Mio Shiraishi (Japanese: 白石 弥桜; born 17 April 2006) is a Japanese basketball player who plays for Denso Iris in the…Mio Shiraishi (Japanese: 白石 弥桜; born 17 April 2006) is a Japanese basketball player who plays for Denso Iris in the Women's Japan Basketball League. She has represented Japan in international basketball, including at the FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup and the women's basketball tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, where she won a silver medal.
Megumi Fukazawa (深澤 めぐみ, Fukazawa Megumi; born 17 April 2003) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays…Megumi Fukazawa (深澤 めぐみ, Fukazawa Megumi; born 17 April 2003) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the SV.League for Saga Hisamitsu Springs.
Fumiya Kurokawa (黒川 史陽, Kurokawa Fumiya; born April 17, 2001) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays…Fumiya Kurokawa (黒川 史陽, Kurokawa Fumiya; born April 17, 2001) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays infielder for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Yuri Yoshida (吉田優利, Yoshida Yuri) (born 17 April 2000) is a Japanese professional golfer and LPGA Tour player. She won…Yuri Yoshida (吉田優利, Yoshida Yuri) (born 17 April 2000) is a Japanese professional golfer and LPGA Tour player. She won four times on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
Daigo Takahashi (髙橋 大悟, Takahashi Daigo; born April 17, 1999) is a Japanese football player who plays for Giravanz…Daigo Takahashi (髙橋 大悟, Takahashi Daigo; born April 17, 1999) is a Japanese football player who plays for Giravanz Kitakyushu.
Kazuto Kotaka (小高一斗, Kotaka Kazuto; born 17 April 1999) is a Japanese racing driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing who…Kazuto Kotaka (小高一斗, Kotaka Kazuto; born 17 April 1999) is a Japanese racing driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing who currently competes in the Super GT for apr. He won the Super Formula Lights championship in 2022, and is a part of the TGR Driver Challenge Program. Kotaka has previously raced in the Super Formula Championship for Kondo Racing in 2023 and 2024, and for team TGR-DC in 2025.
Koki Ugusa (宇草 孔基, Ugusa Koki; born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of…Koki Ugusa (宇草 孔基, Ugusa Koki; born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. Ugusa played for Japan in the 2015 U-18 Baseball World Cup, and graduated from Joso Gakuin High School. He then attended Hosei University, and played for the school's baseball team. After playing in the USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series, Ugusa was selected by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the 2019 Nippon Professional Baseball draft as the team's second pick. Ugusa split the 2020 season between the Carp and their Western League affiliate. In his second professional season, Ugusa again spent time in the NPB and Western League.
Shota Umino (海野 翔太, Umino Shōta; born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan…Shota Umino (海野 翔太, Umino Shōta; born April 17, 1997) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former one-time IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. He has also wrestled for Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro) in the United Kingdom and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the United States.
Shintaro Nago (名古 新太郎, Nago Shintarō; born April 17, 1996) who plays as a central midfielder for J1 League club Avispa…Shintaro Nago (名古 新太郎, Nago Shintarō; born April 17, 1996) who plays as a central midfielder for J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
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.
Shinnosuke Shigenobu (重信 慎之介, Shigenobu Shinnosuke; born August 18, 1993) is a Japanese professional baseball…Shinnosuke Shigenobu (重信 慎之介, Shigenobu Shinnosuke; born August 18, 1993) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. On November 16, 2018, he was selected Yomiuri Giants roster at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series exhibition game against MLB All-Stars.
Masayoshi Fukuda (福田 将儀, born April 17, 1992, in Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional baseball…Masayoshi Fukuda (福田 将儀, born April 17, 1992, in Sanmu, Chiba Prefecture) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles from 2015 to 2017.
Ryosuke Miyaguni (宮國 椋丞, born April 17, 1992, in Itoman, Okinawa) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for…Ryosuke Miyaguni (宮國 椋丞, born April 17, 1992, in Itoman, Okinawa) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in NPB for the Yomiuri Giants.
Takeru Imamura (今村 猛, born April 17, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball player. A pitcher, he plays for the…Takeru Imamura (今村 猛, born April 17, 1991) is a Japanese professional baseball player. A pitcher, he plays for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball. Imamura played for the Japan national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Chiyomaru Kazuki (Japanese: 千代丸 一樹; born April 17, 1991 as Kazuki Kinoshita (木下 一樹)) is a Japanese former professional…Chiyomaru Kazuki (Japanese: 千代丸 一樹; born April 17, 1991 as Kazuki Kinoshita (木下 一樹)) is a Japanese former professional sumo wrestler from Shibushi, Kagoshima. He made his professional debut in May 2007. He took the second division jūryō championship in his third tournament in the division in January 2014 and was promoted to the top makuuchi division in the following tournament. His highest rank has been maegashira 5 East. He is the older brother of fellow professional sumo wrestler Chiyoōtori, and has served as his younger brother's attendant or tsukebito.
Jun Masaoka (政岡純, Masaoka Jun) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is currently working on the Japanese promotion…Jun Masaoka (政岡純, Masaoka Jun) is a Japanese professional wrestler, He is currently working on the Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah, where is a member of Team 2000X stable. He is also makes appearances on the Japanese independent scene such as Pro Wrestling Freedoms, Pro-Wrestling Shi-En, Wrestling of Darkness 666 and others.
Naoki Nomura (野村 直輝, Nomura Naoki; born 17 April 1991 in Shimonoseki) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Renofa…Naoki Nomura (野村 直輝, Nomura Naoki; born 17 April 1991 in Shimonoseki) is a Japanese footballer who plays for Renofa Yamaguchi FC.
Kotaro Fujiwara (藤原 広太朗, Fujiwara Kōtarō; born 17 April 1990) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as…Kotaro Fujiwara (藤原 広太朗, Fujiwara Kōtarō; born 17 April 1990) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as defender for Kagoshima United FC on loan from Tochigi SC.
Ryota Kajikawa (梶川 諒太, born April 17, 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fujieda…Ryota Kajikawa (梶川 諒太, born April 17, 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fujieda MYFC. Kajikawa has made over 360 appearances in the J2 League. He has spent most of his career with Tokyo Verdy, starting his career with them and re-joining them three times.
Takahiro Moriuchi (Japanese: 森内 貴寛, Hepburn: Moriuchi Takahiro; born April 17, 1988, in Tokyo), known professionally as…Takahiro Moriuchi (Japanese: 森内 貴寛, Hepburn: Moriuchi Takahiro; born April 17, 1988, in Tokyo), known professionally as Taka, is a Japanese singer and musician who is the lead vocalist of the Japanese rock band One Ok Rock. Moriuchi is the band's main lyricist and composer. In 2017, Kerrang! magazine placed him at number 27 on their list of the "50 Greatest Rockstars in the World". He was also listed by Rock Sound magazine as one of "50 Most Influential Figures in Rock". Prior to One Ok Rock, he was in the boyband NEWS throughout 2003 until he left the group and the agency. He performs in English and Japanese.
Nami Sano (Japanese: 佐野 菜見, Hepburn: Sano Nami; 17 April 1987 – 5 August 2023) was a Japanese manga artist. She made…Nami Sano (Japanese: 佐野 菜見, Hepburn: Sano Nami; 17 April 1987 – 5 August 2023) was a Japanese manga artist. She made her debut in 2010 with the one-shot title Non-Sugar Coffee. She later published two series, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto (2012–2015) and Migi & Dali (2017–2021), which were both adapted into anime series.
Shunsuke Fukuda (福田 俊介, Fukuda Shunsuke; born 17 April 1986) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a centre-back for…Shunsuke Fukuda (福田 俊介, Fukuda Shunsuke; born 17 April 1986) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a centre-back for Giravanz Kitakyushu in the J. League.
Krissada Heebthong (白倉キッサダー, Shirakura Kissada; born April 17, 1986 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai baseball pitcher.…Krissada Heebthong (白倉キッサダー, Shirakura Kissada; born April 17, 1986 in Bangkok, Thailand) is a Thai baseball pitcher. Heepthong is listed as 5'9" tall (175 cm) and 159 pounds (72 kg). He pitched for Thailand national baseball team in the 2006 Asian games, which was held in Doha, Qatar, as well as the 2007 Baseball World Cup. His fastball can reach approximately 142~144 km/h(about 88.2~89.5MPH) with good command.
Ayako Ōnuma (大沼 綾子, Ōnuma Ayako; born (1979-04-17)17 April 1979) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part…Ayako Ōnuma (大沼 綾子, Ōnuma Ayako; born (1979-04-17)17 April 1979) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated in the 2005 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. On club level she played for Hitachi Sawa Rivale in 2005.
Midori Yajima (born 17 April 1979) is a Japanese sport shooter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 10…Midori Yajima (born 17 April 1979) is a Japanese sport shooter. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men's 10 metre air rifle, finishing in 38th place, the men's 50 m rifle 3 positions, finishing in 39th place, and the men's 50 m rifle prone, finishing in 33rd place.
Ryuji Endo (遠藤 竜志, Endō Ryūji) (born April 17, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played for…Ryuji Endo (遠藤 竜志, Endō Ryūji) (born April 17, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Central League.
Ryuki Ueyama (born 17 April 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the…Ryuki Ueyama (born 17 April 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division. He has fought for organizations such as Fighting Network RINGS, DEEP, Pancrase, Hero's and Pride FC.
Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was…Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. An amateur champion at Nihon University, he entered professional sumo in 1996. He was one of the lightest sekitori wrestlers in recent years. He won two special prizes for Technique. He retired from active competition in 2010 and became a coach, but in April 2011 he was asked to resign from the Japan Sumo Association after being found guilty of match-fixing.
Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre…Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre director, and manga artist. Outside Japan, he is most well known for directing and acting in "The Japanese Tradition (日本の形)" videos (e.g. "Sushi (鮨)"), and for playing the Mac (opposite Jin Katagiri who plays the PC) in the "Get a Mac" advertising campaign in Japan. He is a member of the Rahmens owarai comedy duo. His manga series, Hana Usagi, ran from 1999 to 2004 in Young Magazine Uppers (published by Kodansha).
Yuichi Nishimura (西村 雄一, Nishimura Yūichi; born 17 April 1972) is a Japanese football referee. He has refereed in the…Yuichi Nishimura (西村 雄一, Nishimura Yūichi; born 17 April 1972) is a Japanese football referee. He has refereed in the Japanese J. League Division 1 since 1999 and has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2004. He refereed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he was appointed to several prestigious matches, including as fourth official on the final. He also refereed the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup between hosts Brazil and Croatia, and the second leg of the 2014 AFC Champions League final between Al Hilal and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mikiko Hagiwara (萩原 美樹子, Hagiwara Mikiko; born April 17, 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. She…Mikiko Hagiwara (萩原 美樹子, Hagiwara Mikiko; born April 17, 1970) is a Japanese former professional basketball player. She won a silver medal with the Japan women's national basketball team at the 1994 Asian Games. Hagiwara also competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where Japan's team came in seventh place. Hagiwara would also play in the WNBA for one year from June 1997 to July 1998. Hagiwara was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs with the 14th pick in the WNBA Elite Draft. Her WNBA debut took place on June 21, 1997 in a 73 - 61 win over the Utah Starzz where she recorded 3 points in 16 minutes of playing time. She was traded to the Phoenix Mercury on July 31, 1997 and played 12 games for them, averaging 2.8 points and 1.2 rebounds. She remained with the Mercury partially for the 1998 season, playing 10 games for them between June 26 - July 20, 1998 but played significantly fewer minutes (5.9 minutes per game) and averaged 2.2 points. Hagiwara was waived by the Mercury on July 31, 1998 (exactly one year after being traded to the team) and would never play in the WNBA afterwards. Her final WNBA game was played on July 20, 1998 in a 88 - 67 win over her former team, the Sacramento Monarchs. Hagiwara recorded two points and no other stats in her final game.
Sagamihara (相模原市, Sagamihara-shi) is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of May 1, 2021, the city has an estimated…Sagamihara (相模原市, Sagamihara-shi) is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of May 1, 2021, the city has an estimated population of 723,470, with 334,812 households, and a population density of 1,220 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 328.91 square kilometres (126.99 sq mi). Sagamihara is the third-most-populous city in the prefecture, after Yokohama and Kawasaki, and the fifth most populous suburb of the Greater Tokyo Area. Its northern neighbor is Machida, with which a cross-prefectural merger has been proposed. On April 1, 2010, the city became the 19th city designated by government ordinance. As a result of this, three wards were established: Midori-ku, Chūō-ku and Minami-ku.
Yoko Takahagi (高萩 陽子, Takahagi Yōko; born April 17, 1969) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan…Yoko Takahagi (高萩 陽子, Takahagi Yōko; born April 17, 1969) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Naoki Kusunose (楠瀬 直木, Kusunose Naoki; born April 17, 1964) is a Japanese football manager and former player.…Naoki Kusunose (楠瀬 直木, Kusunose Naoki; born April 17, 1964) is a Japanese football manager and former player. Currently, he is head coach of the Japan women's national under-17 football team and manager of WE League club Urawa Red Diamonds.
Maenoshin Yasuo (born 17 April 1961 as Yasuo Sawabe) is a former sumo wrestler from Chikuho, Fukuoka, Japan. He made…Maenoshin Yasuo (born 17 April 1961 as Yasuo Sawabe) is a former sumo wrestler from Chikuho, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1977, and reached the top division in November 1985. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in March 1990. He became an elder of the Sumo Association under the name Yamahibiki, but was forced to leave his position for disciplinary reasons in January 1997.
Kiyonori Imamura (今村 清憲, Imamura Kiyonori), better known by his stage name Norio Imamura (いまむら のりお, Imamura Norio)…Kiyonori Imamura (今村 清憲, Imamura Kiyonori), better known by his stage name Norio Imamura (いまむら のりお, Imamura Norio) (born April 17, 1954), is a Japanese stage actor and voice actor from Gifu. He is a graduate of the Fine Arts department of Nihon University. Imamura began his career in the musical troupe Musical Company It's Follies [ja] and was coached by Nachi Nozawa. Imamura tattoos himself as a hobby and has reportedly spent 4 to 5 million yen (the equivalent of $45,000 to $56,000) on tattoos over the course of a decade. From April 26 to June 7, 2010, Imamura posted pictures of his lower body on his blog with the intention of showing that his body had been completely tattooed. Imamura was arrested in July 2010 for posting images that were deemed indecent. This event forced Imamura to step down from his ongoing voice role as Emporio Ivankov in One Piece (the role was subsequently inherited by Mitsuo Iwata). On September 1, Imamura was released following a summary proceeding at the Tokyo Public Prosecutor's Office and was given a fine of 500,000 yen (approximately $6,000).
Tetsuro Aikawa (born 17 April 1954) is a Japanese businessman, the president, chief operating officer (COO) and a…Tetsuro Aikawa (born 17 April 1954) is a Japanese businessman, the president, chief operating officer (COO) and a representative director of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) since 25 June 2014. In April 2016, Aikawa led the announcement that Mitsubishi Motors had falsified fuel economy data for more than 600,000 vehicles made for Nissan and sold in Japan. Aikawa said that he was personally unaware, yet felt responsible. Bloomberg reported that Aikawa and other MMC executives attended meetings where fuel economy targets for the affected minicars were raised. During development of those minicars, the fuel economy targets were raised five times in two years, from an initial target of 26.4 km per liter to 29.2 km (18.14 miles) per liter. In May 2016, Mitsubishi Motors announced Aikawa to resign as the president of the company with effect from June. Both Mitsubishi Motors and Aikawa denied any top management involvement in the mileage scandal.
Yoshio Kimura (木村義雄, Kimura Yoshio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a…Yoshio Kimura (木村義雄, Kimura Yoshio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Sanuki, Kagawa and graduate of Chuo University, Kimura worked at Sumitomo Bank from 1972 to 1975. After serving in the Kagawa Prefectural Assembly for one term, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1986. He was a Senior Vice-Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. Kimura also served in the House of Representatives between 1986 and 2009 as a member of the Kagawa old 1st district and Kagawa 2nd district. Kimura ran in the national PR block in the 2022 House of Councillors election, but was defeated. In February 2026, he entered the House of Councillors as the next candidate on the LDP list, after Shigeharu Aoyama resigned to contest the 2026 general election.
Akio Fukuda (福田 昭夫, Fukuda Akio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party…Akio Fukuda (福田 昭夫, Fukuda Akio; born 17 April 1948) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Imaichi, Tochigi and graduate of Tohoku University, he joined the city government of Imaichi in 1971 and became the mayor of the city in 1991, serving for three terms. He was elected to be the governor of Tochigi Prefecture in 2000 but lost his re-election in 2004. In 2005, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time. In the February 2026 election, Fukuda was the candidate of the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance in Tochigi 2nd district, but lost to Liberal Democratic Party candidate Kiyoshi Igarashi. He subsequently left the alliance, criticising the decision to form a new party and the placement of Komeito-affiliated candidates at the top of the party’s proportional representation lists.
Tsutomu Wakamatsu (若松 勉, Wakamatsu Tsutomu; born April 17, 1947) is a Japanese former baseball player, coach, and…Tsutomu Wakamatsu (若松 勉, Wakamatsu Tsutomu; born April 17, 1947) is a Japanese former baseball player, coach, and manager for the Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball. He batted left-handed, and threw right-handed. His number 1 is honoured by the Swallows.
Toshio Hirano (平野 俊夫, Hirano Toshio; born April 17, 1947 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese immunologist and academic, best…Toshio Hirano (平野 俊夫, Hirano Toshio; born April 17, 1947 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese immunologist and academic, best known for his discovery of interleukin-6. Since August 2011, he has served as the 17th President of Osaka University.
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.
Shuji Kobayashi (born 17 April 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1960 Winter…Shuji Kobayashi (born 17 April 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
