Hayato Okuda (奥田 勇斗, Okuda Hayato; born 21 April 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League…Hayato Okuda (奥田 勇斗, Okuda Hayato; born 21 April 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League club Cerezo Osaka.
Adam Yuki Baig (born 12 April 1999) is a Japanese handball player for Zeekstar Tokyo and the Japanese national team. He…Adam Yuki Baig (born 12 April 1999) is a Japanese handball player for Zeekstar Tokyo and the Japanese national team. He represented Japan at the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship.
Masahiro Sekiguchi (関口 正大, Sekiguchi Masahiro; born 21 April 1998) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right-back…Masahiro Sekiguchi (関口 正大, Sekiguchi Masahiro; born 21 April 1998) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right-back for J1 League club V-Varen Nagasaki.
Yuto Mori (森 勇人, Mori Yūto; born 21 April 1995 in Anjo, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a…Yuto Mori (森 勇人, Mori Yūto; born 21 April 1995 in Anjo, Aichi, Japan) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Kamatamare Sanuki in J3 League from 2023. He has previously played for both Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka.
Kazuhiro Goya (合谷 和弘, Gōya Kazuhiro; born April 21, 1993) is a Japanese rugby sevens player. He competed at the 2016…Kazuhiro Goya (合谷 和弘, Gōya Kazuhiro; born April 21, 1993) is a Japanese rugby sevens player. He competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics for Japan 7s. He played at the 2015 ARFU Men's Sevens Championships where Japan beat Hong Kong to qualify for the Olympics.
Shintarō Saitō (斎藤 慎太郎, Saitō Shintarō; born April 21, 1993) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 8-dan. He…Shintarō Saitō (斎藤 慎太郎, Saitō Shintarō; born April 21, 1993) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 8-dan. He is a former Ōza title holder.
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.
Hikaru Kaihatsu (Japanese: 開發 光, Hepburn: Kaihatsu Hikaru; born April 21, 1989), who is professionally known as Hikakin…Hikaru Kaihatsu (Japanese: 開發 光, Hepburn: Kaihatsu Hikaru; born April 21, 1989), who is professionally known as Hikakin (Japanese: ヒカキン), is a Japanese YouTuber, beatboxer, and businessman. He co-founded and is supreme advisor of the Japanese multi-channel network Uuum. He also established, and serves as co-CEO and Chief creative officer of the company Bee. Hikakin is also a member of the Japanese music group Hikakin & Seikin. His popularity on YouTube and extensive media coverage have made him one of Japan's most-prominent online personalities and content creators. Hikakin was born and raised in Myōkō City, Niigata Prefecture. He opened his YouTube channel "Hikakin" in 2006, posting mainly beatboxing videos. In 2010, he posted "Super Mario Beatbox", a beatbox medley of music from Super Mario Bros., which gained over a million views in one week. In 2012, he quit his supermarket to focus on his YouTube channel. In 2015, he began producing music, including the "YouTube Theme Song", which he co-wrote with his brother Seikin, and in November of the same year, his channel "HikakinTV" exceeded 2.57 million subscribers, making it the most-subscribed-to YouTube channel in Japan. In 2021, his YouTube channel "HikakinTV" surpassed 10 million subscribers and by 2022, "HikakinTV" had accumulated more than 10 billion views. In 2023, Hikakin launched his brand Hikakin Premium (currently known as Bee), and released cup ramen, "Misokin Rich Miso Ramen" (みそきん 濃厚味噌ラーメン), and cup rice, "Misokin Rich Miso Meshi" (みそきん 濃厚味噌メシ), at 7-Eleven stores in Japan, which had sold 60 million meals in July 2026. On April 21, 2026, he launched the barley tea "Onicha" (鬼茶) and two months later, sales surpassed 7.5 million bottles. Hikakin's seven YouTube channels have more than 30 million subscribers and 25.7 billion views, and as of July 2026, his main channel, "HikakinTV", is the eighth-most-subscribed-to YouTube channel in Japan. His online popularity has boosted sales of the video games he plays and inspired support for charitable fundraising. Hikakin has been nominated in the International category at the 10th and 12th Streamy Awards, and Forbes Japan named him one of the "Top 50 Influencers" in 2019.
Takuro Fujii (藤井 拓郎, Fujii Takurō; born April 21, 1985) is a Japanese competitive swimmer and two-time Olympic…Takuro Fujii (藤井 拓郎, Fujii Takurō; born April 21, 1985) is a Japanese competitive swimmer and two-time Olympic medalist. He won the bronze medal by swimming the butterfly leg in the 4 × 100 m medley relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He followed this with a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, again in the medley relay, but this time by swimming the freestyle (anchor) leg.
Emma Haruka Iwao (born April 21, 1984) is a Japanese computer scientist and cloud developer advocate at Google. In 2019…Emma Haruka Iwao (born April 21, 1984) is a Japanese computer scientist and cloud developer advocate at Google. In 2019 Haruka Iwao calculated the then world record for most accurate value of pi (π); which included 31.4 trillion digits, exceeding the previous record of 22 trillion. This record was surpassed in 2020 by Timothy Mullican who calculated 50 trillion digits, but she reclaimed the record in 2022 with 100 trillion digits. The record was surpassed by a computer storage company in 2024, reaching roughly 105 trillion digits. She identifies as queer.
Tomoko Okuda (奥田朋子, Okuda Tomoko) (born 21 April 1983) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBO female…Tomoko Okuda (奥田朋子, Okuda Tomoko) (born 21 April 1983) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBO female junior-bantamweight title from December 2020 until June 2021. At regional level she held the OPBF and Japanese female bantamweight titles in 2020.
Chiyohakuhō Daiki (born 21 April 1983 as Daiki Kakiuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan. He…Chiyohakuhō Daiki (born 21 April 1983 as Daiki Kakiuchi) is a former sumo wrestler from Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1999 and broke into the top makuuchi division nine years later in 2008. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He wrestled for Kokonoe stable. After he admitted to his involvement in match-fixing, he retired from the sport in 2011 following an investigation by the Japan Sumo Association.
Fumiyuki Hashimoto (橋本 史之, Hashimoto Fumiyuki) (born April 21, 1982), known by his ring name Kagetora (formerly…Fumiyuki Hashimoto (橋本 史之, Hashimoto Fumiyuki) (born April 21, 1982), known by his ring name Kagetora (formerly stylized in all capitals), is a Japanese professional wrestler who works for Dragon Gate. He wrestles in independent wrestling leagues all around Japan and has wrestled in the United States for Chikara and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. He has wrestled many famous wrestlers including Jinsei Shinzaki.
Ryota Arimitsu (有光 亮太, Arimitsu Ryōta; born 21 April 1981) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…Ryota Arimitsu (有光 亮太, Arimitsu Ryōta; born 21 April 1981) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward.
Toshiaki Kurasawa (倉澤 利彰, Kurasawa Toshiaki) (born April 21, 1976) is a retired Japanese male freestyle and medley…Toshiaki Kurasawa (倉澤 利彰, Kurasawa Toshiaki) (born April 21, 1976) is a retired Japanese male freestyle and medley swimmer. He represented his Japan in two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1992. His best Olympic result was the 10th place (4:23.36) in the Men's 400m Individual Medley event at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Masafumi Hirai (平井 正史, born April 21, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Hirai played in Nippon…Masafumi Hirai (平井 正史, born April 21, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. Hirai played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix BlueWave/Buffaloes from 1994 to 2002 and from 2013 to 2014, and the Chunichi Dragons from 2003 to 2012.
Yoshiharu Ueno (上野 良治, Ueno Yoshiharu; born April 21, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yoshiharu Ueno (上野 良治, Ueno Yoshiharu; born April 21, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works…Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Power Rise under the alias Hyo-sei (氷青, Hyōsei). For adult works, she goes by the name Elena Kaibara (海原 エレナ, Kaibara Erena). Hyo-sei released her first album titled Fuyu Hanabi (冬花火) on April 21, 2010.
Hiromi Yamamoto (later Yamanaka, 山本 宏美 later 山中, Yamamoto Hiromi, later Yamanaka; born 21 April 1970) is a Japanese…Hiromi Yamamoto (later Yamanaka, 山本 宏美 later 山中, Yamamoto Hiromi, later Yamanaka; born 21 April 1970) is a Japanese speed skater who competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics. She was born in Shiraoi, Hokkaido and is the wife of Takeshi Yamanaka. In 1994 she won the bronze medal in the 5000 metres event. In the 3000 metres competition she finished seventh and in the 1500 metres contest she finished 15th.
Shigeo Kobayashi (小林 成男, Kobayashi Shigeo; born April 21, 1970) is a Japanese actor. Born and raised in Tokyo…Shigeo Kobayashi (小林 成男, Kobayashi Shigeo; born April 21, 1970) is a Japanese actor. Born and raised in Tokyo, Kobayashi worked on over 80 films, theatrical productions and TV drama series. In 2008, he played the leading role in a short film "Todai (the Light House)" a part of Otokotachi no Uta. His most recent work includes the role of a Japanese Lieutenant in The Flowers of War, starring Christian Bale and directed by Zhang Yimou. Shigeo continues to build a unique career as an actor, noted for his ability to express subtle emotions. While attending Keio University, he studied acting as an apprentice of renowned kabuki actor Yorozuya Kinnosuke. After performing in historical plays with Yorozuya, during which he trained for Japanese swordfights, he broadened his scope to film and television. In 1999, he appeared in Railroad Man with Ken Takakura. Over the years he earned recognition as both a film and theatrical actor who specialises in Yakuza, samurai, soldier and detective roles.
Yasushi Yamanoi (山野井泰史) (born 1965) is a Japanese mountaineer who is known for making the first ascents of new climbing…Yasushi Yamanoi (山野井泰史) (born 1965) is a Japanese mountaineer who is known for making the first ascents of new climbing routes, often by solo climbing, on notable big wall routes, and on alpine climbing routes in the Greater Ranges. An editorial in the American Alpine Journal in 1999 commented on his "futuristic climbing" and he received the Piolet d'Or Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
Yutaka Kobayshi (小林 温, Kobayashi Yutaka; born April 21, 1964) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Yutaka Kobayshi (小林 温, Kobayashi Yutaka; born April 21, 1964) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic party, serving as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan.
Hiroe Suga (菅浩江, Suga Hiroe; born April 21, 1963 in Kyoto) is a Japanese science fiction and mystery writer. She was…Hiroe Suga (菅浩江, Suga Hiroe; born April 21, 1963 in Kyoto) is a Japanese science fiction and mystery writer. She was first published in 1981. She has won four Seiun Awards – in 1992 and 2001 for best novel of the year, and in 1993 and 2020 for best short story of the year. She is also a musician and a qualified dancer in the Wakayagi school of Japanese traditional dance. Music and dance have figured in her fiction. Suga has taught at a story writing course at the Kyoto College of Graphic Studies for Informatics (KCGI). In November 1990, Suga married Gainax founder Yasuhiro Takeda.
Tomoko Namba (南場智子, Namba Tomoko; born April 21, 1962) is a Japanese entrepreneur, and the former CEO of DeNA. She is…Tomoko Namba (南場智子, Namba Tomoko; born April 21, 1962) is a Japanese entrepreneur, and the former CEO of DeNA. She is vice-chair of the Japan Business Federation. In 1999 she founded DeNA, one of Japan's largest mobile social network and mobile game companies. She transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman of DeNA in 2011 to focus on her family and personal life. In 2021, she was appointed vice-chair of the Japan Business Foundation to become the first woman in the post in its 75-year history. Namba received an MBA from Harvard Business School and was the third Japanese woman to become a partner at McKinsey & Co. She started DeNA after working on a consulting assignment with Sony's So-net while she was a consultant at McKinsey.
Michiko Ueno (上野 通子, Ueno Michiko; born April 21, 1958) is a Japanese politician. She is a member of the House of…Michiko Ueno (上野 通子, Ueno Michiko; born April 21, 1958) is a Japanese politician. She is a member of the House of Councillors, the upper house of the National Diet of Japan. She was first elected to the House of Councillors in 2010 and was re-elected in 2016. Prior to that, she was a member of the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly from 2003 to 2010. She belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party. Ueno is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Yoshito Usui (臼井 儀人, Usui Yoshito; April 21, 1958 – September 11, 2009) was a Japanese manga artist known for the…Yoshito Usui (臼井 儀人, Usui Yoshito; April 21, 1958 – September 11, 2009) was a Japanese manga artist known for the popular Crayon Shin-chan series. He was born in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Ryoichi Kimizuka (君塚良一, Kimizuka Ryōichi; born 21 April 1958, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and director…Ryoichi Kimizuka (君塚良一, Kimizuka Ryōichi; born 21 April 1958, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and director for television and film.
Chikahito Harada (原田 親仁, Harada Chikahito; born April 21, 1951) is a Japanese diplomat and former Ambassador to the…Chikahito Harada (原田 親仁, Harada Chikahito; born April 21, 1951) is a Japanese diplomat and former Ambassador to the Russian Federation. In 1999-2001 served as Press Secretary in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2001-2002 served as representative of Japan to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. Served also as Charge d'Affaire at the Japanese Embassy in China and director of the Russia Division at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Harada was the ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2008 to 2010. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the ambassador to the Russian Federation.
Hirokazu Shiba (芝 博一, Shiba Hirokazu; 21 April 1950 – 15 November 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic…Hirokazu Shiba (芝 博一, Shiba Hirokazu; 21 April 1950 – 15 November 2025) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet, the country's national legislature.
Yoichi Miyazawa (宮沢 洋一, Miyazawa Yōichi; born 21 April 1950) is a Japanese politician who serves as Chairman of the Tax…Yoichi Miyazawa (宮沢 洋一, Miyazawa Yōichi; born 21 April 1950) is a Japanese politician who serves as Chairman of the Tax Research Commission in the Liberal Democratic Party since 2021 and from 2015 to 2019. He also served as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2014 to 2015. He has served as a member of the House of Councillors since 2010 and was previously a House of Representatives from 2000 to 2009. Miyazawa is a nephew of Kiichi Miyazawa and a cousin of Fumio Kishida. He was an official in the Ministry of Finance before entering politics.
Tatsumi Kimishima (君島 達己, Kimishima Tatsumi; born April 21, 1950) is a Japanese businessman who served as the 5th…Tatsumi Kimishima (君島 達己, Kimishima Tatsumi; born April 21, 1950) is a Japanese businessman who served as the 5th president of Nintendo from September 2015 to June 2018. He was formerly the president of Nintendo of America from January 2002, succeeding Minoru Arakawa, until Reggie Fils-Aimé took his place in May 2006. In May 2006, he became CEO and chairman of the board of Nintendo of America, and retained this position until June 2018. He was promoted to managing director in June 2013 and was named the fifth president of the company in September 2015, succeeding Satoru Iwata, who died in July 2015. Kimishima stepped down as president in June 2018 and was succeeded by Shuntaro Furukawa.
Fumio Nanjo (南條 史生, Nanjō Fumio; born 1949 in Tokyo) is a curator and art historian. Between 2006 and 2019 he was the…Fumio Nanjo (南條 史生, Nanjō Fumio; born 1949 in Tokyo) is a curator and art historian. Between 2006 and 2019 he was the director of the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. A graduate of Keio University, Nanjo was previously Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Nagoya (1986–1990) and served as commissioner of the Japan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (1997). He has curated many art exhibitions and directed many art program, including the Taipei Biennale (1998); the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (1999); the Yokohama Triennale (2001), the Singapore Biennale (2006, 2008) and the inaugural Honolulu Biennial (2017). In 2018 he curated the exhibition Japan in Architecture: Genealogies of Its Transformations at the Mori Art Museum. Fumio Nanjo was one of the co-organizers of 1994 exhibition “Open Air ’94 Out of Bounds̶ Contemporary Art in the Seascape” held in Naoshima. Nanjo also contributed to exhibitions catalogues, art journals and magazines, and is the author of From Art to the City (1997) and Asian Contemporary Art Report: China, India, Middle East and Japan (2010).
Takao Koyama (Japanese: 小山 高生, Hepburn: Koyama Takao; born April 21, 1948, in Akishima, Tokyo) is a Japanese…Takao Koyama (Japanese: 小山 高生, Hepburn: Koyama Takao; born April 21, 1948, in Akishima, Tokyo) is a Japanese screenwriter and novelist focusing on anime productions. His name was written as 小山 高男 until 1987.
Osamu Nagayama (Japanese: 永山 治, Hepburn: Nagayama Osamu; born April 21, 1947) is a Japanese businessman. He was the…Osamu Nagayama (Japanese: 永山 治, Hepburn: Nagayama Osamu; born April 21, 1947) is a Japanese businessman. He was the chairman and chief executive officer of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., one of Japan's largest drug companies. He served as chairman of the board of directors of Sony Corporation from 2013 to 2019. In July 2020, Nagayama was announced as the new chairman of Japanese electronics company Toshiba. In June 2021, Nagayama was ousted from his position as chairman of Toshiba following a shareholder revolt. Nagayama is Japanese. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Keio University in 1971, where he studied in the Faculty of Business and Commerce. He began his professional career in 1971 at the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. He joined Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., in November 1978. Nagayama is a member of the board of directors of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), a global nonprofit organization that combats child sexual exploitation, child pornography, and child abduction.
Toyoo Ashida (芦田 豊雄, Ashida Toyoo; April 21, 1944 – July 23, 2011) was a Japanese anime character designer, animator…Toyoo Ashida (芦田 豊雄, Ashida Toyoo; April 21, 1944 – July 23, 2011) was a Japanese anime character designer, animator and director. He was most notable for directing the original Vampire Hunter D anime, as well as for providing character designs for Vifam, Mashin Hero Wataru, Minky Momo and F-Zero GP Legend. He is the founder of the anime production studio, Studio Live and as well as the Japanese Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) along with Satoshi Kon. His designs are similar to those of Akira Toriyama. Toyoo got his style while working on Dr. Slump. He was also heavily inspired by Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, the Fleischer Brothers, Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis.
Kakutaro Kitashiro (北城 恪太郎, Kitashiro Kakutaro; born April 21, 1944) is a Japanese systems engineer and business…Kakutaro Kitashiro (北城 恪太郎, Kitashiro Kakutaro; born April 21, 1944) is a Japanese systems engineer and business executive. He was the president of IBM Japan, Ltd., IBM's Japanese subsidiary, in 1993–1999, and of IBM Asia Pacific Corporation in 1999–2003, and contributed to the development of the IT business in Japan and Asia-Pacific. He was also the chairperson of Japan Association of Corporate Executives in 2003–2006, and the chair of the Board of Trustees of International Christian University, Tokyo, in 2010–2019. He earned a BS degree from Keio University in 1967 and an MS degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1972.
Koichi Wajima (輪島 功一, born 21 April 1943) is a Japanese former professional boxer who was the undisputed…Koichi Wajima (輪島 功一, born 21 April 1943) is a Japanese former professional boxer who was the undisputed light-middleweight champion. He held the WBA and WBC titles from 1971 and 1974, he regained the titles in January 1975 that included The Ring title but lost it right away on June of the same year. He once again won the WBA and The Ring title in 1976.
Hitonari Maruyama (born 21 April 1942) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the men's downhill at the 1968 Winter…Hitonari Maruyama (born 21 April 1942) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the men's downhill at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and…Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. He played for the Mainichi Orions, Daimai Orions and Yomiuri Giants. He later managed the Yokohama Taiyō Whales from 1990 to 1992.
Kenzo Ohashi (大橋 謙三, Ohashi Kenzo; April 21, 1934 – December 21, 2015) was a Japanese football player and manager. He…Kenzo Ohashi (大橋 謙三, Ohashi Kenzo; April 21, 1934 – December 21, 2015) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Masao Uchino (内野 正雄, Uchino Masao; April 21, 1934 – April 2013) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played…Masao Uchino (内野 正雄, Uchino Masao; April 21, 1934 – April 2013) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Yutaka Kaneko (兼子 隆, Kaneko Yutaka; born 21 April 1933) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1960 Summer…Yutaka Kaneko (兼子 隆, Kaneko Yutaka; born 21 April 1933) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics.