Yūzō Nakamura (中村 祐造, Nakamura Yūzō; April 24, 1942 – July 20, 2010) was a Japanese volleyball player who competed in…Yūzō Nakamura (中村 祐造, Nakamura Yūzō; April 24, 1942 – July 20, 2010) was a Japanese volleyball player who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics. He was born in Hyōgo Prefecture. In 1964, he was a squad member of the Japanese team which won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament. Eight years later, in 1972, he won the gold medal with the Japanese team in the 1972 Olympic tournament. He played five matches. Nakamura died at the age of 68 on 20 July 2010 due to thalamic hemorrhage.
Hitonari Maruyama (born 21 April 1942) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the men's downhill at the 1968 Winter…Hitonari Maruyama (born 21 April 1942) is a Japanese alpine skier. He competed in the men's downhill at the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Akio Takashima (born 15 April 1942) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics and the…Akio Takashima (born 15 April 1942) is a Japanese field hockey player. He competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Yoshimasa Torii (鳥居 義正, Torii Yoshimasa; born 14 April 1942) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's pole vault…Yoshimasa Torii (鳥居 義正, Torii Yoshimasa; born 14 April 1942) is a Japanese athlete. He competed in the men's pole vault at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Hirotoshi Honda (本田 博俊, Honda Hirotoshi; born 11 April 1942) is a Japanese businessman, engineer and the founder of…Hirotoshi Honda (本田 博俊, Honda Hirotoshi; born 11 April 1942) is a Japanese businessman, engineer and the founder of Mugen Motorsports. He is the son of Soichiro Honda, founder of the Honda Motor Company.
Masahiko Yamada (山田 正彦, Yamada Masahiko; born 8 April 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the…Masahiko Yamada (山田 正彦, Yamada Masahiko; born 8 April 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) between 1993 and 1996, and between 2003 and 2012. A native of Fukue, Nagasaki, a Roman Catholic, and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after unsuccessful runs in 1979, 1986 and 1990. Before running for office, he worked as a rancher and a lawyer.
Yuki Furuta (古田 佑紀, Furuta Yūki; April 8, 1942 – March 20, 2025) was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. He died…Yuki Furuta (古田 佑紀, Furuta Yūki; April 8, 1942 – March 20, 2025) was a member of the Supreme Court of Japan. He died from pneumonia on March 20, 2025, at the age of 82.
Shingo Haketa (羽毛田 信吾, Haketa Shingo; born 5 April 1942) is a Japanese bureaucrat. He served as Grand Steward of the…Shingo Haketa (羽毛田 信吾, Haketa Shingo; born 5 April 1942) is a Japanese bureaucrat. He served as Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency from 1 April 2005 to 1 June 2012. Appointed by Prime Minister Junichirō Koizumi, a promoter of absolute primogeniture, Haketa is known as a supporter of the report submitted by the Advisory Council on Imperial Household Act, recommending absolute primogeniture. He criticized Prince Tomohito of Mikasa for his comment that agnatic primogeniture should be kept, and requested the members of the Imperial House to refrain from expressing their opinions on the succession. Right after the birth of Prince Hisahito of Akishino, he commented that the newborn prince would not solve the succession crisis, and insisted that the law be changed. In November 2011, he held a meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to discuss the possibility for allowing women to head branches of the Imperial House (rather than losing imperial status upon marriage), in order to replenish the number of imperial members who can help fulfill the court-related duties. He had worked at the Ministry of Health until he was installed as Vice-Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency in 2001. Among his senior colleagues at the Ministry of Health was Teijiro Furukawa, a member of the Advisory Council on the Imperial Household Law. Haketa announced his retirement effective 1 June 2012, and was replaced by Noriyuki Kazaoka.
Hiroyuki Sakai (坂井 宏行, Sakai Hiroyuki; born April 2, 1942) is a French-Japanese chef who specializes in French cuisine.…Hiroyuki Sakai (坂井 宏行, Sakai Hiroyuki; born April 2, 1942) is a French-Japanese chef who specializes in French cuisine. Sakai is best known as the second, final, and longest-serving Iron Chef French on the Japanese television show Iron Chef, first appearing at the beginning of 1994 (after Yutaka Ishinabe retired) and continuing to appear over the show's nine further seasons. Sakai has the third best winning percentage of the Iron Chefs, trailing only his Iron Chef French predecessor, Yutaka Ishinabe and the first Iron Chef Japanese Rokusaburo Michiba. He was named the "King of Iron Chefs" after emerging victorious from the show's grand finale, a tournament involving all the active Iron Chefs. He went on to defeat the top chef in the world, Alain Passard, in the final Long-Gang Chicken battle. His record on Iron Chef is 70–15–1. His television trademark is a red French chef's costume; he rises into Kitchen Stadium holding a yonashi ("Western Pear") in his hand. He is often described as the "Delacroix of French cuisine" because of the presentation of his dishes. His formidable record in fish challenges led to fans of the show giving him the nickname, "Seafood Sakai".
Seishirō Etō (衛藤 征士郎, Etō Seishirō; born 29 April 1941) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Seishirō Etō (衛藤 征士郎, Etō Seishirō; born 29 April 1941) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet of Japan.
Midori Suzuki (鈴木 みどり, Suzuki Midori; April 28, 1941 – July 23, 2006) was a Japanese media educator, feminist and media…Midori Suzuki (鈴木 みどり, Suzuki Midori; April 28, 1941 – July 23, 2006) was a Japanese media educator, feminist and media researcher. She was professor of Media Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto from 1994 until her death. Suzuki was known for her work on media literacy, especially several seminal textbooks and the over one hundred workshops, symposia and media watch projects that she facilitated. She also introduced overseas research to Japan, for example through translations of work by Jerry Mander, Catharine MacKinnon, David Buckingham) and the Ontario Teacher's Association. Suzuki was an active member of the World Association of Christian Communication, a co-founder and core member of the Asian Network of Women in Communication, a long-term member of the International Association of Media and Communications Research, and on the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Society for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication（日本マス・コミュニケーション学会). She also participated in UNESCO-sponsored research and projects, and was involved in the Global Media Monitoring Project (1994, 2000 and 2005), for which she served as a steering committee member and a Japanese liaison. Although Suzuki had received her master's degree in mass communications from Stanford University in 1966, she soon became critical of the mass communications research approach, especially its inherent view of people as 'passive receivers' or consumers of information. She instead began to develop a citizen-centered approach. Through her work with the Forum for Citizen's Television and Media (FCT), which she co-founded in 1977, she focused on informed criticism of commercial television programming, especially for children, as well as of gender stereotypes and other misconceptions and biases found in the mainstream Japanese media. Suzuki noted that "critical is creative" and saw media literacy as part of a bigger vision for media democratization. An early advocate for communication rights in Japan, she championed an active role for citizens in media society, including in policy making.
Yukiaki Okabe (岡部 幸明, Okabe Yukiaki; April 24, 1941 – January 26, 2018) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He was part…Yukiaki Okabe (岡部 幸明, Okabe Yukiaki; April 24, 1941 – January 26, 2018) was a Japanese freestyle swimmer. He was part of the Japanese teams that set a world record in 1963 and won an Olympic bronze medal in 1964 in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay. In 1964 he also finished fourth in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay and fifth in the 4 × 100 m medley relay. Okabe died of pneumonia in Tokyo on January 26, 2018, at the age of 76.
Kazuhiro Sugita (杉田 和博, Sugita Kazuhiro; 11 April 1941 – 22 December 2025) was a Japanese government official who…Kazuhiro Sugita (杉田 和博, Sugita Kazuhiro; 11 April 1941 – 22 December 2025) was a Japanese government official who served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary from 2012 to 2021. As such, Sugita was the senior bureaucrat in Japan from the inauguration of the Second Abe Cabinet to the end of the Suga Cabinet. He was previously a police officer.
Kazuko Yokoo (横尾 和子, Yokoo Kazuko; born April 14, 1941) is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. She was the…Kazuko Yokoo (横尾 和子, Yokoo Kazuko; born April 14, 1941) is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Japan. She was the second woman in history to serve in that role.
Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, Watanabe Tomoyoshi; born 7 April 1941) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, Watanabe Tomoyoshi; born 7 April 1941) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kasuya District, Fukuoka and graduate of Kyushu University, he worked at the Ministry of Transport from 1964 to 1994. After teaching at Fukuoka University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996.
Mitsuhiro Yanagida ForMemRS (柳田充弘, Yanagida Mitsuhiro; born April 4, 1941, in Tokyo) is a Japanese molecular biologist…Mitsuhiro Yanagida ForMemRS (柳田充弘, Yanagida Mitsuhiro; born April 4, 1941, in Tokyo) is a Japanese molecular biologist known for research on cell cycle and chromosome structure using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. He was elected as a foreign member of the Royal Society on 11 May 2000.
The Peanuts (ザ・ピーナッツ, Za Pīnattsu) were a Japanese vocal duo comprising the twin sisters Emi (伊藤エミ, Itō Emi) and Yumi…The Peanuts (ザ・ピーナッツ, Za Pīnattsu) were a Japanese vocal duo comprising the twin sisters Emi (伊藤エミ, Itō Emi) and Yumi Itō (伊藤ユミ, Itō Yumi). They were born in Nagoya on April 1, 1941. Their voices were close in timbre, which resulted in their singing together sounding like a solo artist using double tracking or reverb.
Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A…Ryoichi Honda (Japanese: 本田良一, Hepburn: Honda Ryōichi; 24 April 1940 – 22 July 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Japan, he served in the House of Councillors from 1998 to 2004. Honda died on 22 July 2022, at the age of 82.
Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and…Masaru Kamata (蒲田 勝, Kamata Masaru; born 21 April 1940) is a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres and the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Tomomi Muramatsu (村松友視, Muramatsu Tomomi; born 10 April 1940) is a Japanese novelist active during the late Shōwa and…Tomomi Muramatsu (村松友視, Muramatsu Tomomi; born 10 April 1940) is a Japanese novelist active during the late Shōwa and Heisei eras.
Ken'ichiro Kobayashi (小林 研一郎, Kobayashi Ken'ichirō; born 9 April 1940) is a Japanese conductor and composer. In Japan…Ken'ichiro Kobayashi (小林 研一郎, Kobayashi Ken'ichirō; born 9 April 1940) is a Japanese conductor and composer. In Japan he is known among his fans as “Kobaken.”
Tokiyasu Fujita (Japanese 藤⽥宙靖; born April 6, 1940, in Tokyo) is a Japanese jurist, former judge of the Supreme Court…Tokiyasu Fujita (Japanese 藤⽥宙靖; born April 6, 1940, in Tokyo) is a Japanese jurist, former judge of the Supreme Court of Japan (September 30, 2002-April 5, 2010), Professor Emeritus of Tohoku University, member of the Japan Academy, and member of the Imperial Household Council. His specialty is administrative law (PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1981). He was actively involved in the public debate surrounding the legal transformation of Japanese National Universities into corporations in 2004.
Eiji Bandō (板東 英二, Bandō Eiji; April 5, 1940 – July 22, 2026) was a Japanese television entertainer, baseball player…Eiji Bandō (板東 英二, Bandō Eiji; April 5, 1940 – July 22, 2026) was a Japanese television entertainer, baseball player and YouTuber. He pitched many innings in his high school career. The Japan High School Baseball Federation was afraid that he would injure his arm, so they set a new rematch rule in 1958. However, he pitched 18 innings in a 1958 quarterfinal game, which resulted in the first rematch in the National High School Baseball Championship. He reached the final, but did not win. His record of 83 strikeouts in the tournament remains unbroken. He joined Chunichi Dragons but it is said that he did not regain his pitching strength. He could not extend his elbow even then. Bandō died from chronic heart failure on July 22, 2026, at the age of 86.
Yukiko Takayama (Japanese: 高山 由紀子, Hepburn: Takayama Yukiko; 4 April 1940 – 2 June 2023) was a Japanese screenwriter…Yukiko Takayama (Japanese: 高山 由紀子, Hepburn: Takayama Yukiko; 4 April 1940 – 2 June 2023) was a Japanese screenwriter and director known for Terror of Mechagodzilla, Hoshi no Ko Chobin, Monarch: The Big Bear of Tallac, Hissatsu Shigotonin, and Genji Monogatari: Sennen no Nazo.
Seiichi Motohashi (本橋 成一, Motohashi Seiichi; 1940 – December 20, 2025) was a Japanese photographer and film director.…Seiichi Motohashi (本橋 成一, Motohashi Seiichi; 1940 – December 20, 2025) was a Japanese photographer and film director. He died on December 20, 2025, at the age of 85.
Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa…Takeki Manabe (真鍋 武紀, Manabe Takeki; born 3 April 1940) is a Japanese politician who was the 43rd governor of Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, serving three terms from 1998 until 2010. In 2009 he announced he would not contest the 2010 election and was succeeded by Keizō Hamada.
Hajime Watanuki (綿貫 甫, Watanuki Hajime; born 30 April 1939) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the 300…Hajime Watanuki (綿貫 甫, Watanuki Hajime; born 30 April 1939) is a Japanese former sports shooter. He competed in the 300 metre rifle event at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Michiyo Yasuda (保田 道世, Yasuda Michiyo; April 28, 1939 – October 5, 2016) was a Japanese animator and colour designer…Michiyo Yasuda (保田 道世, Yasuda Michiyo; April 28, 1939 – October 5, 2016) was a Japanese animator and colour designer who worked for Toei Animation, A Production, Nippon Animation, Topcraft, and Studio Ghibli. Her designs were used by directors such as Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii. During a career spanning five decades in the animation industry, she worked on animated feature films and short films for theatrical release, original video animation (OVA), promotional music videos, animated television series, documentaries and commercials. Yasuda provided the colour designs for Miyazaki's Academy Award winning animated film Spirited Away. She officially retired after working on Ponyo in 2008, but worked on the Academy Award nominated animated feature The Wind Rises, released in July 2013.
Eiko Wada (和田 映子, Wada Eiko; born 14 April 1939) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed at the 1956…Eiko Wada (和田 映子, Wada Eiko; born 14 April 1939) is a Japanese former freestyle swimmer. She competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Shuji Kobayashi (born 17 April 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1960 Winter…Shuji Kobayashi (born 17 April 1939) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in three events at the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Takayasu Okushima (奥島 孝康, Okushima Takayasu; 16 April 1939 – 1 May 2024) was a Japanese law professor, President of…Takayasu Okushima (奥島 孝康, Okushima Takayasu; 16 April 1939 – 1 May 2024) was a Japanese law professor, President of Hakuoh University, President of Waseda University, the 10th Chief Scout of the Scout Association of Japan since 1 April 2010, and served as the Camp Chief of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree. In addition, Okushima was the Japan High School Baseball Federation (JHBF) President and Japan Student Baseball Association (JSBA) Director, and served as Member at-large of the Baseball Federation of Japan. Okushima died of pneumonia in Tokyo on 1 May 2024, at the age of 85.
Motoo Andoh (安藤 統男, Andō Motoo) (born April 8, 1939) is a Japanese former baseball player. He played for the Hanshin…Motoo Andoh (安藤 統男, Andō Motoo) (born April 8, 1939) is a Japanese former baseball player. He played for the Hanshin Tigers from 1962 to 1973 and served as their manager from 1982 to 1984.
Yoshiko Shiotani (潮谷 義子, Shiotani Yoshiko; born 5 April 1939) is a Japanese former politician who served as the…Yoshiko Shiotani (潮谷 義子, Shiotani Yoshiko; born 5 April 1939) is a Japanese former politician who served as the governor of Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan from 2001 to 2009. She was Kumamoto's first female governor and the second in Japanese history. She is a member of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Kazuo Iwamura (いわむらかずお, Iwamura Kazuo; Original kanji: 岩村 和朗, 3 April 1939 – 19 December 2024) was a children's book…Kazuo Iwamura (いわむらかずお, Iwamura Kazuo; Original kanji: 岩村 和朗, 3 April 1939 – 19 December 2024) was a children's book author. The French newspaper Libération wrote that he was "well-known" ("mondialement connu") for his series of books about anthropomorphic mice.
Teruo Funai (船井 照夫, Funai Teruo; born 28 April 1938) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's…Teruo Funai (船井 照夫, Funai Teruo; born 28 April 1938) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the men's 10,000 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Issey Miyake (Japanese: 三宅 一生, Hepburn: Miyake Issei; [mijake iꜜsseː] 22 April 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a Japanese…Issey Miyake (Japanese: 三宅 一生, Hepburn: Miyake Issei; [mijake iꜜsseː] 22 April 1938 – 5 August 2022) was a Japanese fashion designer. He was known for his technology-driven clothing designs, notably the Pleats, Please line, exhibitions and fragrances such as L'eau d'Issey.
Yoshito Kajiya (加治屋 義人, Kajiya Yoshito; April 22, 1938 – November 12, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Yoshito Kajiya (加治屋 義人, Kajiya Yoshito; April 22, 1938 – November 12, 2018) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kagoshima, Kagoshima and high school graduate, he had served in the city assembly of Kagoshima for four terms since 1976. He was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2001.
Katsuhito Asano (浅野 勝人, Asano Katsuhito; born April 19, 1938) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal…Katsuhito Asano (浅野 勝人, Asano Katsuhito; born April 19, 1938) is a retired Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who served as a member of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He represented the 14th district of Aichi Prefecture, which includes the cities of Toyokawa, Gamagori, and Shinshiro. A native of Toyohashi, Aichi and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected for the first time in 1990 after working at the public broadcaster NHK.
Sōju Nosaka II (二代目 野坂 操壽, Nidaime Nosaka Sōju; May 6, 1938 – August 27, 2019) was a prominent Japanese koto player…Sōju Nosaka II (二代目 野坂 操壽, Nidaime Nosaka Sōju; May 6, 1938 – August 27, 2019) was a prominent Japanese koto player, specializing in contemporary music. Her real name was Keiko Nosaka (野坂 恵子, Nosaka Keiko).
Masatoshi Naitō (内藤 正敏, Naitō Masatoshi; 18 April 1938 – 9 July 2025) was a Japanese photographer. His work is held in…Masatoshi Naitō (内藤 正敏, Naitō Masatoshi; 18 April 1938 – 9 July 2025) was a Japanese photographer. His work is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Yoshiko Takamatsu (高松 好子, Takamatsu Yoshiko; born 16 April 1938) is a retired Japanese breaststroke swimmer who won the…Yoshiko Takamatsu (高松 好子, Takamatsu Yoshiko; born 16 April 1938) is a retired Japanese breaststroke swimmer who won the 100 m and 200 m events at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo. She competed in the 200 m breaststroke at the 1960 Summer Olympics, but failed to reach the final, while her 4×100 metres medley relay team finished seventh.
Kazuko Hosoki (細木 数子, Hosoki Kazuko; 4 April 1938 – 8 November 2021) was a Japanese fortune teller and writer. She was…Kazuko Hosoki (細木 数子, Hosoki Kazuko; 4 April 1938 – 8 November 2021) was a Japanese fortune teller and writer. She was an author of over 100 books. In addition to her regular celebrity appearances on Japanese television, she was known for her belief that ancestor worship is central to Japanese identity. Hosoki was associated with Six-Star Divination, known in Japanese as Rokusei Senjutsu. Religious studies scholar Yoshihide Sakurai wrote that Hosoki published on the system in the early 1980s and "quickly set off a fortune-telling boom". Guinness World Records lists Hosoki as having written 81 fortune-telling books totaling 34 million copies sold. Netflix's media materials for the 2026 drama Straight to Hell also describe Hosoki as famous for Six-Star Divination.
Masahiko Aoki (April 1, 1938 – July 15, 2015) was a Japanese economist, Tomoye and Henri Takahashi Professor Emeritus…Masahiko Aoki (April 1, 1938 – July 15, 2015) was a Japanese economist, Tomoye and Henri Takahashi Professor Emeritus of Japanese Studies in the Economics Department, and Senior Fellow of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. Aoki was known for his work in comparative institutional analysis, corporate governance, the theory of the firm, and comparative East Asian development.
Akihito Kondo (近藤 昭仁, Kondo Akihito; 1 April 1938 – 27 March 2019) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.…Akihito Kondo (近藤 昭仁, Kondo Akihito; 1 April 1938 – 27 March 2019) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher. He played for the Taiyō Whales from 1960 to 1973. Kondo was named the Japan Series Most Valuable Player in 1960. He later managed the Yokohama BayStars from 1993 to 1995 and the Chiba Lotte Marines in 1997 and 1998. He died on 27 March 2019, at age 80.
Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional…Yutaka Sudō (須藤 豊, Sudō Yutaka; born April 21, 1937, in Aki, Kōchi, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball infielder. He played for the Mainichi Orions, Daimai Orions and Yomiuri Giants. He later managed the Yokohama Taiyō Whales from 1990 to 1992.
Keiko Abe (安倍 圭子, Abe Keiko; born April 18, 1937) is a Japanese composer and marimba player. She has been a primary…Keiko Abe (安倍 圭子, Abe Keiko; born April 18, 1937) is a Japanese composer and marimba player. She has been a primary figure in the development of the marimba, in terms of expanding both technique and repertoire, and through her collaboration with the Yamaha Corporation, developed the modern five-octave concert marimba.
Ryūzō Saki (佐木 隆三, Saki Ryūzō; April 14, 1937 – October 31, 2015) was a Japanese novelist and non-fiction writer, born…Ryūzō Saki (佐木 隆三, Saki Ryūzō; April 14, 1937 – October 31, 2015) was a Japanese novelist and non-fiction writer, born in North Hamgyong, a province of what is now North Korea. He was interested in high-profile crimes in Japan and published a number of non-fiction books about Japanese crimes. On January 14, 1976, Saki was awarded the Naoki Prize for the novel Vengeance Is Mine based on Japanese serial killer Akira Nishiguchi. The novel became the basis of Shohei Imamura's film Vengeance Is Mine. He also wrote the books about Norio Nagayama, Tsutomu Miyazaki, Fusako Sano and Futoshi Matsunaga. His 1980 novel The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel was adapted into a feature film in 1984 by Toshiya Fujita. In 1992, Saki published a book about Japanese Resident-General of Korea Itō Hirobumi and Korean An Jung-geun, titled Itō Hirobumi to An Jung-geun. On 1 November 2015, he died from throat cancer in Kitakyūshū at age 78.
