Hiroshi Fushida (鮒子田 寛; , born 10 March 1946) is a Japanese former racing driver. He is the first Japanese driver to…Hiroshi Fushida (鮒子田 寛; , born 10 March 1946) is a Japanese former racing driver. He is the first Japanese driver to enter a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, and the first to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
Rio Kishida (岸田 理生, Kishida Rio; 1946–2003) was a Japanese playwright and director. She wrote several plays about women…Rio Kishida (岸田 理生, Kishida Rio; 1946–2003) was a Japanese playwright and director. She wrote several plays about women and the problems they faced in a patriarchal society that run parallel with the second wave of the feminist movement in Japan. Even though she did not strictly identify herself as a feminist, she believed that the system of a male dominated society had to change in order for women to gain equal rights as their male counterpart.
Takafumi Matsui (Japanese: 松井孝典, 7 March 1946 – 22 March 2023) was a Japanese planetary scientist, geophysicist…Takafumi Matsui (Japanese: 松井孝典, 7 March 1946 – 22 March 2023) was a Japanese planetary scientist, geophysicist, science communicator and academic. He was professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo.
Koichiro Shimizu (清水 鴻一郎, Shimizu Kōichirō; born 5 March 1946) is a Japanese doctor and politician of the Liberal…Koichiro Shimizu (清水 鴻一郎, Shimizu Kōichirō; born 5 March 1946) is a Japanese doctor and politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kyoto, he attended Osaka Medical College and received a Ph.D. in medicine. He also studied at the University of Chicago for two years. After working as a doctor, he was elected to the assembly of Kyoto Prefecture for the first time in 1993 where he served for four terms. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005.
Nobuko Miyamoto (宮本 信子, Miyamoto Nobuko; born March 27, 1945) is a Japanese actress. She was born in Otaru, Hokkaidō…Nobuko Miyamoto (宮本 信子, Miyamoto Nobuko; born March 27, 1945) is a Japanese actress. She was born in Otaru, Hokkaidō, and raised in Nagoya. She was married to director Juzo Itami from 1969 until his death in 1997, and regularly starred in his films. She has been nominated for eight Best Actress Japanese Academy Awards, winning in 1988 for her role in A Taxing Woman.
Yayoi Kitazume (北爪 やよひ, Kitazume Yayoi; born 26 March 1945) is a Japanese composer. She is the daughter of the…Yayoi Kitazume (北爪 やよひ, Kitazume Yayoi; born 26 March 1945) is a Japanese composer. She is the daughter of the clarinettist and music pedagogue Risei Kitazume (1919–2004), who was president of the Japan Clarinet Society from 1980 to 1986, and the older sister of the composer Michio Kitazume.
Akiko Hayashi (Japanese: 林 明子 Hayashi Akiko; 20 March 1945 – 1 July 2026) was a Japanese illustrator. Hayashi notably…Akiko Hayashi (Japanese: 林 明子 Hayashi Akiko; 20 March 1945 – 1 July 2026) was a Japanese illustrator. Hayashi notably illustrated the children's picture books Miki's First Errand (はじめてのおつかい, Hajimete no otsukai; 1976; written by Yoriko Tsutsui), Good Evening Mr. Moon (おつきさまこんばんは, Otsuki-sama konbanwa; 1986) and Kon and Aki (こんとあき, Kon to Aki; 1989). She also illustrated Eiko Kadono's 1985 children's novel Kiki's Delivery Service. Hayashi died of pneumonia on 1 July 2026, at the age of 81.
Makoto Kaneko (金子真人, Kaneko Makoto; born March 15, 1945 in Tokyo) is the founder, President, CEO and Representative…Makoto Kaneko (金子真人, Kaneko Makoto; born March 15, 1945 in Tokyo) is the founder, President, CEO and Representative Director of Zuken Inc., a public listed multinational corporation in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. He also owns the exclusive King Kamehameha Golf Club in Hawaii. Makoto Kaneko is better known as a prominent horse owner in Japan. He was the owner of Deep Impact, one of the most famous racehorses in Japanese history. Kaneko has also become the first racehorse owner to win all of the 8 major races of Japan as well as the Japan Cup.
Komaki Kurihara (栗原 小巻, Kurihara Komaki; born 14 March 1945) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in…Komaki Kurihara (栗原 小巻, Kurihara Komaki; born 14 March 1945) is a Japanese stage and film actress. She has appeared in 30 films since 1967. She starred in the 1974 film Sandakan No. 8, which was entered into the 25th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1975 she was a member of the jury at the 9th Moscow International Film Festival. In 1981 she was a member of the jury at the 12th Moscow International Film Festival. In 2025, she was awarded Medal of Pushkin by Vladimir Putin.
Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永 小百合, Yoshinaga Sayuri) is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best…Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永 小百合, Yoshinaga Sayuri) is a Japanese actress and activist. She has won four Japan Academy Best Actress awards, more than any other actress, and has been called "one of the foremost stars in the postwar world of film."
Nobuhiko Higashikuni (東久邇 信彦, Higashikuni Nobuhiko; 10 March 1945 – 20 March 2019) was a Japanese aristocrat and former…Nobuhiko Higashikuni (東久邇 信彦, Higashikuni Nobuhiko; 10 March 1945 – 20 March 2019) was a Japanese aristocrat and former Imperial prince. The first grandchild of Emperor Hirohito, he was the eldest son of Shigeko, Princess Teru, the Emperor's eldest child. He was thus a maternal nephew of the Emperor Emeritus Akihito and cousin of Emperor Naruhito. His father was Morihiro Higashikuni, a grandson of Emperor Meiji.
Maenoyama Tarō (前の山 太郎; born as Kazuichi Kaneshima (金島和一, Kaneshima Kazuichi), 9 March 1945 – 11 March 2021) was a sumo…Maenoyama Tarō (前の山 太郎; born as Kazuichi Kaneshima (金島和一, Kaneshima Kazuichi), 9 March 1945 – 11 March 2021) was a sumo wrestler from Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He began his career in 1961, reaching the top makuuchi division in 1966. His highest rank was ōzeki which he held from 1970 until 1972. He retired in 1974 and became head coach of the Takadagawa stable. He left the Sumo Association in 2010 upon turning 65.
Sadakazu Tanigaki (谷垣 禎一, Tanigaki Sadakazu; born 7 March 1945) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Sadakazu Tanigaki (谷垣 禎一, Tanigaki Sadakazu; born 7 March 1945) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 2017, as Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006, as President of the Liberal Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2009 to 2012, as Minister of Justice from 2012 to 2014, and as LDP Secretary-General from 2014 to 2016. He was only the second LDP leader who was not simultaneously Prime Minister of Japan. He retired from politics following a spinal cord injury in 2016 that saw him using a wheelchair.
Katsuo Osugi (大杉 勝男, Ōsugi Katsuo; March 5, 1945 – April 30, 1992) was a Japanese professional baseball first baseman…Katsuo Osugi (大杉 勝男, Ōsugi Katsuo; March 5, 1945 – April 30, 1992) was a Japanese professional baseball first baseman in Nippon Professional Baseball. He played for the Toei Flyers / Nittaku Home Flyers / Nippon Ham Fighters from 1965 to 1974 and the Yakult Swallows from 1975 to 1983. He was the Japan Series MVP in 1978 on the strength of his four home runs with 10 RBIs and a .310 batting average as the Swallows won the Series in seven games for their first championship in franchise history. He was awarded the Best Nine Award five times. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. Osugi's 486 career home runs places him ninth on the all-time NPB list.
Akiyoshi Matsuoka (松岡 昭義, Matsuoka Akiyoshi; 3 March 1945 – 4 September 2017) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He…Akiyoshi Matsuoka (松岡 昭義, Matsuoka Akiyoshi; 3 March 1945 – 4 September 2017) was a Japanese cross-country skier. He competed at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Koji Orita (織田紘二, Orita Kōji, born March 1, 1945) is a Japanese performing arts producer, director, playwright, and…Koji Orita (織田紘二, Orita Kōji, born March 1, 1945) is a Japanese performing arts producer, director, playwright, and author. He spent 43 years at the National Theatre of Japan (now the Japan Arts Council), primarily involved in the production and direction of kabuki. In 2006, he was appointed director of the Japan Arts Council.
Tomohiro Nishikado (西角 友宏, Nishikado Tomohiro; born March 31, 1944) is a Japanese video game designer and engineer. He…Tomohiro Nishikado (西角 友宏, Nishikado Tomohiro; born March 31, 1944) is a Japanese video game designer and engineer. He is the creator of Taito's arcade video game Space Invaders, released in 1978, often credited as the first shoot 'em up and for beginning the golden age of arcade video games. Prior to Space Invaders, he also designed other earlier Taito arcade games, including the shooting electro-mechanical games Sky Fighter (1971) and Sky Fighter II, the sports video game TV Basketball in 1974, the vertical scrolling racing video game Speed Race (also known as Wheels) in 1974, the multi-directional shooter Western Gun (also known as Gun Fight) in 1975, and the first-person combat flight simulator Interceptor (1975).
Tatsuo Sasaki (佐々木 達夫; born March 30, 1944) is a Japanese percussionist, playing timpani, xylophone and marimba. He…Tatsuo Sasaki (佐々木 達夫; born March 30, 1944) is a Japanese percussionist, playing timpani, xylophone and marimba. He became a naturalized American citizen and lives in San Diego, California.
Mako Midori (緑 魔子, Midori Mako; born 26 March 1944, Taiwan) is a Japanese actress. Debuting on film in 1964, she won…Mako Midori (緑 魔子, Midori Mako; born 26 March 1944, Taiwan) is a Japanese actress. Debuting on film in 1964, she won the Blue Ribbon Award for best new face for Nihiki no mesuinu. Beyond appearing in over fifty Japanese language films in the 1960s and 1970s, she has also acted extensively on stage, winning major awards such as the Kinokuniya Theatre Prize. She is married to Renji Ishibashi.
Hideki Ishima (Japanese: 石間 秀機, Hepburn: Ishima Hideki; born March 21, 1944 in Sapporo, Hokkaido) is a Japanese…Hideki Ishima (Japanese: 石間 秀機, Hepburn: Ishima Hideki; born March 21, 1944 in Sapporo, Hokkaido) is a Japanese musician, known primarily for his work with Flower Travellin' Band and for creating the sitarla instrument. A guitarist and sitar player for nearly forty years, he now exclusively plays the sitarla, an instrument he invented in 2000 that combines aspects of a sitar with an electric guitar. Guitarists Kazuo Takeda, Akira Takasaki, Rolly, and Mikael Åkerfeldt have cited him as an influence.
Akira Kodama (小玉 晃, Kodama Akira; born 20 March 1944) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's…Akira Kodama (小玉 晃, Kodama Akira; born 20 March 1944) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Tarō Ishida (石田 太郎, Ishida Tarō; March 16, 1944 – September 21, 2013), born Gentarō Ishida (石田 弦太郎, Ishida Gentarō)…Tarō Ishida (石田 太郎, Ishida Tarō; March 16, 1944 – September 21, 2013), born Gentarō Ishida (石田 弦太郎, Ishida Gentarō), was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and Shin Buddhist priest from the city of Kyoto. He was affiliated with Granpapa Production.
Katsumi Matsumura (松村 勝美, Matsumura Katsumi; born 8 March 1944) is a Japanese former volleyball player and Olympic…Katsumi Matsumura (松村 勝美, Matsumura Katsumi; born 8 March 1944) is a Japanese former volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a major player to help Japanese women's national volleyball team to dominate the World in 1962-67 by winning 1962 FIVB Women's World Championship, 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and 1967 FIVB Women's World Championship in row. She also competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Shinsuke Okuno (奥野 信亮, Okuno Shinsuke; born 5 March 1944) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Shinsuke Okuno (奥野 信亮, Okuno Shinsuke; born 5 March 1944) 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).
Norihiko Matsumoto (born 5 March 1944) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the…Norihiko Matsumoto (born 5 March 1944) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Kazuo Ueda (born 1943) is a Japanese linguist and scholar. He is Japan's leading Yiddishist. Ueda graduated from Kōchi…Kazuo Ueda (born 1943) is a Japanese linguist and scholar. He is Japan's leading Yiddishist. Ueda graduated from Kōchi University and received a master's degree in German literature from the University of Tokyo. While studying German-language Jewish writer Franz Kafka in graduate school, he learned of Yiddish. He said it fascinated him because reading it felt like solving a puzzle. He was mostly self-taught, with some aid from Japan's limited Jewish community and multiple visits to Israel. One of two scholars to introduce the study of Yiddish to Japan, Ueda published the first Japanese examination of Yiddish grammar and literature in 1970, the first Japanese book on Yiddish in 1985, and the first Japanese dictionary on Yiddish in 2010. His Yiddish dictionary was the first in a non-European language, besides Hebrew. Ueda also worked on Ladino, as a scholar of Kafka, and on Jewish studies. Beginning in 1969 and until he retired in 2012, Ueda was a German studies professor at Ehime, Kōchi, and Fukuoka University.
Taniko Nakamura-Mitsukuri (中村-三栗 多仁子, born March 23, 1943) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic…Taniko Nakamura-Mitsukuri (中村-三栗 多仁子, born March 23, 1943) is a retired Japanese gymnast. She competed in all artistic gymnastics events at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics and won a team bronze medal in 1964 + bronze at the asymmetric bar during the 1966 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Her best individual achievement was seventh place on uneven bars in 1968. Born Taniko Nakamura she changed her last name after marrying Takashi Mitsukuri, a fellow Olympic gymnast.
Sadayuki Sakakibara (榊原定征, Sakakibara Sadayuki; born 22 March 1943) is a Japanese businessman who served as chairman of…Sadayuki Sakakibara (榊原定征, Sakakibara Sadayuki; born 22 March 1943) is a Japanese businessman who served as chairman of Toray Industries from 2010 to 2015 and chairman of the Japan Business Federation from 2014 to 2018. He is currently Commissioner of Nippon Professional Baseball and chairman of the Kansai Electric Power Company.
Shuta Yoshino (吉野 洲太, Yoshino Shūta; born 20 March 1943) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event…Shuta Yoshino (吉野 洲太, Yoshino Shūta; born 20 March 1943) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's flyweight event at the 1964 Summer Olympics. At the 1964 Summer Olympics, he lost to Otto Babiasch from the United Team of Germany by decision in the Round of 16 after receiving a bye in the Round of 32.
Nobuko Imai (今井 信子, Imai Nobuko; born March 18, 1943) is a Japanese classical violist with a career as soloist and…Nobuko Imai (今井 信子, Imai Nobuko; born March 18, 1943) is a Japanese classical violist with a career as soloist and chamber musician. Since 1988 she has played a 1690 Andrea Guarneri instrument.
Midori Matsuya, 松谷翠 (18 March 1943 – 9 January 1994) was a Japanese pianist, graduated from Tokyo National University…Midori Matsuya, 松谷翠 (18 March 1943 – 9 January 1994) was a Japanese pianist, graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, studied under Kichigoro Sato, Noboru Toyomasu, Naoya Fukai and Lay Lev. His father was a Japanese Jazz pianist, Minoru Matsuya (1910–1995). He taught him how to play the piano since he was a child. He was brought up in an environment to learn both classical and jazz music since his childhood. Also, he learned harmony and composition under Roh Ogura (1916–1990) in Kamakura. In 1973, he left to Germany to study at Universität der Künste Berlin. In 1975, he returned to Japan and engaged in concert, broadcasting and recording activities. He was a professor in Nihon University, Music Department. He was a piano teacher of Hiroaki Zakoji (1958–1987). Composer and vocalist, Fuyuta Matsuya and vocalist, Leo Matsuya are his sons. He recorded his last CD, Light Colored Album, a short time before his death.
Takao Fujii (藤井 孝男, Fujii Takao; 14 March 1943 – 13 April 2026) was a Japanese politician, who was an independent…Takao Fujii (藤井 孝男, Fujii Takao; 14 March 1943 – 13 April 2026) was a Japanese politician, who was an independent member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature).
Taira Hara (はら たいら, Hara Taira; 8 March 1943 – 10 November 2006) was a Japanese manga artist and tarento born in…Taira Hara (はら たいら, Hara Taira; 8 March 1943 – 10 November 2006) was a Japanese manga artist and tarento born in Tosayamada (now part of Kami), Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. He was a long-time resident of Koishikawa, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. He made his professional manga debut in 1963 with his story Shinjuku BB (新宿B·B, Shinjuku Bebe), published in Weekly Manga Times.
Katsuto Momii (籾井 勝人, Momii Katsuto; born 4 March 1943) is a Japanese businessman who was elected as NHK's 21st…Katsuto Momii (籾井 勝人, Momii Katsuto; born 4 March 1943) is a Japanese businessman who was elected as NHK's 21st Director-General on 20 December 2013. He worked for Mitsui & Co. from 1965 until 2005. From 2005 until 2011, he worked as President and representative director of Unisys Japan.
Akinori Nakayama (中山 彰規, Nakayama Akinori; March 1, 1943 – March 9, 2025) was a Japanese gymnast and Olympic gold…Akinori Nakayama (中山 彰規, Nakayama Akinori; March 1, 1943 – March 9, 2025) was a Japanese gymnast and Olympic gold medalist. Nakayama was born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and is a graduate of Chukyo University in Nagoya. Nakayama is one of only three gymnasts to become an Olympic Champion in rings twice.
Cha Katō (加藤 茶, Katō Cha; born 1 March 1943), also known as Kato-chan, is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real name…Cha Katō (加藤 茶, Katō Cha; born 1 March 1943), also known as Kato-chan, is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real name is Hideyuki Katō (加藤英文). Cha is one of the members of The Drifters and plays drums. His work with Ken Shimura, another Drifter, is well known in Japan.
Akira Hosomi (1943 – 9 September 2018) was a Japanese chemist. He was professor emeritus at Tsukuba University, a…Akira Hosomi (1943 – 9 September 2018) was a Japanese chemist. He was professor emeritus at Tsukuba University, a fellow of the Chemical Society of Japan, a visiting professor at Chuo University, and an academic advisor at Kyushu University.
Reisen Ri (Japanese: 李麗仙, Korean: 이여선, born Lee Cho-ja [이초자]; 25 March 1942 – 22 June 2021), also credited as Reisen…Reisen Ri (Japanese: 李麗仙, Korean: 이여선, born Lee Cho-ja [이초자]; 25 March 1942 – 22 June 2021), also credited as Reisen Lee, was a Japanese actress of Zainichi Korean origin. She was associated with the Angura underground theatre movement, and was the wife of playwright Jūrō Kara.
Hiroaki Sato (佐藤 紘彰, Satō Hiroaki; born 1942) is a Japanese poet and prolific translator who writes frequently for The…Hiroaki Sato (佐藤 紘彰, Satō Hiroaki; born 1942) is a Japanese poet and prolific translator who writes frequently for The Japan Times. He has been called (by Gary Snyder) "perhaps the finest translator of contemporary Japanese poetry into American English". Sato received the Japan–U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature in 1999 for his translation of Breeze Through Bamboo by Ema Saikō (Columbia University Press, 1997) and in 2017 for The Silver Spoon: Memoir of a Boyhood in Japan by Kansuke Naka (Stone Bridge Press, 2015).
Tadamasa Kodaira (小平 忠正, Kodaira Tadamasa; born 18 March 1942) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party…Tadamasa Kodaira (小平 忠正, Kodaira Tadamasa; born 18 March 1942) is a former Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Yoko Yamamoto (山本 陽子, Yamamoto Yōko; March 17, 1942 – February 20, 2024) was a Japanese actress represented by…Yoko Yamamoto (山本 陽子, Yamamoto Yōko; March 17, 1942 – February 20, 2024) was a Japanese actress represented by Kabushikigaisha Sanyō Kikaku. Yamamoto was born on March 17, 1942, and died on February 20, 2024, at the age of 81.
Teruhisa Moriyama (森山 輝久, Moriyama Teruhisa; born March 17, 1942), born in the Hiroshima Prefecture, is a Japanese…Teruhisa Moriyama (森山 輝久, Moriyama Teruhisa; born March 17, 1942), born in the Hiroshima Prefecture, is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics as a member of Japan's bronze medal team. He played in all nine matches, scoring 57 individual points.
Masahiko Kōmura (高村 正彦, Kōmura Masahiko; born 15 March 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Vice President of…Masahiko Kōmura (高村 正彦, Kōmura Masahiko; born 15 March 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2012 to 2018. He served in several cabinet position, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2007 to 2008. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1980 to 2017.
Katsuhiro Nakagawa (中川 勝弘, Nakagawa Katsuhiro; March 11, 1942 – July 8, 2016) is the former vice chairman of Toyota…Katsuhiro Nakagawa (中川 勝弘, Nakagawa Katsuhiro; March 11, 1942 – July 8, 2016) is the former vice chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1997–1998. Former president and CEO Katsuaki Watanabe replaced him as the new vice chairman of the company and Watanabe's spot being replaced by Akio Toyoda. Other corporate position held by Nakagawa: Chairman of Tokio Marine Capital Co., Ltd Auditor of Shochiku Co., Ltd. (2001–2014) Corporate Auditor of Aichi Steel Corp. (2006–present) President and Director of MX Mobiling Co., Ltd. (2008–?) Director of Mikuni Corporation (2013–present)
Akira Fujishima (藤嶋 昭, Fujishima Akira; born March 10, 1942) is a Japanese chemist and president of Tokyo University of…Akira Fujishima (藤嶋 昭, Fujishima Akira; born March 10, 1942) is a Japanese chemist and president of Tokyo University of Science. He is known for significant contributions to the discovery and research of photocatalytic and superhydrophilic properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is also known as the Honda-Fujishima effect.
Akira Tanaka (田中 章, Tanaka Akira; born 10 March 1942) is a Japanese hurdler. He competed in the men's 110 metres…Akira Tanaka (田中 章, Tanaka Akira; born 10 March 1942) is a Japanese hurdler. He competed in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
