Shun'ichi Kuryu (栗生 俊一, Kuryu Shun'ichi; born 6 December 1958) is a Japanese police officer who served as Deputy Chief…Shun'ichi Kuryu (栗生 俊一, Kuryu Shun'ichi; born 6 December 1958) is a Japanese police officer who served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary from 2021 to 2024. He previously served as Commissioner General of the National Police Agency from 2018 to 2020.
Hideo Murai (村井 秀夫 Murai Hideo; December 5, 1958 – April 23, 1995) was a Japanese criminal and member of the Aum…Hideo Murai (村井 秀夫 Murai Hideo; December 5, 1958 – April 23, 1995) was a Japanese criminal and member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult and one of the perpetrators responsible for the Sakamoto family murder. He also helped plan the Tokyo subway sarin attack. Murai held a doctorate in astrophysics. He was reportedly the number three person in the Aum leadership, after Shoko Asahara and Kiyohide Hayakawa. He headed Aum Shinrikyo's Ministry of Science and Technology.
Shinji Harada (Harada Shinji、原田真二) is a pop music artist in Japan. He was born on December 5, 1958 in Hiroshima. After…Shinji Harada (Harada Shinji、原田真二) is a pop music artist in Japan. He was born on December 5, 1958 in Hiroshima. After three years of practicing guitar, at the age of fifteen he was ready to play guitar with the band Yamaha. Harada became a musical sensation in Japan when he released his debut single Teens' Blues on October 25, 1977 when he was 18 years old. He released two more singles, Candy in November and Shadow Boxer in December same year. All three singles ranked within the top 20 in the Oricon chart simultaneously, which had never happened before. The debut album Feel Happy was to become number one in the first week of release in Japan in 1978. A documentary film about him, Our Song, was made in 1978. Harada has been prolific, releasing more than 70 singles from 1977 to 2015. Harada as a songwriter, has written or composed for Koji Kikkawa, Junko Yagami, Anri, Hiromi Go, Akina Nakamori, and other artists. His song 'Time Travell' from the album 'Feel Happy' was covered by Spitz. Spitz's 'Time Travel' was used in the famous 2011 Japanese drama Boku to Star no 99 Nichi starring Hidetoshi Nishijima and Kim Tae Hee.
Masashi Matsuie (Japanese: 松家仁之, Hepburn: Matsuie Masashi; born 1958) is a Japanese novelist and editor. He worked for…Masashi Matsuie (Japanese: 松家仁之, Hepburn: Matsuie Masashi; born 1958) is a Japanese novelist and editor. He worked for the publishing house Shinchosha, where he helped launch the translated-fiction imprint Shincho Crest Books and served as founding editor-in-chief of the quarterly magazine Kangaeru hito. His 2012 debut novel Kazan no fumoto de won the 64th Yomiuri Prize for Literature. His 2017 novel Hikari no inu won the Kawai Hayao Story Prize and the Art Encouragement Prize of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational holding company, video game developer, publisher, and…Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational holding company, video game developer, publisher, and entertainment conglomerate. It releases role-playing game franchises, such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Kingdom Hearts, among numerous others. Outside of video game publishing and development, it is also in the business of merchandise, arcade facilities, and manga publication under its Gangan Comics brand. The original Square Enix Co., Ltd. was formed in April 2003 from a merger between Square and Enix, with the latter as the surviving company. Each share of Square's common stock was exchanged for 0.85 shares of Enix's common stock. At the time, 80% of Square Enix staff were made up of former Square employees. As part of the merger, former Square president Yoichi Wada was appointed the president of the new corporation, while former Enix president Keiji Honda was named vice president. Yasuhiro Fukushima, the largest shareholder of the combined corporation and founder of Enix, became chairman. In October 2008, Square Enix conducted a company split between its corporate business and video game operations, reorganizing itself as the holding company Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., while its internally domestic video game operations were formed under the subsidiary Square Enix Co., Ltd. The group operates American, Chinese and European branches, based in Los Angeles, Beijing, Paris, Hamburg, and London respectively. Several of Square Enix's franchises have sold over 10 million copies worldwide after 2020, with Final Fantasy selling 212 million, Dragon Quest selling 97 million, and Kingdom Hearts shipping 36 million. In 2005, Square Enix acquired arcade corporation Taito. In 2009, Square Enix acquired Eidos plc, the parent company of British game publisher Eidos Interactive, which was then absorbed into its European branch. Square Enix is headquartered at the Shinjuku Eastside Square Building in Shinjuku, Tokyo, along with offices at Shibuya and Osaka. It has over 5,000 employees worldwide through its base operations and subsidiaries.
Masaru Tomita (Japanese: 冨田 勝, Hepburn: Tomita Masaru; born December 28, 1957) is a Japanese life scientist and…Masaru Tomita (Japanese: 冨田 勝, Hepburn: Tomita Masaru; born December 28, 1957) is a Japanese life scientist and computer scientist known for pioneering contributions to systems biology, metabolomics, artificial intelligence, and computational biology. He is Distinguished Professor at Keio University and Representative Director of Tsuruoka Science Park. He previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies and Director of the Institute for Advanced Biosciences at Keio University. Tomita holds four doctoral degrees in four different fields.
Tadashi Maeda (born December 1957) is governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. He was previously…Tadashi Maeda (born December 1957) is governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. He was previously senior managing director He is a member of the council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. On 10 April 2024, Maeda was among the guests invited to the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in honor of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House.
Milk Morizono (Japanese: 森園 みるく, Hepburn: Morizono Miruku; born December 25, 1957) is the pen name of Hiroko Mizoguchi…Milk Morizono (Japanese: 森園 みるく, Hepburn: Morizono Miruku; born December 25, 1957) is the pen name of Hiroko Mizoguchi (Japanese: 溝口 比呂子, Hepburn: Mizoguchi Hiroko), a Japanese manga artist and photographer. Noted for her works in the ladies' manga genre that feature ecchi themes and subject material, Morizono has been called the "Queen of Ladies' Manga" and noted by Rachel Matt Thorn as "the most popular and respected creator of erotic manga for women".
Kazumi Okamura (born December 23, 1957) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme…Kazumi Okamura (born December 23, 1957) is a Japanese jurist who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Japan since 2019.
Tsutomu Kitagawa (喜多川2tom (Real name,喜多川 務), Kitagawa Tsutomu; born December 21, 1957) is a Japanese actor and stuntman…Tsutomu Kitagawa (喜多川2tom (Real name,喜多川 務), Kitagawa Tsutomu; born December 21, 1957) is a Japanese actor and stuntman who is mostly known for playing Godzilla for the "Millennium" (or "Shinsei") series. He also played King Ghidorah for Rebirth of Mothra III. He also played the costumed actor for the Blue (and occasionally, Black) Ranger in many of Toei Company's Super Sentai Series in the 1980s, better known in the United States as Power Rangers. Kitagawa graduated from Sakuragaoka High School before joining Sonny Chiba's Japan Action Club in January 1975.
Hisatoshi Shintaku (新宅 永灯至, Shintaku Hisatoshi; born December 20, 1957), also known as Masanari Shintaku (新宅雅也…Hisatoshi Shintaku (新宅 永灯至, Shintaku Hisatoshi; born December 20, 1957), also known as Masanari Shintaku (新宅雅也, Shintaku Masanari), is a retired long-distance runner from Japan. He won the 1985 edition of the Fukuoka Marathon, clocking 2:09:51 on December 1, 1985. He represented his native country at the 1988 Summer Olympics, finishing in 17th place (2:15:42).
Masami Yuki (ゆうきまさみ, Yūki Masami), real name Shūji Satō (佐藤修司 Satō Shūji; born December 19, 1957), is a Japanese manga…Masami Yuki (ゆうきまさみ, Yūki Masami), real name Shūji Satō (佐藤修司 Satō Shūji; born December 19, 1957), is a Japanese manga artist. He is a member of the artist collective known as Headgear, along with Mamoru Oshii, Akemi Takada, Kazunori Itō, and Yutaka Izubuchi. He has received multiple awards for his work: the 1988 Seiun Award for Kyūkyoku Chōjin R, and the 1991 Shogakukan Manga Award for Mobile Police Patlabor. After graduating from Kutchan High School, Yūki moved to Tokyo, where he worked as a manga assistant under artists like Miki Tori and Kaoru Shintani, who inspired him to create his own works. He began by publishing several works in doujinshi, and soon after began working as a professional manga artist with Weekly Shōnen Sunday. In the mid-1980s, he developed the original concept for a lighthearted mecha anime that would become Patlabor, which launched in 1988 with the Early Days OVA and Yūki's serialized manga. As of 2026, he continues to work on projects like Shinkurō, Hashiru! and Patlabor EZY.
Satoru Otomo (大友 哲, Ōtomo Satoru, 19 December 1957, Mitaka) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and a discoverer…Satoru Otomo (大友 哲, Ōtomo Satoru, 19 December 1957, Mitaka) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and a discoverer of minor planets. According to the Minor Planet Center, he is credited with the discovery of 148 asteroids between 1991 and 1997, 15 of which were co-discoveries with Osamu Muramatsu. As of 2016, he ranks in 81st place, just behind Tamara Mikhailovna Smirnova in the MPC's asteroid discovery listings.
Masako Natsume (夏目 雅子, Natsume Masako; November 17, 1957 – September 11, 1985) was a Japanese actress from Tokyo.…Masako Natsume (夏目 雅子, Natsume Masako; November 17, 1957 – September 11, 1985) was a Japanese actress from Tokyo. Widely popular in Japan, she gained worldwide recognition for her portrayal of Tripitaka in the TV series Monkey, which is now considered a cult classic.
Lin Tainan (Japanese: Lin Tainan/はやしやすお Hayashi Yasuo; December 15, 1957 – July 26, 2018) was a Japanese convicted…Lin Tainan (Japanese: Lin Tainan/はやしやすお Hayashi Yasuo; December 15, 1957 – July 26, 2018) was a Japanese convicted murderer, terrorist and former member of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo. He is of Korean descent, and changed his name to Koike Yasuo after taking his wife's surname. He was a former senior cadre of Aum Shinrikyo (Master Zhengwu, deputy minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology).
Tomohiro Kojiri (Japanese: 小尻知博; December 12, 1957 – May 4, 1987) was a Japanese journalist for the Tokyo-based…Tomohiro Kojiri (Japanese: 小尻知博; December 12, 1957 – May 4, 1987) was a Japanese journalist for the Tokyo-based newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Kojiri was killed in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, near Osaka, during a shooting at the Asahi Shimbun bureau; the shooter also fired at two other people, injuring one. Investigators believed that Kojiri was targeted by a right-wing, political extremist group known as Sekihōtai (Japanese: 赤報隊), as Kojiri had written a story about Japanese discrimination against the Korean minority, and typed letters were sent in the group's name claiming responsibility. It was the first attack on a newspaper in Japan since 1972. The attack is known in Japan as the Asahi Shimbun Hanshin bureau attack [ja].
Kiyoto Inoue (井上 清登, Inoue Kiyoto; born December 10, 1957) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid to late…Kiyoto Inoue (井上 清登, Inoue Kiyoto; born December 10, 1957) is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the mid to late 1980s. Competing in two Summer Olympics, he earned his best finish of sixth in the C-1 500 m event at Los Angeles in 1984.
Minori Mori (森 美乃里, Mori Minori; born 9 December 1957) is a Japanese athlete. She competed in the women's javelin throw…Minori Mori (森 美乃里, Mori Minori; born 9 December 1957) is a Japanese athlete. She competed in the women's javelin throw at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Katsunori Takahashi (高橋 克法, Takahashi Katsunori; born 7 December 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal…Katsunori Takahashi (高橋 克法, Takahashi Katsunori; born 7 December 1957) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Councillors.
Hiroshi Mori (森 博嗣, Mori Hiroshi; born December 7, 1957) is a Japanese writer and engineer. He is known for writing…Hiroshi Mori (森 博嗣, Mori Hiroshi; born December 7, 1957) is a Japanese writer and engineer. He is known for writing mystery novels – particularly his debut work The Perfect Insider, which won him the first Mephisto Prize in 1996 – but he considers himself to be a researcher as well as a craftsman. He writes his name as "MORI Hiroshi," family name first and uppercased, regardless of the language when romanized.
Mitsuo Tateishi (立石 充男, Tateishi Mitsuo; born June 12, 1957 in Izumi, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese baseball…Mitsuo Tateishi (立石 充男, Tateishi Mitsuo; born June 12, 1957 in Izumi, Osaka, Japan) is a former Japanese baseball player. He was most recently the position player coach for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
Kozo Inoue (井上 公造, Inoue Kōzō; born December 30, 1956, in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese…Kozo Inoue (井上 公造, Inoue Kōzō; born December 30, 1956, in Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese reporter who is represented by Kozo Creators with his wife. He graduated from Seinan Gakuin University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Shigeru Kitamura (北村 滋, Kitamura Shigeru; born 27 December 1956) is a Japanese police officer who served as Secretary…Shigeru Kitamura (北村 滋, Kitamura Shigeru; born 27 December 1956) is a Japanese police officer who served as Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat from 2019 to 2021 and Director of Cabinet Intelligence from 2011 to 2019. Kitamura was a trusted advisor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on matters of national security.
Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional…Masashi Aoyagi (Japanese: 青柳 政司, Hepburn: Aoyagi Masashi; 27 December 1956 – 6 July 2022) was a Japanese professional wrestler and karateka. He worked for numerous Japanese promotions such as Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Hiroaki Murakami (村上 弘明, Murakami Hiroaki; born December 22, 1956) is a Japanese actor. He specializes in jidaigeki…Hiroaki Murakami (村上 弘明, Murakami Hiroaki; born December 22, 1956) is a Japanese actor. He specializes in jidaigeki roles, and has also taken parts in tokusatsu and modern productions.
Atsushi Oshima (大島 敦, Ōshima Atsushi; born 21 December 1956) is a Japanese politician in the House of Representatives…Atsushi Oshima (大島 敦, Ōshima Atsushi; born 21 December 1956) is a Japanese politician in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Kitamoto, Saitama and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected for the first time in 2000.
Merzbow (Japanese: メルツバウ, Hepburn: Merutsubau) is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, best known…Merzbow (Japanese: メルツバウ, Hepburn: Merutsubau) is a Japanese noise project started in 1979 by Masami Akita, best known for a style of harsh noise music. Since 1980, Akita has released over 500 recordings and collaborated with numerous artists. The name Merzbow comes from the German dada artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork Merzbau, in which Schwitters transformed the interior of his house using found objects. The name was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic. In addition to this, Akita has cited a wide range of musical influences from progressive rock, heavy metal, free jazz, and early electronic music to non-musical influences like dadaism, surrealism and fetish culture. Since the early 2000s, he has been inspired by animal rights and environmentalism, and began to follow a vegan, straight edge lifestyle. In addition to being a prolific musician, he has been a writer and editor for several books and magazines in Japan, and has written several books of his own. He has written about a variety of subjects, mostly about music, modern art, and underground culture. His more renowned works were on the topics of BDSM and Japanese bondage. Other art forms Akita has been interested in include painting, photography, filmmaking, and Butoh dance. In 2000, Extreme Records released the 50 CD box set Merzbox. Akita's work has been the subject of several remix albums and at least one tribute album. This, among other achievements, has helped Merzbow to be regarded by some as the "most important artist in noise".
Hiroshi Hasebe (長谷部 浩, Hasebe Hiroshi) is the professional pseudonym of Makoto Matsuno (松野 誠, Matsuno Makoto; born 17…Hiroshi Hasebe (長谷部 浩, Hasebe Hiroshi) is the professional pseudonym of Makoto Matsuno (松野 誠, Matsuno Makoto; born 17 December 1956), a Japanese theatre critic and professor at Tokyo University of the Arts (Fine Arts, Department of Inter Media Art).
Tomihisa Taue (田上 富久, Taue Tomihisa; born December 10, 1956) is a Japanese politician and who served as the mayor of…Tomihisa Taue (田上 富久, Taue Tomihisa; born December 10, 1956) is a Japanese politician and who served as the mayor of Nagasaki, the capital city of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan from 2007 to 2023.
Akio Miyazawa (Japanese: 宮沢 章夫 Miyazawa Akio; 9 December 1956 – 12 September 2022) was a Japanese playwright, writer…Akio Miyazawa (Japanese: 宮沢 章夫 Miyazawa Akio; 9 December 1956 – 12 September 2022) was a Japanese playwright, writer, and academic.
Hōō Tomomichi, born Tomomichi Kabetani (7 December 1956 – 16 January 2013) was a sumo wrestler from Gamagōri, Aichi…Hōō Tomomichi, born Tomomichi Kabetani (7 December 1956 – 16 January 2013) was a sumo wrestler from Gamagōri, Aichi, Japan. He made his professional debut in September 1971, and reached the top division in July 1979. His highest rank was sekiwake. He is the only sekiwake since the six-tournaments-a-year schedule began in 1958 to never win a sanshō or special prize. He was one of the few wrestlers to face both Takanohana Kenshi and his son Takanohana Kōji, having fought the latter in the makushita division towards the end of his career. He left the sumo world upon retirement in May 1990. He died of heart disease in 2013.
Masaru Wakasa (若狭 勝, Wakasa Masaru; born 12 December 1956) is a Japanese lawyer, politician and former member of the…Masaru Wakasa (若狭 勝, Wakasa Masaru; born 12 December 1956) is a Japanese lawyer, politician and former member of the House of Representatives in Japan.
Mieko Fukui (福井 美恵子, Fukui Mieko; 3 December 1956 – 30 November 1980) was a Japanese basketball player. She competed in…Mieko Fukui (福井 美恵子, Fukui Mieko; 3 December 1956 – 30 November 1980) was a Japanese basketball player. She competed in the women's tournament at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Mitsu Shimojo (下条 みつ, Shimojō Mitsu; born 29 December 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan…Mitsu Shimojo (下条 みつ, Shimojō Mitsu; born 29 December 1955) is a Japanese politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Matsumoto, Nagano and graduate of Shinshu University, he was elected for the first time in 2003 after an unsuccessful run in 2000.
Shin-Ichi Fukuda (福田 進一, Fukuda Shin'ichi; born in Osaka, Japan on December 25, 1955) is a Japanese classical…Shin-Ichi Fukuda (福田 進一, Fukuda Shin'ichi; born in Osaka, Japan on December 25, 1955) is a Japanese classical guitarist. He has released more than 60 albums, including in Memoriam: Takemitsu: Guitar Works, his interpretation of works by the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Shin-ichi Fukuda Official Website
Mizuho Fukushima (福島 瑞穂, Fukushima Mizuho; born 24 December 1955) is a Japanese politician and attorney. A native of…Mizuho Fukushima (福島 瑞穂, Fukushima Mizuho; born 24 December 1955) is a Japanese politician and attorney. A native of Nobeoka, Miyazaki, she has been a member of the House of Councillors since 1998, was re-elected in 2004 and 2010, and was the head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDP), from 2003 to 2013. She was elected as the leader of the party for a second time in February 2020.
Junji Nishimura (西村 純二, Nishimura Junji; born December 23, 1955) is a Japanese anime director and producer currently…Junji Nishimura (西村 純二, Nishimura Junji; born December 23, 1955) is a Japanese anime director and producer currently residing in Karatsu, Saga. After graduating from Meiji Gakuin University in 1980, Nishimura entered into the anime studio Nishiko Production. Nishimura had his first job as a producer for Baldios in 1980, and went on to be in charge of production in other series such as Six God Combination Godmars, and Magical Princess Minky Momo in 1982. An episode of Urusei Yatsura he directed in 1982, "After You've Gone" (episode #44), was voted the favorite episode of the TV series by Japanese fans. In 1984, Nishimura resigned from Nishiko and in 1985 had his director debut with Pro Golfer Saru. Since then, he has worked as the director on many anime produced by Studio Deen, notably Ranma ½ (serving as series director on later television seasons and for the OVA series as well) and Kyo Kara Maoh!. In 2019, he was named as director of a new anime series, Vladlove, about a girl vampire that was written by Mamoru Oshii and financed by Ichigo Inc.
Hideki Noda (野田 秀樹, Noda Hideki; born 20 December 1955) is a Japanese actor, playwright and theatre director who has…Hideki Noda (野田 秀樹, Noda Hideki; born 20 December 1955) is a Japanese actor, playwright and theatre director who has written and directed more than 40 plays in Japan.
Shinsuke Suematsu (末松 信介, Suematsu Shinsuke; born December 17, 1955) is a Japanese politician who serves as a member of…Shinsuke Suematsu (末松 信介, Suematsu Shinsuke; born December 17, 1955) is a Japanese politician who serves as a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet of Japan. He has represented the Hyogo at-large district as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party since 2004. He served as Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology from 2021 to 2022.
Nanako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 奈々子, Hepburn: Satō Nanako; born 1955) is a Japanese musician. Originally a competitive…Nanako Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 奈々子, Hepburn: Satō Nanako; born 1955) is a Japanese musician. Originally a competitive gymnast during her youth before an accident, she worked as a solo singer for Nippon Columbia and Victor Entertainment, releasing five solo albums with both labels. She also worked as a commercial photographer in the 1980s, before returning to releasing music in 1995. She is among several artists who have been associated with city pop, with her music appearing in several city pop compilations.
Chiharu Matsuyama (松山千春, born December 16, 1955) is a Japanese folk singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the…Chiharu Matsuyama (松山千春, born December 16, 1955) is a Japanese folk singer and songwriter. He made his debut with the single Tabidachi in 1977, and success soon followed with the two hits Toki no Itazura and Kisetsu no Nakade. Matsuyama has been portrayed in film by Shunsuke Daitō. Daitō played him in a 2008 film based on Matsuyama's autobiographical work Ashoro Yori, published in 1979.
Masanori Sera (Japanese: 世良公則) (born 14 December 1955) is a Japanese singer and actor from Fukuyama. He graduated from…Masanori Sera (Japanese: 世良公則) (born 14 December 1955) is a Japanese singer and actor from Fukuyama. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts. As a singer Sera's rock band, Sera Masanori&TWIST appeared in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen twice (1978 and 1979). He made his solo debut with the single Tokyo rouge (Tokyo指紅) in 1982. As an actor, he appeared in popular detective drama Taiyō ni Hoero! from 1982 to 1984. In 1998, he won Best Supporting Actor award at the 22nd Japan Academy Prize (film award) for his role in Dr. Akagi.
