January: 2,106 people
Asōfuji Seiya (born January 17, 1976, as Kiyotoshi Suginomori) is a retired sumo wrestler from Fukaura, Nishitsugaru…
Asōfuji Seiya (born January 17, 1976, as Kiyotoshi Suginomori) is a retired sumo wrestler from Fukaura, Nishitsugaru, Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 13. He is the elder brother of Aminishiki.
Shigeyuki Furuki (古城 茂幸, Furuki Shigeyuki; born January 12, 1976 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon…
Shigeyuki Furuki (古城 茂幸, Furuki Shigeyuki; born January 12, 1976 in Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Central League. Before playing for the Giants he was a member of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. When he comes to bat, his fans often sing a cheer that goes to the tune of a song from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game EarthBound.
Ryūhei Kawada (川田 龍平; January 12, 1976) is a Japanese activist, haemophiliac and a former member of the House of…
Ryūhei Kawada (川田 龍平; January 12, 1976) is a Japanese activist, haemophiliac and a former member of the House of Councillors (Japan). Ryūhei Kawada became famous for coming out as HIV positive in Japan, where doing so was considered taboo by many.
Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7…
Mina Taniyama (谷山 美奈, Taniyama Mina), better known by her ring name Tanny Mouse (タニー・マウス, Tanī Mausu) (born January 7, 1976), is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.
Kinkaiyama Ryū (born 7 January 1976 as Ryusui Kin) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his…
Kinkaiyama Ryū (born 7 January 1976 as Ryusui Kin) is a former sumo wrestler from Ōmura, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1991, and reached the top division in July 1998. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He is of Korean heritage, became a naturalized citizen in 2000 while still active, changing his name to Matsuyama Ryusui, and married in February 2005. He retired in May 2006 to become an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, as of 2026 under the name Takasaki. He was responsible for the "Ozumo Beyond 2020 Tournament" held in the Ryogoku Kokugikan in October 2017 to increase awareness of sumo among minority groups such as foreigners and people with disabilities, in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Hisatake Sugi (born 4 January 1976) is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Councillors of Japan.
Eiji Mitsuoka (Japanese: 光岡 映二, Mitsuoka Eiji; born January 1, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial…
Eiji Mitsuoka (Japanese: 光岡 映二, Mitsuoka Eiji; born January 1, 1976) is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2012, Mitsuoka fought for the UFC, DREAM, World Victory Road, PRIDE, Shooto, Cage Force, DEEP and King of the Cage promotions. Mitsuoka's nickname Kanaami no Mōshigo (金網の申し子), which translates as "The Heaven-sent Child of the Cage" was given in reference to his earlier career in King of the Cage and his performance in Cage Force.
Daisuke Tonoike (外池 大亮, Tonoike Daisuke; born January 29, 1975) is a former Japanese football player.
Yutaka Matsuo is a professor in the Department of Technology Management for Innovation at the University of Tokyo. He…
Yutaka Matsuo is a professor in the Department of Technology Management for Innovation at the University of Tokyo. He specialises in artificial intelligence and web engineering. He also focuses on real-world applications of technology and encourages his students to start their own businesses, which has led to the foundation of multiple listed companies.
Kenichi Ogata (Japanese: 緒形 健一, Ogata Ken'ichi) [oɡata keɴiꜜtɕi]; born January 26, 1975) is a Japanese super…
Kenichi Ogata (Japanese: 緒形 健一, Ogata Ken'ichi) [oɡata keɴiꜜtɕi]; born January 26, 1975) is a Japanese super welterweight shoot boxer, fighting out of Cesar Gym in Asakusa. He was the first Japanese national champion of shoot boxing at Super welterweight. He is the winner of S-cup in 2006 and the finalist of 2008 S-cup. His real name is still Kenichi Ogata, but it is written as "尾形健一".
Yuji Ide (井出有治, Ide Yūji) (born 21 January 1975) is a Japanese racing driver. He is the 2005 Formula Nippon runner-up…
Yuji Ide (井出有治, Ide Yūji) (born 21 January 1975) is a Japanese racing driver. He is the 2005 Formula Nippon runner-up and the 2010 Suzuka 1000km winner. He competed in Formula One with the Super Aguri team in 2006, but was demoted to third driver after four races and subsequently lost his FIA Super Licence.
Ritsuki Nakano (中野 律紀, Nakano Ritsuki), professionally known as Rikki (りっき), is a Japanese folk singer. Born in Amami…
Ritsuki Nakano (中野 律紀, Nakano Ritsuki), professionally known as Rikki (りっき), is a Japanese folk singer. Born in Amami Ōshima, Japan, she began to sing traditional Japanese music when she was four years old. Later, at the age of 15, Rikki was the youngest winner ever to win the "Grand Prix" of the Japanese traditional folk music awards (known as All Japan Minyo awards). She first performed in Tokyo, Japan, at the prestigious Festival Konda Lota in 1992. She released her first single "Maten no Hoshi" (which means 'Sky Full of Stars') in December 1993, originally released in the Kyūshū region of Japan. Shortly thereafter, she produced her debut album, Kaze no Koe. In 1998, Rikki was chosen to participate at the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Paralympics in Nagano, Japan, to sing the Paralympics theme song "Tabidachi no Toki". Rikki sang the Final Fantasy X main theme, "Suteki da ne", released as a single on July 18, 2001. The single also included an instrumental version of "Suteki Da Ne", "Pure Heart" (a vocal arrangement of Aeris' Theme from Final Fantasy VII), and a new song entitled "Tsukisama" (which means 'The Moon'). Final Fantasy Distant Worlds VII, released March 7, 2025, included Rikki performing "Suteki da ne" live in concert. In 2001, she produced an image album alongside Joe Hisaishi for the motion picture Spirited Away (directed by Hayao Miyazaki). In 2006, Rikki joined the band Sound Horizon for the release of 5th Story CD: Roman. She was involved in Sound Horizon's releases until 2008, when she gave birth to twins and returned to Amami Ōshima, as she said in her blog. She returned to Sound Horizon in 2009 for their Triumph III live tour. She also returned to Sound Horizon in 2015 for the album 9th Story Nein.
Takashi Sasaki (佐々木貴, Sasaki Takashi) is a Japanese professional wrestler and the owner of Pro Wrestling Freedoms…
Takashi Sasaki (佐々木貴, Sasaki Takashi) is a Japanese professional wrestler and the owner of Pro Wrestling Freedoms (Freedoms). A regular on the Japanese independent circuit for over 25 years, Sasaki began his career with IWA Kakutō Shijuku and Dramatic Dream Team before transitioning into the deathmatch wrestling scene in 2005 with Apache Pro-Wrestling Army and Big Japan Pro Wrestling. Following the closure of Apache Pro, Sasaki formed Pro Wrestling Freedoms in 2009. Sasaki has held the KO-D Openweight Championship once, the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship twice and the King of Freedom World Championship once. He is also known for his tag team with Gentaro, the Aka-Rangers, and have held the KO-D Tag Team Championship twice, the WEW Tag Team Championship once and the BJW Tag Team Championship once.
Nozomi Yamago (山郷 のぞみ, Yamagō Nozomi; born January 16, 1975) is a Japanese former football player. She played for the…
Nozomi Yamago (山郷 のぞみ, Yamagō Nozomi; born January 16, 1975) is a Japanese former football player. She played for the Japan women's national football team as a goalkeeper.
Ayako Fuchigami (Japanese: 渕上 綾子, Hepburn: Fuchigami Ayako; born 16 January 1975) is Japanese politician serving as a…
Ayako Fuchigami (Japanese: 渕上 綾子, Hepburn: Fuchigami Ayako; born 16 January 1975) is Japanese politician serving as a member of the Hokkaido Legislative Assembly, representing Sapporo's Higashi-ku ward. She is the first openly transgender person to hold a prefectural assembly position in Japan.
Hiroki Mizuhara (水原 大樹, Mizuhara Hiroki; born January 15, 1975) is a former Japanese football player.
Jun Mizukoshi (水越 潤, Mizukoshi Jun; born January 15, 1975) is a former Japanese football player and manager.
Yoko Hunnicutt, née Ota (born 14 January 1975 in Amagasaki, Hyōgo and raised in Kamakura, Kanagawa) is a Japanese high…
Yoko Hunnicutt, née Ota (born 14 January 1975 in Amagasaki, Hyōgo and raised in Kamakura, Kanagawa) is a Japanese high jumper. Her personal best jump is 1.95 metres, achieved in July 2002 in Sapporo. She finished fifth at the 1992 World Junior Championships and eleventh at the 2000 Olympics. At the regional level she won the 1991 Asian Championships and the 1998 Asian Games and finished second at the 1998 Asian Championships.
Mineko Tanaka (田中 美音子, Tanaka Mineko; born 14 January 1975) is a Japanese handball player who plays for the club Osaka…
Mineko Tanaka (田中 美音子, Tanaka Mineko; born 14 January 1975) is a Japanese handball player who plays for the club Osaka Lovvits. She is also member of the Japanese national team. She competed at the 2005 World Women's Handball Championship in Russia, and at the 2015 World Women's Handball Championship in Denmark.
Kenji Mizuhashi (水橋研二, Mizuhashi Kenji; born January 13, 1975) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 60…
Kenji Mizuhashi (水橋研二, Mizuhashi Kenji; born January 13, 1975) is a Japanese actor. He has appeared in more than 60 films since 1997, portraying Kenichi Yamamoto in Tomie (1998) and Tomie: Beginning (2005).
Kousuke Akiyoshi (秋吉耕佑, Akiyoshi Kōsuke; born January 12, 1975) is a Japanese motorcycle road racer. He is a two-time…
Kousuke Akiyoshi (秋吉耕佑, Akiyoshi Kōsuke; born January 12, 1975) is a Japanese motorcycle road racer. He is a two-time champion in the All-Japan Superbike Championship, and has competed sporadically in the MotoGP World Championship. Akiyoshi is known in his native Japan as a competitor in the MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship, and most notably the All Japan Superbike championship, where he has enjoyed success with the Yoshimura Suzuki team riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000. In July 2007 he, along with Yukio Kagayama, won the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race on a Yoshimura Suzuki bike.
Katsuo Yakura (矢倉 克夫, Yakura Katsuo; born January 11, 1975) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…
Katsuo Yakura (矢倉 克夫, Yakura Katsuo; born January 11, 1975) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2013 to 2025.
Satoshi Kuroda (黒田 哲史, Kuroda Satoshi; born January 11, 1975 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a former professional Japanese…
Satoshi Kuroda (黒田 哲史, Kuroda Satoshi; born January 11, 1975 in Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball infielder and current coach for the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He was previously married to Chiharu Niiyama, a Japanese actress.
Masayoshi Soken (祖堅 正慶, Soken Masayoshi; born January 10, 1975) is a Japanese video game composer who has worked for…
Masayoshi Soken (祖堅 正慶, Soken Masayoshi; born January 10, 1975) is a Japanese video game composer who has worked for Square Enix since 1998. Soken is best known for being the lead composer and sound director of Final Fantasy XIV and its expansions and lead composer of Final Fantasy XVI.
Masaumi Shimizu (清水 将海, Shimizu Masaumi; born January 9, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and…
Masaumi Shimizu (清水 将海, Shimizu Masaumi; born January 9, 1975) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher, and current second squad battery coach for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Chunichi Dragons, and Hawks.
Kazushi Isoyama (磯山 和司, Isoyama Kazushi; born January 8, 1975) is a former Japanese football player.
Shoichi Usui (born January 8, 1975, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of…
Shoichi Usui (born January 8, 1975, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan since 2022. He is one of the six representatives of the Chiba at-large district, and is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. As of July 29, 2023, he is a member of the following committees: Committee on Education, Culture and Science Committee on Budget Commission on the Constitution He previously served in the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. He is the son of retired politician and former Cabinet member Hideo Usui.
Reiko Chiba (千葉 麗子, Chiba Reiko; born January 8, 1975) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, gravure idol, occasional…
Reiko Chiba (千葉 麗子, Chiba Reiko; born January 8, 1975) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, gravure idol, occasional J-pop singer, and political activist.
Kuniomi Haneishi (羽石 国臣, Haneishi Kuniomi; born 6 January 1975) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's…
Kuniomi Haneishi (羽石 国臣, Haneishi Kuniomi; born 6 January 1975) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in the men's 500 metres event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Kazumasa Tsujimoto (辻本 和正, Tsujimoto Kazumasa) (born January 6, 1975, in Nara) is a retired boxer from Japan who…
Kazumasa Tsujimoto (辻本 和正, Tsujimoto Kazumasa) (born January 6, 1975, in Nara) is a retired boxer from Japan who represented his country at the Summer Olympics in 1996 and 2000. After having competed in the men's flyweight division (– 51 kg) in Atlanta, Georgia, he changed weights, and fought in the bantamweight class (– 54 kg) in Sydney, Australia. There he was stopped in the second round by Cuba's eventual gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler…
Tomoko Kuzumi (泉朋子, Izumi Tomoko) better known by her ring name Azumi Hyuga is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with various Japanese promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, JWP Joshi Puroresu and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling.
Dabo (ダボ); born 6 January 1975 is a Japanese hip-hop rapper. He first appeared on the Japanese hip-hop scene in the…
Dabo (ダボ); born 6 January 1975 is a Japanese hip-hop rapper. He first appeared on the Japanese hip-hop scene in the 1990s, collaborating in a Shakkazombie song, "Tomo ni ikkou". Since 2002, he has released three albums: Hitman (2002), Diamond (2003), and The Force (2006). Dabo's lyrics are more hard-edged than most J-pop, or Japanese pop, and represent a tough Japanese street culture. He also appears as a playable character in the Japanese version of Def Jam Vendetta.
Jun Maeda (麻枝 准, Maeda Jun; born January 3, 1975) is a Japanese writer and composer. He is a co-founder of the visual…
Jun Maeda (麻枝 准, Maeda Jun; born January 3, 1975) is a Japanese writer and composer. He is a co-founder of the visual novel brand Key under Visual Arts. He is considered a pioneer of nakige visual novels, and has mainly contributed as a scenario writer, lyricist, and musical composer for the games the company produces. After graduating with a degree in psychology from Chukyo University, Maeda contributed to the scripts and scores of games released under the Tactics brand of Nexton: Moon and One: Kagayaku Kisetsu e. He has contributed both to writing music and scripts to most games released under the Key brand, notably writing the majority of Air and Clannad. He also served as a screenwriter and composer for several anime series produced by P.A. Works, such as Angel Beats! and Charlotte.
Minoru Kawakami (川上稔, Kawakami Minoru) is a Japanese author of light novels, best known as the author of the Horizon in…
Minoru Kawakami (川上稔, Kawakami Minoru) is a Japanese author of light novels, best known as the author of the Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere and The Ending Chronicle light novel series.
Eiichiro Oda (Japanese: 尾田 栄一郎, Hepburn: Oda Eiichirō; born January 1, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist and the creator…
Eiichiro Oda (Japanese: 尾田 栄一郎, Hepburn: Oda Eiichirō; born January 1, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist and the creator of the series One Piece, the best-selling manga in history and the best-selling comic series printed in volume. With more than 600 million tankōbon copies of One Piece in circulation worldwide, Oda is one of the best-selling fiction authors. The series' popularity resulted in Oda being named one of the artists who changed the history of manga.
Akira Shoji (小路晃) (born January 31, 1974) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is…
Akira Shoji (小路晃) (born January 31, 1974) is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is most known as being a regular in almost all the beginning Pride Fighting Championship Shoji was in Pride 1 to Pride 7, and was part of the first Pride open weight Grand Prix in 2000. Shoji was consistently a regular in Pride, and moved from Heavyweight to Light Heavyweight (Middleweight in Pride) due to his smaller stature. Despite his losing record, Shoji was a constant favourite of the audience, and was nicknamed "Mr. Pride" for his popularity and adherence to the mixed martial arts promotion. He was known for his mic performance, die hard spirit, stellar submission escapes, razor sharp armbar and a fighting spirit demonstrated by his willingness to take on all comers. According to fight commentator Stephen Quadros and John Hyams, director of the documentary "The Smashing Machine", Shoji cleaned his house and prepared his will before every competition in case he is killed during the fight. He also worked as a judge for the Dream organization.
Rio Yamase (山瀬 理桜, Yamase Rio) is a Japanese violinist, arranger, and composer. She directed the music for the 2006…
Rio Yamase (山瀬 理桜, Yamase Rio) is a Japanese violinist, arranger, and composer. She directed the music for the 2006 Studio Ghibli animation short film Mizugumo Monmon.
Noriko Munekata (宗像 記子, Munekata Noriko; born 30 January 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's…
Noriko Munekata (宗像 記子, Munekata Noriko; born 30 January 1974) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's 3000 metres at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Uzi (pronounced as "Uji") is a popular Japanese hip-hop artist. He has released four major albums, most recently his…
Uzi (pronounced as "Uji") is a popular Japanese hip-hop artist. He has released four major albums, most recently his “Natural 9” album released in March 2008. Uzi is one of the rappers to incorporate more overt elements of Japanese culture into his music and videos, specifically aspects referring to the samurai (to which he claims direct ancestry). He is a great example of an artist who maintains the localization of hip-hop music through his dependence on the incorporation of Japanese themes into his work. Such non-Americanization of his hip-hop music has been met with varying opinions; some view this as disrespectful of the origins of hip-hop culture, while there are those who appreciate Uzi’s apparent embracing of Japanese culture.
Taketo Aoki (青木勇人, Aoki Taketo) is the head coach of the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the Japanese B.League.
Kanei Kobayashi (小林 幹英, Kobayashi Kanei; born June 29, 1974) is a professional Japanese baseball player.
Tsuyoshi Nakasako (Japanese: 中迫剛; born January 29, 1974) is a Japanese retired heavyweight kickboxer who competed in…
Tsuyoshi Nakasako (Japanese: 中迫剛; born January 29, 1974) is a Japanese retired heavyweight kickboxer who competed in K-1. During his ten-year career from 1998 until 2008, he fought a variety of K-1 champions including Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Remy Bonjasky, Mark Hunt, and Andy Hug.
Kōji Wada (和田 光司, Wada Kōji; January 29, 1974 – April 3, 2016) was a Japanese pop singer. He was best known for…
Kōji Wada (和田 光司, Wada Kōji; January 29, 1974 – April 3, 2016) was a Japanese pop singer. He was best known for performing theme songs for several installments of the Digimon anime television series, including his recording debut in 1999 with his first and most famous single, "Butter-Fly", the theme song of the anime Digimon Adventure. He was signed with the Lantis recording label. His nickname is "Immortal Butterfly Anisong Singer" (不死蝶のアニソンシンガー).
Yasunori Nomura (born 21 January 1974 - ) is a theoretical physicist working on particle physics, quantum gravity, and…
Yasunori Nomura (born 21 January 1974 - ) is a theoretical physicist working on particle physics, quantum gravity, and cosmology. He is a professor of physics at University of California, Berkeley, a senior faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a senior research scientist at Riken, and an affiliate member at Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe. Since 2015, he has been the director of the Berkeley Center for Theoretical Physics.
Fuyuko Matsui (松井冬子, Matsui Fuyuko; born January 20, 1974) is a contemporary Japanese artist, specialized in Nihonga…
Fuyuko Matsui (松井冬子, Matsui Fuyuko; born January 20, 1974) is a contemporary Japanese artist, specialized in Nihonga paintings. She is known for her "new Kusozu" series. Matsui has been making her works based on her psychoanalysis results, putting heavy weight on her feelings and interests in violence, experience of loss, repression, stress, and trauma. Through the process of self-investigation, she found her works common to all living beings—life and death, sex, self-love, self-mutilation, self and the other, this world and the next, desire and passions.
Makoto Kawamoto (川本真琴, Kawamoto Makoto; born January 19, 1974), is a Japanese pop singer, songwriter and…
Makoto Kawamoto (川本真琴, Kawamoto Makoto; born January 19, 1974), is a Japanese pop singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Fukui, Japan. She currently sings under the pseudonym Tiger Fake Fur.
Yoshiyoshi Arakawa (荒川 良々, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi; born January 18, 1974, in Ogi, Saga) is a Japanese actor. His real name…
Yoshiyoshi Arakawa (荒川 良々, Arakawa Yoshiyoshi; born January 18, 1974, in Ogi, Saga) is a Japanese actor. His real name is Yoshitomo Arakawa (荒川 良友, Arakawa Yoshitomo). He is represented with Otona Keikaku. He graduated from Ryukoku High School.
Hideki Uchidate (内舘 秀樹, Uchidate Hideki; born January 15, 1974) is a former Japanese football player.
Noriko Koiso (née Hamaguchi, 小磯典子、旧姓濱口、born 15 January 1974) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the…
Noriko Koiso (née Hamaguchi, 小磯典子、旧姓濱口、born 15 January 1974) is a Japanese former basketball player who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Atsuko Nagai (長井 淳子, Nagai Atsuko; born 14 January 1974) is a Japanese judoka. She was born in Ageo, Saitama, and began…
Atsuko Nagai (長井 淳子, Nagai Atsuko; born 14 January 1974) is a Japanese judoka. She was born in Ageo, Saitama, and began judo at the age of a second grader. She entered Komatsu Limited after graduating from Saitama University in 1998. She was known as a rival of Ryoko Tamura. She fought with Tamura 10 times and was defeated 10 times, but never by Ippon. In 2000, after Tamura won gold medal at Olympic Games, Nagai retired. As of 2008, Nagai coaches judo at Komatsu Limited, and Ayumi Tanimoto, one of her pupil, inherits the skill of Uchimata that Nagai was good at.