Chikako Kumamae (born 11 April 1974) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. Kumamae was part of the Japan…Chikako Kumamae (born 11 April 1974) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. Kumamae was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team at the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan.
Jun'ya Ishigami (石上 純也, Ishigami Jun'ya) (born 1974 in Kanagawa prefecture) is a Japanese architect. Ishigami completed…Jun'ya Ishigami (石上 純也, Ishigami Jun'ya) (born 1974 in Kanagawa prefecture) is a Japanese architect. Ishigami completed his master's degree in architecture and planning at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 2000. Between 2000 and 2004, he worked with Kazuyo Sejima at SANAA before establishing his own firm in 2004: junya.ishigami+associates. In 2008, Ishigami designed the Japanese pavilion at the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale. In 2009, he was the youngest ever recipient of the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize for the Kanagawa Institute of Technology KAIT Workshop in 2009. He won the Golden Lion for Best Project at the 12th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2010, and became an associate professor at Tohoku University in Japan. That same year, his innovative integration of context's complexity to his projects led him to win a Global Award for Sustainable Architecture. In 2014 he was made the Kenzo Tange Design Critic at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in the US. In 2016 he won the international architecture prize Swiss Architectural Award. Now he has got an Atelier at the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio. In 2024, he received the Austrian Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts.
Tetsuya Hibino (日比野哲也, Hibino Tetsuya) (born 10 April 1974 in Aichi) is a Japanese professional drifting driver…Tetsuya Hibino (日比野哲也, Hibino Tetsuya) (born 10 April 1974 in Aichi) is a Japanese professional drifting driver, currently competing in the D1 Grand Prix series for Shibata Racing Team. Like many of the drivers in the D1 Grand Prix, Hibino is the owner of his own tuning shop called SunRise, and works on his car himself. Before starting in D1GP, he was part of a team called, "Dropout Racing". He is quite a popular driver as he is one of the best drivers of the Toyota AE86 chassis in the D1GP today. He began competing in the D1GP in the sixth round in 2002, though he did not get any recognition until round 3 of 2004 when out of nowhere he defeated many well known names to take second place, and first exhibited his jumping drift which took the crowd and judges by storm. Hibino has always drove the Toyota Corolla Levin since he began and the combination of its light weight and his aggressive driving style make him a formidable opponent. As he carried on in D1GP, he has another Levin which is a 3-door while his N.A. Cream-Beige Levin AE86 is a 2-door coupe. The 3-door Levin is heavily modified, featuring the SR20 engine from a Nissan Silvia which gives a significant performance advantage over the standard engine. Though some of the more hardcore AE86 fans do not like this Nissan transplant, it is fairly common, but he has stuck with the stock AE86 live-axle rear end as some would use a S13 rear end. In 2007, when he advanced to the finals in the Suzuka round, Hibino purposely swerved into Masao Suenaga's path during the start of their first run and the judges originally placed him as second but he was later disqualified after the tournament finished. He had a decent season but placed 11th overall. In 2009, Hibino changed to DRoo-P's AE85 which Toshiki Yoshioka had driven until the mid of 2008 for the newly built DRoo-P SC430. The AE85 was heavily changed with a new exterior design and a matte black. He earned his first win at Rd.3 in Okayama alongside Daigo Saito. He placed fifth overall in the series ranking. In 2010, Hibino picked up the sponsorship with UPGARAGE in collaboration with his main sponsor DRoo-P, which also required the change of his livery to grey and yellow. He earned his 2nd win Rd.5 in Ebisu going against Ken Nomura in the finals. Some would say it was considered a revenge match as Nomura had won at Rd.3 in Ebisu for the 2004 season. He also started to enter Drift Muscle races started by Keiichi Tsuchiya from 2011. He drives the Nissan Silvia S15 instead of the AE86 in the Drift Muscle series. In 2012, Hibino changed cars from the AE86 to the newer Toyota 86 from AE86. As Dunlop had dropped out of the series, he automatically changed tire sponsors with Falken. In 2013, Hibino earned his third win at Rd.5 in Huis Ten Bosch. This was also the first victory for a Toyota 86 in the series, At 2015, Hibino started to drive Toyota Supra and changed to Zestino Tyre. He entered RDS in Russia and won all championship during this year. He also won championship D1 PRIMRING GP in Russia. Hibino's result was 2nd place at D1GP Rd.6 and D1GP WORLD CHAMPIONS. He started to join drift race in China from 2015. His D1GP series ranking was 6th place this year. Hibino became a member of GULF RACING ZESTINO TIRE from 2017. He changed his car to Honda S2000. Hibino won TANSO Championship at 2017 D1GP TSUKUBA DRIFT Rd.3, D1GP China in Hefei and D1 PRIMRING GP in Russia. From 2019, Hibino changed his car to Nissan Silvia (S14). The front of this car is designed to look like a Plymouth Barracuda by Rocket Bunny parts.
Toshiaki Sakai (born 9 April 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. A left-handed player from Tokyo…Toshiaki Sakai (born 9 April 1974) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. A left-handed player from Tokyo, Sakai made his only ATP Tour main draw appearances at the 1995 Japan Open, but didn't begin competing professionally until 2002. Sakai, who is the son of Universiade champion Toshiro Sakai, was a student at Keio University and represented Japan at the 1995 Summer Universiade. He won the All Japan Student Tennis Championships singles title in 1996. On the professional tour, Sakai reached a best singles ranking of 468 in the world and featured in the qualifying draw for the 2003 Australian Open. He had a best doubles world ranking of 517.
Masao Morinaka (森中 聖雄, born April 9, 1974) is a former professional baseball player who played for the Yokohama…Masao Morinaka (森中 聖雄, born April 9, 1974) is a former professional baseball player who played for the Yokohama BayStars. He currently works as a batting pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants organization. Morinaka was drafted by the Yokohama BayStars in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. He was a valuable left-handed reliever, but was dropped after only 7 seasons in 2003. He marked a 2.16 ERA in 41 appearances in 1999, and a 2.38 ERA in 53 appearances in 2000. He hit a home run at the Koshien baseball stadium in his final season. He won a silver medal playing for the Japanese national team in the 1996 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
Masashi Endō (遠藤雅, Endō Masashi; born 2 April 1974) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for appearing in the 1996 NHK…Masashi Endō (遠藤雅, Endō Masashi; born 2 April 1974) is a Japanese actor. He is best known for appearing in the 1996 NHK serial drama Himawari. He has appeared in more than ten films since 1993, most notably in Wild Zero and Sawako Decides.
Jun Sena (瀬奈じゅん, Sena Jun), real name Asako Doi (土井麻子, Doi Asako) is a Japanese actress and former top star of the…Jun Sena (瀬奈じゅん, Sena Jun), real name Asako Doi (土井麻子, Doi Asako) is a Japanese actress and former top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Moon Troupe, a Japanese theatre organization in which women portray all parts. She was born April 1, 1974, and grew up in Suginami, Tokyo. During her time in the Revue, she was an otokoyaku, an actress who specializes in male roles. After two years of intensive training at the Takarazuka Music School, she joined the revue in 1992 and reached top star status in 2005. Her nicknames are Asa and Asako. The first otokoyaku from her class of 1992 to reach top star status, she resigned her position as top star and retired in December 2009 after the run of Last Play / Heat on Beat and is now pursuing an acting career outside of the Revue.
Masaaki Taniai (谷合 正明, Taniai Masaaki; born 1973) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the…Masaaki Taniai (谷合 正明, Taniai Masaaki; born 1973) is a Japanese politician of the New Komeito Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Niiza, Saitama, he attended Kyoto University and received a master's degree in agricultural economy from it. He also studied at Uppsala University in Sweden. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004.
Megumi Inoue (井上 恵, Inoue Megumi; born April 27, 1973 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese sport shooter. She has…Megumi Inoue (井上 恵, Inoue Megumi; born April 27, 1973 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa) is a Japanese sport shooter. She has produced a career tally of six medals, including two golds in women's double trap shooting at the Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and also finished fifth at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Inoue serves and trains full-time as a member of the Japanese Clay Target Shooting Association, under head coach Hiroshi Teranishi. Inoue came to prominence in the world shooting scene at the 2004 Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she claimed the gold medal in the women's double trap final with a score of 138. Inoue's astonishing success and a minimum qualifying score of 106 led to her selection on the Japanese shooting team for her only Olympic debut. Six months after her illustrious victory from the Asian Championships, Inoue qualified for her first and only Japanese squad in the women's double trap at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. She put up a stringent top-level effort with an unparalleled qualifying score of 106 to seal a third seed in the six-woman final, but fell out of the medal podium by a two-point margin that ended her up in fifth. Inoue's total score of 140 proved to be more rewarding than her previous career feat from the Asian Championships by just two targets. With the women's double trap being officially removed from the Olympic program, Inoue decided to focus solely on trap shooting. In 2005, she held off a charge from the rest of the field to set a new world-record score of 88 hits for the gold medal victory at the ISSF World Cup meet in Changwon, South Korea.
Osamu Shitara (設楽 統, Shitara Osamu; born 23 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor and television…Osamu Shitara (設楽 統, Shitara Osamu; born 23 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, voice actor and television presenter. He performs boke (he does not entirely do boke he is known for doing tsukkomi) and tells stories in the comedy duo Bananaman. His partner is Yūki Himura. He is also a former Seibu Railway employee.
Haruna Hosoya (細谷 はるな, Hosoya Haruna; born April 23, 1973 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is an athlete from Japan. She competes…Haruna Hosoya (細谷 はるな, Hosoya Haruna; born April 23, 1973 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is an athlete from Japan. She competes in the triathlon. Hosoya competed at the first Olympic triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She did not finish the competition.
Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional…Yutaka Nakamura (中村 豊, Nakamura Yutaka; born April 23, 1973 in Sakai, Osaka) is a retired Japanese professional outfielder.
Tomoaki Kunichika (Japanese: 国近 友昭; born April 22, 1973, in Yamaguchi) is a male long-distance runner from Japan, who…Tomoaki Kunichika (Japanese: 国近 友昭; born April 22, 1973, in Yamaguchi) is a male long-distance runner from Japan, who won the 2003 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:07:52 on December 7, 2003.
Chiharu Kawai (川合千春, Kawai Chiharu) is a Japanese actress and voice actress. She is well known for her role as Mayumi…Chiharu Kawai (川合千春, Kawai Chiharu) is a Japanese actress and voice actress. She is well known for her role as Mayumi Sasaki in Carved.
Yoshiharu Ueno (上野 良治, Ueno Yoshiharu; born April 21, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yoshiharu Ueno (上野 良治, Ueno Yoshiharu; born April 21, 1973) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works…Kumiko Yokote (横手 久美子, Yokote Kumiko; born April 21, 1973 in Chiba) is a Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Power Rise under the alias Hyo-sei (氷青, Hyōsei). For adult works, she goes by the name Elena Kaibara (海原 エレナ, Kaibara Erena). Hyo-sei released her first album titled Fuyu Hanabi (冬花火) on April 21, 2010.
Toshihide Saito (斉藤 俊秀, Saitō Toshihide; born April 20, 1973) is a Japanese former football player and manager. He…Toshihide Saito (斉藤 俊秀, Saitō Toshihide; born April 20, 1973) is a Japanese former football player and manager. He currently works as an assistant coach for the Japan national team.
Yoko Takahashi (高橋 洋子, Takahashi Yōko; born on (1973-04-20)20 April 1973) is a Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA)…Yoko Takahashi (高橋 洋子, Takahashi Yōko; born on (1973-04-20)20 April 1973) is a Japanese female mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and kickboxer and former boxer and professional wrestler. Takahashi is a former Smackgirl open weight champion. She is considered Japan's first female mixed martial artist.
Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was…Kaihō Ryōji (born April 17, 1973 as Ryōji Kumagaya) is a former sumo wrestler from Aomori, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. An amateur champion at Nihon University, he entered professional sumo in 1996. He was one of the lightest sekitori wrestlers in recent years. He won two special prizes for Technique. He retired from active competition in 2010 and became a coach, but in April 2011 he was asked to resign from the Japan Sumo Association after being found guilty of match-fixing.
Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre…Kentarō Kobayashi (小林 賢太郎, Kobayashi Kentarō; born 17 April 1973) is a Japanese comedian, actor, dramaturge, theatre director, and manga artist. Outside Japan, he is most well known for directing and acting in "The Japanese Tradition (日本の形)" videos (e.g. "Sushi (鮨)"), and for playing the Mac (opposite Jin Katagiri who plays the PC) in the "Get a Mac" advertising campaign in Japan. He is a member of the Rahmens owarai comedy duo. His manga series, Hana Usagi, ran from 1999 to 2004 in Young Magazine Uppers (published by Kodansha).
Keiji Hirose (廣瀬佳司, Hirose Keiji), born April 16, 1973, in Osaka) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as…Keiji Hirose (廣瀬佳司, Hirose Keiji), born April 16, 1973, in Osaka) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as a fly-half. His club team was Toyota Verblitz. He was nicknamed Golden Boots (ゴールデン・ブーツ, Gôruden Būtsu). Hirose was awarded 40 caps for Japan; he made his debut in a 26–11 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifier win over South Korea, October 29, 1994, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In his career, Hirose scored 5 tries, 77 conversions, 79 penalties and 2 drop goals, reaching a national record of 422 points in aggregate. He was the primary goalkicker for Japan during his international career. He played in a single game at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the infamous 145–17 defeat to New Zealand. Hirose scored 2 conversions and 1 penalty in the game. In the 44–17 win over Tonga, at 8 May 1999, in Tokyo, during the Pacific Rim Championship, he kicked a then record of 9 penalties from 9 attempts. He played in all three of Japan's games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. His 5 penalties and 4 conversions (a total of 23 points) led his country in scoring. Hirose again played only once at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, in a 32–11 defeat to Scotland, at 12 October 2003, scoring 2 penalties. His last international game came was on 5 November 2005, a 44–29 win over Spain, in Tokyo. Hirose had a memorable farewell, scoring 19 points through 5 conversions, 2 penalties and 1 drop goal. He was 32 years old.
Megumu Yoshida (吉田 恵, Yoshida Megumi; born April 13, 1973) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is the…Megumu Yoshida (吉田 恵, Yoshida Megumi; born April 13, 1973) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He is the currently assistant manager of J1 League club Avispa Fukuoka.
Wakanojō Munehiko (born 13 April 1973 as Munehiko Aka) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He made his…Wakanojō Munehiko (born 13 April 1973 as Munehiko Aka) is a former sumo wrestler from Naha, Okinawa, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1992, and reached the top division in September 1997. His highest rank was maegashira 6. He retired in May 2004 due to diabetes, which he had been dealing with since the age of 18 and had seen him fall from the top division all the way down to the second lowest jonidan division. After retirement he became an office worker. He needed a kidney transplant in 2006 and his mother was the donor, which was featured in Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's The Friday in January 2018. He appeared in another edition of the program in June 2018, working alongside fellow ex-sumo wrestlers Wakatoba and Wakatenro, in care for the elderly (including making chankonabe).
Seiichi Oba (大場 清悦, Ōba Seiichi; born April 13, 1973) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former…Seiichi Oba (大場 清悦, Ōba Seiichi; born April 13, 1973) is a Japanese professional basketball executive and former player, currently serving as the general manager of the Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League.
Shinichi Fujita (藤田 慎一, Fujita Shinichi; born April 10, 1973) is a former Japanese soccer player and youth soccer…Shinichi Fujita (藤田 慎一, Fujita Shinichi; born April 10, 1973) is a former Japanese soccer player and youth soccer coach. He was a defender. Fujita was born in Osaka Prefecture on April 10, 1973. After graduating from Kindai University, he joined Japan Football League (JFL) club Kawasaki Frontale in 1996. In 1998, he moved to JFL club Albirex Niigata. The club was promoted to new league J2 League from 1999. In 2000, he moved to J2 club Ventforet Kofu. He played many matches and retired at the end of the 2000 season.
Kunichi Nomura (野村 訓市, Nomura Kun'ichi; born April 10, 1974) is a Japanese writer, actor, radio personality, book…Kunichi Nomura (野村 訓市, Nomura Kun'ichi; born April 10, 1974) is a Japanese writer, actor, radio personality, book editor, interior designer, creative director, and DJ from Tokyo, Japan.
Akihiko Koike (Japanese: 小池 昭彦; born April 10, 1973) is a retired male race walker from Nagano, Japan. He set his…Akihiko Koike (Japanese: 小池 昭彦; born April 10, 1973) is a retired male race walker from Nagano, Japan. He set his personal best (1:20.16) in the men's 20 km on January 30, 2000, in Kobe. He made two major global appearances: first at the 1999 World Championships in Athletics, where he was 27th in the men's 50 km walk, and secondly at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he failed to finish the 20 km race.
Keiko Aono (青野敬子, Aono Keiko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct…Keiko Aono (青野敬子, Aono Keiko) is a Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her tenure with the defunct Japanese promotions JWP Joshi Puroresu, Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling and World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana.
Benkyo Tamaoki (玉置勉強, Tamaoki Benkyō) is a Japanese manga artist. He was born in Shinjuku. His books The Sex Philes…Benkyo Tamaoki (玉置勉強, Tamaoki Benkyō) is a Japanese manga artist. He was born in Shinjuku. His books The Sex Philes, Blood the Last Vampire 2000, and Tokyo Akazukin have all been translated into English (although one of these is a fan translation).
Miki Sumiyoshi (住吉美紀, Sumiyoshi Miki; born 1973) is a freelance Japanese announcer. She worked for the public…Miki Sumiyoshi (住吉美紀, Sumiyoshi Miki; born 1973) is a freelance Japanese announcer. She worked for the public broadcaster NHK. Miki was born in Kawasaki, and moved with her family to Seattle, Washington in the United States. She returned to Japan while in elementary school, and completed junior high school in Kobe. She then moved to Vancouver in Canada, graduating from high school, and again to Japan, where she attended and graduated from International Christian University. In 1996, she joined NHK. Her career has taken her to positions in Fukushima, Sendai, and Tokyo, where she now works. Miki regularly appeared in three regular television programs, and in a fourth, which is broadcast occasionally. She has done music, news, information, nature and other genres. She hosted the radio broadcast of the 55th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, NHK's annual New Year's Eve spectacular, and was selected to co-host the 58th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the…Masaaki Daito (大塔 正明, Daitō Masaaki; born 5 April 1973) is a former baseball player from Japan. He played in the Central League for the Chunichi Dragons.
Yo Oizumi (大泉 洋, Ōizumi Yō; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese actor, comedian, television personality and voice actor.…Yo Oizumi (大泉 洋, Ōizumi Yō; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese actor, comedian, television personality and voice actor. He is a member of the theatrical and musical unit Team Nacs, and is represented by Creative Office Cue. His wife Kumiko Nakajima is a drama producer at Fuji TV. His senior brother Jun Oizumi is 10th public elected Mayor of Hakodate. In 1995, while still in university, Oizumi debuted as an entertainer on the late-night program Mosaic nights aired in Hokkaidō. He first gained popularity on the television series How Do You Like Wednesday?, and has since expanded to various fields of entertainment, such as television dramas, films, voice acting and music.
Ayako Nakano (中野 亜弥子, Nakano Ayako; born 3 April 1973) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer…Ayako Nakano (中野 亜弥子, Nakano Ayako; born 3 April 1973) is a Japanese former swimmer who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Yoshimi Narita (Japanese: 成田 良美, Hepburn: Narita Yoshimi; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese anime screenwriter, who is…Yoshimi Narita (Japanese: 成田 良美, Hepburn: Narita Yoshimi; born April 3, 1973) is a Japanese anime screenwriter, who is mostly known for writing Ojamajo Doremi and Pretty Cure series, as well as Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai: Ren'ai Series, Dakaichi, Dance Dance Danseur and Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie. Narita is a member of the Writers Guild of Japan.
Junko Yaginuma (八木沼 純子, Yaginuma Junko; born April 1, 1973) is a Japanese former figure skater who is now a figure…Junko Yaginuma (八木沼 純子, Yaginuma Junko; born April 1, 1973) is a Japanese former figure skater who is now a figure skating commentator. She is the 1993 Winter Universiade champion and a two-time World Junior silver medalist (1988–89). She placed 14th at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Yaginuma guest-starred as herself in the fourth episode of Juken Sentai Gekiranger, teaching the Gekirangers how to ice skate.
Takeo Kawamura (川村 丈夫, Kawamura Takeo; born April 30, 1972) is a professional baseball player from Yamato, Kanagawa…Takeo Kawamura (川村 丈夫, Kawamura Takeo; born April 30, 1972) is a professional baseball player from Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan. He is a retired pitcher for the Yokohama BayStars. Kawamura won 17 games in 1999 as a starter, and became a reliever in 2004. He marked a 2.31 ERA in 2005, and returned to the starting rotation in 2007. He won a silver medal playing for the Japanese national team in the 1996 Summer Olympics before entering the Japanese professional leagues.
