Kazumi Kotani (小谷一美, Kotani Kazumi; born April 3, 1957) better known by the ring name Daikokubō Benkei (大黒坊弁慶) is a…Kazumi Kotani (小谷一美, Kotani Kazumi; born April 3, 1957) better known by the ring name Daikokubō Benkei (大黒坊弁慶) is a former Japanese sumo wrestler and professional wrestler best known for his time in the Japanese promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW).
Akiko Nishina (仁科亜希子) (born 3 April 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. Once 仁科明子, her name is now 仁科亜季子, after…Akiko Nishina (仁科亜希子) (born 3 April 1953 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. Once 仁科明子, her name is now 仁科亜季子, after divorcing from Hiroki Matsukata, an actor in Japan.
Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani…Wakanohana Kanji (Japanese: 若乃花 幹士; 3 April 1953 — 16 July 2022) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Ōwani, Aomori. He was the sport's 56th yokozuna. He was popular with sumo fans and was well-known for his rivalry with Kitanoumi. After retirement, he became the head coach of Magaki stable. Due to poor health, he left the Japan Sumo Association in December 2013. He died of lung cancer in July 2022 at the age of 69.
Ramo Nakajima (中島らも, Nakajima Ramo; April 3, 1952 – July 26, 2004) was a Japanese cult novelist, essayist, and…Ramo Nakajima (中島らも, Nakajima Ramo; April 3, 1952 – July 26, 2004) was a Japanese cult novelist, essayist, and copywriter. He also appeared frequently on Japanese TV as an actor. He was born in Amagasaki City, Hyōgo Prefecture. He received eighth place in his entrance exam to the prestigious Nada High School, and continued to the Osaka University of Arts, where he graduated from the school of broadcasting. He then worked for a publishing company for five years, where he became famous for his catchy advertisements and commercials. He was given his own advice column in Asahi Shimbun, called the "Lighthearted Worry Column", which highlighted his strange and unique sense of humor and made him a household name. He began to work as a freelance copywriter in 1987, and in his free time, wrote the novels that would give him his cult following in Japan, as well as a variety of rakugo, essays, scripts and short stories. His best-known works include the novels Tonight, from Every Bar in Town (13th Eiji Yoshikawa New Author Prize), The Pigs of Gadara (Mystery Writers of Japan Award), and The Night of Human Models (Naoki Prize). After his success in novels, he then expanded into theater, producing Laugh-to-Death Lilliput Army, as well as creating his own rock band, PISS, of which he was the lead singer and guitar player. After the band dissolved, he then formed Ramo and the Mother's Boys, where he played rhythm guitar and sang. Nakajima was known for his wild lifestyle and his constant use of drugs and alcohol. His appearances on television in the late 1990s and early 2000s were always an audience draw because of his slurred speech—probably from years of alcohol and drug abuse—and humorous personality. He was arrested and convicted of marijuana possession in 2003; he was sentenced to five years incarceration. He was put into a mental hospital for a brief period, and then served his 10-month sentence, with a suspended sentence of five years. He then released an essay about his trials in prison called "The Prison Diet". After his release, he plunged back into alcoholism. On July 15, 2004, after drinking late at a bar, he fell down a staircase and suffered serious head injuries. He never recovered, dying on July 26, 2004.
Keigo Masuya (桝屋 敬悟, Masuya Keigo; born 3 April 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a…Keigo Masuya (桝屋 敬悟, Masuya Keigo; born 3 April 1951) is a former Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Abu District, Yamaguchi and graduate of the Soka University, he worked at the government of Yamaguchi Prefecture from 1975 to 1992. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993.
Kenji Uchino is an American electronics engineer, physicist, academic, inventor and industry executive. He is currently…Kenji Uchino is an American electronics engineer, physicist, academic, inventor and industry executive. He is currently an academy professor of Electrical Engineering, Emeritus Academy Institute at Pennsylvania State University, where he also directs the International Center for Actuators and Transducers at Materials Research Institute. He is the former associate director (US Navy Ambassador to Japan) at The US Office of Naval Research – Global Tokyo Office. Uchino has conducted extensive research on solid state physics, focusing especially on ferroelectrics and piezoelectrics. He is one of the pioneers in piezoelectric actuators and electro-optic displays and is the inventor of topics including lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-based electrostricive materials, cofired multilayer piezoelectric actuators, superior electromechanical coupling relaxor-PbTiO_3 single crystals, magnetoelectric laminated composite sensors, shape memory ceramics, and micro ultrasonic motors. Uchino's work has resulted in over 584 research papers, over 78 books and 33 patents in the ceramic actuator area. Uchino is a Life Fellow of IEEE, American Ceramic Society and International Association of Advanced Materials, and a senior member of National Academy of Inventors. He chaired the Smart Actuators/Sensors Study Committee in Japan from 1987 till 2014. Uchino is the Editor in Chief of J. Actuators, MDPI, J. Current Applied Materials, J. Current Mechanics and Advanced Materials, Bentham Science Pub. Ltd., and J. Insight-Material Science, PiscoMed Publishing LLT.
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.
Naoko Otani (大谷直子, Ōtani Naoko; born April 3, 1950 in Sumida, Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. She made her screen debut…Naoko Otani (大谷直子, Ōtani Naoko; born April 3, 1950 in Sumida, Tokyo) is a Japanese actress. She made her screen debut in The Human Bullet while still a high school student, and became popular for her role in the NHK Asadora television programme Nobuko to Obāchan (信子とおばあちゃん, Nobuko and Grandmother) in 1969. She published a collection of nude photos while pregnant. She has been married twice.
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.
Suh Sung (Korean: 서승; born 3 April 1945) is a Zainichi Korean academic and writer. He was previously a Professor of…Suh Sung (Korean: 서승; born 3 April 1945) is a Zainichi Korean academic and writer. He was previously a Professor of International Studies at Ritsumeikan University and a research advisor at the Ritsumeikan Center for Korean Studies. His specializations include contemporary Korean law and politics, human rights law in East Asia, and comparative human rights law. Born in Kyoto to Zainichi Korean parents, Suh spent his early life in Japan before moving to South Korea to continue his postgraduate studies. In 1971, after returning from a trip to Japan to see his family, Suh was arrested by South Korean authorities and accused of being a North Korean spy. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment and spent the next 19 years in prison before being released in 1990.
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.
Seiichi Motohashi (本橋 成一, Motohashi Seiichi; 1940 – December 20, 2025) was a Japanese photographer and film director.…Seiichi Motohashi (本橋 成一, Motohashi Seiichi; 1940 – December 20, 2025) was a Japanese photographer and film director. He died on December 20, 2025, at the age of 85.
Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa…Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, serving three terms from 1998 until 2010. In 2009 he announced he would not contest the 2010 election and was succeeded by Keizō Hamada.
Kazuo Iwamura (いわむらかずお, Iwamura Kazuo; Original kanji: 岩村 和朗, 3 April 1939 – 19 December 2024) was a children's book…Kazuo Iwamura (いわむらかずお, Iwamura Kazuo; Original kanji: 岩村 和朗, 3 April 1939 – 19 December 2024) was a children's book author. The French newspaper Libération wrote that he was "well-known" ("mondialement connu") for his series of books about anthropomorphic mice.
Takeshi Noma (Japanese: 野間赳 Noma Takeshi; 3 April 1934 – 11 March 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of the…Takeshi Noma (Japanese: 野間赳 Noma Takeshi; 3 April 1934 – 11 March 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1992 to 2004. Noma died on 11 March 2023, at the age of 88.
Keiji Ogushi (大串 啓二, Ōgushi Keiji; 3 April 1934 – 17 March 2020) was a Japanese hurdler who competed in the 1956 Summer…Keiji Ogushi (大串 啓二, Ōgushi Keiji; 3 April 1934 – 17 March 2020) was a Japanese hurdler who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics, in the 1960 Summer Olympics, and in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He died on 17 March 2020 from pneumonia.
Ineko Arima (有馬稲子, Arima Ineko; born 3 April 1932) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in films of…Ineko Arima (有馬稲子, Arima Ineko; born 3 April 1932) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in films of directors such as Yasujirō Ozu, Mikio Naruse and Kon Ichikawa. In 1954, Arima co-founded Ninjin Club with Keiko Kishi and Yoshiko Kuga.
Shinichiro Sakurai (桜井 眞一郎, Sakurai Shin'ichirō; 1929–2011) was a Japanese engineer for Prince Motor Company and later…Shinichiro Sakurai (桜井 眞一郎, Sakurai Shin'ichirō; 1929–2011) was a Japanese engineer for Prince Motor Company and later Nissan. He continued to work in the automotive field up until his death. He is best known for the development of several generations of the Nissan Skyline, earning him the nickname "Father of the Skyline".
Zenzō Matsuyama (松山 善三, Matsuyama Zenzō; 3 April 1925 – 27 August 2016) was a Japanese screenwriter and film director.…Zenzō Matsuyama (松山 善三, Matsuyama Zenzō; 3 April 1925 – 27 August 2016) was a Japanese screenwriter and film director. He was born in Kobe and grew up in Yokohama. After leaving school, he began training to become a doctor but dropped out of medical school to take up a career in films. In 1948 he became an assistant director at Shochiku studios. With the support of Keisuke Kinoshita, he also began writing film scripts. His first filmed script was Kojo no tsuki, based on the song "Kōjō no Tsuki", filmed in 1954. In 1955 he married actress Hideko Takamine. He made his debut as a director with a film called Na mo naku mazushiku utsukushiku in 1961. He continued to work as a scriptwriter for films like Proof of the Man as well as a director. He also wrote the lyrics for a song "Ippon no enpitsu" for Hibari Misora.
Takeo Matsubara (松原武生, Takeo Matsubara; April 3, 1921 - December 15, 2014) was a Japanese physicist. Matsubara proposed…Takeo Matsubara (松原武生, Takeo Matsubara; April 3, 1921 - December 15, 2014) was a Japanese physicist. Matsubara proposed a method of statistical mechanics related to Green's function (many-body theory), by applying quantum field theory techniques to statistical physics. This method, commonly known as Matsubara Green's function technique, introduces the notion of imaginary time, and the reciprocal variable to this imaginary time is known as discrete Matsubara frequency. Matsubara graduated from Osaka Imperial University, and worked as full professor in Hokkaido University, Kyoto University, and Okayama University of Science. He was the winner of the Nishina Memorial Prize in 1961, and took the directorship of the Physical Society of Japan. His work with Yukata Toyozawa on impurity bands in semiconductors has led to the Matsubara-Toyozawa model that describes the motion of an electron in a random lattice. His research interests were dielectric materials, superconductivity and superfluidity. He wrote various physics textbooks in Japanese.
Yoshibayama Junnosuke (Japanese: 吉葉山 潤之輔; April 3, 1920 – November 26, 1977), real name Ikeda Junnosuke (池田 潤之輔), was a…Yoshibayama Junnosuke (Japanese: 吉葉山 潤之輔; April 3, 1920 – November 26, 1977), real name Ikeda Junnosuke (池田 潤之輔), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Atsuta District, Hokkaido. He was the sport's 43rd yokozuna. He suffered a number of injuries and only won one tournament championship, but was a popular wrestler. He was a runner-up five times, and earned three special prizes and two gold stars in his top division career. After his retirement in 1958 he revived and led the Miyagino stable until his death in 1977.
Haruhiko Kindaichi (金田一 春彦, Kindaichi Haruhiko; 1913–2004) was a Japanese linguist and a scholar of Japanese…Haruhiko Kindaichi (金田一 春彦, Kindaichi Haruhiko; 1913–2004) was a Japanese linguist and a scholar of Japanese linguistics (国語学, kokugogaku). He was well known as an editor of Japanese dictionaries and his research in Japanese dialects and accents. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his efforts. He was awarded a Doctor of Literature degree at Tokyo University in 1962. He was given official commendation as someone who has performed special service in the field of culture and an honorary citizen of the Tokyo Metropolitan District.
Kim Whanki (Korean: 김환기; Hanja: 金煥基; April 3, 1913 – July 25, 1974) was a Korean painter and pioneering abstract…Kim Whanki (Korean: 김환기; Hanja: 金煥基; April 3, 1913 – July 25, 1974) was a Korean painter and pioneering abstract artist. Kim lived and worked in a number of cities and countries during his lifetime, including Tokyo, Japan; Seoul and Busan, Korea; Paris, France; and New York City, USA, where he died. Kim belongs to the first generation of Korean Abstract artists, mixing oriental concepts and ideals with abstraction. With refined and moderated formative expression based on Korean Lyricism, he created his characteristic art world. His artworks largely dealt with diverse hues and patterns. Kim's early works were semi-abstract paintings which allowed viewers to see certain forms, but his later works were more deeply absorbed abstract paintings, filled with lines and spaces. The artist's partner Hyang-an Kim established the Whanki Foundation in 1978 and opened the Whanki Museum in 1992. The Museum, located in Seoul, was built by Korean American architect Kyu Sung Woo. A pioneer of abstract painting and the godfather of the Dansaekhwa movement, Whanki Kim established his place in Korean history and art at an early age. Whanki Kim was an artist whose profound impact on the history of Korean art was seen in the first wave of abstract art. His nomadic lifestyle led him to many different places, like Japan, France, and the U.S., which differentiated his artwork from other artists, who created their art based in Korea, due to the lack of opportunities for travel. As a peripatetic artist gaining inspiration from artists of other origins, Whanki Kim's style of abstract art transformed from geometric abstraction to art with traditional Korean motifs to monochrome paintings of dots and lines. He balanced keeping Korean values and beliefs close and incorporating new foreign techniques into his works, which evidently reflect his personal identity and Korea's national identity, impacted by the political and social conditions of the mid-1900s.
Tokiharu Abe (阿部 宗明, Abe Tokiharu; 3 April 1911 – 9 August 1996) was a Japanese ichthyologist and a government official…Tokiharu Abe (阿部 宗明, Abe Tokiharu; 3 April 1911 – 9 August 1996) was a Japanese ichthyologist and a government official of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Shigeru Sugiura (杉浦 茂, Sugiura Shigeru; 3 April 1908 – 23 April 2000) was a Japanese manga artist famous for his…Shigeru Sugiura (杉浦 茂, Sugiura Shigeru; 3 April 1908 – 23 April 2000) was a Japanese manga artist famous for his surreal, nonsense gag manga.
Takeso Shimoda (下田 武三, Shimoda Takezō; 3 April 1907 – 22 January 1995) was a Japanese diplomat who served as ambassador…Takeso Shimoda (下田 武三, Shimoda Takezō; 3 April 1907 – 22 January 1995) was a Japanese diplomat who served as ambassador to the United States and a justice in the Supreme Court of Japan.
Nishizō Tsukahara (塚原 二四三, Tsukahara Nishizō; April 3, 1887 – January 10, 1966), was an admiral in the Imperial…Nishizō Tsukahara (塚原 二四三, Tsukahara Nishizō; April 3, 1887 – January 10, 1966), was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.
Ōtori Tanigorō (Japanese: 鳳 谷五郎; April 3, 1887 – November 16, 1956) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from…Ōtori Tanigorō (Japanese: 鳳 谷五郎; April 3, 1887 – November 16, 1956) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Inzai, Chiba Prefecture. He was the sport's 24th yokozuna.
Kita Ikki (北 一輝, Kita Ikki; 3 April 1883 – 19 August 1937; real name: Kita Terujirō (北 輝次郎)) was a Japanese author and…Kita Ikki (北 一輝, Kita Ikki; 3 April 1883 – 19 August 1937; real name: Kita Terujirō (北 輝次郎)) was a Japanese author and political philosopher who was active in early Shōwa period Japan. Drawing from an eclectic range of influences, Kita was a self-described socialist who has also been described by detractors as the "ideological father of Japanese fascism", though this has been highly contested, as his writings touched equally upon pan-Asianism, Nichiren Buddhism, fundamental human rights and egalitarianism and he was involved with Chinese revolutionary circles. While his publications were invariably censored and he ceased writing after 1923, Kita was an inspiration for elements on the far-right of Japanese politics into the 1930s, particularly his advocacy for territorial expansion and a military coup. The government saw Kita's ideas as disruptive and dangerous; in 1936 he was arrested for allegedly joining the failed coup attempt of 26 February 1936 and executed on 19 August 1937.
Takashi Nagatsuka (長塚 節, Nagatsuka Takashi; April 3, 1879–February 8, 1915) was a Japanese poet and novelist. According…Takashi Nagatsuka (長塚 節, Nagatsuka Takashi; April 3, 1879–February 8, 1915) was a Japanese poet and novelist. According to prominent historian Ann Waswo, Nagatsuka Takashi was born into a landowning family. Nagatsuka was born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan in Kosshō Village (国生村), itself in Ishige Town (石下町), which forms modern day Joso City (常総市). In 1896, poor health forced him to stop his middle-school education in Mito. In accordance with his duties as eldest son, he assisted his mother Taka in managing their six acres of arable land. He started experimenting in 1905 with different fertilizers, crop-rotation, charcoal-production, and commercial-grade bamboo-production. These are just some of his attempts to save the family's finances from the political career of his father Genjiro (who was elected during the late 1880s to the prefectural assembly), since he tended to absorb other people's debts. In Tokyo, he studied poetry with Masaoka Shiki from 1900 until 1902, when Shiki died of tuberculosis. His only novel The Soil ("土;" "Tsuchi") was published in 151-installment series from June–November of 1910 in the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun (東京朝日新聞), which eventually became today's Asahi Shimbun. Two years after its newspaper serialization, The Soil was published as a complete work in book form in 1912. The novel depicts life in rural Japan and in Kosshō Village. The characters are based on actual people, although their names are altered. The novel's copyright expired in the mid-1960s. He died of laryngeal tuberculosis on February 8, 1915.
Hiraide Shū (平出 修; 3 April 1878 – 17 March 1914) was a novelist, poet, and lawyer in late Meiji period Japan. As a…Hiraide Shū (平出 修; 3 April 1878 – 17 March 1914) was a novelist, poet, and lawyer in late Meiji period Japan. As a lawyer, he was noted for his involvement in the defense of the accused in the High Treason Incident.
Ōikari Montarō (大碇 紋太郎; February 22, 1869 – January 27, 1930) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chita…Ōikari Montarō (大碇 紋太郎; February 22, 1869 – January 27, 1930) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Chita District, Owari Province (now Handa, Aichi Prefecture). Wrestling for the Tokyo-based Sumo Association, he made his debut in May 1885 at Isenoumi stable. He reached the makuuchi division in January 1893 and reached the rank of ōzeki in 1895. Because he later wrestled for the Kyoto-based Sumo Association, he was awarded a yokozuna license by the Gōjō family in April 1899. However, since this yokozuna license was not issued by the Yoshida family, he is not recognized by the Japan Sumo Association as being on the list of official yokozuna. Although he retired from the Tokyo Sumo Association in 1898, his final retirement date is unknown.
