Shigeaki Uchino (内野 重昭, Uchino Shigeaki; 20 January 1931 – 28 February 2017) was a Japanese modern pentathlete. He…Shigeaki Uchino (内野 重昭, Uchino Shigeaki; 20 January 1931 – 28 February 2017) was a Japanese modern pentathlete. He competed at the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics.
Sawako Ariyoshi (有吉 佐和子 Ariyoshi Sawako, 20 January 1931 – 30 August 1984) was a Japanese writer, known for such works…Sawako Ariyoshi (有吉 佐和子 Ariyoshi Sawako, 20 January 1931 – 30 August 1984) was a Japanese writer, known for such works as The Doctor's Wife and The River Ki. She was known for her advocacy of social issues, such as the elderly in Japanese society, and environmental issues. Several of her novels describe the relationships between mothers and their daughters. She also had a fascination with traditional Japanese arts, such as kabuki and bunraku. She also described racial discrimination in the United States, something she experienced firsthand during her time at Sarah Lawrence, and the depopulation of remote Japanese islands during the 1970s economic boom.
Yasushi Akashi (明石 康 Akashi Yasushi, born January 19, 1931) is a Japanese senior diplomat and United Nations…Yasushi Akashi (明石 康 Akashi Yasushi, born January 19, 1931) is a Japanese senior diplomat and United Nations administrator.
Masaaki Hirano (平野 雅章, Hirano Masaaki; January 15, 1931 – November 22, 2008) was a Japanese food historian from the…Masaaki Hirano (平野 雅章, Hirano Masaaki; January 15, 1931 – November 22, 2008) was a Japanese food historian from the city of Futtsu, Chiba. He was a courtesy member of the Cultural Academic Society. He wrote under the pen name Masaaki.
Noriyuki Sekine (Japanese: 関根則之 Sekine Noriyuki; 13 January 1931 – 19 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Noriyuki Sekine (Japanese: 関根則之 Sekine Noriyuki; 13 January 1931 – 19 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Councillors from 1991 to 1998. Sekine died in Kawagoe, Saitama on 19 June 2022 at the age of 91.
Inahata Teiko (Japanese: 稲畑汀子; 8 January 1931 – 27 February 2022) was a Japanese haiku poet, essayist and literary…Inahata Teiko (Japanese: 稲畑汀子; 8 January 1931 – 27 February 2022) was a Japanese haiku poet, essayist and literary critic.
Kaoru Yachigusa (八千草 薫, Yachigusa Kaoru; 6 January 1931 – 24 October 2019) was a Japanese actress from Osaka…Kaoru Yachigusa (八千草 薫, Yachigusa Kaoru; 6 January 1931 – 24 October 2019) was a Japanese actress from Osaka Prefecture. From 1947 to 1957, she was a member of the Takarazuka Revue. After leaving the revue, she was active in film, television, and narration. In 1975, She famously quit part way through the filming of the television series Akai Giwaku, outraged at being forced to work at times dictated by idol Momoe Yamaguchi's schedule. Her husband, director Senkichi Taniguchi, died on October 29, 2007, in Tokyo, Japan. The couple had been married since 1957. Yachigusa died on October 24, 2019, at a Tokyo hospital from pancreatic cancer, aged 88.
Shinsaku Tsukawaki (塚脇伸作, Tsukawaki Shinsaku; 3 January 1931 – 15 September 1993) was a Japanese gymnast who competed…Shinsaku Tsukawaki (塚脇伸作, Tsukawaki Shinsaku; 3 January 1931 – 15 September 1993) was a Japanese gymnast who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Rokusaburō Michiba (Japanese: 道場 六三郎, Hepburn: Michiba Rokusaburō; born 3 January 1931) is a Japanese chef, best known…Rokusaburō Michiba (Japanese: 道場 六三郎, Hepburn: Michiba Rokusaburō; born 3 January 1931) is a Japanese chef, best known as the inaugural Japanese Iron Chef on the television series Iron Chef. He was born in Yamanaka, Ishikawa. His tenure on the program lasted from its debut in 1993 until his retirement on his 65th birthday, January 3, 1996.
Toshiki Kaifu (海部 俊樹, Kaifu Toshiki; 2 January 1931 – 9 January 2022) was a Japanese politician who served as prime…Toshiki Kaifu (海部 俊樹, Kaifu Toshiki; 2 January 1931 – 9 January 2022) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1989 to 1991. Born in Nagoya, Kaifu graduated from Waseda University and was first elected to the Diet in 1960 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He served as education minister from 1976 to 1977 under Takeo Fukuda, and from 1985 to 1986 under Yasuhiro Nakasone. In 1989, Kaifu became prime minister after the resignations of the last two premiers, Noboru Takeshita and Sosuke Uno, amid various scandals; he was chosen in part because of his clean image. During his tenure, Kaifu worked to improve relations with China and made large financial contributions to the coalition in the Persian Gulf War. After his attempts at political reform were unsuccessful, Kaifu resigned as prime minister in 1991 and was replaced by Kiichi Miyazawa.
Yoshio Masui (増井 禎夫, Masui Yoshio; January 1, 1931 – April 18, 2024) was a Japanese-Canadian cell biologist. Masui…Yoshio Masui (増井 禎夫, Masui Yoshio; January 1, 1931 – April 18, 2024) was a Japanese-Canadian cell biologist. Masui retired in 1997 and held the position of Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto.
Hisashi Miura (Japanese: 三浦 久 Miura Hisashi; 1 January 1931 – 3 April 2024) was a Japanese lawyer and politician. A…Hisashi Miura (Japanese: 三浦 久 Miura Hisashi; 1 January 1931 – 3 April 2024) was a Japanese lawyer and politician. A member of the Japanese Communist Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1972 to 1976, 1979 to 1986, and 1990 to 1993. Miura died on 3 April 2024, at the age of 93.
Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 修, Suzuki Osamu; né Matsuda 松田; January 30, 1930 – December 25, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and…Osamu Suzuki (鈴木 修, Suzuki Osamu; né Matsuda 松田; January 30, 1930 – December 25, 2024) was a Japanese businessman and the chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation. From 1978, Suzuki was the CEO, president, and chairman of the company. In February 2021, Suzuki announced that he would retire in June 2021 and assume the role of adviser.
Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson…Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson who was the president and chairman of Sony Corporation. He is credited with spurring the development of the compact disc (CD) as a commercially viable audio format.
Tetsuzo Fuwa (不破 哲三, Fuwa Tetsuzō; 26 January 1930 – 30 December 2025) was the pen name of Kenjiro Ueda (上田 建二郎, Ueda…Tetsuzo Fuwa (不破 哲三, Fuwa Tetsuzō; 26 January 1930 – 30 December 2025) was the pen name of Kenjiro Ueda (上田 建二郎, Ueda Kenjirō), a member and chairman of the Japanese Communist Party. He was a graduate of Tokyo University. He joined the Communist Party in 1947, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1969.
Yūji Tsushima (津島 雄二, Tsushima Yūji; 24 January 1930 – 25 October 2023) was a Japanese politician who served in the…Yūji Tsushima (津島 雄二, Tsushima Yūji; 24 January 1930 – 25 October 2023) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Keigo Ōuchi (大内 啓伍, Ōuchi Keigo; 23 January 1930 – 9 March 2016) was a Japanese politician who served as chairman of…Keigo Ōuchi (大内 啓伍, Ōuchi Keigo; 23 January 1930 – 9 March 2016) was a Japanese politician who served as chairman of the Democratic Socialist Party from 1990 to 1994. He led the Democratic Socialist Party into the 1993 Japanese general election. He was Minister of Health and Welfare in the Hosokawa Cabinet and Hata Cabinet. When his party merged into the New Frontier Party in 1994, Ōuchi declined to join. He instead formed the Liberal League with other independents. He joined the Liberal Democratic Party the following year. Ōuchi died of pneumonia in Tokyo on 9 March 2016, at the age of 86.
Yasutaka Matsudaira (22 January 1930 – 31 December 2011) was a volleyball player, coach, and sports official. He was…Yasutaka Matsudaira (22 January 1930 – 31 December 2011) was a volleyball player, coach, and sports official. He was the coach of Japan men's national volleyball team from 1965–1972 and the first Japanese to enter the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Matsudaira was also previously a captain for Keio University.
Yu Ying-shih (Chinese: 余英時; 22 January 1930 – 1 August 2021) was a Chinese-born American historian, sinologist, and the…Yu Ying-shih (Chinese: 余英時; 22 January 1930 – 1 August 2021) was a Chinese-born American historian, sinologist, and the Gordon Wu '58 Professor of Chinese Studies, Emeritus, at Princeton University. He was known for his mastery of sources for Chinese history and philosophy, his ability to synthesize them on a wide range of topics, and for his advocacy for a new Confucianism. He was a tenured professor at Harvard University and Yale University before his time at Princeton. He was the elder brother of philosopher, educator, and university president Paul Yu.
Chiyoko Nakatani (中谷千代子, Nakatani Chiyoko, January 16, 1930 - December 26, 1981) was a Japanese picture book author and…Chiyoko Nakatani (中谷千代子, Nakatani Chiyoko, January 16, 1930 - December 26, 1981) was a Japanese picture book author and illustrator. During the Shōwa era, Nakatani was one of the artists to popularize Japanese children's books outside of Japan.
Shōmei Tōmatsu (東松 照明, Tōmatsu Shōmei; January 16, 1930 – December 14, 2012) was a Japanese photographer. He is known…Shōmei Tōmatsu (東松 照明, Tōmatsu Shōmei; January 16, 1930 – December 14, 2012) was a Japanese photographer. He is known primarily for his images that depict the impact of World War II on Japan and the subsequent occupation of U.S. forces. As one of the leading postwar photographers, Tōmatsu is attributed with influencing the younger generations of photographers including those associated with the magazine Provoke (Takuma Nakahira and Daido Moriyama).
Ikko Tanaka (田中 一光, Tanaka Ikkō; January 13, 1930 – January 10, 2002) was a Japanese graphic designer. Tanaka is widely…Ikko Tanaka (田中 一光, Tanaka Ikkō; January 13, 1930 – January 10, 2002) was a Japanese graphic designer. Tanaka is widely recognized for his prolific body of interdisciplinary work, which includes graphic identity and visual matter for brands and corporations including Seibu Department Stores, Mazda, Issey Miyake, Hanae Mori, and Expo 85. He is credited with developing the foundational graphic identity for lifestyle brand Muji, emphasizing the "no brand" quality of their products through unadorned, charming line drawings paired with straightforward slogans. His use of bold, polychromatic geometries and his harnessing of the dynamic visual potential of typography are undergirded by a sensitivity towards traditional Japanese aesthetics. Though keenly sensitive to historical precedents and established conventions, Tanaka nevertheless maintained a degree of playfulness in his work, manipulating color, scale, and form to reconfigure familiar iconographies into fresh and accessible visual representations. Tanaka is also widely recognized for his posters designs for Noh productions and other performances and exhibitions staged in Japan and beyond. He was active in realms of typography, exhibition design, and book design as well, and his publication Japan Style was released in 1980 alongside the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition of the same name. As a leading figure in postwar Japanese design, Tanaka is also credited with playing a role in the professionalization and expansion of the discipline.
Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive…Minoru Makihara (Japanese: 槙原稔 Makihara Minoru; January 12, 1930 – December 13, 2020) was a Japanese business executive who was the chief executive (1992–1998) and chairman (1998–2004) of Mitsubishi Corporation. He was noted for steering the group through the turbulent economic times of the 1990s and for advocating strong US–Japan business relations, serving on many trade and cultural relations advocacy groups.
Kōsaku Yamashita (山下耕作, Yamashita Kōsaku; 10 December 1930 – 6 December 1998) was a Japanese film director who…Kōsaku Yamashita (山下耕作, Yamashita Kōsaku; 10 December 1930 – 6 December 1998) was a Japanese film director who specialized in directing Yakuza films. Yamashita was nicknamed Shōgun. His son is director Tomohiko Yamashita. In 1952, He graduated from Kyoto University and joined Toei Film. He was working an office job, but three years later, he became an assistant director under Tomu Uchida and Kōzaburō Yoshimura. Yamashita made his directorial debut with Wakatono Senryu Hada in 1961. His representative works included The Valiant Red Peony series and Kyōdai Jingi (1966).
Yasuo Takei (武井保雄, Takei Yasuo) (January 4, 1930 – August 10, 2006) was the founder and former chairman of Takefuji…Yasuo Takei (武井保雄, Takei Yasuo) (January 4, 1930 – August 10, 2006) was the founder and former chairman of Takefuji (武富士), Japan's number one consumer finance group. On 17 November 2004 he was given a three-year suspended sentence for wiretapping and defamation of character, after ordering the phones of two freelance journalists who had written articles critical of Takefuji to be bugged between December 2000 and February 2001. The defamation of character charge followed Takei's ordering Takefuji employees to place libelous statements about one of the journalists on its web site. According to a Forbes survey in June 2006, Takei was the second-wealthiest person in Japan (after Masayoshi Son) - he possessed an estimated net worth of US$5.6 billion.
Tetsumi Nabeya (鍋谷鐵巳, Nabeya Tetsuya; 2 January 1930 – 4 April 2010) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight…Tetsumi Nabeya (鍋谷鐵巳, Nabeya Tetsuya; 2 January 1930 – 4 April 2010) was a Japanese gymnast. He competed in eight events at the 1952 Summer Olympics. His best result was 14th place in Floor Exercise and his worst result was 69th place in Rings. He achieved fifth place in the team all-around event. Nabeya died on 4 April 2010, at the age of 80.
Toshiyuki Kajiyama (梶山 季之, Kajiyama Toshiyuki; 2 January 1930 – 11 May 1975) was a Japanese novelist, essayist and…Toshiyuki Kajiyama (梶山 季之, Kajiyama Toshiyuki; 2 January 1930 – 11 May 1975) was a Japanese novelist, essayist and journalist active during the Shōwa period of Japan.
Toshiko D'Elia (née Kishimoto) (January 2, 1930 – February 19, 2014) was an American Masters athletics long distance…Toshiko D'Elia (née Kishimoto) (January 2, 1930 – February 19, 2014) was an American Masters athletics long distance running legend. She was a member of the 1996 inaugural class of the Masters division of the USATF National Track and Field Hall of Fame. She holds numerous American long distance running records, primarily in the W75 age division.
Mitsuo Horiuchi (Japanese: 堀内 光雄, Hepburn: Horiuchi Mitsuo; 1 January 1930 – 16 May 2016) was a Japanese politician of…Mitsuo Horiuchi (Japanese: 堀内 光雄, Hepburn: Horiuchi Mitsuo; 1 January 1930 – 16 May 2016) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Misaka, Yamanashi and graduate of Keio University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1976. He joined Sosuke Uno's cabinet as the Minister of Labour.
Isamu Akasaki (赤崎 勇, Akasaki Isamu; January 30, 1929 – April 1, 2021) was a Japanese materials scientist specializing…Isamu Akasaki (赤崎 勇, Akasaki Isamu; January 30, 1929 – April 1, 2021) was a Japanese materials scientist specializing in the field of semiconductor technology. He is best known for co-inventing the bright gallium nitride (GaN) p–n junction blue LED in 1989 and subsequently the high-brightness GaN blue LED as well. Akasaki was awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura, "for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources."
Munefusa Tokugawa (徳川宗英, Tokugawa Munefusa; born January 30, 1929) is the 11th-generation head of the Tokugawa clan. He…Munefusa Tokugawa (徳川宗英, Tokugawa Munefusa; born January 30, 1929) is the 11th-generation head of the Tokugawa clan. He is also the present head of the Tayasu branch of the Gosankyō.
Kenji Suzuki (鈴木 健二, Suzuki Kenji; 23 January 1929 – 29 March 2024) was a Japanese freelancer moderator and former…Kenji Suzuki (鈴木 健二, Suzuki Kenji; 23 January 1929 – 29 March 2024) was a Japanese freelancer moderator and former television announcer of NHK General TV. He is best known for as an executive announcer for NHK (with director status) from 1952 until his retirement 1988. He is also best known for hosting programs, such as History Invitation and Interesting Quiz Seminar, which he achieved high ratings, and also, he written many books, including The Recommendation of Consideration, which became a bestseller in Japan. Recently, Suzuki became as a director of Kumamoto Prefectural Theater, where he worked on restoring traditional performing arts with among others. In 1998, Suzuki also became as a director of Aomori Prefectural Library and Aomori Prefecture Museum of Modern Literature. He is the younger brother of Japanese film director Seijun Suzuki (1923–2017). Suzuki died of natural causes at the hospital in Fukuoka on 29 March 2024, at the age of 95.
Yoshihiro Nitta (にった よしひろ, Yoshihiro Nitta; legal name 新田義弘; 21 January 1929 – 15 March 2020) was a Japanese university…Yoshihiro Nitta (にった よしひろ, Yoshihiro Nitta; legal name 新田義弘; 21 January 1929 – 15 March 2020) was a Japanese university professor and philosopher. He is reputed as one of the greatest people to have influenced the Japanese philosophy.
Kanji Higuchi (樋口 寛治, Higuchi Kanji; January 19, 1929 – November 8, 2010), better known as Joe Higuchi (ジョー樋口, Jō…Kanji Higuchi (樋口 寛治, Higuchi Kanji; January 19, 1929 – November 8, 2010), better known as Joe Higuchi (ジョー樋口, Jō Higuchi) was a Japanese professional wrestler, road agent, on-air personality and referee best known for his tenures with the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and All Japan Pro-Wrestling. The first official Japanese referee in the NWA, he was known as one of the best referees in the business and the most popular referee in Japanese Puroresu history. He was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum as a member of the Class of 2018.
Hideo Murata (村田英雄, Murata Hideo; January 17, 1929 – June 13, 2002) was a Japanese rōkyoku and enka singer. He took…Hideo Murata (村田英雄, Murata Hideo; January 17, 1929 – June 13, 2002) was a Japanese rōkyoku and enka singer. He took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen 27 times. Murata was born as a son of rōkyoku singer Senyu Hirosawa (広沢仙遊, Hirosawa Senyū) and Tsutako Yano (矢野ツタ子, Yano Tsutako). However, he was immediately adopted by Sumiko Deriba (出利葉スミ子, Deriba Sumiko) and Haruo Kajiyama (梶山春雄, Kajiyama Haruo) became his stepfather. His real name was Isamu Kajiyama (梶山勇, Kajiyama Isamu). He studied rōkyoku under one of Kumoemon Tochuken's disciples, Kumo Sakai. Murata was scouted by Masao Koga, debuting with "Muhōmatsu no Isshō" (無法松の一生, lit. "Life of Outlaw Pine") in 1958. His 1961 single "Ōshō" sold over one million copies. Along with Hachiro Kasuga and Michiya Mihashi, he became a famous enka singer and Haruo Minami was regarded as his rival. He died on June 13, 2002.
Teizo Matsumura (松村 禎三 Matsumura Teizō; 15 January 1929 – 6 August 2007) was a Japanese composer and poet. Orphaned and…Teizo Matsumura (松村 禎三 Matsumura Teizō; 15 January 1929 – 6 August 2007) was a Japanese composer and poet. Orphaned and suffering from tuberculosis, during his recovery in the early 1950s he began to write both haiku and music. He studied with Tomojiro Ikenouchi and Akira Ifukube. He was influenced by Ravel and Stravinsky, but also Asian traditions. He was Professor Emeritus of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Matsumura is best known for his opera Chinmoku (in English Silence) based on the novel of the same name by Shusaku Endo. This has been recorded. Matsumura is the recipient of the 1974 UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers and of the 1978 Suntory Music Award.
Wataru Kubo (久保 亘, Kubo Wataru; 15 January 1929 – 24 June 2003) was a Japanese politician from the Japan Socialist…Wataru Kubo (久保 亘, Kubo Wataru; 15 January 1929 – 24 June 2003) was a Japanese politician from the Japan Socialist Party, and then from the Democratic Party of Japan. He served as deputy prime minister and finance minister of Japan from 11 January 1996 to 7 November 1996.
Sueaki Takaoka (高丘 季昭, Takaoka Sueaki, January 14, 1929 – March 13, 1996) was a Japanese businessman and nobleman. He…Sueaki Takaoka (高丘 季昭, Takaoka Sueaki, January 14, 1929 – March 13, 1996) was a Japanese businessman and nobleman. He was chairman at FamilyMart, Seiyu Group and Seibu Saison Group, and Vice Chairman at Japan Business Federation.
Takako Saito (斉藤 陽子, Saitō Takako; 16 January 1929 – 30 September 2025) was a Japanese visual artist closely associated…Takako Saito (斉藤 陽子, Saitō Takako; 16 January 1929 – 30 September 2025) was a Japanese visual artist closely associated with Fluxus, the international collective of avant-garde artists that was active primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. Saito contributed a number of performances and artworks to the movement, which continue to be exhibited in Fluxus exhibitions to the present day. She was also deeply involved in the production of Fluxus edition works during the height of their output, and worked closely with George Maciunas. Saito is best known for her special chess sets, which include Spice Chess, but her larger body of work focuses on crafting a variety of objects to be used in open-ended situations that create unexpected social relations. More recent exhibitions, such as the Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen's 2017-18 exhibition Takako Saito: You + Me, have focused on the way Saito uses a playful process-based approach focused on the making of objects to blend her artistic practice with the activities and chores of daily life. Despite the fact that this blended approach often results in ambiguous objects that sit between the experimental sentiments of fine art and the practical concerns of design, her works have been collected by major museums and public collections across Europe, the United States, and Japan. The majority of her exhibitions have been held in Europe, where she traveled to and lived from 1968 on, including during the later period of her life when she resided in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Eriko Kishida (岸田 衿子, Kishida Eriko, January 5, 1929 – April 7, 2011) was a Japanese poet, children's author, lyricist…Eriko Kishida (岸田 衿子, Kishida Eriko, January 5, 1929 – April 7, 2011) was a Japanese poet, children's author, lyricist, and translator. She is known for writing the lyrics to popular animated children's television shows like Anne of Green Gables and Heidi, Girl of the Alps, as well as her children's picture books. Kishida was a member of the Kai group and published poetry in the "Kai" literary magazine founded by Noriko Ibaragi.
Tarō Bonten (梵天太郎, Bonten Tarō) (5 January 1928 – 30 June 2008), pen name of Kiyomi Ishii (石井 きよみ, Ishii Kiyomi) was a…Tarō Bonten (梵天太郎, Bonten Tarō) (5 January 1928 – 30 June 2008), pen name of Kiyomi Ishii (石井 きよみ, Ishii Kiyomi) was a Japanese manga artist, illustrator, tattooist and designer. He was author of shōjo and gekiga stories, published between the 1950 and 1970s. Some of his stories have been adapted into film.
Nobuko Nakahara (Japanese: 中原暢子, January 5, 1929 – July 5, 2008) was a Japanese architect who reached prominence after…Nobuko Nakahara (Japanese: 中原暢子, January 5, 1929 – July 5, 2008) was a Japanese architect who reached prominence after World War II. Nakahara was one of the first women to become a Class 1 licensed architect in Japan. During the 21st Century, she did majority of works in Japan but very less works in western field.
Haruo Nakajima (Japanese: 中島 春雄, Hepburn: Nakajima Haruo; January 1, 1929 – August 7, 2017) was a Japanese actor and…Haruo Nakajima (Japanese: 中島 春雄, Hepburn: Nakajima Haruo; January 1, 1929 – August 7, 2017) was a Japanese actor and stuntman. A pioneer of suit acting, he is best known for playing Godzilla in 12 consecutive films, starting from the original Godzilla (1954) until Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972). Nakajima also played various other kaiju in Toho's tokusatsu films, including: Rodan (1956), Mothra (1961) and The War of the Gargantuas (1966) and also appeared in a minor roles in Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954), Yojimbo, and Stray Dog (his film debut).
Akira Miyawaki (宮脇 昭, Miyawaki Akira; 29 January 1928 – 16 July 2021) was a Japanese botanist and an expert in plant…Akira Miyawaki (宮脇 昭, Miyawaki Akira; 29 January 1928 – 16 July 2021) was a Japanese botanist and an expert in plant ecology who specialized in seeds and natural forests. He was active worldwide as a specialist in natural vegetation restoration of degraded land. He was particularly known for his studies of reforestation using pocket forests, often called Miyawaki forests after him. He was professor emeritus at Yokohama National University and director of the Japanese Center for International Studies in Ecology since 1993. He received the Blue Planet Prize in 2006.