Akira Mitsutake (Japanese: 光武顕 Mitsutake Akira; 27 March 1931 – 19 December 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member…Akira Mitsutake (Japanese: 光武顕 Mitsutake Akira; 27 March 1931 – 19 December 2025) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1993. Mitsutake died in Tokyo on 19 December 2025 at the age of 94.
Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress…Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress, feminist, novelist, lesbian icon, former night club owner, metropolitan city planning panelist, and music educator.
Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter…Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, Watanabe Mamoru; March 19, 1931 – December 24, 2013) was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor, known for his work in the pink film genre. Along with directors Genji Nakamura and Banmei Takahashi, Watanabe was known as one of the "Three Pillars of Pink".
Asao Koike (小池朝雄, Koike Asao; 18 March 1931 – 23 March 1985) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing yakuza…Asao Koike (小池朝雄, Koike Asao; 18 March 1931 – 23 March 1985) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing yakuza roles. He is also known as voice actor. In 1950, he joined the Bungakuza Theatre Company. In 1963, he left the Bungakuza Theatre Company and established the Kumo Theatre Company. He appeared in more than 120 films.
Yasuo Tanaka (田中 靖郎, Tanaka Yasuo; 18 March 1931 – 18 January 2018) was a Japanese astrophysicist and a member of the…Yasuo Tanaka (田中 靖郎, Tanaka Yasuo; 18 March 1931 – 18 January 2018) was a Japanese astrophysicist and a member of the Japan Academy. He was professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) (part of JAXA) in Kanagawa, Japan and guest scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany. He was a pioneer in X-ray astronomy, leading the development and operation of the Ginga, Tenma, and ASCA satellites. He died on 18 January 2018.
Keiichiro Takahara (高原慶一朗, Takahara Keiichiro; March 16, 1931 – October 3, 2018) was a Japanese billionaire…Keiichiro Takahara (高原慶一朗, Takahara Keiichiro; March 16, 1931 – October 3, 2018) was a Japanese billionaire businessman, the chairman and founder of Unicharm.
Masahiro Shinoda (篠田 正浩, Shinoda Masahiro; March 9, 1931 – March 25, 2025) was a Japanese film director, whose career…Masahiro Shinoda (篠田 正浩, Shinoda Masahiro; March 9, 1931 – March 25, 2025) was a Japanese film director, whose career spanned over four decades and covered a wide range of genres and styles. He was one of the central figures of the Japanese New Wave during the 1960s and 1970s. He directed films for Shochiku Studio from 1960 to 1965, before turning to independent cinema from 1966 onward. His film style was characterized by socially marginalized characters, many of whom turn to crime or suicide, and meticulous attention to pictorial beauty. He drew on traditional Japanese fiction and theater and some of his films bear the influence of Kenji Mizoguchi, whom he admired.
Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko…Atsuko Ikeda (池田 厚子, Ikeda Atsuko; born 7 March 1931), formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori (順宮厚子内親王, Yori-no-miya Atsuko Naishinnō), is the fourth daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun. As such, she is the older sister of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and paternal aunt of Emperor Naruhito. She married Takamasa Ikeda, a man from outside the imperial dynasty, on 10 October 1952; as a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese imperial family, as required by law. Later, she served as the supreme priestess (saishu) of the Ise Grand Shrine between 1988 and 2017.
Shigeru Amachi (天知 茂, Amachi Shigeru; 4 March 1931 – 27 July 1985) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120…Shigeru Amachi (天知 茂, Amachi Shigeru; 4 March 1931 – 27 July 1985) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120 films from 1953 to 1984.
Yū Fujiki (藤木 悠, Fujiki Yū; 2 March 1931 – 19 December 2005), born Yūzō Suzuki (鈴木 悠蔵, Suzuki Yūzō), was a Japanese…Yū Fujiki (藤木 悠, Fujiki Yū; 2 March 1931 – 19 December 2005), born Yūzō Suzuki (鈴木 悠蔵, Suzuki Yūzō), was a Japanese film and television actor. He appeared in more than 100 films from 1954 to 2005.
Makoto Taniguchi (谷口 誠, Taniguchi Makoto; 31 March 1930 – 14 January 2024) was a Japanese diplomat and academic who was…Makoto Taniguchi (谷口 誠, Taniguchi Makoto; 31 March 1930 – 14 January 2024) was a Japanese diplomat and academic who was Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations and Chairman of UNICEF in 1988.
Yōsuke Naka (中 庸助, Naka Yōsuke; born Kazuo Nakajima (中島 和男, Nakajama Kazuo) March 30, 1930 – October 20, 2023) was a…Yōsuke Naka (中 庸助, Naka Yōsuke; born Kazuo Nakajima (中島 和男, Nakajama Kazuo) March 30, 1930 – October 20, 2023) was a Japanese actor from Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. He is best known for his roles as Admiral Majin in Kamen Rider, Nobisuke Nobi in Doraemon, Ehrenberg in Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Mulligan in Sohryuden: Legend of the Dragon Kings, and Nijūemon Tsuzureya (20 Emon) in 21 Emon.
Minoru Miki (Japanese: 三木 稔, 16 March 1930 – 8 December 2011) was a Japanese composer and Artistic director. He was…Minoru Miki (Japanese: 三木 稔, 16 March 1930 – 8 December 2011) was a Japanese composer and Artistic director. He was known for promoting Japanese, Chinese and Korean traditional instruments as well as some of their performers. In his catalogue these traditional instruments figure solo or in various types of ensembles, with and without Western instruments. His catalogue demonstrates a large stylistic and formal diversity including operas and other kinds of stage music; orchestral, concerto, chamber and solo music, as well as music for films. His work has found international recognition placing Miki in the company of other celebrated Japanese composers such as Tōru Takemitsu. Minoru was a pioneer in the composition of contemporary classical music for large ensembles of traditional Japanese musical instruments. In 1964, he founded the Nihon Ongaku Shūdan (Pro Musica Nipponia ensemble), also known as Ensemble Nipponia, for which he has composed extensively.
Masaya Takahashi (高橋 昌也, Takahashi Masaya; March 16, 1930 – January 16, 2014) was a Japanese actor and theatre…Masaya Takahashi (高橋 昌也, Takahashi Masaya; March 16, 1930 – January 16, 2014) was a Japanese actor and theatre director. He appeared in a wide range of films over six decades, including Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell (1968), Belladonna of Sadness (1973), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), Returner (2002), and Air Doll (2009).
Kenji Kurosaki (黒崎健時, Kurosaki Kenji; born March 15, 1930) is a Japanese martial arts instructor, specializing in…Kenji Kurosaki (黒崎健時, Kurosaki Kenji; born March 15, 1930) is a Japanese martial arts instructor, specializing in full-contact karate and kickboxing. He is a 10th dan black belt (1992) in Kyokushin Karate and operates various martial schools. He is most well known as a pioneer of full-contact karate and kickboxing in both Japan and the Netherlands.
Yoshikazu Hasegawa (長谷川 善和) (12 March 1930 – 2 September 2026) was a Japanese vertebrate palaeontologist and honorary…Yoshikazu Hasegawa (長谷川 善和) (12 March 1930 – 2 September 2026) was a Japanese vertebrate palaeontologist and honorary museum director. The Pleistocene anatid Shiriyanetta hasegawai was named in his honour, in recognition of his "outstanding contributions" to the field.
Ei Ogawa (Japanese: 小川英, Ogawa Ei, March 10, 1930; Osaka – April 27, 1994; Tokyo), also credited as Hide Ogawa (江里 明…Ei Ogawa (Japanese: 小川英, Ogawa Ei, March 10, 1930; Osaka – April 27, 1994; Tokyo), also credited as Hide Ogawa (江里 明, Ogawa Hide) was a Japanese screenwriter. He worked on many projects for Toho and Nikkatsu.
Stephen Fumio Hamao (濱尾 文郎 Hamao Fumio) (9 March 1930 – 8 November 2007) was a Japanese cardinal of the Catholic Church…Stephen Fumio Hamao (濱尾 文郎 Hamao Fumio) (9 March 1930 – 8 November 2007) was a Japanese cardinal of the Catholic Church and was the president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants until it merged with other elements of the Roman Curia. He was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Keiiti Aki (安芸 敬一, Aki Keiichi; March 3, 1930 – May 17, 2005) was a Japanese-American professor of Geophysics at the…Keiiti Aki (安芸 敬一, Aki Keiichi; March 3, 1930 – May 17, 2005) was a Japanese-American professor of Geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and then at the University of Southern California (USC), seismologist, author and mentor. He and Paul G. Richards coauthored "Quantitative Seismology: theory and methods".
Susumu Okubo (大久保 進, Ōkubo Susumu; 2 March 1930 – July 17, 2015) was a Japanese theoretical physicist at the University…Susumu Okubo (大久保 進, Ōkubo Susumu; 2 March 1930 – July 17, 2015) was a Japanese theoretical physicist at the University of Rochester. Ōkubo worked primarily on elementary particle physics. He is famous for the Gell-Mann–Okubo mass formula for mesons and baryons in the quark model; this formula correctly predicts the relations of masses of the members of SU(3) multiplets in terms of hypercharge and isotopic spin. Ōkubo died in July 2015. Ōkubo began study at the University of Tokyo in 1949 and received his bachelor's degree there in 1952. He became a graduate student at the University of Rochester in 1954, where he earned his PhD in 1958 with David Feldman as thesis advisor. Afterwards, he was a postdoc in 1959/60 at the University of Naples, in 1960/61 at CERN, and then in 1962 began researching again at the University of Rochester, where he became a professor in 1964 and retired in 1996 as an emeritus professor.
Kazuko Saegusa (三枝和子) (March 31, 1929 – April 24, 2003) was a Japanese novelist. She won the Tamura Toshiko Award and…Kazuko Saegusa (三枝和子) (March 31, 1929 – April 24, 2003) was a Japanese novelist. She won the Tamura Toshiko Award and the Izumi Kyoka Prize for Literature.
Takehiro Irokawa (色川 武大, Irokawa Takehiro; March 28, 1929 – April 10, 1989) was a noted Japanese writer who published…Takehiro Irokawa (色川 武大, Irokawa Takehiro; March 28, 1929 – April 10, 1989) was a noted Japanese writer who published both serious literature and light fiction under a variety of pseudonyms including Asada Tetsuya (阿佐田哲也) and Budai Irokawa (色川武大). Many of his works were autobiographical in nature and concerned his life as a mahjong gambler.
Hiroshi Inuzuka (犬塚 弘, Inuzuka Hiroshi; 23 March 1929 – 27 October 2023) was a Japanese actor, comedian and bassist.…Hiroshi Inuzuka (犬塚 弘, Inuzuka Hiroshi; 23 March 1929 – 27 October 2023) was a Japanese actor, comedian and bassist. Inuzuka was one of the members of the Crazy Cats. His first starring role in the film was in Suteki na Konban wa directed by Yoshitarō Nomura and played the leading roles in six films in his acting career. Inuzuka announced his retirement as an actor and made his final appearance in Labyrinth of Cinema directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi in 2019. He then retired to Atami. Hiroshi Inuzuka died on 27 October 2023, at the age of 94.
Yayoi Kusama (草間 彌生, Kusama Yayoi; 22 March 1929 – 14 August 2026) was a Japanese artist who worked primarily in…Yayoi Kusama (草間 彌生, Kusama Yayoi; 22 March 1929 – 14 August 2026) was a Japanese artist who worked primarily in sculpture and installation. She was also active in painting, performance, video art, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts. Her work was based in conceptual art and shows some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, art brut, pop art, and abstract expressionism, and is infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content. She was acknowledged as one of the most important artists to have come out of Japan, and was one of the world's top-selling female artists and ranked #19 in Sotheby's 2023 list of the top 50 artists. Her work influenced her contemporaries, including Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg. Kusama was raised in Matsumoto, and trained at the Kyoto City University of Arts for a year in a Japanese painting style called nihonga. She was inspired by American abstract impressionism. She moved to New York City in 1958 and was a part of the New York avant-garde scene throughout the 1960s, especially in the pop-art movement. Embracing the rise of the hippie counterculture of the late 1960s, she came to public attention when she organized a series of happenings in which naked participants were painted with brightly colored polka dots. She experienced a period in the 1970s during which her work was largely overlooked, but a revival of interest in the 1980s brought her art back into public view. Kusama continued to create art in various museums around the world, from the 1950s onwards. She was open about her mental health and resided in a mental health facility from the 1970s until her death. She said that art had become her way to express her mental problems. "I fight pain, anxiety, and fear every day, and the only method I have found that relieved my illness is to keep creating art", she told an interviewer in 2012. "I followed the thread of art and somehow discovered a path that would allow me to live."
Tadao Ogura (Japanese: 小倉 忠夫, Ogura Tadao, born March 22, 1929) is a Japanese art critic, known primarily for his work…Tadao Ogura (Japanese: 小倉 忠夫, Ogura Tadao, born March 22, 1929) is a Japanese art critic, known primarily for his work in the fields of printmaking and Western-style painting. Active from the 1960s through the 1970s, he published numerous critiques that significantly influenced the postwar Japanese art scene. He was born in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture. His father was Gyoka Ogura (Japanese: 小倉 魚禾, Ogura Gyoka), a painter.
Hiroichi Sakai (Japanese: 坂井弘一; Sakai Hiroichi; 21 March 1929 – 22 November 2021) was a Japanese politician. A member…Hiroichi Sakai (Japanese: 坂井弘一; Sakai Hiroichi; 21 March 1929 – 22 November 2021) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Komeito party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1993.
Gabdulla Safa, also known as a Roy James (Tatar: Габделхәннан Сафа, March 9, 1929, Tokyo – December 29, 1982), was a…Gabdulla Safa, also known as a Roy James (Tatar: Габделхәннан Сафа, March 9, 1929, Tokyo – December 29, 1982), was a Japanese actor of Tatar descent.
Rō Takenaka (竹中労, Takenaka Rō; born Tsutomu, May 30, 1930 – May 19, 1991) was a Japanese author, journalist and…Rō Takenaka (竹中労, Takenaka Rō; born Tsutomu, May 30, 1930 – May 19, 1991) was a Japanese author, journalist and cultural critic.
Jitsuo Inagaki (稲垣 実男, Inagaki Jitsuo; March 28, 1928 – March 5, 2009) was a Japanese politician and cabinet member.…Jitsuo Inagaki (稲垣 実男, Inagaki Jitsuo; March 28, 1928 – March 5, 2009) was a Japanese politician and cabinet member. Inagaki was elected to his first term in the Japanese House of Representatives in 1977. In 1984, he was part of the Liberal Democratic Party and served on the Social Security System Consultative Council as an SLAC board member. From 1984 to 1985, Inagaki also joined the Diet's Public Pensions Research Subcommittee as a member. He joined the cabinet under former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto during the 1990s, where he served as the head of the Hokkaidō and Okinawa development agencies. Inagaki largely retired from politics after he was defeated for re-election in 2000. He was arrested in 2004 and charged with violating an investment law concerning his company for which he was convicted. He was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for five years, beginning in 2005. Jitsuo Inagaki died at his home in Tokyo of a natural illness at the age of 80.
Seiko Tanabe (田辺 聖子, Tanabe Seiko; 27 March 1928 – 6 June 2019) was a Japanese author. She graduated from the…Seiko Tanabe (田辺 聖子, Tanabe Seiko; 27 March 1928 – 6 June 2019) was a Japanese author. She graduated from the Department of Japanese Literature of Shōin Joshi Senmon Gakkō (now Osaka Shoin Women's University). Author of numerous novels, she won the Akutagawa Prize, Yomiuri Prize, and Asahi Prize, and received the Order of Culture for her contributions to literature. She was nicknamed the "L. M. Montgomery of Japan” after her death in 2019.
Tsuyako Yamashita, (née Ikuta) (山下 艶子; 19 March, 1928 – 12 February, 2021) was a Japanese figure skater and coach. She…Tsuyako Yamashita, (née Ikuta) (山下 艶子; 19 March, 1928 – 12 February, 2021) was a Japanese figure skater and coach. She was a two-time Japanese champion in 1953 and 1954.
Ryū Mitsuse (光瀬龍 Mitsuse Ryū, March 18, 1928 - July 7, 1999) was a Japanese novelist, science fiction writer, alternate…Ryū Mitsuse (光瀬龍 Mitsuse Ryū, March 18, 1928 - July 7, 1999) was a Japanese novelist, science fiction writer, alternate history writer, historical novelist, and essayist. Mitsuse is the author of Hyakuoku no Hiru to Sen'oku no Yoru. Among his various works, this SF novel is considered as his representative work. Mitsuse is a founder member and was a member of the SFWJ (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan). In the West he might be best known for manga-related works and the story The Sunset, 2217 A.D. which appeared in Frederik Pohl's "Best Science Fiction for 1972".
Kiyoshi Atsumi (Japanese: 渥美 清, Hepburn: Atsumi Kiyoshi), born Yasuo Tadokoro (田所 康雄, Tadokoro Yasuo; 10 March 1928 – 4…Kiyoshi Atsumi (Japanese: 渥美 清, Hepburn: Atsumi Kiyoshi), born Yasuo Tadokoro (田所 康雄, Tadokoro Yasuo; 10 March 1928 – 4 August 1996), was a Japanese actor. He is best known for portraying Tora-san in the Japanese comedy film series Otoko wa Tsurai yo, a role he played 48 times over 26 years.
Yukio Araki (荒木 幸雄, Araki Yukio; March 10, 1928 – May 27, 1945) was a Japanese aviator of the Imperial Japanese Army…Yukio Araki (荒木 幸雄, Araki Yukio; March 10, 1928 – May 27, 1945) was a Japanese aviator of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. As a kamikaze pilot and member of the 72nd Shinbu Squadron, Araki died on May 27, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa when he deliberately crashed his bomb-laden Mitsubishi Ki-51 into the USS Braine. It is speculated that Araki and one other pilot hit and damaged the ship, killing 66 of its crew. At 17, Araki was one of the youngest kamikaze pilots.
Tatsumi Hijikata (土方 巽, Hijikata Tatsumi; March 9, 1928 – January 21, 1986) was a Japanese choreographer, and the…Tatsumi Hijikata (土方 巽, Hijikata Tatsumi; March 9, 1928 – January 21, 1986) was a Japanese choreographer, and the founder of a genre of dance performance art called Butoh. By the late 1960s, he had begun to develop this dance form, which is highly choreographed with stylized gestures drawn from his childhood memories of his northern Japan home. It is this style which is most often associated with Butoh by Westerners.
Katsuaki Matsumoto (松本勝明, Matsumoto Katsuaki; 5 March 1928 in Kyoto Prefecture – 6 March 2021) was a Japanese…Katsuaki Matsumoto (松本勝明, Matsumoto Katsuaki; 5 March 1928 in Kyoto Prefecture – 6 March 2021) was a Japanese professional track racing cyclist. Matsumoto is the leading all-time winner amongst professional Keirin track racers with a career total of 1341 wins. Matsumoto started as a cyclist in 1949, and won the national keirin championships in 1954 and 1955. He retired from racing on 1 October 1981. After retirement he trained young cyclists. He became an honorary citizen of Kyoto in 1987. Matsumoto died on 6 March 2021 from lymphoma.
Mitsugu Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺貢; Watanabe Mitsugu; 4 March 1928 – 12 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Mitsugu Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺貢; Watanabe Mitsugu; 4 March 1928 – 12 June 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Japanese Communist Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1979 to 1983. Watanabe died in Saitama Prefecture on 12 June 2022 at the age of 94.
Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田 義之, Hepburn: Kuroda Yoshiyuki; March 4, 1928 – January 22, 2015) was a Japanese…Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Japanese: 黒田 義之, Hepburn: Kuroda Yoshiyuki; March 4, 1928 – January 22, 2015) was a Japanese filmmaker and special effects director responsible for many Japanese science-fiction films and television shows.
Shigeru Itō (伊藤茂; 1928–2016) was a Japanese socialist politician. He held several positions in the Japan Socialist…Shigeru Itō (伊藤茂; 1928–2016) was a Japanese socialist politician. He held several positions in the Japan Socialist Party (JSP) and then in the Social Democratic Party. He also served as the minister of transportation between 1993 and 1994.
Seiji Tsutsumi (堤 清二, Tsutsumi Seiji; March 30, 1927 − November 25, 2013) was a Japanese businessperson, author and…Seiji Tsutsumi (堤 清二, Tsutsumi Seiji; March 30, 1927 − November 25, 2013) was a Japanese businessperson, author and poet, also known by the pen names Takashi Tsujii (辻井 喬, Tsujii Takashi) and Ikuo Yokose (横瀬 郁夫, Yokose Ikuo).
Kenichi Kumagai (born 17 March 1927) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the trap event at the 1960…Kenichi Kumagai (born 17 March 1927) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the trap event at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Junzo Sekine (関根 潤三, Sekine Junzō; March 15, 1927 – April 9, 2020) was a Japanese professional baseball player who…Junzo Sekine (関根 潤三, Sekine Junzō; March 15, 1927 – April 9, 2020) was a Japanese professional baseball player who played as two ways as a pitcher and outfielder. He spent the majority of this career with the Kintetsu Pearls/Kintetsu Buffalo/Kintetsu Buffaloes. As a rookie in 1950, Sekine attracted attention by batting 3rd, 4th, or 5th in the Kintetsu Pearls' lineup while pitching in the game. Sekine focused on pitching from 1950 to 1957, but spent the latter half of his career (1958 to 1965) as a position player. His best year as a pitcher was 1954, when he went 16–12 with a 2.44 earned run average and 118 strikeouts. His best years as a hitter were in 1962–1963, when he hit and .301 and .296 respectively, with a total of 21 home runs and 115 RBI. Sekine was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. Sekine died on April 9, 2020, in Tokyo, at the age of 93.
Yoichi Nishimaru (西丸 與一, Nishimaru Yoichi; 14 March 1927 – 3 April 2020) was a Japanese physician specializing in…Yoichi Nishimaru (西丸 與一, Nishimaru Yoichi; 14 March 1927 – 3 April 2020) was a Japanese physician specializing in medical jurisprudence. His books were so popular that they became best-sellers in Japan.
Kazuo Kitamura (北村 和夫, Kitamura Kazuo; 11 March 1927 – 6 May 2007) was a Japanese actor. His son is actor Yukiya…Kazuo Kitamura (北村 和夫, Kitamura Kazuo; 11 March 1927 – 6 May 2007) was a Japanese actor. His son is actor Yukiya Kitamura. Kitamura met Shōhei Imamura when he was a student of Waseda University and became a close friend so often worked with Imamura. Kitamura joined Bungakuza theatre company and started his acting career in 1950. In 1953, he made his film debut with An Inlet of Muddy Water directed by Tadashi Imai.
Michiko Ishimure (石牟礼道子, Ishimure Michiko; 11 March 1927 – 10 February 2018) was a Japanese writer and activist. She…Michiko Ishimure (石牟礼道子, Ishimure Michiko; 11 March 1927 – 10 February 2018) was a Japanese writer and activist. She won the 1973 Ramon Magsaysay Award, among the most prestigious awards in Asia, for publicizing writings about Minamata disease, which was extremely controversial at the time.
Yoshiko Shigekane (重兼 芳子, Shigekane Yoshiko; March 7, 1927 – August 22, 1993) was a Japanese writer from Hokkaido. She…Yoshiko Shigekane (重兼 芳子, Shigekane Yoshiko; March 7, 1927 – August 22, 1993) was a Japanese writer from Hokkaido. She won the Akutagawa Prize in 1979, and her work has been adapted for film.
Satoshi Kako (かこさとし, Kako Satoshi) (31 March 1926 – 2 May 2018) was a Japanese author and illustrator of children's…Satoshi Kako (かこさとし, Kako Satoshi) (31 March 1926 – 2 May 2018) was a Japanese author and illustrator of children's books.
Seiroku Kajiyama (梶山 静六, Kajiyama Seiroku; March 27, 1926 – June 6, 2000) was a Japanese politician who served in the…Seiroku Kajiyama (梶山 静六, Kajiyama Seiroku; March 27, 1926 – June 6, 2000) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1976 and from 1979 to 2000, as Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party from 1992 to 1993, and as Chief Cabinet Secretary from 1996 to 1998.
Sanshiro Kume (久米 三四郎, Kume Sanshirō; March 22, 1926 – August 31, 2009) was a radiochemist who lectured at Osaka…Sanshiro Kume (久米 三四郎, Kume Sanshirō; March 22, 1926 – August 31, 2009) was a radiochemist who lectured at Osaka University. He has been described as an "outspoken anti-nuclear power plant scientist". Kume served as an adviser to residents who filed a lawsuit to try to stop the Monju Experimental Breeder Reactor from being built. He also led a panel of experts who examined official reports on the 1995 sodium coolant leak at the Monju reactor. Kume also assisted residents who "lodged Japan’s first lawsuit seeking annulment of a permit to build a nuclear power reactor in Ikata, Ehime Prefecture in 1973".
