Takuzo Nagano (長野 拓造 (Nagano Takuzō), born June 1, 1979) is a Japanese video game artist and character designer best…Takuzo Nagano (長野 拓造 (Nagano Takuzō), born June 1, 1979) is a Japanese video game artist and character designer best known for his work at Level-5 Inc.. He is recognized as one of the company's principal character designers, having created the distinctive visual identities for several of Level-5's most successful multimedia franchises, including Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven, and Yo-kai Watch.
Miki Nakao (中尾 美樹, Nakao Miki) (born June 25, 1978, in Nagasaki, Nagasaki) is a former backstroke swimmer from Japan…Miki Nakao (中尾 美樹, Nakao Miki) (born June 25, 1978, in Nagasaki, Nagasaki) is a former backstroke swimmer from Japan, who won the bronze medal in the 200m Backstroke at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Shunsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 俊輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shunsuke; born 24 June 1978) is a Japanese former professional…Shunsuke Nakamura (Japanese: 中村 俊輔, Hepburn: Nakamura Shunsuke; born 24 June 1978) is a Japanese former professional footballer. He is currently working as an assistant coach of the Japan national football team. He is the only person to have been named J.League Most Valuable Player more than once, receiving the award in 2000 and 2013. Renowned as one of Japan's greatest ever footballers, Nakamura was known for his free-kicks; Steve Perryman once remarked that Nakamura "could open a tin of beans with his left foot". Nakamura began his professional career with J1 League club Yokohama Marinos in 1997, eventually making 338 league appearances during two spells at the club totalling just over twelve seasons. In between his spells at Marinos, Nakamura played in Europe with Espanyol, Celtic, and Reggina. During his time at Celtic, he became one of the best Asian players to have ever played in Europe; he was nominated for the 2007 Ballon d'Or, was named Scottish Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in 2007, and became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League. His team accomplishments at Celtic include winning the Scottish Premier League in 2006, 2007, and 2008, the Scottish League Cup in 2006 and 2009, and the Scottish Cup in 2007. Nakamura has 98 caps and 24 goals for the Japan national football team, including appearances in the FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and 2010 and winning the AFC Asian Cup in 2000 and 2004; he was named Most Valuable Player of the 2004 competition. He also appeared in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship as a member of the Japan under-20 team and the 2000 Summer Olympics as a member of the Japan under-23 team.
Shūhei Morita (Japanese: 森田 修平, Hepburn: Morita Shūhei); born June 22, 1978) is a Japanese anime filmmaker…Shūhei Morita (Japanese: 森田 修平, Hepburn: Morita Shūhei); born June 22, 1978) is a Japanese anime filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for directing the critically successful 2013 film Possessions for which Morita was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, as well as the 2014 anime series Tokyo Ghoul for its first and second seasons.
Shogen Itokazu (尚玄; born 20 June 1978), known mononymously as Shogen, is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his…Shogen Itokazu (尚玄; born 20 June 1978), known mononymously as Shogen, is a Japanese actor. He is best known for his role as Nao Tsuchiyama in Gensan Punch (2021), which had a joint win for the Kim Jiseok award with The Rapist (2021) at the 26th Busan International Film Festival. Born in Okinawa, he formerly worked as a model before making his acting debut in Bloody Snake Under the Sun (2005).
Yasuhiro Suzuki (鈴木 康弘, Suzuki Yasuhiro; born June 18, 1978), better known by the ring name Kotaro Suzuki (鈴木 鼓太郎…Yasuhiro Suzuki (鈴木 康弘, Suzuki Yasuhiro; born June 18, 1978), better known by the ring name Kotaro Suzuki (鈴木 鼓太郎, Suzuki Kotarō), is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Gleat. He is best known for working for the Pro Wrestling Noah and All Japan Pro Wrestling promotions, where he was a four-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion for Noah and a one-time World Junior Heavyweight Champion for AJPW.
Masato Uchishiba (内柴 正人, Uchishiba Masato; born 17 June 1978) is a Japanese judoka who won the gold medal in the men's…Masato Uchishiba (内柴 正人, Uchishiba Masato; born 17 June 1978) is a Japanese judoka who won the gold medal in the men's under 66 kg division at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, and at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Mika Haruna (春名 美佳, Haruna Mika; born 14 June 1978) is a former Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer…Mika Haruna (春名 美佳, Haruna Mika; born 14 June 1978) is a former Japanese swimmer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics and in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Tomoaki Satoh (佐藤 友亮, Satō Tomoaki; born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is…Tomoaki Satoh (佐藤 友亮, Satō Tomoaki; born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa) is a Japanese professional baseball player. He is currently with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. In 2008, he was selected Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Asia Series.
Shinichiro Koyama (小山 伸一郎, Koyama Shinichiro; born June 13, 1978) is a former pitcher and now who played for the…Shinichiro Koyama (小山 伸一郎, Koyama Shinichiro; born June 13, 1978) is a former pitcher and now who played for the Chunichi Dragons and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He is currently a pitching coach for the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Hirotaka Yokoi (横井宏考) (born June 8, 1978) is a Japanese former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A…Hirotaka Yokoi (横井宏考) (born June 8, 1978) is a Japanese former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. A professional MMA competitor from 2000 until 2007, Yokoi fought for PRIDE, Shooto, RINGS, and DEEP, while in professional wrestling he wrestled mainly for Pro Wrestling Zero1.
Hiroyuki Kobayashi (小林 宏之, 小林宏, Kobayashi Hiroyuki, Kobayashi-Hiro; born June 4, 1978) is a Japanese professional…Hiroyuki Kobayashi (小林 宏之, 小林宏, Kobayashi Hiroyuki, Kobayashi-Hiro; born June 4, 1978) is a Japanese professional baseball right-handed pitcher. He played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic for Japan. As a relief pitcher Kobayashi throws a fastball that sits in 87-91 mph (tops out at 93 mph), silder, change-up, and an effective forkball as his out pitch.
Ayako Ikeda (池田 綾子, Ikeda Ayako) (born 1 June 1978) is a Japanese song writer and singer. She is signed onto Sony Music…Ayako Ikeda (池田 綾子, Ikeda Ayako) (born 1 June 1978) is a Japanese song writer and singer. She is signed onto Sony Music Japan. She debuted with her single "Yasashii Uta" (優しい歌) on 21 February 2002, her single 'Life' became the theme song of the TV drama "Ai nante iranee yo, natsu" (愛なんていらねえよ、夏), and she has composed and sung the opening and ending themes to the anime Dennou Coil.
Naoki Ishikawa (石川 直樹, Ishikawa Naoki; b. Tokyo, 1977) is a Japanese photographer and mountaineer. He has climbed all…Naoki Ishikawa (石川 直樹, Ishikawa Naoki; b. Tokyo, 1977) is a Japanese photographer and mountaineer. He has climbed all 14 eight-thousanders and the seven summits. In 2001, he began to take photographs seriously and thereafter his ventures as a photographer and writer have intimately linked to his travels and climbs, as he often photographs and writes about his own adventures to various remote landscapes. Ishikawa's analog photographs frequently capture nature at its most extreme and the people that inhabit it, gaining a broad recognition for his ethnographic sensibility and curiosity, informed by his study of anthropology and ethnography at Waseda University. Ishikawa actively participates in the education of photography and anthropology; he has served as a part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Sociology at Rikkyo University and the Photography department of Nihon University and is currently the director of the Photo Archipelago Setouchi school.
Yuichi Yoda (要田 勇一, Yoda Yuichi; born June 25, 1977) is a Japanese former football player. and current manager…Yuichi Yoda (要田 勇一, Yoda Yuichi; born June 25, 1977) is a Japanese former football player. and current manager Nadeshiko League Div.1 club of NHK Spring Yokohama FC Seagulls.
Naoya Tsukahara (Japanese:塚原 直也 Tsukahara Naoya, born June 25, 1977) is a former Japanese artistic gymnast and 2004…Naoya Tsukahara (Japanese:塚原 直也 Tsukahara Naoya, born June 25, 1977) is a former Japanese artistic gymnast and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist now coaching and competing for Australia. He is the son of the former Japanese gymnast, Mitsuo Tsukahara, who was also a multiple gold medalist in the Olympic Games during the 1960s and 70s. He competed at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics as well as many World Championships for team Japan from 1996 until 2006. In 2009, he moved to Australia, gaining citizenship in 2012, and currently represents Australia's national gymnastics team, most recently competing at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Shinji Nagatomo (長友 慎治, Nagatomo Shinji; born 22 June 1977) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party For the…Shinji Nagatomo (長友 慎治, Nagatomo Shinji; born 22 June 1977) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party For the People, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Wakatoba Hiromi (born June 15, 1977, as Hiromi Yamada) is a former sumo wrestler from Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan. His highest…Wakatoba Hiromi (born June 15, 1977, as Hiromi Yamada) is a former sumo wrestler from Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan. His highest rank was maegashira 11.
Yanwari Kazama (風間やんわり, Kazama Yanwari; June 13, 1977 – October 22, 2013) was a Japanese manga artist. He started…Yanwari Kazama (風間やんわり, Kazama Yanwari; June 13, 1977 – October 22, 2013) was a Japanese manga artist. He started drawing the Taberemasen ("not fit for consumption") yonkoma cartoon in 1995 in the Kodansha-published Young Magazine while still in high school, and continued the series until 2013. Besides publishing in Young Magazine, he also published social satire cartoons in the weekly magazine Friday. He died on October 22, 2013, from liver failure.
Yuzo Funakoshi (船越 優蔵, Funakoshi Yuzo; born June 12, 1977) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer who is…Yuzo Funakoshi (船越 優蔵, Funakoshi Yuzo; born June 12, 1977) is a Japanese football manager and former footballer who is manager of J2 League club Albirex Niigata.
Hiroyuki Takaya (Japanese: 高谷裕之, Takaya Hiroyuki, born June 10, 1977) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently…Hiroyuki Takaya (Japanese: 高谷裕之, Takaya Hiroyuki, born June 10, 1977) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Takaya has fought in the WEC, Strikeforce, DREAM, Shooto, K-1 HERO'S, Pancrase, RIZIN, Vale Tudo Japan, and Cage Force. Takaya is the former DREAM Featherweight Champion. He also competed at the Japanese MMA events Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 and Dynamite!! 2010. Due to his experience in street fighting, Takaya is known as the "Streetfight Bancho".
Takako Matsu (松 たか子, Matsu Takako) (born Takako Fujima (藤間 隆子, Fujima Takako) on June 10, 1977) is a Japanese actress…Takako Matsu (松 たか子, Matsu Takako) (born Takako Fujima (藤間 隆子, Fujima Takako) on June 10, 1977) is a Japanese actress and pop singer.
Daisuke Muramatsu (born 8 June 1977) is a Japanese football manager who currently manages WE League club Albirex…Daisuke Muramatsu (born 8 June 1977) is a Japanese football manager who currently manages WE League club Albirex Niigata Ladies.
Koji Kakamu (各務 耕司 (Kakamu Kōji, born June 7, 1977)) is a Japanese judo coach and former judoka. He is the current head…Koji Kakamu (各務 耕司 (Kakamu Kōji, born June 7, 1977)) is a Japanese judo coach and former judoka. He is the current head coach of the Saudi Arabia national judo team. He is notable for his successful tenure as a coach for the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF), particularly as the head coach for the junior national team, leading them to numerous gold medals at the World Judo Juniors Championships.
Naoki Fukui (福井 直樹, Fukui Naoki; born Naoki Numazawa (沼澤 直樹, Numazawa Naoki) on June 7, 1977) is a Japanese…Naoki Fukui (福井 直樹, Fukui Naoki; born Naoki Numazawa (沼澤 直樹, Numazawa Naoki) on June 7, 1977) is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his stage name "Black Angel" Jaki Numazawa ("黒天使"沼澤邪鬼, "Kokutenshi" Numazawa Jaki). He currently wrestles for Big Japan Pro Wrestling in the Deathmatch division, where he has held the BJW Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship on one occasion.
Yugo Kanno (菅野 祐悟, Kanno Yūgo; born June 5, 1977) is a Japanese composer and musician known for his work on many…Yugo Kanno (菅野 祐悟, Kanno Yūgo; born June 5, 1977) is a Japanese composer and musician known for his work on many television dramas, anime series, and movies.
Tomokazu Soma (相馬朋和, Sōma Tomokazu) (born 5 June 1977 in Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player. Soma has…Tomokazu Soma (相馬朋和, Sōma Tomokazu) (born 5 June 1977 in Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese rugby union player. Soma has played 24 matches for the Japan national rugby union team. Soma played three games for Japan at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Yukiya Yokoyama (横山 道哉, Yokoyama Yukiya; born June 1, 1977 in Ebina, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon…Yukiya Yokoyama (横山 道哉, Yokoyama Yukiya; born June 1, 1977 in Ebina, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher.
Masayoshi Yokoyama (横山 昌義 Yokoyama Masayoshi, born June 30, 1976) is a Japanese game producer, director and writer for…Masayoshi Yokoyama (横山 昌義 Yokoyama Masayoshi, born June 30, 1976) is a Japanese game producer, director and writer for Sega, more specifically Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, a studio within Sega Development Division 1, where he's been the head of the division and studio since 2021. He is mainly known for his work on the Yakuza series, where he has been working since the very beginning as a writer, and later on as a producer.
Ryohei Endo (遠藤 良平, Endō Ryōhei) is a Japanese former baseball professional baseball player. He played for the Nippon…Ryohei Endo (遠藤 良平, Endō Ryōhei) is a Japanese former baseball professional baseball player. He played for the Nippon Ham Fighters in the Pacific League.
Hidehiro Mitani (三谷英弘, Mitani Hidehiro; born 28 June 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House…Hidehiro Mitani (三谷英弘, Mitani Hidehiro; born 28 June 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2017, having previously served from 2012 to 2014. Until 2014, he was a member of Your Party.
Mayumi Asano (浅野真弓, Asano Mayumi; born 27 June 1976) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual event…Mayumi Asano (浅野真弓, Asano Mayumi; born 27 June 1976) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Taizo Sugitani (杉谷 泰造, Sugitani Taizō; born 27 June 1976 in Izumi, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider.…Taizo Sugitani (杉谷 泰造, Sugitani Taizō; born 27 June 1976 in Izumi, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider. Representing Japan, he competed in seven Summer Olympics (in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2024). By competing in Paris 2024 he became the first Japanese athlete to compete in seven Summer Olympics. He placed 11th in team jumping in 2000. Meanwhile, his current best individual Olympic placement is 15th place from Athens in 2004. He is the son of the Olympic rider and riding club owner Masayu Sugitani. After graduating from Canadian Academy in Kobe in 1996, he moved to the Netherlands to get coached by former Dutch champion Henk Nooren. Sugitani also competed at six editions World Equestrian Games (each edition from 1994 to 2014) and at two editions of Show Jumping World Cup finals (in 2000 and 2007). In 2010, he was 10th place at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Sugitani won two bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Hidetaka Yamada (山田 英孝, Yamada Hidetaka; born June 22, 1976 in Hyogo, Japan) is a male badminton player from Japan.…Hidetaka Yamada (山田 英孝, Yamada Hidetaka; born June 22, 1976 in Hyogo, Japan) is a male badminton player from Japan. Yamada played badminton at the 2000 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics in men's singles, losing in the round of 32 to Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in both times.