Hitomi Obara née Sakamoto (小原 日登美, Obara Hitomi; 4 January 1981 – 18 July 2025) was a Japanese female wrestler from…
Hitomi Obara née Sakamoto (小原 日登美, Obara Hitomi; 4 January 1981 – 18 July 2025) was a Japanese female wrestler from Hachinohe, Aomori. She was Captain in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. On 8 August 2012, Obara won the women's 48kg freestyle wrestling gold in her first Olympic Games at London's Excel Arena. She had retired from competitive wrestling after winning the gold medal at the London Olympics. Hitomi Obara died on 18 July 2025, at the age of 44. She had previously been diagnosed with depression and an eating disorder.
Famous People Born in January
January: 2,106 people
Kenji Ishijima (石島健至, Ishijima Kenji; born January 3, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known under the…
Kenji Ishijima (石島健至, Ishijima Kenji; born January 3, 1981) is a Japanese professional wrestler better known under the ring name Guts Ishijima (ガッツ石島, Gattsu Ishijima). He is currently working as a freelancer and is best known for having founded the Japanese promotions Guts World Pro-Wrestling and Total Triumph Team Pro-Wrestling (TTT).
Yoshihiro Horigome (堀籠 佳宏, Horigome Yoshihiro; born 2 January 1981) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specializes in…
Yoshihiro Horigome (堀籠 佳宏, Horigome Yoshihiro; born 2 January 1981) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres. His personal best time is 45.77 seconds, achieved in September 2006 in Yokohama.
Michiko Tomabechi (born 29 January 1980) is a Japanese curler.
Akira Fujioka (藤岡 章, Fujioka Akira; born 29 January 1980), better known by his stage name Afra, is a Japanese beatboxer…
Akira Fujioka (藤岡 章, Fujioka Akira; born 29 January 1980), better known by his stage name Afra, is a Japanese beatboxer from Suita, Osaka. His 2004 album, Digital Breath, peaked at number 43 on the Oricon Albums Chart. He formed the beatboxing band Afra & Incredible Beatbox Band in 2005 with Kei and K-Moon.
Takefumi Sakata (坂田健史, Sakata Takefumi; born January 29, 1980 in Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture) is a Japanese…
Takefumi Sakata (坂田健史, Sakata Takefumi; born January 29, 1980 in Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture) is a Japanese boxer in the flyweight (112 lb/50 kg) division and a former WBA flyweight champion. Sakata was the premier boxer in the Kyoei boxing gym before the arrival of Kōki Kameda in 2005. He stayed out of the limelight for most of his career, even being used as Kameda's sparring partner, but finally won a world title in 2007, defeating Lorenzo Parra for the vacant WBA Flyweight title.
Yasuhito Endō (遠藤 保仁, Endō Yasuhito; born 28 January 1980) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder.…
Yasuhito Endō (遠藤 保仁, Endō Yasuhito; born 28 January 1980) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently the assistant manager of J1 League club, Gamba Osaka. Endō's playing career unfolded entirely within Japan, where he was associated with Gamba Osaka for 20 years. He made his senior international debut in 2002, representing Japan in three FIFA World Cup and three FIFA Confederations Cup. In the process he earned over 150 caps, scoring 15 goals and becoming the most capped Japanese male player of all time. In addition, he is one of the few players to have made over 1,150 official appearances and holds the record for the highest number of J.League appearances in history, with 672 appearances. His brother Akihiro Endō is also a former footballer. However, neither of them are related to Wataru Endo.
Yoshitaka Takeya (竹谷 佳孝, Takeya Yoshitaka; born 27 January 1980) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Mariko Masubuchi (増淵 まり子, Masubuchi Mariko) (born January 24, 1980) is a Japanese softball player who played as a…
Mariko Masubuchi (増淵 まり子, Masubuchi Mariko) (born January 24, 1980) is a Japanese softball player who played as a pitcher. She won the silver medal for Japan in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Park Kang-jo (Korean: 박강조; born 24 January 1980) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is…
Park Kang-jo (Korean: 박강조; born 24 January 1980) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently the manager of Atletico Suzuka. Born in Japan, he made five appearances for South Korea national team scoring once.
Aiko Hayafune (早船 愛子, Hayafune Aiko; born 1980) is a Japanese team handball player. She plays on the Japanese national…
Aiko Hayafune (早船 愛子, Hayafune Aiko; born 1980) is a Japanese team handball player. She plays on the Japanese national team, and participated at the 2011 World Women's Handball Championship in Brazil.
Masanori Ishikawa (石川 雅規, Ishikawa Masanori; born January 22, 1980) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…
Masanori Ishikawa (石川 雅規, Ishikawa Masanori; born January 22, 1980) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). As of the 2025 season, he is the oldest active NPB player.
Keiji Kuroki (黒木 啓司, Kuroki Keiji; born 21 January 1980, in Miyazaki Prefecture) is a former Japanese dancer and actor.…
Keiji Kuroki (黒木 啓司, Kuroki Keiji; born 21 January 1980, in Miyazaki Prefecture) is a former Japanese dancer and actor. He was a member of Exile, Exile The Second and Nidaime J Soul Brothers. Kuroki was represented by LDH.
Makoto Sasaki (佐々木 慎, Sasaki Makoto; born January 21, 1980) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan.
Nana Kondō (近藤 奈々, Kondō Nana; born January 21, 1980), better known by the stage name Nana Mizuki (水樹 奈々, Mizuki Nana)…
Nana Kondō (近藤 奈々, Kondō Nana; born January 21, 1980), better known by the stage name Nana Mizuki (水樹 奈々, Mizuki Nana), is a Japanese voice actress, singer, and narrator. She is represented by the agency StarCrew. Mizuki was trained as an enka singer, releasing one single under her birth name in 1993 and made her debut as a voice actress in 1997. Her prominent roles include Hinata Hyuga in the long-running ninja series Naruto as well in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Tamao Tamamura in Shaman King 2001 and 2021, Colette Brunel in Tales of Symphonia, Fate Testarossa in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Tsubasa Kazanari in Symphogear, Moka Akashiya in Rosario + Vampire, Tsubomi Hanasaki (Cure Blossom) in Heartcatch Precure! and Ann Takamaki in Persona 5. She also had official dubbing roles in live action version of Itazura na Kiss from Korea and Taiwan, as well in Hunger Games film series as Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence). She is also known for dubbing Ariel Lin's roles. Mizuki released her first single, "Omoi", under the King Records label in 2000. One year later, she released her debut album, Supersonic Girl, in 2001. In the years that followed, Mizuki enjoyed modest success that concluded with the release of her single "Innocent Starter", which reached the top 10 Oricon singles chart, charting at No. 9. Since then, Mizuki's releases have charted steadily higher in Japan, establishing her as a successful singer in the country. In 2009, her album Ultimate Diamond reached #1, her first release to do so; while her single "Phantom Minds", released in 2010, also charted at #1. Mizuki is the first voice actress to top the weekly Oricon albums chart and the weekly Oricon singles chart since its inception in 1968.
Ryosuke Shimizu (Shimizu Ryosuke; born 18 January 1980) is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA…
Ryosuke Shimizu (Shimizu Ryosuke; born 18 January 1980) is a Japanese instructor of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA All-Japan championships for kumite on 2 occasions. He is currently an instructor of the Japan Karate Association.
Mikie Tasei (born 17 January 1980) is a Japanese table tennis player. Her highest career ITTF ranking was 36.
Yuki Tsuchihashi (土橋 優貴, Tsuchihashi Yuki; born January 16, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. She played for…
Yuki Tsuchihashi (土橋 優貴, Tsuchihashi Yuki; born January 16, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. She played for Japan national team.
Hiroshi Tamaki (玉木 宏, Tamaki Hiroshi; born January 14, 1980) is a Japanese actor and singer from Nagoya, Japan. When he…
Hiroshi Tamaki (玉木 宏, Tamaki Hiroshi; born January 14, 1980) is a Japanese actor and singer from Nagoya, Japan. When he was still in high school, he was discovered by a talent agent while out shopping with friends. He made his debut in the drama Am I Weird? (私ってへん？ Watashitte Hen?) in 1998. Tamaki became better known with his appearance in the 2001 film Waterboys. His singing career started with the single "Seasons" in the summer of 2004. He was cast as Shinichi Chiaki in the drama Nodame Cantabile, which aired in Japan on Fuji TV on October 16, 2006. The drama was a hit, and he became most known for this role. He starred in the revival of the Iron Chef Japanese cooking show on Fuji TV in October 2012, portraying the chairman of the Kitchen Stadium. He also lent his voice to dub Western productions; for example he voiced Owen Grady (played by Chris Pratt) in the Jurassic World film series and Alex the Lion (original voice: Ben Stiller) in the Madagascar animated film series.
Sōsuke Sumitani (炭谷 宗佑 Sumitani Sōsuke, January 14, 1980 in Tokyo) is a Japanese announcer for Nippon Television. He…
Sōsuke Sumitani (炭谷 宗佑 Sumitani Sōsuke, January 14, 1980 in Tokyo) is a Japanese announcer for Nippon Television. He was known for his good looks and was the sports announcer on various shows, slowly becoming a household name. Sumitani graduated from the Department of Economics at Keio University.
Akira Kaji (加地 亮, Kaji Akira; born 13 January 1980) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a…
Akira Kaji (加地 亮, Kaji Akira; born 13 January 1980) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played for the Japan national team from 2003 until 2008.
Takahisa Fujinami (藤波貴久, Takahisa Fujinami; born 13 January 1980 in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan), nicknamed Fujigas, is a…
Takahisa Fujinami (藤波貴久, Takahisa Fujinami; born 13 January 1980 in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan), nicknamed Fujigas, is a retired Japanese motorcycle trials rider. Fujinami competed in motorcycle trial riding from a young age and became a FIM world champion in 2004. Fujinami retired from trial riding after the 2021 TrialGP season to take up the role of team manager of the Repsol Honda Trial Team; his seat will be taken by Gabriel Marcelli who will ride for the team from 2022 onward.
Shunsuke Kiyokiba (清木場 俊介, Kiyokiba Shunsuke) (born January 11, 1980, in Ube, Yamaguchi) is a Japanese pop singer who…
Shunsuke Kiyokiba (清木場 俊介, Kiyokiba Shunsuke) (born January 11, 1980, in Ube, Yamaguchi) is a Japanese pop singer who debuted in 2001 with the then six-member vocal and dance group, Exile, as their vocalist under the name, Shun. In 2004, he participated in the tribute album for Yutaka Ozaki (尾崎豊) under his full name Shunsuke Kiyokiba as a solo artist. On January 19, 2005, his solo debut single "Itsuka..." (いつか…) was released. After four-and-a-half years with Exile, in March 2006, Kiyokiba announced his withdrawal from the group to focus on his solo career as a rock artist. In July 2011, he recorded the duet "I Believe" with South Korean singer Shin Hye-sung of Shinhwa.
Michitaka Nishiyama (西山 道隆, born January 9, 1980, in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan) is a Japanese former professional…
Michitaka Nishiyama (西山 道隆, born January 9, 1980, in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2006 to 2008.
Toshiro Ino (井野俊郎, Ino Toshiro; born 8 January 1980) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…
Toshiro Ino (井野俊郎, Ino Toshiro; born 8 January 1980) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 2010 to 2012, he was a city councillor of Isesaki.
Manami Hino (桧野真奈美; born January 8, 1980 in Obihiro, Hokkaido) is a Japanese bobsledder who has competed since 1999.
Mitsuhiro Sato (佐藤 光浩, Satō Mitsuhiro; born 8 January 1980 in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima) is a retired Japanese sprinter…
Mitsuhiro Sato (佐藤 光浩, Satō Mitsuhiro; born 8 January 1980 in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima) is a retired Japanese sprinter who specializes in the 400 metres. He finished fourth in 4 × 400 m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games, together with teammates Yuki Yamaguchi, Jun Osakada and Tomohiro Ito. Sato also competed at the World Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007. His personal best time is 45.50 seconds, achieved in June 2003 in Yokohama.
Gaku Shindo (進藤 学, Shindō Gaku; born Hironobu Ninagawa (蜷川 博信, Ninagawa Hironobu) on January 7, 1980, in Tokyo, Japan)…
Gaku Shindo (進藤 学, Shindō Gaku; born Hironobu Ninagawa (蜷川 博信, Ninagawa Hironobu) on January 7, 1980, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor and singer. His debut role was as the Eagle Sazer in the tokusatsu series Chousei Kantai Sazer-X, but he is most well known for playing Harukaze Kurobane in the Prince of Tennis musicals in 2006. Before he debuted in showbiz, he was a tango dancer and instructor.
Kotomi Aoki (Japanese: 青木 琴美, Hepburn: Aoki Kotomi; born January 7, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist residing in…
Kotomi Aoki (Japanese: 青木 琴美, Hepburn: Aoki Kotomi; born January 7, 1980) is a Japanese manga artist residing in Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan. She received the 2008 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo manga for Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu. Kotomi took her 2013 manga, Kanojo wa Uso o Aishisugiteru, and remade a new version that was released in 2017. It was also adapted into both a 2013 Japanese film and a 2017 South Korean TV series.
Ikuko Nishikori (錦織 育子, Nishikori Ikuko; born 5 January 1980 in Izumo, Shimane) is a retired Japanese pole vaulter. She…
Ikuko Nishikori (錦織 育子, Nishikori Ikuko; born 5 January 1980 in Izumo, Shimane) is a retired Japanese pole vaulter. She won the bronze medal at the 2005 East Asian Games, finished fifth at the 2005 Asian Championships, won the gold medal at the 2006 Asian Indoor Championships, the bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games and the gold medal at the 2008 Asian Indoor Championships. Her personal best jump is 4.36 metres, achieved in April 2006 in Hiroshima. Indoors she has 4.31 metres, achieved in February 2006 in Yokohama. These are both former national records.
Toru Hosokawa (細川 亨, Hosokawa Tōru; born in Hiranai, Aomori, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher.…
Toru Hosokawa (細川 亨, Hosokawa Tōru; born in Hiranai, Aomori, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Seibu Lions/Saitama Seibu Lions, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Chiba Lotte Marines.
Haro Aso (Japanese: 麻生羽呂, Hepburn: Asō Haro) is a Japanese manga artist. After his debut in 2005, he serialized Hyde &…
Haro Aso (Japanese: 麻生羽呂, Hepburn: Asō Haro) is a Japanese manga artist. After his debut in 2005, he serialized Hyde & Closer from December 2007 to July 2009, and Alice in Borderland from November 2010 to March 2016. After retiring from illustrating, he did the story for Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead in October 2018 and Noyu Girl in August 2021.
Yusei Matsui (松井優征, Matsui Yūsei) is a Japanese manga artist. He was an assistant of Yoshio Sawai, the manga artist of…
Yusei Matsui (松井優征, Matsui Yūsei) is a Japanese manga artist. He was an assistant of Yoshio Sawai, the manga artist of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. He wrote and illustrated the manga series Neuro: Supernatural Detective, Assassination Classroom, and The Elusive Samurai.
Naoshi Nakamura (中村 直志, Nakamura Naoshi; born January 27, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…
Naoshi Nakamura (中村 直志, Nakamura Naoshi; born January 27, 1979) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kimiko Koyama (こやま きみこ, Koyama Kimiko; born January 27, 1979) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima…
Kimiko Koyama (こやま きみこ, Koyama Kimiko; born January 27, 1979) is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture.
Kazuki Yamada (山田 和樹; born 26 January 1979) is a Japanese conductor.
Hiromi Nakakura (中倉 宏美, Nakakura Hiromi; born January 26, 1979) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked…
Hiromi Nakakura (中倉 宏美, Nakakura Hiromi; born January 26, 1979) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked 2-dan. She is the current representative director of the Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (LPSA).
Kenji Roa (ロア健治, Roa Kenji; born January 25, 1979) is a Japanese voice actor and singer who is a vocalist in the…
Kenji Roa (ロア健治, Roa Kenji; born January 25, 1979) is a Japanese voice actor and singer who is a vocalist in the Japanese rock band Virgil. He also voices Tobi in Blood Lad.
Kozo Yuki (結城 耕造, Yuki Kozo; born 23 January 1979) is a former Japanese football player.
Lin Wei-Chu (born 22 January 1979) is a Taiwanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon…
Lin Wei-Chu (born 22 January 1979) is a Taiwanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Chinatrust Brothers. He competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also spent time as the manager of the CTBC Brothers, winning two Taiwan Series.
Park Kyung-bae (born January 18, 1979), professionally known by his Japanese alias Hirofumi Arai (新井 浩文, Arai Hirofumi)…
Park Kyung-bae (born January 18, 1979), professionally known by his Japanese alias Hirofumi Arai (新井 浩文, Arai Hirofumi) is a Zainichi South Korean former actor.
Masae Ueno (上野 雅恵, Ueno Masae; born 17 January 1979) is a Japanese judoka who competed in the Athens 2004 Olympics and…
Masae Ueno (上野 雅恵, Ueno Masae; born 17 January 1979) is a Japanese judoka who competed in the Athens 2004 Olympics and the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Ueno was born in Asahikawa Hokkaidō. In 2004, she earned Japan's fifth Olympic Gold Medal in ten events, winning the –70 kg women's judo event. She also won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2008. Ueno has two younger sisters who are also judokas. Yoshie Ueno became World champion in 2009 and Tomoe Ueno became World junior champion in 2006.
Takafumi Nishitani (西谷 岳文, Nishitani Takafumi) (born January 17, 1979, in Tadaoka, Osaka) is a Japanese short track…
Takafumi Nishitani (西谷 岳文, Nishitani Takafumi) (born January 17, 1979, in Tadaoka, Osaka) is a Japanese short track speed skater. He won a gold medal on the 500 m at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. Now, Nishitani practices Keirin.
Toshiki Kashu (賀集 利樹, Kashū Toshiki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese actor, best known for his role as Shouichi…
Toshiki Kashu (賀集 利樹, Kashū Toshiki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese actor, best known for his role as Shouichi Tsugami, the main character of the Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Agito.
Hiroki Ishii (石井 宏樹, Ishii Hiroki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese lightweight kickboxer. He won the championship…
Hiroki Ishii (石井 宏樹, Ishii Hiroki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese lightweight kickboxer. He won the championship of Rajadamnern Stadium in Muay Thai at Super lightweight. His entrance music is Spente Le Stelle.
Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人, born January 12, 1979, in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher…
Takehito Kanazawa (金澤 健人, born January 12, 1979, in Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Hanshin Tigers from 2001 to 2006, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2007 and 2008, and the Orix Buffaloes in 2009.
Yukari Konishi (小西ゆかり, Yukari KONISHI; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese female sport shooter. At the 2004 Summer…
Yukari Konishi (小西ゆかり, Yukari KONISHI; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese female sport shooter. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she competed in the women's 25 metre pistol. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she competed in the Women's 10 metre air pistol and the Women's 25 metre pistol.
Takahisa Oguchi (小口貴久; born January 11, 1979) is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the…
Takahisa Oguchi (小口貴久; born January 11, 1979) is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the men's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. At the previous Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Oguchi competed in the men's doubles event, but did not finish. Oguchi's best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 16th in the men's singles event at Lake Placid, New York, in 2009. He later went into graduate research in biomechanics at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan. Oguchi qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished 30th in the men's singles event.
Madoka Hisagae (久枝 円, Hisagae Madoka; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's…
Madoka Hisagae (久枝 円, Hisagae Madoka; born 11 January 1979) is a Japanese fencer. She competed in the women's individual sabre events at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.
Jun Ogawauchi (小川内 潤, Ogawauchi Jun; born January 11, 1979), also known as JUN, is a Japanese professional wrestler and…
Jun Ogawauchi (小川内 潤, Ogawauchi Jun; born January 11, 1979), also known as JUN, is a Japanese professional wrestler and former Japanese professional wrestling ring announcer, working for the Pro Wrestling Secret Base. Ogawauchi's greatest fame came as the fifth member of the Crazy Max stable in Toryumon.