Takashi Matsuo (松尾貴史, Matsuo Takashi) (May 11, 1960 - ) is a Japanese tarento, narrator, disc jockey, actor, and…Takashi Matsuo (松尾貴史, Matsuo Takashi) (May 11, 1960 - ) is a Japanese tarento, narrator, disc jockey, actor, and columnist from Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture. His pet name, as well as his former stage name, is Kitsch (キッチュ, Kicchu). He is currently attached to Furutachi-Project. He is a graduate of the Osaka University of Arts's graphic design course, and is the chairman of the theatrical unit AGAPE store. He is also an associate professor in the Kyoto University of Art & Design.
Hisashi Nozawa (野沢 尚, Nozawa Hisashi; 7 May 1960 – 28 June 2004) was a Japanese screenwriter and mystery novelist. He…Hisashi Nozawa (野沢 尚, Nozawa Hisashi; 7 May 1960 – 28 June 2004) was a Japanese screenwriter and mystery novelist. He won the Kuniko Mukōda Prize in 1998 for his screenplays Nemureru Mori (A Sleeping Forest) and Kekkon Zen'ya (The Night before the Wedding). He also won the Edogawa Rampo Prize in 1997 for Hasen no marisu (Dotted-line Malice) and the Eiji Yoshikawa Prize for New Writers in 2001 for Shinku (Crimson). The South Korean TV Network SBS broadcast a 16-episode drama Alone in Love adapted from one of his novels in 2006. He also wrote the animated film Detective Conan - The Phantom of Baker Street. He was found dead in his office in Tokyo's Meguro ward, after he had apparently hanged himself several days earlier. A note was also found at the scene.
Itsunori Onodera (小野寺 五典, Onodera Itsunori; born 5 May 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Itsunori Onodera (小野寺 五典, Onodera Itsunori; born 5 May 1960) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He served as the Minister of Defense from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2018.
Takayuki Kinoshita (木下 隆之, Kinoshita Takayuki) is a Japanese racing car driver, author, and automotive journalist.…Takayuki Kinoshita (木下 隆之, Kinoshita Takayuki) is a Japanese racing car driver, author, and automotive journalist. Kinoshita is affiliated with Toyota Motorsport's GAZOO Racing arm, with whom he scored SP8 class wins in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 24 Hours Nürburgring driving the Lexus LFA. He also won A8 class in the 2004 24 Hours Nürburgring driving a Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) for Falken Motorsports. Among Japanese drivers, Kinoshita has raced the most times in the 24 Hours Nürburgring. He has also raced in All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship, Japanese Touring Car Championship, Japanese Formula Three, and Super Taikyu N1 Endurance Series. Kinoshita is a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Japan and is on the selection committee for Car of the Year Japan. He was also a presenter on the Japanese Best Motoring TV series.
Yasutada Ōno is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2013. He was a member of…Yasutada Ōno is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Councillors since 2013. He was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party until 2024, having resigned following an indictment during the 2023–2024 Japanese slush fund scandal.
Sadamasa Oue (Japanese: 尾上 定正, romanized: Oue Sadamasa, born May 31, 1959) is a Japanese strategist, retired Japan Air…Sadamasa Oue (Japanese: 尾上 定正, romanized: Oue Sadamasa, born May 31, 1959) is a Japanese strategist, retired Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Lieutenant General, and current Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan (National Security and Nuclear Disarmament/Non-Proliferation Issues). Sadamasa Oue attended the National Defense Academy of Japan as part of the 26th term. He graduated in 1982 and was subsequently commissioned as an officer in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. He formerly served as the Commander of the Northern Air Defense Force and the 24th Commander of the Air Logistics Command Following his retirement in 2017, he became a prominent advocate for defense reform, "Counterstrike Capabilities," and economic security integration. In October 2025, he was appointed as a Special Advisor to the Sanae Takaichi administration, focusing on national security and nuclear disarmament.
Takeshi Saito (斎藤毅, Saitō Takeshi; born May 29, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his stage name Neko Saito (斎藤ネコ, Saitō…Takeshi Saito (斎藤毅, Saitō Takeshi; born May 29, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his stage name Neko Saito (斎藤ネコ, Saitō Neko), is a Japanese violinist, conductor, composer and music arranger. Saito is the leader of the Saito Neko Quartet, and is known for his many collaborations with musician Ringo Sheena.
Makoto Ogino (Japanese: 荻野 真, Hepburn: Ogino Makoto; May 26, 1959 – April 29, 2019) was a Japanese manga artist. A…Makoto Ogino (Japanese: 荻野 真, Hepburn: Ogino Makoto; May 26, 1959 – April 29, 2019) was a Japanese manga artist. A dropout of Nagoya University, his best-known work is the Peacock King (孔雀王, Kujaku-Oh) manga series.
Noriko Sato (佐藤 紀子, Satō Noriko; born on May 26, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former…Noriko Sato (佐藤 紀子, Satō Noriko; born on May 26, 1959, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitor. She competed in ice dancing with Tadayuki Takahashi from 1979. They placed 17th in the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. They were the first ice dancers from Japan to compete in olympics, also the first ice dancers from Japan to win an international competition (1984 Prague Skate). She was six-time Japanese national champion from 1980 to 1985. Currently she coaches in KOSÉ Shin-Yokohama Skate Center. Her current students include: Kao Miura Wakaba Higuchi Rion Sumiyoshi
Satoshi Kadokura (門倉 聡, Kadokura Satoshi; born May 25, 1959), is a Japanese composer, arranger, producer and…Satoshi Kadokura (門倉 聡, Kadokura Satoshi; born May 25, 1959), is a Japanese composer, arranger, producer and keyboardist. He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. He was a producer of Wink, Noriyuki Makihara, Southern All Stars and many other artists. He also composes scores for video game series Metal Max.
Teruyo Tanaka (田中 照代, Tanaka Teruyo) (born 24 May 1959) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in…Teruyo Tanaka (田中 照代, Tanaka Teruyo) (born 24 May 1959) is a Paralympian athlete from Japan competing mainly in category T52 sprint events. She competed in the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, United States. There she won a gold medal in the women's 800 metres T51, finished sixth in the women's 200 metres T51 and finished sixth in the women's 400 metres T51. She also competed at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. There she won a silver medal in the women's 200 metres T52, a silver medal in the women's 800 metres T52 and a silver medal in the women's 1500 metres T52. She also competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China. There she won a bronze medal in the women's 100 metres T52 and finished fourth in the women's 200 metres T52.
Ryuta Kawashima (川島 隆太, Kawashima Ryūta; [kaɰaɕima ɾʲɨᵝːta]; born May 23, 1959) is a Japanese neuroscientist known for…Ryuta Kawashima (川島 隆太, Kawashima Ryūta; [kaɰaɕima ɾʲɨᵝːta]; born May 23, 1959) is a Japanese neuroscientist known for his appearances in the Brain Age series of video games for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch.
Shinsuke Kayama (香山 進介, Kayama Shinsuke; born 23 May 1959) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in two events at…Shinsuke Kayama (香山 進介, Kayama Shinsuke; born 23 May 1959) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in two events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Toshiko Abe (阿部 俊子, Abe Toshiko; born 19 May 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member…Toshiko Abe (阿部 俊子, Abe Toshiko; born 19 May 1959) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet, since 2005.
Takahiro Hachigo (八郷隆弘, Hachigō Takahiro; born 19 May 1959) is a Japanese engineer and businessman, who has been the…Takahiro Hachigo (八郷隆弘, Hachigō Takahiro; born 19 May 1959) is a Japanese engineer and businessman, who has been the chief executive officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., from June 2015 - April 2021 and was succeeded by Toshihiro Mibe. Prior to this, Hachigo was a managing officer at Honda, and started his career at Honda in 1982 as a chassis engineer. As CEO, Hachigo sought to streamline the manufacturing process by merging certain operations between motorcycles and cars, and while also lowering the costs of production by consolidating factories at home and abroad involving the budget. Hachigo is currently a member of the company board.
Michiru Shimada (島田 満, Shimada Michiru; May 19, 1959 – December 15, 2017) was a Japanese anime screenwriter from Tokyo.…Michiru Shimada (島田 満, Shimada Michiru; May 19, 1959 – December 15, 2017) was a Japanese anime screenwriter from Tokyo. Shimada was a graduate of Waseda University. She made her screenwriting debut in 1980. She died in 2017, aged 58, from undisclosed causes.
Hitomi Soga-Jenkins (Japanese: 曽我ひとみ Soga Hitomi, born May 17, 1959) is a Japanese woman who was abducted to North…Hitomi Soga-Jenkins (Japanese: 曽我ひとみ Soga Hitomi, born May 17, 1959) is a Japanese woman who was abducted to North Korea together with her mother, Miyoshi Soga, from Sado Island, Japan, in 1978. In 1980, she married Charles Robert Jenkins, an American defector to North Korea, with whom she had two daughters. In 2002, she was allowed to return to Japan, followed two years later by her husband and children.
Osamu Ishiwata (石渡治, Ishiwata Osamu; born May 16, 1959 in Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He won the 1989…Osamu Ishiwata (石渡治, Ishiwata Osamu; born May 16, 1959 in Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. He won the 1989 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen for B.B. The manga artist Yoshitomo Yoshimoto is his younger brother.
Shinichi Tanaka (田中 信一, Tanaka Shin'ichi; born 15 May 1959) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill…Shinichi Tanaka (田中 信一, Tanaka Shin'ichi; born 15 May 1959) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and large hill events at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Yoshihiro Tamogami (田母神 慈宏, Tamogami Yoshihiro; born May 15, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his pen name Hiroshi Aro…Yoshihiro Tamogami (田母神 慈宏, Tamogami Yoshihiro; born May 15, 1959 in Tokyo), better known by his pen name Hiroshi Aro (あろ ひろし, Aro Hiroshi), is a Japanese manga artist. He is mostly known for being the author of Futaba-Kun Change!, Morumo 1/10 and Yuu and Mii. Aro worked as an assistant to manga artist Osamu Akimoto. He admitted that Futaba-kun Change! was created to be his version of Ranma ½ by Rumiko Takahashi, just as Yuu & Mi was his version of Takahashi's Maison Ikkoku. Aro makes guest appearances in his own comics, drawing himself as an alligator wearing glasses.
Satsuki Katayama (née Tomonaga; 9 May 1959) is a Japanese politician serving in Japan's House of Councillors, having…Satsuki Katayama (née Tomonaga; 9 May 1959) is a Japanese politician serving in Japan's House of Councillors, having been elected in July 2010 as a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). She previously represented the Shizuoka 7th district in the House of Representatives for one term from 2005 until 2009. She has served as the first woman Minister of Finance since 21 October 2025 in the first and second Takaichi cabinet.
Meiko Obara (小原 明子, Obara Meiko), known publicly as Meiko Nakahara (中原 めいこ, Nakahara Meiko), (born May 8, 1959), is a…Meiko Obara (小原 明子, Obara Meiko), known publicly as Meiko Nakahara (中原 めいこ, Nakahara Meiko), (born May 8, 1959), is a Japanese former singer and composer. Active from 1982 to 1992, she was known for her music in the city pop genre. She also created the opening and closing songs for the Dirty Pair and Kimagure Orange Road anime television series.
Hiroyuki Sakashita (坂下 博之, Sakashita Hiroyuki; born May 6, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for…Hiroyuki Sakashita (坂下 博之, Sakashita Hiroyuki; born May 6, 1959) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yukinori Yanagi (柳幸典, Yanagi Yukinori; born 1959) is a contemporary Japanese artist. Yukinori Yanagi is a contemporary…Yukinori Yanagi (柳幸典, Yanagi Yukinori; born 1959) is a contemporary Japanese artist. Yukinori Yanagi is a contemporary Japanese artist who has addressed themes of national and transnational sovereignty, globalization and borders, as well as Japan’s imperial history and nationalism. He is considered one of the first postwar Japanese artists that is openly critical of Japanese society and governmental policy. Many of Yanagi’s artworks consists of large-scale, site-specific installations that engage with movement and symbols of nationalism. Yukinori Yanagi achieved a major international breakthrough in 1993 when he was awarded the Aperto Award at the 45th Venice Biennale.Following this recognition, his work entered major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and Tate Modern (London). In 2000, he was among the first foreign artists invited to exhibit at the Whitney Biennial, alongside Cai Guo-Qiang. He is widely recognized for his role in regional revitalization, most notably for the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum. This long-term project began in 1995and culminated in the 2008 opening of a permanent art complex created by revamping a long-defunct copper refinery on the island of Inujima, which has become an integral location of the Setouchi International Art Triennale. His global profile remains prominent through recent contributions to major biennials including the Busan Biennale 2016 in Busan, South Korea, the 21st Biennale of Sydney, Australia (2018), and the Ad-Diriyah Biennale in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (2021), as well as significant solo exhibitions including ICARUS at Pirelli HangarBicocca in Milan, Italy (2025) and El Mare Pacificum at Estación MAZ in Guadalajara, Mexico (2026). Following the completion of the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, Yanagi established the collaborative team YANAGI + ART BASE. Working alongside architects and designers, he has focused on revitalizing industrial ruins and abandoned structures. His primary ongoing initiative is ART BASE MOMOSHIMA, a non-profit art project established in 2012. His current work continues to expand into the study of international history and territories from a sea perspective, including the Anjwa Island Project / Floating Museum in South Korea, where he continues to explore the reclamation of neglected landscapes through site-specific art.
Masaru Uno (宇野 勝, Uno Masaru; born May 30, 1958) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in…Masaru Uno (宇野 勝, Uno Masaru; born May 30, 1958) is a Japanese former professional baseball infielder. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons from 1977 to 1992, and the Chiba Lotte Marines from 1993 to 1994.
Hideo Saitō (Japanese: 斉藤 英夫, Hepburn: Saitō Hideo; born May 30, 1958), is a Japanese musician and composer, best known…Hideo Saitō (Japanese: 斉藤 英夫, Hepburn: Saitō Hideo; born May 30, 1958), is a Japanese musician and composer, best known for his collaborations with Chisato Moritaka from 1987 to 1995. He is also the producer of the musical cat group Musashi's.
Masayoshi Okada (岡田 正義, Okada Masayoshi; born May 24, 1958 in Tokyo) is a Japanese football referee. He refereed a…Masayoshi Okada (岡田 正義, Okada Masayoshi; born May 24, 1958 in Tokyo) is a Japanese football referee. He refereed a first round match between England and Tunisia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫, Sasaki Norio; born 24 May 1958) is a Japanese football coach and former player. He is best known…Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫, Sasaki Norio; born 24 May 1958) is a Japanese football coach and former player. He is best known for leading the Japanese women's national team to their first and only FIFA Women's World Cup win in 2011 over the United States on penalty shootouts. He retired as head coach in March 2016 after eight years. Today, he is the coordinator of Nadeshiko Japan. Sasaki also coached the Japan women's U-20 national team starting in 2007.
Shinji Hashimoto (橋本 真司, Hashimoto Shinji; born May 24, 1958) is a Japanese former game producer at Square Enix and…Shinji Hashimoto (橋本 真司, Hashimoto Shinji; born May 24, 1958) is a Japanese former game producer at Square Enix and currently senior advisor at Sony Music Entertainment Japan and a board member at Forwardworks. He served as the Final Fantasy series brand manager for over a decade, was an executive officer at Square Enix board of directors and he was the Head of Square Enix's Business Division 3 for 6 years. He is also the co-creator of the Kingdom Hearts series. He served as corporate executive of the company's 1st Production Department during its entire existence. In May 2021, Hashimoto announced he would be working in Square Enix Holdings as Corporate Advisor training future leaders of the company, after he stepped down from his position of executive director and Final Fantasy brand manager at Square Enix Co. Hashimoto retired from his duties at Square Enix on May 31, 2022. On June 16, 2022, Hashimoto announced he would be a senior advisor at Sony Music Entertainment Japan, as well as board member for ForwardWorks.
Mineko Nishikawa (仁支川 峰子, Nishikawa Mineko; born May 23, 1958 in Aka, Fukuoka; real name Fukuda Mineko, 福田 峰子) is a…Mineko Nishikawa (仁支川 峰子, Nishikawa Mineko; born May 23, 1958 in Aka, Fukuoka; real name Fukuda Mineko, 福田 峰子) is a Japanese actress and Enka singer who scored a number one hit in 1975 with Anata Ni Ageru.
Hideyo Hanazumi (花角 英世, Hanazumi Hideyo; born 22 May 1958) is a Japanese politician serving as the Governor of Niigata…Hideyo Hanazumi (花角 英世, Hanazumi Hideyo; born 22 May 1958) is a Japanese politician serving as the Governor of Niigata Prefecture, following his election in June 2018. Prior to his election, Hanazumi served as a vice commandant in the Japan Coast Guard and as Vice Governor of Niigata.
Taku Ashibe (芦辺 拓, Ashibe Taku; born 21 May 1958) is a Japanese mystery writer. He is a member of the Honkaku Mystery…Taku Ashibe (芦辺 拓, Ashibe Taku; born 21 May 1958) is a Japanese mystery writer. He is a member of the Honkaku Mystery Writers Club of Japan and one of the representative writers of the new traditionalist movement in Japanese mystery writing.
Hiroyuki Arai (荒井 広幸, Arai Hiroyuki; born 1958) is a former Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of…Hiroyuki Arai (荒井 広幸, Arai Hiroyuki; born 1958) is a former Japanese politician, who served as a member of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tamura, Fukushima and graduate of Waseda University, he had served in the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly for one term starting in 1987. He was elected to House of Representatives for the first time in 1993 after running unsuccessfully in 1990. After losing the seat in 2003, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2004 as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Makoto Kobayashi (小林 まこと, Kobayashi Makoto) (born May 13, 1958) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for his…Makoto Kobayashi (小林 まこと, Kobayashi Makoto) (born May 13, 1958) is a Japanese manga artist who is best known for his unusual drawing style. One of his best known manga is What's Michael?, a manga about a curious orange cat and his many adventures that is often compared with Garfield. His earliest work is Grapple Three Brothers, which won the Shōnen magazine New manga artist award. He has twice won the Kodansha Manga Award, for Sanshiro of 1, 2 in 1981 and What's Michael? in 1986.
Sayuri Kume (Japanese: 久米小百合 (Kume Sayuri)), also known as Saki Kubota (Japanese: 久保田早紀 (Kubota Saki)), is a Japanese…Sayuri Kume (Japanese: 久米小百合 (Kume Sayuri)), also known as Saki Kubota (Japanese: 久保田早紀 (Kubota Saki)), is a Japanese singer-songwriter whose song Ihojin (1979) (Japanese: 異邦人) sold more than 1.4 million copies and reached number 1 in the Japanese singles chart. The song was used in the "Silk Road" television commercial for Sanyo. Her album Yumegatari (Japanese: 夢がたり) stayed at number 1 in the Oricon chart for seven consecutive weeks from 31 December 1979 to 11 February 1980. Her album Tenkai (Japanese: 天界) reached number 11 in the Japanese chart in 1980. Her album Saudade (Japanese: サウダーデ) reached number 54 in the Japanese chart. Her album Yoruno Sokowa Yawarakana Maboroshi (1984) has been described as her greatest masterpiece. Her single Nijūgoji (1980) (Japanese: 25時) reached number 19 in the Japanese chart. Her single Kugatsu No Iro (Japanese: 九月の色) (1980) reached number 51 in the Japanese chart. Her single Orange Airmail Special (Japanese: オレンジ・エアメール・スペシャル) (1981) reached number 62 in the Japanese chart. She appeared on The Best Ten, Yoru no Hit Studio, and Music Fair. She sang songs in the new music genre (Japanese: ニューミュージック, nyū myūjikku). She has been described as the standard bearer of that genre. She was awarded the female newcomer award (Japanese: 女性新人賞) at the 13th Japan Record Sales Awards (Japanese: 日本レコードセールス大賞) in 1980. In January 2020, a box set was released under the title Saki Kubota Premium to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her debut in 1979.
Takashi Irie (Japanese: 入江 隆, born May 10, 1958) is a retired Japanese light-flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a…Takashi Irie (Japanese: 入江 隆, born May 10, 1958) is a retired Japanese light-flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics and a gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games. In 1986, he secured third place at the Asian Games.
Junichi Hirokami (広上 淳一, Hirokami Jun'ichi; born May 5, 1958) is a Japanese conductor. Born in Tokyo, Hirokami studied…Junichi Hirokami (広上 淳一, Hirokami Jun'ichi; born May 5, 1958) is a Japanese conductor. Born in Tokyo, Hirokami studied conducting, piano, musicology, and viola at the Tokyo College of Music. He won the first Kondrashin International Conducting Competition in Amsterdam in September 1984 at age 26. One of the judges of that competition, pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy, then engaged Hirokami to conduct the NHK Symphony Orchestra on a tour of Japan with Ashkenazy in May 1985. From 1991-1996, he was Chief Conductor of the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. He served as Chief Conductor of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra from 1998 to 2000. He has also been the Principal Guest Conductor of both the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Hirokami became the music director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on June 1, 2006, with an initial contract for 3 years. During the orchestra's 2008 financial crisis, Hirokami strongly supported the musicians during a protracted contract dispute, which caused strained relations between Hirokami and the orchestra's board and management. On November 13, 2008, in a letter to the orchestra's musicians, Hirokami announced that the board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra had dismissed him from his post, effective immediately. Since April 2008, he has served as Chief Conductor of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, with an initial contract of 3 years. Hirokami and his wife Yukari have a daughter, Kimiko. In 1973, pop singer Junko Sakurada's music inspired then 15-year-old Hirokami so that he started a fan club dedicated to her.
Satoshi Inoue (井上 哲士, Inoue Satoshi; born 5 May 1958 in Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a Japanese politician and a former…Satoshi Inoue (井上 哲士, Inoue Satoshi; born 5 May 1958 in Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a Japanese politician and a former member of the House of Councillors for the Japanese Communist Party. He had elected to this position forth times, in 2001, 2007, 2013, and 2019.
The WE League (Japanese: WEリーグ, Hepburn: WE Rīgu), officially the Japan Women's Empowerment Professional Football…The WE League (Japanese: WEリーグ, Hepburn: WE Rīgu), officially the Japan Women's Empowerment Professional Football League (日本女子プロサッカーリーグ, Nihon Joshi Puro Sakkā Rīgu; "Japan Women Pro Football League"), also known as the SOMPO WE League (SOMPO WEリーグ, SOMPO WE Rīgu) for sponsorship reasons, is the top flight of women's association football in Japan, starting from the 2021–22 season. It is the first fully-professional women's football league in Japan. The current (2024–25) title holders are Tokyo Verdy Beleza.
Mayumi Horikawa (堀川 まゆみ, Horikawa Mayumi) is a Japanese model and singer-songwriter born on 2 May 1958 in Okinawa…Mayumi Horikawa (堀川 まゆみ, Horikawa Mayumi) is a Japanese model and singer-songwriter born on 2 May 1958 in Okinawa Prefecture. Horikawa was selected as the fourth Clarion Girl in 1978, and debuted as a singer that same year under producer Masataka Matsutōya. Horikawa has written and composed songs for popular artists including Miki Imai, Jun'ichi Inagaki, Yukiko Okada, Kyōko Koizumi, Yuki Saito, Noriko Sakai, Miho Nakayama, Yū Hayami, Chiemi Hori, Saori Yagi, and Marina Watanabe.
Yuko Takada Keller (高田ケラー有子, Yuko Takada Keller; born May 1, 1958) is an artist, curator and essayist based in…Yuko Takada Keller (高田ケラー有子, Yuko Takada Keller; born May 1, 1958) is an artist, curator and essayist based in Helsinge, Denmark since 1997. The first exhibition in Denmark was in 1996, container '96 in Copenhagen. She started her art activities in 1982 with woolen tapestries, though, 1985, she traveled around Northern Europe to change her art expression to be hanging sculpture. She creates delicate and ethereal hanging sculptures using tracing paper. After she moved to Denmark in 1997, she primarily exhibits her works in cultural centers and other public spaces, excelling in site-specific installations. In addition to showcasing her own creations, she also works as a curator, organizing exhibitions that introduce numerous Japanese artists to Denmark. Notably, the exhibition "Japanese Suppleness" that she curated was a great success, as Queen Margrethe II visited and guided her exhibition tour. She has also collaborated with musicians in the context of her exhibitions. In recent years, while continuing to use laminated tracing paper, she has incorporated elements of light into her works, utilizing mirror sheets, holographic sheets, and other flexible materials that enhance durability for the public space. She has also written some essays in Japanese newspapers, magazines etc. From 2004 to 2010, she wrote essays for JMM (Japanese Mail Media) as a Japanese citizen residing abroad. Her book about Danish child rearing was published in 2005, from NHK Publishing Co., Ltd. As a volunteer, she has been supporting the school exchange project between Nordstjerneskolen in Helsinge, where her son used to be a student, and the primary school and junior high school in Miyama, Kyoto, Japan, since 2016. Additionally, she contributes to cultural exchange between the two countries through art workshops and by introducing lifestyles and social backgrounds.
Nobuyuki Uenoyama (上野山 信行, Uenoyama Nobuyuki; born 26 May 1957) is a Japanese former footballer and manager. He managed…Nobuyuki Uenoyama (上野山 信行, Uenoyama Nobuyuki; born 26 May 1957) is a Japanese former footballer and manager. He managed Kamatamare Sanuki at the start of the 2021 season before resigning just two months into the season. His son, Jin Uenoyama, played for FC Osaka before retiring at the end of 2020.
Shinji Morisue (森末 慎二, Morisue Shinji; born May 22, 1957) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. The parallel bar…Shinji Morisue (森末 慎二, Morisue Shinji; born May 22, 1957) is a Japanese gymnast and Olympic champion. The parallel bar skill Morisue is named after him.
Yoshihiko Noda (Japanese: 野田 佳彦, Hepburn: Noda Yoshihiko; born 20 May 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as the…Yoshihiko Noda (Japanese: 野田 佳彦, Hepburn: Noda Yoshihiko; born 20 May 1957) is a Japanese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2011 to 2012. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2000. Noda entered politics in 1993 as a member of the now-defunct Japan New Party. In 1996, he joined the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). After the DPJ won control of the Diet in 2009 general election, Noda was named a senior vice minister of finance in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and in 2010, was named minister of finance in the cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Following Kan's resignation as prime minister, Noda won the ensuing leadership election and was appointed prime minister on 2 September 2011. Following a severe loss for the DPJ in the December 2012 general election, Noda announced his resignation as party leader, triggering a leadership election that was won by Banri Kaieda. Noda was succeeded as Prime Minister by Shinzo Abe, President of the Liberal Democratic Party, on 26 December 2012. As the DPJ underwent mergers and reorganizations, Noda left to sit as an independent politician. In 2021, Noda joined the CDP, the primary successor to the DPJ. In 2024, Noda successfully stood for the CDP's party presidential election, defeating incumbent leader Kenta Izumi and former leader Yukio Edano. Weeks after assuming the presidency of the party, the 2024 general election was announced, with the CDP achieving its best result in party history, and the ruling LDP coalition being limited to a minority. After a rout in the 2026 general election, Noda resigned as co-president of the newly-formed Centrist Reform Alliance.
Hatsuko Yamasaki (山崎 初子; born May 18, 1957), known professionally as Hako Yamasaki (山崎ハコ, Yamasaki Hako), is a Japanese…Hatsuko Yamasaki (山崎 初子; born May 18, 1957), known professionally as Hako Yamasaki (山崎ハコ, Yamasaki Hako), is a Japanese folk singer-songwriter, actress, and writer. She recorded her first album Tobimasu in 1975. In 1991, she made her acting debut.
Kenta Satoi (佐戸井けん太, Satoi Kenta), born May 14, 1957, in the Chiba Prefecture, Japan, is a Japanese theatre and film…Kenta Satoi (佐戸井けん太, Satoi Kenta), born May 14, 1957, in the Chiba Prefecture, Japan, is a Japanese theatre and film actor. His roles most often consist of either father-type roles, or conversely, villain roles in police dramas and action movies. In the sho-gekijo theatre realm he is known for playing a wide variety of character roles. Satoi is 183 cm tall, and his hobbies are basketball and rakugo "sit-down" comedy.
Koji Suzuki (鈴木 光司, Suzuki Kōji; May 13, 1957 – May 8, 2026) was a Japanese writer, who was born in Hamamatsu and lived…Koji Suzuki (鈴木 光司, Suzuki Kōji; May 13, 1957 – May 8, 2026) was a Japanese writer, who was born in Hamamatsu and lived in Tokyo. Suzuki was the author of the Ring novels, which have been adapted into other formats, including films, manga, television series, and video games. He wrote several books on the subject of fatherhood. His hobbies included traveling, motorcycling, as well as sailing. He graduated from Keio University before debuting as a novelist. Koji Suzuki died in Tokyo on May 8, 2026, at the age of 68.
