Haruhiko Arai (荒井 晴彦, Arai Haruhiko; born 1947) is a Japanese screenwriter and film director. He is also a publisher…Haruhiko Arai (荒井 晴彦, Arai Haruhiko; born 1947) is a Japanese screenwriter and film director. He is also a publisher and an editor of the Eiga Geijutsu magazine and a professor of the Japan Institute of the Moving Image.
Masakatsu Shibasaki (柴崎 正勝, Shibasaki Masakatsu; born 25 January 1947) is a Japanese chemist. In 1974 he earned his…Masakatsu Shibasaki (柴崎 正勝, Shibasaki Masakatsu; born 25 January 1947) is a Japanese chemist. In 1974 he earned his doctorate in chemistry, in the group of Shun’ichi Yamada. He did a post doc with Elias J. Corey at Harvard. He returned to Japan and became a professor in 1977 at Teikyō University and moved to Hokkaidō University in 1986. 1983–1986 Shibasaki was a research group leader at the Sagami chemical research center. From 1991 until 2010 he served as professor at Tokyo University. Since 2010 he is representative director of Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation (Chemistry), Tokyo. He is perhaps best known for developing a range of binol based heterobimetallic catalysts, which now bear his name.
Masamichi Kondo (近藤 正道, Kondō Masamichi; born January 25, 1947) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of…Masamichi Kondo (近藤 正道, Kondō Masamichi; born January 25, 1947) is a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Elected in 2004 as an independent candidate with support of the Democratic Party of Japan and the SDP from Niigata Prefecture (No. 1 with 428,117 votes), he is, as of 2008, the only directly elected SDP member of the House of Councillors. Kondo is a graduate of Chuo University and worked as a lawyer in Niigata. From 1987 to 2004 he was a member of the Niigata prefectural assembly.
Masashi Ozaki (尾崎 将司, Ozaki Masashi; 24 January 1947 – 23 December 2025) was a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is…Masashi Ozaki (尾崎 将司, Ozaki Masashi; 24 January 1947 – 23 December 2025) was a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is often known as Jumbo Ozaki (ジャンボ尾崎 Janbo Ozaki) on account of his height and length off the tee. He featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998. He is the most successful player of all time on the Japan Golf Tour, having led the money list a record 12 times and won 94 tournaments, over 40 more than the second highest player. Ozaki was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ikuo Hayashi (林 郁夫, Hayashi Ikuo; born January 23, 1947) is a Japanese terrorist and former Aum Shinrikyo member…Ikuo Hayashi (林 郁夫, Hayashi Ikuo; born January 23, 1947) is a Japanese terrorist and former Aum Shinrikyo member convicted for his participation in the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.
Makiko Furukawa (古川 牧子, Furukawa Makiko; born January 22, 1947) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in…Makiko Furukawa (古川 牧子, Furukawa Makiko; born January 22, 1947) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics. She was born in Inzai, Chiba. In 1968 she was a squad member of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. Four years later she won her second Olympic silver medal with the Japanese team. She played all five matches.
Senichi Hoshino (星野 仙一, Hoshino Sen'ichi; January 22, 1947 – January 4, 2018) was a Japanese Nippon Professional…Senichi Hoshino (星野 仙一, Hoshino Sen'ichi; January 22, 1947 – January 4, 2018) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player and manager. As a player, he shined as a highlight pitcher on varying levels of struggling seasons for the Chunichi Dragons. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award for his saves in 1974 as the team won their first Central League pennant in twenty years. He pitched his final season in 1982, the same year the Dragons went to the Japan Series. He became manager of the Dragons in 1987 and managed them to a Central League pennant in 1988 before departing the team in 1991. He returned in 1996 and managed for five years, leading them to the pennant again in 1999, where they lost again in the Japan Series. He resigned in 2001 and joined the Hanshin Tigers the following year. In 2003, he led the Hanshin Tigers to their first Central League pennant in eighteen years before retiring for health reasons at the close of the loss in the 2003 Japan Series. In 2007, he managed the Japanese national team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In October 2010, Hoshino was hired as manager of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He led the Eagles to a Pacific League pennant to become the second person to win league pennants with three teams. On his sixth trip to the Japan Series, he won the championship; he retired the following year and the Golden Eagles subsequently retired his number. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Junji Takada (高田純次, Takada Junji; born January 21, 1947), also known by the nicknames "Jun chan" (純ちゃん), "Uncle Jun"…Junji Takada (高田純次, Takada Junji; born January 21, 1947), also known by the nicknames "Jun chan" (純ちゃん), "Uncle Jun" (純じい, Jun jī) and "TJ", is a Japanese actor and comedian. Takada was born in Chōfu, Tokyo. He is known for the variety show Tensai, Takeshi no Genki ga Deru Terebi that was hosted by Takeshi Kitano and premiered on NTV from 1985 to 1996. On April 9, 2017, Takada began co-hosting a radio program with manga artist Naoki Urasawa. Junji and Naoki (純次と直樹) airs Sundays at 5pm on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting and features both men talking about their lives, professions, and favorite hobbies.
Kazuo Kawamura (河村一夫, Hepburn: Kawamura Kazuo, born January 19, 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in…Kazuo Kawamura (河村一夫, Hepburn: Kawamura Kazuo, born January 19, 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Sachio Kinugasa (衣笠 祥雄; January 18, 1947 – April 23, 2018) was a Japanese professional baseball third baseman for the…Sachio Kinugasa (衣笠 祥雄; January 18, 1947 – April 23, 2018) was a Japanese professional baseball third baseman for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball league from 1965 to 1987. He was nicknamed Tetsujin, meaning "Iron Man". He played in a record-breaking 2,215 consecutive games, having surpassed Lou Gehrig's record by 1987. Kinugasa is mostly remembered for his consecutive-game streak, but he ranks seventh in Nippon Professional Baseball in career home runs (504), 5th in career hits (2543) and 10th in career RBIs (1448), showing that he was one of the most consistent hitters in Japanese baseball. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
Ryuko Sakurai (桜井 龍子, Sakurai Ryūko; born January 16, 1947) was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. She joined on…Ryuko Sakurai (桜井 龍子, Sakurai Ryūko; born January 16, 1947) was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. She joined on September 11, 2008. Sakurai, a former bureaucrat of the Ministry of Labor, replaced Kazuko Yokoo, who resigned. She was the third woman to take a post in the Supreme Court of Japan.
Sachiko Saito (斎藤 幸子, Saitō Sachiko; 15 January 1947) was a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1968 and 1972…Sachiko Saito (斎藤 幸子, Saitō Sachiko; 15 January 1947) was a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics in the 500, 1000 and 1500 m events with the best achievement of ninth place in the 500 m in 1972. She badly fell on the same distance in 1968. She is sometimes confused with Jitsuko Saito who also competed in speed skating at the 1968 Olympics. Personal bests: 500 m – 43.8 (1972) 1000 m – 1:29.4 (1972) 1500 m – 2:19.8 (1972) 3000 m – 5:02.9 (1972)
Masako Yashiro (矢代まさこ, Yashiro Masako; born January 13, 1947) is a Japanese manga artist. An artist of both shōjo manga…Masako Yashiro (矢代まさこ, Yashiro Masako; born January 13, 1947) is a Japanese manga artist. An artist of both shōjo manga (manga for girls) and shōnen manga (manga for boys), her 1970 manga series Secret Love (シークレットラブ; Shīkuretto Rabu) has been described as the first manga in the yuri (female-female romance) genre.
Daijiro Hashimoto (Japanese: 橋本 大二郎, Hepburn: Hashimoto Daijirō; born 12 January 1947) is a politically independent…Daijiro Hashimoto (Japanese: 橋本 大二郎, Hepburn: Hashimoto Daijirō; born 12 January 1947) is a politically independent former governor of the Kōchi Prefecture who served from 1991 to 2007, with an intermediate resignation in 2004 to test support after a scandal alleging transactions between his campaign aide and a construction company in 1991. He is also the host of "Wide Scramble", a morning show on TV Asahi. His policies included encouraging a more open government and the implementation of a green tax to help preserve forests. He is considered to be a reformer. Hashimoto is the brother of the former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
Keiji Kokuta (穀田 恵二, Kokuta Keiji; born 11 January 1947) is a Japanese politician and a former member of the House of…Keiji Kokuta (穀田 恵二, Kokuta Keiji; born 11 January 1947) is a Japanese politician and a former member of the House of Representatives for the Japanese Communist Party. He served 10 terms in the Japanese House of Representatives. He has served as a member of various committees, including the Budget Committee, the Committee on Local Administration, the Special Committee on Disaster Prevention, and the Special Committee on Ethical Elections. He is currently the Chairman of the Party's Diet Strategy Committee, Chairman of the Election Strategy Committee, a member of the Permanent Executive Committee, and the head of the Committee for the Promotion of Traditional Crafts.
Takashi Tanihata (谷畑 孝, Tanihata Takashi; born 10 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House…Takashi Tanihata (谷畑 孝, Tanihata Takashi; born 10 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician who served in the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Initiatives from Osaka party. A native of Osaka Prefecture and graduate of Kansai University he was elected for the first time in 1989 after an unsuccessful run in 1986.
Akihito Wada (born 10 January 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968…Akihito Wada (born 10 January 1947) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Maya Yamazaki (山崎 摩耶, Yamazaki Maya; born 10 July 1974) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Maya Yamazaki (山崎 摩耶, Yamazaki Maya; born 10 July 1974) is a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives of Japan from 2009 until 2012.
Satoru Nakano (中野 悟, Nakano Satoru; born 9 January 1947) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed at the 1964 Summer…Satoru Nakano (中野 悟, Nakano Satoru; born 9 January 1947) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Ittoku Kishibe (岸部 一徳, Kishibe Ittoku; born 9 January 1947), born Osami Kishibe (岸部 修三, Kishibe Osami), is a Japanese…Ittoku Kishibe (岸部 一徳, Kishibe Ittoku; born 9 January 1947), born Osami Kishibe (岸部 修三, Kishibe Osami), is a Japanese actor and musician.
Susumu Hara (原 進, Hara Susumu) (January 8, 1947 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese rugby player and professional…Susumu Hara (原 進, Hara Susumu) (January 8, 1947 – April 28, 2015) was a Japanese rugby player and professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ashura Hara (阿修羅・原).
Miwa Takada (高田 美和, Takada Miwa; born 5 January 1947 in Kyoto) is a Japanese film, TV and stage actress. She has…Miwa Takada (高田 美和, Takada Miwa; born 5 January 1947 in Kyoto) is a Japanese film, TV and stage actress. She has starred in several Japanese movies that are today considered classics (especially in the Zatoichi saga, and the Daimajin trilogy). Takada also worked as a singer, and the duet she recorded with Mitsuo Kaji, "Waga Ai wo Hoshi ni Inorite," became a huge hit. Now she focuses on stage performances and TV. She lives in Numazu.
Masahiro Imamura (今村 雅弘, Imamura Masahiro; born 25 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…Masahiro Imamura (今村 雅弘, Imamura Masahiro; born 25 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Motoo Hayashi (林 幹雄, Hayashi Motoo; born 3 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Motoo Hayashi (林 幹雄, Hayashi Motoo; born 3 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the national Diet from 1993 until 2024, representing the Chiba 10th district; he has previously represented the Southern Kanto proportional representation block and the pre-1996 Chiba 2nd district.
Hideaki Yanagida (柳田 英明, Yanagida Hideaki; born 1 January 1947) is a retired Japanese bantamweight freestyle wrestler.…Hideaki Yanagida (柳田 英明, Yanagida Hideaki; born 1 January 1947) is a retired Japanese bantamweight freestyle wrestler. He won his event at the 1970 Asian Games, 1970 and 1971 world championships and 1972 Summer Olympics.
Koriki Jojima (城島光力, Jōjima Kōriki; 1 January 1947) is a Japanese politician who served four terms in the House of…Koriki Jojima (城島光力, Jōjima Kōriki; 1 January 1947) is a Japanese politician who served four terms in the House of Representatives and was Minister of Finance from 1 October to 26 December 2012.
Japan, the previous host of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City…Japan, the previous host of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. 171 competitors, 146 men and 25 women, took part in 97 events in 18 sports.
Kazuya Maruyama (丸山 和也, Maruyama Kazuya; born January 23, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Kazuya Maruyama (丸山 和也, Maruyama Kazuya; born January 23, 1946) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Masaaki Ōsawa (大沢 正明, Ōsawa Masaaki; born 21 January 1946) was the governor of Gunma Prefecture in Japan. He was first…Masaaki Ōsawa (大沢 正明, Ōsawa Masaaki; born 21 January 1946) was the governor of Gunma Prefecture in Japan. He was first elected in 2007 after serving in the assembly of Gunma Prefecture.
Ichiro Hosotani (細谷 一郎, Hosotani Ichirō; born January 21, 1946) is a former Japanese football player who played for the…Ichiro Hosotani (細谷 一郎, Hosotani Ichirō; born January 21, 1946) is a former Japanese football player who played for the Japan national football team.
Dairyūgawa Kazuo (born 21 January 1946 as Kazuo Wada) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made…Dairyūgawa Kazuo (born 21 January 1946 as Kazuo Wada) is a former sumo wrestler from Kakogawa, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1961 and reached the top division in September 1968. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association, under the name Kiyomigata. He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age in January 2011.
Zenbee Mizoguchi (溝口 善兵衛, Mizoguchi Zenbee; 20 January 1946 – 20 August 2024) was a Japanese politician and governor of…Zenbee Mizoguchi (溝口 善兵衛, Mizoguchi Zenbee; 20 January 1946 – 20 August 2024) was a Japanese politician and governor of Shimane Prefecture in Japan, elected from 2007 to 2019. He graduated from the University of Tokyo and was a former official of the Ministry of Finance. Mizoguchi died on 20 August 2024, at the age of 78.
Masami Yoshida (吉田 正美, Yoshida Masami; born 17 January 1946) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 400…Masami Yoshida (吉田 正美, Yoshida Masami; born 17 January 1946) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Yoshito Sengoku (仙谷 由人, Sengoku Yoshito; 15 January 1946 – 11 October 2018) was a Japanese politician serving in the…Yoshito Sengoku (仙谷 由人, Sengoku Yoshito; 15 January 1946 – 11 October 2018) was a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.
Itō Takumi (伊藤 卓美; born on January 15, 1946, in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a prominent Japanese printmaker and…Itō Takumi (伊藤 卓美; born on January 15, 1946, in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a prominent Japanese printmaker and president of the Japan Print Society. His artwork has been featured on Japan Post postage stamps as well as featured in exhibitions at the Library of Congress and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Takumi currently teaches woodblock printing at Waseda University in Tokyo. Takumi's interest in the woodblock printing began at a young age when his father, a painter, encouraged his study of the arts. Having a special interest in Japanese matsuri festivals and folk art, especially mingei, many of Takumi's prints explore the local cultures of Japan's rural areas, such as his own Miyagi Prefecture.
Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of…Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寛仁親王, Tomohito Shinnō; 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012) was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the eldest son of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. He was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, and was formerly sixth in the line of succession to the Japanese throne and the heir apparent to the princely house of Mikasa-no-miya and the title "Prince Mikasa". Prince Tomohito was the first member of the Imperial House of Japan with a full beard since Emperor Meiji, thus earning him the popular nickname of the "Bearded Prince" (ヒゲの殿下 Hige no Denka). He died of cancer on 6 June 2012, aged 66.
Kazuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川 和彦, Hasegawa Kazuhiko; 5 January 1946 – 31 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He won…Kazuhiko Hasegawa (長谷川 和彦, Hasegawa Kazuhiko; 5 January 1946 – 31 January 2026) was a Japanese film director. He won the award for Best Director at the 1st Yokohama Film Festival for The Man Who Stole the Sun.
Kazuhiro Tatsumi (辰巳 和弘, Tatsumi Kazuhiro; born 3 January 1946, in Osaka) is a Japanese archaeologist, history scholar…Kazuhiro Tatsumi (辰巳 和弘, Tatsumi Kazuhiro; born 3 January 1946, in Osaka) is a Japanese archaeologist, history scholar and museum curator. He was a lecturer at Doshisha University until his retirement in 2011. He is knowledgeable about the domestic practices of early Japanese peoples. and has been referenced in numerous books. Tatsumi has authored many books and papers. In 1981 he published his findings on research in the Kitaoka Otsuka tumulus in Inasa, Shizuoka, which was printed by the Inasa-cho Board of Education.
Goro Ibuki (伊吹 吾郎, Ibuki Gorō; born January 2, 1946) is a Japanese actor. He is known for his parts in jidaigeki…Goro Ibuki (伊吹 吾郎, Ibuki Gorō; born January 2, 1946) is a Japanese actor. He is known for his parts in jidaigeki television dramas, especially Kakusan in the Mito Kōmon series. He appeared in Samurai Sentai Shinkenger as Hikoma Kusakabe.
Kazuo Nishii (西井一夫, Nishii Kazuo; 1946–2001) was a Japanese magazine editor and photography critic. Nishii was born in…Kazuo Nishii (西井一夫, Nishii Kazuo; 1946–2001) was a Japanese magazine editor and photography critic. Nishii was born in Tokyo in 1946. He graduated in economics from Keio University in 1968, and shortly after this moved to the company publishing Mainichi Shimbun, rising via stints at Sunday Mainichi and Mainich Graph to become editor in chief of Camera Mainichi from 1983 until the magazine folded in 1985. After the demise of Camera Mainichi, Nishii worked as an editor for various book-publishing projects of Mainichi Shinbun-sha. Nishii first proposed the Society of Photography Award and played a major role in setting it up.
Susumu Tachi (舘 暲, Tachi Susumu; born January 1, 1946) is professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, Founding…Susumu Tachi (舘 暲, Tachi Susumu; born January 1, 1946) is professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, Founding President of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, and Founding Chairman of Telexistence Inc.
Yumio Sakurai (桜井 由躬雄; 1945-2012) was a Japanese historian who specialized in Japanese history and history of Southeast…Yumio Sakurai (桜井 由躬雄; 1945-2012) was a Japanese historian who specialized in Japanese history and history of Southeast Asia.
Yoko Shinozaki (篠崎 洋子, Shinozaki Yōko; born January 29, 1945) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She…Yoko Shinozaki (篠崎 洋子, Shinozaki Yōko; born January 29, 1945) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a major player to help Japanese women's national volleyball, team to dominate the World in 1962-67 by winning 1962 FIVB Women's World Championship, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and 1967 FIVB Women's World Championship in row.
Masamitsu Oishi (大石 正光, Ōishi Masamitsu; born 28 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Masamitsu Oishi (大石 正光, Ōishi Masamitsu; born 28 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served in both houses of the National Diet (national legislature). A native of Sendai, Miyagi, he graduated from Rikkyo University and attended Whitworth University in Washington, United States. After having served in the House of Representatives for five terms, he lost his seat in 1996 as a member of the New Frontier Party. He was re-elected in 2000 but lost the seat again in 2003. In 2004 he ran for the House of Councillors and was elected for the first time.
Takeo Moriyama (森山 威男, Moriyama Takeo; born January 27, 1945 in Katsunuma (present Kōshū) in Yamanashi Prefecture) is a…Takeo Moriyama (森山 威男, Moriyama Takeo; born January 27, 1945 in Katsunuma (present Kōshū) in Yamanashi Prefecture) is a Japanese jazz drummer. Moriyama played piano as a child before switching to drums in his late teens. He then attended the Tokyo University of the Arts, taking a degree in percussion performance. He joined Yosuke Yamashita's small group in 1967, and went on several international tours with the group until leaving it in 1975. He moved to Nagoya in 1977 and began leading his own groups. In addition to Yamashita he has performed or recorded with Aki Takase, Akira Miyazawa, Fumio Itabashi, Masahiko Satoh, Peter Brötzmann, Nobuyoshi Ino, Takehiro Honda, and Manfred Schoof.
Hitoshi Nomura (Nomura Hitoshi, 野村仁; 1945 – 3 October 2023) was a Japanese contemporary artist. While he initially…Hitoshi Nomura (Nomura Hitoshi, 野村仁; 1945 – 3 October 2023) was a Japanese contemporary artist. While he initially trained in sculpture, his work has developed into ephemeral, process-based and conceptual forms of artworks. The central theme of his work, around which he will experiment throughout his life, is time, and the dynamics of transformation that are linked to it, such as deterioration, evaporation, fusion. In the 1970s, he defined the theme of his work as the attempt to "represent the characteristics of time and space in equal prominence" through his art. The use of photography in his work is decisive, whether this medium is used to document his action or to "sculpt time".
Tatsuo Kawabata (川端 達夫, Kawabata Tatsuo; born 24 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician from the Democratic…Tatsuo Kawabata (川端 達夫, Kawabata Tatsuo; born 24 January 1945) is a former Japanese politician from the Democratic Party. A native of Ōmihachiman, Shiga, he attended Kyoto University and received a master's degree from it. His elder brother is former mayor of Ōmihachiman Gohei Kawabata.
Misako Enoki (榎 美沙子, Enoki Misako; born 23 January 1945) is a Japanese feminist, pharmacist, and politician. She helped…Misako Enoki (榎 美沙子, Enoki Misako; born 23 January 1945) is a Japanese feminist, pharmacist, and politician. She helped launch and became a symbol of the feminist movement in Japan when she organized activists to push for the legalization of the birth control pill. As a sign of respect for her elderly parents, Enoki was compelled to marry at the age of 24. She married physician Natsuo Kiuchi, retaining her maiden name. Enoki began her involvement with the Japanese women's liberation translation group known as Wolf Group (Urufu no Kai). She distributed a pamphlet calling for the legalization of the birth control pill, initially using the group's name, angering group members who did not share her position. Enoki attended the Ribu Conference of May 1972, recruiting women to form a protest group called Chūpiren ([ja: 中ピ連]; sometimes known as Pink Panthers or pink helmets) as a radical wing of the Japanese feminist movement. Chūpiren was an abbreviation for Chūzetsu Kinshi Hō ni Hantai Shi Piru Kaikin o Yōkyū Suru Josei Kaihō Rengō (Women's Liberation Federation for Opposing the Abortion Prohibition Law and Lifting the Pill Ban). The group organized well-attended demonstrations for a series of campaigns addressing the concerns of women. Chūpiren was concerned with legal rights in divorce and marriage, access to birth control, abortion, and equal pay. Wearing pink hard hats to ensure maximal media attention, the demonstrators marched in white military-style uniforms. They held protest rallies and sit-ins and took part in publicity stunts such as confronting unfaithful husbands in their offices. The male-dominated media gave coverage to Chūpiren but did not take them seriously, instead ridiculing the movement. Enoki debated with Japanese feminist Mitsu Tanaka, who did not think that Chūpiren could be considered part of uuman ribu, the Japanese women's liberation movement. Enoki was not well trusted in the ribu and members of Chūpiren were critical of her style of leadership. Enoki formed the Japan Woman's Party (Nihon Joseitō) for the 1977 House of Councillors election. The party put forward 10 to 12 candidates in the election and fared poorly, receiving only 0.4 per cent of the popular vote. Following the election, Chūpiren was disbanded and Enoki left public life. Enoki's husband lent her $38,000 to help finance the 1977 political campaign of the Japan Women's Party. They struck a bargain where she would resume housework at their apartment in suburban Tokyo and he would write off $2,670 of the loan for each month of housework.