kosakai, who is a junior at his talent agency and also a longtime best friend, in a comedy duo called Kosakin.
Naoko Ken（研 ナオコ, Ken Naoko, born July 7, 1953）is a Japanese singer and actress. She is well known for her comedy roles…Naoko Ken（研 ナオコ, Ken Naoko, born July 7, 1953）is a Japanese singer and actress. She is well known for her comedy roles featuring idiosyncratic looks, and a string of successful torch songs that gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Issey Ogata (イッセー尾形, Issei Ogata; born February 22, 1952) is a Japanese actor and comedian. He was interested in plays…Issey Ogata (イッセー尾形, Issei Ogata; born February 22, 1952) is a Japanese actor and comedian. He was interested in plays since childhood. After he graduated from Toyotama High School in Japan, he joined a theatrical company and appeared on the stage. Later, he jumped at the opportunity to be an entertainer when he took the gold medal at the audition called "Birth of Comedians". Then, he started garnering roles on Japanese TV. Shows he appeared on include Fuji TV's Evil Grandmother and NHK's RinRinto. He performs in Life Never Stops by himself at GyanGyan Theater in Shibuya. Furthermore, he has had starring roles in major art-house films, including Ota in Edward Yang's Yi Yi, the title character in Jun Ichikawa's Tony Takitani (an adaptation of the Haruki Murakami short story), the role of Japanese Emperor Hirohito in Aleksandr Sokurov's The Sun, and Inoue Masashige in Martin Scorsese's Silence.
Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori; February 20, 1950 – March 29, 2020), known professionally as Ken Shimura (志村…Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori; February 20, 1950 – March 29, 2020), known professionally as Ken Shimura (志村 けん, Shimura Ken), was a Japanese comedian. He was born in Higashimurayama, Tokyo. He started his career as an assistant to the comedy band The Drifters, led by Chōsuke Ikariya. In 1974, He joined the group, replacing Chū Arai. He appeared as members of the group on popular comedy shows that gained massive popularity from the 1970s to the 1980s. Hachiji-dayo! Zen'in-shūgō achieved the highest viewership rating of 50.5%, and The Drifters Daibakushō (ドリフ大爆笑) reached 40.4% viewership. These shows made him nationally popular. After the end of Hachiji-dayo! in 1985, he began to work independently as well. He appeared on shows like Kato-chan Ken-chan Gokigen TV (加トちゃんケンちゃんごきげんテレビ), with Cha Katō, a fellow member of the group, Shimura Ken no Daijōbu-dā (志村けんのだいじょうぶだぁ)," and Shimura Ken no Baka Tono-sama (志村けんのバカ殿様), portraying characters like Baka Tono-sama (バカ殿様, Stupid Lord) and Hen na Oji-san (変なおじさん, Strange Older Man). These characters became highly popular. Shimura's comedic work was inspired in part by that of Jerry Lewis.
Yoshihiro Ogata (緒方 義博, Ogata Yoshihiro; born 23 January 1950), better known as Denden (でんでん) and sometimes credited as…Yoshihiro Ogata (緒方 義博, Ogata Yoshihiro; born 23 January 1950), better known as Denden (でんでん) and sometimes credited as Kanichi Tadokoro (田所 完一, Tadokoro Kan'ichi), is a Japanese actor and former comedian. He has appeared in more than 100 films since 1981.
Pinko Izumi (泉ピン子, Izumi Pinko; born September 11, 1947 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer. Her legal…Pinko Izumi (泉ピン子, Izumi Pinko; born September 11, 1947 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress and singer. Her legal name is Sayo Takemoto (武本 小夜, Takemoto Sayo; née Eguchi (江口)), and she originally performed under the name Mariko Mikado (三門 マリ子, Mikado Mariko).
Jun Inoue (井上 順, Inoue Jun; born 21 February 1947) is a Japanese tarento, singer, actor, and comedian. His former stage…Jun Inoue (井上 順, Inoue Jun; born 21 February 1947) is a Japanese tarento, singer, actor, and comedian. His former stage name is Junji Inoue (井上 順之, Inoue Junji).
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.
Cha Katō (加藤 茶, Katō Cha; born 1 March 1943), also known as Kato-chan, is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real name…Cha Katō (加藤 茶, Katō Cha; born 1 March 1943), also known as Kato-chan, is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real name is Hideyuki Katō (加藤英文). Cha is one of the members of The Drifters and plays drums. His work with Ken Shimura, another Drifter, is well known in Japan.
Masao Komatsu (Japanese: 小松政夫, Hepburn: Masao Komatsu; 10 January 1942 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese actor and…Masao Komatsu (Japanese: 小松政夫, Hepburn: Masao Komatsu; 10 January 1942 – 7 December 2020) was a Japanese actor and comedian.
Kōji Nakamoto (仲本 工事, Nakamoto Kōji; July 5, 1941 – October 19, 2022) was a Japanese comedian. His real name is Kōki…Kōji Nakamoto (仲本 工事, Nakamoto Kōji; July 5, 1941 – October 19, 2022) was a Japanese comedian. His real name is Kōki Nakamoto (仲本 興喜). He was one of the members of The Drifters. Nakamoto graduated from Gakushuin University. He occasionally appeared in the dramas and films as an actor. On the 19 October 2022, Nakamoto died after being hit by a car at an intersection in Yokohama City, suffering a severe head injury. He was 81.
Kinichi Hagimoto (萩本 欽一, Hagimoto Kin'ichi; born May 7, 1941) is a Japanese comedian. He is active as a stage…Kinichi Hagimoto (萩本 欽一, Hagimoto Kin'ichi; born May 7, 1941) is a Japanese comedian. He is active as a stage performer, emcee, and manager of the amateur Ibaraki Golden Golds (ibaraki goruden goruzu) of the Japanese Baseball Association (nippon yakyuu renmei). Born in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan, he graduated from Komagome High School, and now belongs to the Asai Kikaku talent agency. He is called "Kin-chan" by fans and those within the entertainment industry. He is also known as "Hagimo", "Kin", etc. Amongst the many entertainers he has developed on his shows, who are known as the "Kinchan Family", he is known as "Taisho" ("The General"). In the 1970s and 80s, with acts like "nande so naru no!" ("Why does that happen?!") and physical comedy such as his distinctive "Kinchan run" (based on Hachiro Azuma) he blossomed into a polished professional. Many of his famous lines like "dochira dake" and "banzaai nashi yo" are still heard today. Some comedic jargon such as "ukeru" (and "yaya uke", "baka uke", etc.) that have become common Japanese words are said to have originated from his variety show Kinchan No Don To Itte Miyo. He presented three successful variety programmes in the 1970s and 1980s, and by the mid-1980s was one of the most popular comedians on Japanese television.
