Taiyo Furusato (Japanese: 古里 太陽, Hepburn: Furusato Taiyō; born 12 July 2005) is a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle racer…Taiyo Furusato (Japanese: 古里 太陽, Hepburn: Furusato Taiyō; born 12 July 2005) is a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle racer who competes for Honda Team Asia in the Moto2 World Championship. He is the 2021 Asia Talent Cup champion.
Junnosuke Suzuki (鈴木 淳之介, Suzuki Junnosuke; born 12 July 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a…Junnosuke Suzuki (鈴木 淳之介, Suzuki Junnosuke; born 12 July 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Danish Superliga club Copenhagen and the Japan national team.
This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all…This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.
Yu Funabashi (舩橋 佑, Funabashi Yu; born 12 July 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive…Yu Funabashi (舩橋 佑, Funabashi Yu; born 12 July 2002) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for J1 League club Mito HollyHock, on loan from Kashima Antlers.
Kurea Okino (Japanese: 沖野くれあ; born 12 July 1999) is a Japanese footballer who last played as a striker for Melbourne…Kurea Okino (Japanese: 沖野くれあ; born 12 July 1999) is a Japanese footballer who last played as a striker for Melbourne Victory.
Hayato Tsutsumi (堤駿斗, Shunto Tsutsumi; born 12 July 1999) is a Japanese professional boxer. As an amateur, Tsutsumi won…Hayato Tsutsumi (堤駿斗, Shunto Tsutsumi; born 12 July 1999) is a Japanese professional boxer. As an amateur, Tsutsumi won a gold medal at the 2016 World Youth Championships. Tsutsumi also competed at the 2021 World Championships.
Natsuki Nidaira (仁平 菜月, Nidaira Natsuki; born 12 July 1998) is a Japanese badminton player. She is currently a member…Natsuki Nidaira (仁平 菜月, Nidaira Natsuki; born 12 July 1998) is a Japanese badminton player. She is currently a member of the Yonex badminton club.
Yoshiki Takei (武居由樹; born 12 July 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer and former kickboxer, who held the WBO…Yoshiki Takei (武居由樹; born 12 July 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer and former kickboxer, who held the WBO bantamweight title from 2024 to 2025. As a professional kickboxer, he held the K-1 Super Bantamweight Championship from 2017 until 2020, and was the 2017 and 2019 K-1 Super Bantamweight Grand Prix winner. At the time of his retirement from the sport of kickboxing, on December 9, 2020, Takei was ranked as the best fighter at 55 kg (122 lbs) and the eight best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Yurina Yamada (山田 優梨菜, Yamada Yurina; born 12 July 1996) is a Japanese ski jumper. She was born in Nagano. She was part…Yurina Yamada (山田 優梨菜, Yamada Yurina; born 12 July 1996) is a Japanese ski jumper. She was born in Nagano. She was part of the Japanese team that won gold medals at the 2012 Junior World Championships in Erzurum. She also won a team gold medal at the 2014 Junior World Championships in Val di Fiemme. She competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, in the ladies normal hill.
Kentarō Taira (平良 拳太郎, Taira Kentarō; born July 12, 1995) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher…Kentarō Taira (平良 拳太郎, Taira Kentarō; born July 12, 1995) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. He has previously played in NPB for the Yomiuri Giants.
Madoka Sugai (菅井円加, Sugai Madoka, born 1994) is a Japanese ballet dancer who was a principal dancer with the Hamburg…Madoka Sugai (菅井円加, Sugai Madoka, born 1994) is a Japanese ballet dancer who was a principal dancer with the Hamburg Ballet from 2014 to 2025. Now currently a principal with the Boston Ballet, from 2025.
Taichi Takami (髙見 泰地, Takami Taichi; born July 12, 1993) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He is a…Taichi Takami (髙見 泰地, Takami Taichi; born July 12, 1993) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He is a former Eiō title holder.
Naeko Maeda (born 12 July 1991) is a Japanese judoka. Maeda is the gold medalist of the 2017 Judo Grand Prix Hohhot in…Naeko Maeda (born 12 July 1991) is a Japanese judoka. Maeda is the gold medalist of the 2017 Judo Grand Prix Hohhot in the –70 kg category.
Chiyoarashi Yoshinobu (Japanese: 千代嵐 慶喜, romanized: chiyoarashi yoshinobu; born July 12, 1991, as Watanabe Yoshinobu)…Chiyoarashi Yoshinobu (Japanese: 千代嵐 慶喜, romanized: chiyoarashi yoshinobu; born July 12, 1991, as Watanabe Yoshinobu) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Chiba Prefecture who wrestled for Kokonoe stable. He debuted in March 2007, and reached his highest rank of jūryō 10 in November 2011. He retired in January 2024.
Ryo Kiyuna (喜友名諒, Kiyuna Ryō, born 12 July 1990) is an Okinawan karateka. He won the gold medal in the men's kata event…Ryo Kiyuna (喜友名諒, Kiyuna Ryō, born 12 July 1990) is an Okinawan karateka. He won the gold medal in the men's kata event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He is also a four-time gold medalist in the men's kata event at the World Karate Championships and a two-time gold medalist in the men's team kata event, alongside Arata Kinjo and Takuya Uemura. He has also won multiple gold medals in both the individual and team kata events at the Asian Karate Championships.
Tauate Valu Uwe Helu (ヘル ウヴェ, Heru Uvu~e; born 12 July 1990) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock…Tauate Valu Uwe Helu (ヘル ウヴェ, Heru Uvu~e; born 12 July 1990) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Japan Rugby League One club Kubota Spears. Born in Tonga, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
Yoshihiro Masuko (益子義浩, Masuko Yoshihiro; born 12 July 1987 in Tokyo) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Grulla…Yoshihiro Masuko (益子義浩, Masuko Yoshihiro; born 12 July 1987 in Tokyo) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Grulla Morioka.
Tatsuya Isaka (伊阪 達也, Isaka Tatsuya; born July 12, 1985, in Ishikawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor. He played Ichigo…Tatsuya Isaka (伊阪 達也, Isaka Tatsuya; born July 12, 1985, in Ishikawa Prefecture) is a Japanese actor. He played Ichigo Kurosaki in the rock musical Bleach.
Yuki Takahashi (高橋 裕紀, Takahashi Yūki; born July 12, 1984) is a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He currently…Yuki Takahashi (高橋 裕紀, Takahashi Yūki; born July 12, 1984) is a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He currently races in the All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship aboard a Honda CBR1000RR. For 2009 he made his debut in the MotoGP class, with the Scot Racing Honda team but was subsequently dropped by the team after just seven rounds of the 2009 season due to financial issues. Until that point, he had spent his entire career with Honda.
Reiichi Ikegami (池上 礼一, Ikegami Reiichi; born 12 July 1983) is a former Japanese football player. Ikegami previously…Reiichi Ikegami (池上 礼一, Ikegami Reiichi; born 12 July 1983) is a former Japanese football player. Ikegami previously played for FC Tokyo in the J1 League.
Shunta Nagai (永井 俊太, Nagai Shunta; born July 12, 1982) is a former Japanese football player. His father Yoshikazu is…Shunta Nagai (永井 俊太, Nagai Shunta; born July 12, 1982) is a former Japanese football player. His father Yoshikazu is also a footballer.
Tetsuya Mariko (born July 12, 1981) is a Japanese filmmaker. He graduated from Hosei University with a Japanese…Tetsuya Mariko (born July 12, 1981) is a Japanese filmmaker. He graduated from Hosei University with a Japanese literature major. His masters is from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in film production.
Yoshihito Ishii (石井 義人, Ishii Yoshihito; born July 12, 1978 in Kawaguchi, Saitama) is a Japanese infielder for the…Yoshihito Ishii (石井 義人, Ishii Yoshihito; born July 12, 1978 in Kawaguchi, Saitama) is a Japanese infielder for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Takahiro Yamamoto (山本 隆弘; born July 12, 1978) is a retired volleyball player from Japan, who was one of the key players…Takahiro Yamamoto (山本 隆弘; born July 12, 1978) is a retired volleyball player from Japan, who was one of the key players in the Japan men's national volleyball team in the 2000s. On club level, he only played for Panasonic Panthers. Yamamoto plays as a wing-spiker and was named Best Scorer and Best Server at the 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Ohashi Trio (大橋トリオ; born 12 July 1978) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and composer. Throughout the early 2000s, Trio…Ohashi Trio (大橋トリオ; born 12 July 1978) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and composer. Throughout the early 2000s, Trio performed as a musician and producer, contributing to various albums and live shows under his birth name Yoshinori Ohashi (大橋 好規, Ohashi Yoshinori) before releasing his first self-produced album Pretaporter in 2007. His debut on Avex Group's Rhythm Zone, I Got Rhythm? (2009) topped the iTunes Store's albums chart. Throughout his career, he has released eighteen studio albums, seven singles and composed for multiple films.
Keiichiro Yamamiya (born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. A veteran of 90 fights…Keiichiro Yamamiya (born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist. A veteran of 90 fights who began his career in 1996 and last competed in 2015, he fought in the UFC, Pancrase, DEEP, and World Victory Road. He was the inaugural King of Pancrase Light Heavyweight Champion.
Naomi Eto (江藤 直美, Etō Naomi; born (1972-07-12)12 July 1972) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. Eto helped the…Naomi Eto (江藤 直美, Etō Naomi; born (1972-07-12)12 July 1972) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. Eto helped the Japan women's national volleyball team win the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg. Eto competed with the national team at the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan, where she finished in eighth place.
Takeshi Kawakami (川上 猛, Kawakami Takeshi; born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who…Takeshi Kawakami (川上 猛, Kawakami Takeshi; born July 12, 1972) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 7-dan.
Yumi Natta (born 12 July 1969) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national…Yumi Natta (born 12 July 1969) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team at the 1994 FIVB World Championship in Brazil, where she finished in seventh place. She helped Japan win the bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg. On club level, she played with Daiei.
Taiji Sawada (Japanese: 沢田 泰司, Hepburn: Sawada Taiji; July 12, 1966 – July 17, 2011), also known mononymously as Taiji…Taiji Sawada (Japanese: 沢田 泰司, Hepburn: Sawada Taiji; July 12, 1966 – July 17, 2011), also known mononymously as Taiji, was a Japanese musician and songwriter. He is best known as bassist of the rock band X from 1986 to 1992. The band rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, credited as founders of the Japanese visual kei movement. After leaving X in January 1992, Taiji went on to work with many other recording acts, including Loudness and D.T.R. In July 2011, Taiji was arrested in Saipan for a violent outburst that took place on the flight there. Facing federal charges, he attempted suicide by hanging in his jail cell, which left him brain dead. Taiji died in a hospital on July 11 after his family decided to turn off his life support. In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted him the best bassist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".
Shinji Inoue (井上 真二, Inoue Shinji; born July 12, 1966 in Tamana District, Kumamoto, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Shinji Inoue (井上 真二, Inoue Shinji; born July 12, 1966 in Tamana District, Kumamoto, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Naohiko Minobe (美濃部 直彦, Minobe Naohiko; born July 12, 1965) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He…Naohiko Minobe (美濃部 直彦, Minobe Naohiko; born July 12, 1965) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He currently is the manager of club, Asuka FC.
Takahisa Takahara (born 12 July 1961) is a Japanese businessman, the CEO of Unicharm. Takahisa Takahara was born in the…Takahisa Takahara (born 12 July 1961) is a Japanese businessman, the CEO of Unicharm. Takahisa Takahara was born in the family of Keiichiro Takahara, the founder of diaper making company Unicharm which releases the brands Moony and MamyPoko. In 2001, Takahisa Takahara was appointed CEO of the company. More than half of Unicharm's revenues come from outside of Japan, mainly from other Asian countries. Takahisa Takahara made the 2022 Forbes Billionaires List with an estimated wealth of $6.4 billion and occupied the 398th position.
Masaaki Mori (森 正明, Mori Masaaki; born July 12, 1961) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masaaki Mori (森 正明, Mori Masaaki; born July 12, 1961) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Sakiko Nozawa (野沢 咲子, Nozawa Sakiko; born 12 July 1961) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976…Sakiko Nozawa (野沢 咲子, Nozawa Sakiko; born 12 July 1961) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed in six events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kyoko Ishida (石田 京子, Ishida Kyōko; born 12 July 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984…Kyoko Ishida (石田 京子, Ishida Kyōko; born 12 July 1960) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1984, she was a member of the Japanese team that won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament.
Manabu Kitabeppu (北別府 学, Kitabeppu Manabu; July 12, 1957 – June 16, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…Manabu Kitabeppu (北別府 学, Kitabeppu Manabu; July 12, 1957 – June 16, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher, the first-round draft pick of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 1975, and one of the most famous Japanese right-handed pitchers. He was known as the "Precision Machine" (精密機械, Seimitsu-Kikai) because of his perfect control pitching, and his nickname was Pei-San (ペイさん). Kitabeppu struggled his first few seasons, then went 17–11 with a 3.58 ERA to make his first All-Star team in 1979. It was the first of five consecutive All-Star picks for Kitabeppu, who helped the team to a Japan Series title in 1980. In 1982 Kitabeppu went 20–8 with a 2.43 ERA, easily his best year up to that point in his pitching career. He led the Central League with 267.3 innings, won the most games on the mound, and was fourth in ERA. He won his first Eiji Sawamura Award that season and also was named to the Best Nine. His streak of All-Star selections ended in 1984, though he continued to pitch well in '84 and '85. In 1986 Kitabeppu had his best season, going 18–4 with a 2.43 ERA. He led the circuit once again in victories, won his only ERA crown, led in complete games (17) and shutouts (4), won his only Gold Glove, and in addition to the Best Nine and Sawamura, won his only MVP award as the Carp returned to the Japan Series, but failed to win. Kitabeppu again was an All-Star in '88 but posted losing records from '87 through '89, once with an ERA of 5.48. The former star allowed the most runs in 1988 (87) and the most homers (22). The next season, he again surrendered the most home runs, also 22. In 1989 he was in the minor leagues for the first time in his career. Kitabeppu emerged resurgent from his trials and after a decent season in 1990, in 1991 he went 11–4 with a 3.38 ERA. He made his seventh All-Star team in 1992, with 14 wins in 22 decisions, and a 2.58 ERA. It was his lowest ERA and most victories since his MVP season of '86. The Carp made their third Japan Series of the Kitabeppu era, but lost to the Seibu Lions. Still just 34, Kitabeppu reached 200 career wins. It was his last good season – he would pitch 24 more games, going 9-9, with ERAs over 5 each time, before retiring. His career line with Hiroshima was 213–141 with a 3.67 ERA. Since Kitabeppu, only one pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball (Kimiyasu Kudoh) has reached 200 victories. Kitabeppu ranks 17th all-time in wins, 20th in innings (3,113), 26th in strikeouts (1,757), 9th in hits allowed (3,225), and 4th in homers surrendered (380, the Central League record). After retiring, Kitabeppu became an announcer and then the pitching coach for the Carp. Shortly after midnight on June 16, 2023, he died in a hospital in the city of Hiroshima. He was 65. In 2020 he announced that he had been battling leukemia for a long time.
Takuro Morinaga (森永卓郎, Morinaga Takurō; 12 July 1957 – 28 January 2025) was a Japanese economist and academic at Dokkyo…Takuro Morinaga (森永卓郎, Morinaga Takurō; 12 July 1957 – 28 January 2025) was a Japanese economist and academic at Dokkyo University, Saitama, a suburb to Tokyo. He was also a television program editor. As an economist he was highly publicized, expressing his views in television and radio on an array of subjects, from politics to manga to video games. His ideas elicited a large number of reactions on the internet and in media.
Shūhei Kishimoto (岸本周平, Kishimoto Shūhei; 12 July 1956 – 15 April 2025) was a Japanese politician who served as…Shūhei Kishimoto (岸本周平, Kishimoto Shūhei; 12 July 1956 – 15 April 2025) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Wakayama Prefecture from 2022 until his death in 2025. He was previously a member of House of Representatives from 2009 and 2022, being elected five times from Wakayama 1st district. Born in Wakayama and educated at the University of Tokyo, Kishimoto worked at the Ministry of Finance and Toyota before entering politics in 2009.
Yasuo "Hasagi" Nashihara (Japanese: 梨原靖夫 (Nashihara Yasuo)), originally Yasuo Ikoma (Japanese: 生駒靖夫 (Ikoma Yasuo); born…Yasuo "Hasagi" Nashihara (Japanese: 梨原靖夫 (Nashihara Yasuo)), originally Yasuo Ikoma (Japanese: 生駒靖夫 (Ikoma Yasuo); born 12 July 1955) is a retired Japanese handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.