Kang Chang-il (Korean: 강창일; born 28 January 1952) is a South Korean politician who is member of the National Assembly…Kang Chang-il (Korean: 강창일; born 28 January 1952) is a South Korean politician who is member of the National Assembly since 2004. Kang served as South Korea's ambassador to Japan from January 2021 to 2022.
Hiroyuki Nasu (那須博之, Nasu Hiroyuki) (January 27, 1952 – February 27, 2005) was a Japanese film director. He won the…Hiroyuki Nasu (那須博之, Nasu Hiroyuki) (January 27, 1952 – February 27, 2005) was a Japanese film director. He won the award for Best Director at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for Be-Bop High School and Be-Bop High School: Kōkō yo Tarō aika.
Kaoru Adachi (安達かおる, Adachi Kaoru; born January 27, 1956) is a Japanese film director, producer and editor, and founder…Kaoru Adachi (安達かおる, Adachi Kaoru; born January 27, 1956) is a Japanese film director, producer and editor, and founder of the Japanese documentary and adult video (AV) studio V&R Planning.
Yūko Katagiri (片桐夕子, Katagiri Yūko; 26 January 1952 – 16 October 2022) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more…Yūko Katagiri (片桐夕子, Katagiri Yūko; 26 January 1952 – 16 October 2022) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than sixty films from 1971 to 2022. Katagiri starred in over fifty Nikkatsu Roman Porno films in eight years and once was married to Nikkatsu director Masaru Konuma, though they later divorced.
Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon…Koji Ota (太田 幸司, Ōta Kōji; born January 23, 1952) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and belongs to Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. as a commentator in baseball live on radio and TV. Ota is a son of an American father and a Japanese mother, the adopted son of a Japanese stepfather and a Russian stepmother, who emigrated to Japan because of the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Maki Kawai (川合眞紀, Kawai Maki) is a Japanese chemist who developed spatially selective single-molecule spectroscopy. In…Maki Kawai (川合眞紀, Kawai Maki) is a Japanese chemist who developed spatially selective single-molecule spectroscopy. In 2018, she became the first woman to become president of the Chemical Society of Japan.
Ryuichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 龍一, Hepburn: Sakamoto Ryūichi; January 17, 1952 – March 28, 2023) was a Japanese…Ryuichi Sakamoto (Japanese: 坂本 龍一, Hepburn: Sakamoto Ryūichi; January 17, 1952 – March 28, 2023) was a Japanese musician, composer, keyboardist, record producer, singer and actor. He pursued a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the synth-based band Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). With his YMO bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto influenced and pioneered a number of electronic music genres. As a film score composer, Sakamoto won an Academy Award (Oscar), BAFTA, Grammy and two Golden Globe Awards. Sakamoto began his career as a session musician, producer, and arranger while he was at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in the mid 1970s. His first major success came in 1978 as co-founder of YMO. He pursued a solo career at the same time, releasing the experimental electronic fusion album Thousand Knives in that year, and the album B-2 Unit in 1980. B-2 Unit includes the track "Riot in Lagos", which had a significant influence on the development of electro, hip hop and dance music. He went on to produce more solo records, and collaborate with many international artists, including David Sylvian, DJ Spooky, Carsten Nicolai, Youssou N'Dour, and Fennesz. Sakamoto composed music for the opening ceremony of the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic Games, and his composition "Energy Flow" (1999) was the first instrumental number-one single in Japan's Oricon charts history. Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) marked his debut as both an actor and a film score composer; its main theme was adapted into the single "Forbidden Colours", which became an international hit. His most successful work as a film composer was his original score for The Last Emperor (1987), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Score, making him the first Japanese composer to win an Academy Award. He continued earning accolades composing for films such as The Sheltering Sky (1990), Little Buddha (1993), and The Revenant (2015). On occasion, Sakamoto also worked as a composer and a scenario writer on anime and video games. He was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture in 2009 for his contributions to music. Sakamoto died on March 28, 2023, from colorectal cancer at the age of 71.
Masakatsu Koike (小池 正勝, Koike Masakatsu; born January 17, 1952 in Itabashi, Tokyo) is a former Japanese politician. He…Masakatsu Koike (小池 正勝, Koike Masakatsu; born January 17, 1952 in Itabashi, Tokyo) is a former Japanese politician. He served as a member of the House of Councillors representing the Tokushima at-large district as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Minoru Kawawada (born 16 January 1952) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the…Minoru Kawawada (born 16 January 1952) is a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He has won the JKA's version of the world championships for both kata and kumite, and has also won the JKA All-Japan Championships for kata on 2 occasions. He is currently the Vice General Manager of the Japan Karate Association Technical Division, and an instructor at their headquarters dojo, as well as the famous Hoitsugan dojo founded by Masatoshi Nakayama.
Tatsuhiko Seta (瀬田 龍彦, Seta Tatsuhiko; born January 15, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Tatsuhiko Seta (瀬田 龍彦, Seta Tatsuhiko; born January 15, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kazuyasu Shiina (椎名 一保, Shiina Kazuyasu; born January 15, 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuyasu Shiina (椎名 一保, Shiina Kazuyasu; born January 15, 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). After living in Choshi, Chiba and graduating from Nihon University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2002 after serving in the assembly of Chiba Prefecture for four terms.
Keizō Hamada (浜田 恵造, Hamada Keizō; born 10 January 1952) is a former Japanese politician and finance bureaucrat and a…Keizō Hamada (浜田 恵造, Hamada Keizō; born 10 January 1952) is a former Japanese politician and finance bureaucrat and a former governor of Kagawa Prefecture in the Shikoku region of Japan. He held office for three terms, from September 2010 to September 2022.
Jiichiro Date (伊達 治一郎, Date Jiichiro; January 6, 1952 – 20 February 2018) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the…Jiichiro Date (伊達 治一郎, Date Jiichiro; January 6, 1952 – 20 February 2018) was a Japanese freestyle wrestler. He won the world cup in 1973 and an Olympic gold medal in 1976 and placed third at the 1975 World Championships. On February 20, 2018, he fell from his apartment in Chofu, Tokyo, and died. He was 66 years old.
Yōichi Iha (伊波 洋一, Iha Yōichi; born 4 January 1952) is a Japanese politician. He has represented the Okinawa at-large…Yōichi Iha (伊波 洋一, Iha Yōichi; born 4 January 1952) is a Japanese politician. He has represented the Okinawa at-large district in the Japanese House of Councillors since 2016. He also served two terms as the mayor of Ginowan, Okinawa.
Michiko Shiokawa (塩川 美知子, Shiokawa Michiko; later Furuhashi 古橋, born January 26, 1951) is a Japanese former volleyball…Michiko Shiokawa (塩川 美知子, Shiokawa Michiko; later Furuhashi 古橋, born January 26, 1951) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics. In 1972 she was part of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. She played all five matches.
Mayumi Itsuwa (五輪 真弓, Itsuwa Mayumi) is a Japanese vocalist, composer, lyricist, and keyboardist who made her debut in…Mayumi Itsuwa (五輪 真弓, Itsuwa Mayumi) is a Japanese vocalist, composer, lyricist, and keyboardist who made her debut in 1972. Her first studio album entitled Shoujo was recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Grammy Award winner John Fischbach, with distinguished musicians such as David Campbell, Carole King and Charles Larkey who was King's husband at that time. Owing to her introspective compositions, Itsuwa was often nicknamed "Japanese Carole King", along with other Japanese singer-songwriters like Yumi Matsutoya (who had worked under her birth name "Yumi Arai" during the mid-1970s) and Minako Yoshida. Itsuwa gained moderate success on the Japanese albums chart in her early career, and received massive popularity and acclaim through the single "Koibito yo" released in 1980. The song topped Japan's Oricon chart for three consecutive weeks, and won the 22nd Japan Record Award for "Gold Prize" in the same year. It was covered by the country's legendary singers including Hibari Misora and Noriko Awaya in later years, and became a signature song for Itsuwa. In 1981 her song "Revival" also became a very well recognized hit. After "Koibito yo" became a hit, Itsuwa gained popularity also in non-Japanese Asian countries during the 1980s. In Indonesia, "Kokoro No Tomo", "Amayadori" and "Rebaibaru" become the most popular songs ever released by her. In 2006, Mayumi Itsuwa and Delon Thamrin recorded an Indonesian and Japanese version of the song. This was later included on the 2006 compilation album "Duet Love Songs". Many of her songs would fall into the musical genre of torch songs because they often describe the lingering memory of past loves.
Mikiko Shiroma (城間 幹子, Shiroma Mikiko; born 20 January 1951) is a Ryukyuan politician and former mayor of Naha, the…Mikiko Shiroma (城間 幹子, Shiroma Mikiko; born 20 January 1951) is a Ryukyuan politician and former mayor of Naha, the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture.
Shimon Sakaguchi (坂口 志文, Sakaguchi Shimon; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese immunologist. He is a distinguished…Shimon Sakaguchi (坂口 志文, Sakaguchi Shimon; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese immunologist. He is a distinguished professor at Osaka University and a professor emeritus at Kyoto University. His work includes the discovery of regulatory T cells and describing their role in the immune system. In 2025, he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell.
Misako Satake (佐竹 美佐子, Satake Misako; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the…Misako Satake (佐竹 美佐子, Satake Misako; born 19 January 1951) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Motonari Takano (Japanese: 高野 元成, Hepburn: Takano Motonari; January 12, 1951 - April 1, 2006), better known as Ai…Motonari Takano (Japanese: 高野 元成, Hepburn: Takano Motonari; January 12, 1951 - April 1, 2006), better known as Ai Takano (アイ高野, Ai Takano) and nicknamed Motchin, was a Japanese singer. He is best known for his performances of the theme songs for the anime Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger, Pettonton, and Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion. Takano also sung the songs in Ai Shite Knight for the fictional in-story band, Bee Hive, even though the singer character, Gou, is voiced by singer Isao Sasaki. Before starting his anisong career, Takano was drummer of The Golden Cups and a vocalist of Creation.
Tadayoshi Nagashima (長島 忠美, Nagashima Tadayoshi; 9 January 1951 – 18 August 2017) was a Japanese politician who served…Tadayoshi Nagashima (長島 忠美, Nagashima Tadayoshi; 9 January 1951 – 18 August 2017) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Kazuko Sawamatsu (Japanese: 沢松和子, born 5 January 1951) is a retired tennis player from Japan. She competed in a number…Kazuko Sawamatsu (Japanese: 沢松和子, born 5 January 1951) is a retired tennis player from Japan. She competed in a number of major LTA tournaments in the 1970s on the world circuit. At the 1975 Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals as well as reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and U.S. Open the same year. She also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 1973, and won the 1975 Wimbledon ladies doubles title with partner Ann Kiyomura. In November 1975, she won the singles title at the Japan Open Tennis Championships, defeating Kiyomura in the final in three sets, and together they won the doubles title. Sawamatsu is the sister of tennis player Junko Sawamatsu and the aunt of Naoko Sawamatsu.
Ryoko Onozawa (小野沢 良子, Onozawa Ryōko; born 1 January 1951), also written as Yoshiko Onozawa, is a Japanese speed…Ryoko Onozawa (小野沢 良子, Onozawa Ryōko; born 1 January 1951), also written as Yoshiko Onozawa, is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in two events at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Takako Hasegawa (長谷川たか子, Hasegawa Takako; born 1 January 1951) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer…Takako Hasegawa (長谷川たか子, Hasegawa Takako; born 1 January 1951) is a Japanese gymnast. She competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics where she finished thirty-fifth in the individual all around.
Dai Muneishi (Japanese: 宗石 大; born January 1, 1951) is a Japanese jockey and trainer at the Kochi Racecourse. He was…Dai Muneishi (Japanese: 宗石 大; born January 1, 1951) is a Japanese jockey and trainer at the Kochi Racecourse. He was known as trainer of the thoroughbred Haru Urara. His first race was with Burringbar at Kochi. He achieved his first win with Gambare Shacho. His overall record according to Sky Racing World website: 61 wins, 273 places, among 3,495 total starts, not getting a single grade during his career.
Baku Yumemakura (夢枕 獏, Yumemakura Baku; born 1951 in Odawara, Kanagawa) (real name: Yoneyama Mineo (米山峰夫)) is a…Baku Yumemakura (夢枕 獏, Yumemakura Baku; born 1951 in Odawara, Kanagawa) (real name: Yoneyama Mineo (米山峰夫)) is a Japanese science fiction and adventure writer whose penname translates to Dream Pillow (Yumemakura) Tapir (Baku). His works have sold more than 20 million copies in Japan spread across more than 280 titles and adapted into a variety of formats including feature films, television shows, movies and comic books. His works are influenced by outdoor interests such as fishing, particularly Ayu fishing, mountain climbing, canoeing as well as manga, photography, pottery, art, calligraphy, martial arts. He has published a number of photo collections of his journeys through Nepalese mountains. He is best known for writing Jōgen no Tsuki wo Taberu Shishi (The Lion that Ate the Crescent Moon), which won both the Seiun Award and the Nihon SF Taisho Award. He also has written film scripts, including the one to Onmyōji. One of his popular martial arts serials that has been adapted into manga is Garōden (餓狼伝), which has also been adapted to two video games and a movie. His novel series Majūgari (also known as Demon Hunters) has been adapted into an anime OVA Psycho Diver: Soul Siren and three manga series. He's been nicknamed "the artisan of violence" due to one of his popular martial arts novel series, Shishi no Mon (獅子の門, Gate of Fierce Lions). As of 2014, he has been working on the scripts for the manga series Shin Garōden with renowned manga artist Masami Nobe. He is also a past president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan organization.
Nanae Sasaya (ささや ななえ, Sasaya Nanae; January 31, 1950 – June 8, 2024), also known by the pen name Nanaeko Sasaya (ささや…Nanae Sasaya (ささや ななえ, Sasaya Nanae; January 31, 1950 – June 8, 2024), also known by the pen name Nanaeko Sasaya (ささや ななえこ, Sasaya Nanaeko), was a Japanese manga artist. She was associated with the Year 24 Group.
Shig Fukuyama (シゲ福山, Shige Fukuyama), (born as Shigefumi Fukuyama, January 28, 1950) is a former Japanese professional…Shig Fukuyama (シゲ福山, Shige Fukuyama), (born as Shigefumi Fukuyama, January 28, 1950) is a former Japanese professional boxer. Fukuyama was born in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and is a resident of Los Angeles, California. In 1976 he fought and was defeated by D. K. Poison of Ghana.
Yoshimitsu Morita (森田 芳光, Morita Yoshimitsu; 25 January 1950 – 20 December 2011) was a Japanese film director. He was…Yoshimitsu Morita (森田 芳光, Morita Yoshimitsu; 25 January 1950 – 20 December 2011) was a Japanese film director. He was known for his versatility, having directed satires, melodramas, crime thrillers, and pinku films. His most acclaimed films include The Family Game (1983), Sorekara (1985), Haru (1996), and Lost Paradise (1997).
Judy Ongg (Chinese: 翁倩玉; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ong Chhèng-gio̍k; born 24 January 1950) is a Taiwanese-Japanese singer, actress…Judy Ongg (Chinese: 翁倩玉; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ong Chhèng-gio̍k; born 24 January 1950) is a Taiwanese-Japanese singer, actress, author, and woodblock printing artist. Born in Taipei, she graduated from The American School in Japan in 1969 and later from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, after which she became a naturalized Japanese citizen. Her career has spanned more than four decades.
Shūko Honami (本阿弥 周子, Honami Shūko) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 10th…Shūko Honami (本阿弥 周子, Honami Shūko) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 10th Yokohama Film Festival for Ureshi Hazukashi Monogatari.
Yoshihiro Ogata (緒方 義博, Ogata Yoshihiro; born 23 January 1950), better known as Denden (でんでん) and sometimes credited as…Yoshihiro Ogata (緒方 義博, Ogata Yoshihiro; born 23 January 1950), better known as Denden (でんでん) and sometimes credited as Kanichi Tadokoro (田所 完一, Tadokoro Kan'ichi), is a Japanese actor and former comedian. He has appeared in more than 100 films since 1981.
Toshiaki Endo (遠藤 利明, Endō Toshiaki; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of…Toshiaki Endo (遠藤 利明, Endō Toshiaki; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Masaki Yamada (山田 正紀, Yamada Masaki; born January 16, 1950 in Nagoya) is a Japanese crime and science fiction author.…Masaki Yamada (山田 正紀, Yamada Masaki; born January 16, 1950 in Nagoya) is a Japanese crime and science fiction author. He has won the Nihon SF Taisho Award, the Seiun Award three times, and an award for mystery fiction. His first story was published in 1974. His novel Aphrodite was translated into English in 2004. He also wrote After the Long Goodbye, a Ghost in the Shell-related novel.
Toeko Tatsuno (Japanese: 辰野登恵子; born Toeko Naka (Japanese: 中 登恵子); 13 January 1950 – 19 September 2014) was a Japanese…Toeko Tatsuno (Japanese: 辰野登恵子; born Toeko Naka (Japanese: 中 登恵子); 13 January 1950 – 19 September 2014) was a Japanese abstract painter, printmaker, and former professor at Tama Art University in Japan.
Hiroshi Yanai (矢内 廣; born 7 January 1950 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese businessperson. He is the founder and CEO…Hiroshi Yanai (矢内 廣; born 7 January 1950 in Iwaki, Fukushima) is a Japanese businessperson. He is the founder and CEO of Pia Corporation, which is known as Japan’s first ticket distribution service.
Tomonori Kogawa (湖川友謙, Kogawa Tomonori; born January 3, 1950 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese animator and character…Tomonori Kogawa (湖川友謙, Kogawa Tomonori; born January 3, 1950 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese animator and character designer, often noted for his work in the 1980s with noted anime studio Sunrise.
Taiga Satoru, born Satoshi Kawasaki (January 3, 1950 – July 16, 2009), was a sumo wrestler from Kanoya, Kagoshima…Taiga Satoru, born Satoshi Kawasaki (January 3, 1950 – July 16, 2009), was a sumo wrestler from Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1965, and reached the top division in July 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He left the sumo world upon retirement in May 1977.
Taro Ichihara (市原 多朗, Ichihara Tarō) (born 1950) is a Japanese opera singer, who sings as a tenor, primarily in Verdi…Taro Ichihara (市原 多朗, Ichihara Tarō) (born 1950) is a Japanese opera singer, who sings as a tenor, primarily in Verdi roles.
Takashi Yabe (矢部 孝, Yabe Takashi) is a professor at the Department of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, Tokyo…Takashi Yabe (矢部 孝, Yabe Takashi) is a professor at the Department of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech.).
Hiroyuki Fujikake (born 1949), also known by his pen name Hiro Fujikake, is a Japanese composer, conductor and…Hiroyuki Fujikake (born 1949), also known by his pen name Hiro Fujikake, is a Japanese composer, conductor and synthesizer player.
Masayoshi Esashi (江刺 正喜, Esashi Masayoshi; born January 30, 1949 Sendai, Miyagi) is an engineer. He is a global…Masayoshi Esashi (江刺 正喜, Esashi Masayoshi; born January 30, 1949 Sendai, Miyagi) is an engineer. He is a global authority of Microelectromechanical systems and serves as the professor of the Tohoku University graduate school engineering graduate course.
Jiro Dan (団 時朗, Dan Jirō; January 30, 1949 – March 22, 2023) was a Japanese actor, singer, and model best known for his…Jiro Dan (団 時朗, Dan Jirō; January 30, 1949 – March 22, 2023) was a Japanese actor, singer, and model best known for his role as Hideki Go/Ultraman Jack in The Return of Ultraman, making guest appearances in subsequent Ultraman productions as well. His real name was Hideo Murata (村田 秀雄). He was born in Kyoto and graduated from Heian High School.
Masachika Ichimura (市村 正親, Ichimura Masachika; born January 28, 1949) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawagoe…Masachika Ichimura (市村 正親, Ichimura Masachika; born January 28, 1949) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawagoe, Saitama and studied at the Theater Art College in Tokyo after graduating high school. He has also done voice acting work, with some of his roles being Mewtwo from the Pokémon franchise and Jack Skellington in the Japanese dub of The Nightmare Before Christmas.