Yoji Shinkawa (Japanese: 新川洋司, Hepburn: Shinkawa Yōji; born 25 December 1971) is a Japanese artist. He is best known…Yoji Shinkawa (Japanese: 新川洋司, Hepburn: Shinkawa Yōji; born 25 December 1971) is a Japanese artist. He is best known for collaborating extensively with video game director Hideo Kojima as the lead character and mechanical designer, and art director, for most of his games, including the entirety of the Metal Gear Solid franchise and the Death Stranding duology.
Atsuko Hiyajo (Japanese: 比屋定 篤子, Hepburn: Hiyajō Atsuko; born 24 December 1971) is a Japanese singer and radio…Atsuko Hiyajo (Japanese: 比屋定 篤子, Hepburn: Hiyajō Atsuko; born 24 December 1971) is a Japanese singer and radio personality. Born in Naha, she performed for a band while at Musashino Art University, as well as her own concerts in Tokyo. Making her major label debut in 1997, she released several albums and singles with Epic Records Japan and Sony Music Entertainment Japan in the 1990s and 2000s. Following her return to Okinawa, she began working as an independent musician, collaborating with Ryusenkei and other musicians, and served as the Wednesday host for RBC iRadio's At BBS . One of her songs, "Maware Maware", received renewed popularity from the city pop boom of the 2010s.
Yoshitsugu Kobayashi (小林 快次, Kobayashi Yoshitsugu, born 1971) is a Japanese vertebrate paleontologist. He is a…Yoshitsugu Kobayashi (小林 快次, Kobayashi Yoshitsugu, born 1971) is a Japanese vertebrate paleontologist. He is a professor and the assistant director in Hokkaido University Museum. His major achievements include the description and naming of several dinosaurs from Japan, for example, Kamuysaurus, Yamatosaurus and Paralitherizinosaurus. He is also a research affiliate of Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a member of Jurassic Foundation, a councilor of Palaeontological Society of Japan.
Masayoshi Yamazaki (山崎 まさよし, Yamazaki Masayoshi; born 山崎 将義 Yamazaki Masayoshi on December 23, 1971, in Kusatsu Shiga)…Masayoshi Yamazaki (山崎 まさよし, Yamazaki Masayoshi; born 山崎 将義 Yamazaki Masayoshi on December 23, 1971, in Kusatsu Shiga) is a Japanese singer-songwriter who plays guitar-driven blues, rock, and pop music, though he has also recorded piano ballads. Though he primarily plays the guitar, he has played the drums, piano, percussion, saxophone, and glockenspiel on some albums. He released his second album in 1997, which contained his breakout and most famous single "One More Time, One More Chance." This song was used in Makoto Shinkai's anime film 5 Centimeters per Second. In November of 2002, he performed the Beatles song "All My Loving" for Sir Paul McCartney while the latter was backstage after a show in Japan on the Driving World Tour.
Asuka Kurosawa (黒沢あすか, Kurosawa Asuka; born 22 December 1971) is a Japanese actress and gravure model. She has appeared…Asuka Kurosawa (黒沢あすか, Kurosawa Asuka; born 22 December 1971) is a Japanese actress and gravure model. She has appeared in more than 20 films since 1988.
Reiko Kataoka (片岡 礼子, Kataoka Reiko; born December 20, 1971) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress…Reiko Kataoka (片岡 礼子, Kataoka Reiko; born December 20, 1971) is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 45th Blue Ribbon Awards for Hush!.
Narihiro Inamura (稲村 成浩, Inamura Narihiro; born 18 December 1971) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in two events at…Narihiro Inamura (稲村 成浩, Inamura Narihiro; born 18 December 1971) is a Japanese cyclist. He competed in two events at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Takahiro Shimotaira (下平 隆宏, Shimotaira Takahiro; born December 18, 1971) is a Japanese professional football manager…Takahiro Shimotaira (下平 隆宏, Shimotaira Takahiro; born December 18, 1971) is a Japanese professional football manager and former player who is the manager of J3 League club Kōchi United SC.
Shouji Saeki (Japanese: 佐伯 昭志, Hepburn: Saeki Shōji; born December 17, 1971) is a Japanese director, storyboard artist…Shouji Saeki (Japanese: 佐伯 昭志, Hepburn: Saeki Shōji; born December 17, 1971) is a Japanese director, storyboard artist, writer, and animator known for directing and writing several series for studios Gainax and Shaft.
Ayumi Shigemori (茂森 あゆみ, Shigemori Ayumi; born in Kumamoto) is a Japanese actress and pop star. She sang on the major…Ayumi Shigemori (茂森 あゆみ, Shigemori Ayumi; born in Kumamoto) is a Japanese actress and pop star. She sang on the major J-pop hit "Dango 3 Kyodai".
Hajime Kazumi (数見 肇, Kazumi Hajime) (born December 14, 1971) is a Japanese karateka. Born in Kanagawa prefecture…Hajime Kazumi (数見 肇, Kazumi Hajime) (born December 14, 1971) is a Japanese karateka. Born in Kanagawa prefecture, Kazumi is a karate fighter who played an active part in the full-contact karate tournaments hosted by Kyokushinkaikan from the early 1990s to the early 2000s. He started Kyokushin karate at age of fifteen and at age twenty Kazumi defeated many top fighters to reach the finals of the 24th All Japan Championship in 1992. Since then Kazumi has never finished outside of the top two places in any tournament. His effective punching and kicking combinations helped him reach the finals of six All Japan Tournaments in a row, winning four of these to break Keiji Senpai's record. He also reached the finals of two World Open Tournaments where he lost to Francisco Filho on boards and Kenji Yamaki, training partner and fellow student of Tsuyoshi Hiroshige's Jonan Branch. Kazumi is recognized as one of Kyokushin Karate's most successful full-contact fighters. He is currently director of Hajime Kazumi Dojo, where he works as an instructor of karate fighting techniques. Kazumi currently holds 6th dan black belt.
Itsuki Asai (浅井 樹, Asai Itsuki; born December 14, 1971) is a former baseball player from Japan. Asai played in the…Itsuki Asai (浅井 樹, Asai Itsuki; born December 14, 1971) is a former baseball player from Japan. Asai played in the Nippon baseball league. He initially played in the Pioneer League, before moving to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the Central League. At times, he played as a pinch hitter.
Yoshihisa "Kowloon" Kurosawa (黒沢 喜久, Kurosawa Yoshihisa) (born 1971) is a Japanese businessman, essayist, and…Yoshihisa "Kowloon" Kurosawa (黒沢 喜久, Kurosawa Yoshihisa) (born 1971) is a Japanese businessman, essayist, and nonfiction writer from Tokyo, Japan. He is best known for being the designer of Hong Kong 97 on the Super Famicom, which is considered to be one of the worst video games ever made. Currently, he writes underground travel journals and computer books in Asia, and resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 義久, Hirano Yoshihisa; born December 7, 1971) is a Japanese composer and arranger. He is best known…Yoshihisa Hirano (平野 義久, Hirano Yoshihisa; born December 7, 1971) is a Japanese composer and arranger. He is best known for composing the scores for anime series, such as Death Note, Hunter × Hunter (2011), Hajime no Ippo and Edens Zero. He has also made the orchestration for video games, mostly in the Final Fantasy franchise. His musical style combines impressionism and atonal music. He employs techniques such as polyrhythm, tone clusters, polytonality, brass glissandi and polymodal chromaticism to create unique musical textures.
Eiko Naitō (内藤 栄子; born December 6, 1971), known professionally as Eiki Eiki (影木 栄貴), is a Japanese manga artist.…Eiko Naitō (内藤 栄子; born December 6, 1971), known professionally as Eiki Eiki (影木 栄貴), is a Japanese manga artist. Active since 1998, most of her manga are written under the yaoi and yuri genre.
Rika Hiraki (Japanese: 平木 理化, born 6 December 1971) is a former professional Japanese tennis player. She won the…Rika Hiraki (Japanese: 平木 理化, born 6 December 1971) is a former professional Japanese tennis player. She won the mixed-doubles title at the 1997 French Open (with Mahesh Bhupathi).
Hidehiko Tanizawa (born 5 December 1971) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Tanizawa, a left-handed…Hidehiko Tanizawa (born 5 December 1971) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. Tanizawa, a left-handed player, won a national title as a 17-year old in 1989, when he defeated Tsuyoshi Fukui in the final of the All Japan Tennis Championships. In 1990 he featured in a Davis Cup tie against India in Chandigarh, to become Japan's youngest ever Davis Cup debutant. He lost his two singles rubbers, to Zeeshan Ali and Srinivasan Vasudevan. This was his only Davis Cup appearance and he continued competing in professional tournaments until 1996.
Kōki Harasawa (はらさわ 晃綺, Harasawa Kōki; born December 4, 1971) is a Japanese voice actor from Gunma Prefecture, Japan.…Kōki Harasawa (はらさわ 晃綺, Harasawa Kōki; born December 4, 1971) is a Japanese voice actor from Gunma Prefecture, Japan. He is affiliated with Ken Production.
Hina Aoyama (蒼山日菜) (born December 27, 1970, in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese paper-cutting artist and illustrator. She…Hina Aoyama (蒼山日菜) (born December 27, 1970, in Yokohama, Japan) is a Japanese paper-cutting artist and illustrator. She has been creating super fine lacy-paper-cuttings since 2000. Aoyama currently lives and works in Ferney-Voltaire, France.
Keiko Sugiura (杉浦佳子, Sugiura Keiko; born December 26, 1970) is a Japanese road and track cyclist in the C3 category…Keiko Sugiura (杉浦佳子, Sugiura Keiko; born December 26, 1970) is a Japanese road and track cyclist in the C3 category from Shizuoka Prefecture. She changed her surname from Noguchi (野口) to her maiden name Sugiura in 2018. She belongs to Team Bridgestone Cycling. She has also been active under the name of Yoshiko Sugiura since around 2019. Sugiura won the gold medal at the women's road time trial, at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics,
Nigö (ニゴー, Nigō; born Tomoaki Nagao (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970) is a Japanese fashion designer, disc jockey (DJ)…Nigö (ニゴー, Nigō; born Tomoaki Nagao (長尾 智明) on December 23, 1970) is a Japanese fashion designer, disc jockey (DJ), record producer and entrepreneur. He is best known as the creator of the streetwear brand, A Bathing Ape (Bape), and currently serves as artistic director for Kenzo. Additionally, he is a member of the Japanese group Teriyaki Boyz, serving as their official in-house DJ since the group's 2005 debut.
Mima Shimoda (下田 美馬, Shimoda Mima; born on December 23, 1970, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler, who…Mima Shimoda (下田 美馬, Shimoda Mima; born on December 23, 1970, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese professional wrestler, who is working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Japanese promotion World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana. She is most well known for being half of Las Cachorras Orientales with Etsuko Mita.
Ryoko Sekiguchi (Japanese: 関口 涼子; Tokyo, December 21, 1970) is a Japanese poet and translator. She studied journalism…Ryoko Sekiguchi (Japanese: 関口 涼子; Tokyo, December 21, 1970) is a Japanese poet and translator. She studied journalism at Waseda University. After graduating, she studied History of Art at the Sorbonne and received a doctorate in comparative literature and cultural studies at the University of Tokyo. She publishes her books in both French and Japanese and works for institutions like Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales. A quote in French, attributed to Sekiguchi, appears at the top of the label of 2016 vintage Moulis-en-Médoc from Château Chasse-Spleen in Bordeaux: "Percevoir l'énigme sans prétendre la résoudre: la seule façon de vivre sa vie." ("To see the mystery, but not to solve it: the only way to live a life.")
Motonobu Tanishige (Japanese: 谷繁 元信, born December 21, 1970, in Hiroshima) is a retired Japanese professional baseball…Motonobu Tanishige (Japanese: 谷繁 元信, born December 21, 1970, in Hiroshima) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager. Tanishige played 27 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), appearing in more games (3,021) than any other player in NPB history. Making his debut for the Taiyo Whales in 1989 at age 18, he played for the franchise for 13 years. In 2002, he moved to the Chunichi Dragons, where he played for 14 seasons, until 2015. He was the player-manager of the Chunichi Dragons from 2014 to 2015, staying on as manager in 2016. Tanishige played in five Japan Series. He played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, when Japan won the championship. In 2024, he was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Nagaru Tanigawa (谷川 流, Tanigawa Nagaru; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese author. He is a graduate of the law…Nagaru Tanigawa (谷川 流, Tanigawa Nagaru; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese author. He is a graduate of the law school at Kwansei Gakuin University. He is best known as the creator of the Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series, which was adapted into an anime television series and film, and for which he won the Grand Prize at the eighth annual Sneaker Awards. While Tanigawa was on hiatus from writing his light novel series, he wrote the manga series Amnesia Labyrinth, which was serialized in Dengeki Bunko Magazine.
Hideki Kamiya (神谷 英樹, Kamiya Hideki; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer and director. He is the…Hideki Kamiya (神谷 英樹, Kamiya Hideki; born December 19, 1970) is a Japanese video game designer and director. He is the founder of the independent studio Clovers and a co-founder of PlatinumGames. In 2009, he was named one of the top 100 game creators by IGN. Kamiya began his career in 1994 with Capcom, directing Resident Evil 2 (1998), Devil May Cry (2001), Viewtiful Joe (2003), and Ōkami (2006). From 2004 to 2006, he worked for the Capcom subsidiary Clover Studio. After leaving Capcom, Kamiya and other former staff members founded PlatinumGames in 2006, where he served as vice president from 2017 to 2023. His projects with PlatinumGames include Bayonetta (2009) and The Wonderful 101 (2013). Kamiya left PlatinumGames in 2023 to form Clovers.
Yutaka Aihara (相原 豊, Aihara Yutaka; born 18 December 1970) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer…Yutaka Aihara (相原 豊, Aihara Yutaka; born 18 December 1970) is a Japanese former gymnast who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the team event. At the 1991 World Championships, he won a bronze medal on the vault.
Shikishima Katsumori (born 15 December 1970 as Hiromichi Yoshitane) is a former sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Chiba…Shikishima Katsumori (born 15 December 1970 as Hiromichi Yoshitane) is a former sumo wrestler from Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. He made his professional debut in January 1989, and reached the top division in November 1994. His highest rank was maegashira 1. He defeated Takanohana twice in 1998 to earn his only two kinboshi for a yokozuna upset. His stablemaster, former sekiwake Aonosato retired in November 2000 and he moved from Tatsutagawa stable to Michinoku stable. He retired in May 2001 after being diagnosed with a heart ailment, and has remained in sumo as an elder of the Japan Sumo Association and coach at Michinoku. He has borrowed a succession of elder names since his retirement. Since 2013 he has been known as Urakaze.
Kanako Nishi (西加南子, Nishi Kanako; born 13 December 1970, in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese women's racing…Kanako Nishi (西加南子, Nishi Kanako; born 13 December 1970, in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, Japan) is a Japanese women's racing cyclist who currently rides for Luminaria. She won the Japanese National Road Race Championships for women in 2009, the first to win the national title after Miho Oki's eleven straight victories.
Hayashiya Sanpei II (2代目 林家 三平, Nidaime Hayashiya Sanpei; real name Taisuke Ebina (海老名 泰助, Ebina Taisuke), born 11…Hayashiya Sanpei II (2代目 林家 三平, Nidaime Hayashiya Sanpei; real name Taisuke Ebina (海老名 泰助, Ebina Taisuke), born 11 December 1970, in Negishi, Taitō, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese rakugo comedian and tarento. His debayashi is "Matsuri-bayashi". He is sometimes called Nidai Hayashiya Sanpei (二代 林家 三平). He was known as Hayashiya Ippei (林家 いっ平). Hayashiya was the star performer of Rakugo Kyodai. He was once represented with Horipro. Hayashiya is now represented with Negishi Sanpeido. He is not only good in English, he can also speak Chinese. From May 2016 Hayashiya became a member of "Ōgiri" of Shōten. He is left-handed.
Lê Minh Hưng (Vietnamese pronunciation: [le˧˧ mïŋ˧˧ hɨŋ˧˧]; born 11 December 1970) is a Vietnamese economist and…Lê Minh Hưng (Vietnamese pronunciation: [le˧˧ mïŋ˧˧ hɨŋ˧˧]; born 11 December 1970) is a Vietnamese economist and politician who is serving as the 9th Prime Minister of Vietnam since 2026. A member of the Politburo, he was previously the Head of the Central Organization Commission, and Chief of the Office of the Central Committee. In 2016, at the age of 46, Hưng became the second-youngest Governor in the history of the State Bank of Vietnam, a position he held until 2020 in the cabinet of Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. At the 14th Party Congress, he was elevated to the Politburo and quickly became the presumptive designate to succeed Phạm Minh Chính as the Prime Minister.
Hiromi Sato (佐藤 ひろ美, Satō Hiromi; born December 10, 1970) is a Japanese former singer and songwriter from Iwate…Hiromi Sato (佐藤 ひろ美, Satō Hiromi; born December 10, 1970) is a Japanese former singer and songwriter from Iwate Prefecture. She has performed for songs for games and anime, such as Mizuiro, Please Twins!, Green Green, and the Galaxy Angel games. She has also written songs for other artists. Prior to December 10, 2005, her name was written as 佐藤裕美. She is affiliated with ARIA Entertainment and their composing group Elements Garden. She runs the company S Inc.
Kiyomi Niwata (Japanese: 庭田清美, born 10 December 1970 in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture) is a professional triathlete from…Kiyomi Niwata (Japanese: 庭田清美, born 10 December 1970 in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture) is a professional triathlete from Japan, triple Olympian (Sydney, Athens, Beijing), multiple-time National Champion (2004, 2005, 2006), and an Asian Aquathlon Champion and Oceanian Triathlon Champion of the year 2009. Kiyomi Niwata and Anja Dittmer are the only triathletes who took part in all three Olympic triathlons. In Sydney and in Athens, Niwata placed 14th, in Beijing, 9th. She is coached by Col Stewart.
YUKA, formally Yuka Muraishi (村石有香, Muraishi Yuka) and formerly Yuka Sato (佐藤有香 Satō Yuka), is a Japanese singer, born…YUKA, formally Yuka Muraishi (村石有香, Muraishi Yuka) and formerly Yuka Sato (佐藤有香 Satō Yuka), is a Japanese singer, born on December 10, 1970. She is best known for her work in Japanese animation, including the ending themes of several Dragon Ball Z theatrical films (with Hironobu Kageyama), as well as singing "Mirai no Kioku", the opening theme of the series Kiddy Grade. In June 2000, she married drummer Muraishi Masayuki (村石 雅行), and in 2003, gave birth to a son. Previously, she had also assumed the stage name Asakura Miyū (麻倉未有) in addition to her other names. More recently, her songs "Destiny of the Desert" and "Shinkirō" (Mirage) also appeared in the anime Desert Punk as the opening and closing songs respectively.
Hiroshi Tsuruya (born December 8, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight and…Hiroshi Tsuruya (born December 8, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.
Daisuke Hideshima (秀島大介, Hideshima Daisuke; born December 7, 1970 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese judoka. He began judo at…Daisuke Hideshima (秀島大介, Hideshima Daisuke; born December 7, 1970 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese judoka. He began judo at the age of 6. He won the gold medal in the Lightweight (71 kg) division at the 1995 World Judo Championships.
Hajime Tsutsui (筒井 はじめ, Tsutsui Hajime) (born on December 7, 1970, in Tokyo) is a Japanese artist and designer.…Hajime Tsutsui (筒井 はじめ, Tsutsui Hajime) (born on December 7, 1970, in Tokyo) is a Japanese artist and designer. Currently, he works as a fashion designer for the design firms Tsusuihajime×Hyouzaemon, Tsutsui Hajime×L'Homos, and Ninita.
Shigeru Toyama (藤山 茂, Tōyama Shigetu; born December 3, 1970) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Ōbu, Aichi, and began…Shigeru Toyama (藤山 茂, Tōyama Shigetu; born December 3, 1970) is a Japanese judoka. He was born in Ōbu, Aichi, and began judo at the age of a first grader. After graduating from Tokai University, He entered the Sohgo Security Services. He won a gold medal at the -71 kg category of the Asian Championships in 1993 and silver medal at Asian Games in 1994. . Toyama retired in 1996 and as of 2009, Toyama coaches judo at his alma mater, Doho high school, where he previously studied as an undergraduate.
Yoshihiro Inoue (井上嘉浩, Inoue Yoshihiro; December 28, 1969 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese terrorist and high ranking…Yoshihiro Inoue (井上嘉浩, Inoue Yoshihiro; December 28, 1969 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese terrorist and high ranking member of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo who was executed in Japan on July 6, 2018. He was responsible for coordinating the Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995 which killed 14 people. His holy name was Aananda and his stage in the cult was Master Shogo.
Takeshi Senoo (妹尾 武) (born December 26, 1969) is a Japanese composer. He has worked on several different anime shows…Takeshi Senoo (妹尾 武) (born December 26, 1969) is a Japanese composer. He has worked on several different anime shows, including the Aria series, Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha, and the Himawari! series. Along with Shigeharu Sasago he was music director of the Aria soundtracks, which he composed with Choro Club. He also co-composed the music for the live action series Ariadne no Dangan and produced the soundtrack for the film Sweet Little Lies.
Mariko Shiga (志賀 真理子, Shiga Mariko; December 24, 1969 – November 23, 1989) was a Japanese idol star and voice actress…Mariko Shiga (志賀 真理子, Shiga Mariko; December 24, 1969 – November 23, 1989) was a Japanese idol star and voice actress born in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. She is mostly known for her lead role as the voice of Yumi Hanazono, the main character of the 1980s anime Pastel Yumi, the Magic Idol. Shiga attended and graduated from Funabashi Municipal High School, before enrolling overseas in the University of California, Riverside in 1989. While on a trip to Arizona in November of that same year, Shiga was killed in a car accident near Flagstaff, when she was thrown from the vehicle due to the car rolling, as it swerved to avoid hitting a deer that jumped out in front of the car she was riding in. She died thirty-one days before her 20th birthday.
Miyuki Matsushita (松下 美由紀, Matsushita Miyuki; born December 24, 1969) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Arts…Miyuki Matsushita (松下 美由紀, Matsushita Miyuki; born December 24, 1969) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Arts Vision. She was born in Saitama Prefecture.
