Masamitsu Ichiguchi (市口 政光, Ichiguchi Masamitsu; born January 12, 1940) is a Japanese retired wrestler. He competed in…Masamitsu Ichiguchi (市口 政光, Ichiguchi Masamitsu; born January 12, 1940) is a Japanese retired wrestler. He competed in the Greco-Roman bantamweight event at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics and finished in seventh and first place, respectively. Earlier in 1962 he won the world championships and Asian Games in the same event.
Yūji Tokizaki (Japanese: 時崎 雄司 Tokizako Yuji; 6 January 1940 – 13 November 2021) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Yūji Tokizaki (Japanese: 時崎 雄司 Tokizako Yuji; 6 January 1940 – 13 November 2021) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Japan Socialist Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1993.
Shunsuke Kaneto (金戸 俊介, Kaneto Shunsuke; born 5 January 1940) is a former Japanese diver who competed in the 1960…Shunsuke Kaneto (金戸 俊介, Kaneto Shunsuke; born 5 January 1940) is a former Japanese diver who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics and in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Niigiyama Tadashi (born Tadashi Nagano; January 5, 1940 - September 5, 1986) was a sumo wrestler from Gifu, Japan. He…Niigiyama Tadashi (born Tadashi Nagano; January 5, 1940 - September 5, 1986) was a sumo wrestler from Gifu, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1955, and reached the top division in March 1961. He left the sumo world upon retirement from active competition in May 1963.
Masahiro Tabata (田端 正広, Tabata Masahiro; 4 January 1940 – 5 January 2025) was a Japanese politician who served in the…Masahiro Tabata (田端 正広, Tabata Masahiro; 4 January 1940 – 5 January 2025) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the New Komeito Party. A native of Wakayama, Wakayama and graduate of Doshisha University, he was elected for the first time in 1993 after working as a journalist. Tabata died from pneumonia on 5 January 2025, at the age of 85.
Tsutomu Hanahara (花原 勉, Hanahara Tsutomu; January 3, 1940 – February 5, 2024) was a Japanese wrestler who won a gold…Tsutomu Hanahara (花原 勉, Hanahara Tsutomu; January 3, 1940 – February 5, 2024) was a Japanese wrestler who won a gold medal in the flyweight class at the 1964 Olympics. He competed at the 1958 and 1967 world championships and finished in sixth and third place, respectively.
Shoichiro Irimajiri (入交 昭一郎, Irimajiri Shōichirō; born on January 3, 1940, in Kochi, Japan) is a Japanese engineer and…Shoichiro Irimajiri (入交 昭一郎, Irimajiri Shōichirō; born on January 3, 1940, in Kochi, Japan) is a Japanese engineer and businessman. He earned an aeronautical engineering degree from the University of Tokyo and worked for Honda Motor Co., Ltd. for 20 years, overseeing the introduction of its CBX motorcycle, design of their F1 racing engines for the RA273 as well as being the president of Honda of America Inc. He resigned in 1992 due to a heart problem, and started a Chinese traditional treatment to restore his condition. During this time, it was said that General Motors recruited Irimajiri for a senior executive position at the company, in light of his success at Honda. While he declined that position and accepted a spot as an outside director, if Irimajiri had accepted the offer, he would have been the first Japanese-born automotive executive of an American automobile manufacturer. After his recovery, Hayao Nakayama, then president of Sega Enterprises, asked him to become vice president of the company. In 1996, he additionally became chairman and CEO of Sega of America. He became president of Sega in 1998, when he laid an ambitious plan using the Dreamcast to restore Sega's lost market share and prestige, which took a severe downfall following the flawed launches of the Sega Saturn and the Sega 32X. After Sega reported its third consecutive loss, Irimajiri resigned and Isao Okawa took his place. While president of Sega he invested $5 million into Nvidia, after the tiny Silicon Valley startup had failed to deliver on its contract to create the graphics chip for the Dreamcast. Jensen Huang has publicly expressed his gratitude to Irimajiri for helping to keep Nvidia alive. Nvidia went public in 1999, and in 2000, after Irimajiri had left, Sega sold its Nvidia stock for $15 million. In 2017, Huang returned the favor by honoring a request from Irimajiri to speak to a small group of business leaders while visiting Japan. Irimajiri's most recent position was as chairman of Asahi Tec, a Japanese manufacturer of aluminum parts and castings for automobiles, owned by Ripplewood Holdings.
Masahiko Tsugawa (津川 雅彦, Tsugawa Masahiko), born Masahiko Katō (加藤 雅彦 Katō Masahiko; January 2, 1940 – August 4, 2018)…Masahiko Tsugawa (津川 雅彦, Tsugawa Masahiko), born Masahiko Katō (加藤 雅彦 Katō Masahiko; January 2, 1940 – August 4, 2018) was a Japanese actor and director.
Tatsuo Kainaka (甲斐中 辰夫, Kainaka Tatsuo; born January 2, 1940) became an attorney at law after serving as a member of…Tatsuo Kainaka (甲斐中 辰夫, Kainaka Tatsuo; born January 2, 1940) became an attorney at law after serving as a member of the Supreme Court of Japan, Superintending Prosecutor of Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office and so on.
Yukiko Otaka (大高 幸子, Ōtaka Yukiko; born 2 January 1940) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed in two events at the…Yukiko Otaka (大高 幸子, Ōtaka Yukiko; born 2 January 1940) is a Japanese former swimmer. She competed in two events at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Hajime Sawatari (沢渡 朔, Sawatari Hajime; born 1940) is a Japanese photographer. He is known for his fashion and…Hajime Sawatari (沢渡 朔, Sawatari Hajime; born 1940) is a Japanese photographer. He is known for his fashion and advertising photography as well as his nudes of girls and women. He earned his degree from Nihon University's College of Art with a major in photography.
Toyoharu Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田豊治, Hepburn: Yoshida Toyoharu; January 1, 1940 – July 1, 2023), better known as Ippei…Toyoharu Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田豊治, Hepburn: Yoshida Toyoharu; January 1, 1940 – July 1, 2023), better known as Ippei Kuri (九里一平, Kuri Ippei), was a Japanese manga artist and the third president of animation production company Tatsunoko Production.
Hifumi Katō (加藤 一二三, Katō Hifumi; January 1, 1940 – January 22, 2026) was a Japanese professional shogi player who…Hifumi Katō (加藤 一二三, Katō Hifumi; January 1, 1940 – January 22, 2026) was a Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan. During his career, he won the Meijin, Tenth Dan, Ōi, Kiō and Ōshō major titles. He also held the record for being the youngest to have been awarded regular professional status at age 14 years and 7 months until Sōta Fujii broke it at age 14 years and 2 months in 2016. Since his given name is written using the kanji characters for the numbers "one","two" and "three", Katō was known to his fans by the nickname "Hifumin" (ひふみん).
Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who…Uichiro Niwa (丹羽 宇一郎, Niwa Uichirō; January 29, 1939 – December 24, 2025) was a Japanese diplomat and businessman who served as the Ambassador of Japan to the People's Republic of China, president and chairman of Itochu Corporation, and chairman of the Society of Global Business (SGB).
Masashi Shiga (志賀 政司, Shiga Masashi; born 28 January 1939) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Masashi Shiga (志賀 政司, Shiga Masashi; born 28 January 1939) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also…Masaki Tamura (たむら まさき, Tamura Masaki; 26 January 1939 – 23 May 2018) was a Japanese cinematographer. He was also credited as Masaki Tamra.
Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA…Shinichi Chiba (Japanese: 千葉 真一, Hepburn: Chiba Shin'ichi; born Sadaho Maeda; 22 January 1939 – 19 August 2021) IPA: [tɕiꜜba ɕiɰ̃itɕi], known internationally as Sonny Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later to an international audience. Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984. Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two tokusatsu superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in Seven Color Mask (Nana-iro Kamen) in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film The Street Fighter. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of English language American films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006). Chiba died of COVID-19 complications at the hospital in Tokyo on 19 August 2021, at the age of 82.
Chūichi Date (伊達 忠一, Date Chūichi; born January 20, 1939) is a Japanese retired politician of the Liberal Democratic…Chūichi Date (伊達 忠一, Date Chūichi; born January 20, 1939) is a Japanese retired politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served three terms in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) and also served as the LDP's National Diet Committee Chairman. A native of Ashibetsu, Hokkaido and high school graduate, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001 after serving in the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly. He was a former President of the House of Councillors. After the assassination of Shinzo Abe in July 2022 he admitted that he had asked Abe for votes from the Unification Church (UC) in the 2016 Upper House election. According to Hokkaido Television Broadcasting reporting, Date has participated in at least three events sponsored by the UC and its front organisations, including an online event in August 2020, where he stated, "I believe that the spirit of coexistence, co-prosperity, and shared meaning, which leaders Moon and Han are preaching, is more desperately needed today than ever." Date testified that when he supported Yoshifumi Miyajima of the LDP, who ran for the House of Councillors in the 2016 national proportional election, he asked Shinzo Abe to provide votes supplied from the UC. He said that Abe agreed and Miyajima was elected for the first time, but that Abe refused to allow him to run for the Upper House this time, and Miyajima had to withdraw from the race. The UC support was instead distributed to Inoue Yoshiyuki.
Tsuyoshi Yamanaka (山中 毅, Yamanaka Tsuyoshi; 18 January 1939 – 10 February 2017) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He…Tsuyoshi Yamanaka (山中 毅, Yamanaka Tsuyoshi; 18 January 1939 – 10 February 2017) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He competed in the 400 m, 1500 m and 4 × 200 m events at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics and won four silver medals; he also helped Japan win a bronze relay medal in 1964 by swimming in the heat, and placed fourth in the 4 × 200 m relay in 1956 and in the 1500m in 1960. At the 1960 Olympics, he swam the fastest leg in the 4 × 200 m relay, yet his team lost to the United States. Yamanaka won the 400 m and 1500 m events at the 1958 Asian Games. Yamanaka studied in college at the University of Southern California, where he broke the 200 m world record three times within two months in 1961. He set two more records over 200 m earlier in 1958–59, but this distance was not an Olympic event in those years. Yamanaka also set a world record over 400 m in 1959 and three world records in the 4 × 200 m relay in 1959 and 1963. Yamanaka graduated from Waseda University and later headed the Itoman Swimming School in Osaka. In 1983 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 1995, he unsuccessfully ran for the House of Councillors. Yamanaka's coach used pebbles to communicate with him during the training sessions – whenever Yamanaka would relax the coach would throw a pebble in his back. After the training Yamanaka had to collect the pebbles from the pool bottom. Yamanaka died from pneumonia on 10 February 2017 in Tokyo, at the age of 78.
Takeshi Terauchi (寺内タケシ, Terauchi Takeshi; 17 January 1939 – 18 June 2021), also known as Terry, was a Japanese…Takeshi Terauchi (寺内タケシ, Terauchi Takeshi; 17 January 1939 – 18 June 2021), also known as Terry, was a Japanese instrumental rock guitarist. His preferred guitar was a black Mosrite with a white pickguard. His guitar sound was characterized by frenetic picking, heavy use of tremolo picking and frequent use of his guitar's vibrato arm. Terauchi started his career playing rhythm guitar at American military bases with ensembles like the Honshu Cowboys, and the country and Western act "Jimmie Tokita & His Mountain Playboys", which had bassist Chosuke Ikariya. In 1962 he formed his first group, The Blue Jeans, which released a debut album "Surfing" in 1963. In 1966 he left the group, citing exhaustion, and missed opening for the Beatles during their tour. In December 1966 he formed a new band, "The Bunnys", and released "Lets Go Terry!". In May 1967, he also established his own company named "Teraon". He won the "arrangement award" with the song "Let's Go Unmei" at the 9th Japan Record Awards in 1967. He left the Bunnys in 1968. He reformed the Blue Jeans in 1969 and the band was active until 2021. On November 26, 2008, Takeshi Terauchi and the Blue Jeans released the album Mr. Legend from King Records.
Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu (かまやつひろし, Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu; 12 January 1939 – 1 March 2017) was a Japanese…Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu (かまやつひろし, Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu; 12 January 1939 – 1 March 2017) was a Japanese singer and guitarist born in Tokyo. He composed the music for Download, a direct-to-video anime release based on PC Engine games.
Tetsuya Chiba (千葉 徹彌 or ちばてつや, Chiba Tetsuya; born January 11, 1939) is a Japanese manga artist. Considered a major…Tetsuya Chiba (千葉 徹彌 or ちばてつや, Chiba Tetsuya; born January 11, 1939) is a Japanese manga artist. Considered a major figure in the history of manga, many of his early titles are still in print due to continued popularity. He is most famous for his sports stories, having been described as "the biggest contributor to the rise of sports manga", in particular for works such as Ashita no Joe, his best known work, and Notari Matsutarō.
Yōhei Sasakawa (笹川 陽平, Sasakawa Yōhei; born 8 January 1939) is a Japanese businessman and diplomat. He's the World…Yōhei Sasakawa (笹川 陽平, Sasakawa Yōhei; born 8 January 1939) is a Japanese businessman and diplomat. He's the World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. He was chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Japan's largest charitable foundation, from 2005 to 2025. His father was the controversial businessman and politician Ryōichi Sasakawa.
Shiho Fujimura (藤村 志保 Fujimura Shiho, 3 January 1939 – 12 June 2025) was a Japanese actress. She was given a Special…Shiho Fujimura (藤村 志保 Fujimura Shiho, 3 January 1939 – 12 June 2025) was a Japanese actress. She was given a Special Prize for her career at the 2008 Yokohama Film Festival. Fujimura died on 12 June 2025, at the age of 86.
Mitsuko Tokoro (所 美都子, Tokoro Mitsuko; January 3, 1939 – January 27, 1968), also known by her pen name Mimie Tomano…Mitsuko Tokoro (所 美都子, Tokoro Mitsuko; January 3, 1939 – January 27, 1968), also known by her pen name Mimie Tomano, was a Japanese biologist and New Left activist remembered as one of the leading theorists of the apolitical and radically anti-hierarchical Zenkyōtō movement that carried out the 1968-69 Japanese student uprisings at universities across Japan.
Kunio Iwahashi (岩橋 邦雄, Iwahashi Kunio; born 3 January 1939) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed at the 1960…Kunio Iwahashi (岩橋 邦雄, Iwahashi Kunio; born 3 January 1939) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Hideo Usui (臼井 日出男, Usui Hideo; born 3 January 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Hideo Usui (臼井 日出男, Usui Hideo; born 3 January 1939) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Diet. He served as Minister of Justice from 1999 to 2000.
Gotaro Yoshimura (吉村 剛太郎, Yoshimura Gōtarō; born January 3, 1939) is a former Japanese politician of the People's New…Gotaro Yoshimura (吉村 剛太郎, Yoshimura Gōtarō; born January 3, 1939) is a former Japanese politician of the People's New Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Harbin in Manchukuo and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1992 after serving in the assembly of Fukuoka Prefecture for three terms.
Takashi Awamori (Japanese: 粟森喬 Awamori Takashi; 1 January 1939 – 24 March 2023) was a Japanese businessman and…Takashi Awamori (Japanese: 粟森喬 Awamori Takashi; 1 January 1939 – 24 March 2023) was a Japanese businessman and politician. A member of the Japan Socialist Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1989 to 1995. Awamori died on 24 March 2023, at the age of 84.
Kazuo Tomita (富田 一雄, Tomita Kazuo) (born 1939) is a Japanese swimmer and Olympic medalist. He participated at the 1960…Kazuo Tomita (富田 一雄, Tomita Kazuo) (born 1939) is a Japanese swimmer and Olympic medalist. He participated at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, winning a bronze medal in 4 × 100 metre medley relay. He also previously participated at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.
Hajime Ogawa (Japanese: 小川元 Ogawa Hajime; 1 January 1939 – 15 October 2024) was a Japanese businessman and politician.…Hajime Ogawa (Japanese: 小川元 Ogawa Hajime; 1 January 1939 – 15 October 2024) was a Japanese businessman and politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2000. Ogawa died in Tokyo on 15 October 2024, at the age of 85.
Mitsuaki Yoshida (吉田 光昭, Yoshida Mitsuaki; born 1939) was a Japanese virologist known for identifying the molecular…Mitsuaki Yoshida (吉田 光昭, Yoshida Mitsuaki; born 1939) was a Japanese virologist known for identifying the molecular structure of Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 responsible for Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.
Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of…Shuji Tsurumi (鶴見 修治, Tsurumi Shūji; born January 29, 1938) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. He was part of the first Japanese team that succeeded to win gold medals in the team event at the Summer Olympics (1960) and World Championships (1962). In 2008 he was inducted to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Hiroshi Kojima (born 27 January 1938) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the…Hiroshi Kojima (born 27 January 1938) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō; 25 January 1938 – 28 January 1998), né Onodera (小野寺 章太郎, Onodera…Shotaro Ishinomori (石ノ森 章太郎, Ishinomori Shōtarō; 25 January 1938 – 28 January 1998), né Onodera (小野寺 章太郎, Onodera Shōtarō), was a Japanese manga artist, cartoonist, writer and director. Known as the "King of Manga" (漫画の帝王 (Manga no Teiō) or 漫画の王様 (Manga no Ōsama)), he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential manga artists of all time. Outside of manga he is also one of the most prolific creators in the history of anime, tokusatsu, and Japanese superhero fiction, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009, the Super Sentai series (later adapted into the Power Rangers series which Ishinomori has also been credited for co-creating), and the Kamen Rider series. He was twice awarded by the Shogakukan Manga Awards, in 1968 for Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae and in 1988 for Hotel and Manga Nihon Keizai Nyumon. He was also known as Shotaro Ishimori (石森 章太郎, Ishimori Shōtarō) prior to 1986, when he changed his family name to Ishinomori by adding the no (ノ) character in katakana.
Leiji Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本零士, Hepburn: Matsumoto Reiji; born Akira Matsumoto (松本晟); January 25, 1938 – February 13…Leiji Matsumoto (Japanese: 松本零士, Hepburn: Matsumoto Reiji; born Akira Matsumoto (松本晟); January 25, 1938 – February 13, 2023) was a Japanese manga artist, and creator of several anime and manga series. He was best known for masterminding legendary franchises, such as Space Battleship Yamato, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and Galaxy Express 999. His style was characterized by mythological and often tragic storylines with strong moral themes, noble heroes, feminine heroines, and a love of strange worlds and melancholic atmosphere. He received Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2001, Order of the Rising Sun in 2010 and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012.
Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba…Shohei Baba (馬場 正平, Baba Shōhei; January 23, 1938 – January 31, 1999), best known by his ring name Giant Baba (ジャイアント馬場, Jaianto Baba), was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and professional baseball player. He is best known as a co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972 along with Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota, the sons of his mentor Rikidōzan. For the first 10 years of its existence, Baba was the top star of All Japan, while also serving as the booker, promoter, head trainer and president of the promotion from its inception in 1972 till his death in 1999. Baba was also responsible for recruiting much of the talent for All Japan, and was the public face of the promotion for much of his lifetime. Considered one of the most beloved Japanese wrestlers ever, Baba was a national hero with a level of popularity in Japan comparable to that of Hulk Hogan in the United States. The 2006 Top 100 Historical Persons in Japan survey ranked Baba the 93rd greatest person in the history of Japan, as voted for by the general public. Among his many accomplishments, Baba was a record seven-time winner of the Champion Carnival, a four-time PWF World Heavyweight Champion, three time NWA International Heavyweight Champion and a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Aiko Kitahara (北原 亞以子; January 20, 1938 – March 12, 2013) was a Japanese novelist. She is best known for writing…Aiko Kitahara (北原 亞以子; January 20, 1938 – March 12, 2013) was a Japanese novelist. She is best known for writing historical novels.
Takaharu Kyōgoku (京極 高晴, Kyōgoku Takaharu; January 18, 1938 – May 6, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and Shinto…Takaharu Kyōgoku (京極 高晴, Kyōgoku Takaharu; January 18, 1938 – May 6, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and Shinto priest. Kyōgoku was the 15th head of the Kyōgoku clan (the former Tajima Toyooka clan) which held power in Toyooka before and during the Edo period. He was among descendants of the Meiji period kazoku (peerage) which was abolished in 1947. Kyōgoku died from a epidural hematoma on May 6, 2024, at the age of 86.
From Osaka came the 'musical anarchist' Tadamaru Sakuragawa (桜川 唯丸, Sakuragawa Tadamaru), who sang in a style called…From Osaka came the 'musical anarchist' Tadamaru Sakuragawa (桜川 唯丸, Sakuragawa Tadamaru), who sang in a style called Goshu ondo. With the backing of the now disbanded Spiritual Unity, Tadamaru broke out of the festival circuit with his only album, Ullambana, released in 1991. Ullambana is a Sanskrit word that refers to a Buddhism sutra, and is the origin of the Japanese word Urabonne whose shortened form Bon or Obon is now widely used throughout Japan. Tadamaru's music is characterized as a radical new workout of summer festival music from Kansai area of Japan. The song Yui Maru Bushi from the album can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/guidejapan2.shtml https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1W7EGULc6s Tadamaru retired in 1995 and passed his name to one of his pupils who now sings as Tadamaru Sakuragawa II (二代目 桜川唯丸). Music of Japan
Bunmei Ibuki (伊吹 文明, Ibuki Bunmei; born 9 January 1938) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Speaker of…Bunmei Ibuki (伊吹 文明, Ibuki Bunmei; born 9 January 1938) is a retired Japanese politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2014.
Nobuhiko Obayashi (大林 宣彦, Ōbayashi Nobuhiko; 9 January 1938 – 10 April 2020) was a Japanese director, screenwriter, and…Nobuhiko Obayashi (大林 宣彦, Ōbayashi Nobuhiko; 9 January 1938 – 10 April 2020) was a Japanese director, screenwriter, and editor of films and television advertisements. He began his filmmaking career as a pioneer of Japanese experimental films before transitioning to directing more mainstream media, and his resulting filmography as a director spanned almost 60 years. He is best known as the director of the 1977 comedy horror film House, which has garnered a cult following. He was notable for his distinct surreal filmmaking style, as well as the anti-war themes commonly embedded in his films.
Kanoko Tsutani-Mabuchi (津谷-馬淵 鹿乃子, January 6, 1938 – January 4, 2025) was a Japanese diver who won five medals in the 3…Kanoko Tsutani-Mabuchi (津谷-馬淵 鹿乃子, January 6, 1938 – January 4, 2025) was a Japanese diver who won five medals in the 3 m. springboard and 10 m. platform events at the Asian Games in 1954–74. Together with her husband Ryo Mabuchi she competed in the springboard and platform at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics and placed 7th–16th. Her daughter Yoshino Mabuchi also became an Olympic diver. Mabuchi died from pneumonia on January 4, 2025, at the age of 87.
Masayoshi Mitani (見谷 昌禧, born January 5, 1938) is a retired Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the downhill, slalom…Masayoshi Mitani (見谷 昌禧, born January 5, 1938) is a retired Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the downhill, slalom and giant slalom events at the 1960 Winter Olympics with the best result of 33rd place in the giant slalom. While preparing for the 1964 Winter Olympics, Mitani suffered a serious head injury, which left him bedridden for 3 months and forced him to retire from competitions. After graduating from Waseda University, Mitani joined Tokyu Corporation and was transferred to the affiliated Hakuba Tourism Development. He then returned to Waseda University to work as a skiing coach and researcher. In 1969 he became head coach of the national alpine skiing team, and prepared it to the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo. After the Olympics, he worked at a ski school and provided commentaries and reports on major international skiing competitions.
Kazuhiko Sakazaki (坂崎一彦, Sakazaki Kazuhiko; January 5, 1938 – January 28, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player who…Kazuhiko Sakazaki (坂崎一彦, Sakazaki Kazuhiko; January 5, 1938 – January 28, 2014) was a Japanese baseball player who played as an outfielder. Born in Toyonaka, Osaka, he played for the Yomiuri Giants (1956–1964) and the Toei Flyers (1965–1967). After he retired from baseball, he took over the electric construction family business, and was also a member of the "Japan Baseball Promotion Association". He died on January 28, 2014, from stomach cancer.
Tyzen Hsiao (Chinese: 蕭泰然; pinyin: Xiāo Tàirán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siau Thài-jiân; 1 January 1938 – 24 February 2015) was a…Tyzen Hsiao (Chinese: 蕭泰然; pinyin: Xiāo Tàirán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Siau Thài-jiân; 1 January 1938 – 24 February 2015) was a Taiwanese composer of the neo-Romantic school. Many of his vocal works set poems written in Taiwanese Hokkien, the mother tongue of the majority of the island's residents at the time. His compositions stand as a musical manifestation of the Taiwanese literature movement that revitalized the island's literary and performing arts in the 1970s and 1980s. Hsiao's career in music included additional success as a pianist and conductor.
Shoji Ueda (Japanese: 上田正治; 1 January 1938 – 16 January 2025) was a Japanese cinematographer. He worked several times…Shoji Ueda (Japanese: 上田正治; 1 January 1938 – 16 January 2025) was a Japanese cinematographer. He worked several times with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work in the film Ran (1985). Ueda died from a heart attack on 16 January 2025 in Yokohama, at the age of 87.
Yoshio Matsui (Japanese: 松井良夫 Matsui Yoshio; 27 January 1937 – 13 October 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Yoshio Matsui (Japanese: 松井良夫 Matsui Yoshio; 27 January 1937 – 13 October 2024) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served as speaker of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly from 1996 to 1997. He was the father of Ichirō Matsui, the former Governor of Osaka Prefecture and co-counder of Nippon Ishin no Kai. Matsui died on 13 October 2024, at the age of 87.
Takehisa Matsubara (松原 武久, Matsubara Takehisa; born 26 January 1937) is a Japanese politician who served as the 20th…Takehisa Matsubara (松原 武久, Matsubara Takehisa; born 26 January 1937) is a Japanese politician who served as the 20th mayor of Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. A native of Owariasahi, also in Aichi Prefecture, and graduate of Aichi University of Education. He was first elected in April 1997.
