Kakeru Kumagai (熊谷 翔, Kumagai Kakeru; born 5 January 2002) is a Japanese badminton player who competes in men's…Kakeru Kumagai (熊谷 翔, Kumagai Kakeru; born 5 January 2002) is a Japanese badminton player who competes in men's doubles. A left-handed player, he is a member of the Japanese national team and represents the BIPROGY badminton team. Partnering with Hiroki Nishi, he reached a career-high world ranking of No. 19. Kumagai won his first BWF World Tour title at the 2025 Kaohsiung Masters (Super 100), and was a member of the Japanese squad that won the country's first men's team gold medal at the 2026 Asia Team Championships. A graduate of sport science at Nihon University, Kumagai won the men's doubles title at the 2023 All Japan Inter-Collegiate Championships.
Ryo Kubota (窪田 稜, Kubota Ryō; born 5 January 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for…Ryo Kubota (窪田 稜, Kubota Ryō; born 5 January 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Yokohama FC.
Marika Tani (谷 真理佳, Tani Marika; born 5 January 1996 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a former member of the Japanese idol…Marika Tani (谷 真理佳, Tani Marika; born 5 January 1996 in Fukuoka Prefecture) is a former member of the Japanese idol girl group SKE48. She is a former member of HKT48's Team KIV and now currently a member of SKE48's Team E. She is represented by Zest, Inc.
Yukiya Saitoh (齋藤 友貴哉, Saitoh Yukiya; born January 5, 1995 in Higashine, Yamagata, Japan) is a professional Japanese…Yukiya Saitoh (齋藤 友貴哉, Saitoh Yukiya; born January 5, 1995 in Higashine, Yamagata, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers.
Hajime Sono (宗野創, Sono Hajime; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of…Hajime Sono (宗野創, Sono Hajime; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026. From 2016 to 2020, he worked at the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Taichi Nakamura (中村 太一, Nakamura Taichi; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a…Taichi Nakamura (中村 太一, Nakamura Taichi; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Vanraure Hachinohe.
Kaho Sunami (角南果帆, Sunami Kaho; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese handball player for Sony Semiconductor and the…Kaho Sunami (角南果帆, Sunami Kaho; born 5 January 1993) is a Japanese handball player for Sony Semiconductor and the Japanese national team. She participated at the 2017 World Women's Handball Championship.
Goiti Yamauchi (山内ゴイチ, Yamauchi Goichi; born January 5, 1993) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the…Goiti Yamauchi (山内ゴイチ, Yamauchi Goichi; born January 5, 1993) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division for Bellator MMA and currently competes in the same division for the Professional Fighters League.
Masahiro Nakatani (中谷 将大, Nakatani Masahiro; born December 19, 1994) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Masahiro Nakatani (中谷 将大, Nakatani Masahiro; born December 19, 1994) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman, and current fielder's rehabilitation coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Hanshin Tigers and the Hawks.
Naonobu Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 直伸, Hepburn: Fujii Naonobu; January 5, 1992 – March 10, 2023) was a Japanese volleyball…Naonobu Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 直伸, Hepburn: Fujii Naonobu; January 5, 1992 – March 10, 2023) was a Japanese volleyball player, who was also a member of the Japan men's national volleyball team and of Toray Arrows.
Rana Okada (岡田 良菜, Okada Rana; born 5 January 1991) is a Japanese snowboarder. She has represented Japan at the 2010…Rana Okada (岡田 良菜, Okada Rana; born 5 January 1991) is a Japanese snowboarder. She has represented Japan at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Seiki Yoshioka (吉岡 世起, Yoshioka Seiki; born January 5, 1988), previously known as Seiki (stylized in all capital…Seiki Yoshioka (吉岡 世起, Yoshioka Seiki; born January 5, 1988), previously known as Seiki (stylized in all capital letters), is a Japanese professional wrestler. Yoshioka is known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a three-time Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Champion and UWA World Trios Champion and a one-time NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champion in Pro Wrestling Zero1. In Wrestle-1, Yoshioka was a member of the #Stronghearts stable, led by Cima. In the past, Yoshioka has also toured Great Britain, as the former one-time All Star Wrestling British Mid-Heavyweight Champion.
Teppei Koike (小池 徹平, Koike Teppei; born January 5, 1986) is a Japanese actor and singer associated with Burning…Teppei Koike (小池 徹平, Koike Teppei; born January 5, 1986) is a Japanese actor and singer associated with Burning Productions. After appearing in the television drama Tentai Kansoku in 2002, Koike began appearing in several other films and dramas, notably as Atsushi Otani in Love Com. At the same time, Koike was also in the music duo WaT with Eiji Wentz from 2002 to 2016.
Takako Suzuki (鈴木 貴子, Suzuki Takako; born 5 January 1986) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party of…Takako Suzuki (鈴木 貴子, Suzuki Takako; born 5 January 1986) is a Japanese politician from the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Akihide Tsumura (津村明秀) is an active Japanese jockey of thoroughbred race horses. In 2024, he won his first Grade 1 race…Akihide Tsumura (津村明秀) is an active Japanese jockey of thoroughbred race horses. In 2024, he won his first Grade 1 race with Ten Happy Rose at the Victoria Mile. On October 5, 2025, he won the Mainichi Ōkan with Lebensstil, marking his first GII victory.
Yuka Koide (小出 由華, Koide Yuka; born January 5, 1985) is a Japanese actress, model, and entertainer who is represented…Yuka Koide (小出 由華, Koide Yuka; born January 5, 1985) is a Japanese actress, model, and entertainer who is represented by Geiei.
Yoshihiro Suzuki (鈴木 義広, born January 5, 1983, in Mannō, Kagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese retired professional baseball…Yoshihiro Suzuki (鈴木 義広, born January 5, 1983, in Mannō, Kagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese retired professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball for the entirety of his career. Since 2015, he has been employed as the Dragons scorer.
Norichika Aoki (青木 宣親, Aoki Norichika; born January 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He…Norichika Aoki (青木 宣親, Aoki Norichika; born January 5, 1982) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Aoki is one of only six players, alongside Ichiro Suzuki, Matt Murton, Alex Ramirez, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and Shogo Akiyama, to amass 200 or more hits in a single season in Japanese professional baseball and the only individual to do so in two separate seasons. He played in the 2006, 2009, and 2017 World Baseball Classics as well as the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Ikuko Nishikori (錦織 育子, Nishikori Ikuko; born 5 January 1980 in Izumo, Shimane) is a retired Japanese pole vaulter. She…Ikuko Nishikori (錦織 育子, Nishikori Ikuko; born 5 January 1980 in Izumo, Shimane) is a retired Japanese pole vaulter. She won the bronze medal at the 2005 East Asian Games, finished fifth at the 2005 Asian Championships, won the gold medal at the 2006 Asian Indoor Championships, the bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games and the gold medal at the 2008 Asian Indoor Championships. Her personal best jump is 4.36 metres, achieved in April 2006 in Hiroshima. Indoors she has 4.31 metres, achieved in February 2006 in Yokohama. These are both former national records.
Masami Tanaka (田中 雅美, Tanaka Masami; born January 5, 1979 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a former breaststroke swimmer from…Masami Tanaka (田中 雅美, Tanaka Masami; born January 5, 1979 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a former breaststroke swimmer from Japan. She won the bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m Medley Relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Her winning teammates in that race were Mai Nakamura, Junko Onishi, and Sumika Minamoto. She competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1996.
Yutaka Yoshie (Japanese: 吉江 豊, Hepburn: Yoshie Yutaka; January 5, 1974 – March 10, 2024) was a Japanese professional…Yutaka Yoshie (Japanese: 吉江 豊, Hepburn: Yoshie Yutaka; January 5, 1974 – March 10, 2024) was a Japanese professional wrestler, who worked as a freelancer in Japan, performing most notably for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he was a former World Tag Team Champion. He had previously worked for promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a former IWGP Tag Team Champion, Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1.
Kengo Hanazawa (花沢 健吾, Hanazawa Kengo; born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his seinen works. He…Kengo Hanazawa (花沢 健吾, Hanazawa Kengo; born January 5, 1974) is a Japanese manga artist, known for his seinen works. He won the Topic Award of the 2005 Sense of Gender Awards for Ressentiment and was nominated for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Manga Taisho for I Am a Hero. In 2013, I Am a Hero won the 58th Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category. I Am a Hero has received a live-action film adaptation, directed by Shinsuke Sato. His series Boys on the Run was also adapted into a live-action film in 2010. He formerly worked as Osamu Uoto's assistant.
Mayuko Takata (高田万由子 Takata Mayuko, born January 5, 1971) is a Japanese actress, best known in the western world for…Mayuko Takata (高田万由子 Takata Mayuko, born January 5, 1971) is a Japanese actress, best known in the western world for her appearances on the Japanese TV show Iron Chef.
Takashi Koshimoto (越本 隆志, Koshimoto Takashi; born January 5, 1971, in Fukuoka) is a former Japanese professional boxer…Takashi Koshimoto (越本 隆志, Koshimoto Takashi; born January 5, 1971, in Fukuoka) is a former Japanese professional boxer in the featherweight (126 lb) division. He is a former WBC world featherweight champion.
Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has…Shunpei Mizuno (水野俊平, Mizuno Shunpei; born 1968) is a Japanese academic who primarily writes on Korean culture. He has also published instructional books for Korean learners of Japanese. He used to write under the pen name Shunsui Nohira (野平俊水, Nohira Shunsui).
Noboru Asahi (Japanese: 朝日 昇, Asahi Noboru; born January 5, 1968) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, a…Noboru Asahi (Japanese: 朝日 昇, Asahi Noboru; born January 5, 1968) is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, a designer, and an owner of MMA gym. He was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan on January 5, 1968, as Shin'ichi Asahi (Japanese: 朝日 愼一, Asahi Shin'ichi).
Jiro Okamoto (岡元 次郎, Okamoto Jirō) (born January 5, 1965) is a Japanese veteran suit actor. He did some stunt work for…Jiro Okamoto (岡元 次郎, Okamoto Jirō) (born January 5, 1965) is a Japanese veteran suit actor. He did some stunt work for Kamen Rider Series, Super Sentai and Metal Hero.
Shinobu Ikeda (池田 司信, Ikeda Shinobu; born January 5, 1962) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Shinobu Ikeda (池田 司信, Ikeda Shinobu; born January 5, 1962) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. He also managed Japan women's national team.
Eizaburo Mitsuhashi (三橋栄三郎, Mitsuhashi Eizaburō; born 5 January 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who…Eizaburo Mitsuhashi (三橋栄三郎, Mitsuhashi Eizaburō; born 5 January 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Mitsuhashi competed at the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow and won a bronze medal.
Junko Yagami (八神 純子, Yagami Junko; born 5 January 1958), is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Aichi Prefecture. She…Junko Yagami (八神 純子, Yagami Junko; born 5 January 1958), is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Aichi Prefecture. She has released 25 albums, including six live concert albums, and is a notable figure in Japanese music of the 1970s and 1980s. Since her marriage in 1986, she has also recorded under the name "June Stanley".
Ken'ichi Azuma (Japanese: 東 建一, Hepburn: Azuma Ken'ichi; 5 January 1956 – 11 March 2023), known professionally as Chen…Ken'ichi Azuma (Japanese: 東 建一, Hepburn: Azuma Ken'ichi; 5 January 1956 – 11 March 2023), known professionally as Chen Kenichi (Japanese: 陳建一, Hepburn: Chin Ken'ichi) was a Chinese - Japanese chef and restaurateur, best known for his role as the Iron Chef Chinese on the television series Iron Chef (料理の鉄人). Nicknamed The Szechuan Sage, he wore a yellow outfit and rose into Kitchen Stadium holding a large Chinese chef's knife in his hand. He was the only Iron Chef to have held his position throughout the life of the show. He was born in Japan to a Japanese mother named Yoko (洋子) and a Han Chinese father, Chen Kenmin.
Takaaki Enoki (榎木 孝明, Enoki Takaaki; born January 5, 1956) is a Japanese actor and artist from Isa District, Kagoshima.…Takaaki Enoki (榎木 孝明, Enoki Takaaki; born January 5, 1956) is a Japanese actor and artist from Isa District, Kagoshima. He is known for his role as private detective Mitsuhiko Asami in the Asami Mitsuhiko Series. He attended Musashino Art University but left before graduating and joined the Shiki Theatre Company. In 1990, Enoki landed the lead role in Heaven and Earth in place of Ken Watanabe, who had to pull out due to illness. He is also known as an ink painter and his museum opened in 2003.(Located in Kokonoe, Ōita.)
Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり, Watanabe Eri), who was previously known as Eriko Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, Eriko Watanabe), is a Japanese…Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり, Watanabe Eri), who was previously known as Eriko Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, Eriko Watanabe), is a Japanese actress. She won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 21st Hochi Film Awards for Shall We Dance?.
Hiromi Yano (矢野 広美, Yano Hiromi) (born 5 January 1955) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yano was a…Hiromi Yano (矢野 広美, Yano Hiromi) (born 5 January 1955) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. Yano was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Kazuko Sawamatsu (Japanese: 沢松和子, born 5 January 1951) is a retired tennis player from Japan. She competed in a number…Kazuko Sawamatsu (Japanese: 沢松和子, born 5 January 1951) is a retired tennis player from Japan. She competed in a number of major LTA tournaments in the 1970s on the world circuit. At the 1975 Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals as well as reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and U.S. Open the same year. She also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 1973, and won the 1975 Wimbledon ladies doubles title with partner Ann Kiyomura. In November 1975, she won the singles title at the Japan Open Tennis Championships, defeating Kiyomura in the final in three sets, and together they won the doubles title. Sawamatsu is the sister of tennis player Junko Sawamatsu and the aunt of Naoko Sawamatsu.
Yasuo Saitō (齋藤 泰雄, Saitō Yasuo; born 5 January 1948 in Okayama Prefecture) is the Ambassador Extraordinary and…Yasuo Saitō (齋藤 泰雄, Saitō Yasuo; born 5 January 1948 in Okayama Prefecture) is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to France and a former ambassador of Japan to Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Miwa Takada (高田 美和, Takada Miwa; born 5 January 1947 in Kyoto) is a Japanese film, TV and stage actress. She has…Miwa Takada (高田 美和, Takada Miwa; born 5 January 1947 in Kyoto) is a Japanese film, TV and stage actress. She has starred in several Japanese movies that are today considered classics (especially in the Zatoichi saga, and the Daimajin trilogy). Takada also worked as a singer, and the duet she recorded with Mitsuo Kaji, "Waga Ai wo Hoshi ni Inorite," became a huge hit. Now she focuses on stage performances and TV. She lives in Numazu.
Masahiro Imamura (今村 雅弘, Imamura Masahiro; born 25 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Masahiro Imamura (今村 雅弘, Imamura Masahiro; born 25 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of…Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was formerly sixth in the line of succession to the Japanese throne and the heir apparent to the princely house of Mikasa-no-miya and the title "Prince Mikasa". Prince Tomohito was the first member of the Imperial House of Japan with a full beard since Emperor Meiji, thus earning him the popular nickname of the "Bearded Prince" (ヒゲの殿下 Hige no Denka). He died of cancer on 6 June 2012, aged 66.
Kazuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川 和彦, Hasegawa Kazuhiko; 5 January 1946 – 31 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He won…Kazuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川 和彦, Hasegawa Kazuhiko; 5 January 1946 – 31 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He won the award for Best Director at the 1st Yokohama Film Festival for The Man Who Stole the Sun.
Akiko Nagashima (長嶋亜希子, Akiko Nagashima; née Nishimura; January 5, 1943 – September 18, 2007) was a Japanese…Akiko Nagashima (長嶋亜希子, Akiko Nagashima; née Nishimura; January 5, 1943 – September 18, 2007) was a Japanese businesswoman and the wife of former Yomiuri Giants star Shigeo Nagashima. She served as the representative director of Nagashima's personal office, Office N Co., Ltd.
Tadashi Sawamura (沢村 忠, Sawamura Tadashi; January 5, 1943 – March 26, 2021) was a Japanese kickboxer whose real name…Tadashi Sawamura (沢村 忠, Sawamura Tadashi; January 5, 1943 – March 26, 2021) was a Japanese kickboxer whose real name was Hideki Shiraha (白羽 秀樹, Shiraha Hideki). He is often credited with sparking the "Shōwa era kickboxing boom", being one of the era's most popular Japanese fighters, and enjoying great fame throughout his career.
Shunsuke Kaneto (金戸 俊介, Kaneto Shunsuke; born 5 January 1940) is a former Japanese diver who competed in the 1960…Shunsuke Kaneto (金戸 俊介, Kaneto Shunsuke; born 5 January 1940) is a former Japanese diver who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics and in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Niigiyama Tadashi (born Tadashi Nagano; January 5, 1940 - September 5, 1986) was a sumo wrestler from Gifu, Japan. He…Niigiyama Tadashi (born Tadashi Nagano; January 5, 1940 - September 5, 1986) was a sumo wrestler from Gifu, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1955, and reached the top division in March 1961. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in May 1963.