Chikubayama Masakuni (born August 21, 1957, as Makoto Tazaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ukiha, Fukuoka, Japan. He…Chikubayama Masakuni (born August 21, 1957, as Makoto Tazaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ukiha, Fukuoka, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1973, breaking into the top makuuchi division thirteen years later in 1986. His highest rank was maegashira 13. After retiring in 1989 he became an elder of the Japan Sumo Association. He was the head coach of the Miyagino stable and his most successful wrestler is yokozuna Hakuhō.
Kōbōyama Daizō (born 15 August 1957 as Kōkichi Yomogida) is a former sumo wrestler from Tsukidate, Kurihara, Miyagi…Kōbōyama Daizō (born 15 August 1957 as Kōkichi Yomogida) is a former sumo wrestler from Tsukidate, Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1973 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1981. His highest rank was sekiwake. He earned two special prizes for Technique and was a runner-up in one tournament. He retired in 1990. He is now a sumo coach and ran the Takashima stable from 1993 until 2011. He was elected to the Japan Sumo Association's board of directors in 2018.
Kazuaki Ichimura (市村 和昭, Ichimura Kazuaki; born 11 August 1957) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events…Kazuaki Ichimura (市村 和昭, Ichimura Kazuaki; born 11 August 1957) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed in two events at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Masayoshi Son (Japanese: 孫 正義; born Masayoshi Yasumoto, August 11, 1957) is a Japanese entrepreneur, investor, and…Masayoshi Son (Japanese: 孫 正義; born Masayoshi Yasumoto, August 11, 1957) is a Japanese entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. A Zainichi Korean, he is the founder, chairman and chief executive of SoftBank Group (SBG), a technology-focused investment holding company, as well as chairman of UK-based Arm Holdings and US-based Stargate LLC. As an entrepreneur, he achieved notability in software distribution, computing-related book and magazine publishing, and telecommunications in Japan, starting in the 1980s and booming throughout the 1990s and 2000s. His early $20 million investment in Alibaba Group in 2000 grew substantially over the years, reaching a valuation of around $75 billion by 2014 following Alibaba's IPO, and contributing significantly to SoftBank's financial success. SoftBank's 27 percent stake in Alibaba was worth $132 billion in 2018, including additional purchases of the stock since 2000. The morphing of his own telecom company SoftBank Corp. into an investment management firm called SoftBank Group Corp. made him noted worldwide as a stock investor. He is known for his bold investment strategies, sometimes resulting in major losses, particularly with the first and second SoftBank Vision Funds. In 2013, Son was placed 45th on the Forbes magazine's list of the World's Most Powerful People. In 2017 he was named Entrepreneur of the Year at The Asian Awards. As of May 2025, Son ranks 65th on the Forbes's list of The World's Billionaires and is No. 177 on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He had for many years the distinction of being the person who had lost the most money in history (more than $59 billion during the dot-com crash of 2000 alone, when his SoftBank shares plummeted), a feat surpassed by Elon Musk in the following decades.
Masahiro Hara (Japanese: 原 昌宏, Hepburn: Hara Masahiro, born on August 8, 1957) is a Japanese engineer and Hosei…Masahiro Hara (Japanese: 原 昌宏, Hepburn: Hara Masahiro, born on August 8, 1957) is a Japanese engineer and Hosei University graduate who is best known for inventing the QR code in 1994.
Chubee Kagita (鍵田 忠兵衛, Kagita Chūbee; 6 August 1957 – 16 December 2011) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Chubee Kagita (鍵田 忠兵衛, Kagita Chūbee; 6 August 1957 – 16 December 2011) was a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). Kagita was born in Nara, son of former House of Representative member Kagita Saburou Tadashi. Kagita graduated from Kokushikan University with a Bachelor's degree in Politics and Economics. He had served in the assembly of Nara Prefecture for three terms since 1995 and became the mayor of Nara in 2004. Resigning as mayor in 2005, he ran unsuccessfully for the mayor of Nara in the same year (defeated by current mayor Gen Nakagawa in the 2009 elections). He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2005 and resigned in 2009 to run as mayor of Nara.
Shigeru Ban (坂 茂, Ban Shigeru; born 5 August 1957) is a Japanese architect, known for his innovative work with paper…Shigeru Ban (坂 茂, Ban Shigeru; born 5 August 1957) is a Japanese architect, known for his innovative work with paper, particularly recycled cardboard tubes used to quickly and efficiently house disaster victims. Many of his notable designs are structures which are temporary, prefabricated, or incorporate inexpensive and unconventional materials in innovative ways. He was profiled by Time magazine in their projection of 21st-century innovators in the field of architecture and design. In 2014, Ban was named the 37th recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious prize in modern architecture. The Pritzker Jury cited Ban for his innovative use of material and his dedication to humanitarian efforts around the world, calling him "a committed teacher who is not only a role model for younger generation, but also an inspiration."
Yasutoshi Moriyama (森山泰年, Moriyama Yasutoshi; born 4 August 1957) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the…Yasutoshi Moriyama (森山泰年, Moriyama Yasutoshi; born 4 August 1957) is a Japanese former wrestler who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics, in the 1988 Summer Olympics, and in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Masayoshi Nataniya (那谷屋 正義, Nataniya Masayoshi; born 3 August 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Masayoshi Nataniya (那谷屋 正義, Nataniya Masayoshi; born 3 August 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party and a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Yokohama, Kanagawa and graduate of Yokohama National University, he was elected for the first time in 2004.
Yoshio Kato (加藤 好男, Katō Yoshio; born August 1, 1957) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Yoshio Kato (加藤 好男, Katō Yoshio; born August 1, 1957) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Yoshiko Ishiba (née Nakamura; born 26 August 1956) is the wife of Shigeru Ishiba, the former prime minister of Japan.…Yoshiko Ishiba (née Nakamura; born 26 August 1956) is the wife of Shigeru Ishiba, the former prime minister of Japan. She previously worked for Marubeni.
Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi; born August 25, 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played…Takeshi Okada (岡田 武史, Okada Takeshi; born August 25, 1956) is a Japanese football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently the owner of FC Imabari.
Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice…Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko; 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 to 2014.
Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He…Takarakuni Minoru (born 16 August 1956 as Minoru Saisu) is a former sumo wrestler from Higashi, Fukushima, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, joining the original Isegahama stable, recruited by former yokozuna Terukuni, and reached the top division in March 1982. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Following his retirement from active competition he remained in the sumo world as a sewanin under his real name Saisu, and was a member of Asahiyama stable and then the new Isegahama stable. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for sumo personnel in August 2021 and left his position. In November 1973 he won out in an extraordinary twelve-way playoff for the Jonidan championship, winning four additional bouts for a final score of 6–1–PPPP.
Takashi Esaki (江崎孝, Esaki Takashi; born 11 August 1956) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional Democratic…Takashi Esaki (江崎孝, Esaki Takashi; born 11 August 1956) is a Japanese politician from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. He serves as member of the House of Councillors as a national proportional representative.
Chiaki Takahashi (高橋 千秋, Takahashi Chiaki; born August 2, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of…Chiaki Takahashi (高橋 千秋, Takahashi Chiaki; born August 2, 1956) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Anō, Mie and graduate of Meiji University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 2000 after running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in 1998.
Hideaki Hara (原 秀章 (Hara Hideaki), born 1 August 1956) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in three events at the…Hideaki Hara (原 秀章 (Hara Hideaki), born 1 August 1956) is a Japanese former swimmer. He competed in three events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Kang Man-Soo (born 24 August 1955) is a South Korean former volleyball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics…Kang Man-Soo (born 24 August 1955) is a South Korean former volleyball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics, in the 1976 Summer Olympics, and in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Shinji Hiramatsu (Japanese: 平松 伸二, Hepburn: Hiramatsu Shinji, born August 22, 1955) is a Japanese manga artist. He…Shinji Hiramatsu (Japanese: 平松 伸二, Hepburn: Hiramatsu Shinji, born August 22, 1955) is a Japanese manga artist. He hails from Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, and currently resides in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. He is best known for works such as Doberman Deka, Black Angels, and Murder License Kiba. His wife is manga scriptwriter Uni Yasue. He serves as a councilor of the Japan Cartoonists Association.
Kazuo Azuma (東 和男, Azuma Kazuo; August 17, 1955) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank…Kazuo Azuma (東 和男, Azuma Kazuo; August 17, 1955) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan. He is a former senior managing director of the Japan Shogi Association.
Tomofumi Murata (村田 友文, Murata Tomofumi) (born August 17, 1955), better known by his ring name Takeshi Caesar (シーザー武志…Tomofumi Murata (村田 友文, Murata Tomofumi) (born August 17, 1955), better known by his ring name Takeshi Caesar (シーザー武志, Shīzā Takeshi), is a Japanese actor, retired kickboxer and the founder of shoot boxing.
Shishihō Yoshimasa (born Osamu Tanaka; August 14, 1955 – October 7, 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki…Shishihō Yoshimasa (born Osamu Tanaka; August 14, 1955 – October 7, 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Moriyama, Nagasaki, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1971, and became the first sekitori from Taiho stable when he reached the juryo division in July 1977. He reached the top division in September 1979. His highest rank was maegashira 2. His favourite techniques were migi-yotsu and uwatenage. Upon retirement in May 1987 he was hired by the Sumo Association as a wakaimonogashira. He left the sumo world in July 1991. He died of cancer in 2006.
Konuma Katsuyuki (born 14 August 1955 as Katsuyuki Konuma) is a former sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. He…Konuma Katsuyuki (born 14 August 1955 as Katsuyuki Konuma) is a former sumo wrestler from Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1971, and reached the top division in March 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 9. He was a contemporary of Chiyonofuji, and the second man after him born in the Shōwa 30s (1955–1964) to reach the top division. He was talked of as a future yokozuna candidate and the "new Kitanoumi" but after breaking his leg in May 1976 his career never recovered. He retired from active competition in November 1978 at the age of just 23, due partly to the effects of his injury but also to a breakdown in relations with his stablemaster Kagamiyama, former yokozuna Kashiwado. After leaving sumo he ran a restaurant in his hometown of Kasukabe. His relationship with Kagamiyama later improved enough for the latter to attend his wedding ceremony.
Hideo Fukuyama (福山 英朗, Hideo Fukuyama; born August 13, 1955) is a Japanese former racing driver. A former competitor at…Hideo Fukuyama (福山 英朗, Hideo Fukuyama; born August 13, 1955) is a Japanese former racing driver. A former competitor at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he attempted to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the early 2000s, but only qualified for four races before leaving the series. He was the first Japanese driver to compete in NASCAR's top series. Fukuyama won the JGTC/Super GT title on three occasions, in 1992, 1997 and 2000, as well as the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT3 class alongside Atsushi Yogo and Bruno Lambert.
Takahide Kimura (木村 隆秀, Kimura Takahide; born 10 August 1955) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic…Takahide Kimura (木村 隆秀, Kimura Takahide; born 10 August 1955) 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 Nagoya, Aichi and graduate of Tokyo Keizai University, he was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 1996 after having served in the Aichi Prefectural Assembly for three terms since 1983.
Yaeko Taguchi (田口 八重子, Taguchi Yaeko; born August 10, 1955) is a Japanese citizen, one of several kidnapped by North…Yaeko Taguchi (田口 八重子, Taguchi Yaeko; born August 10, 1955) is a Japanese citizen, one of several kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Kaneshige Wakamatsu (born 5 August 1955, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician and accountant who…Kaneshige Wakamatsu (born 5 August 1955, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese politician and accountant who served as a member of the House of Councillors of Japan from 2013 to 2025. He previously served as a member of the House of Representatives of Japan from 1993 to 2003. He represents the National proportional representation block as a member of Komeito. As of 24 June 2023, he is a member of the following committees: Committee on Health, Labor, and Welfare Committee on the Budget Additionally, he serves as the director of the House of Councillors Special Committee on Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Junichi Iijima (born August 28, 1954), Japanese, Enterprise Engineer and Professor of the Department of Industrial…Junichi Iijima (born August 28, 1954), Japanese, Enterprise Engineer and Professor of the Department of Industrial Management and Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan.
Osamu Nakako (中子修, Nakako Osamu; born August 20, 1954) is a Japanese former professional racing driver. He is a…Osamu Nakako (中子修, Nakako Osamu; born August 20, 1954) is a Japanese former professional racing driver. He is a five-time champion of the Japanese Touring Car Championship, having won titles in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992 and 1997. The first four of these titles came in the sub-1,600 cc division of the Group A era and the final one during the Super Touring era, on all occasions driving Honda cars for Mugen. He was also a race winner for Honda and Mugen in the GT500 class of the All-Japan GT Championship and the Suzuka 1000km, and contributed to their first titles in the series in 2000.
Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature…Yasuo Baba is a Japanese film director. He has produced programs for Japanese television and has directed six feature films, including Bubble Fiction: Boom or Bust (2007), which was selected for inclusion in the 31st annual Hong Kong International Film Festival, Messengers (1999), Embrace Me as Many Times as There Are Waves (1991), and Take Me Out to the Snowland (1987).
Saburo Tokura (戸倉 三郎, Tokura Saburo; born August 11, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of…Saburo Tokura (戸倉 三郎, Tokura Saburo; born August 11, 1954) is a Japanese jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of Japan from 2022 to 2024, having previously served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Japan from 2017 to 2022.
Yasuaki Shimizu (清水靖晃, Shimizu Yasuaki) (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is…Yasuaki Shimizu (清水靖晃, Shimizu Yasuaki) (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is known for his interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, in particular the "Cello Suites 1-6" re-arranged for and performed on tenor saxophone. Since 1981 he has composed, produced or arranged for artists as diverse as jazz vocalist Helen Merrill, composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, and DJ Towa Tei. During this time he has lived in London, Paris and Tokyo.
Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾, Kuma Kengo; born August 8, 1954) is a Japanese architect and emeritus professor in the Department of…Kengo Kuma (隈 研吾, Kuma Kengo; born August 8, 1954) is a Japanese architect and emeritus professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo. Frequently compared to contemporaries Shigeru Ban and Kazuyo Sejima, Kuma designed the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, built for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Lin Mun-lee (Chinese: 林曼麗; born 8 August 1954) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer. She served as Deputy Director of…Lin Mun-lee (Chinese: 林曼麗; born 8 August 1954) is a Taiwanese scholar and writer. She served as Deputy Director of National Palace Museum from 2004 to 2006, and its Director between 2006 and 2008.
Akihiko Tanaka (田中 明彦, Tanaka Akihiko; born 7 August 1954) is a Japanese international relations scholar who serves as…Akihiko Tanaka (田中 明彦, Tanaka Akihiko; born 7 August 1954) is a Japanese international relations scholar who serves as president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency since April 2022. He is specializing in theories of international systems, contemporary international relations in East Asia, Japan–United States relations and China–Japan relations. He was also the president of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. Tanaka was a professor of international politics at The University of Tokyo's Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia from 1990 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2017, and served a previous term as president of JICA from 2012 to 2015. He served in various advisory panels commissioned by the Japanese government.
Kosaburo Nishime (西銘 恒三郎, Nishime Kōsaburō; born 7 August 1954), is a Japanese politician who has served in the House…Kosaburo Nishime (西銘 恒三郎, Nishime Kōsaburō; born 7 August 1954), is a Japanese politician who has served in the House of Representatives representing Okinawa since 2012. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently…Mitsuru Sakamoto (坂本 満, Sakamoto Mitsuru), born on 7 August 1954, is a Japanese former rugby union player and currently coach. In his player career, he played as flanker.
Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves…Mitsuhiko Imamori (今森 光彦, Imamori Mitsuhiko; born 1954) is a self-taught Japanese photographer. His work often involves insects but he is a naturalist at heart.
Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a…Kazuyoshi Sekine (関根和美 Sekine Kazuyoshi), also known as Kazumi Sekine, was a Japanese film director, a dramatist, and a movie producer and the president of Sekine Production production company (関根プロ). He was born in Tokyo in 1954, and died in 2019. He mainly directs films produced by independent studios. He is married to the actress Izumi Aki, who has appeared in his films. Many of his films are urban love stories.
Yoshinori Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 よしのり or 小林 善範, Hepburn: Kobayashi Yoshinori; born August 31, 1953) is a Japanese…Yoshinori Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 よしのり or 小林 善範, Hepburn: Kobayashi Yoshinori; born August 31, 1953) is a Japanese manga artist known for his far-right political commentary manga Gōmanism Sengen. In particular, the three volumes On War (Sensōron) of this series made him famous in Japan, together selling more than 1.5 million volumes since first appearing in 1998.
Yūki Mizuhara (水原ゆう紀) is a Japanese actress from Minoh, Osaka. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Yokohama…Yūki Mizuhara (水原ゆう紀) is a Japanese actress from Minoh, Osaka. She won the award for best actress at the 1st Yokohama Film Festival for the Nikkatsu Roman Porno film Angel Guts: Red Classroom. She also appeared in Nikkatsu's 1982 production Red Scandal: Affair, a "thinly-veiled replica of Luis Buñuel's Belle de Jour."
Takanobu Ito (伊東 孝紳, Itō Takanobu; born 29 August 1953) is a Japanese business executive who led Honda from 2009 to…Takanobu Ito (伊東 孝紳, Itō Takanobu; born 29 August 1953) is a Japanese business executive who led Honda from 2009 to 2015.
Fumio Saito (斎藤 文夫, Saitō Fumio; 22 August 1953 – 25 March 2019) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the…Fumio Saito (斎藤 文夫, Saitō Fumio; 22 August 1953 – 25 March 2019) was a Japanese basketball player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and…Tsutomu Sekine (関根 勤, Sekine Tsutomu; born 21 August 1953, in Minato, Tokyo) is a Japanese comedian, singer and television presenter. His former stage name is Rabbit Sekine (ラビット関根, Rabitto Sekine). He is represented with Asai Kikaku. His daughter is tarento Mari Sekine. Sekine is partnered with Kazuki Kosakai, who is a junior at his talent agency and also a longtime best friend, in a comedy duo called Kosakin.
Jiro Ono (小野 次郎, Ono Jirō; born 7 August 1953) is a Japanese politician of Your Party, formerly of the Liberal…Jiro Ono (小野 次郎, Ono Jirō; born 7 August 1953) is a Japanese politician of Your Party, formerly of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors, formerly a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Hokuto, Yamanashi, and graduate of the University of Tokyo, he joined the National Police Agency in 1976, receiving a master's degree in jurisprudence from the University of Angers in France while in the agency. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in the 2005 Japanese general election. He ran in House of Councillors election in 2010 as a proportional candidate of Your Party and won.
