Mele Yua Havili Kagawa (born 29 September 2001) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2025…Mele Yua Havili Kagawa (born 29 September 2001) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Sora Nishimura (born 29 September 2000) is a Japanese rugby union player. She represented Japan at the 2025 Women's…Sora Nishimura (born 29 September 2000) is a Japanese rugby union player. She represented Japan at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Mikiya Eto (衛藤 幹弥, Etō Mikiya; born 29 September 1999) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for…Mikiya Eto (衛藤 幹弥, Etō Mikiya; born 29 September 1999) is a Japanese footballer currently playing as a defender for Kagoshima United.
Rina Gonoi (五ノ井 里奈, Gonoi Rina; born September 29, 1999) is a Japanese judoka and former soldier of the Japan Ground…Rina Gonoi (五ノ井 里奈, Gonoi Rina; born September 29, 1999) is a Japanese judoka and former soldier of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). She was sexually assaulted by senior male JGSDF officers, forcing her to quit the military after her complaints of sexual assault were dismissed by superior officers.
Ryūji Higa (比嘉 龍二, Higa Ryūji; 29 September 1995 – 12 July 2023), known professionally as Ryuchell (りゅうちぇる, Ryūcheru)…Ryūji Higa (比嘉 龍二, Higa Ryūji; 29 September 1995 – 12 July 2023), known professionally as Ryuchell (りゅうちぇる, Ryūcheru), was a Japanese social media personality, model, singer, and activist. In the mid-2010s, Ryuchell gained a social media following through modeling in Harajuku and later became an influential figure in the Japanese genderless fashion subculture. In 2018, Ryuchell also debuted as a singer with their first song, "Hands Up!! If You're Awesome." In 2022, Ryuchell began advocating for LGBT rights on Japanese television. This, compounded with Ryuchell's announcement that they no longer identified under male gender roles and had divorced, opened them up to scrutiny.
Misaki Oshigiri (押切 美沙紀) (born 29 September 1992) is a Japanese speed skater. Oshigiri competed at the 2014 Winter…Misaki Oshigiri (押切 美沙紀) (born 29 September 1992) is a Japanese speed skater. Oshigiri competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics for Japan. In the 1500 metres she placed 22nd. She was also part of the Japanese team pursuit squad, which won their semi-final, before losing to the Netherlands in the semi-final and to Russia in the bronze medal final, ending up 4th overall. Oshigiri has won a pair of silver medals at the World Junior Speed Skating Championships, in two team pursuit events. Oshigiri made her World Cup debut in November 2012. As of December 2014, Oshigiri's top World Cup finish is 17th in a 1500 m race. Her best overall finish in the World Cup is 38th, in the 1500 m World Cup of 2012–13.
Ryosuke Yagi (八木 亮祐, Yagi Ryōsuke; born September 29, 1990 in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a professional…Ryosuke Yagi (八木 亮祐, Yagi Ryōsuke; born September 29, 1990 in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes.
Yuta Matsumura is a Japanese curler from Kitami. He was the skip of the Consadole curling team until 2022 when he…Yuta Matsumura is a Japanese curler from Kitami. He was the skip of the Consadole curling team until 2022 when he joined TM Karuizawa skipped by Yusuke Morozumi.
Osama Ibrahim Ali Elsamni (Arabic: أسامة إبراهيم علي السمني, romanized: Usāma Ibrāhīm ʿAlī as-Samnī; Japanese…Osama Ibrahim Ali Elsamni (Arabic: أسامة إبراهيم علي السمني, romanized: Usāma Ibrāhīm ʿAlī as-Samnī; Japanese: エルサムニー・オサマ, romanized: Erusamunī Osama; born 29 September 1988) is an Egyptian-Japanese retired footballer who played as a striker.
Shinya Uehara (上原 慎也, Uehara Shin'ya; born September 29, 1986) is a Japanese football player who plays for Seriole…Shinya Uehara (上原 慎也, Uehara Shin'ya; born September 29, 1986) is a Japanese football player who plays for Seriole Okinawa.
Ayuko Ito (伊藤 亜由子, Itō Ayuko; born 29 September 1986) is a Japanese short-track speed-skater. Ito competed at the 2010…Ayuko Ito (伊藤 亜由子, Itō Ayuko; born 29 September 1986) is a Japanese short-track speed-skater. Ito competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics for Japan. She finished third in her opening round race of the 1000 metres, failing to advance and placing 18th. She was also a member of the 3000 metre relay team, which finished third in the semifinals and fourth in the B Final, ending up seventh overall. As of 2013, Ito has won one bronze medal at the World Championships, as a member of the Japanese relay team in 2013. Her best individual result is 9th, in the 2012 1500 metres. As of 2013, Ito has ten ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup podium finishes, all as part of the Japanese relay team. Her best result is a silver medal, achieved three times. Her best World Cup ranking is eighth, in the 1000 metres in 2011–12. She also competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Takumi Beppu (別府匠, Beppu Takumi; born September 9, 1979 in Chigasaki, Kanagawa) is a Japanese former racing cyclist…Takumi Beppu (別府匠, Beppu Takumi; born September 9, 1979 in Chigasaki, Kanagawa) is a Japanese former racing cyclist, who currently works as a directeur sportif for UCI Continental team Aisan Racing Team. His younger brother Fumiyuki Beppu is also former professional cyclist.
Kiyofumi Ohno (オーノキヨフミ, 大野清文, Ôno Kiyofumi; born September 29, 1978) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter from Kitami…Kiyofumi Ohno (オーノキヨフミ, 大野清文, Ôno Kiyofumi; born September 29, 1978) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter from Kitami, Hokkaido. He came out with the song "Heibon" in 2004.
Jun Ōki (大木 淳, Ōki Jun; born 29 September 1973, in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan), better known as Bibiru Ōki (ビビる 大木; Lit.…Jun Ōki (大木 淳, Ōki Jun; born 29 September 1973, in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan), better known as Bibiru Ōki (ビビる 大木; Lit. “Scaredy-Cat Oki”), is a Japanese comedian represented by Watanabe Entertainment. His wife is the singer Akina. Ōki was a member of the comedy duo Bibiru. He graduated from Kasukabe City Tanihara Junior High School and Seibudai Chiba Junior & Senior High School. Ōki is an ambassador for Kusakabe and Hagi Furusato (hometown areas). He is also the honorary curator of the John Manjirō Museum. Ōki is a special envoy for Kōchi Prefecture tourism.
Nobuharu Saito (齋藤 信治, Saitō Nobuharu; born 29 September 1973) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the…Nobuharu Saito (齋藤 信治, Saitō Nobuharu; born 29 September 1973) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Taizo Son (Japanese: 孫泰蔵, romanized: Son Taizō, Korean: 손태장, born September 29, 1972) is a Japanese businessman of…Taizo Son (Japanese: 孫泰蔵, romanized: Son Taizō, Korean: 손태장, born September 29, 1972) is a Japanese businessman of Korean ancestry. He is CEO of Mistletoe, a company that he founded in 2013, and chairman of mobile gaming company GungHo, which he founded in 2002. GungHo's market value in 2013 was $10.4 billion, making Son a billionaire. He is the youngest brother of SoftBank magnate Masayoshi Son.
Shinya Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya; born September 29, 1972), better known by his ring name Togi Makabe (真壁 刀義…Shinya Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya; born September 29, 1972), better known by his ring name Togi Makabe (真壁 刀義, Makabe Tōgi) is a Japanese professional wrestler, trained by and performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, two-time NEVER Openweight Champion and one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. Debuting in 1997, Makabe originally wrestled under his birthname as a junior heavyweight (100 kilograms (220 lb), before gaining several kilograms during a global excursion in 2001 and 2002. He changed his given name to "Togi" during the 2004 G1 Climax tournament. His status in New Japan rose significantly in 2007, making it to the finals of the New Japan Cup and the semifinals of the G1 Climax, and challenging Yuji Nagata for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. After a number of unsuccessful challenges at the title, Makabe finally won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on May 3, 2010, by defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. Makabe's wrestling style and character is heavily influenced by the late Bruiser Brody. Known as the "Unchained Gorilla", Makabe is known for his violent, bloody style of wrestling, often illegally employing steel chairs and chains into his offense, including a lariat with a chain wrapped around his arm (like Brody). He also uses Brody's Japan theme "Immigrant Song" (albeit a cover made by Tomoyasu Hotei) as his own.
Akiko Honda is a Japanese politician who is a member of the Senate of Japan. She was elected in 2019 to the national…Akiko Honda is a Japanese politician who is a member of the Senate of Japan. She was elected in 2019 to the national proportional representation block.
Koichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 浩一, Hepburn: Sakamoto Kōichi) is a Japanese and American film and television director…Koichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 浩一, Hepburn: Sakamoto Kōichi) is a Japanese and American film and television director, stunt performer and coordinator, fight choreographer and producer. He is best known for his work in the tokusatsu genre, particularly for the Super Sentai, Power Rangers and Kamen Rider franchises.
Yoshihiro Tajiri (田尻 義博, Tajiri Yoshihiro; born September 29, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter…Yoshihiro Tajiri (田尻 義博, Tajiri Yoshihiro; born September 29, 1970) is a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter primarily known under the ring name Tajiri (sometimes stylized as "TAJIRI"), he has also competed under his real name as well as under the names Aquarius and Kikkoman and briefly worked as the masked character Tigre Blanco. He rose to international attention through his work for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1998 to 2001 and World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment from 2001 to 2008 and a return in 2016–2017. Early in his career, he worked for several Mexican promotions such as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). After leaving WWE in 2005 he has worked for a number of Japanese promotions including New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Hustle, Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) and Wrestle-1 (W-1). He was also the promoter and featured wrestler for the Smash promotion as well as its successor Wrestling New Classic (WNC). He is currently under a full-time contract with Kyushu Pro-Wrestling. Over the years Tajiri has trained various wrestlers including Kushida, Minoru Fujita, Ray and Syuri. In ECW he won the ECW World Television Championship and formed a regular tag team with Mikey Whipwreck that won the ECW World Tag Team Championship on one occasion. In CZW, he was a one time CZW World Heavyweight Champion. During his years with WWE, he won the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship once, WCW United States Championship once, their Cruiserweight Championship on multiple occasions, the WWE Tag Team Championship with Eddie Guerrero and the World Tag Team Championship with William Regal. In AJPW, he has won their Gaora TV Championship, World Junior Heavyweight Championship two times and the 2018 Jr. Tag Battle of Glory tournament with Koji Iwamoto. In MLW, he was MLW Middleweight Champion.
Kiyonobu Inoue (Japanese: 井上 清信, Hepburn: Inoue Kiyonobu; born September 29, 1970), better known exclusively by his…Kiyonobu Inoue (Japanese: 井上 清信, Hepburn: Inoue Kiyonobu; born September 29, 1970), better known exclusively by his stage name Inoran, is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Luna Sea since 1986. He started his solo career in 1997. Luna Sea disbanded in 2000, and he formed Fake? with Oblivion Dust vocalist Ken Lloyd a year later. In 2005 he left Fake? and founded Tourbillon with Luna Sea vocalist Ryuichi Kawamura and Hiroaki Hayama. He rejoined Luna Sea when they reunited in 2010, and in 2012 formed Muddy Apes with bassist Taka Hirose and guitarist Dean Tidey, both from Feeder, and 8otto's vocalist Maeson. In 2011, Inoran became the first Japanese musician to have a signature model guitar with Fender.
Takeshi Fujii (藤井 猛, Fujii Takeshi; born September 29, 1970) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He…Takeshi Fujii (藤井 猛, Fujii Takeshi; born September 29, 1970) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Ryūō title holder, and a former non-executive director of the Japan Shogi Association. Fujii is known for developing the Fujii System, a class of strategies for Fourth File Rook positions against Static Rook opponents especially Static Rook Anaguma.
Masahiro Kunda (薫田真広, Kunda Masahiro), (born Kakamigahara, September 29, 1966) is a Japanese rugby union hooker and…Masahiro Kunda (薫田真広, Kunda Masahiro), (born Kakamigahara, September 29, 1966) is a Japanese rugby union hooker and coach. Kunda played for Toshiba Brave Lupus, a team he coached to a League title victory in 2007. Originally from Gifu Prefecture, he was educated at University of Tsukuba (Tsukuba Daigaku). He served as the captain in the 1995 Rugby World Cup and is now Head Coach of the Japan U20s squad.
Eijiro Ai (阿井英二郎, Ai Eijiro; born September 29, 1964) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He…Eijiro Ai (阿井英二郎, Ai Eijiro; born September 29, 1964) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He played for the Yakult Swallows from 1985 to 1989, and the Lotte Orions/Chiba Lotte Marines in 1991 and 1992.
Hiroe Makiyama (牧山 弘恵, Makiyama Hiroe; born 29 September 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Hiroe Makiyama (牧山 弘恵, Makiyama Hiroe; born 29 September 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) representing the Kanagawa at-large district. Makiyama is part of the CDP's shadow cabinet 'Next Cabinet' as the shadow Minister of Justice.
Shuichi Takatori (高鳥 修一, Takatori Shūichi; born 29 September 1960) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House…Shuichi Takatori (高鳥 修一, Takatori Shūichi; born 29 September 1960) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet for the Liberal Democratic Party. A native of Joetsu, Niigata he was elected for the first time in 2005.
Yasuhiro Ozato (小里 泰弘, Ozato Yasuhiro; born 29 September 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yasuhiro Ozato (小里 泰弘, Ozato Yasuhiro; born 29 September 1958) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a former member of the House of Representatives in the Diet. A native of the former town of Kirishima, Kagoshima and graduate of Keio University, he was elected for the first time in 2005. He is affiliated to the revisionist lobby Nippon Kaigi.
Kaoru Hasuike (蓮池 薫, Hasuike Kaoru; born September 29, 1957) is a Japanese citizen who was abducted by North Korean…Kaoru Hasuike (蓮池 薫, Hasuike Kaoru; born September 29, 1957) is a Japanese citizen who was abducted by North Korean spies along with his girlfriend Yukiko Okudo. They were abducted from their hometown of Kashiwazaki in Niigata prefecture on July 19, 1978. Hasuike was a law student at the time. During their captivity, in May 1980, Hasuike and Okudo were married. They had two children: a daughter, Shigeyo, and a son, Katsuya. On October 15, 2002, the North Korean government allowed Hasuike, Okudo and other victims to leave North Korea to visit Japan. Once there, Hasuike and Okudo decided to remain in Japan and to plead for the release of their children, which was eventually allowed in 2004. After his escape, Hasuike wrote a book, Abduction and My Decision, about his experiences in North Korea. In April 2013, Hasuike was appointed Associate Professor of economics at the Kashiwazaki-based Niigata Sangyo University, where he has taught Japanese and Korean languages since 2008. In addition, Hasuike runs a translation business. His story and that of his brother Toru were adapted for a manga.
Takashi Ikenoue (池ノ上 孝司, Ikenoue Takashi; born 29 September 1955) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in…Takashi Ikenoue (池ノ上 孝司, Ikenoue Takashi; born 29 September 1955) is a Japanese former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Takanosato Toshihide (Japanese: 隆の里 俊英; September 29, 1952 – November 7, 2011), real name Toshihide Takaya (高谷 俊英), was…Takanosato Toshihide (Japanese: 隆の里 俊英; September 29, 1952 – November 7, 2011), real name Toshihide Takaya (高谷 俊英), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Namioka, Aomori. He was the sport's 59th yokozuna from 1983 to 1986 and won four top division tournament championships. After retirement he established Naruto stable which he ran from 1989 until his death.
Tetsuo Morimoto (森本 哲生, Morimoto Tetsuo; born 29 September 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic…Tetsuo Morimoto (森本 哲生, Morimoto Tetsuo; born 29 September 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) from 2005 to 2012.
Yoshiji Soeno (添野 義二, Soeno Yoshiji; born September 29, 1947) is a Japanese karateka and a retired professional…Yoshiji Soeno (添野 義二, Soeno Yoshiji; born September 29, 1947) is a Japanese karateka and a retired professional welterweight kickboxer. Soeno was a renowned practitioner of Kyokushin-kaikan style of karate, before branching out and founding his own style of Shidōkan Karate. Soeno is currently the director of The World Karate Association Shidokan, headquartered at Shizuoka-ken, Japan.
Yoshinari Kida (気田 義也, Kida Yoshinari; born 29 September 1943) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1964…Yoshinari Kida (気田 義也, Kida Yoshinari; born 29 September 1943) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics and the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Toshihide Ibaraki (Japanese: 茨木 俊秀, born 1940) is a Japanese computer scientist and operations researcher known for his…Toshihide Ibaraki (Japanese: 茨木 俊秀, born 1940) is a Japanese computer scientist and operations researcher known for his research on graph algorithms, databases, resource allocation, fractional programming, and metaheuristics. He is a professor emeritus and former dean of informatics at Kyoto University, and the former president of The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics.
Noriko Kamakura (鎌倉 矩子; September 29, 1939 – June 16, 2023):22 was a practitioner, researcher, and academic leader in…Noriko Kamakura (鎌倉 矩子; September 29, 1939 – June 16, 2023):22 was a practitioner, researcher, and academic leader in occupational therapy. She was in the initial generation of people who became occupational therapists in Japan. She greatly influenced how occupational therapy developed in that country, contributing especially in clinical approaches to persons with central nervous disorders of executive functions. In addition, she explored function of the hand in enough detail to develop a system of taxonomies that can account for the vast majority of postures and movements of the hand.
Kōichirō Matsuura (松浦 晃一郎, Matsūra Kōichirō; born 29 September 1937) is a Japanese diplomat. He is the former…Kōichirō Matsuura (松浦 晃一郎, Matsūra Kōichirō; born 29 September 1937) is a Japanese diplomat. He is the former Director-General of UNESCO. He was first elected in 1999 to a six-year term and reelected on 12 October 2005 for four years, following a reform instituted by the 29th session of the General Conference. In November 2009, he was replaced by Irina Bokova. He studied law at the University of Tokyo and economics at Haverford College (Pennsylvania, USA) and began his diplomatic career in 1959. Posts held by Mr Matsuura include those of Director-General of the Economic Co-operation Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1988); Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1990); and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (1992–1994). He was Japan’s Ambassador to France from 1994 to 1999. After one year as the Chairperson of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, he became UNESCO’s ninth Director-General on 12 November 1999.
Katsuhiko Kawasoe (河添 克彦, Kawasoe Katsuhiko; born September 29, 1936) is a former President and Chief Executive Officer…Katsuhiko Kawasoe (河添 克彦, Kawasoe Katsuhiko; born September 29, 1936) is a former President and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors. After working in the Accounting, Personnel Planning, and Labor Relations departments, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, General Manager of the Nagoya production plant, and General Manager of the Office of Passenger Car Production. He was appointed to the board of Mitsubishi Motors in 1995, and became President on November 27, 1997 following the resignation of his predecessor Takemune Kimura, who was forced to step down after admitting involvement in a racketeering scandal. At the time the company was suffering the effects of the East Asian financial crisis, and Kawasoe's first year in charge would be marked by a ¥25.7 billion net loss and the suspension of dividend payments to shareholders. In response, Kawasoe proposed a recovery strategy of staff cuts, rationalisation of car platforms, and the closure of plants in Thailand and New Zealand. However, the plan was only partially successful, and following another year without dividend payments in 1999, Mitsubishi was forced to seek external support when it sold a controlling 34 percent stake to DaimlerChrysler for €2.1 billion on March 27, 2000. In June 2000, Kawasoe was forced to admit that Mitsubishi Motors and its Fuso Truck and Bus subsidiary had systematically covered up reports of vehicle defects from the Japanese Transport Ministry since 1977. The effect on the company's stock was immediate and precipitous, falling 13 percent on the news. As further revelations of "one of the largest corporate scandals in Japanese history" emerged over the summer the stock continued to plummet until Kawasoe was forced to resign on November 1, 2000. For his final month he took a 40 percent pay cut, along with dozens of other executives who suffered similar punishments. Kawasoe's involvement in Mitsubishi's troubles was not to end after his resignation. Following two fatal accidents involving Fuso trucks in 2002 and 2004, he and five other former executives were arrested by police investigating the deaths and subsequently charged with professional negligence. He, along with the other executives, was convicted and received a suspended sentence.
Takashi Fukaya (深谷 隆司, Fukaya Takashi; born 29 September 1935) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Takashi Fukaya (深谷 隆司, Fukaya Takashi; born 29 September 1935) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Hiromu Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 弘; 29 September 1935 – 9 November 2018) was a baseball player from Japan. He was a…Hiromu Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 弘; 29 September 1935 – 9 November 2018) was a baseball player from Japan. He was a three-time All-Star for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Morio Kasai (葛西 森夫; September 29, 1922 – December 8, 2008) was a Japanese surgeon who had a strong interest in…Morio Kasai (葛西 森夫; September 29, 1922 – December 8, 2008) was a Japanese surgeon who had a strong interest in pediatric surgery. While Kasai went into practice at a time when pediatric surgery was not an established subspecialty, much of his clinical and research work was related to the surgical care of children. He is best known for devising a surgical procedure, the hepatoportoenterostomy, to address a life-threatening birth defect known as biliary atresia. The modern form of the operation is still known as the Kasai procedure. A graduate of the medical school at Tohoku University, Kasai remained there for most of his medical career, chairing the university's 2nd Department of Surgery and serving on the school's Board of Councilors. Though best known for the procedure that came to bear his name, Kasai also studied peritonitis in infants and children, and he made contributions to the understanding of esophageal cancer, pediatric liver cancer and a colon abnormality known as Hirschsprung's disease. Kasai practiced from the 1940s until 1993, spending the last few years of his career leading a hospital in Tohoku. He suffered a debilitating stroke in 1999 and died in 2008.
Masao Takemoto (竹本正男, Takemoto Masao; September 29, 1919 – February 2, 2007) was a Japanese artistic gymnast who won…Masao Takemoto (竹本正男, Takemoto Masao; September 29, 1919 – February 2, 2007) was a Japanese artistic gymnast who won two world titles and seven Olympic medals. At the 1952 Summer Olympics he won the silver medal in the vault with a score of 19.150, which was 0.050 short of the gold medal. Two years later he became world champion in the floor exercise, sharing the first placed with Valentin Muratov; he also won a silver medal with the Japanese team and a bronze at the parallel bars. At the 1956 Summer Olympics Takemoto won three bronze medals: in the horizontal bar, parallel bars and rings; he also received a silver medal as part of the Japanese team. His main skills were on the floor exercise and he proved it once again at the 1958 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where he successfully defended his title; he also won silver medals in the vault and team event, as well as a bronze medal in the horizontal bar. At the 1960 Summer Olympics Takemoto won a team gold medal and placed second in the horizontal bar. Takemoto had a degree in physical education from Nippon Sport Science University and later coached the national gymnastics team. In 1997 he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. He died from cholangiocarcinoma on 2 February 2007 at the age of 87 in Kanagawa.
