Makoto Yano (矢野誠, Yano Makoto, born 27 May 1952) is a Japanese economist, currently the president and chief research…Makoto Yano (矢野誠, Yano Makoto, born 27 May 1952) is a Japanese economist, currently the president and chief research officer of the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI). He is also a professor emeritus at Kyoto University and a professor by special appointment at Kyoto University's Institute of Economic Research and Sophia University.
Shinobu “Shan” Ichiyanagi (一柳 忍, Ichiyangi Shinobu; born May 26, 1952) also known as "CANDYMAN" is a master Amezaiku or…Shinobu “Shan” Ichiyanagi (一柳 忍, Ichiyangi Shinobu; born May 26, 1952) also known as "CANDYMAN" is a master Amezaiku or candy sculpture artist. As a party and event entertainer, he specializes in sculpting hot taffy-like candy into fantastic animals and objects using a palette of gemstone inspired candy colors. This traditional ancient Japanese folk art that originated in China has been practiced for over 1000 years in Japan. Through a thirty-year career, Ichiyanagi has become known internationally as a live performance artist. His fans call him as a ”Shan The Candyman", "Shan The Candy Sculptor","Shan The Candy Artist" and more. In addition to his Amezaiku career, Ichiyanagi is a Graduate Gemologist G.G. - jewelry designer and a karate Instructor, holding Black Belts in three styles, Shorinji Kempo - Shotekan Karate - Shinkendo.
Eiko Matsuda (松田暎子, Matsuda Eiko) (18 May 1952 – 9 March 2011) was a Japanese actress. She is best known for her…Eiko Matsuda (松田暎子, Matsuda Eiko) (18 May 1952 – 9 March 2011) was a Japanese actress. She is best known for her performance as Sada Abe in In the Realm of the Senses. She also appeared in Seibo Kannon daibosatsu (1977) and Pinku saron: Kōshoku gonin onna (1978). She died on 9 March 2011 of a brain tumor.
Makoto Hirayama (平山 誠, Hirayama Makoto; 12 May 1952 – 27 February 2018) is a Japanese politician. He served in the…Makoto Hirayama (平山 誠, Hirayama Makoto; 12 May 1952 – 27 February 2018) is a Japanese politician. He served in the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature) from 2009 until 2013.
Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Yuji Yamamoto (山本 有二, Yamamoto Yūji; born 11 May 1952) is a former 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 Kōchi Prefecture and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly in 1985 (serving for one term) and then to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1990. Yamamoto later served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the Third Abe Cabinet.
Seiichiro Murakami (村上 誠一郎, Murakami Seiichirō; born 11 May 1952) is a Japanese politician. He was the Minister of…Seiichiro Murakami (村上 誠一郎, Murakami Seiichirō; born 11 May 1952) is a Japanese politician. He was the Minister of State for Regulatory Reform, the Minister of State for Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan, the Minister of State for Administrative Reform, the Minister of State for Special Zones for Structural Reform and the Minister of State for Regional Revitalization in Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Cabinet. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Law from Tokyo University, and was first elected in 1986 to the House of Representatives in Ehime Prefecture.
Masaki Yokotani (横谷 政樹, Yokotani Masaki; born May 10, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Masaki Yokotani (横谷 政樹, Yokotani Masaki; born May 10, 1952) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yasuhiko Moriwaki (森脇 保彦, Moriwaki Yasuhiko; born 7 May 1952) is a retired Japanese judoka. Moriwaki is from Kake…Yasuhiko Moriwaki (森脇 保彦, Moriwaki Yasuhiko; born 7 May 1952) is a retired Japanese judoka. Moriwaki is from Kake, Hiroshima and began judo at the junior high school days. When he was a member of judo club at Sotoku high-school (崇徳高校, Sōtoku Kōkō), alongside Takao Kawaguchi and Yoshiharu Minami. In 1974, When Moriwaki was a student of Kokushikan University, he won a gold medal at the World University Championships held in Brussels. He took office as the coach of Kokushikan University after graduation from there. In 1979, Moriwaki won a bronze medal of World Championships held in Paris. He was also expected to get medal of Olympic Games in 1980 but he couldn't because the 1980 Summer Olympic Games was boycotted by the Japanese Government. Moriwaki won a gold medal at the World Championships in 1981 at the age of 29. As of 2010, he coaches at Kokushikan Women's Judo Club.
Chiaki Mukai (向井 千秋, Mukai Chiaki; born May 6, 1952) is a Japanese physician and JAXA astronaut. She was the first…Chiaki Mukai (向井 千秋, Mukai Chiaki; born May 6, 1952) is a Japanese physician and JAXA astronaut. She was the first Japanese woman in space, the first Japanese citizen to have two spaceflights, and the first Asian woman in space. Both were Space Shuttle missions; her first was STS-65 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1994, which was a Spacelab mission. Her second spaceflight was STS-95 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. In total she has spent 23 days in space. Mukai was selected to be an astronaut by Japanese national space agency NASDA (now called JAXA) in 1985. Prior to this, she was an assistant professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Keio University, the oldest university in Japan. In 2015, she became Vice President of the Tokyo University of Science. In addition, she became JAXA Technical Counselor.
Katsumi Oda (小田 勝美, Oda Katsumi; born 6 May 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament…Katsumi Oda (小田 勝美, Oda Katsumi; born 6 May 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.
Yataro Tsuda (津田 弥太郎, Tsuda Yatarō; May 5, 1952 – April 6, 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Yataro Tsuda (津田 弥太郎, Tsuda Yatarō; May 5, 1952 – April 6, 2026) was a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, who was a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Takayama, Gifu, he was elected for the first time in 2004. Tsuda died on April 6, 2026, at the age of 73.
Kuniko Inoguchi (猪口 邦子, Inoguchi Kuniko; born 3 May 1952) is a Japanese political scientist and politician. She served…Kuniko Inoguchi (猪口 邦子, Inoguchi Kuniko; born 3 May 1952) is a Japanese political scientist and politician. She served as Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs from 2005 to 2006, and is currently a member of the House of Councillors representing Chiba Prefecture for the Liberal Democratic Party.
Teruko Miyamoto (宮本 輝子, Miyamoto Teruko; born 31 May 1952) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's…Teruko Miyamoto (宮本 輝子, Miyamoto Teruko; born 31 May 1952) is a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Keiji Haino (灰野 敬二 Haino Keiji; born May 3, 1952) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter whose work has included…Keiji Haino (灰野 敬二 Haino Keiji; born May 3, 1952) is a Japanese musician and singer-songwriter whose work has included rock, free improvisation, noise music, percussion, psychedelic music, minimalism and drone music. He has been active since the 1970s and continues to record regularly and in new styles.
Junko Saito (斉藤 淳子, Saitō Jun'ko) (née Nakajima (中島 淳子, Nakajima Jun'ko; born 2 May 1952), more commonly known by her…Junko Saito (斉藤 淳子, Saitō Jun'ko) (née Nakajima (中島 淳子, Nakajima Jun'ko; born 2 May 1952), more commonly known by her stage name Mari Natsuki (夏木 マリ, Natsuki Mari), is a Japanese singer, dancer, actress and philanthropist, who describes herself as a "person who plays." Born in Tokyo, she started work as a singer from a young age. In 2007, Natsuki announced her engagement to percussionist Nobu Saitō (斉藤ノヴ), with their marriage taking place in Spring 2008. Natsuki has participated in musical theatre, including Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and that of Yukio Ninagawa. She provided the voice of Yubaba in Spirited Away, played the young witch's mother in the Japanese TV remake of Bewitched and has twice been nominated for a Japanese Academy Award. Natsuki played the character Big Mama in the Japanese version of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and has also acted in television dramas, such as the 2005 series Nobuta o Produce, playing the Vice Principal, Katharine. In 2024, Natsuki reprised her famous roles of Yubaba/Zeniba for the stage production of Spirited Away, performing in Japan and London. In 2026, she performed the role in Seoul, Korea.
Katsura Funakoshi (舟越 桂, Funakoshi Katsura; 25 May 1951 – 29 March 2024) was a Japanese sculptor. Funakoshi was…Katsura Funakoshi (舟越 桂, Funakoshi Katsura; 25 May 1951 – 29 March 2024) was a Japanese sculptor. Funakoshi was well-known in the field of visual arts in Japan. His father, Yasutake Funakoshi, was also a sculptor and soon he felt the same vocation. He studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts, from 1971 to 1975, and at the University of Fine Arts and Music, from 1975 to 1977. He started carving in camphor wood in 1980. His works, usually depicting human figures from the waist up, have a great poetical effect, and are striking and distinctive. Funakoshi worked this material in a personal way and left visible both the grain of the wood and the marks of carving. The artist carefully utilised the grain for modelling and left part of the head unpainted, normally the crown. Funakoshi exhibited his work at the Venice Biennale, the São Paulo Biennale, the Documenta IX, and the Shanghai Biennale, and his work is represented in several art museums in Japan and other countries. Funakoshi died from lung cancer on 29 March 2024, at the age of 72.
Shun Nakahara (中原 俊, Nakahara Shun; born May 25, 1951 as Toshihiro Nakahara (中原 俊弘, Nakahara Toshihiro)) is a Japanese…Shun Nakahara (中原 俊, Nakahara Shun; born May 25, 1951 as Toshihiro Nakahara (中原 俊弘, Nakahara Toshihiro)) is a Japanese film director and a professor at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. He began his career directing Roman Porno films, and since then he has dealt with a wide range of subjects regardless of genre. He won the award for Best Director at the 12th Yokohama Film Festival for Sakura no Sono.
Mieko Yoshimura (吉村 美栄子, Yoshimura Mieko; born 18 May 1951) is governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. She was elected…Mieko Yoshimura (吉村 美栄子, Yoshimura Mieko; born 18 May 1951) is governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. She was elected on 25 January 2009. She defeated the sitting governor of Yamagata Prefecture, Hiroshi Saitō in an upset. A native of Ōe, Yamagata, she worked at a help-wanted advertising company before becoming a notary public for the city government of Yamagata. She soon became a member of Yamagata Prefecture's Education Committee before running for governor in 2008. She is Yamagata's first female governor and the sixth in Japanese history.
Carmen Maki (Japanese: カルメン・マキ, Hepburn: Karumen Maki; born Maki Annette Lovelace, May 18, 1951) is a Japanese singer…Carmen Maki (Japanese: カルメン・マキ, Hepburn: Karumen Maki; born Maki Annette Lovelace, May 18, 1951) is a Japanese singer and lyricist. After debuting as a folk singer in 1969 with the million-selling single "Toki ni wa Haha no Nai Ko no Yō ni", she quickly shifted to rock music and is best known for fronting the band Oz from 1972 to 1977. Maki was one of the first female rock vocalists in Japan, and her work with Oz and Blues Creation has been credited with pioneering Japanese rock in general.
Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi; born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served…Yoshifumi Hibako (火箱 芳文, Hibako Yoshifumi; born May 15, 1951) is a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces who served as the 31st Chief of Staff of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. A graduate of the National Defense Academy of Japan, he later returned to serve as vice-president of the Academy. He has served in multiple capacities, including the chiefs of staff of the GSDF Northern Army during the Iraq War, commanding officer of the Chūbu region Army Headquarters, and has even acted as a Japanese foreign representative when meeting officers of other countries.
Dewanohana Yoshitaka (born 13 May 1951 as Soichi Nomura) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori, Japan. He…Dewanohana Yoshitaka (born 13 May 1951 as Soichi Nomura) is a former sumo wrestler from Nakasato, Aomori, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1974, and reached the top division in November 1977. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in January 1988 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Dekiyama. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016 he was re-hired by the Sumo Association for five years as a consultant.
Kurosegawa Kuniyuki (born 13 May 1951 as Kensaku Sakai) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan.…Kurosegawa Kuniyuki (born 13 May 1951 as Kensaku Sakai) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1966, and reached the top division in May 1978. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in May 1984 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Kiriyama. In 1995 he branched out from Isegahama stable and established his own Kiriyama stable, which shut down in 2011. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016, but was re-hired by the Sumo Association for five years as a consultant. In September 2016 he was re-appointed as a judge of tournament bouts, following the demotion of Kasugayama. He left the Sumo Association upon turning 70 in May 2021.
Hisao Niura, also known as Kim Il-young (Korean: 김일융; born May 11, 1951), is a Japanese former professional baseball…Hisao Niura, also known as Kim Il-young (Korean: 김일융; born May 11, 1951), is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan and KBO League baseball in South Korea. Over a 22-season career, he was a five-time champion, four times with the Yomiuri Giants and once with the Samsung Lions. He was a two-time ERA champion of Japan's Central League. A workhorse during much of his career, he had success as both a starter and a reliever. Although born in Japan, Niura is of Korean descent, part of the Zainichi community.
Tadashi Yamashina (born 8 May 1951) is the former Team Principal of the Toyota Racing Formula One team, responsible for…Tadashi Yamashina (born 8 May 1951) is the former Team Principal of the Toyota Racing Formula One team, responsible for conducting Toyota's Formula One operations, having taken over from Tsutomu Tomita in June 2007.
Banryūyama Takaharu (born Takaharu Taguchi, 4 May 1951) is a former sumo wrestler from Tatsuno, Hyōgo, Japan. He made…Banryūyama Takaharu (born Takaharu Taguchi, 4 May 1951) is a former sumo wrestler from Tatsuno, Hyōgo, Japan. He made his professional debut in November 1966, and reached the top division in March 1975. His highest rank was komusubi. He retired in November 1984 and became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association under the name Matsuchiyama. He worked as a coach at Mihogaseki stable until its closure in 2013 and then moved to Kasugano stable. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 in May 2016 he was re-hired as a consultant for five more years. He left the Sumo Association upon turning 70 in May 2021.
Chikako Asō (麻生 千賀子, also 麻生 ちか子) (born May 30, 1950), née Suzuki (鈴木 千賀子), is a Japanese businesswoman, daughter of…Chikako Asō (麻生 千賀子, also 麻生 ちか子) (born May 30, 1950), née Suzuki (鈴木 千賀子), is a Japanese businesswoman, daughter of the 44th Prime Minister of Japan, Zenkō Suzuki, wife of the 59th Prime Minister of Japan, Tarō Asō, and elder sister of the politician Shun'ichi Suzuki. Her husband is the brother of Princess Tomohito of Mikasa.
Michio Ashikaga (足利 道夫, Ashikaga Michio; born May 22, 1950) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Michio Ashikaga (足利 道夫, Ashikaga Michio; born May 22, 1950) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Shigenobu Nakamura (中村 滋延, Nakamura Shigenobu), born in Osaka in 1950, is a Japanese composer and music teacher. He…Shigenobu Nakamura (中村 滋延, Nakamura Shigenobu), born in Osaka in 1950, is a Japanese composer and music teacher. He teaches at Kyushu University (Faculty of Design). He has written fifteen books and done both chamber music and symphonies. In the 1990s his visual works were performed at festivals in Palermo and Germany.
Yukiko Kada (嘉田 由紀子, Kada Yukiko; born May 18, 1950) is a Japanese politician and member of the National Diet of Japan…Yukiko Kada (嘉田 由紀子, Kada Yukiko; born May 18, 1950) is a Japanese politician and member of the National Diet of Japan, serving as member of the House of Councillors from Shiga Prefecture since 2019. She was the governor of Shiga for two terms from 2006 to 2014.
Osamu Higashio (東尾 修, Higashio Osamu; born May 18, 1950) is a Japanese former baseball player who played in the…Osamu Higashio (東尾 修, Higashio Osamu; born May 18, 1950) is a Japanese former baseball player who played in the Japanese professional leagues from 1969–1988, being remembered as one of the leading Japanese pitchers in the 1980s. He also was manager of the Seibu Lions from 1995 to 2001.
Naoki Takashima (Japanese: 高島直樹 Takashima Naoki; 13 May 1950 – 2 October 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Naoki Takashima (Japanese: 高島直樹 Takashima Naoki; 13 May 1950 – 2 October 2023) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served as President of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly from 2014 to 2015. Takashima died on 2 October 2023, at the age of 73.
Shozo Fujii (藤猪 省太, Fujii Shōzō; born 11 May 1950) is a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal 4 times at the World…Shozo Fujii (藤猪 省太, Fujii Shōzō; born 11 May 1950) is a Japanese judoka. He won a gold medal 4 times at the World Championships. He is from Higashikagawa, Kagawa. After graduation from Tenri University in 1973, he belonged to Kuraray. One year after, He got a job at Kyoto Sangyo University and among his students was Olympic Games champion in 1984, Yoshiyuki Matsuoka. As of 2010, Fujii coaches judo at his alma mater, Tenri University, where he previously studied as an undergraduate.
Shun Fujimoto (藤本 俊, Fujimoto Shun; born May 11, 1950) is a retired Japanese gymnast. He represented Japan at the 1976…Shun Fujimoto (藤本 俊, Fujimoto Shun; born May 11, 1950) is a retired Japanese gymnast. He represented Japan at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, where he won gold in the team competition. Fujimoto won fame by continuing to compete in the team event right after severely injuring his right knee during his floor exercise. He scored 9.5 on the pommel horse and 9.7 on the still rings with the badly damaged knee, dismounting from the rings from eight feet above ground and keeping his balance after landing on his feet. One source has described the scene thus: that he "raised his arms in a perfect finish before collapsing in agony". That account, however, is erroneous. Video of Fujimoto's rings routine, including the dismount and immediate aftermath, is easily accessible on the internet, and it is unambiguously clear that, despite the physical agony of performing his routine and landing, he did not collapse after completing his dismount. Instead, immediately upon his landing, as Fujimoto's knees bent to absorb the shock, his right knee started to give way, wobbling and almost collapsing. But he controlled his balance, taking a very slight hop on his left foot, bringing his feet together, straightening his legs and body to a fully upright position, and raising his arms to complete the landing posture. He then turned and walked from the apparatus, and down the steps from the competition platform. He was limping markedly, but made it back to his seat without ever collapsing. Nevertheless, the dismount aggravated his already serious injury, dislocating his broken kneecap and tearing ligaments in his right leg. Doctors ordered him to withdraw from further competition or risk permanent disability. One doctor stated: "How he managed to do somersaults and twists and land without collapsing in screams is beyond my comprehension." Fujimoto stated that he had not wanted to let his team down by revealing his injury. His completing of the pommel horse and rings events enabled the team to win gold, defeating the team from the Soviet Union by a narrow margin. Later, when asked whether he would do what he did again, he replied frankly, "No, I would not." Fujimoto's performing in spite of serious injury was humorously alluded to in The Simpsons episode, "Lisa's First Word". In 2017, Fujimoto was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Shinichi Fujimura (藤村 新一, Fujimura Shin'ichi; b. May 4, 1950) is a Japanese amateur archaeologist who claimed he had…Shinichi Fujimura (藤村 新一, Fujimura Shin'ichi; b. May 4, 1950) is a Japanese amateur archaeologist who claimed he had found a large number of stone artifacts dating back to the Lower Paleolithic and Middle Paleolithic periods. These objects were later revealed to be forgeries.
Kensō Soai (硤合 憲三, Soai Kensō; born 3 May 1950) is a Japanese organic chemist, Professor Emeritus in the Department of…Kensō Soai (硤合 憲三, Soai Kensō; born 3 May 1950) is a Japanese organic chemist, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Applied Chemistry at Tokyo University of Science. In 2026, he was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Henri B. Kagan "for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis."
Harue Okitsu (沖津 はる江, Okitsu Harue; born 31 May 1949) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in three events at the…Harue Okitsu (沖津 はる江, Okitsu Harue; born 31 May 1949) is a Japanese alpine skier. She competed in three events at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Kōichi Nihei (二瓶 康一, Nihei Kōichi; May 30, 1949 – November 14, 2024), known professionally as Shōhei Hino (火野 正平, Hino…Kōichi Nihei (二瓶 康一, Nihei Kōichi; May 30, 1949 – November 14, 2024), known professionally as Shōhei Hino (火野 正平, Hino Shōhei), was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in jidaigeki television dramas. He is best known for his roles in the Hissatsu series.
Toshiyuki Tanaka (田中 利幸, Tanaka Toshiyuki; born May 26, 1949) is a Japanese historian and political critic. Dr.…Toshiyuki Tanaka (田中 利幸, Tanaka Toshiyuki; born May 26, 1949) is a Japanese historian and political critic. Dr. Toshiyuki Tanaka was Emeritus Research Professor of History at the Hiroshima Peace Institute, Hiroshima City University before his retirement in 2015. He was a visiting professor at Birkbeck, University of London, and the Sir Ninian Stephen Visiting Scholar at the Law School, University of Melbourne. He was a coordinator of the journal "The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus" and a member of the SVAC (Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts) research project group funded by Hamburg Institute of Social Research. Tanaka has written extensively about forced prostitution (comfort women) under the Empire of Japan, history of Japanese war crimes during World War II, American aerial bombing of Japanese cities as well as Japan under US military rule. South Korean academic Park Yu-ha has also written on differing interpretations related to the comfort women issue. Tanaka also writes about the laws of warfare and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As a guest speaker, he has lectured about the criminality of strategic bombing and the atomic bombings at universities including the University of Chicago and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Kūdō (空道) (formerly known as Daido Juku) is a Japanese hybrid martial art. It is a full-contact combat sport that aims…Kūdō (空道) (formerly known as Daido Juku) is a Japanese hybrid martial art. It is a full-contact combat sport that aims to achieve safety, aggression and practicality, a style of mixed martial arts practised with headgear and gloves. It features stand-up striking, with throwing and grappling techniques being also allowed in the competition, including restraint, locks and chokeholds. Kūdō is a form of budō (modern martial arts) that originated in the Daido Juku school, an organization founded by Azuma Takashi in 1981. The relationship between the Daido Juku school and kudo is similar to that between the kodokan school and judo. Kūdō is found in more than 100 locations in Japan and is practised in more than 50 countries around the world. Although it is a martial art created by the Japanese, Russia currently has the largest number of Kūdō athletes, eclipsing the number of Japanese practitioners.
Yoshioyama Osamu (born 20 May 1949 as Osamu Yoshimura) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He…Yoshioyama Osamu (born 20 May 1949 as Osamu Yoshimura) is a former sumo wrestler from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1965 and reached the top division in November 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Onogawa. He left the Sumo Association in January 1977.
Masayoshi Namiki (並木 正芳, Namiki Masayoshi; born 19 May 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Masayoshi Namiki (並木 正芳, Namiki Masayoshi; born 19 May 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Tokorozawa, Saitama and graduate of Saitama University, he had served in the assembly of Tokorozawa for three terms since 1979 and in the assembly of Saitama Prefecture for two terms since 1991. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996 as a member of the New Frontier Party. After losing his seat in 2000, he also lost the election in 2003. He was re-elected in 2005 as a member of the LDP.
Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 洋, Ogawa Hiroshi; 17 May 1949 – 2 November 2021) was a Japanese politician who became the governor of…Hiroshi Ogawa (小川 洋, Ogawa Hiroshi; 17 May 1949 – 2 November 2021) was a Japanese politician who became the governor of Fukuoka Prefecture in 2011. In 2015, he was re-elected for a second term, and for a third term in 2019. In 2021 he resigned to receive cancer treatment and the vice governor Seitaro Hattori was elected to replace him.
Sumio Hirota (弘田 澄男, Hirota Sumio) (born May 13, 1949 in Sukumo, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former…Sumio Hirota (弘田 澄男, Hirota Sumio) (born May 13, 1949 in Sukumo, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder. He played with the Lotte Orions from 1972 to 1983 and the Hanshin Tigers from 1984 to 1987. He won the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1974.
Moto Hagio (萩尾 望都, Hagio Moto; born May 12, 1949) is a Japanese manga artist. Regarded for her contributions to shōjo…Moto Hagio (萩尾 望都, Hagio Moto; born May 12, 1949) is a Japanese manga artist. Regarded for her contributions to shōjo manga (manga aimed at young and adolescent women), Hagio is considered the most significant artist in the demographic and among the most influential manga artists of all time, being referred to as the "god of shōjo manga" (少女漫画の神様, shōjo manga no kami-sama) by critics. Hagio made her debut as a manga artist in 1969 at the publishing company Kodansha before moving to Shogakukan in 1971, where she was able to publish her more radical and unconventional works that had been rejected by other publishers. Her first serializations at Shogakukan – the vampire fantasy The Poe Clan, the shōnen-ai (male–male romance) drama The Heart of Thomas, and the science fiction thriller They Were Eleven – were among the first works of shōjo manga to achieve mainstream critical and commercial success. Hagio subsequently emerged as a central figure in the Year 24 Group, a grouping of female manga artists who significantly influenced shōjo manga in the 1970s by introducing new aesthetic styles and expanding the category to incorporate new genres. Since the 1980s, Hagio has drawn primarily adult-oriented manga in the manga magazine Petit Flower and its successor publication Flowers, notably Marginal, A Cruel God Reigns, and Nanohana. While Hagio primarily authors works in the science fiction, fantasy, and shōnen-ai genres, her manga explores a wide range of themes and subjects, including comedy, historical drama, and social and environmental issues. She has been recognized with numerous awards both in Japan and internationally, including the Order of the Rising Sun, a Medal of Honor, and commendation as a Person of Cultural Merit.
Terumi Niki (二木 てるみ, Niki Terumi; born 11 May 1949) is a Japanese actress from Tokyo. Since a child, she has been a…Terumi Niki (二木 てるみ, Niki Terumi; born 11 May 1949) is a Japanese actress from Tokyo. Since a child, she has been a member of the Japanese Theatrical Company Gekidan Wakakusa, of which she has joined in 1953. She played the young girl Otoyo in Akira Kurosawa's Red Beard (1965).
Banmei Takahashi (高橋伴明, Takahashi Banmei) (or Tomoaki Takahashi) is a Japanese film director. Takahashi started his…Banmei Takahashi (高橋伴明, Takahashi Banmei) (or Tomoaki Takahashi) is a Japanese film director. Takahashi started his career in the pink film industry, making his directorial debut in 1972 with Escaped Rapist Criminal. Due to a disagreement with his producer, Takahashi quit the film industry for a couple years. He joined pink film pioneer Kōji Wakamatsu's production studio in 1975, working as a script-writer until Wakamatsu produced Takahashi's second film, Delinquent File: Juvenile Prostitution (1976). For the next few years Takahashi averaged five films annually at Wakamatsu's studio, until Takahashi left to start his own production company in 1979. Takahashi married Nikkatsu Roman Porno and pink film actress Keiko Sekine who then changed her name to Keiko Takahashi and starred in several of Takahashi's films. Sekine appeared in Takahashi's Tattoo Ari (1982), a mainstream box-office hit which won Takahashi the award for Best Director at the 4th Yokohama Film Festival. With the success of this film, Takahashi dissolved Takahashi Productions to focus on mainstream filmmaking. Takahashi's 1994 film Ai no Shinsekai, inspired by photographer Nobuyoshi Araki's work, is significant as the first Japanese production to play uncensored and unfogged domestically.
