Marie Yanaka (谷中 麻里衣; born August 30, 1990 in Tokyo) is a Japanese news caster, commentator, journalist and the 2011…Marie Yanaka (谷中 麻里衣; born August 30, 1990 in Tokyo) is a Japanese news caster, commentator, journalist and the 2011 winner of the Miss Nippon ("Miss Japan" in Japanese) beauty pageant. She graduated from the faculty of law at Keio University.
Jun Hori (堀 潤, Hori Jun; born July 9, 1977, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese journalist and host who is…Jun Hori (堀 潤, Hori Jun; born July 9, 1977, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese journalist and host who is represented by the talent agency North Production. He presided in the news site 8bitNews. He is a former NHK announcer.
Isoko Mochizuki (Japanese: 望月 衣塑子, Mochizuki Isoko; born 1975) is a Japanese newspaper journalist for Chunichi Shimbun…Isoko Mochizuki (Japanese: 望月 衣塑子, Mochizuki Isoko; born 1975) is a Japanese newspaper journalist for Chunichi Shimbun (Tokyo Shimbun), based in Nagoya. Mochizuki is the inspiration for the film The Journalist (Japanese: Shimbun Kisha; 2019), directed by Michihito Fujii and loosely based on a book of the same name by Mochizuki. She stars in the documentary film Documentary of the Journalist (2019) by Tatsuya Mori. Justin McCurry wrote in The Guardian that "Mochizuki specialises in a brand of robust questioning that many regard as the stock in trade of political reporters in Britain. In Japan, though, she is a rarity in a media landscape where avoiding confrontation is often accepted as the price for continued access to important government sources." In March 2019, about 600 people rallied in support of her at a protest in front of the prime minister's office. In 2018, she co-wrote a book with former The New York Times correspondent Martin Fackler about access journalism and media independence in Japan's major newspapers.
Mayuko Watanabe (渡辺 真由子, Watanabe Mayuko; born 1975) is a Japanese journalist and media scholar specialized in media…Mayuko Watanabe (渡辺 真由子, Watanabe Mayuko; born 1975) is a Japanese journalist and media scholar specialized in media literacy, gender and sexuality. She had been a Senior Researcher and lecturer at Keio University Research Institute. Her research interest through nearly 20 years of career including as a TV news reporter has been the way of regulatory policy of obscene expressions. She has published research and provided media commentary on the topics of media communication and literacy of Japanese obscene content. In 2017, Mayuko Watanabe was awarded a doctoral degree from Keio University and subsequently published a book based on her doctoral thesis. However, it was later revealed that a significant portion of the book consisted of unattributed quotations and plagiarized content. Similarly, her doctoral thesis was also found to be plagiarized. As a result, the publishing company Keisho Shobo discontinued the book and initiated a recall. In March 2018, Keio University revoked her doctoral degree.
Mei Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 メイ, romanized: Shigenobu Mei; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ me̞ː]; born March 1, 1973) is a Japanese…Mei Shigenobu (Japanese: 重信 メイ, romanized: Shigenobu Mei; IPA: [ɕiɡe̞no̞bɯ̟ me̞ː]; born March 1, 1973) is a Japanese journalist. She is the daughter of Japanese Red Army leader Fusako Shigenobu and of an unknown Palestinian who was reportedly a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Some news agencies have given her name as May Shigenobu.
Kaoru Akagawa (赤川 薫, Kaoru Akagawa, born 1973) is a Japanese contemporary artist. Akagawa's unique style of art, where…Kaoru Akagawa (赤川 薫, Kaoru Akagawa, born 1973) is a Japanese contemporary artist. Akagawa's unique style of art, where thousands of intricately interwoven kana meld to form larger images, is informed by her work as a calligrapher. Akagawa’s art has been featured and reviewed by CNN, The Guardian, Deutsche Welle and BBC Radio and featured by The Avant/Garde Diaries, a video magazine initiated by Mercedes-Benz. Akagawa has held exhibitions in Berlin, Paris, London and Tokyo. She has lectured at the University of Oxford, the University of London School of Advanced Study and the University of Zurich. Akagawa is also active as a railway journalist and photographer and writes for British and Japanese railway magazines.
Kazuhiro Soda (想田 和弘, Sōda Kazuhiro; born 1970 in Tochigi Prefecture) is a Japanese documentary filmmaker and author…Kazuhiro Soda (想田 和弘, Sōda Kazuhiro; born 1970 in Tochigi Prefecture) is a Japanese documentary filmmaker and author based in New York City. He is known for his observational method of documentary filmmaking. Soda obtained a degree in religious studies from the University of Tokyo in 1993 and a BFA in filmmaking from the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he has remained since, in 1997.
Tetsuo Nakanishi (中西 哲生, Nakanishi Tetsuo; born 8 September 1969) is a former Japanese football player. He currently…Tetsuo Nakanishi (中西 哲生, Nakanishi Tetsuo; born 8 September 1969) is a former Japanese football player. He currently works on television as a football commentator.
Fumiko Kono (Japanese: 狐野扶実子 born 1969) is a Japanese personal and business chef who prepares fusion dishes of French…Fumiko Kono (Japanese: 狐野扶実子 born 1969) is a Japanese personal and business chef who prepares fusion dishes of French and Japanese cuisine. Classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, she has cooked for celebrities throughout the world, been the featured subject of documentaries, and has written her own cookbooks.
Joshua Lawrence "Jake" Adelstein (born March 28, 1969) is an American journalist, crime writer, and blogger who has…Joshua Lawrence "Jake" Adelstein (born March 28, 1969) is an American journalist, crime writer, and blogger who has spent most of his career in Japan. He is the author of Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan, which inspired the 2022 Max original streaming television series Tokyo Vice, starring Ansel Elgort as Adelstein.
Kosuke Takahashi (高橋 浩祐, Takahashi Kōsuke; born October 13, 1968 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa) is a Japanese journalist. He…Kosuke Takahashi (高橋 浩祐, Takahashi Kōsuke; born October 13, 1968 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa) is a Japanese journalist. He contributes to IHS Jane's Defence, NK News, and Toyo Keizai Online among other media by writing in both English and Japanese. He is also currently a regular TV commentator of Tokyo MX's Morning Cross program. Takahashi worked as the senior online news editor at Thomson Reuters in Tokyo from April 2016 to January 2017, where he focuses on expanding its online news coverage across multiple digital channels. He was appointed editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Japan in September 2014 where he was in charge of overseeing all of the day-to-day editorial content and operations of the Huffington Post Japan. Previously, he has worked as Tokyo correspondent for IHS Jane's Defence Weekly from January 2009 to early September 2014, specializing in Japan's defense and politics as well as East Asian affairs such as on Sino-Japanese relations and Korean Peninsula issues. He also has worked for the Asahi Shimbun, Bloomberg News, Dow Jones Japan and The Wall Street Journal Japan as staff writer/editor, and Nikkei CNBC Japan as regular TV commentator. He used the pen name Kosuke Goto (後藤 浩祐, Goto Kosuke) at Bloomberg. His work has appeared in the International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, The Straits Times, Institutional Investor magazine, Asia Times Online, The Diplomat, NK News and Japan's Tokyo Keizai magazine, among other publications. His comments on international affairs have appeared in worldwide articles such as those of the Christian Science Monitor, the Australian, Italy's daily newspaper Il Foglio, the Taipei Times, the Ukrainian Week, China's Xinhua News Agency and South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo. The news media Takahashi has worked for: Tokyo Correspondent for The Diplomat, May 2023– Present Tokyo Correspondent for Janes Defence Weekly, January 2017– April 2023 Senior Online News Editor of Thomson Reuters, April 1, 2016– January 2017 Editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Japan, September 8, 2014– March 14, 2016 Tokyo Correspondent for IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, January 2009– September 7, 2014 Editor at Wall Street Journal Japan, Oct 2012 - Dec 2013 Senior Writer at Asia Times Online, May 2004– Sept 2012 TV Commentator at Nikkei CNBC Japan, March 2009– March 2012 (under his pen name Kosuke Goto) Freelancer for Institutional Investor Magazine, January 2009–December 2010 Staff Writer at Bloomberg News, July 2005 - Sept 2008 (under his pen name Kosuke Goto) Staff Writer at RIM Intelligence Co, Feb 2004 - May 2005 Intern at the Tokyo bureau of The New York Times, May- July, 2002 Copy Editor at Dow Jones Japan, 2000–2001 Staff Writer at The Asahi Shimbun, 1993–1999 Takahashi graduated from Keio University with a B.A. in economics in 1993. After working for The Asahi Shimbun and Dow Jones, he studied at Columbia University's Journalism School and School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and graduated with Master of Science in Journalism in 2003 and Master of International Affairs in 2004. Prior to joining the Asahi as a reporter in 1993, he worked for Baltimore Economic Development Corporation as an exchange trainee to a sister city program of Kawasaki City, and researched trade issues between the United States and Japan. He was awarded an Honorary citizenship of Baltimore for his work in 1988.
Eito Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 エイト, born 1968) is a pseudonymous Japanese investigative journalist who covers new religious…Eito Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木 エイト, born 1968) is a pseudonymous Japanese investigative journalist who covers new religious movements in the country. His primary area of editorial coverage is fraudulent missionary activities and the relationship between religious organizations and major political parties, primarily the Unification Church (UC) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Kenji Goto (後藤 健二, Gotō Kenji; 23 October 1967 – c. 31 January 2015) was a Japanese freelance video journalist covering…Kenji Goto (後藤 健二, Gotō Kenji; 23 October 1967 – c. 31 January 2015) was a Japanese freelance video journalist covering wars and conflicts, refugees, poverty, AIDS, and child education around the world. In October 2014, he was captured and held hostage by Islamic State (IS) militants after entering Syria in the hopes of rescuing Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa. On 31 January 2015, he was beheaded by his captors led by Kuwaiti-British militant Jihadi John following the breakdown of negotiations for his release.
Mika Yamamoto (山本 美香, Yamamoto Mika) (26 May 1967 – 20 August 2012) was a Japanese video and photojournalist for the…Mika Yamamoto (山本 美香, Yamamoto Mika) (26 May 1967 – 20 August 2012) was a Japanese video and photojournalist for the news agency Japan Press. Yamamoto was killed on 20 August 2012 while covering the Syrian Civil War in Aleppo, Syria. She was the first Japanese and fourth foreign journalist killed in the Syrian Civil War that began in March 2011. She was the fifteenth journalist killed in Syria in 2012. Yamamoto was a recipient of the Vaughn-Uyeda Memorial Prize of the Japanese Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association for her reporting of international affairs in 2004.
Martin Fackler (born November 16, 1966) is an American journalist and author. He has worked for more than two decades…Martin Fackler (born November 16, 1966) is an American journalist and author. He has worked for more than two decades as a foreign correspondent in Japan and China, including six years as Tokyo bureau chief for The New York Times. In 2012, his team was named as finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for its investigative coverage of the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. He has written or co-written eleven books in Japanese, including the best-seller Credibility Lost: The Crisis in Japanese Newspaper Journalism After Fukushima (Futabasha, 2012).
Masayoshi Toyoda (豊田 正義, Toyoda Masayoshi; born 1966) is a Japanese journalist and writer. In 1995, he also became the…Masayoshi Toyoda (豊田 正義, Toyoda Masayoshi; born 1966) is a Japanese journalist and writer. In 1995, he also became the founder of the Japanese men's liberation organization Men's Lib Tokyo. After his graduation from Waseda University, he went to New York City and worked as a reporter. He wrote books about domestic violence and child abuse in Japan. He leads men's liberation in Tokyo now. Toyoda also complained about the "Yellow cab" controversy. He wrote a book about serial killer Futoshi Matsunaga and his common-law wife Junko Ogata because their relationships seemed to be domestic violence.
Tatsuya Kato (加藤 達也, Katō Tatsuya, born 1966) is a Japanese journalist who was a Seoul bureau chief of South Korea at…Tatsuya Kato (加藤 達也, Katō Tatsuya, born 1966) is a Japanese journalist who was a Seoul bureau chief of South Korea at Sankei Shimbun. He was indicted in October 2014 on charges of defamation for reporting the relationship of President Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil's husband, Chung Yoon-hoi, by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office of the Republic of Korea after the MV Sewol sank. He was acquitted in December 2015 in what has been described as a small victory for freedom of the press in South Korea.
Sayaka Morohoshi (諸星清佳, Morohoshi Sayaka; born 24 February 1965) is a Japanese journalist. He is known for his books…Sayaka Morohoshi (諸星清佳, Morohoshi Sayaka; born 24 February 1965) is a Japanese journalist. He is known for his books and articles on modern China.
Akemi Masuda (Japanese: 増田 明美; born January 1, 1964) is a retired Japanese female long-distance runner. She competed…Akemi Masuda (Japanese: 増田 明美; born January 1, 1964) is a retired Japanese female long-distance runner. She competed for Japan at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, although she failed to finish the race. Masuda set her personal best in the classic distance (2:30:30) in 1983. She rose to prominence with a gold medal on the track over 3000 metres at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships and by winning the inaugural 20 km women's race at the Sapporo Half Marathon event. She continued to focus on road events and won at the 1982 Chiba Marathon and the 1983 Nike OTC Marathon. Her 2:30:30 at age 19 in that race was the World Junior Record. She was the runner-up at the 1984 Osaka Ladies Marathon, a result which led to her the starting line of the first Olympic women's marathon. Among her other results, she was third at the 1989 Hokkaido Marathon and took 19th place at the 1990 London Marathon.
Jōji Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 譲司, Hepburn: Yamamoto Jōji; born 20 September 1962) is a Japanese politician, journalist…Jōji Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本 譲司, Hepburn: Yamamoto Jōji; born 20 September 1962) is a Japanese politician, journalist and care worker who is the leader of the anti-establishment political party Party of Life (formerly named Reiwa Shinsengumi). He is a member of the House of Representatives and a former member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. As a social activist, he serves as a director of the rehabilitation and protection corporation "Doho-kai," a steering committee member of the "Life Reconstruction Counseling Center" of the Prisoner Support Organization, and a director of the Tokyo Rehabilitation and Protection Employment Support Providers Organization. After his election in the 2026 general election, he was appointed secretary general of Reiwa Shinsengumi. On 31 July 2026, Yamamoto was elected leader of Reiwa Shinsengumi following the resignation of Taro Yamamoto (no relation).
Toshinao Sasaki (佐々木 俊尚, Sasaki Toshinao; born December 5, 1961) is a Japanese freelance journalist and critic, a…Toshinao Sasaki (佐々木 俊尚, Sasaki Toshinao; born December 5, 1961) is a Japanese freelance journalist and critic, a regular writer for CNET Japan, and a one-time reporter for Mainichi Shimbun. He was born in Hyōgo Prefecture.
Masahiko Katsuya (勝谷 誠彦, Katsuya Masahiko) (6 December 1960 – 28 November 2018) was a Japanese journalist, columnist…Masahiko Katsuya (勝谷 誠彦, Katsuya Masahiko) (6 December 1960 – 28 November 2018) was a Japanese journalist, columnist, television commentator, photographer and author. After graduating from Waseda University, he joined the publishing company Bungeishunjū in 1985 and worked as a reporter and desk editor for publications including Shūkan Bunshun, Bungeishunjū and Marco Polo. His reporting assignments included the Cambodian Civil War and the Gulf War. Katsuya left Bungeishunjū in 1996 and subsequently worked independently as a columnist, writer and television personality. He appeared regularly on Japanese television programmes including Yajiuma Plus, Sukkiri!! and Takajin no Sokomade Itte Iinkai, and later hosted the Sun Television talk programme Katsuyama Sahiko Show. In 2017, he unsuccessfully stood as an independent candidate in the 2017 Hyōgo gubernatorial election.
Seiji Takeda (竹田 菁滋, Takeda Seiji; born 1960 in Nara Prefecture) is the deputy director of Mainichi Broadcasting…Seiji Takeda (竹田 菁滋, Takeda Seiji; born 1960 in Nara Prefecture) is the deputy director of Mainichi Broadcasting System's Tokyo office. Since beginning the network's 6:00 pm Saturday timeblock, he has been involved in the planning and production of numerous anime, including various series from the Gundam universe, Code Geass, Blood+, Fullmetal Alchemist, Eureka Seven, Terra e... and Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha.
Tetsuya Ota (太田 哲也, Ōta Tetsuya; born 6 November 1959) is a retired racing driver from Maebashi in the Gunma…Tetsuya Ota (太田 哲也, Ōta Tetsuya; born 6 November 1959) is a retired racing driver from Maebashi in the Gunma Prefecture, Japan. He survived a fiery multi-car pileup he was involved in during a JGTC race at Fuji Speedway on May 3, 1998, caused by a safety car which was driven at twice the recommended speed in torrential rain during a parade lap. Ota was seriously injured and, as a result, he brought a lawsuit against the race organizers.
Yūko Andō (安藤 優子, Andō Yūko; born 19 November 1958) is a Japanese television presenter and news anchor. She has headed…Yūko Andō (安藤 優子, Andō Yūko; born 19 November 1958) is a Japanese television presenter and news anchor. She has headed Fuji Television's Super News evening news programme alongside Tetsuo Suda since April 2000.
Takashi Uemura (植村 隆, Uemura Takashi) is a Japanese academic and former journalist who, while a reporter for The Asahi…Takashi Uemura (植村 隆, Uemura Takashi) is a Japanese academic and former journalist who, while a reporter for The Asahi Shimbun, wrote about comfort women. He later came under scrutiny for alleged inaccuracy of terminology and omissions of information. Rival newspapers attacked him for twisting the truth, and more far-right figures went so far as to accuse him of fabrication. His mother-in-law is Yang Sun-Im, a Korean activist who heads the Association for the Pacific War Victims and plaintiff groups for lawsuits by former comfort women. Yang was charged with fraudulently misleading donors to her organization, but has been acquitted, according to Uemura.
Satoshi Mitazono (三反園 訓, Mitazono Satoshi; born 13 February 1958) is a Japanese politician and journalist who is the…Satoshi Mitazono (三反園 訓, Mitazono Satoshi; born 13 February 1958) is a Japanese politician and journalist who is the former governor of Kagoshima Prefecture. He defeated the incumbent Yūichirō Itō at an election held on 10 July 2016.
Tomohiro Kojiri (Japanese: 小尻知博; December 12, 1957 – May 4, 1987) was a Japanese journalist for the Tokyo-based…Tomohiro Kojiri (Japanese: 小尻知博; December 12, 1957 – May 4, 1987) was a Japanese journalist for the Tokyo-based newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Kojiri was killed in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, near Osaka, during a shooting at the Asahi Shimbun bureau; the shooter also fired at two other people, injuring one. Investigators believed that Kojiri was targeted by a right-wing, political extremist group known as Sekihōtai (Japanese: 赤報隊), as Kojiri had written a story about Japanese discrimination against the Korean minority, and typed letters were sent in the group's name claiming responsibility. It was the first attack on a newspaper in Japan since 1972. The attack is known in Japan as the Asahi Shimbun Hanshin bureau attack [ja].
Hideya Sugio is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Sugio is part of the CDP's…Hideya Sugio is a Japanese politician who is a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Sugio is part of the CDP's shadow cabinet 'Next Cabinet' as the shadow Minister in Charge of the Cabinet.
Tōru Rokkawa (Japanese: 六川亨, Hepburn: Rokkawa Tōru; September 25, 1957 – November 17, 2025) was a Japanese soccer…Tōru Rokkawa (Japanese: 六川亨, Hepburn: Rokkawa Tōru; September 25, 1957 – November 17, 2025) was a Japanese soccer journalist and the editor-in-chief of the Japanese soccer magazine Soccer Digest.
Kenji Nagai (長井 健司, Nagai Kenji; August 27, 1957 – September 27, 2007) was a Japanese photojournalist who took many…Kenji Nagai (長井 健司, Nagai Kenji; August 27, 1957 – September 27, 2007) was a Japanese photojournalist who took many assignments to conflict zones and dangerous areas around the world. He was shot dead in Myanmar during the Saffron Revolution while filming. Nagai continued to take photographs as he lay wounded on the ground, later dying from gunshot injuries to the chest. The government of Myanmar claimed that the cause of his death was a stray bullet; this was later disproven. Despite carrying his camera during a protest in the Saffron Revolution, it later went missing, supposedly because a Myammar soldier had taken it. In 2023, the camera and footage were returned. He was the only foreign national killed in the protests.
Nobuteru Ishihara (石原 伸晃, Ishihara Nobuteru; born April 19, 1957) is a Japanese politician, who served as the…Nobuteru Ishihara (石原 伸晃, Ishihara Nobuteru; born April 19, 1957) is a Japanese politician, who served as the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2010 to 2012. Previously, he also served in the House of Representatives as representative from 1990 to 2021.
Nobuto Hosaka (保坂 展人, Hosaka Nobuto) (born 26 November 1955) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Setagaya…Nobuto Hosaka (保坂 展人, Hosaka Nobuto) (born 26 November 1955) is a Japanese politician and the current mayor of Setagaya in Tokyo. In addition, he was a member of the House of Representatives for the Social Democratic Party until 21 July 2009. Hosaka campaigned and won the mayor's job on an anti-nuclear platform in April 2011, just over a month after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. According to The Wall Street Journal, Hosaka "is determined to turn this city ward of 840,000 people, the largest in Tokyo, into the front-runner of a movement that will put an end to Japan's reliance on atomic power and accelerate the use of renewable energy". Hosaka opposes the death penalty, and held the position of secretary general of the Parliamentary League for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. He is also highly critical of continued Japanese moral panic against the Otaku subculture in the nation, with one notable case of criticism displayed against public and media related assumptions and gossip surrounding the incidents of 17 November 2004, when Kaoru Kobayashi murdered a 7-year-old girl. In 2006 and 2007, Hosaka joined the gay parade in Tokyo. Mizuho Fukushima, then-leader of the Social Democratic Party, also joined the event with him in 2007.
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.
Kazuo Shimizu (Shinjitai: 清水 和夫, born 11 February 1954, in Tokyo) is a Japanese racing driver. Shimizu was also active…Kazuo Shimizu (Shinjitai: 清水 和夫, born 11 February 1954, in Tokyo) is a Japanese racing driver. Shimizu was also active as a rally driver and later as a touring car racer. He won second place in the 1992 All Japan Touring Car Championship. His teammate at this time was Tom Kristensen. Since 1994, he has participated in the JTCC from the privateer team. He participated in Japanese races, and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. He is currently an international motoring journalist.
Mo Bangfu (莫邦富, Baku Hōfu) (1953-) is a Chinese columnist and economist based in Japan. Mo taught the Japanese language…Mo Bangfu (莫邦富, Baku Hōfu) (1953-) is a Chinese columnist and economist based in Japan. Mo taught the Japanese language at Shanghai International Studies University before obtaining his master's and doctoral degree in 1985 in Japan. Since 1995, he has been serving as a committee member of the program review conference of Tokyo MX. The position was unprecedented for foreigners working in Japanese media, which thus led him to be a person carrying a symbolic importance for Japan's globalization. Since the late 80s, he has been active in Japanese public life and more than 50 books of his in Japanese have been published. He has been an authoritative source introducing China. The Hong Kong financial magazine Weekly Economy News reported, "Mo BangFu’s name is like a brand to spread Chinese culture that is widely known by the Japanese media and cultural industry, and the local Chinese community". From April 1999 to March 2002, Mo hosted a special column, "My View of China", on NHK to introduce the historic path and the current outlook of China after the execution of the opening-door policy. His column in the Asahi Shimbun began in 2002 and has been highly regarded by Japanese readers. From January 2005, "Mo BangFu’s China Business Guide", a special column sponsored by Nikkei Business Publications for the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, started to be aired (). In June 2006, Bangfu launched "Successful Guide – Talk about China Business" on J TOP magazine, the most well-known monthly journal heavily read by financial moguls and decision makers working for the government. In addition, he has series of influential publications online for more than ten years, such as "Mo BangFu’s New China’s Matter", published by the NHK publishing and other media companies. Every year, Mo BangFu is invited as a public speaker by Japanese regional governments, economy associations, banks, financial groups, airliners, and multinational corporations. He has done more than 100 speeches inside Japan as well as around the world. The audience of his speech includes leaders of the regional government and the financial industry, as well as entrepreneurs. BangFu was praised as the best investment advisor for Japanese corporations, in the 2004 October issue of magazine The East. "Japan corporations, who want to invest in China, may not need MBA, but they cannot do it without MBF (Mo BangFu)." (Yoshinori Tandou, Toyo University) Other than the program review conference committee member in MXTV, he held the position of corporate image counselor for OMRON from 2001 to 2005. Since 2003, he has been serving as the only foreigner advisor for "Nippon Keidanren" (Japan Business Federation), the largest economic association in Japan. He also serves as a senior advisor for Hakuhodo, Japan's largest advertising company, and other titles in Japanese society. Since he was invited by Yamanashi Prefecture in July 2007, he has been serving as the only foreigner committee member for the prefecture's Travel Roundtable Panel. Since September 2007, he has been serving as a counselor of the Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation. Since 2004, he has been hired as an economy counselor for Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China, and a senior counselor of Free Trade Zone for Qingdao, Shandong, China. Since August 2007, he has been hired as the ambassador of commerce for Luohe, Henan, China.
Masataka Matsutoya (松任谷 正隆, Matsutōya Masataka; born November 19, 1951) is a Japanese arranger, composer, music…Masataka Matsutoya (松任谷 正隆, Matsutōya Masataka; born November 19, 1951) is a Japanese arranger, composer, music producer, and motor journalist. He currently resides in Setagaya, Tokyo. He is a graduate of Keio Senior High School and Keio University (literature department). His wife is singer-songwriter, composer, and lyricist Yumi Matsutoya (née Arai). His mother, Kazuko, is the auditor of Kirarasha, the firm Masataka established after his marriage to Arai.
Takao Ogawa (小川隆夫, born August 7, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese novelist, music journalist, music producer…Takao Ogawa (小川隆夫, born August 7, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese novelist, music journalist, music producer, composer, guitarist, and orthopedic surgeon. He is known for his work in various music fields, particularly jazz, and as a complete collector of Blue Note. Ogawa learned classical guitar at a young age and formed a band in high school. He later pursued a career in medicine while playing jazz guitar in a band. Over the next forty years, Ogawa has written liner notes for more than 3,000 records and CDs of American/European/Japanese jazz musicians and produced CDs. He interviewed more than 1,000 musicians and related people among whom Miles Davis (1985-1990), Art Blakey (1982-1991), Sonny Rollins (1986-2001), Oscar Peterson (1987), Dexter Gordon (1982-1984), Herbie Hancock (1985-2019), Keith Jarrett (2001), Charlie Watts (1989,1990), Toshiko Akiyoshi (1984-2016), Sadao Watanabe (1985-2021), Terumasa Hino(1983-2021), Alfred Lion (1985,1986), Bob Weinstock (1999), Orrin Keepnews (2000), and Creed Taylor. (2009) Ogawa befriended Miles Davis in 1985 and wrote seven books about him. He has written many articles and books mainly about jazz and formed Selim Slive Elementz, an electric free jazz rock band in 2016, in homage to Miles Davis. In 1992, Ogawa produced albums by Kenny Werner, Dennis Chambers, Marc Copland, the keyboardist Adam Holzman who played with Miles Davis, Bob Mintzer, Curtis Fuller, and other artists at Flatout productions. Ogawa is Director of Orthopedics at Central Clinic in Tokyo, Japan.
Yoko Komiyama (小宮山 洋子, Komiyama Yōko; born 17 September 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Yoko Komiyama (小宮山 洋子, Komiyama Yōko; born 17 September 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Yuji Sawa (沢 雄二, Sawa Yūji; April 22, 1948 – January 3, 2025) was a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Osaka and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 after working at Fuji Television where he produced news and opinion shows. He died of pneumonia on January 3, 2025, at the age of 76.
Terutomo Yamazaki (山崎 照朝, Yamazaki Terutomo; July 31, 1947 – June 22, 2025) was a Japanese karateka from the Kyokushin…Terutomo Yamazaki (山崎 照朝, Yamazaki Terutomo; July 31, 1947 – June 22, 2025) was a Japanese karateka from the Kyokushin Kaikan (極真会館) and professional lightweight kickboxer. He was the founder of Gyakushin-Kai (逆真会館) and a Director of Karate in Japan. He presided over the International Budo Karate Organization Gyakushin-Kai from the headquarters of the organization (honbu) in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama, Japan. His title as head of the Gyakushin-Kai organization was "Kancho" (Grandmaster - 7th Dan). Yamazaki was the first champion of the All-Japan Full Contact Karate Open Championships in 1969, and made Kyokushin famous through his accomplishments. Because he fought and defeated Muay Thai boxers, he created a reputation for Kyokushin before the First All-Japan Open Full Contact Karate Championships was held. Yamazaki was highly skilled at and an authority on fighting and breaking. When he fought someone, it was usual that he knocked them out without receiving any injuries himself. He was nicknamed "The Genius Karate Fighter" or "The Dragon of Kyokushin", and when he was an active fighter, he was the most popular figure of the time. He showed off his mixed karate and Muai Thai style of fighting at both full contact karate open championships and kickboxing, and was noted internationally as a prominent fighter in karate's history, appearing in Black Belt Magazine in the United States.
Yoshiko Sakurai (櫻井 よしこ, Sakurai Yoshiko; born 10 October 1945, Hanoi, French Indochina) is a Japanese journalist, TV…Yoshiko Sakurai (櫻井 よしこ, Sakurai Yoshiko; born 10 October 1945, Hanoi, French Indochina) is a Japanese journalist, TV presenter, writer, and political activist. She is also president of the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, established in 2007.
Yoshiko Miya (Japanese: 宮淑子, romanized: Miya Yoshiko; 18 February 1945 – 4 April 2015) was a Japanese freelance writer…Yoshiko Miya (Japanese: 宮淑子, romanized: Miya Yoshiko; 18 February 1945 – 4 April 2015) was a Japanese freelance writer and journalist, social critic and feminist. She published one of the first books about sexual violence experienced by Japanese women and the impact of recently implemented laws in 1984.
Peeco (ピーコ, Pīko; born Katsuaki Sugiura (杉浦 克昭, Sugiura Katsuaki), 18 January 1945 - 3 September 2024) was a Japanese…Peeco (ピーコ, Pīko; born Katsuaki Sugiura (杉浦 克昭, Sugiura Katsuaki), 18 January 1945 - 3 September 2024) was a Japanese tarento, fashion critic, journalist, and chanson singer. His younger identical twin brother is film critic Osugi, they both came out gay during their debut and took his advantage as a tarento and commentator. On 20 October 2024, it was announced that Peeco had died on 3 September of that year due to sepsis as a result of multiple organ failure.
Hajime Takano (高野 孟, Takano Hajime; born April 17, 1944 in Tokyo) is a Japanese journalist, the editor-in-chief for the…Hajime Takano (高野 孟, Takano Hajime; born April 17, 1944 in Tokyo) is a Japanese journalist, the editor-in-chief for the magazine Insider. He graduated from Waseda University with a major in philosophy and is a former member of the Japan Socialist Party.
Toshiyuki Maesaka (前坂 俊之, Maesaka Toshiyuki) is a Japanese freelance journalist, a former senior researcher of Mainichi…Toshiyuki Maesaka (前坂 俊之, Maesaka Toshiyuki) is a Japanese freelance journalist, a former senior researcher of Mainichi Shimbun Newspaper, and a professor emeritus at the University of Shizuoka.