Seiji Yokoyama (横山 菁児, Yokoyama Seiji; March 17, 1935 – July 8, 2017) was a Japanese incidental music composer from…Seiji Yokoyama (横山 菁児, Yokoyama Seiji; March 17, 1935 – July 8, 2017) was a Japanese incidental music composer from Hiroshima. He graduated from the Kunitachi College of Music in 1957. Yokoyama is best known for his work on the anime series Saint Seiya and Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and for his symphonic sound for many television programs. In 1992, he won the JASRAC award for his work on Saint Seiya. On July 8, 2017, Yokoyama died from pneumonia at age 82.
Kyoko Matsuoka (March 12, 1935 – January 25, 2022; Japanese: 松岡享子, romanized: Matsuoka Kyōko) was a Japanese librarian…Kyoko Matsuoka (March 12, 1935 – January 25, 2022; Japanese: 松岡享子, romanized: Matsuoka Kyōko) was a Japanese librarian, translator, and expert in children's literature. She is known for her own children's books, of which she wrote more than 200 in her lifetime, as well as translations of works for young readers, particularly her translation of the classic Paddington Bear series. After working at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Osaka Municipal Central Library, she founded the Matsunomi Bunko, a private children's library. When Matsunomi and three other libraries joined to form the Tokyo Children's Library in 1974, she became founding director of the organization. She remained honorary chair of the library until her death in 2022. In 2021, she was designated a Person of Cultural Merit.
Michie Ogata (纓片 道枝, Ogata Michie; March 11, 1935 – November 6, 2024), known professionally as Michie Kita (喜多 道枝, Kita…Michie Ogata (纓片 道枝, Ogata Michie; March 11, 1935 – November 6, 2024), known professionally as Michie Kita (喜多 道枝, Kita Michie), was a Japanese actress. She is best known for her anime voice acting roles as Nello Daas in Dog of Flanders, Eru in Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil, Doronpa in Obake no Q-Tarō, Galahad in King Arthur, Franz Charming in Princess Knight, Nobuhiko Ōbayashi in Don Dracula, and Togenicia in Hana no Ko Lunlun.
Shūsei Nakamura (仲村 秀生,, Nakamura Shuusei; born Hideo Nakamura (仲村 秀男,, Nakamura Hideo); March 9, 1935 – July 30, 2014)…Shūsei Nakamura (仲村 秀生,, Nakamura Shuusei; born Hideo Nakamura (仲村 秀男,, Nakamura Hideo); March 9, 1935 – July 30, 2014) was a Japanese actor and voice actor. Throughout his career he was represented by 81 Produce and later Production Baobab. He has referred to both Tokyo and Nagano Prefecture as his hometown. He was most known for the roles of Tōru Rikiishi (Ashita no Joe) and Daisuke Shima (Space Battleship Yamato). After his retirement, Hideyuki Tanaka took up the role of Daisuke Shima for the PS2 Yamato game series. The role had previously been taken over for the film Final Yamato by Isao Sasaki, but this was before Nakamura's retirement. Nakamura died on July 30, 2014, at a Tokyo hospital.
Akira Kitaguchi (北口 晃, Kitaguchi Akira; born March 8, 1935) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Akira Kitaguchi (北口 晃, Kitaguchi Akira; born March 8, 1935) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Reizo Ohira (born 7 March 1935) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1956 Summer…Reizo Ohira (born 7 March 1935) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Ikuo Kushiro MJA (久城 育夫, Kushiro Ikuo, born March 30, 1934, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese petrologist, known for…Ikuo Kushiro MJA (久城 育夫, Kushiro Ikuo, born March 30, 1934, in Osaka Prefecture) is a Japanese petrologist, known for his research in experimental petrology. His experiments on peridotites contributed significantly to the understanding of the formation of magma under mid-ocean ridges and island arcs.
Kichinosuke Meguro (目黒 吉之助, Meguro Kichinosuke; 29 March 1934 – 14 March 2019) was a Japanese politician. He served as…Kichinosuke Meguro (目黒 吉之助, Meguro Kichinosuke; 29 March 1934 – 14 March 2019) was a Japanese politician. He served as a member of the Niigata Prefectural Assembly for four terms and as a member of the House of Representatives for one term.
Masakazu Yamazaki (山崎 正和, Yamazaki Masakazu; 26 March 1934 – 19 August 2020) was a Japanese writer, literary critic…Masakazu Yamazaki (山崎 正和, Yamazaki Masakazu; 26 March 1934 – 19 August 2020) was a Japanese writer, literary critic, and philosopher.
Kyosen Ōhashi (大橋 巨泉, Ōhashi Kyosen; March 22, 1934 – July 12, 2016) was a Japanese television host and writer. He also…Kyosen Ōhashi (大橋 巨泉, Ōhashi Kyosen; March 22, 1934 – July 12, 2016) was a Japanese television host and writer. He also served briefly as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. His real name was Ōhashi Katsumi (大橋 克巳). Born in Sumida, Tokyo, he grew up in Chiba prefecture and dropped out of the Waseda University. Declaring "semi-retirement", he then spent most of his time outside Japan, particularly in Canada during the summer, as well as in Australia and New Zealand during the winter in the northern hemisphere, in which he ran his "OK Gift Shop" (OK stands for Ohashi Kyosen). When he resigned in the House of Councillors, Ōhashi was succeeded by Marutei Tsurunen, the first European-descended and openly foreign-born Japanese person to serve in the Diet.
Makoto Satō (佐藤允, Satō Makoto; 18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one…Makoto Satō (佐藤允, Satō Makoto; 18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one hundred films from 1953 to 2008.
Takashi Miyahara (宮原 巍, Miyahara Takashi; 1934 – November 24, 2019) was a Japanese-born Nepalese tourism entrepreneur…Takashi Miyahara (宮原 巍, Miyahara Takashi; 1934 – November 24, 2019) was a Japanese-born Nepalese tourism entrepreneur and politician. Miyahara was born in Nagano, Japan, and obtained a bachelor's degree in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering from Nihon University, Tokyo. When he moved to Nepal, he began working for the Department of Cottage Industry of Nepal. Miyahara was the chairman of the boards of Himalaya Hotel in Kathmandu and Trans Himalaya Treks. Miyahara founded Trans Himalaya Tours in 1968 and a Japanese sister company, Himalaya Kanko Kitatsu, in 1969. The following year, he founded Trans Himalayan Trekking. In 2006, Miyahara founded the Nepal Rastriya Bikas Party. He became a citizen of Nepal in order to be able to work politically. At the 2008 election of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly, none of the candidates won the seat. He died on November 24, 2019, in Nepal. Miyahara lived over 40 years in Nepal.
Kenichi Imaizumi (born 13 March 1934) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1956…Kenichi Imaizumi (born 13 March 1934) is a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Takayoshi Kajikawa (梶川 孝義, Kajikawa Takayoshi; born 10 March 1934) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in the…Takayoshi Kajikawa (梶川 孝義, Kajikawa Takayoshi; born 10 March 1934) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in the men's 200 metre breaststroke at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Fujiko Fujio (藤子 不二雄) was a manga writing duo formed by Japanese manga artists Hiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 弘, Fujimoto…Fujiko Fujio (藤子 不二雄) was a manga writing duo formed by Japanese manga artists Hiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 弘, Fujimoto Hiroshi; December 1, 1933 – September 23, 1996) and Motoo Abiko (安孫子 素雄, Abiko Motoo; March 10, 1934 – April 6, 2022). They debuted in 1951 as a duo under their real names. The Fujiko Fujio name was used for their respective works from 1953 until 1987, when Fujimoto became too ill to work consistently. The pair was best known for their popular children's manga series, including Obake no Q-Tarō, Ninja Hattori-kun, Kaibutsu-kun, Perman, Kiteretsu Daihyakka and Doraemon. Some of their influences include Osamu Tezuka as well as international cartoons and comic books. Both artists base their writing style on a mix of morals with a subversive and wry sense of humor; their styles would evolve to the point of diversion, where Fujimoto focused on speculative science fiction in addition to children's works, while Abiko leaned towards the surreal and black comedy. Their work received critical acclaim and, on Fujimoto's part, universal recognition, with Doraemon being officially recognized as a cultural icon of modern Japan.
Haruko Wakita (脇田晴子, Wakita Haruko; March 9, 1934 – September 27, 2016) was a Japanese academic, editor and expert in…Haruko Wakita (脇田晴子, Wakita Haruko; March 9, 1934 – September 27, 2016) was a Japanese academic, editor and expert in medieval Japanese women's history.
Yasuo Takamori (高森 泰男, Takamori Yasuo; March 3, 1934 – 2016) (former name; Yasuo Kageyama, 景山 泰男) was a Japanese…Yasuo Takamori (高森 泰男, Takamori Yasuo; March 3, 1934 – 2016) (former name; Yasuo Kageyama, 景山 泰男) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Shigeo Yaegashi (八重樫 茂生, Yaegashi Shigeo; March 24, 1933 – May 2, 2011) was a Japanese football player and manager. He…Shigeo Yaegashi (八重樫 茂生, Yaegashi Shigeo; March 24, 1933 – May 2, 2011) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Suehiro Tanemura (種村 季弘, Tanemura Suehiro; 21 March 1933 – 29 August 2004) was a translator (from German into Japanese)…Suehiro Tanemura (種村 季弘, Tanemura Suehiro; 21 March 1933 – 29 August 2004) was a translator (from German into Japanese) and critic. Tanemura was born in Toshima, Tokyo in 1933. His mother died in 1946. He became interested in German while still a teenager, and entered the University of Tokyo in 1951. He first majored in aesthetics but switched to German literature, graduating in 1957 and for a short time thereafter working in Kōbunsha in editing the women's magazine Josei Jishin. From 1963 until 1968, Tanemura taught as an adjunct lecturer at Komazawa University. In 1968 he obtained a tenured post at Tokyo Metropolitan University, but he resigned in 1971 and went to Europe, where he spent much time until 1978, when he took another tenured post at Kokugakuin University, where he would teach until December 2002. At around this time he was diagnosed with cancer, from which he died in 2004. Tanemura was a prolific translator from German, writer and anthologizer of others' writings, with a certain tendency toward subjects like vampires and Sacher-Masoch. His own writings were first collected in a ten-volume set in 1979; two decades later this was supplemented by an eight-volume set.
Eikoh Hosoe (細江 英公, Hosoe Eikō; 18 March 1933 – 16 September 2024) was a Japanese photographer and filmmaker who…Eikoh Hosoe (細江 英公, Hosoe Eikō; 18 March 1933 – 16 September 2024) was a Japanese photographer and filmmaker who emerged in the experimental arts movement of post-World War II Japan. Hosoe is best known for his dark, high contrast, black and white photographs of human bodies. His images are often psychologically charged, exploring subjects such as death, erotic obsession, and irrationality. Some of his photographs reference religion, philosophy and mythology, while others are nearly abstract, such as Man and Woman # 24, from 1960. He was professionally and personally affiliated with the writer Yukio Mishima and experimental artists of the 1960s such as the dancer Tatsumi Hijikata, though his work extends to a diversity of subjects. His photography is not only notable for its artistic influence but for its wider contribution to the reputations of his subjects.
Sunao Hari (針 すなお, Hari Sunao), real name Sunao Takagawa (高閑者 順, Takagawa Sunao), is a Japanese manga artist and…Sunao Hari (針 すなお, Hari Sunao), real name Sunao Takagawa (高閑者 順, Takagawa Sunao), is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator, martial artist born 15 March 1933 in Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Saga Prefectural Saga High School (now Saga Prefectural Saga West High School). Hari is the fifth son of the chief priest at Kōdenji, a family temple in the former Saga Domain. He worked at a cotton spinning company and as a bank employee before moving to Tokyo in 1953 to work as a writer for a financial journal. Hari made his professional manga debut in 1956. He holds a level of 8th dan in aikido, and he studied an offshoot of Shintō Musō-ryū staff fighting called "Tai no Jō" (体の杖). He currently operates in Saga City a dojo devoted to the study of aikido and jōjutsu (staff fighting). Hari creates the politician caricatures for the Sankei Shimbun, as well as a weekly one panel manga for the Weekly Manga Times. He won the 1973 Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence for his work Hari Sunao Nigaoe Mangashū: Sokkuri (針すなお似顔絵漫画集・そっくり). He also won the Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1998 for his political caricatures.
Tsutomu Ōhashi (大橋 力, Ōhashi Tsutomu; born March 14, 1933) is a Japanese agricultural scientist, composer, and record…Tsutomu Ōhashi (大橋 力, Ōhashi Tsutomu; born March 14, 1933) is a Japanese agricultural scientist, composer, and record producer. He is also known by his pseudonym, Shoji Yamashiro (山城 祥二, Yamashiro Shōji).
Ryo Mabuchi (馬淵 良, 12 March 1933 – 22 November 2021) was a Japanese diver who won the 10 platform event at the 1958…Ryo Mabuchi (馬淵 良, 12 March 1933 – 22 November 2021) was a Japanese diver who won the 10 platform event at the 1958 Asian Games. Together with his wife Kanoko Tsutani-Mabuchi, he competed in the springboard and platform at the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics and placed 12th–18th. His daughter Yoshino Mabuchi also became an Olympic diver. Mabuchi died of emphysema on 22 November 2021, at the age of 88.
Boo Takagi (高木 ブー, Takagi Bū) (born 8 March 1933, Toshima, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian and musician (guitarist and…Boo Takagi (高木 ブー, Takagi Bū) (born 8 March 1933, Toshima, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian and musician (guitarist and ukulele player). His real name is Tomonosuke Takagi (高木 友之助). Takagi is one of the members of The Drifters.
Ken-ichi Kimura (木村 建一, Kimura Ken-ichi) (born 1933, Fushun, China) is a Japanese environmental architect. Kimura's…Ken-ichi Kimura (木村 建一, Kimura Ken-ichi) (born 1933, Fushun, China) is a Japanese environmental architect. Kimura's main interests lie in sustainable architecture and engineering. In 1972, he designed a solar-heated house for his family, which attracted public attention after the oil crisis of 1973. Since then, he has designed several more solar houses and conducted studies on energy conservation in buildings, utilization of natural energy sources, and solar heating and cooling. He has also enjoyed a long career in academia, and has authored a variety of publications. Kimura is the father of Mari Kimura, a Japanese violinist and composer in New York.
Marui Co., Ltd. (株式会社丸井, Kabushiki-gaisha Marui) is a Japanese multinational retail company which operates a chain of…Marui Co., Ltd. (株式会社丸井, Kabushiki-gaisha Marui) is a Japanese multinational retail company which operates a chain of department stores in Tokyo as well in other major Japanese cities. They are best known for their women's fashion and accessories, which are aimed at the 25–35 age range. In 2003–4 the company generated US$2.75 billion in revenues. Its president is Hiroshi Aoi.
Yōko Minamida (南田 洋子, Minamida Yōko; March 1, 1933 – October 21, 2009) was a Japanese actress. She was diagnosed with…Yōko Minamida (南田 洋子, Minamida Yōko; March 1, 1933 – October 21, 2009) was a Japanese actress. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in November 2008, and a television documentary was made about her condition and the efforts of her husband, actor Hiroyuki Nagato, to care for her. She died in Tokyo.
Keidō Fukushima (福島 慶道, Rōmaji: Fukushima Keidō, March 1, 1933 – March 1, 2011) was a Japanese Rinzai Zen master, head…Keidō Fukushima (福島 慶道, Rōmaji: Fukushima Keidō, March 1, 1933 – March 1, 2011) was a Japanese Rinzai Zen master, head abbot of Tōfuku-ji (one of the main branches of the Rinzai sect), centered in Kyoto, Japan. Because of openness to teaching Western students, he had considerable influence on the development of Rinzai Zen practice in the West.
Nagisa Ōshima (大島 渚, Ōshima Nagisa; March 31, 1932 – January 15, 2013) was a Japanese film director, writer, and…Nagisa Ōshima (大島 渚, Ōshima Nagisa; March 31, 1932 – January 15, 2013) was a Japanese film director, writer, and left-wing activist who is best known for his fiction films, of which he directed 23 features in a career spanning from 1959 to 1999. He is regarded as one of the greatest Japanese directors of all time, and as one of the most important figures of the Japanese New Wave (Nūberu bāgu), alongside Shōhei Imamura. His film style was bold, innovative and provocative. Common themes in his work include youthful rebellion, class and racial discrimination and taboo sexuality. His first major film was his second feature, Cruel Story of Youth (1960), one of the first Japanese New Wave films, a youth-oriented film with an earnest portrayal of the sexual lives and criminal activities of its young protagonists. He came to greater international renown after Death By Hanging (1968), a film on the theme of capital punishment and anti-Korean sentiment, was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 1968. His most controversial film is In the Realm of the Senses (1976), a sexually explicit film set in 1930s Japan.
Kenji Imai (今井健二, Imai Kenji; 31 March 1932) is a Japanese actor. He is most noted for playing villains and appeared in…Kenji Imai (今井健二, Imai Kenji; 31 March 1932) is a Japanese actor. He is most noted for playing villains and appeared in many jidaigeki and detective television dramas as a guest. After graduating from Meiji University, he signed a contract with Toei Company. He made his film debut with Yarodomo Omotee Dero. His hobby is fishing , and in 1983 he wrote an introductory book on fishing, "The Book That Makes Fish Bite on Their Own Will" (Shodensha Non-Book), which received a recommendation from Takakura Ken.
Hiroshi Inoue (井上 浩, Inoue Hiroshi; March 30, 1932 – December 29, 1989) was a Japanese botanist specializing in…Hiroshi Inoue (井上 浩, Inoue Hiroshi; March 30, 1932 – December 29, 1989) was a Japanese botanist specializing in bryology. Inoue's botanical publications are from Japan. He described or recognized many species of liverworts and edited the exsiccata Bryophyta selecta exsiccata.
Katsumoto Saotome (早乙女勝元, Saotome Katsumoto; March 26, 1932 – May 10, 2022) was a Japanese writer, children's book…Katsumoto Saotome (早乙女勝元, Saotome Katsumoto; March 26, 1932 – May 10, 2022) was a Japanese writer, children's book author, and pacifist. His work has been crucial in raising awareness of war dead, such as air raids. As a member of "Burnt-out ruins generation" (Also known as Yakeato Generation (1930–1945)), Saotome dedicated his life to documenting and preserving the stories of Asia-Pacific War in World War II, such as civilian victims of firebombs in Kanto Region including Tokyo Prefecture between March and August 1945. He was one of a leading voice in ensuring Japanese civilian victims of air raids were not forgotten by Japanese history of Japanese government. He published his numerous books and documentary films, with private funds, established a museum in eastern Tokyo to memorialized war victims and ensure their experiences were not forgotten.
Toshio Matsumoto (松本 俊夫, Matsumoto Toshio) (25 March 1932 – 12 April 2017) was a Japanese film director and video…Toshio Matsumoto (松本 俊夫, Matsumoto Toshio) (25 March 1932 – 12 April 2017) was a Japanese film director and video artist.
Masaki Tsuji (辻 真先, Tsuji Masaki; born March 23, 1932 in Nagoya) is a Japanese anime screenwriter, mystery writer…Masaki Tsuji (辻 真先, Tsuji Masaki; born March 23, 1932 in Nagoya) is a Japanese anime screenwriter, mystery writer, manga author, travel critic, essayist, professor as well as mystery fiction novels writer. Tsuji was most active in the business from the 1960s through the 1980s, and worked as a script writer on many popular anime television series for Mushi Production, Toei Animation, and Tokyo Movie Shinsha. He is well known for his association with the animated adaptations of the works of Osamu Tezuka and Go Nagai. In April 2007, Tsuji headed Japan's first international anime research lab as part of Digital Hollywood University. On December 4, 2007, Tsuji was given a lifetime achievement award at the 11th Japan Media Arts Festival. On September 24, 2008, Tsuji won a Special Award in the 13th Animation Kobe for his writing work.
Kyogon Hagiyama (萩山 教嚴, Hagiyama Kyōgon; 20 March 1932 – 13 October 2015) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Kyogon Hagiyama (萩山 教嚴, Hagiyama Kyōgon; 20 March 1932 – 13 October 2015) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Himi, Toyama and graduate of Ritsumeikan University, he was elected to the assembly of Toyama Prefecture for the first time in 1971. From 1979 to 1986 he ran four times for seats in the House of Representatives, albeit unsuccessfully. He was elected for the first time in 1990.
Bungaku Ito (Jap. 伊藤 文學 new characters 伊藤 文学; born March 19, 1932) is a Japanese entrepreneur, founder and…Bungaku Ito (Jap. 伊藤 文學 new characters 伊藤 文学; born March 19, 1932) is a Japanese entrepreneur, founder and editor-in-chief of Japan's first commercially based homosexuality magazine Barazoku. He is the president of Daini-Shobo (Jap. 株式会社第二書房).
Frank Nagai (フランク 永井; March 18, 1932 – October 27, 2008) was a Japanese singer. Known for his attractive baritone…Frank Nagai (フランク 永井; March 18, 1932 – October 27, 2008) was a Japanese singer. Known for his attractive baritone voice. His real name was Kiyoto Nagai (永井 清人 Nagai Kiyoto).
Momoko Kōchi (河内 桃子, Kōchi Momoko) (7 March 1932 – 5 November 1998), born Momoko Ōkōchi (大河内 桃子, Ōkōchi Momoko), was a…Momoko Kōchi (河内 桃子, Kōchi Momoko) (7 March 1932 – 5 November 1998), born Momoko Ōkōchi (大河内 桃子, Ōkōchi Momoko), was a Japanese film, stage and television actress. She is best known for her roles in the original Godzilla, playing the character of Emiko Yamane (a role she reprised in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah in 1995), and in The Mysterians, playing Hiroko Iwamoto.
Takako Takahashi (高橋 たか子, Takahashi Takako; March 2, 1932 – July 12, 2013) was a Japanese author. Her maiden name was…Takako Takahashi (高橋 たか子, Takahashi Takako; March 2, 1932 – July 12, 2013) was a Japanese author. Her maiden name was Takako Okamoto (岡本和子, Okamoto Takako).
Genshiro Kawamoto (川本 源司郎, Kawamoto Genshiro; 1 March 1932 – 12 February 2024) was a Japanese businessman known for his…Genshiro Kawamoto (川本 源司郎, Kawamoto Genshiro; 1 March 1932 – 12 February 2024) was a Japanese businessman known for his real estate investments in Japan, California and Hawaii. He is also notable for controversial real estate investments in the late 1980s, when he bought more than 170 properties, including many Oʻahu homes. More recently, Kawamoto is known for owning 30 properties in the Kāhala area of Honolulu where he has allowed them to be run down, attracting many complaints and media attention. Although these homes are vacant, boarded up and often vandalized, their estimated total value is $200 million. In September 2013, Kawamoto sold all of his Hawaii assets to Alexander and Baldwin for $128 million. The transaction was brokered by Steve Sombrero, president of NAI ChaneyBrooks. Born into a wealthy kimono shop owner's family in what is now Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, he went to Keio University, but did not graduate. Kawamoto died on 12 February 2024, at the age of 91.
Yoshiaki Itakura (板倉 由明, Itakura Yoshiaki; 1932–1999) was a Japanese businessman and researcher of military history…Yoshiaki Itakura (板倉 由明, Itakura Yoshiaki; 1932–1999) was a Japanese businessman and researcher of military history born in Kanagawa Prefecture. He is most well known for his research and denial on the Nanjing Massacre and was a member of a committee assembled by Kaikosha to study the incident. He graduated from the faculty of engineering at Yokohama National University and was manager of Itakura factories. In addition to his business, he wrote and spoke on military history, the Japanese history textbook controversies, the comfort women, and especially the Nanjing Massacre. He estimated that 10,000 to 20,000 Chinese were massacred in Nanjing and consistently criticized advocates of the great massacre school such as those who accepted the line of the Chinese government that 300,000 had been murdered. Itakura was on good terms with the historian Ikuhiko Hata while still publicly arguing with him. He was also a friend of Masaaki Tanaka though he had exposed his fraudulent tampering of the diary of Iwane Matsui. Itakura died of liver failure in 1999.
Yoshimitsu Banno (坂野 義光, Banno Yoshimitsu; March 30, 1931 – May 7, 2017) was a Japanese film director, best known for…Yoshimitsu Banno (坂野 義光, Banno Yoshimitsu; March 30, 1931 – May 7, 2017) was a Japanese film director, best known for the cult-classic Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971), which he directed and co-wrote. Banno was a special guest at G-Fest XII in 2005. He was an executive producer on Legendary Pictures' Godzilla (2014), and has received posthumous executive producer credit for subsequent projects in the MonsterVerse. He died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage on May 7, 2017, at his home in Kawasaki at the age of 86. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) was dedicated to his memory along with Haruo Nakajima's.
