Takao Ito (伊藤 高男, Itō Takao; born 5 November 1952) is a Japanese former ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and…Takao Ito (伊藤 高男, Itō Takao; born 5 November 1952) is a Japanese former ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill and large hill events at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Hiromi Nagakura (長倉 洋海, Nagakura Hiromi; born 1952) is a Japanese photographer. In 2005 Nagakura's book Zabitto ikka…Hiromi Nagakura (長倉 洋海, Nagakura Hiromi; born 1952) is a Japanese photographer. In 2005 Nagakura's book Zabitto ikka, ie o tateru won the Kodansha Publishing Culture Award (講談社出版文化賞) for a work of photography.
Kotogatake Koichi (born Yoshikazu Takeuchi; 24 September 1952 – 24 February 2024) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from…Kotogatake Koichi (born Yoshikazu Takeuchi; 24 September 1952 – 24 February 2024) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Teshikaga, Hokkaidō. He made his professional debut in November 1967 and reached the top division in July 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 1. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. He left the Sumo Association in March 1995. Koichi died from heart failure on 24 February 2024, at the age of 71.
Koichi Kobayashi (小林 光一, こばやし こういち, Kobayashi Kōichi; born September 10, 1952) is a Japanese Go player. He is one of…Koichi Kobayashi (小林 光一, こばやし こういち, Kobayashi Kōichi; born September 10, 1952) is a Japanese Go player. He is one of the 'Six Supers' who championed Japanese Go in the last three decades of Japanese Go.
Hideki Nakano (中野 秀樹, Nakano Hideki; born 29 July 1952) is a Japanese skier. He competed in the Nordic combined event…Hideki Nakano (中野 秀樹, Nakano Hideki; born 29 July 1952) is a Japanese skier. He competed in the Nordic combined event at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Hiroyuki Kanno (born July 3, 1952) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of…Hiroyuki Kanno (born July 3, 1952) is a Japanese jurist who served as an associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2016 to 2022.
Naoto Ōtani (大谷 直人, Ōtani Naoto; born June 23, 1952) is a Japanese lawyer who served as the 19th Chief Justice of the…Naoto Ōtani (大谷 直人, Ōtani Naoto; born June 23, 1952) is a Japanese lawyer who served as the 19th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan from 2018 to 2022.
Haruhiko Kataoka (片岡晴彦, Haruhiko Kataoka; born April 1952) was the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense…Haruhiko Kataoka (片岡晴彦, Haruhiko Kataoka; born April 1952) was the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the de facto air force of Japan.
Noriko Matsuda (松田紀子, Matsuda Noriko) (born 5 March 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was…Noriko Matsuda (松田紀子, Matsuda Noriko) (born 5 March 1952) is a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a member of the Japanese winning team at the 1976 Olympic games.
Akio Sasajima (笹島 明夫, Sasajima Akio) (born 1952) is a jazz guitarist born in Japan and currently based in Sapporo…Akio Sasajima (笹島 明夫, Sasajima Akio) (born 1952) is a jazz guitarist born in Japan and currently based in Sapporo, Japan. His playing style incorporates bebop, hard bop, and jazz fusion. He recorded several albums as a leader for Muse and Enja in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Keibun Ōta (おおた慶文, Ōta Keibun), real name Yoshifumi Ōta (太田慶文, Ōta Yoshifumi), is a painter and illustrator born on…Keibun Ōta (おおた慶文, Ōta Keibun), real name Yoshifumi Ōta (太田慶文, Ōta Yoshifumi), is a painter and illustrator born on November 10, 1951, in Haboro, Hokkaidō Prefecture, Japan. He is best known for his watercolor paintings of young girls and children. Ōta has multiple books in print which collect his works, and he has created illustrations for magazines, books, calendars, and posters, and has had multiple one-man exhibitions. He currently lives in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Koji Kakuta (角田 幸司, Kakuta Kōji; born 11 October 1951) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill event…Koji Kakuta (角田 幸司, Kakuta Kōji; born 11 October 1951) is a Japanese ski jumper. He competed in the normal hill event at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Maki Kaji (鍜治 真起, Kaji Maki; 8 October 1951 – 10 August 2021) was a Japanese businessman who was the president of…Maki Kaji (鍜治 真起, Kaji Maki; 8 October 1951 – 10 August 2021) was a Japanese businessman who was the president of Nikoli, a puzzle manufacturer. He is widely known as "the father of Sudoku" for his role in popularizing the number game.
Kazuo Fujisawa (藤澤 和雄, Fujisawa Kazuo) (born September 22, 1951, in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan) is a retired trainer of…Kazuo Fujisawa (藤澤 和雄, Fujisawa Kazuo) (born September 22, 1951, in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan) is a retired trainer of Thoroughbred race horses. He had been a licensed trainer in Japan since 1987 and from 1993 until his retirement in 2022 has won the training title eleven times. Three of the horses he trained were voted Japanese Horse of the Year on four occasions: Taiki Shuttle (1998), Symboli Kris S (2002, 2003) and Zenno Rob Roy (2004). Fujisawa was also the trainer of Casino Drive, who won the 2008 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park in New York. Fujisawa retired from horse training on February 28, 2022 as he had reached the age of retirement, with his stable winning the 1,570th race on the day of his retirement. The horses that belonged to the Fujisawa stable at the time were transferred to Masayoshi Ebina's newly created stable.
Haruhisa Chiba (3 June 1951 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and…Haruhisa Chiba (3 June 1951 – 8 February 2006) was a Japanese alpine skier. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Shūji Kataoka (片岡 修二, Kataoka Shūji) a.k.a. Yasui Shūchi is a Japanese director and screenwriter primarily known for…Shūji Kataoka (片岡 修二, Kataoka Shūji) a.k.a. Yasui Shūchi is a Japanese director and screenwriter primarily known for his work in pink films but who has also worked in adult videos (AV) and in mainstream film.
Yumiko Igarashi (いがらし ゆみこ, Igarashi Yumiko; born 26 August 1950 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido) is a Japanese manga artist. She…Yumiko Igarashi (いがらし ゆみこ, Igarashi Yumiko; born 26 August 1950 in Asahikawa, Hokkaido) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known for illustrating the manga series Candy Candy.
Katsunari Takahashi (高橋勝成, Takahashi Katsunari) (born Go Seung-Seong (高勝成, 고승성) 5 August 1950) is a Japanese…Katsunari Takahashi (高橋勝成, Takahashi Katsunari) (born Go Seung-Seong (高勝成, 고승성) 5 August 1950) is a Japanese professional golfer of Korean ancestry.
Yutaka Akino (秋野豊, Akino Yutaka; 1 July 1950 – 20 July 1998) was a Japanese political scientist, researcher and…Yutaka Akino (秋野豊, Akino Yutaka; 1 July 1950 – 20 July 1998) was a Japanese political scientist, researcher and University professor who specialized in Russian diplomacy and Central Asian geopolitics. Akino, alongside 3 others were killed by unknown assailants in Darband, a district east of Dushanbe, Tajikistan in 1998 while serving as a United Nations peacekeeper for the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT).
Junko Ohashi (大橋 純子, Ōhashi Junko; April 26, 1950 – November 9, 2023) was a Japanese singer best known for her songs…Junko Ohashi (大橋 純子, Ōhashi Junko; April 26, 1950 – November 9, 2023) was a Japanese singer best known for her songs "Silhouette Romance" (1981) and "Tasogare My Love" (1978). She was known for her "overwhelming singing ability" and was mainly successful between late 1970s and early 1980s. Her discography consists of more than 20 albums. After a brief hiatus due to battling esophageal and breast cancers, she returned to music in 2019. On November 9, 2023, Ohashi died in Tokyo at the age of 73.
Chiyozakura Teruo (千代櫻 輝夫; born 14 April 1950 as Teruo Saito) is a former sumo wrestler from Imakane, Hokkaidō, Japan.…Chiyozakura Teruo (千代櫻 輝夫; born 14 April 1950 as Teruo Saito) is a former sumo wrestler from Imakane, Hokkaidō, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1966 and reached the top division in September 1976. His highest rank was maegashira 5. Upon retirement from active competition, he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name Fujigane. He left the Sumo Association in March 1979. The wrestler name (shikona) "Chiyozakura" was later used by the jūryō division wrestler Chiyozakura Ukyo from 2010 until 2012.
Daiju Hisateru (born 19 March 1950 as Toshiaki Sakaiya) is a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest…Daiju Hisateru (born 19 March 1950 as Toshiaki Sakaiya) is a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki, but he held the rank for only five tournaments – fewer than any ōzeki in the modern era until Mitakeumi, who held the rank of ōzeki for only four tournaments in 2022. He won eleven sanshō or special prizes during his top division career which lasted from 1970 to 1977. He was the head coach of Asahiyama stable from 1997 until 2015.
Joh Sasaki (佐々木 譲, Sasaki Jō; born March 16, 1950) is a Japanese writer and journalist, chiefly known for his…Joh Sasaki (佐々木 譲, Sasaki Jō; born March 16, 1950) is a Japanese writer and journalist, chiefly known for his historical fiction and mystery novels.
Futatsuryū Jun'ichi (双津竜 順一, born Jun'ichi Yamamoto; February 28, 1950 – August 12, 2014) was a sumo wrestler from…Futatsuryū Jun'ichi (双津竜 順一, born Jun'ichi Yamamoto; February 28, 1950 – August 12, 2014) was a sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. After retirement he became the head coach of Tokitsukaze stable. Following his involvement in the hazing and death of trainee Takashi Saito, in October 2007 he became the first serving stablemaster to be dismissed by the Japan Sumo Association. In May 2009 he was sentenced to six years in prison. He died on August 12, 2014, of lung cancer.
Nanae Sasaya (ささや ななえ, Sasaya Nanae; January 31, 1950 – June 8, 2024), also known by the pen name Nanaeko Sasaya (ささや…Nanae Sasaya (ささや ななえ, Sasaya Nanae; January 31, 1950 – June 8, 2024), also known by the pen name Nanaeko Sasaya (ささや ななえこ, Sasaya Nanaeko), was a Japanese manga artist. She was associated with the Year 24 Group.
Tomonori Kogawa (湖川友謙, Kogawa Tomonori; born January 3, 1950 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese animator and character…Tomonori Kogawa (湖川友謙, Kogawa Tomonori; born January 3, 1950 in Engaru, Hokkaidō) is a Japanese animator and character designer, often noted for his work in the 1980s with noted anime studio Sunrise.
Takatoshi Ito (伊藤 隆敏, Itō Takatoshi; 6 October 1950 – 20 September 2025) was a Japanese economist. He was a professor…Takatoshi Ito (伊藤 隆敏, Itō Takatoshi; 6 October 1950 – 20 September 2025) was a Japanese economist. He was a professor of the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and a senior professor of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.
Miyazawa Goro (宮沢吾朗, Miyazawa Goro; born November 29, 1949) is a professional Go player. Miyazawa turned professional…Miyazawa Goro (宮沢吾朗, Miyazawa Goro; born November 29, 1949) is a professional Go player. Miyazawa turned professional in 1966 and reached 9 dan in 1993. He currently resides in the Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. He is the father of Sakana-kun, an illustrator, ichthyologist and television personality.
Yuji Katsuro (勝呂 裕司, Katsuro Yūji; born October 7, 1949) is a retired Japanese Nordic combined skier. He competed at…Yuji Katsuro (勝呂 裕司, Katsuro Yūji; born October 7, 1949) is a retired Japanese Nordic combined skier. He competed at the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics and placed fifth and 21st, respectively. After retiring from competitions Katsuro was offered a job as a coach affiliated with his company. He refused and tried to become an independent coach, but failed, and later took odd jobs at bars and golf courses.
Shizuko Tōdō (藤堂志津子; born March 14, 1949) is a Japanese novelist and essayist. She is best known for writing the novel…Shizuko Tōdō (藤堂志津子; born March 14, 1949) is a Japanese novelist and essayist. She is best known for writing the novel Ureteyuku Natsu (熟れてゆく夏), which won the 1988 Naoki Prize.
Takahiro Sasaki (佐々木 隆博, Sasaki Takahiro; born 10 March 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Constitutional…Takahiro Sasaki (佐々木 隆博, Sasaki Takahiro; born 10 March 1949) is a former Japanese politician of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Masanori Nishio (西尾 正範, Nishio Masanori; 3 January 1949 – 28 May 2022) was a Japanese politician. Nishio was born in…Masanori Nishio (西尾 正範, Nishio Masanori; 3 January 1949 – 28 May 2022) was a Japanese politician. Nishio was born in Ōno, Hokkaidō, now part of the city of Hokuto. After graduating Kyoto University, he became a public servant in 1973. He was appointed deputy mayor of Hakodate by its then-mayor Hiroshi Inoue (politician) in July 2003, but resigned himself in December 2006 due to a rift with the mayor over the construction of a retirement home. He beat Inoue in the mayoral election held on 22 April 2007, and took office on 27 April.
Norio Hirate (平手 則男, Hirate Norio; born 8 December 1948) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1972 Winter…Norio Hirate (平手 則男, Hirate Norio; born 8 December 1948) is a Japanese speed skater. He competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics and the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Chiaki Kawamata (川又千秋, Kawamata Chiaki; born December 4, 1948 in Otaru, Hokkaidō, Japan) is a Japanese science fiction…Chiaki Kawamata (川又千秋, Kawamata Chiaki; born December 4, 1948 in Otaru, Hokkaidō, Japan) is a Japanese science fiction writer and critic. He has won both the Seiun Award and the Nihon SF Taisho Award. Kawamata is also noted for writing the story of the manga Emblem of Roto.
Yoshitaka Itō (born 24 November 1948) is a Japanese politician, who has served as a member of the House of…Yoshitaka Itō (born 24 November 1948) is a Japanese politician, who has served as a member of the House of Representatives from Hokkaido since 2009. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Masatsugu Nagato (born 18 November 1948) is a Japanese businessman who was the president and CEO of Japan Post Holdings…Masatsugu Nagato (born 18 November 1948) is a Japanese businessman who was the president and CEO of Japan Post Holdings from 2016 to 2020, having previously been president and CEO of Japan Post Bank.
Kongō Masahiro (18 November 1948 - 12 August 2014) was a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank…Kongō Masahiro (18 November 1948 - 12 August 2014) was a former sumo wrestler from Hokkaidō, Japan. His highest rank was sekiwake and he won a top division tournament championship in 1975. He was a sumo coach and head of the Nishonoseki stable from 1976 until 2013.
Ayako Daidōji (Japanese: 大道寺 あや子, romanized: Daidōji Ayako, born 20 October 1948) is a Japanese far-left militant and…Ayako Daidōji (Japanese: 大道寺 あや子, romanized: Daidōji Ayako, born 20 October 1948) is a Japanese far-left militant and fugitive. She was initially a member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front (EAAJAF), and was married to the group's leader Masashi Daidōji. Following the 1974 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries bombing, Daidoji was arrested for her involvement, but was subsequently released as part of a hostage exchange following the hijacking of JAL Flight 472 by the Japanese Red Army. Following her release, Daidoji joined the Japanese Red Army and still remains at large. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Kazuo Sakurada (桜田 一男, Sakurada Kazuo; September 26, 1948 – January 12, 2020), better known as Mr. Sakurada, The…Kazuo Sakurada (桜田 一男, Sakurada Kazuo; September 26, 1948 – January 12, 2020), better known as Mr. Sakurada, The Dragonmaster, and as the Japanese version of Kendo Nagasaki (ケンドー・ナガサキ, Kendō Nagasaki), was a Japanese professional wrestler. He was best known for his work in Stampede Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling. Sakurada was also highly regarded by Bret Hart as one of his most significant trainers alongside Katsui Adachi or Mr. Hito, with whom he taught extensively in Hart Dungeon.
Agata Morio (Japanese: あがた森魚, born 12 September 1948) is a Japanese folk rock singer-songwriter and actor. He also…Agata Morio (Japanese: あがた森魚, born 12 September 1948) is a Japanese folk rock singer-songwriter and actor. He also directed three films.
Mieko Chikappu (チカップ 美恵子 Chikappu Mieko, also rendered as Chikkap or Cikap Mieko, September 9, 1948 – February 5…Mieko Chikappu (チカップ 美恵子 Chikappu Mieko, also rendered as Chikkap or Cikap Mieko, September 9, 1948 – February 5, 2010), born Mieko Iga (伊賀 美恵子 Iga Mieko), was a Japanese Ainu embroiderer, artist, poet, essayist, and Indigenous activist. "Chikappu" is a rendering of the Ainu language word "cikap" (チカㇷ゚) meaning "bird".
Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (Japanese: 北瀬海 弘光; July 2, 1948 – July 26, 2026), born Takashi Tsuchiya (土谷 孝), was a Japanese sumo…Kitaseumi Hiromitsu (Japanese: 北瀬海 弘光; July 2, 1948 – July 26, 2026), born Takashi Tsuchiya (土谷 孝), was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Kitahiyama, Hokkaidō. He made his professional debut in July 1964, and reached the top division in March 1972. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in May 1979 and was an active elder in the Japan Sumo Association under the name "Kimigahama". As Kimigahama he first coached at Kokonoe stable, but in 1993, moved to Hakkaku stable when it was started up by former Kokonoe wrestler Hokutoumi (the 61st Yokozuna). He reached the Sumo Association's mandatory retirement age of 65 in July 2013. The Kimigahama toshiyori-kabu (or elder name) was acquired by Hakkaku wrestler Okinoumi in October 2013. Hiromitsu died at a hospital in Tokyo, on July 26, 2026, at the age of 78.
Fumio Ueda (上田 文雄, Ueda Fumio; June 11, 1948 – September 18, 2025) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of…Fumio Ueda (上田 文雄, Ueda Fumio; June 11, 1948 – September 18, 2025) was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido.
Masashi Daidōji (大道寺将司, Daidōji Masashi) (5 June 1948 – 24 May 2017) was a Japanese far-left militant who founded the…Masashi Daidōji (大道寺将司, Daidōji Masashi) (5 June 1948 – 24 May 2017) was a Japanese far-left militant who founded the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front and formulated the group's ideology, anti-Japaneseism. Following the group's bombing of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries headquarters in 1974, Daidōji was arrested, and sentenced to death for his role in the bombing. Daidōji remained on death row until he died of natural causes in 2017.
Asanobori Toshimitsu (born 3 June 1948 as Toshiaki Shimofuri) is a former sumo wrestler from Yubari, Hokkaidō, Japan.…Asanobori Toshimitsu (born 3 June 1948 as Toshiaki Shimofuri) is a former sumo wrestler from Yubari, Hokkaidō, Japan. He made his professional debut in July 1963 and reached the top division in March 1969. His highest rank was maegashira 2. Upon retirement from active competition he became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association. He left the Sumo Association in June 1979.
Ryo Fukui (福居良, Fukui Ryō; [ɸɯ.kɯꜜi ɾʲoː]; June 1, 1948 – March 15, 2016) was a Japanese jazz pianist based in Sapporo.…Ryo Fukui (福居良, Fukui Ryō; [ɸɯ.kɯꜜi ɾʲoː]; June 1, 1948 – March 15, 2016) was a Japanese jazz pianist based in Sapporo. He played regularly at the "Slowboat" jazz club in Sapporo, which he and his wife Yasuko owned. Fukui taught and performed internationally until his death in 2016. His work has seen a spike in popularity after his death, with several reissues of his albums.
Waki Yamato (Japanese: 大和 和紀, Hepburn: Yamato Waki; born March 13, 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. She debuted in…Waki Yamato (Japanese: 大和 和紀, Hepburn: Yamato Waki; born March 13, 1948) is a Japanese manga artist. She debuted in 1966 with the short story Dorobō Tenshi. Since her debut, Yamato steadily created and published a variety of works in the genre of shōjo manga. Among her early time works, Mon Cherie CoCo, 1971, was adapted into an anime television series, and her work, Haikara-san ga Tōru, 1975 to 1977, was very successful, winning the 1st Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga in 1977. It was also made into a musical for the Takarazuka Revue, an anime series (which reached an international audience through TV broadcasts in Italy and France), and a live-action film. Through these early works, she established her position as one of the most popular manga artists.
Kiyomi Kato (加藤 喜代美, Katō Kiyomi; born March 8, 1948) is a retired Japanese flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a gold…Kiyomi Kato (加藤 喜代美, Katō Kiyomi; born March 8, 1948) is a retired Japanese flyweight freestyle wrestler. He won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics and a silver medal at the 1970 Asian Games and placed sixth at the 1971 World Wrestling Championships. Kato lost to Mohammad Ghorbani at the 1970 Asian Games, but took revenge at the 1972 Olympics.