Junichi Ota (Japanese: 太田順一, 16 March 1948 – 12 December 2022), best known under the pen name Gosaku Ota (Japanese…Junichi Ota (Japanese: 太田順一, 16 March 1948 – 12 December 2022), best known under the pen name Gosaku Ota (Japanese: 桜多吾作) was a Japanese manga artist.
Yoshiaki Hoshi (星 吉昭, Hoshi Yoshiaki; March 16, 1946 – October 1, 2004), born in Wakayanagi, Miyagi, Japan, was a…Yoshiaki Hoshi (星 吉昭, Hoshi Yoshiaki; March 16, 1946 – October 1, 2004), born in Wakayanagi, Miyagi, Japan, was a Japanese musician, composer, arranger and synthesizer player, best known for his band Himekami.
Tarō Ishida (石田 太郎, Ishida Tarō; March 16, 1944 – September 21, 2013), born Gentarō Ishida (石田 弦太郎, Ishida Gentarō)…Tarō Ishida (石田 太郎, Ishida Tarō; March 16, 1944 – September 21, 2013), born Gentarō Ishida (石田 弦太郎, Ishida Gentarō), was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and Shin Buddhist priest from the city of Kyoto. He was affiliated with Granpapa Production.
Naotake Okubo (born 16 March 1940) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's coxed four event at the 1960 Summer…Naotake Okubo (born 16 March 1940) is a Japanese rower. He competed in the men's coxed four event at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Wakachichibu Komei (real name Komei Kato, 16 March 1939 – 17 September 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Chichibu…Wakachichibu Komei (real name Komei Kato, 16 March 1939 – 17 September 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Chichibu, Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in May 1954 and reached the top division in September 1958. His highest rank was sekiwake. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Tokiwayama. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in March 2004.
Takayoshi Kano (加納 隆至, Kanō Takayoshi) is a Japanese primatologist, known for his pioneering work on the bonobo (Pan…Takayoshi Kano (加納 隆至, Kanō Takayoshi) is a Japanese primatologist, known for his pioneering work on the bonobo (Pan paniscus). He highlighted their peaceful communal lifestyle and the high frequency of sexual interactions. A student of Junichiro Itani, he was a professor at Ryukyu University and at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University. In 1973, he founded the first bonobo study center, at Wamba, Luo Reserve. It is the oldest bonobo research area and has survived a number of political upheavals in the region. Initially in his career, he assisted Toshisada Nishida in his work on the chimpanzees of the Mahale mountains in Tanzania. In 1971, Nishida conducted a brief survey looking for the bonobo (or the "pygmy chimpanzee"), and encountered several abandoned chimpanzee nests. In the conclusion of his report, he suggests that: "Before we can begin to make an intensive study, we must first make an extensive preliminary survey covering the vast area of the Central Congo Basin". In 1973, Takayoshi Kano conducted this survey, covering a large area of several hundred kilometers on bicycle, when he visited a number of remote villages unaccustomed to non-Africans, some of which were hostile. He eventually came upon the village of Wamba, where the villagers were more welcoming, and he could hear bonobo calls from the forest. Unlike the area near Lake Tumba visited by Nishida, there was no tradition of hunting chimpanzees for bushmeat here. It took over a year of effort by Kano and his assistant, Suehisa Kuroda, before they could habituate the first group of bonobos in the area, provisioning them via a sugarcane patch. The chimpanzees in the area have little fear of humans, because of a local legend, that humans and bonobos were cousins. "According to this belief, an older brother in a family of bonobos held to their traditional lifestyle and his descendants thus remained in the forest as bonobos. However, his younger brother was tired of eating raw foods. Once upon a time, he was roaming in the forest, crying, a spirit of the forest taught him to make fire, after which he left the forest and began eating cooked food. His descendants became humans. Therefore, the village people consider the bonobos akin to distant brothers and do not kill or eat them". In the local language of the Bongando, one of the words for the bonobo is elia, or "missed" - the bonobos are thought to have "missed" becoming human, or have been "blocked" on this path. Kano was among the first to comment extensively on the sexual practices among the bonobo, particularly the use of sex as a mechanism for reducing tensions within the group. Kano's work motivated a large group of researchers to work at Wamba, many of them from Kyoto and other institutions in Japan. He was among the movers in the founding of the Luo Scientific Reserve in 1990. The group was forced to pause its work several times - during the anti-Mobutu outbreak in 1991-92, and a major disruption after the Tutsi rebellion and war from 1996 to 2002. Kano's main work, The Last Ape: Pygmy Chimpanzee Behavior and Ecology, was translated from Japanese into English in 1992.
Toshinobu Nakasato (仲里 利信, Nakasato Toshinobu; born 16 March 1937) is a former Japanese politician who served as a…Toshinobu Nakasato (仲里 利信, Nakasato Toshinobu; born 16 March 1937) is a former Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives representing Okinawa 4th district (southern Okinawa Island and the Sakishima Islands). Before he entered national politics, Nakasato was a member of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly for 16 years. He served as the Speaker of the Assembly from 2006 until his retirement from prefectural politics in 2008. He is opposed against the construction of a US base in Yonaguni and the relocation of the Futenma air base within Okinawa Prefecture.
Kunihiko Fukushima (Japanese: 福島 邦彦, born 16 March 1936) is a Japanese computer scientist, most noted for his work on…Kunihiko Fukushima (Japanese: 福島 邦彦, born 16 March 1936) is a Japanese computer scientist, most noted for his work on artificial neural networks and deep learning. He is currently working part-time as a senior research scientist at the Fuzzy Logic Systems Institute in Fukuoka, Japan.
Takashi Miyahara (宮原 巍, Miyahara Takashi; 1934 – November 24, 2019) was a Japanese-born Nepalese tourism entrepreneur…Takashi Miyahara (宮原 巍, Miyahara Takashi; 1934 – November 24, 2019) was a Japanese-born Nepalese tourism entrepreneur and politician. Miyahara was born in Nagano, Japan, and obtained a bachelor's degree in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering from Nihon University, Tokyo. When he moved to Nepal, he began working for the Department of Cottage Industry of Nepal. Miyahara was the chairman of the boards of Himalaya Hotel in Kathmandu and Trans Himalaya Treks. Miyahara founded Trans Himalaya Tours in 1968 and a Japanese sister company, Himalaya Kanko Kitatsu, in 1969. The following year, he founded Trans Himalayan Trekking. In 2006, Miyahara founded the Nepal Rastriya Bikas Party. He became a citizen of Nepal in order to be able to work politically. At the 2008 election of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly, none of the candidates won the seat. He died on November 24, 2019, in Nepal. Miyahara lived over 40 years in Nepal.
Keiichiro Takahara (高原慶一朗, Takahara Keiichiro; March 16, 1931 – October 3, 2018) was a Japanese billionaire…Keiichiro Takahara (高原慶一朗, Takahara Keiichiro; March 16, 1931 – October 3, 2018) was a Japanese billionaire businessman, the chairman and founder of Unicharm.
Minoru Miki (Japanese: 三木 稔, 16 March 1930 – 8 December 2011) was a Japanese composer and Artistic director. He was…Minoru Miki (Japanese: 三木 稔, 16 March 1930 – 8 December 2011) was a Japanese composer and Artistic director. He was known for promoting Japanese, Chinese and Korean traditional instruments as well as some of their performers. In his catalogue these traditional instruments figure solo or in various types of ensembles, with and without Western instruments. His catalogue demonstrates a large stylistic and formal diversity including operas and other kinds of stage music; orchestral, concerto, chamber and solo music, as well as music for films. His work has found international recognition placing Miki in the company of other celebrated Japanese composers such as Tōru Takemitsu. Minoru was a pioneer in the composition of contemporary classical music for large ensembles of traditional Japanese musical instruments. In 1964, he founded the Nihon Ongaku Shūdan (Pro Musica Nipponia ensemble), also known as Ensemble Nipponia, for which he has composed extensively.
Masaya Takahashi (高橋 昌也, Takahashi Masaya; March 16, 1930 – January 16, 2014) was a Japanese actor and theatre…Masaya Takahashi (高橋 昌也, Takahashi Masaya; March 16, 1930 – January 16, 2014) was a Japanese actor and theatre director. He appeared in a wide range of films over six decades, including Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell (1968), Belladonna of Sadness (1973), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), Returner (2002), and Air Doll (2009).
Akihiro Tsukatani (塚谷 晃弘; 16 March 1919 in Tokyo - 13 October 1995) was a Japanese composer. Among his many…Akihiro Tsukatani (塚谷 晃弘; 16 March 1919 in Tokyo - 13 October 1995) was a Japanese composer. Among his many compositions are three operas Pongo (1965), Ajatasatru (1966), and Kakitsubata (1967).
Kunihiko Kodaira (小平 邦彦, Kodaira Kunihiko; Japanese pronunciation: [kodaꜜiɾa kɯɲiꜜçi̥ko], 16 March 1915 – 26 July 1997)…Kunihiko Kodaira (小平 邦彦, Kodaira Kunihiko; Japanese pronunciation: [kodaꜜiɾa kɯɲiꜜçi̥ko], 16 March 1915 – 26 July 1997) was a Japanese mathematician known for distinguished work in algebraic geometry and the theory of complex manifolds, and as the founder of the Japanese school of algebraic geometers. He was awarded a Fields Medal in 1954, being the first Japanese national to receive this honour.
Hiro Saga (嵯峨 浩, Saga Hiro; 16 April 1914 – 20 June 1987) was a Japanese noblewoman and memoir writer. She was the…Hiro Saga (嵯峨 浩, Saga Hiro; 16 April 1914 – 20 June 1987) was a Japanese noblewoman and memoir writer. She was the daughter of Marquis Saneto Saga and a distant relative of Emperor Shōwa. She was married in 1937 to Pujie, the younger brother of Puyi, the last monarch of the Qing dynasty of China between 1908 and 1912 and the ruler of Japanese-backed Manchukuo between 1932 and 1945. After her marriage to Pujie, she was known as, and identified herself as, Aishinkakura Hiro (愛新覺羅•浩) or Aixinjueluo Hao in Chinese.
Ryōichi Kuroda (黒田了一, Kuroda Ryōichi; 16 March 1911 – 24 July 2003) was a Japanese jurist and politician from Suita…Ryōichi Kuroda (黒田了一, Kuroda Ryōichi; 16 March 1911 – 24 July 2003) was a Japanese jurist and politician from Suita, Osaka.
Mitsumi Shimizu (清水 光美, Shimizu Mitsumi; March 16, 1888 – May 5, 1971) was a vice admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy…Mitsumi Shimizu (清水 光美, Shimizu Mitsumi; March 16, 1888 – May 5, 1971) was a vice admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.
Princess Ōyama Sutematsu (大山 捨松; born Yamakawa Sakiko (山川 咲子); February 24, 1860 – February 18, 1919) was a Japanese…Princess Ōyama Sutematsu (大山 捨松; born Yamakawa Sakiko (山川 咲子); February 24, 1860 – February 18, 1919) was a Japanese socialite in the Meiji era, and the first Japanese woman to receive a college degree. She was born into a traditional samurai household which supported the Tokugawa shogunate during the Boshin War. As a child, she survived the monthlong siege known as the Battle of Aizu in 1868, and lived briefly as a refugee. In 1871, Yamakawa was one of five girls chosen to accompany the Iwakura Mission to America and spend ten years receiving an American education. At this time, her name was changed to Yamakawa Sutematsu (山川 捨松), or, when she wrote in English, Stematz Yamakawa. Yamakawa lived in the household of Leonard Bacon in New Haven, Connecticut, becoming particularly close with his youngest daughter Alice Mabel Bacon. She learned English and graduated from Hillhouse High School, then attended Vassar College, the first nonwhite student at that fledgling women's university. She graduated with the Vassar College class of 1882, earning an A.B. After graduation, she remained a few more months to study nursing, and finally returned to Japan in October 1882. When she first returned to Japan, Yamakawa looked for educational or government work, but her options were limited, especially because she could not read or write Japanese. In April 1882, she accepted a marriage proposal from Ōyama Iwao, a wealthy and important general, despite the fact that he had fought on the opposing side of the Battle of Aizu. As her husband was promoted, she was elevated in rank to become Countess, Marchioness, and finally Princess Ōyama in 1905. She was a prominent figure in Rokumeikan society, advising the Empress on Western customs. She also used her social position as a philanthropist to advocate for women's education and volunteer nursing. She assisted in the founding of the Peeresses' School for high-ranking ladies, and the Women's Home School of English, which would later become Tsuda University. She died in 1919 when the 1918 flu pandemic reached Tokyo.
Umegatani Tōtarō I (梅ヶ谷 藤太郎; March 16, 1845 – May 15, 1928) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from the town of…Umegatani Tōtarō I (梅ヶ谷 藤太郎; March 16, 1845 – May 15, 1928) was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from the town of Haki, Chikuzen Province, now Shiwa, Fukuoka Prefecture. He was the sport's 15th yokozuna. He was generally regarded as the strongest wrestler to emerge since the era of Tanikaze and Raiden.
Shibusawa Eiichi, 1st Viscount Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一; 16 March 1840 – 11 November 1931) was a Japanese business magnate…Shibusawa Eiichi, 1st Viscount Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一; 16 March 1840 – 11 November 1931) was a Japanese business magnate widely known today as the "Father of Japanese capitalism", having introduced Western capitalism to Japan after the Meiji Restoration. He introduced many economic reforms including use of double-entry accounting, joint-stock corporations and modern note-issuing banks. He founded the first modern bank based on joint stock ownership in Japan. The bank was aptly named The First National Bank (Dai Ichi Kokuritsu Ginkō, now merged into Mizuho Bank) and had the power to issue its own notes. Through this bank, he founded hundreds of other joint stock corporations in Japan. Many of these companies still survive to this day as quoted companies in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which Shibusawa also founded. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded by him as well. He was also involved in the foundation of many hospitals, schools, universities (including the first women's university), the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and charitable organizations including the Japanese Red Cross Society. Another notable aspect of Shibusawa's career is that, despite being the founder of hundreds of corporations, he refused to maintain a controlling stake in these corporations, effectively preventing himself from forming a zaibatsu. What is known as the Shibusawa zaibatsu was a holding company to look after his estate for his family. The Shibusawa Zaibatsu did not hold any controlling stake in any companies. Despite his humble origin as a farmer, he was granted the title of Viscount, while all other zaibatsu founders were awarded the title of Baron. He was also awarded Shōnii, Second Honour under the ritsuryō rank system, which is usually given to high-ranking nobility and prime ministers. Shibusawa is featured on the 10,000 yen note, one of the new designs that went into circulation on 3 July 2024. Shibusawa was also printed on bank notes issued by the Korea First Bank, which he owned, in 1902. The choice of Shibusawa has previously been criticised in South Korea.