Hisato Igarashi (五十嵐 久人, Igarashi Hisato; born February 19, 1951 in Tochigi Prefecture) is a Japanese former gymnast.…Hisato Igarashi (五十嵐 久人, Igarashi Hisato; born February 19, 1951 in Tochigi Prefecture) is a Japanese former gymnast. He was a member of the Japanese team that won the gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He is a professor at Niigata University.
Shigeru Umebayashi (梅林茂, Umebayashi Shigeru; [ɯmebajaɕi ɕiɡeɾɯ]) (born February 19, 1951) is a Japanese composer. Once…Shigeru Umebayashi (梅林茂, Umebayashi Shigeru; [ɯmebajaɕi ɕiɡeɾɯ]) (born February 19, 1951) is a Japanese composer. Once the leader and bass player of Japan's new wave rock band EX, Umebayashi began scoring films in 1985 when the band broke up. He has more than 30 Japanese and Chinese film scores to his credit and is perhaps best known in the West for "Yumeji's Theme" (originally from Seijun Suzuki's Yumeji), included in director Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love (2000). Umebayashi scored most of Wong Kar-wai's follow-up film, 2046 (2004), and House of Flying Daggers.
Makoto Hasebe (Japanese: 長谷部誠 Hasebe Makoto; 17 February 1951 – 12 February 2022) was a Japanese politician. An…Makoto Hasebe (Japanese: 長谷部誠 Hasebe Makoto; 17 February 1951 – 12 February 2022) was a Japanese politician. An independent, he served as mayor of Yurihonjō from 2009 to 2021. He died on 12 February 2022, at the age of 70.
Haruki Uemura (上村 春樹, Uemura Haruki; born 14 February 1951 in Uki, Kumamoto) is a judoka from Japan, who won the gold…Haruki Uemura (上村 春樹, Uemura Haruki; born 14 February 1951 in Uki, Kumamoto) is a judoka from Japan, who won the gold medal in the Open class at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. In the final of the Olympic tournament in Canada he defeated Great Britain's Keith Remfry. In 2009 Uemura was elected President of Kodokan and awarded the rank of 9th dan.
Mitsuru Adachi (Japanese: あだち 充 or 安達 充, Hepburn: Adachi Mitsuru; born February 9, 1951) is a Japanese manga artist.…Mitsuru Adachi (Japanese: あだち 充 or 安達 充, Hepburn: Adachi Mitsuru; born February 9, 1951) is a Japanese manga artist. After graduating from Gunma Prefectural Maebashi Commercial High School in 1969, Adachi worked as an assistant for Isami Ishii. He made his manga debut in 1970 with Kieta Bakuon, based on a manga originally created by Satoru Ozawa. Kieta was published in Deluxe Shōnen Sunday (a manga magazine published by Shogakukan). Adachi is well known for romantic comedy and sports manga (especially baseball) such as Touch, H2, Slow Step, Miyuki and Cross Game. He has been described as a writer of "delightful dialogue", a genius at portraying everyday life, "the greatest pure storyteller", and "a master manga artist". He is one of the few manga artists to write for shōnen, shōjo and seinen manga magazines, and be popular in all three. His works have been carried in manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Sunday, Ciao, Shōjo Comic, Big Comic and Petit Comic, and most of his works are published through Shogakukan and Gakken. He was one of the flagship authors in the new Monthly Shōnen Sunday magazine which began publication in June 2009. Two short story collections, Short Program and Short Program 2 (both through Viz Media), have been released in North America, and Viz Media scheduled to begin publishing Cross Game in October 2010. The first volume was released on October 12. He modeled the spelling of あだち (rather than 安達) for his family name after the example of his older brother, manga artist Tsutomu Adachi. In addition, it has been suggested that the accurate portrayal of sibling rivalry in Touch may come from Adachi's experiences while growing up with his older brother. Adachi did the character designs for the OVA anime series Nozomi Witches, so he is sometimes incorrectly given credit for creating the original series.
Keiichi Hayashi (林 景一, Hayashi Keiichi; born 8 February 1951) is a Japanese diplomat. From 2011 to 2016, he served as…Keiichi Hayashi (林 景一, Hayashi Keiichi; born 8 February 1951) is a Japanese diplomat. From 2011 to 2016, he served as the Japanese ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Hirotarō Honda (本田 博太郎, Honda Hirotarō; born February 8, 1951) is a Japanese actor from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. He…Hirotarō Honda (本田 博太郎, Honda Hirotarō; born February 8, 1951) is a Japanese actor from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. He started his acting career at the Bungakuza Theatre Company's acting school. His first film appearance was in the Nikkatsu Roman Porno film Sei to Ai no Korider in 1977.
Tetsuo Sekigawa (関川 哲夫, Sekigawa Tetsuo; February 5, 1951 – June 23, 2017) was a Japanese professional wrestler best…Tetsuo Sekigawa (関川 哲夫, Sekigawa Tetsuo; February 5, 1951 – June 23, 2017) was a Japanese professional wrestler best known for his work under the ring name Mr. Pogo (ミスター・ポーゴ, Misutā Pōgo). He helped popularize hardcore wrestling in the 1990s with "death matches" in promotions such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, W*ING and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Tomoharu Takeo (竹尾 智晴, Takeo Tomoharu; born February 5, 1951), known by his stage name Ryūsei Nakao (中尾 隆聖, Nakao…Tomoharu Takeo (竹尾 智晴, Takeo Tomoharu; born February 5, 1951), known by his stage name Ryūsei Nakao (中尾 隆聖, Nakao Ryūsei), is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer from Tokyo attached to 81 Produce. He worked under the name of Tomoharu Minamiya (南谷 智晴, Minamiya Tomoharu) and is married with two children, a son and daughter. His distinctive voice lands him in the roles of characters with high-pitched voices and sadistic personalities. As a voice actor, he is best known for the roles of Baikinman in Let's Go! Anpanman, Frieza, Tambourine, Cooler, Chilled, and Frost in Dragon Ball, Ishami Nishimura in Touch, Porori in Niko Niko Pun, Resshi in Do-Re-Mi-Fa Donuts, Echikettojii-san in Hotch Potch Station, Sniff in Moomin, the titular character in Topo Gigio, Mayuri Kurotsuchi in Bleach, Caesar Clown and Dr. Indigo in One Piece, and Takashi Shirogane in Beast King GoLion.
Motoi Oyama (尾山 基, born 2 February 1951) is a Japanese businessman specializing in footwear. After graduating from…Motoi Oyama (尾山 基, born 2 February 1951) is a Japanese businessman specializing in footwear. After graduating from Department of Commerce of Osaka City University, in January 1982 he joined ASICS where he worked ever since. In July 2001 he became President of ASICS Europe, and between June 2004 and February 2008 held senior manager positions at the central ASICS offices. On 8 February 2008, he was appointed as ASICS President, and in April 2011 also became its chief executive officer.
Masatoshi Nakamura (中村 雅俊, Nakamura Masatoshi; born February 1, 1951) is a Japanese actor and singer from Onagawa…Masatoshi Nakamura (中村 雅俊, Nakamura Masatoshi; born February 1, 1951) is a Japanese actor and singer from Onagawa, Miyagi. He graduated from Keio University. Nakamura joined the Bungakuza theater troupe in 1973 and made his television debut in 1974 with "Warera Seishun. Masatoshi made his film debut with "Fureai" in the same year . He won his first major award at the Elan d'or Awards in 1975. In 1977, he married actress Junko Igarashi until her death on April 28, 2026. In 2012, he played the role of Fumimaro Konoe in the Peter Webber's film Emperor. As a singer his first single "Fureai" peaked at number 1 in the Japanese single record chart in 1974. Besides "Fureai" he has several other hit songs such as "Oretachi no Tabi" and "Koibito mo Nureru Machikado". "Nakamura appeared in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1982 and 2012.
Shunichi Yamaguchi (山口 俊一, Yamaguchi Shun'ichi; born 28 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Shunichi Yamaguchi (山口 俊一, Yamaguchi Shun'ichi; born 28 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Futatsuryū Jun'ichi (双津竜 順一, born Jun'ichi Yamamoto; February 28, 1950 – August 12, 2014) was a sumo wrestler from…Futatsuryū Jun'ichi (双津竜 順一, born Jun'ichi Yamamoto; February 28, 1950 – August 12, 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. After retirement he became the head coach of Tokitsukaze stable. Following his involvement in the hazing and death of trainee Takashi Saito, in October 2007 he became the first serving stablemaster to be dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. In May 2009 he was sentenced to six years in prison. He died on August 12, 2014, of lung cancer.
Yuji Fujii (藤井 勇治, Fujii Yūji; born 27 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Yuji Fujii (藤井 勇治, Fujii Yūji; born 27 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Torahime, Shiga and graduate of Ryukoku University, he ran unsuccessfully for the assembly of Shiga Prefecture. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005, and represents the 2nd District of Shiga prefecture.
Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori; February 20, 1950 – March 29, 2020), known professionally as Ken Shimura (志村…Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori; February 20, 1950 – March 29, 2020), known professionally as Ken Shimura (志村 けん, Shimura Ken), was a Japanese comedian. He was born in Higashimurayama, Tokyo. He started his career as an assistant to the comedy band The Drifters, led by Chōsuke Ikariya. In 1974, He joined the group, replacing Chū Arai. He appeared as members of the group on popular comedy shows that gained massive popularity from the 1970s to the 1980s. Hachiji-dayo! Zen'in-shūgō achieved the highest viewership rating of 50.5%, and The Drifters Daibakushō (ドリフ大爆笑) reached 40.4% viewership. These shows made him nationally popular. After the end of Hachiji-dayo! in 1985, he began to work independently as well. He appeared on shows like Kato-chan Ken-chan Gokigen TV (加トちゃんケンちゃんごきげんテレビ), with Cha Katō, a fellow member of the group, Shimura Ken no Daijōbu-dā (志村けんのだいじょうぶだぁ)," and Shimura Ken no Baka Tono-sama (志村けんのバカ殿様), portraying characters like Baka Tono-sama (バカ殿様, Stupid Lord) and Hen na Oji-san (変なおじさん, Strange Older Man). These characters became highly popular. Shimura's comedic work was inspired in part by that of Jerry Lewis.
Junichiro Yasui (安井 潤一郎, Yasui Jun'ichirō; born 10 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Junichiro Yasui (安井 潤一郎, Yasui Jun'ichirō; born 10 February 1950) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Shinjuku, Tokyo and dropout of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Takanohana Kenshi (貴ノ花 健士), born Mitsuru Hanada (花田 満, Hanada Mitsuru; February 19, 1950 – May 30, 2005), was a…Takanohana Kenshi (貴ノ花 健士), born Mitsuru Hanada (花田 満, Hanada Mitsuru; February 19, 1950 – May 30, 2005), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Hirosaki, Aomori. Making his debut in May 1965, his highest rank was ōzeki, which he reached in November 1972. He then went on to hold the rank for what was then a record fifty tournaments, before retiring in January 1981. He was extremely popular and was nicknamed the "Prince of Sumo" (角界のプリンス, Kakukai no Purinsu) due to his good looks and relatively slim build. He was the younger brother of Wakanohana Kanji I, and the father of Wakanohana Masaru and Takanohana Kōji. After retiring from competition, he coached both of his sons to the rank of yokozuna as head of Futagoyama stable.
Yoshiharu Tomonaga (友永 義治, Tomonaga Yoshiharu; born 18 February 1950) is a Japanese former sprinter who competed in the…Yoshiharu Tomonaga (友永 義治, Tomonaga Yoshiharu; born 18 February 1950) is a Japanese former sprinter who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Ryu Shionoya (塩谷 立, Shionoya Ryū; born 18 February 1950) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Ryu Shionoya (塩谷 立, Shionoya Ryū; born 18 February 1950) 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) and who was the former Minister of Education, Science and Technology.
Keiko Takemiya (竹宮 惠子, Takemiya Keiko; born February 13, 1950) is a Japanese manga artist, professor and university…Keiko Takemiya (竹宮 惠子, Takemiya Keiko; born February 13, 1950) is a Japanese manga artist, professor and university administrator. As part of the Year 24 Group, she was a leading figure in shōjo manga scene in the 1970s creating such manga as Kaze to Ki no Uta, Toward the Terra, Natsu e no Tobira. Additionally she became head of the Faculty of Manga at Kyoto Seika University, and then later became the president of the university.
Noburu Yamada (9 February 1950 – 24 February 1989) was a Japanese mountaineer known for his extensive climbing…Noburu Yamada (9 February 1950 – 24 February 1989) was a Japanese mountaineer known for his extensive climbing experience in the Himalayas, including several first ascents and for his proficiency for climbing during winter. A contemporary of Reinhold Messner and Jerzy Kukuczka, Yamada reached the summits of 9 of the 14 eight-thousanders and was part of the climbing team that made the second successful winter ascent of Mount Everest. Six of these ascents were done without oxygen. He died while climbing Denali in 1989. 4807 Noboru, a main-belt asteroid is named after him.
Tadaki Nishiyama (Japanese: 西山 忠来; 9 February 1950 – 24 November 2023), better known under the pen names Shizuka Ijūin…Tadaki Nishiyama (Japanese: 西山 忠来; 9 February 1950 – 24 November 2023), better known under the pen names Shizuka Ijūin (Japanese: 伊集院静) and Ayumi Date (Japanese: 伊達 歩), was a Japanese writer and lyricist.
Yoshiyuki Kōno (河野 義行, born February 3, 1950) is a survivor of the Matsumoto incident, a sarin attack that killed eight…Yoshiyuki Kōno (河野 義行, born February 3, 1950) is a survivor of the Matsumoto incident, a sarin attack that killed eight people and sickened many more in Matsumoto, Japan, on the evening of June 27, 1994 and the following morning.
Genichiro Shimada (嶋田 源一郎, Shimada Gen'ichirō; born February 2, 1950), better known as Genichiro Tenryu (天龍 源一郎, Tenryū…Genichiro Shimada (嶋田 源一郎, Shimada Gen'ichirō; born February 2, 1950), better known as Genichiro Tenryu (天龍 源一郎, Tenryū Gen'ichirō) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling. "Tenryu" was his shikona. He had two stints with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), where he spent the majority of his career while also promoting Super World of Sports (SWS), Wrestle Association R (WAR) and Tenryu Project. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. At the time of his retirement, professional wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer wrote that "one could make a strong case [that Tenryu was] between the fourth and sixth biggest native star" in the history of Japanese professional wrestling.
Takao Watanabe (渡辺 孝男, Watanabe Takao; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the…Takao Watanabe (渡辺 孝男, Watanabe Takao; born 1950) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Ishioka, Ibaraki and graduate of Tohoku University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995.
Yoshitomo Tokugawa (徳川 慶朝, Tokugawa Yoshitomo; February 1, 1950 – September 25, 2017) was the 4th-generation head of…Yoshitomo Tokugawa (徳川 慶朝, Tokugawa Yoshitomo; February 1, 1950 – September 25, 2017) was the 4th-generation head of the Tokugawa Yoshinobu-ke, the branch of the Tokugawa line started by the last Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu.
Izumi Yoshida (吉田 泉, Yoshida Izumi; born 26 February 1949) is former a Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Izumi Yoshida (吉田 泉, Yoshida Izumi; born 26 February 1949) is former a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Iwaki, Fukushima and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he was elected in 1996 as the mayor of Iwaki. After an unsuccessful run in 2000, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2003.
Banri Kaieda (海江田 万里, Kaieda Banri; born 26 February 1949) is a Japanese politician who served as the Vice Speaker of…Banri Kaieda (海江田 万里, Kaieda Banri; born 26 February 1949) is a Japanese politician who served as the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan from 2021 to 2024. A member of the House of Representatives of Japan, he also served as the President of the Democratic Party of Japan between 2012 and 2014. He is a former minister in the Kan cabinet.
Kazuo Kawasaki (川崎和男) is a Japanese industrial designer born in Fukui Prefecture in 1949. He graduated from Kanazawa…Kazuo Kawasaki (川崎和男) is a Japanese industrial designer born in Fukui Prefecture in 1949. He graduated from Kanazawa College of Art in 1972. Kawasaki is a professor at Osaka University and a visiting professor at Tama Art University and Kanazawa Institute of Technology. Representative works include the wheelchair "CARNA" (part of the permanent collection at MoMA New York), the "Kazuo Kawasaki" brand of eyeware and the "EIZO" brand of computer displays. One of his research projects is artificial heart design. Kawasaki was Apple design director in the early 1990s and designed portable computer devices (named MindTop, POPEYE, Pluto, Sweatpea, JEEP).
Toshio Mashima (真島 俊夫, Mashima Toshio) (21 February 1949 – 21 April 2016) was a Japanese composer born in Yamagata…Toshio Mashima (真島 俊夫, Mashima Toshio) (21 February 1949 – 21 April 2016) was a Japanese composer born in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.
Osamu Masuko (益子 修, Masuko Osamu; February 19, 1949 – August 27, 2020) was a Japanese business executive. He was an…Osamu Masuko (益子 修, Masuko Osamu; February 19, 1949 – August 27, 2020) was a Japanese business executive. He was an executive of Mitsubishi Motors, serving as president from 2005 to 2020, CEO from 2005 to 2014 and 2016 to 2019, as well as chairman from 2018 to 2020.
Seiko Shimakage (島影 せい子, Shimakage Seiko; born February 16, 1949) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed…Seiko Shimakage (島影 せい子, Shimakage Seiko; born February 16, 1949) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics. She was born in Sakata. In 1972 she was part of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. She played all five matches.
Toshiyuki Kato (加藤 敏幸, Katō Toshiyuki; born February 16, 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Toshiyuki Kato (加藤 敏幸, Katō Toshiyuki; born February 16, 1949) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Niihama, Ehime and high school graduate, he was elected for the first time in 2004.
Ken Kobayashi (小林 健, Kobayashi Ken; born February 14, 1949) is a Japanese businessman and current chairman of…Ken Kobayashi (小林 健, Kobayashi Ken; born February 14, 1949) is a Japanese businessman and current chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation. He previously served as president and CEO from April 2010 to April 2016. He has held positions with the company since 1971.
Tetsuji Miwa (三輪 哲二, Miwa Tetsuji; born 10 February 1949 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mathematician, specializing in…Tetsuji Miwa (三輪 哲二, Miwa Tetsuji; born 10 February 1949 in Tokyo) is a Japanese mathematician, specializing in mathematical physics.
Junzō Okudaira (Japanese: 奥平 純三, romanized: Okudaira Junzō; Japanese pronunciation: [o̞kɯ̟da̠iɾa̠ d͡ʑɨ̃nd͡zo̞ː]; born…Junzō Okudaira (Japanese: 奥平 純三, romanized: Okudaira Junzō; Japanese pronunciation: [o̞kɯ̟da̠iɾa̠ d͡ʑɨ̃nd͡zo̞ː]; born February 2, 1949) is a Japanese former militant who was one of the three Japanese Red Army (JRA) members who attacked the French embassy in The Hague in 1974 and was the person who detonated a car bomb in front of a USO club in Naples in 1988. He was the younger brother of fellow JRA activist Tsuyoshi Okudaira.
Tsutomu Yanagida is a Japanese physicist who first proposed the seesaw mechanism in 1979 and developed the model of…Tsutomu Yanagida is a Japanese physicist who first proposed the seesaw mechanism in 1979 and developed the model of leptogenesis. The name of the seesaw mechanism was given by him in a Tokyo conference in 1981. In 1994, he predicted, together with M. Fukugita, the nonzero cosmological constant Λ = (3 ± 1 meV)4 four years prior to the observation in order to resolve the age discrepancy between the Universe and some old stars. Tsutomu Yanagida received a PhD in physics at Hiroshima University in 1977. In 1979, he proposed the seesaw mechanism, that explains the mass of neutrinos by introducing heavy right-handed neutrinos. Together with M. Fukugita, he developed the model of leptogenesis that traces the baryon asymmetry back to a lepton asymmetry. Till 2019 he was professor at Kavli Institute for Physics and Mathematics of the Universe at Tokyo University. Some of his students in Tokyo were Yasunori Nomura, Junji Hisano, and Takeo Moroi. In 2019, he was appointed professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research includes theoretical particle physics, string theory and cosmology. Yanagida works on super symmetry, inflation and the baryon asymmetry. He is a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Hamburg. In 2017 he visited the Higgs Centre of Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh University as a guest scientist.
Kaoru Onimaru (鬼丸 かおる, Onimaru Kaoru) is a lawyer and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. She was born on…Kaoru Onimaru (鬼丸 かおる, Onimaru Kaoru) is a lawyer and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. She was born on February 7, 1949. In 1973, she earned her law degree from the University of Tokyo. On February 16, 2013, Onimaru was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. Prior to her judgeship, Onimaru practiced for decades as a family law attorney. She had also served as a member of the National Life Council of the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Labor Insurance Review Board. She retired from the bench on February 6, 2019, and currently serves as a LIXIL Group Board of Director.
Tadashi Yanai (柳井 正, Yanai Tadashi; born 7 February 1949) is a Japanese billionaire businessman and the founder and…Tadashi Yanai (柳井 正, Yanai Tadashi; born 7 February 1949) is a Japanese billionaire businessman and the founder and president of Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo ("unique clothing"). As of May 2025, he is the richest person in Japan, with an estimated net worth of US$50.3 billion, and the 28th-wealthiest person in the world according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Yasuko Namba (難波 康子, Nanba Yasuko; February 7, 1949 – May 11, 1996) was the second Japanese woman (after Junko Tabei)…Yasuko Namba (難波 康子, Nanba Yasuko; February 7, 1949 – May 11, 1996) was the second Japanese woman (after Junko Tabei) to climb the Seven Summits. Namba worked as a businesswoman for FedEx in Japan, but her hobby of mountaineering took her all over the world. She first summited Kilimanjaro on New Year's Day in 1982, and summited Aconcagua exactly two years later. She reached the summit of Denali on July 1, 1985, and the summit of Mount Elbrus on August 1, 1992. After summiting Vinson Massif on December 29, 1993, and Carstensz Pyramid on November 12, 1994, Namba's final summit to reach was Mount Everest. She signed on with Rob Hall's guiding company, Adventure Consultants, and reached the summit in May 1996, but died during her descent in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.
Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and…Osamu Kitajima (喜多嶋 修), also known by the pseudonym Justin Heathcliff, is a Japanese musician, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is known for new-age music, as well as folk, jazz fusion and electronic music.
Kōichirō Nishikawa (Japanese: 西川 公一郎, born 1949 - November 28, 2018) was a Japanese elementary particle physicist…Kōichirō Nishikawa (Japanese: 西川 公一郎, born 1949 - November 28, 2018) was a Japanese elementary particle physicist, known for contributions to neutrino physics. He was professor emeritus of the KEK high-energy physics laboratory and Kyōto University. Nishikawa graduated from Kyōto University in 1971 and completed his doctorate at Northwestern in 1980 working with David Buchholz. After working at the University of Chicago, State University of New York, and Tōkyō University, he combined positions at KEK and Kyōto University, eventually becoming director of the Institute for Particle and Nuclear physics at the KEK laboratory and deputy director of the J-PARC proton accelerator facility. Nishikawa's most notable achievements were as founder and leader of the K2K and T2K experiments. K2K, which ran from 1999 until 2005, used the Super Kamiokande detector in Kamioka to measure a controlled beam of neutrinos emitted by the KEK proton synchrotron. The K2K team verified with greater accuracy the neutrino oscillations observed in atmospheric neutrinos by the Super Kamiokande experiment. The T2K experiment, which began in 2010 as a successor to K2K, used neutrino beams from the J-PARC proton accelerator with the Super Kamiokande detector to observe neutrino oscillations with specific start and end flavors, thereby measuring the parameters of this flavor-switching behavior. In 2016, Nishikawa and the K2K and T2K groups received the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics together with other neutrino research collaborations. He was awarded the Nishina Memorial Prize in 2005, and the Bruno Pontecorvo Prize in 2016. He also received the 1998 Asahi Prize as part of the Super-Kamiokande experiment that discovered the mass of neutrinos.
Masashi Nakano (中野 正志, Nakano Masashi; born 29 February 1948) is a Japanese politician and former Secretary-General of…Masashi Nakano (中野 正志, Nakano Masashi; born 29 February 1948) is a Japanese politician and former Secretary-General of the Party for Japanese Kokoro. A native of Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture and graduate of Tohoku Gakuin University, he was first elected to the assembly of Miyagi Prefecture in 1983. During his second term as an assemblyman, he contested the national House of Councillors election in 1989 as an independent but was defeated. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the national Diet as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party in the 1996 general election, representing Miyagi District No.2. In the 2000 general election he was defeated in his district by Sayuri Kamata. In the 2003 general election he was again defeated by Kamata in Miyagi No.2, but was elected to return to the House of Representatives as a member for the Tōhoku proportional block. He retained his seat in the 2005 general election and was appointed Senior Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in Shinzo Abe's first ministry in 2007. He contested his seat in the 2009 general election as a Liberal Democratic Party candidate and with an endorsement from the Komeito Party, but lost his seat as the LDP lost a general election for the first time since the party was formed in 1955. Nakano contested the July 2010 House of Councillors election but was unable to win a seat in the national proportional representation block. In 2012 he was appointed as Miyagi No.2 district leader of the Sunrise Party and resigned from the LDP. Following the Sunrise Party's merger with the Japan Restoration Party in November 2012, Nakano was elected to the national proportional representation block as a JRP member in the July 2013 House of Councillors election. With JRP's split in August 2014 he joined the newly formed Party for Future Generations. He was appointed as the party's secretary-general in November 2015. In December 2015 the party changed its name to the Party for Japanese Kokoro. In November 2018, the Party for Japanese Kokoro dissolved, and Nakano returned to the LDP.
Jirō Akagawa (赤川 次郎, Akagawa Jirō; born February 29, 1948) is a Japanese novelist born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture…Jirō Akagawa (赤川 次郎, Akagawa Jirō; born February 29, 1948) is a Japanese novelist born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Yoshiko Tsuchida (Japanese: 土田よしこ, 26 February 1948 – 15 September 2023) was a Japanese manga artist and writer. Often…Yoshiko Tsuchida (Japanese: 土田よしこ, 26 February 1948 – 15 September 2023) was a Japanese manga artist and writer. Often described as a "unique" figure among Japanese manga artists, because of her style she has been referred to as "a female Fujio Akatsuka".
Hiromitsu Kadota (門田 博光, Kadota Hiromitsu; February 26, 1948 – January 23, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball…Hiromitsu Kadota (門田 博光, Kadota Hiromitsu; February 26, 1948 – January 23, 2023) was a Japanese professional baseball player for the Hawks franchise (known during his career as the Nankai Hawks and the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks) and the Orix Braves. Celebrated for his slugging ability, he ate a lot and became a strong hitter, though was later weakened by diabetes mellitus. With 567 home runs, Kadota is number three on the NPB career list. Kadota won the Nippon Professional Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1980 with 41 home runs and 84 RBI. He hit 44 home runs at the age of 40 in 1988, also knocking in 125 runs and winning the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award. He became the first 40-year-old to win the award in NPB history and is still the oldest player to win MVP in NPB history. That year he was also given the Matsutaro Shoriki Award, for contribution to the development of professional baseball. After playing for the Orix Braves for two seasons, he returned to the Hawks in 1991; he retired after his last game against pitcher Hideo Nomo in 1992. Kadota was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. Kadota died on January 23, 2023, after a police officer found him lying on the ground after having not showed up to an outpatient treatment in a hospital in Aioi, Hyogo and was confirmed dead on the scene.
Hiroshi Sugimoto (杉本博司, Sugimoto Hiroshi; born 23 February 1948) is a Japanese photographer and architect. He leads the…Hiroshi Sugimoto (杉本博司, Sugimoto Hiroshi; born 23 February 1948) is a Japanese photographer and architect. He leads the Tokyo-based architectural firm New Material Research Laboratory.
Harumi Miyako (都 はるみ, Miyako Harumi; born 22 February 1948), born Harumi Kitamura (北村春美, Kitamura Harumi) in Kyoto, is…Harumi Miyako (都 はるみ, Miyako Harumi; born 22 February 1948), born Harumi Kitamura (北村春美, Kitamura Harumi) in Kyoto, is a Japanese enka singer. She made her debut in 1964. She has appeared on the annual television special Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Yū Koyama (小山 ゆう, Koyama Yū; born 20 February 1948 in Ogasa, Shizuoka) is a Japanese manga artist. After graduating…Yū Koyama (小山 ゆう, Koyama Yū; born 20 February 1948 in Ogasa, Shizuoka) is a Japanese manga artist. After graduating from Shizuoka Prefectural Shimada Commercial High School he moved to Tokyo and in 1968 took a job with Saito Productions, the company run by Takao Saitō. In 1971 he worked with Kazuo Koike at Studio Ship. Koyama debuted in Shōnen Sunday in 1973 with Ore wa Chokkaku. He has won multiple awards in the manga field, winning the Shogakukan Manga Award twice, once in 1977 for Ganbare Genki and again in 1998 for Azumi. Azumi also won an Excellence Award at the 1997 Japan Media Arts Festival.