Megumi Tachimoto (田知本 愛, Tachimoto Megumi; born 27 January 1989) is a Japanese female former judoka. She won a bronze…Megumi Tachimoto (田知本 愛, Tachimoto Megumi; born 27 January 1989) is a Japanese female former judoka. She won a bronze medal in the Openweight division at the 2010 World Judo Championships.
Yukari Tomizawa (富澤 友加里, Tomizawa Yukari; born January 26, 1989, in Tokyo, Japan), better known as Yukari Kabutomushi…Yukari Tomizawa (富澤 友加里, Tomizawa Yukari; born January 26, 1989, in Tokyo, Japan), better known as Yukari Kabutomushi (カブトムシ ゆかり, Kabutomushi Yukari), is a Japanese actress who was last represented by the talent agency, Oscar Promotion.
Jun Sonoda (薗田 淳, Sonoda Jun; born 23 January 1989) is a former Japanese football player who last played for Blaublitz…Jun Sonoda (薗田 淳, Sonoda Jun; born 23 January 1989) is a former Japanese football player who last played for Blaublitz Akita.
Yuki Matsumoto (松本 祐樹, Matsumoto Yūki; born January 22, 1989) is a Japanese football player. He plays for FC Maruyasu…Yuki Matsumoto (松本 祐樹, Matsumoto Yūki; born January 22, 1989) is a Japanese football player. He plays for FC Maruyasu Okazaki.
Yatsunori Shimaya (島屋 八徳, Shimaya Yatsunori; born 3 April 1990) is a Japanese footballer who plays as an attacking…Yatsunori Shimaya (島屋 八徳, Shimaya Yatsunori; born 3 April 1990) is a Japanese footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for SONIO Takamatsu.
Yuki Saneto (實藤 友紀, Sanetō Yūki; born 19 January 1989) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for J2 League club…Yuki Saneto (實藤 友紀, Sanetō Yūki; born 19 January 1989) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for J2 League club Kataller Toyama.
Lee Jae-kyung (Korean: 이체경; Hanja: 李在炅; Japanese: リ・チェギョン, romanized: Ri Chegyon; born January 19, 1989), better known…Lee Jae-kyung (Korean: 이체경; Hanja: 李在炅; Japanese: リ・チェギョン, romanized: Ri Chegyon; born January 19, 1989), better known by his ring name Jake Lee (ジェイク・リー, Jeiku Rī), is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. As of July 2024, he is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of the United Empire. Known as the "Clown from Hell" (地獄の道化師, Jigoku no dōkeshi) and the "Silent Jester", Lee is best known for his stints in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Pro Wrestling Noah. In AJPW, within two runs between 2011 and 2022, Lee became a two-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and Champion Carnival winner in 2021; during the latter run, he was known as "Madness of the Dark Side" (狂気のダークサイド, Kyōki no dākusaido). In Noah, he was the leader of the Good Looking Guys stable from 2023 to 2024 and became known as "Good Looking Emperor"; he became a one-time GHC Heavyweight Champion by defeating Kaito Kiyomiya at the Great Voyage in Yokohama event in March 2023. He joined NJPW after leaving Noah in 2024, becoming known as the "Smart Bastard" (stylized in all caps) after he joined Bullet Club War Dogs and was known as the "Smart Bastard". He left War Dogs in 2026 to defect to the United Empire. Lee was acclaimed for his matches against the likes of Kento Miyahara, Kenoh, Yuma Aoyagi and Naomichi Marufuji, and is the second Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion of Korean descent (the other being Zeus) and the only GHC Heavyweight Champion of Korean descent. If Lee wins the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (as he is currently signed to NJPW), he'd become the fifth to win the three major Japanese heavyweight championships, and the youngest to do so.
Masaki Minami (南 昌輝, Minami Masaki) (born January 18, 1989) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and…Masaki Minami (南 昌輝, Minami Masaki) (born January 18, 1989) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher and current coach for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Koji Yamamuro (山室 光史, Yamamuro Kōji; born January 17, 1989 in Koga, Ibaraki) is a Japanese gymnast. He has won two…Koji Yamamuro (山室 光史, Yamamuro Kōji; born January 17, 1989 in Koga, Ibaraki) is a Japanese gymnast. He has won two Olympic medals in the men's artistic team all-around – silver in 2012 (London) and gold in 2016 (Rio de Janeiro).
Chihiro Kitada (born 12 January 1989) is a Japanese wheelchair basketball player (4.5 wheelchair basketball…Chihiro Kitada (born 12 January 1989) is a Japanese wheelchair basketball player (4.5 wheelchair basketball classification). She is a member of the Japan women's national wheelchair basketball team and her club Cocktail. In 2021 she competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.
Kyohei Sugiura (杉浦 恭平, Sugiura Kyōhei; born January 11, 1989 in Shizuoka prefecture) is a Japanese football player…Kyohei Sugiura (杉浦 恭平, Sugiura Kyōhei; born January 11, 1989 in Shizuoka prefecture) is a Japanese football player currently playing for Zweigen Kanazawa.
Hideo Ishiguro (石黒 英雄, Ishiguro Hideo; born January 10, 1989 in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor who is…Hideo Ishiguro (石黒 英雄, Ishiguro Hideo; born January 10, 1989 in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor who is noted for his roles as Kai in the 2007 Kamen Rider Den-O and as Gai Kurenai in the 2016 Ultraman Orb.
Yu Tamura (田村 優, Tamura Yū; born 9 January 1989) is a Japanese rugby union player. Tamura currently plays for the Canon…Yu Tamura (田村 優, Tamura Yū; born 9 January 1989) is a Japanese rugby union player. Tamura currently plays for the Canon Eagles rugby team. His regular playing positions are fly-half and Centre.
Seiya Takano (Japanese: 髙野 征也; born 9 January 1989) is a Japanese sepak takraw player who plays as a tosā (setter). He…Seiya Takano (Japanese: 髙野 征也; born 9 January 1989) is a Japanese sepak takraw player who plays as a tosā (setter). He represents Japan internationally and has competed at multiple editions of the Asian Games.
Kohei Yamada (山田 晃平, Yamada Kōhei) (born 8 January 1989 in Itami, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese footballer who currently…Kohei Yamada (山田 晃平, Yamada Kōhei) (born 8 January 1989 in Itami, Hyōgo, Japan) is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Nara Club.
Shohei Matsunaga (松永 祥兵, Matsunaga Shohei; born 7 January 1989) is a Japanese former football player who played as a…Shohei Matsunaga (松永 祥兵, Matsunaga Shohei; born 7 January 1989) is a Japanese former football player who played as a midfielder. He was called Samurai Matsunaga by his fans because of his samurai-like playing spirit.
Akane Sugazaki (菅崎 茜, Sugazaki Akane; born 7 January 1989) is a former Japanese pop singer and songwriter. She recorded…Akane Sugazaki (菅崎 茜, Sugazaki Akane; born 7 January 1989) is a former Japanese pop singer and songwriter. She recorded for the Giza Studio label.
Arisa Sugi (杉 ありさ, Sugi Arisa; born, January 6, 1989, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress who is affiliated with…Arisa Sugi (杉 ありさ, Sugi Arisa; born, January 6, 1989, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress who is affiliated with LesPros Entertainment. She graduated from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. She is married to dancer Yoshihiro Usami since 2017.
Yurie Tanaka (田中 友理恵, Tanaka Yurie; born 6 January 1989) is a Japanese biathlete and ski mountaineer. She competed in…Yurie Tanaka (田中 友理恵, Tanaka Yurie; born 6 January 1989) is a Japanese biathlete and ski mountaineer. She competed in the 2014/15 World Cup season, and represented Japan at the Biathlon World Championships 2015 in Kontiolahti. She has represented Japan at both the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Olympics. At the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, she will compete in ski mountaineering.
Kōhei Uchimura (内村 航平, Uchimura Kōhei; born January 3, 1989) is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. He is a seven-time…Kōhei Uchimura (内村 航平, Uchimura Kōhei; born January 3, 1989) is a Japanese retired artistic gymnast. He is a seven-time Olympic medalist (team, all-around and floor exercise), winning three golds and four silvers, and a 21-time World medalist (team, all-around, floor exercise, parallel bars and the horizontal bar). Uchimura was already considered by many in the sport to be one of the greatest gymnasts of all time after he completely dominated to unprecedented levels in all the major competitions for the entire quad, and finally finishing the season by winning the Olympic individual all-around gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. However, he then extended those accomplishments even further when he followed it up with continued and uninterrupted victories of every major competition again throughout the next Olympic cycle, replicating the feat he achieved in the last quad, which led him to win two additional gold medals on team and individual all-around at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Uchimura is known for being the first gymnast (male or female) to capture every major all-around title in an entire single Olympic cycle, accomplishing this feat twice by securing six world (2009–2011 and 2013–2015) and two Olympic (2012 London Olympics, and 2016 Rio Olympics) individual all-around titles. Uchimura also took the individual all-around silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He is known for delivering difficult and accurately executed routines. The International Gymnast Magazine had praised his skills as a "combination of tremendous difficulty, supreme consistency and extraordinary elegance of performance."
Lien Chen-ling (Chinese: 連珍羚; born 31 January 1988) is a Taiwanese retired judoka. She competed at the 2016 Summer…Lien Chen-ling (Chinese: 連珍羚; born 31 January 1988) is a Taiwanese retired judoka. She competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the women's 57 kg event, in which she lost the bronze medal match to Kaori Matsumoto. Judo World rank 7th in -57 kg in Female Seniors. Lien also competed in the women's 57 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. Lien announced her retirement from competition in October 2024 and became a coach to a Japanese judo club sponsored by Komatsu Limited.
Akihiro Mayama (真山 明大, Mayama Akihiro; born 31 January 1988, in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor. He is…Akihiro Mayama (真山 明大, Mayama Akihiro; born 31 January 1988, in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese actor. He is currently a freelancer.
Ryujiro Ueda (植田 龍仁朗, Ueda Ryūjirō; born January 29, 1988, in Kadoma, Osaka) is a Japanese former football player who…Ryujiro Ueda (植田 龍仁朗, Ueda Ryūjirō; born January 29, 1988, in Kadoma, Osaka) is a Japanese former football player who last played for Roasso Kumamoto.
Shogo Sakai (酒井 省吾, Sakai Shōgo; born September 23, 1960) is a Japanese composer who primarily works on video games. He…Shogo Sakai (酒井 省吾, Sakai Shōgo; born September 23, 1960) is a Japanese composer who primarily works on video games. He is best known for composing for Mother 3, as well as various Kirby and Super Smash Bros. games. Currently a freelance composer, he was employed at Data East from 1987 to 1996 and HAL Laboratory from 1996 to 2023.
Yukiyo Mine (峰 幸代, Mine Yukiyo; born 26 January 1988 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a catcher.…Yukiyo Mine (峰 幸代, Mine Yukiyo; born 26 January 1988 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese softball player who plays as a catcher. She won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Tomomi Tanaka (田中 智美, Tanaka Tomomi; born 25 January 1988) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specialises in the…Tomomi Tanaka (田中 智美, Tanaka Tomomi; born 25 January 1988) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon. She competed in the women's marathon event at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Matsumoto Yamaga Football Club (松本山雅フットボールクラブ, Matsumoto Yamaga Futtobōru Kurabu) or simply Matsumoto Yamaga (松本山雅FC…Matsumoto Yamaga Football Club (松本山雅フットボールクラブ, Matsumoto Yamaga Futtobōru Kurabu) or simply Matsumoto Yamaga (松本山雅FC, Matsumoto Yamaga Efu Shī) is a Japanese football (soccer) club based in the city of Matsumoto, located in the Nagano Prefecture. The club currently plays in the J3 League, Japanese third tier of professional football.
Yusuke Yamamoto (山本裕典, Yamamoto Yūsuke; born January 19, 1988) is a Japanese actor and DJ. He was born in Aichi, Japan.…Yusuke Yamamoto (山本裕典, Yamamoto Yūsuke; born January 19, 1988) is a Japanese actor and DJ. He was born in Aichi, Japan. His debut role was as Tsurugi Kamishiro, a.k.a. Kamen Rider Sasword, in Kamen Rider Kabuto.
Tatsuhiko Toshino (born January 18, 1988) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays for the Ehime Orange…Tatsuhiko Toshino (born January 18, 1988) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays for the Ehime Orange Vikings of the B.League in Japan. He played college basketball for Osaka University of Commerce. He was selected by the Gunma Crane Thunders with the 11th overall pick in the 2012 bj League draft. He is a new captain of the Happinets in 2018. He torn his right knee ACL on February 23, 2019.
Kei Hosoya (細谷 圭, born January 17, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who is currently a coach…Kei Hosoya (細谷 圭, born January 17, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder who is currently a coach for the Toyama GRN Thunderbirds of Baseball Challenge League. He played in his entire career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Amahiko Satō (佐藤 天彦, Satō Amahiko; born January 16, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is…Amahiko Satō (佐藤 天彦, Satō Amahiko; born January 16, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a former Meijin title holder.
Kento Yachi (矢地 健人, born January 15, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in the Nippon…Kento Yachi (矢地 健人, born January 15, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in the Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Chunichi Dragons from 2010 to 2013 and with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2015.
Yukari Goto (後藤 友香里, Gotō Yukari; born January 14, 1988) is a former Japanese singer, voice actress, gravure model, and…Yukari Goto (後藤 友香里, Gotō Yukari; born January 14, 1988) is a former Japanese singer, voice actress, gravure model, and television personality. She debuted in 2005 as a member of the co-ed group AAA before leaving in 2007. She is also a former member of the groups Trefle and Emergency. In 2017, she retired from entertainment.
Hiroki Narabayashi (奈良林寛紀, born 14 January 1988) is a former Japanese football player who last played for and captains…Hiroki Narabayashi (奈良林寛紀, born 14 January 1988) is a former Japanese football player who last played for and captains Fujieda MYFC.
Masanori Fujihara (藤原 正典, Fujihara Masanori; born January 14, 1988 in Ibigawa, Gifu) is a Japanese former professional…Masanori Fujihara (藤原 正典, Fujihara Masanori; born January 14, 1988 in Ibigawa, Gifu) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball from 2010 to 2013.
Kazushi Mitsuhira (三平 和司, Mitsuhira Kazushi; born January 13, 1988 in Hadano, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football player…Kazushi Mitsuhira (三平 和司, Mitsuhira Kazushi; born January 13, 1988 in Hadano, Kanagawa) is a Japanese football player who plays as a striker for Ventforet Kofu. A mainstay of the J2 League with over 340 league appearances, Mitsuhira scored the opening goal in the 2022 Emperor's Cup final, which he would later go on to win.
Keita Yano (矢野 啓太, Yano Keita; born January 9, 1988) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist…Keita Yano (矢野 啓太, Yano Keita; born January 9, 1988) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist currently working for Professional Wrestling Wallabee. He started his career with Battlarts in February 2007 and remained with the promotion for four years, winning the B-Rule Tournament in 2009. During his tenure, Yano also represented Battlarts in major Japanese promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Pro Wrestling Zero1 and American promotion Chikara, where he took part in the Young Lions Cup VIII tournament in August 2010. After the folding of Battlarts, Yano began working for DDT Pro-Wrestling, where, as a representative of the Crying Wolf stable, he became a one-time Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion, before parting ways with the promotion in July 2012.
Ryoichi Adachi (安達 了一, Adachi Ryōichi; born January 7, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He…Ryoichi Adachi (安達 了一, Adachi Ryōichi; born January 7, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2012 to 2024 for the Orix Buffaloes.
Ryuichiro Akada (赤田 龍一郎, Akada Ryūichirō; born January 7, 1988 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a former professional…Ryuichiro Akada (赤田 龍一郎, Akada Ryūichirō; born January 7, 1988 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan) is a former professional Japanese baseball player. He is employed as a bullpen catcher for the Chunichi Dragons. His eyes are of a blue tinge due to American heritage through his grandfather.
Hironori Ishikawa (石川 大徳, Ishikawa Hironori; born 6 January 1988 in Edogawa, Tokyo) is a former Japanese footballer who…Hironori Ishikawa (石川 大徳, Ishikawa Hironori; born 6 January 1988 in Edogawa, Tokyo) is a former Japanese footballer who last played for SC Sagamihara on loan from Thespakusatsu Gunma in the J3 League.
Ryumo Ono (Japanese: 小野 龍猛, Hepburn: Ono Ryūmo; born 6 January 1988) is a Japanese professional basketball player for…Ryumo Ono (Japanese: 小野 龍猛, Hepburn: Ono Ryūmo; born 6 January 1988) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Kyoto Hannaryz club of the Japanese B.League. He represented Japan's national basketball team at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China, where he was the team's best 3-point shooter.
Masaru Saito (齊藤 勝, Saitō Masaru) (born January 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played…Masaru Saito (齊藤 勝, Saitō Masaru) (born January 6, 1988) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2013 to 2014.
Seiki Yoshioka (吉岡 世起, Yoshioka Seiki; born January 5, 1988), previously known as Seiki (stylized in all capital…Seiki Yoshioka (吉岡 世起, Yoshioka Seiki; born January 5, 1988), previously known as Seiki (stylized in all capital letters), is a Japanese professional wrestler. Yoshioka is known for his time in Wrestle-1, where he was a three-time Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Champion and UWA World Trios Champion and a one-time NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Champion in Pro Wrestling Zero1. In Wrestle-1, Yoshioka was a member of the #Stronghearts stable, led by Cima. In the past, Yoshioka has also toured Great Britain, as the former one-time All Star Wrestling British Mid-Heavyweight Champion.
Yusuke Suzuki (鈴木 雄介, Suzuki Yūsuke; born 2 January 1988) is a Japanese racewalker. He has represented Japan in the 20…Yusuke Suzuki (鈴木 雄介, Suzuki Yūsuke; born 2 January 1988) is a Japanese racewalker. He has represented Japan in the 20 km event twice at the World Championships in Athletics and competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He is the pending world record holder for the 20 km walk with a time of 1:16:36 hours at an event in his home town of Nomi in 2015. Suzuki competed in race walking from a young age and his international debut came at the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He was the 10,000 metres walk bronze medallist at the 2005 World Youth Championships in Athletics and the 2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics. He began competing in the senior ranks a year later and came sixth in the 20 km walk at the Asian Race Walking Championships and fourth at the 2007 Summer Universiade. In the following two years he came tenth and fifth at the Asian Race Walking Championships. A personal best time of 1:22:05 hours in 2009 earned him a place at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics but he was among the last walkers to finish in the 20 km race. He won the 2010 Asian title with a new best of 1:20:06 hours, but again did not perform well on the global stage, taking 40th place at the 2010 IAAF World Race Walking Cup. He placed fifth at the end of year Asian Games. The 2011 World Championships in Athletics saw him establish himself among the world's top walkers, as he placed eighth overall in the 20 km event. He pushed out the pace at the beginning of the 2012 London Olympics, but finished back down the order placing 36th. The start of the 2013 season saw Suzuki break the Japanese record twice – he won the national title in 1:19:02 hours then took his second Asian title with a finish in 1:18:34 hours in Nomi, Ishikawa. Suzuki was selected to once again to compete for Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
