Yukihiro Nishizaki (西崎 幸広, Nishizaki Yukihiro; born April 13, 1964 in Otsu, Shiga) is a retired Japanese professional…Yukihiro Nishizaki (西崎 幸広, Nishizaki Yukihiro; born April 13, 1964 in Otsu, Shiga) is a retired Japanese professional pitcher.
Luke Takamura (Japanese: ルーク篁, Hepburn: Rūku Takamura; born April 12, 1964) is a Japanese musician, singer, and…Luke Takamura (Japanese: ルーク篁, Hepburn: Rūku Takamura; born April 12, 1964) is a Japanese musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as guitarist of the heavy metal band Seikima-II from 1987 to 1999, and for various temporary reunions since. From 2002 to 2020, he was the lead singer and guitarist of the rock trio Canta. Luke was voted the tenth greatest Japanese guitarist in a 2019 poll held by goo. He has cited Yuji Adachi, Steve Vai, Eddie Van Halen and Kazumi Watanabe as guitar influences. In 2018, readers and professional musicians voted Takamura the fifth best guitarist in the history of hard rock and heavy metal in We Rock magazine's "Metal General Election".
Akihiro Nagashima (永島 昭浩, Nagashima Akihiro; born April 9, 1964) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Akihiro Nagashima (永島 昭浩, Nagashima Akihiro; born April 9, 1964) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Mineyuki Fukuda (福田 峰之, Fukuda Mineyuki; born 8 April 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…Mineyuki Fukuda (福田 峰之, Fukuda Mineyuki; born 8 April 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Koichi Kato (加藤 公一, Katō Kōichi; born 6 April 1964) is a Japanese politician from Tokyo and a member of the Democratic…Koichi Kato (加藤 公一, Katō Kōichi; born 6 April 1964) is a Japanese politician from Tokyo and a member of the Democratic Party of Japan. A native of Chiyoda, Tokyo and graduate of Sophia University, he worked at Recruit from 1988 to 1996. Kato was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2000 and served until 2012.
Masao Murata (村田 正夫, Murata Masao; born 6 April 1964) is a retired Japanese judoka. Murata is from Ichinomiya, Aichi…Masao Murata (村田 正夫, Murata Masao; born 6 April 1964) is a retired Japanese judoka. Murata is from Ichinomiya, Aichi and moved to Moriguchi, Osaka when he was in the second grade. He belonged to Nippon Steel after graduating from Tokai University. Murata was good at Uchimata, Seoi nage, Osotogari and Deashibarai In 1987, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships held in Essen, Germany. He was also expected to get a medal in the Olympic Games in 1988 and 1992 but couldn't participate due to his own Chronic, Cervical disc herniation. Murata retired in 1994. Now, he has been coaching judo at Biwako Seikei Sport College since 2007.
Teruo Fujii (藤井 輝夫, Fujii Teruo; born 5 April 1964) is a Japanese professor of Engineering and Applied Microfluidic…Teruo Fujii (藤井 輝夫, Fujii Teruo; born 5 April 1964) is a Japanese professor of Engineering and Applied Microfluidic Systems and the 31st President of the University of Tokyo. Since 2007 he has served as a professor at the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) of the university (Director General of the institute from 2015 to 2018 ) has been conducting research on Microfluidics.[a] He received his Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Tokyo (1993). Fujii was also co-director of LIMMS-CNRS/IIS, a joint research lab between CNRS, France, and IIS, from 2007 to 2014. He served as the President of The Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society(CBMS). In April 2021, Fujii succeeded Makoto Gonokami, who retired in 2021, as the President of the University. On 30 September 2021, Fujii announced "UTokyo Compass", as a statement of the guiding principles of the University of Tokyo, sub-titled "Into a Sea of Diversity: Creating the Future through Dialogue". He emphasized that it was not only a mission statement like those announced by successive presidents each time they take office. He presented UTokyo Compass as a basic framework that scholars, researchers and student could use to set a course with a view to solving global issues by fundamentally elaborating questions and dialogues from the standpoint of academics. When Fujii took office as President of the UTokyo, he set "Diversity & Inclusion" as one of the pillars to formulate new action guidelines, and made an epoch-making personnel affairs in which the composition of directors of the new executive department (including the president) is a majority of women. Fujii has served as an executive member of the Cabinet Office's Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI) since 2021.
Satoshi Furukawa (古川 聡, Furukawa Satoshi; born April 4, 1964) is a Japanese surgeon and retired JAXA astronaut.…Satoshi Furukawa (古川 聡, Furukawa Satoshi; born April 4, 1964) is a Japanese surgeon and retired JAXA astronaut. Furukawa was assigned to the International Space Station as a flight engineer on long-duration missions Expedition 28/29 (2011) and Expedition 69/70 (2023-2024).
Kazuhiko Ōigawa (大井川 和彦, Ōigawa Kazuhiko; born 3 April 1964) is a Japanese politician who serves as the current…Kazuhiko Ōigawa (大井川 和彦, Ōigawa Kazuhiko; born 3 April 1964) is a Japanese politician who serves as the current governor of Ibaraki Prefecture. A native of Tsuchiura and graduate of the Law School of the University of Tokyo, he entered the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in 1988. After studying at University of Washington Law School in 1996, in 1998 he became the first head of the Singapore office for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. He left the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2003, and from that same year he was a Microsoft Asia Executive Officer. After serving as Managing Executive Officer of Microsoft, he became Senior Managing Executive Officer of Cisco Systems from 2010 and in 2016, he was appointed as a director of Dwango, the company that manages Niconico Douga. He was elected governor of Ibaraki prefecture in 2017 after defeating six-term incumbent Masaru Hashimoto in a three cornered race. In July 2019, Ibaraki became the first prefecture to issue partnership certificates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples. Announcing the reform, Gov. Ōigawa stated that ″This is a matter of human rights, and we must work swiftly in order to eliminate discrimination and prejudices″.
Yukio Tomioka (富岡 由紀夫, Tomioka Yukio; born April 3, 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a…Yukio Tomioka (富岡 由紀夫, Tomioka Yukio; born April 3, 1964) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a former member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kawaguchi, Saitama and graduate of Waseda University, he worked at the Fuji Bank (now part of Mizuho Financial Group) from 1987 until 2003 when he ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives. In 2004, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time.
Naoko Kume (久米 直子, Kume Naoko; born 29 April 1963) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in two events at the 1984 Summer…Naoko Kume (久米 直子, Kume Naoko; born 29 April 1963) is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in two events at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Hiromasa Ijichi (伊秩 弘将, Ijichi Hiromasa; born 26 April 1963) is a Japanese composer and music producer. Most of his…Hiromasa Ijichi (伊秩 弘将, Ijichi Hiromasa; born 26 April 1963) is a Japanese composer and music producer. Most of his compositions are sung by the Japanese girl group Speed.
Hiroyuki Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 博之, Hepburn: Shibata Hiroyuki; born 26 April 1963) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in…Hiroyuki Shibata (Japanese: 柴田 博之, Hepburn: Shibata Hiroyuki; born 26 April 1963) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's long jump at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He is currently the track coach of Rakunan High School in Kyoto, where he coached Olympian Yoshihide Kiryū, the first Japanese to break the 10-second barrier.
Atsushi Taira (大蘿淳司, born April 26, 1963) is a Japanese technology entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded The Edgeof…Atsushi Taira (大蘿淳司, born April 26, 1963) is a Japanese technology entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded The Edgeof, an ecosystem builder and venture capital entity, with Taizo Son, the youngest brother of SoftBank magnate Masayoshi Son. He is also the managing director of Mistletoe Singapore, a global startup ecosystem builder focused on the Asia–Pacific region that is also active in supporting entrepreneurs and innovators that aim to solve current social problems.
Hitoshi Ashinano (芦奈野ひとし, Ashinano Hitoshi; born April 25, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist. He is most noted for…Hitoshi Ashinano (芦奈野ひとし, Ashinano Hitoshi; born April 25, 1963) is a Japanese manga artist. He is most noted for Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, for which he won the 2007 Seiun Award for Best Science Fiction Manga. Another notable work is PositioN. Prior to his debut, Ashinano worked as an assistant to manga artist Kōsuke Fujishima.
Izumi Muto (武藤 泉, Mutō Izumi) born April 1963 in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, is a professor of Tohoku University and…Izumi Muto (武藤 泉, Mutō Izumi) born April 1963 in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, is a professor of Tohoku University and researcher of stainless steel. He is the author of some 200 patents concerning a metallic material and anti-corrosive technology, that have various characteristics including various types of stainless steel. Hideo Muto, who was chair of the Gunma University department of education, is his uncle.
Hiroe Suga (菅浩江, Suga Hiroe; born April 21, 1963 in Kyoto) is a Japanese science fiction and mystery writer. She was…Hiroe Suga (菅浩江, Suga Hiroe; born April 21, 1963 in Kyoto) is a Japanese science fiction and mystery writer. She was first published in 1981. She has won four Seiun Awards – in 1992 and 2001 for best novel of the year, and in 1993 and 2020 for best short story of the year. She is also a musician and a qualified dancer in the Wakayagi school of Japanese traditional dance. Music and dance have figured in her fiction. Suga has taught at a story writing course at the Kyoto College of Graphic Studies for Informatics (KCGI). In November 1990, Suga married Gainax founder Yasuhiro Takeda.
Miki Imai (今井 美樹, Imai Miki; born 14 April 1963) is a female Japanese pop singer and actress. She won the award for…Miki Imai (今井 美樹, Imai Miki; born 14 April 1963) is a female Japanese pop singer and actress. She won the award for best newcomer at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for Inuji ni Seshi Mono.
Yūrei Yanagi (柳 憂怜 or 柳ユーレイ, Yanagi Yūrei; born 8 April 1963) is a Japanese actor and tarento. He was born in Fuchū…Yūrei Yanagi (柳 憂怜 or 柳ユーレイ, Yanagi Yūrei; born 8 April 1963) is a Japanese actor and tarento. He was born in Fuchū, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Yanagi was originally a member of Takeshi Kitano's gundan. In 1990 he continued to work with Takeshi for the film Boiling Point. Afterwards, he appeared in over eight more films before meeting up with Takeshi again for the 1997 film Hana-bi. His most recent roles have been in horror films such as Ring, Ju-on and Ju-on 2. He is married to actress, novelist, and essayist Atsuko Kawada. He is also credited as Masahiko Ono or Yuurei Yanagi.
Tsuyoshi Sekito (関戸 剛, Sekito Tsuyoshi; born April 3, 1963) is a Japanese video game composer, arranger, and musician…Tsuyoshi Sekito (関戸 剛, Sekito Tsuyoshi; born April 3, 1963) is a Japanese video game composer, arranger, and musician who has been employed at Square Enix since 1995. As a composer, he is best known for scoring Brave Fencer Musashi (1998), Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) and The Last Remnant (2008). He also plays the guitar in the rock bands The Black Mages and The Star Onions; both groups arrange and perform compositions from the Final Fantasy series.
Xi Zhenfeng (Chinese: 席振峰; pinyin: Xí Zhènfēng; born April 2, 1963, in Henan) is a Chinese organic chemist. Xi received…Xi Zhenfeng (Chinese: 席振峰; pinyin: Xí Zhènfēng; born April 2, 1963, in Henan) is a Chinese organic chemist. Xi received his B.S. degree from Xiamen University in 1983, and his M.S. degree from Nanjing University, Zhengzhou University and Henan Institute of Chemistry in 1989. He joined Professor Tamotsu Takahashi's group at the Institute for Molecular Sciences, Japan, as a Ph.D. course student in 1993 and obtained a Ph.D. degree in 1996. He took an assistant professor position at Hokkaido University, Japan, in 1997, after he worked as a postdoctoral research fellow with Professor Takahashi at Catalyst Research Centre, Hokkaido University. In 1998, he joined the Department of Chemistry, Peking University, China, as an associate professor and was promoted to professor in 1999. He is a Chang Jiang Scholar Distinguished Professor (since 2001) of Peking University. In 2015, he became the academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests are focused on organometallic chemistry and organic synthesis, including development of synthetic methodologies based on selective cleavage of C–H, C–C and C–X bonds mediated by organometallic compounds, development of organometallic reagents, study on mechanisms of reactions involving reactive organometallic intermediates, and synthesis of functional structures. He is now serving as editor or consultant for several international academic journals, including: Applied Organometallic Chemistry (John-Wiley), Associate Editor (since 2008). Tetrahedron and Tetrahedron Letters (Elsevier), Board of Consulting Editors (since 2008). Synlett and Synthesis (Thieme), Advisory Board (since 2009). Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry (John-Wiley), Editorial Board (since 2012). Organic Letters (ACS), Associate Editor (since 2013). He has been visiting professors for several universities/institutes in the worlds, including: Hokkaido University, Japan, 2006 University of Rennes 1, France, 2007 RIKEN, Japan, 2010
Masuaki Kiyota (清田 益章, Kiyota Masuaki; born 1962) is a Japanese psychic known for his alleged ability of…Masuaki Kiyota (清田 益章, Kiyota Masuaki; born 1962) is a Japanese psychic known for his alleged ability of thoughtography. Kiyota was tested by investigators in London by Granada Television and the results were negative. It was discovered that with tight controls, Kiyota was unable to project mental images onto film. He could only achieve success when he had the film in his possession without any control for at least 2 hours. Kiyota feats such as metal bending were endorsed by Walter and Mary Jo Uphoff as evidence for psychokinesis. However, skeptics and magicians have written that Kiyota is a clever "trickster" who performed his feats by magic tricks. According to James Randi "Kiyota's Polaroid photos were apparently produced by preexposing the film, since it was noted that he made great efforts to obtain a film pack and spend time with it in private." In a 1984 television interview, Kiyota confessed to fraud.
Seiji Maehara (前原 誠司, Maehara Seiji; born 30 April 1962) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the…Seiji Maehara (前原 誠司, Maehara Seiji; born 30 April 1962) is a Japanese politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan since 1993. Maehara has served as a leader and a member of various political parties, and has run in several party leadership elections. As of 2026, he sits in the Diet as a member of Ishin no Kai. Beginning his political career in Kyoto, Maehara was initially a member of smaller opposition parties before joining the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), serving as its leader from 2005 to 2006. After the DPJ was victorious in the 2009 general election, Maehara served as Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Minister of Foreign Affairs under the cabinets of Prime Ministers Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, before resigning from the cabinet in March 2011 after he acknowledged receiving illegal donations from a South Korean national living in Japan. In 2016, Maehara contested for the leadership of the Democratic Party, the successor party of the DPJ, losing to Renho. He later replaced her as leader on 1 September 2017 until its dissolution later that month. After spending some time with Kibō no Tō and the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP), Maehara founded a new party in 2023, Free Education for All, which was broadly centrist and focused on building a coalition against the LDP. In preparation for the 2024 general election, the party merged with the Osaka-based Ishin no Kai party (Japan Innovation Party). Two months later, he was elected the party's co-leader and representative in the National Diet, serving alongside Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. Maehara would resign the following summer to take responsibility for the party's lackluster results in the 2025 Upper House elections. Being succeed by Fujita Fumitake, Maehra has remained on the backbenches since. Maehara is viewed as a "China war hawk" and a proponent of close ties with the United States. He is also often viewed as being politically conservative, while supporting socially liberal policies, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro (born 26 April 1962 as Masahiro Tamura) is a former sumo wrestler from Niiharu, Gunma, Japan. He…Kotoinazuma Yoshihiro (born 26 April 1962 as Masahiro Tamura) is a former sumo wrestler from Niiharu, Gunma, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1978, and reached the top division in 1987. His highest rank was komusubi and he earned two special prizes. After retirement he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association and as of 2016 he is a coach at Sadogatake stable under the name Kumegawa.
Tomoko Namba (南場智子, Namba Tomoko; born April 21, 1962) is a Japanese entrepreneur, and the former CEO of DeNA. She is…Tomoko Namba (南場智子, Namba Tomoko; born April 21, 1962) is a Japanese entrepreneur, and the former CEO of DeNA. She is vice-chair of the Japan Business Federation. In 1999 she founded DeNA, one of Japan's largest mobile social network and mobile game companies. She transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman of DeNA in 2011 to focus on her family and personal life. In 2021, she was appointed vice-chair of the Japan Business Foundation to become the first woman in the post in its 75-year history. Namba received an MBA from Harvard Business School and was the third Japanese woman to become a partner at McKinsey & Co. She started DeNA after working on a consulting assignment with Sony's So-net while she was a consultant at McKinsey.
Yuko Fujigaki (Japanese: 藤垣 裕子; born 1962) is a Japanese academic and researcher specializing in science and technology…Yuko Fujigaki (Japanese: 藤垣 裕子; born 1962) is a Japanese academic and researcher specializing in science and technology studies (STS) and scientometrics. She is a professor at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and has held several senior academic leadership positions at the university. In September 2026, she was selected as the university's 32nd president, becoming the first woman chosen to lead the institution since its establishment in 1877. She is scheduled to assume office on April 1, 2027, succeeding Teruo Fujii. Fujigaki's research examines relationships between scientific knowledge, public policy, and society, with particular emphasis on the social responsibility of scientists, scientific expertise, research evaluation, and public engagement in science and technology. She has contributed to the development of science and technology studies in Japan through academic publications, professional society leadership, and international scholarly collaboration.
Kenji Midori (緑 健児, Midori Kenji; born April 18, 1962) is a Japanese martial artist and an instructor of the…Kenji Midori (緑 健児, Midori Kenji; born April 18, 1962) is a Japanese martial artist and an instructor of the Full-contact Karate. He has an 8th Dan black belt in World Karate Organization Shinkyokushinkai.
Kazuo Uchida (内田 一夫, Uchida Kazuo; born April 18, 1962) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed…Kazuo Uchida (内田 一夫, Uchida Kazuo; born April 18, 1962) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He managed Guam national football team.
Kazufumi Taniguchi (谷口 和史, Taniguchi Kazufumi; born 14 April 1962) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of…Kazufumi Taniguchi (谷口 和史, Taniguchi Kazufumi; born 14 April 1962) is a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the New Komeito Party. A native of Wakayama Prefecture and graduate of Soka University he was elected for the first time in 2005.
Katsuhiro Kusaki (草木 克洋, Kusaki Katsuhiro; born April 12, 1962) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Katsuhiro Kusaki (草木 克洋, Kusaki Katsuhiro; born April 12, 1962) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Katsumi Hirosawa (広澤 克実, born April 10, 1962) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. A slugger who divided…Katsumi Hirosawa (広澤 克実, born April 10, 1962) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball player. A slugger who divided his time between infield (first base and third base) and the outfield, Hirosawa played for the Yakult Swallows, the Yomiuri Giants, and the Hanshin Tigers. Hirosawa was a four-time Central League Best Nine Award-winner, an eight-time NPB All-Star (including winning the NPB All-Star Game MVP in the 1991 Game 2), and twice led the Central League in RBI. Before joining the Swallows, Hirosawa played baseball for Japan in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Although baseball was a demonstration sport during that Olympics (and no medals were awarded), the Japanese team defeated the United States to take the "gold medal." Hirosawa was part of the Central League-champion Swallows team that lost the 1992 Japan Series to Seibu, as well as the championship team that defeated the Lions in a rematch in 1993. Hirosawa topped off his playing career as part of the 2003 Hanshin Tigers squad that narrowly lost the Japan Series to the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. After retiring he served as a coach on the Tigers from 2007 to 2008.
Yuka Saitō (斎藤 由香, Saitō Yuka; born April 9, 1962) is a Japanese essayist and Suntory employee. She is a graduate of…Yuka Saitō (斎藤 由香, Saitō Yuka; born April 9, 1962) is a Japanese essayist and Suntory employee. She is a graduate of Seijo University's School of Literature. She is a daughter of novelist Morio Kita, a niece of psychiatrist Shigeta Saitō and a granddaughter of poet Mokichi Saitō.
Tomoyasu Asaoka (浅岡 朝泰, Asaoka Tomoyasu; 6 April 1962 – 6 October 2021) was a Japanese professional footballer who…Tomoyasu Asaoka (浅岡 朝泰, Asaoka Tomoyasu; 6 April 1962 – 6 October 2021) was a Japanese professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Nippon Kokan, Yomiuri and the Japan national team.
Kōji Tanigawa (谷川 浩司, Tanigawa Kōji; born April 6, 1962) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is…Kōji Tanigawa (谷川 浩司, Tanigawa Kōji; born April 6, 1962) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is the 17th Lifetime Meijin and also a former president of the Japan Shogi Association (JSA).
Koji Akiyama (秋山 幸二 Akiyama Kōji, born April 6, 1962) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player. He played for…Koji Akiyama (秋山 幸二 Akiyama Kōji, born April 6, 1962) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player. He played for the Seibu Lions and the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (currently the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 博, Ogawa Hiroshi; born April 2, 1962) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched…Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 博, Ogawa Hiroshi; born April 2, 1962) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Lotte Orions. In 2004, he was convicted of murder. On November 18, 2004, Ogawa murdered a 67-year-old woman named Kazuko Nishiuchi. His uniform number, 26, has been retired since 2005. On September 29, 2005, he was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Saitama District Court.
Takaaki Tamura (田村 貴昭, Tamura Takaaki; born 30 April 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Japanese Communist Party who…Takaaki Tamura (田村 貴昭, Tamura Takaaki; born 30 April 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Japanese Communist Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives. He thinks that foreign workers should be protected by worker protection rules.
Umanosuke Iida (飯田 馬之介, Iida Umanosuke; April 30, 1961 – November 26, 2010) (also known as Tsutomu Iida) was a Japanese…Umanosuke Iida (飯田 馬之介, Iida Umanosuke; April 30, 1961 – November 26, 2010) (also known as Tsutomu Iida) was a Japanese anime creator, director and screenwriter. Iida died due to lung cancer. Iida was born in Urakawa, Hokkaido and graduated from Hokkaido Urakawa High School. He was a member of the Japan Animation Creators Association (JAniCA). He died of lung cancer at a hospital in Kiyose, Tokyo on November 26, 2010, at the age of 49. At the farewell ceremony, Hayao Miyazaki read a eulogy. He passed during production of the anime Towa no Quon, which he had been set to direct. After his death, production was taken over by Takeshi Mori, who was credited as co-director.
Hidehiko Tezuka (Japanese: 手塚 秀彦, Hepburn: Tezuka Hidehiko; born April 26, 1961, in Ikeda), better known as Kazuhiko…Hidehiko Tezuka (Japanese: 手塚 秀彦, Hepburn: Tezuka Hidehiko; born April 26, 1961, in Ikeda), better known as Kazuhiko Shimamoto (島本 和彦, Shimamoto Kazuhiko), is a Japanese manga artist. He attended college at the Osaka University of Arts in the fine arts department. While in college in February 1982, he debuted in the spring special issue of Weekly Shōnen Sunday with Hissatsu no Tenkōsei. At this point, he dropped out of college and devoted his energy to becoming a manga artist. Shimamoto is responsible for several long-running and well-known manga series. He drew Honō no Tenkōsei from 1983 to 1985, as well as the Moeyo Pen saga, which began as a one-volume manga published in 1990 but was continued in two more series totaling 24 volumes. He also worked with Shotaro Ishinomori on a Skull Man manga based on Ishinomori's intended storyline, which was licensed in the US by Tokyopop. His baseball manga Gyakkyō Nine was adapted into a live-action Japanese film in 2005. His past assistants include Katsu Aki, Masaaki Fujihara, Eisaku Kubonouchi, and Tetsuo Sanjō. Some of his college classmates include Gainax founders Hideaki Anno and Hiroyuki Yamaga, among others. They later appeared as characters in his manga Aoi Honō.
Junnosuke Kawaguchi (河口 純之助, Kawaguchi Junnosuke; b. April 26, 1961) is a Japanese musician, best known as bassist of…Junnosuke Kawaguchi (河口 純之助, Kawaguchi Junnosuke; b. April 26, 1961) is a Japanese musician, best known as bassist of The Blue Hearts. He is a music producer in Tokyo, and in 2009 became the deputy director of propaganda for the Happiness Realization Party. He was born Hiroyuki Kawaguchi (河口 宏之 Kawaguchi Hiroyuki) in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo.
Hideki Kuriyama (栗山 英樹, Kuriyama Hideki; born April 26, 1961) is a Japanese former baseball manager and player. He…Hideki Kuriyama (栗山 英樹, Kuriyama Hideki; born April 26, 1961) is a Japanese former baseball manager and player. He managed the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball for ten seasons from 2012 to 2021, leading them to a Japan Series title in 2016. Kuriyama also managed for the Samurai Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, leading the national team to its third Classic title and the first since 2009. Kuriyama also planned to be a teacher at Tokyo Gakugei University, but pursued a career in baseball instead, signing with the Yakult Swallows. His career came to a short end after an injury in 1990, and like other short careered baseball players, he pursued a career within sports media. He is also well known as the mentor of the two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who was drafted by the Fighters despite him wanting to pursue an MLB career instead. Kuriyama retired from management following the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Asako Omi (尾身 朝子, Omi Asako; born 26 April 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves…Asako Omi (尾身 朝子, Omi Asako; born 26 April 1961) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Tetsuya Totsuka (戸塚 哲也, Totsuka Tetsuya; born April 24, 1961) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He…Tetsuya Totsuka (戸塚 哲也, Totsuka Tetsuya; born April 24, 1961) is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
