Rina Gonoi (五ノ井 里奈, Gonoi Rina; born September 29, 1999) is a Japanese judoka and former soldier of the Japan Ground…Rina Gonoi (五ノ井 里奈, Gonoi Rina; born September 29, 1999) is a Japanese judoka and former soldier of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). She was sexually assaulted by senior male JGSDF officers, forcing her to quit the military after her complaints of sexual assault were dismissed by superior officers.
Mikihiko Hashimoto (橋本幹彦, Hashimoto Mikihiko; born 27 December 1995) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of…Mikihiko Hashimoto (橋本幹彦, Hashimoto Mikihiko; born 27 December 1995) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. From 2018 to 2019, he served in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
Satoko Yamada (Kanji:山田 聡子, born 26 February 1995) is a Japanese sports shooter. She competed in the women's 10 metre…Satoko Yamada (Kanji:山田 聡子, born 26 February 1995) is a Japanese sports shooter. She competed in the women's 10 metre air pistol event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Masako Ganaha (Japanese: 我那覇（がなは）真（まさ）子（こ）; born August 10, 1989) is a Japanese freelance journalist and JSDF…Masako Ganaha (Japanese: 我那覇（がなは）真（まさ）子（こ）; born August 10, 1989) is a Japanese freelance journalist and JSDF reservist. She is a representative operating committee member of the Citizens' and People's Association for Correcting the Ryukyu Shimpo and the Okinawa Times (琉球新報、沖縄タイムスを正す県民・国民の会). She is also an external advisor for the Sanseitō party.
Hiroki Fujishima (藤嶋 大規, born 23 May 1988) is a Japanese canoeist. He competed in the men's K-4 500 metres event at the…Hiroki Fujishima (藤嶋 大規, born 23 May 1988) is a Japanese canoeist. He competed in the men's K-4 500 metres event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Wakana Fukushima (福島 和可菜, Fukushima Wakana; born 2 December 1982, in Hakodate, Hokkaido) is a Japanese tarento…Wakana Fukushima (福島 和可菜, Fukushima Wakana; born 2 December 1982, in Hakodate, Hokkaido) is a Japanese tarento, actress, Reserve Self-Defense Official, marathon runner and ultramarathon runner. She is nicknamed Wakanan (ワカナン) and Wackana (ワッカーナ, Wakkāna). She is represented with N Force Promotion from Sun Music Production. Fukushima graduated from Hokkaido Hakodate Technical High School.
Midori Yajima (born 17 April 1979) is a Japanese sport shooter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 10…Midori Yajima (born 17 April 1979) is a Japanese sport shooter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 10 metre air rifle, finishing in 38th place, the men's 50 m rifle 3 positions, finishing in 39th place, and the men's 50 m rifle prone, finishing in 33rd place.
Kenji Inoue (井上 謙二, Inoue Kenji) (born November 5, 1976, in Kyoto) is a Japanese wrestler who won the bronze medal in…Kenji Inoue (井上 謙二, Inoue Kenji) (born November 5, 1976, in Kyoto) is a Japanese wrestler who won the bronze medal in the Men's Freestyle 60 kg at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Shuhei Taniguchi (谷口 周平, Taniguchi Shūhei; born October 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked…Shuhei Taniguchi (谷口 周平, Taniguchi Shūhei; born October 18, 1976) is a Japanese professional wrestler who has worked for Pro Wrestling Noah since his debut in December 2005. He is also known by the ring name Maybach Taniguchi (マイバッハ谷口, Maibahha Taniguchi), under which he portrays a villainous masked character.
Rear Admiral Ryoko Azuma (東 良子 Azuma Ryōko) (born December 10, 1973) is the first woman to become the chief of a…Rear Admiral Ryoko Azuma (東 良子 Azuma Ryōko) (born December 10, 1973) is the first woman to become the chief of a warship unit in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. She was also a member of the first female class at the National Defense Academy of Japan.
Takamitsu Katayama (片山 貴光, Katayama Takamitsu; born 21 September 1971) is a Japanese former amateur Greco-Roman…Takamitsu Katayama (片山 貴光, Katayama Takamitsu; born 21 September 1971) is a Japanese former amateur Greco-Roman wrestler, who competed in the men's middleweight category. Katayama wrestled for the Japanese squad in two editions of the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000), finishing eighth in Atlanta and seventeenth in Sydney, respectively. Outside the Games, Katayama produced a career tally of seven medals in a major international competition, two of which were awarded at the Asian Games (1994 and 1998). Katayama was also a member of the national wrestling squad under coach and three-time Olympian Yasutoshi Moriyama, while training full time at the Sports Club of Self-Defense Forces in Saitama Prefecture. Katayama came to prominence in international wrestling, when his country Japan hosted the 1994 Asian Games held in Hiroshima. There, he rounded off the podium with a bronze over Iranian wrestler and 1992 Olympian Ahad Javansalehi in the 74-kg division. At his maiden Olympics in Atlanta 1996, Katayama started the competition in the men's welterweight category (74 kg) with a powerful 13–2 triumph over Algeria's Youcef Bouguerra, before falling behind Finland's eventual silver medalist Marko Asell in his next bout by a 2–4 verdict. Facing German opponent Erik Hahn on the losers' circle, Katayama could not hold him tightly on the mat and lost the match 2–5. Originally placed tenth, Katayama upgraded his position to eighth, as two other wrestlers decided to forfeit the final consolation round. Katayama reached the peak of his wrestling career by winning the gold medal at the 1997 Asian Championships in Tehran, Iran. When he entered the 1998 Asian Games with the best chance to top the podium in the 76 kg category, Katayama narrowly missed a single point to subdue his Kazakh opponent Bakhtiyar Baiseitov (4–5) for gold in the final match, ending his second Asiad with a silver. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Katayama qualified for his second Japanese team in the men's middleweight division (76 kg) by placing seventh and securing a berth at the third Olympic Qualification Tournament in Alexandria, Egypt. Unlike his previous Games, Katayama lost his opening match 0–4 to the eventual champion Murat Kardanov of Russia and could not rally for points to break a 2–2 draw against Hungary's Tamás Berzicza upon the referee's decision, dropping him to the bottom of the prelim pool and seventeenth overall in the final standings. Shortly after the Games, Katayama retired from competitive wrestling to serve in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Captain Miho Otani (大谷 三穂) (born May 28, 1971) is an officer in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. She was the…Captain Miho Otani (大谷 三穂) (born May 28, 1971) is an officer in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. She was the first woman to become the captain of a naval training vessel and a destroyer. Otani was also a member of the first female class to enter the National Defense Academy of Japan.
Kimiya Yui (油井 亀美也; born 30 January 1970) is a Japanese astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)…Kimiya Yui (油井 亀美也; born 30 January 1970) is a Japanese astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and a retired fighter pilot with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. He was selected by JAXA in 2009.
Shoichiro Hokazono (外囿 祥一郎, Hokazono Shoichiro; born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese euphonium player and soloist. He…Shoichiro Hokazono (外囿 祥一郎, Hokazono Shoichiro; born December 4, 1969) is a Japanese euphonium player and soloist. He most notably played with the Central Band of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and plays on euphoniums made by Besson.
Kenkichi Nishimi (西見 健吉, Nishimi Kenkichi; born 27 April 1967) is a Japanese wrestler. He competed in the men's…Kenkichi Nishimi (西見 健吉, Nishimi Kenkichi; born 27 April 1967) is a Japanese wrestler. He competed in the men's Greco-Roman 57 kg at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
General Ken'ichirō Nagumo (南雲憲一郎, Kenichiro Nagumo) (2 October 1965) is a retired Japanese military general who served…General Ken'ichirō Nagumo (南雲憲一郎, Kenichiro Nagumo) (2 October 1965) is a retired Japanese military general who served as the first Joint Operations Commander of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Hiroaki Uchikura (内倉 浩昭, Uchikura Hiroaki; born January 11, 1965) is a Japanese military general who serves as the…Hiroaki Uchikura (内倉 浩昭, Uchikura Hiroaki; born January 11, 1965) is a Japanese military general who serves as the incumbent Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. General Uchikura previously served as the Chief of the Air Staff of the JASDF, commander of the Air Defense Command, and as wing commander of the 5th Air Wing. Born and raised from Tarumizu, Kagoshima, Uchikura served into various positions in the Air Self-Defense Force and later served as a fighter pilot flying the Mitsubishi F-15J. Uchikura later served into various administrative and staff positions within the Air Self Defense Force Staff Office and the Ministry of Defense, both being located in Ichigaya, Shinjuku, before being named in major positions such as being the commander of the Air Defense Command and later as the Chief of the Air Staff in March 2023.
General Shunji “Bert” Izutsu (井筒 俊司) is a former military officer of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force who most notably…General Shunji “Bert” Izutsu (井筒 俊司) is a former military officer of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force who most notably served as the branch’s 35th Chief of Staff From 2020 until his retirement in 2023.
Admiral Hiroyuki Kasui (糟井裕之, Kasui Hiroyuki; born 15 January 1963) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as…Admiral Hiroyuki Kasui (糟井裕之, Kasui Hiroyuki; born 15 January 1963) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as Commander of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 2019 to 2020. He was the 50th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Kazuki Yamashita, and was himself succeeded in 2020 by Hideki Yuasa.
General Yoshihide Yoshida (吉田 圭秀, Yoshida Yoshihide) (30 October 1962) is a Japanese retired military general who…General Yoshihide Yoshida (吉田 圭秀, Yoshida Yoshihide) (30 October 1962) is a Japanese retired military general who served as Chief of Staff, Joint Staff from March 2023 to August 2025. General Yoshida previously served as Chief of the Ground Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force from March 2021 to March 2023, and is the first person to become a General Officer in the JSDF that did not graduate from the National Defense Academy in over 30 years.
Hiroshi Yamamura (山村 浩, Yamamura Hiroshi; born 30 January 1962) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as the…Hiroshi Yamamura (山村 浩, Yamamura Hiroshi; born 30 January 1962) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as the 34th Chief of Staff of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) from March 2019 to March 2022.
General Kōji Yamazaki (山崎 幸二, Yamazaki Kōji) is a Japanese retired general who served as the Chief of Staff, Joint…General Kōji Yamazaki (山崎 幸二, Yamazaki Kōji) is a Japanese retired general who served as the Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces from April 2019 to March 2023. He previously served as the Chief of the Ground Staff at the JGSDF from August 2017 to March 2019.
Masahisa Sato (佐藤 正久, Satō Masahisa; born October 23, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Masahisa Sato (佐藤 正久, Satō Masahisa; born October 23, 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Fukushima Prefecture, he graduated from National Defense Academy of Japan with a major in applied physics and joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). In the JGSDF, he was the commander of the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group. After his retirement as colonel in 2007, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2007.
Kazuki Yamashita (山下万喜, Yamashita Kazuki; born 2 August 1960) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as…Kazuki Yamashita (山下万喜, Yamashita Kazuki; born 2 August 1960) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as Commander of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 2016 to 2019. He was the 49th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Yasuhiro Shigeoka, and was himself succeeded in 2019 by Hiroyuki Kasui.
Takashi Araya (荒谷 卓, Romanization: Araya Takashi, 1 January 1959 (Shōwa 34) - ) is a Japanese martial artist and…Takashi Araya (荒谷 卓, Romanization: Araya Takashi, 1 January 1959 (Shōwa 34) - ) is a Japanese martial artist and author, who is the director at Shiseikan, Meiji Shrine. He was a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force colonel and has organized the Special Forces Group (特殊作戦群, Tokushusakusengun) as the first leader.
Admiral Yasuhiro Shigeoka (重岡康弘, Shigeoka Yasuhiro; born 13 November 1958) is a retired Japanese naval officer who…Admiral Yasuhiro Shigeoka (重岡康弘, Shigeoka Yasuhiro; born 13 November 1958) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as Commander of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 2015 to 2016. He was the 48th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Eiichi Funada, and was himself succeeded in 2016 by Kazuki Yamashita.
Admiral Yutaka Murakawa (村川豊, Murakawa Yutaka; born 29 January 1958) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as…Admiral Yutaka Murakawa (村川豊, Murakawa Yutaka; born 29 January 1958) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as the 33rd chief of staff of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) from 2016 to 2019.
Kōichi Isobe (磯部晃一, Kōichi Isobe; born January 1958) is a retired lieutenant general in the Japan Ground Self-Defense…Kōichi Isobe (磯部晃一, Kōichi Isobe; born January 1958) is a retired lieutenant general in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He retired from active duty in August 2015, after thirty-five years of service in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. He currently serves as a strategic advisor to Kawasaki Heavy Industries. He also serves as senior fellow of Harvard University Asia Center and at the Asia Pacific Initiative Foundation.
Gen Nakatani (中谷 元, Nakatani Gen; born 14 October 1957) is a Japanese politician who was Director General of the Japan…Gen Nakatani (中谷 元, Nakatani Gen; born 14 October 1957) is a Japanese politician who was Director General of the Japan Defense Agency (now Japan Ministry of Defense) in the first cabinet of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2001-2002 and was appointed the Minister of Defense by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. Nakatani was again named to the position of Minister of Defense for the cabinet of Shigeru Ishiba in 2024.
Kiyofumi Iwata (born February 3, 1957) is a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force officer. He served as the 34th Chief of…Kiyofumi Iwata (born February 3, 1957) is a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force officer. He served as the 34th Chief of Staff of the Ground Self-Defense Force and the 33rd Commander of the Northern Army.
Tomohisa Takei (武居 智久, Takei Tomohisa; born January 12, 1957) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 32nd…Tomohisa Takei (武居 智久, Takei Tomohisa; born January 12, 1957) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 32nd Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Born in the Japanese prefecture of Nagano, Takei was commissioned into the JMSDF in March 1979 following his graduation from the 23rd class of National Defense Academy. After 35 years of service, Takei assumed position of JMSDF Chief of Staff in 2014.
Admiral Eiichi Funada (鮒田英一, Funada Eiichi; born 6 December 1955) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as…Admiral Eiichi Funada (鮒田英一, Funada Eiichi; born 6 December 1955) is a retired Japanese naval officer who served as Commander of the Self Defense Fleet of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from 2014 to 2015. He was the 47th Commander of the Self-Defense Fleet, succeeding Yasushi Matsushita, and was himself succeeded in 2015 by Yasuhiro Shigeoka.
Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi; born 28 November 1954) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th…Katsutoshi Kawano (河野 克俊, Kawano Katsutoshi; born 28 November 1954) is a retired Japanese admiral who served as the 5th Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces from 2014 to 2019 — the longest tenure of anyone who has held that specific post since its creation. Prior to his appointment, he was Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Japan's maritime military service.
Shigeru Iwasaki (岩崎茂, Iwasaki Shigeru; born February 3, 1953) is a Japanese military officer who was the 4th Chief of…Shigeru Iwasaki (岩崎茂, Iwasaki Shigeru; born February 3, 1953) is a Japanese military officer who was the 4th Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. A four-star General from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Iwasaki became the highest-ranking military officer in Japan and ranked third in the overall chain of command (after the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense).
Eiji Kimizuka (君塚栄治, Kimizuka Eiji; July 16, 1952 – December 28, 2015) was the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground…Eiji Kimizuka (君塚栄治, Kimizuka Eiji; July 16, 1952 – December 28, 2015) was the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the de facto army of Japan. He was promoted to four-star General and assumed the position on August 5, 2011.
Haruhiko Kataoka (片岡晴彦, Haruhiko Kataoka; born April 1952) was the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense…Haruhiko Kataoka (片岡晴彦, Haruhiko Kataoka; born April 1952) was the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the de facto air force of Japan.
Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi; born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served…Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi; born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served as the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A graduate of the National Defense Academy of Japan, he later returned to serve as vice-president of the Academy. He has served in multiple capacities, including the chiefs of staff of the GSDF Northern Army during the Iraq War, commanding officer of the Chūbu region Army Headquarters, and has even acted as a Japanese foreign representative when meeting officers of other countries.
Toshio Tamogami (田母神 俊雄, Tamogami Toshio; born July 22, 1948) is a retired Japan Air Self-Defense Force general and…Toshio Tamogami (田母神 俊雄, Tamogami Toshio; born July 22, 1948) is a retired Japan Air Self-Defense Force general and politician. He served as the Chief of Staff of the Air Self-Defense Force from March 2007 until his dismissal in October 31, 2008. Tamogami was dismissed in 2008 due to a controversial essay he wrote. In the essay, he denied that Japan was an aggressor in World War II and claimed that Japan had been drawn into the war by Chiang Kai-shek and Franklin D. Roosevelt. He also argued that Japan's wartime actions were not acts of aggression but were justified as self-defense and efforts to "liberate Asia from Western colonialism." Tamogami turned to politics following his retirement from the military. In 2014 he ran as a candidate for governor of Tokyo and for the House of Representatives; in which he both lost. He was arrested in April 2016 for alleged violations of campaign finance laws (illegal payments to supporters) in relation to his gubernatorial campaign. He made a political comeback in 2024 by running for the Tokyo gubernatorial election, but placed fourth and performed worse compared to his 2014 run. He has been described as a "champion of Japan's right wing". He denies that women were forced by the Empire of Japan into sex work as "comfort women" and that the Nanjing Massacre occurred.
Shigeo Nakata (中田 茂男, Nakata Shigeo; born 16 October 1945 in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic…Shigeo Nakata (中田 茂男, Nakata Shigeo; born 16 October 1945 in Asahikawa, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese wrestler and Olympic champion in Freestyle wrestling. He also won a gold medal at the 1967 World Wrestling Championships and at the 1966 Asian Games.
Yoshiyuki Miyake (三宅義行, Miyake Yoshiyuki; born 30 September 1945) is a Japanese former weightlifter who won a bronze…Yoshiyuki Miyake (三宅義行, Miyake Yoshiyuki; born 30 September 1945) is a Japanese former weightlifter who won a bronze medal in 1968 Summer Olympics, bronze medals in the 1965, 1966, and 1968 World Championships, gold medals in the 1969 and 1971 World Championships, and the 1970 Asian Games. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, his daughter Hiromi Miyake won a silver medal in Weightlifting in the 48kg category. He is a retired Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Colonel. Olympic and world champion weightlifter Yoshinobu Miyake is his brother.
Hikaru Saeki (佐伯 光, Saeki Hikaru; 3 April 1943 –) is the first female admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force…Hikaru Saeki (佐伯 光, Saeki Hikaru; 3 April 1943 –) is the first female admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the first female in the entire Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to achieve star rank. Originally an obstetrician-gynecologist with the degree of M.D., Saeki joined the JMSDF in 1989. After her service in several military hospitals and medical rooms aboard naval vessels, she became the first woman to head a JSDF hospital in 1997, promoted to rear admiral in 2001, and retired in 2003.
General Yuji Fujinawa (藤縄 祐爾, Fujinawa Yūji; born 22 September 1941) is a retired Japanese general who served in the…General Yuji Fujinawa (藤縄 祐爾, Fujinawa Yūji; born 22 September 1941) is a retired Japanese general who served in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. A lifelong career military officer, he began as an infantry officer. He was named Chief-of-Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in July 1997, and became Chairman of the Joint Staff Council in March 1999, his term ending in March 2001.
Satoshi Morimoto (森本 敏, Morimoto Satoshi; born 15 March 1941) is a Japanese politician, scholar and critic specializing…Satoshi Morimoto (森本 敏, Morimoto Satoshi; born 15 March 1941) is a Japanese politician, scholar and critic specializing in international politics and national security. He was Minister of Defense from July to December 2012, and is professor at Takushoku University and member of the Congressional Forum for New Japan.
Kōkichi Tsuburaya (円谷 幸吉, Tsuburaya Kōkichi) (born Kokichi Tsumuraya (円谷 幸吉, Tsumuraya Kōkichi); May 13, 1940 – January…Kōkichi Tsuburaya (円谷 幸吉, Tsuburaya Kōkichi) (born Kokichi Tsumuraya (円谷 幸吉, Tsumuraya Kōkichi); May 13, 1940 – January 9, 1968) was a Japanese athlete who competed mainly as a marathoner. Kokichi was also a 1st lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Yoshinobu Miyake (三宅 義信, Miyake Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1939) is a retired Japanese weightlifter and Japan Ground…Yoshinobu Miyake (三宅 義信, Miyake Yoshinobu; born November 24, 1939) is a retired Japanese weightlifter and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Lieutenant. He won one silver and two gold medals at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics and finished fourth in 1972. He also won world titles in 1962, 1963 and 1965–66. Between 1959 and 1969 Miyake set 25 official world records, including 10 consecutive records in the snatch and nine consecutive records in the total. In 1993 he was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame. Miyake was known for his signature "frog style" or "Miyake pull" lifting technique, in which he kept his heels together with knees spread outward to about 60 degrees with a wide grip on the bar, resembling a frog. After retiring from competitions Miyake coached the national weightlifting team. His brother Yoshiyuki Miyake and niece Hiromi Miyake also won Olympic medals in weightlifting. All three were shorter than 1.56 m (5 ft 2 in). Miyake was one of the flagbearers for Japan in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympics.
Goro Takeda (竹田 五郎) (24 October 1921 – 12 February 2020) was a Japanese military officer and military commentator who…Goro Takeda (竹田 五郎) (24 October 1921 – 12 February 2020) was a Japanese military officer and military commentator who served in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service during the Second World War reaching the rank of captain. In 1951 Takeda joined the newly formed National Police Reserve staying on when it was reorganized into the paramilitary National Safety Force in 1952 and again in 1954 when the NSF was absorbed into the new Japan Self-Defense Force, with Takeda joining the Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Over the course of his career in the JASDF Takeda held various command and staff positions including Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Force until his retirement in 1981.
Teruhiko Kobayashi (小林 照彦, Kobayashi Teruhiko, 17 November 1920 – 4 June 1957) was a Japanese fighter pilot during…Teruhiko Kobayashi (小林 照彦, Kobayashi Teruhiko, 17 November 1920 – 4 June 1957) was a Japanese fighter pilot during World War II and a flying ace of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. He began his flying career as a bomber pilot, but then rose to fame when he became the leader of the 244th Sentai, making him the youngest sentai leader in the IJAAF when he took command in November 1944. He was described as an excellent and charismatic leader by his men and under his command the 244th would become the most famous and successful aerial defense unit in Japan. While leading this unit he achieved five kills (three Boeing B-29 Superfortresses and two F6F "Hellcats") in the aerial defense of the Japanese Home Islands. He would survive the war and in 1954 join the newly created Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
Yasuhiko Kuroe (黒江 保彦, Kuroe Yasuhiko; 17 February 1918 – 5 December 1965) was a fighter ace in the Imperial Japanese…Yasuhiko Kuroe (黒江 保彦, Kuroe Yasuhiko; 17 February 1918 – 5 December 1965) was a fighter ace in the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II. He participated in various campaigns in Southeast Asia. He was officially credited with destroying 30 enemy aircraft. After the war he served in the new Japanese Self Defence Force (JSDF).
Hayao Kinugasa (衣笠駿雄, Kinugasa Hayao; February 2, 1915 – February 11, 2007) was a Japanese military officer who served…Hayao Kinugasa (衣笠駿雄, Kinugasa Hayao; February 2, 1915 – February 11, 2007) was a Japanese military officer who served in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second World War and post-war joined up with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) and its predecessor forces, namely the National Police Reserve (NPR). In the course of his career, he served in the JSDF's Joint Staff Council and was the first commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade before he retired to private life.
